Continental R vs Aston Martin V8 Coupe
Continental R vs Aston Martin V8 Coupe
Author
Discussion

77345993

Original Poster:

77 posts

161 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Sirs!

Looking to add one of the above to my little collection of classics, and wondered which car others would choose. Both cars come with automatic gearboxes (except for a couple of Astons which were converted to manual at the factory), both use ludicrous amounts of petrol and both will cost a not insurmountable figure to keep on the road.

Bentley Continental R

If I went for one of these it would be a late facelift model (post 1998). The advantages for me are that they are a known quantity; plenty or reasonably priced RR specialists about (including one I have been very pleased with in the past).




Aston Martin V8 Coupe

Lovely looking machine still with Wilton carpets. Scared about all the stories I have heard of 20k engine rebuilds. Advice welcome...


iacabu

1,403 posts

179 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Like the Bentley but those Astons are gorgeous cloud9

ETA: I'm not even sure if I have seen one of those Astons in the flesh which makes it more desirable to me

I would also be looking at these

[img] http://www.hexagonclassics.com/images/cars-for-sal... [/img]

Without having any idea if they are in the same price range

Edited by iacabu on Thursday 9th May 13:20

Davey S2

13,394 posts

284 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
My father had a Mulliner Continental R (essentially a long wheelbase Continental T) which was a great car with more torque than the Queen Mary.

Go for one of the T variants if you can afford it.

I like the Astons but don't have any experience of them.

Phil Dicky

7,194 posts

293 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
My Dad has had two Azures, last one hes had for 4 years and is his only car.
In those times he has had nothing but routine servcing and has never been let down. Granted hes had them serviced at JCT600 Leeds which is usual knocking on for 3k but spends nothing else in between.
They are lovely cars and can motor on if asked, but all in all a beautiful relaxing drive....but OMG they are a big old bus smile

Davey S2

13,394 posts

284 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Phil Dicky said:
....but OMG they are a big old bus smile
Tell me about it. I took my old man's up the Col De Turini!


V8LM

5,560 posts

239 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
77345993 said:
Lovely looking machine ...

... but problem is it's not a Vantage.

mat777

10,714 posts

190 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
V8LM said:
77345993 said:
Lovely looking machine ...

... but problem is it's not a Vantage.
Is that just one of the facelifted Virage versions then?

stormy22

793 posts

167 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
I think the RR comes with a 'thinks he's better than he is' attitude attached where-as the Aston has a 'he's a connoisseur' attitude attached to it....personally. The Aston does it more for me as the RR seems too big for the roads these days and you would be more looked down the proverbial nose at.

If image is not an issue (although both these cars I think are bought with an image in mind), the RR will offer more luxury where-as the Aston will offer more fun and excitement.

If it was me...Aston everytime.

xRIEx

8,180 posts

178 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Aston Martin - I know nothing about either car so that's purely based on personal desire.


Oh, as a newbie you may not be aware of this requirement, but any member with a classic car collection must post pictures of said collection. Thanks in advance biggrin

CampDavid

9,145 posts

228 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
The Bentley Continental is the pick of it's range, the V8 Aston is a Vantage sans Turbos.

I'd take the Bentley, though I'd also probably try and find the extra to get a Vantage instead.

NomduJour

20,633 posts

289 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Continental R. V8 Coupe is a bit ginger stepchild.

anonymous-user

84 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
V8LM said:
77345993 said:
Lovely looking machine ...

... but problem is it's not a Vantage.
Looks like a Virage to me.

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
CampDavid said:
The Bentley Continental is the pick of it's range, the V8 Aston is a Vantage sans Turbossuperchargers.
FTFY.

I think I'd take the Aston for its more louche image, the Bentley is more Lord-like.

CampDavid

9,145 posts

228 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
FTFY.

I think I'd take the Aston for its more louche image, the Bentley is more Lord-like.
FFS DAVID

I knew everything about that car when I was 13. My 13 year old self would tt me for mistaking that it had turbos

Leins

10,451 posts

178 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
A neighbour back in the early-to-mid '90s did the Turbo R -> Continental R -> V8 Vantage -> Turbo R cycle. Whilst the Bentleys were lovely, I'll never forget him driving by down the little laneway to his house, with the noise of the Vantage (even at 10 mph) and the ground shaking. It didn't last too long in his ownership, about 10 months I think, due to it being terribly unreliable, but I'd still love one!

Sorry, no idea what they're all like to drive though

Chris71

21,549 posts

272 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Based purely on desirability I'd go for the Aston. I'm sure it'll handle like a truck and break down every other week, but to me, the looks and the noise are on a different planet to those of the Bentley.

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
CampDavid said:
Krikkit said:
FTFY.

I think I'd take the Aston for its more louche image, the Bentley is more Lord-like.
FFS DAVID

I knew everything about that car when I was 13. My 13 year old self would tt me for mistaking that it had turbos
hehe An easy slip, I wouldn't normally correct it, but it's one of my favourite engines.



cloud9

Output Flange

17,050 posts

241 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Can't be arsed to Google it - are they M90s?

tleefox

1,119 posts

178 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
hehe An easy slip, I wouldn't normally correct it, but it's one of my favourite engines.



cloud9
Asbestos stickers in an engine bay? Not seen that before.

belleair302

7,012 posts

237 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
The Bentley is a long term relationship car, the Aston is a fling over in a year when it spends more time with the specialist than on the road.