What would you choose? R8/V8V
Discussion
So I am slowly convincing myself I need a nice car. Criteria is 35-45k (manual) V8/V10, 2 seats, would like a convertible if possible and it needs to look the part. I want something with fairly sturdy residuals.
I am considering a V8 Vantage or an R8, given my budget this is likely to be a V8 as well.
I have also looked at FTypes and I love the M4, but I am going to get murdered on residual and they do not exactly meet my criteria....
Example V8V - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-07-ASTON-MARTIN-VA...
Example R8: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Audi-R8-4-2-FSI-V8...
Car will do a few thousand miles a year.
Any suggestions?
I am considering a V8 Vantage or an R8, given my budget this is likely to be a V8 as well.
I have also looked at FTypes and I love the M4, but I am going to get murdered on residual and they do not exactly meet my criteria....
Example V8V - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-07-ASTON-MARTIN-VA...
Example R8: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Audi-R8-4-2-FSI-V8...
Car will do a few thousand miles a year.
Any suggestions?
TVR Tuscan
2 years ago I was in the same position and for years had my heart set on V8V. They are glorious in everyway and great drivers cars.
The R8 was also very good, great looks and despite what other say on here I regard as a supercar. However lacked the spark. Same as 911.
After driving the above I then drove a TVR Tuscan that just put the rest to shame so much more of a thrill.
OK there are compromises but if its only for a couple of K per annum and you have a garage its worth a drive because afterwards nothing is on the same level.
2 years ago I was in the same position and for years had my heart set on V8V. They are glorious in everyway and great drivers cars.
The R8 was also very good, great looks and despite what other say on here I regard as a supercar. However lacked the spark. Same as 911.
After driving the above I then drove a TVR Tuscan that just put the rest to shame so much more of a thrill.
OK there are compromises but if its only for a couple of K per annum and you have a garage its worth a drive because afterwards nothing is on the same level.
Big GT said:
TVR Tuscan
2 years ago I was in the same position and for years had my heart set on V8V. They are glorious in everyway and great drivers cars.
The R8 was also very good, great looks and despite what other say on here I regard as a supercar. However lacked the spark. Same as 911.
After driving the above I then drove a TVR Tuscan that just put the rest to shame so much more of a thrill.
OK there are compromises but if its only for a couple of K per annum and you have a garage its worth a drive because afterwards nothing is on the same level.
This will live in my space out the front of my house. My garage is filled with motorbikes, work benches, tools and spares.2 years ago I was in the same position and for years had my heart set on V8V. They are glorious in everyway and great drivers cars.
The R8 was also very good, great looks and despite what other say on here I regard as a supercar. However lacked the spark. Same as 911.
After driving the above I then drove a TVR Tuscan that just put the rest to shame so much more of a thrill.
OK there are compromises but if its only for a couple of K per annum and you have a garage its worth a drive because afterwards nothing is on the same level.
Would you still consider one if it was out in the weather?
This'll be perhaps the most obvious reply, but drive them, and my advice would be to do so before you set your heart on one.
I say this as I've driven a couple of R8's, and of course it gets superb reviews, but it just wasn't for me, I think the Mk5 Golf switch gear made it feel very ordinary, frankly a daft reason.
On the other hand an E92 M3 felt far more 'alive' to me, and you could really feel the diff and the engine revving out was simply sublime.
The Aston as has been said doesn't get the best reviews for the 4.3, I think you might be able to get into an early 4.7 at your budget.
I say this as I've driven a couple of R8's, and of course it gets superb reviews, but it just wasn't for me, I think the Mk5 Golf switch gear made it feel very ordinary, frankly a daft reason.
On the other hand an E92 M3 felt far more 'alive' to me, and you could really feel the diff and the engine revving out was simply sublime.
The Aston as has been said doesn't get the best reviews for the 4.3, I think you might be able to get into an early 4.7 at your budget.
Two quite different cars in a way. One a baby GT and the other a baby supercar.
If you’re only going to do low mileage and residual value is a real concern then one option is to buy a high mileage version so that when you come to sell it the car has below average mileage for the age or to consider something that the market considers to be a classic so it’s value will hold up over time?
If you’re only going to do low mileage and residual value is a real concern then one option is to buy a high mileage version so that when you come to sell it the car has below average mileage for the age or to consider something that the market considers to be a classic so it’s value will hold up over time?
supercommuter said:
Big GT said:
TVR Tuscan
2 years ago I was in the same position and for years had my heart set on V8V. They are glorious in everyway and great drivers cars.
The R8 was also very good, great looks and despite what other say on here I regard as a supercar. However lacked the spark. Same as 911.
After driving the above I then drove a TVR Tuscan that just put the rest to shame so much more of a thrill.
OK there are compromises but if its only for a couple of K per annum and you have a garage its worth a drive because afterwards nothing is on the same level.
This will live in my space out the front of my house. My garage is filled with motorbikes, work benches, tools and spares.2 years ago I was in the same position and for years had my heart set on V8V. They are glorious in everyway and great drivers cars.
The R8 was also very good, great looks and despite what other say on here I regard as a supercar. However lacked the spark. Same as 911.
After driving the above I then drove a TVR Tuscan that just put the rest to shame so much more of a thrill.
OK there are compromises but if its only for a couple of K per annum and you have a garage its worth a drive because afterwards nothing is on the same level.
Would you still consider one if it was out in the weather?
You need a bigger garage

