Want A Vantage - Unsure How Deep To Jump In!
Discussion
OP , other than to say I too was one of the " foolish " that test drove a V12 (S) I think Ry and Cockernees posts sum it all up really.
Fwiw I started my Aston ownership with an SP10 ( V8S ) and then 18 months later swapped it for the V12.If I hadn't driven the V12 i would have been perfectly happy to keep the V8.Running costs appear very similar other than petrol but if you are already worrying about this and depreciation then refer back to Cockernees post.
I had 4 911's in a row as daily drivers and thanks to contracting a very serious issue promised myself that if I " got through " this I would buy a Aston.
Just another form of man maths.
You're a long time dead.
Fwiw I started my Aston ownership with an SP10 ( V8S ) and then 18 months later swapped it for the V12.If I hadn't driven the V12 i would have been perfectly happy to keep the V8.Running costs appear very similar other than petrol but if you are already worrying about this and depreciation then refer back to Cockernees post.
I had 4 911's in a row as daily drivers and thanks to contracting a very serious issue promised myself that if I " got through " this I would buy a Aston.
Just another form of man maths.
You're a long time dead.
Okay guys, first things first: it's not a V12. 
I would, of course, dearly love one, but I just couldn't bring myself to stretch myself so much at this point in time. I appreciate that I may never get a V12 Vantage cheaper than I will right now, but alas, I am too poor to really take advantage. 
That said, after much reading and deliberating, I have plumped for a 10MY V8 Vantage 4.7 with Sports Pack. I still prefer the pure aesthetics of the 4.3 cars, but was just blown away by how the car I've gone for drove. I felt it was a fairly sweet spot in the options available, in that it offers a little more than the 4.3, but is a good bit cheaper than the N430s that I am so attracted to. Hopefully depreciation should be minimal and I'll be able to climb the ladder up to one of those V12s at some point!
I didn't drive a V12 as I didn't want to be cruel to myself. 
Anyway, the car I've gone for:
The car was up at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell and I just cannot believe the level of service I received from the staff (in particular Simon) whilst I was there. I've never experienced anything quite like it when buying a car and is actually a day I'll remember forever. Being able to see first-hand the incredible facilities and work that goes on there was truly fantastic. I've been on a few proper car manufacturer tours and this was better than any of them! To know that there is somewhere such as this to look after my car - no matter what happens to it - is incredibly comforting.
The car itself is finished in Lightening Silver with Obsidian Black interior and also features clear rear lamps and the N400 sills. Not what I'd personally spec, but the paint is beautiful and it's a very classy-looking combination, whilst still remaining quite sporty. I think the Vantage looks stunning whatever the colour, so I was more concerned with condition and mileage. The car has some nice options and is a desirable 10MY, plus it's in a really lovely condition. Obviously the thing that jumps furthest off the spec sheet is the Sports Pack, which seems to be held in high regard by many. I'm not 100% sold on the aesthetics of the diamond-cut 5 spoke wheels, but I seem to be in the minority here! Still, it's easy to spruce them up a bit with a lick of paint and you can't argue with how the thing goes down the road.
AMW are going to rectify a couple of small bits before I collect the car (a new pair of rear lamps and side repeaters as they're all a little moist inside!), but otherwise the thing looks like new. It's also getting a full service and MoT.
I could not care less if a BMW M4 is faster or a 911 handles better, for this thing is special and you just can't compete with that. I just know that this will be the first car in a lifetime of Aston Martin ownership for me, and I am so very happy to be here.
I would, of course, dearly love one, but I just couldn't bring myself to stretch myself so much at this point in time. I appreciate that I may never get a V12 Vantage cheaper than I will right now, but alas, I am too poor to really take advantage. That said, after much reading and deliberating, I have plumped for a 10MY V8 Vantage 4.7 with Sports Pack. I still prefer the pure aesthetics of the 4.3 cars, but was just blown away by how the car I've gone for drove. I felt it was a fairly sweet spot in the options available, in that it offers a little more than the 4.3, but is a good bit cheaper than the N430s that I am so attracted to. Hopefully depreciation should be minimal and I'll be able to climb the ladder up to one of those V12s at some point!
I didn't drive a V12 as I didn't want to be cruel to myself. Anyway, the car I've gone for:
The car was up at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell and I just cannot believe the level of service I received from the staff (in particular Simon) whilst I was there. I've never experienced anything quite like it when buying a car and is actually a day I'll remember forever. Being able to see first-hand the incredible facilities and work that goes on there was truly fantastic. I've been on a few proper car manufacturer tours and this was better than any of them! To know that there is somewhere such as this to look after my car - no matter what happens to it - is incredibly comforting.
The car itself is finished in Lightening Silver with Obsidian Black interior and also features clear rear lamps and the N400 sills. Not what I'd personally spec, but the paint is beautiful and it's a very classy-looking combination, whilst still remaining quite sporty. I think the Vantage looks stunning whatever the colour, so I was more concerned with condition and mileage. The car has some nice options and is a desirable 10MY, plus it's in a really lovely condition. Obviously the thing that jumps furthest off the spec sheet is the Sports Pack, which seems to be held in high regard by many. I'm not 100% sold on the aesthetics of the diamond-cut 5 spoke wheels, but I seem to be in the minority here! Still, it's easy to spruce them up a bit with a lick of paint and you can't argue with how the thing goes down the road.
AMW are going to rectify a couple of small bits before I collect the car (a new pair of rear lamps and side repeaters as they're all a little moist inside!), but otherwise the thing looks like new. It's also getting a full service and MoT.
I could not care less if a BMW M4 is faster or a 911 handles better, for this thing is special and you just can't compete with that. I just know that this will be the first car in a lifetime of Aston Martin ownership for me, and I am so very happy to be here.
Congrats - looks lovely. I noticed that one when I was browsing Autotrader.
The Vantage shape looks excellent in silver. I'm not usually a fan of silver cars, but they're becoming (relatively) less common thanks to the proliferation of white. In terms of your comments on spec, I've just changed from a very early 2009 with the standard sills and standard lights to a 2010.75 with N400 sills and clear lights. I definitely prefer the N400 sills as it gives it a more 'squat' stance, but have a set of standard lights I'm thinking of putting on as I'm not sure about the clear lights.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it when you finally get it home!
The Vantage shape looks excellent in silver. I'm not usually a fan of silver cars, but they're becoming (relatively) less common thanks to the proliferation of white. In terms of your comments on spec, I've just changed from a very early 2009 with the standard sills and standard lights to a 2010.75 with N400 sills and clear lights. I definitely prefer the N400 sills as it gives it a more 'squat' stance, but have a set of standard lights I'm thinking of putting on as I'm not sure about the clear lights.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it when you finally get it home!
Edited by johnnyBv8 on Monday 15th January 10:10
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