AMR Vantage 59 Hero or 718 Spyder
Discussion
Hi all - I am considering a 2020 manual AMR vantage 59 Hero edition - which is a similar price to a Porsche 718 Spyder. They are both special cars - the Aston has dropped a lot of value but it is still 20k or so more than a regular Vantage. Is it special enough not to keep materially dropping in value? In comparison, the Spyder has barely lost value from its list price and seems to be a highly regarded sports car which should have strong residuals.
I would like to hear your views as to which might be a better buy/value/fun to drive on British roads and cities. I might be driving it more than a few times a week (plus special days).
Thanks
I would like to hear your views as to which might be a better buy/value/fun to drive on British roads and cities. I might be driving it more than a few times a week (plus special days).
Thanks
For info, I haven't driven either.
But for me, the Aston is bought with the heart and the Porsche bought with your head.
The Aston is definitely a more special car that will probably get more attention.
The Porsche although very nice and probably a better driving car, is just another Porsche....
The car market is very odd at the moment and you can pick up some cars where someone else has took the hit on the depreciation.
I'd say the Porsches and Astons will both lose a bit more money long term, but the Aston would always be more special.
I'm biased, but I'd buy the Aston.
But for me, the Aston is bought with the heart and the Porsche bought with your head.
The Aston is definitely a more special car that will probably get more attention.
The Porsche although very nice and probably a better driving car, is just another Porsche....
The car market is very odd at the moment and you can pick up some cars where someone else has took the hit on the depreciation.
I'd say the Porsches and Astons will both lose a bit more money long term, but the Aston would always be more special.
I'm biased, but I'd buy the Aston.
There have been reports on here about problems with manual cars of that era. The seven speed manual does not seem to work as well with the AMG V8 as it did in the final run of V12VS cars. If you search through the forum you may find some more information, but as far as I can remember the auto gearbox is better at handling the torque of the V8. I think the torque had to be reduced for the manuals and eventually the gearbox was dropped as an option, albeit rather quietly. I’ve always liked the look of 718 Spyder, although the roof seems to be rather fiddly. Imho that is probably the better choice of the two. If you are dead set on Vantage from that era, there are still plenty of cars out there, albeit mainly autos, and imho that gearbox suits the powertrain much better. BRM.
Buy the aston! The porsche is just not the same.
But... I'll stand by one of the most fun cars I've driven is a 718 boxster gts 4.0 manual. Felt light, very agile, great engine and transmission. Really honestly spectacular in my opinion. It's not a gt3 sort of thing, but a very fun and road focused roadster. Watch the Harry Metcalfe video on it.
If I had the funds and garage space. I'd have one to run alongside a V12 n/a more GT focused AM like a 2015 Vanquish volante. That'd be quite the pair.
There are some late MY v/h v8v manuals out there. I thought the transmission was good but not great in them ( 6 speed in the v8), however better than the AMG Vantage as a manual for sure. Not a fan of the single clutch paddle shift though in the v/h cars. As much as I love manuals, gotta say the 8 speed ZF really suites any Aston I've driven with it, really helps the mk 2 vanquish in my opinion over the early 6 speed ones. and of course is great in the Db11/db12.
But... I'll stand by one of the most fun cars I've driven is a 718 boxster gts 4.0 manual. Felt light, very agile, great engine and transmission. Really honestly spectacular in my opinion. It's not a gt3 sort of thing, but a very fun and road focused roadster. Watch the Harry Metcalfe video on it.
If I had the funds and garage space. I'd have one to run alongside a V12 n/a more GT focused AM like a 2015 Vanquish volante. That'd be quite the pair.
There are some late MY v/h v8v manuals out there. I thought the transmission was good but not great in them ( 6 speed in the v8), however better than the AMG Vantage as a manual for sure. Not a fan of the single clutch paddle shift though in the v/h cars. As much as I love manuals, gotta say the 8 speed ZF really suites any Aston I've driven with it, really helps the mk 2 vanquish in my opinion over the early 6 speed ones. and of course is great in the Db11/db12.
Edited by Beckson on Friday 31st October 01:17
Both lovely cars, though I would echo the comments re the gearbox on the HERO Vantage. I've been to enough Aston related events and seen a few manual cars arriving and leaving with burning clutches, the last Simply Aston Martin I attended there was one that limped out of the event only to be sidelined still in the Beaulieu grounds awaiting recovery.