otherwise V8V then in a dark colour.
DonkeyApple said:
Two quite different cars in a way. One a baby GT and the other a baby supercar.
If you’re only going to do low mileage and residual value is a real concern then one option is to buy a high mileage version so that when you come to sell it the car has below average mileage for the age or to consider something that the market considers to be a classic so it’s value will hold up over time?
I was thinking about doing it this way, but I don't want to be 'restricted' to those few k a year. I might fancy a 4000 mile euro tour one year and wouldn't want to be worrying about how much money i am shaving off of its value! A bit silly really, as I would have test drove it before and would probably keep it for a long long time anyway.If you’re only going to do low mileage and residual value is a real concern then one option is to buy a high mileage version so that when you come to sell it the car has below average mileage for the age or to consider something that the market considers to be a classic so it’s value will hold up over time?
I cannot see R8 V8 prices going much more south!
What about a DB9? These are this price point as well. Some even cheaper.
I would get the Aston.
The R8 is a fast capable sportscar that looks great but the Aston is more of an event to drive IMO, sounds better and is a lot nicer inside.
It's not as slow as some make out either, it feels plenty quick enough compared to the R8.
Both are pretty cheap to run all things considered.
The R8 is a fast capable sportscar that looks great but the Aston is more of an event to drive IMO, sounds better and is a lot nicer inside.
It's not as slow as some make out either, it feels plenty quick enough compared to the R8.
Both are pretty cheap to run all things considered.
jonm01 said:
Tricky one. I've driven both of those at the age/mileage you're looking at and I don't think I'd really want either....both showing their age.
What sort of GTR can you get for that money?
Not really that tricky. What sort of GTR can you get for that money?
He want's a manual V8/V10 with 2 seats, preferably a convertible and if possible it needs to look the part.
In other words, about as far away from a GTR as you can get.
You have to drive both.... I suspect the difference in driving experience will be pretty big... if it's Vantage then I'd suggest lowest mileage possible but 4.7 manual, although it could be tricky to find one in budget. DB9 will probably feel like a barge if you drive it straight after an R8 (depending on your driving style) 

R8Steve said:
jonm01 said:
Tricky one. I've driven both of those at the age/mileage you're looking at and I don't think I'd really want either....both showing their age.
What sort of GTR can you get for that money?
Not really that tricky. What sort of GTR can you get for that money?
He want's a manual V8/V10 with 2 seats, preferably a convertible and if possible it needs to look the part.
In other words, about as far away from a GTR as you can get.

Vantage for me, although I'm bias.
I would imagine if you are looking for an out and out drivers car, the R8 will be better. Then again I think I'd go for an Evora 400 over the R8.
If you want something that is special, the Vantage is hard to beat for the money.
R8Steve said:
jonm01 said:
Tricky one. I've driven both of those at the age/mileage you're looking at and I don't think I'd really want either....both showing their age.
What sort of GTR can you get for that money?
Not really that tricky. What sort of GTR can you get for that money?
He want's a manual V8/V10 with 2 seats, preferably a convertible and if possible it needs to look the part.
In other words, about as far away from a GTR as you can get.
I will definitely be driving both, I was just wondering if there were any other alternatives at this price point.
If i could bring myself to go up to £55k I could get into a V10 R8 with fairly low mileage or a 4.7 Vantage. This will all depend on my grading for this year at work I guess! Fingers crossed a nice bonus comes my way!

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