Having dark thoughts
Discussion
About coming back to Aston. I love the things and for the money and second hand market nothing much comes close. Though I did not have a great experience first time around if I'm honest. I've thought about selling my McLaren MP04-12C to release bit of cash and get another V8 Vantage, am I mad? In the 40-50k range nothing else appeals to me. Some may say backward step but my years are creeping up on me and the McLaren? WOW, is all I can say, it's EPIC in every way and is very highly specced too (£235 when new and still has McLaren warranty). But, I can never drive it to it's limits, in fact very few could but guilt creeps over me at times with my other half still working with pain. Apologies for the ramblings of a silly old fool. 
Even though you had to fight for AML to do the right thing, it is good that you still have a passion for another Vantage.
Think you know what this forum will say, but of course only you can decide.
I am puzzled by McLaren's recent miniscule new registrations (sales) in the UK.
Jan to Mar 2022 = 45 (2021 = 117)
Are they now concentrating more on America, where the word seems to be of good sales?
I also went the opposite way. V8 Vantage to Mac and would consider a move back but they are very different cars as you will know.
The Vantage was a brilliant thing to own and listen to when it was working. The reliability of mine got the better of me and it had to go. I loved it to own and have on the driveway, But it's not a patch on the Macs to drive, in both performance and driving stakes.
I really miss the vantage sound though. And the ownership of an Aston trounces the McLaren, and by that I mean the dealership, special nights, loan cars. Days out etc.
I think you'd need to look at a Vanquish / V12 vantage to warrant the change
The Vantage was a brilliant thing to own and listen to when it was working. The reliability of mine got the better of me and it had to go. I loved it to own and have on the driveway, But it's not a patch on the Macs to drive, in both performance and driving stakes.
I really miss the vantage sound though. And the ownership of an Aston trounces the McLaren, and by that I mean the dealership, special nights, loan cars. Days out etc.
I think you'd need to look at a Vanquish / V12 vantage to warrant the change
Don’t think the v8v can be beat in its sector for a road car.
Sure, there’s faster cars, but as an all round experience they’re awesome and you can actually drive them and enjoy them without doing jail speeds.
Another plus is that rocking up in an Aston doesn’t make everyone think you’re a tool which sadly in this country pretty much is the case with most brands
You just can’t use the current crop of sports and super cars, they leave me feeling a bit numb really.
Sure, there’s faster cars, but as an all round experience they’re awesome and you can actually drive them and enjoy them without doing jail speeds.
Another plus is that rocking up in an Aston doesn’t make everyone think you’re a tool which sadly in this country pretty much is the case with most brands
You just can’t use the current crop of sports and super cars, they leave me feeling a bit numb really.
Edited by Finding Neutral on Tuesday 19th April 21:03
Defo considering a Vanquish/Vanquish S as my next car although wouldn't rule out sticking with a Mclaren of some sort either. For me it would have to be a V12 Aston and since I already ran a V12VS a while back I'd want to try something else. The charisma of that engine would compensate somewhat for the Mclaren advantage of outright performance and dynamics. Fully understand the lure of returning to an Aston tho.
Nothing wrong with heading back to Aston from a McLaren. I sold my 570s last year, it was a brilliant car but the raised values meant it was the optimum time to sell… it’s really missed:-
I’ve had a 2007 Vantage in the past, and found it rather dull, pretty but not especially quick, hampered by an awful gearbox and generally they feel their age now (IMHO) so my recommendation would be to try one of the newer Vantages. Much more modern, still pretty, but backed up with proper accessible performance. I recently bought this highly spec’d Vantage and it’s great fun
I’ve had a 2007 Vantage in the past, and found it rather dull, pretty but not especially quick, hampered by an awful gearbox and generally they feel their age now (IMHO) so my recommendation would be to try one of the newer Vantages. Much more modern, still pretty, but backed up with proper accessible performance. I recently bought this highly spec’d Vantage and it’s great fun
macdeb said:
About coming back to Aston. I love the things and for the money and second hand market nothing much comes close. Though I did not have a great experience first time around if I'm honest. I've thought about selling my McLaren MP04-12C to release bit of cash and get another V8 Vantage, am I mad? In the 40-50k range nothing else appeals to me.
People suggesting Vanquish seem to have missed this bit!Tbh, I understand the views around current market. There really isn’t much interesting out there that appeals at present.
Looked at your profile and list of cars… not tempted to go properly off the rails and revisit TVR? Budget would get a lovely Cerbera or Tuscan. Perhaps more interesting than something you’ve already had (unless you absolutely loved the v8v and regret selling it).
Well I must say that my first Aston experience was not exactly a good one, AML customer service were faultless thoughout and it was the gall of the main dealer who delivered a car with big ends knocking and who continued to lie throughout thereafter that was the problem. I wont go on about it again but AML and my local main dealer got the car 'right' but it was too late for me then as I'd lost the love for it and my head was turned by McLaren. As for the McLaren it is the only car I've had that drives even better than it looks and I've not had a single bad reaction to it and I cannot find words to express how good it is. But as said, some cash released would be nice and as it still has 7 months McLaren warranty which is bumper to bumper would appeal to some . TVR's? No, been there too many times now. So, find myself looking at various adverts and thinking to myself, 'surely I couldn't be so unlucky again'? A good 4.7 in right colour appeals at the moment but it may change and I am getting on a bit and like the thought of winding down some. Anyway, sorry to bore, just thinking out aloud and thanks for kind responses so far.
Edited by macdeb on Wednesday 20th April 14:57
Edited by macdeb on Thursday 21st April 12:12
I went from a 12C to a Virage recently and don’t regret it. Sure the Aston is slower and a GT car but it’s plenty quick enough and more useable. I much prefer n/a engined cars.
In the year before I sold my 12C it had circa £20k spent on it including gearbox rebuild. Thankfully someone else paid these bills. The McLaren was incredibly fast but I just lost the love for it and needed to get rid. McLaren forum is littered with expensive horror stores. The Aston feels like a much better built car and has tried and tested drivetrain, brakes, suspension etc. I can see me keeping my Aston a long time.
In the year before I sold my 12C it had circa £20k spent on it including gearbox rebuild. Thankfully someone else paid these bills. The McLaren was incredibly fast but I just lost the love for it and needed to get rid. McLaren forum is littered with expensive horror stores. The Aston feels like a much better built car and has tried and tested drivetrain, brakes, suspension etc. I can see me keeping my Aston a long time.
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