It depends on where you live to some extent with Porsche, near me they are a very common sight on the road whereas with Aston's you don't see them around very often and this to me gives lots of pleasure, they are always noticed whereas Porsche just aren't. There is a sense of occasion with an Aston that you don't get with a Porsche and lets be honest Porsche never sound good unless on full chat, around town and at idle they are not very distinctive.
Depends on what floats your boat, on UK roads neither can be used to their full and intended extent. But if it were me I would not be looking at that Vantage with a manual box, the auto is so good and can be very playful and really does handle well the potholed roads we have in the UK.
It depends on where you live to some extent with Porsche, near me they are a very common sight on the road whereas with Aston's you don't see them around very often and this to me gives lots of pleasure, they are always noticed whereas Porsche just aren't. There is a sense of occasion with an Aston that you don't get with a Porsche and lets be honest Porsche never sound good unless on full chat, around town and at idle they are not very distinctive.
Depends on what floats your boat, on UK roads neither can be used to their full and intended extent. But if it were me I would not be looking at that Vantage with a manual box, the auto is so good and can be very playful and really does handle well the potholed roads we have in the UK.
I'd also encourage you to consider the naturally aspirated v12 cars, whether a Db9 mk2, the Vanquish, or a v/h era V12 vantage.
You simply will not find naturally aspirated v12 engines going forward, certainly not in anything semi affordable, and they are truly special with that engine. Even if you only keep it for a few years, a v12 vantage s is truly something remarkable and unlike anything that will be made again. You likely won't find a manual without paying big money but that's ok, the 7 speed single clutch auto manual is acceptable in my opinion in it, way better than the v8v 6 speed sportshift. These are now getting a bit on in the years, but only getting older, and still "modern" feeling cars. I'd imagine you could buy a v12 vantage s and run it a few years and sell it at least for what you paid for it.
I'd take a vanquish or a V12V anytime over a db11 w/ amg 4.0 or a vantage with the amg engine. The later mk2 db9s are also really nice and I think under appreaciated. Especially if you can find a DB9 GT.
Those amg powered cars will always be there years from now, the n/a v12s will not be, they'll be too old by that point to still feel truly modern.
You simply will not find naturally aspirated v12 engines going forward, certainly not in anything semi affordable, and they are truly special with that engine. Even if you only keep it for a few years, a v12 vantage s is truly something remarkable and unlike anything that will be made again. You likely won't find a manual without paying big money but that's ok, the 7 speed single clutch auto manual is acceptable in my opinion in it, way better than the v8v 6 speed sportshift. These are now getting a bit on in the years, but only getting older, and still "modern" feeling cars. I'd imagine you could buy a v12 vantage s and run it a few years and sell it at least for what you paid for it.
I'd take a vanquish or a V12V anytime over a db11 w/ amg 4.0 or a vantage with the amg engine. The later mk2 db9s are also really nice and I think under appreaciated. Especially if you can find a DB9 GT.
Those amg powered cars will always be there years from now, the n/a v12s will not be, they'll be too old by that point to still feel truly modern.
Edited by Beckson on Friday 31st October 14:16
Is the AMR Vantage the one with the bright accent and stripe? If so, I’d avoid it and choose a standard car instead.
I just returned a 4.0 Vantage. It was great fun to drive—powerful, a bit wild, and felt special and hand-built. but it also seemed older than it really was.
I’ve bought a 718 Spyder as its replacement. It’s more fun to drive, especially on country roads, way better built, but feels less bespoke than an Aston. They are pretty good value and have Porsche backed (low cost) warranty up to 15 years of age.
I think the 718 Spyder will keep its value better over time, especially if you find a manual one, as there aren’t many around and there arent many Porsche GT cars that are convertible, fewer still that are also manual.
Or get a V12V which have bottomed out at c.£65-70k for a few years, assuming you can afford to maintain it.
I just returned a 4.0 Vantage. It was great fun to drive—powerful, a bit wild, and felt special and hand-built. but it also seemed older than it really was.
I’ve bought a 718 Spyder as its replacement. It’s more fun to drive, especially on country roads, way better built, but feels less bespoke than an Aston. They are pretty good value and have Porsche backed (low cost) warranty up to 15 years of age.
I think the 718 Spyder will keep its value better over time, especially if you find a manual one, as there aren’t many around and there arent many Porsche GT cars that are convertible, fewer still that are also manual.
Or get a V12V which have bottomed out at c.£65-70k for a few years, assuming you can afford to maintain it.
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