Coming to the end of the road with my E46 M3, V8V next?
Discussion
I've had my M3 over 5 years now, and can honestly say it's the best car I've ever had, I would genuinely struggle to fault it. Never missed a beat, quite cheap to run, fabulous performance/handling and a masterpiece of an engine.
But I've had it a long while, and it's just time to move on.
I keep mulling over M6, 996tt, 997C2S and the E92 M3 but none give me that longing, that "must have" feeling. It would probably help if my opinion of my current car wasn't so sky high.
Recently I've been hankering for a V8V, but on all the forums associated with the cars mentioned above, they have a relatively poor press (to say the least).
So a question to the people who know then the best:-
Would I find servicing/ fuel costs ruinous?
Are they difficult to live with?
What should I particularly look for when viewing?
Would I find the performance disappointing? This one in particular I find most puzzling, as on paper they are plenty quick enough, but sooo many people report that they never feel particularly quick.
Looks wise, I'm already sold, I think they're beautiful, more so even than DB9/DBS, and engine note, Oh, to die for......
Any help/advice/opinion greatly appreciated.
But I've had it a long while, and it's just time to move on.
I keep mulling over M6, 996tt, 997C2S and the E92 M3 but none give me that longing, that "must have" feeling. It would probably help if my opinion of my current car wasn't so sky high.
Recently I've been hankering for a V8V, but on all the forums associated with the cars mentioned above, they have a relatively poor press (to say the least).
So a question to the people who know then the best:-
Would I find servicing/ fuel costs ruinous?
Are they difficult to live with?
What should I particularly look for when viewing?
Would I find the performance disappointing? This one in particular I find most puzzling, as on paper they are plenty quick enough, but sooo many people report that they never feel particularly quick.
Looks wise, I'm already sold, I think they're beautiful, more so even than DB9/DBS, and engine note, Oh, to die for......
Any help/advice/opinion greatly appreciated.
Would I find servicing/ fuel costs ruinous?
No to servicing - fuel sub 20MPG
Are they difficult to live with?
Yes, in the same way as it would be difficult to live with a supermodel!! The Vantage was designed to be used every day
What should I particularly look for when viewing?
Check the full specifications, bit like a BMW / Porker, several add ons, e.g. rear parking sensors, memory seats, upgraded stereo etc.
Would I find the performance disappointing? This one in particular I find most puzzling, as on paper they are plenty quick enough, but sooo many people report that they never feel particularly quick.
The 4.3 may feel slow in comparison to an M3 on a short test drive. Its not slow, just the way it feels. Big wide car, very comfy, quiet cabin (except exhaust note) lazy throttle response, relative lack of low down torque. The 4.3 develops its power high up the rev range, loves a good thrashing! You can be driving along, thinking this is very fast, then look down at the speedo
Does not feel slow when you are on it. A bit of a Jeckyll and Hyde car, you can cruise around in luxurious high speed peace, then press on and the thing takes off. Work the gearbox and it shifts. Needs a good Geo setup
4.7 versions have more low down torque but are quieter on the exhaust note.
No to servicing - fuel sub 20MPG
Are they difficult to live with?
Yes, in the same way as it would be difficult to live with a supermodel!! The Vantage was designed to be used every day
What should I particularly look for when viewing?
Check the full specifications, bit like a BMW / Porker, several add ons, e.g. rear parking sensors, memory seats, upgraded stereo etc.
Would I find the performance disappointing? This one in particular I find most puzzling, as on paper they are plenty quick enough, but sooo many people report that they never feel particularly quick.
The 4.3 may feel slow in comparison to an M3 on a short test drive. Its not slow, just the way it feels. Big wide car, very comfy, quiet cabin (except exhaust note) lazy throttle response, relative lack of low down torque. The 4.3 develops its power high up the rev range, loves a good thrashing! You can be driving along, thinking this is very fast, then look down at the speedo
Does not feel slow when you are on it. A bit of a Jeckyll and Hyde car, you can cruise around in luxurious high speed peace, then press on and the thing takes off. Work the gearbox and it shifts. Needs a good Geo setup4.7 versions have more low down torque but are quieter on the exhaust note.
Have any of the people on those forums who are critical of the car ever owned one?
Coming from BMW and Merc ownership myself the AM is in a different league. They were good cars but they never gave me the same sense of occasion the V8V does. It's a joy to drive and not just because of the amount of attention it gets either.
