Advice Needed Urgently

[NS80]

Hello everybody. I've been browsing PH for a long time, and have finally decided to join.

I really need your advice and input, guys.

I drive a totally specced-up E46 M3 Cab. I love driving but I also enjoy looking slick (a.k.a. posing) when driving through town. Have had my M3 for a little while now, and feel it's time for a change.

The dilemma is: Aston Martin Vantage V8 Roadster or Porsche 911-997 Carrera 4S Cabriolet.
The Porsche is £75,000 and is 1 year-old with 2,000 miles (- cost £102,000 when new).
The Aston is around £55,000 and is 3 years-old with 20,000 miles (- probably cost around £95,000 when new).

WHICH DO I PICK?

Considerations:
1) I only want a convertible, i.e. please don't talk about getting a coupé;
2) I only want one of these options, i.e. please don't discuss other cars;
3) The A-M's engine note sounds amazing, but at 4.3L (I'm not looking at the 4.7L engine), it's thirstier than the Porsche's 3.8;
4) I like the 'unique' factor of the Aston;
5) The Porsche is a better driving machine;
6) The Porsche is likely to be much more reliable;
7) I'll keep the car for 4 years, so would be interested in minimizing my depreciation losses - please don't lecture about both cars losing money, as that is obvious; what I mean is keeping such losses relatively low;
8) The Porsche shall be more stable in wet/ poor weather;
9) A lot of my 'peers' have Porsches;
10) I don't want to spend more than £60,000 on the Aston, because if I do, then I'd rather by a Porsche as I would be less forgiving of the Aston's gremlins (being hand-built).
11) The Porsche shall be replaced by a new shape in Autumn 2012 (991 C4S 2013 model);
12) The A-M isn't likely to be replaced until 2014-15.

I am a young professional, so I shall hopefully have many more years of enjoying cars, but I also have the opinion that you have to enjoy life and live for the day (as one just never knows when one's health shall deteriorate).

Your thoughts are gratefully welcomed!

Thanks chaps!

• ADDENDUM: The Porsche is a 2+2, which means that a child-seat could fit thus offsetting the wife forcing me to sell the car, should children arrive earlier into marriage than planned **

Edited by NS80 on Wednesday 18th May 05:10

Edited by NS80 on Wednesday 18th May 05:16

[Stu R]

Aston.

[Panayiotis]

How young of a 'young professional' are you?

[NS80]

31 years old.

[CanadianScot]

Aston for me.

Surely the better car for posing around town as well.

[Panayiotis]

Get the Aston then. Perfect age for it.

[iMac Hunt]

NS80 said:

Advice Needed Urgently

Please give your threads a proper title. One which gives the reader a clue what the thread is likely to be about would be nice. Almost every thread on here could be entitled "Advice Needed" or "Answer Needed".

Thanks.

[Burnham]

Either you want a Porsche or you don't. They are great cars. Your friends have chosen well, and for good reason. Buy a german car and enjoy it, without the worry about build quality or reliability.

It's still a car to be proud of, regardless of how many you see on the road. They are popular with successful people for a reason.
.

[NS80]

iMac Hunt said:

Please give your threads a proper title. One which gives the reader a clue what the thread is likely to be about would be nice. Almost every thread on here could be entitled "Advice Needed" or "Answer Needed".

Thanks.

Fair point and apologies.

Is there a way to change the title now? - I'm new to this kinda thing.

[Panayiotis]

Burnham said:

Either you want a Porsche or you don't. They are great cars. Your friends have chosen well, and for good reason. Buy a german car and enjoy it, without the worry about build quality or reliability.

It's still a car to be proud of, regardless of how many you see on the road. They are popular with successful people for a reason.
.

Exactly why he should get the Aston IMO. Be different, be brash...plenty of time in life to buy thinking about reliability and resale. I am the same age as the OP, also a young professional however I wouldnt consider a Aston myself as I am more performance focussed than image focussed when it comes to cars. A 911 GT3 does it for me. If I were to go down the pose route however, a 911 is too bland and overdone, and also doesn't allow for much differentiation from others. To most you will just look like 'another' young tw*t in a 911. Id rather be that young tw*t in the aston.

[Burnham]

Also to add, if your budget suits, but a GT3 997.1 as that way you get to enjoy the kudos without the depreciation...get one over your piers without the cost. It's a sensible spend, and fun too.

Winner all round. . . But I do love the sound of an AM V8 (just to annoy you)

[NS80]

Burnham said:

Also to add, if your budget suits, but a GT3 997.1 as that way you get to enjoy the kudos without the depreciation...get one over your piers without the cost. It's a sensible spend, and fun too.

Winner all round. . . But I do love the sound of an AM V8 (just to annoy you)

Thank you to both Burnham and Panayiotis for the advice.

Burnham, does the GT3 come in drop-top guise? - I want to laze around (read as 'ponce about' if you wish!) with the roof down remember!

[Burnham]

Panayiotis said:

Exactly why he should get the Aston IMO. Be different, be brash...plenty of time in life to buy thinking about reliability and resale. I am the same age as the OP, also a young professional however I wouldnt consider a Aston myself as I am more performance focussed than image focussed when it comes to cars. A 911 GT3 does it for me. If I were to go down the pose route however, a 911 is too bland and overdone, and also doesn't allow for much differentiation from others. To most you will just look like 'another' young tw*t in a 911. Id rather be that young tw*t in the aston.

I hear you, but can only speak from experience. Always wanted an Aston, but my head said 911 (twice). I think it's a sensible option for the younger professional and more flash for less outlay (though no drop top GT3....just live with the roll cage, that will separate you from the boys, OP!)

[Burnham]

NS80 said:

Thank you to both Burnham and Panayiotis for the advice.

Burnham, does the GT3 come in drop-top guise? - I want to laze around (read as 'ponce about' if you wish!) with the roof down remember!

sorry, just saw this...maybe a c4s cab is more suited to you then..not as special as a GT3 though, and the smart money is spent on the track orientated car, though it's still suitable for the road/posing while retaining some value!

[Panayiotis]

My comments are based on the 2 cars he is trying to choose from, I agree that the GT3 is the best bet, frankly an RS would be best. Problem is young ladies find it difficult to get into the car when there is a large bar in their way.

[Burnham]

Panayiotis said:

My comments are based on the 2 cars he is trying to choose from, I agree that the GT3 is the best bet, frankly an RS would be best. Problem is young ladies find it difficult to get into the car when there is a large bar in their way.

Yes, it does make for an interesting entrance.

[NS80]

Gents, if you had to hazard a guess as to what the 997 C4S would be worth in Summer 2015, then what do you reckon - approx./ ball-park figure?

[Hitch78]

35/40k. That's what old C4Ss were worth at 4/5 years old.

[Burnham]

NS80 said:

Gents, if you had to hazard a guess as to what the 997 C4S would be worth in Summer 2015, then what do you reckon - approx./ ball-park figure?

NS80, if depreciation/resale is a concern then buy an older 997 and a private plate...believe me, the saving is worth it ( I swallowed £20k on 23 months , you don't need to).

For the money you are looking to drop you could buy a nice GT3 comfort and recoup a large amount of the money you spend when you sell it in 3 years time.

..or, there's always a Gallardo. Failing that, go old school for a 355 Berlinetta, will only cost you to run it, and it's every PH favourite. Goes enough and sounds perfect too!

If you want to pose, then maybe a 355 spyder is all you need. I won one in a bet for a weekend, my girlfriend hated it

[Hairspray]

As much as I adore 911's, I don't think I could say no to the Aston, especially for posing. Stands out more than a 911