In the main they seem to be reliable and as Neil said they are meant to be driven every day. If You go ahead, buy from a main dealer and check service history etc carefully. Then enjoy. Good luck whatever you decide.
Coming from BMW and Merc ownership myself the AM is in a different league. They were good cars but they never gave me the same sense of occasion the V8V does. It's a joy to drive and not just because of the amount of attention it gets either.
In the main they seem to be reliable and as Neil said they are meant to be driven every day. If You go ahead, buy from a main dealer and check service history etc carefully. Then enjoy. Good luck whatever you decide.
I came from a BMW 330 M Sport Coupe. As you say, an excellent car in every way.
But not once did it ever give me the same feeling I get when walking back to my V8V in the Petrol Station. A feeling I still get after nearly 3 years.
It goes something like.... God that car is beautiful!!!!!!! And mine!!!!!!!!
It's the grin/pride/x-factor you will not have experienced with the BMW and not one you will ever find on paper or in the figures.
Go try one. Go buy one. You won't regret it!!!
But not once did it ever give me the same feeling I get when walking back to my V8V in the Petrol Station. A feeling I still get after nearly 3 years.
It goes something like.... God that car is beautiful!!!!!!! And mine!!!!!!!!
It's the grin/pride/x-factor you will not have experienced with the BMW and not one you will ever find on paper or in the figures.
Go try one. Go buy one. You won't regret it!!!
Everything you need to know is in The Definitive Guide to Gaydon Era Aston Martin
brakedwell said:
Everything you need to know is in The Definitive Guide to Gaydon Era Aston Martin
is an excellent way to start your search......buy it, and read it.......with regards to moving from an M3 to a V8V.......the big change will be other peoples attitude towards you. I have owned 3 "M" cars and I found people, and other road users, smile a lot more when you drive an Aston.......I don’t think a 4.3 V8V will have the grunt of the M3, but I promise you, you won’t miss it. Moving from a M3 to a V8V is like joining the Premier league from Division 1 (no disrespect intended for your excellent M3).....good luck with the research and hopefully your search for your first Aston............a final thought.....next time somebody asks you what car you drive, what answer will give you so much pleasure I made the same transition and I can guarantee you will not regret it as the V8V is in a very different league. The design, interior and general ambience of the V8V were enough to convince me I was making a massive upgrade, and that was before I started the engine
Performance is very similar and as I recall the M3 needed plenty of revs as does the Vantage, the big advantage with the latter is the soundtrack that accompanies the pedal going down. The costs aren't ruinous but servicing will be more expensive and you will be using more fuel.
Just do it
Performance is very similar and as I recall the M3 needed plenty of revs as does the Vantage, the big advantage with the latter is the soundtrack that accompanies the pedal going down. The costs aren't ruinous but servicing will be more expensive and you will be using more fuel.
Just do it
michael gould said:
next time somebody asks you what car you drive, what answer will give you so much pleasure
Interesting that. Unless I was at a car event with it, or I'm talking to a bunch of enthusiasts like my touring chums, I would never tell anyone that I had an Aston. Obviously if people have seen it there's no point fibbing, but people seem to judge you differently. I suppose they get jealous 
I say I have a Golf or a Land Rover.
I did enjoy my M3 convertible but I don't think you'll miss much about it when you move to a Vantage.
Go and drive a couple, maybe even get the dealer to drive it properly for you as I am always very wary of pushing cars I don't know very well.
Another idea is buying a 6gear track experience and having a drive in a Vantage (and/or the other cars you mentioned) with an instructor. Cost effective way of experiencing the cars on a track.
I agree with Yeti about peoples' reactions. I am also very wary of telling people that I have an Aston. I also tell people I have a Golf or Land Rover, and in my case both are true!
And I also see where Mr Gould is coming from. Argh the dichotomy...
Go and drive a couple, maybe even get the dealer to drive it properly for you as I am always very wary of pushing cars I don't know very well.
Another idea is buying a 6gear track experience and having a drive in a Vantage (and/or the other cars you mentioned) with an instructor. Cost effective way of experiencing the cars on a track.
I agree with Yeti about peoples' reactions. I am also very wary of telling people that I have an Aston. I also tell people I have a Golf or Land Rover, and in my case both are true!
And I also see where Mr Gould is coming from. Argh the dichotomy...
I was out in it last night Bob, and it took me 6 minutes before driving off to defrost the windscreen ice....on the INSIDE of the car 
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