If your Vantage is your only car, what else have you had?
Discussion
I have had my 2008 V8V 4.3 for 18 months now, which is longer than I have owned any car (previously TT, S2000, E46 M3, Boxster) before. I enjoy owning and changing cars to experience different things and like most of us, find it fun scouring the classifieds looking for whatever might be next. I do not need a car to commute and being in London I use the car mostly for weekends away. The Vantage seems to have set the bar very high at its price point and there do not seem to be many credible alternatives that offer the same blend of looks, sound, driving fun, quality and practicality.
So I ask all of you that need one car to do it all, what else have you had before or after a Vantage and how did it compare? My favourite alternative would be a 997 C2S but the engine problems of the Gen 1 terrify me and Gen 2s still seem quite toppy for what they are but I would like to tick the 911 box at some point.
981 Cayman maybe, but there's not the same handy parcel shelf for my dog. BMW M2 perhaps, fast and practical and looks good with the fat arches but the interior is very low rent coming from the Vantage.
Maserati Granturismo perhaps? I'm not sure I like the idea of the gearbox options and no manual. I know the Vantage is not cheap to run but I love that it seems mechanically robust and not sure I'd get the same feeling from a Maserati.
Idle musings at the minute but I appreciate any input. I've not a lot of enthusiasm to actually sell the Vantage but the itch to change is unlikely to go away!
So I ask all of you that need one car to do it all, what else have you had before or after a Vantage and how did it compare? My favourite alternative would be a 997 C2S but the engine problems of the Gen 1 terrify me and Gen 2s still seem quite toppy for what they are but I would like to tick the 911 box at some point.
981 Cayman maybe, but there's not the same handy parcel shelf for my dog. BMW M2 perhaps, fast and practical and looks good with the fat arches but the interior is very low rent coming from the Vantage.
Maserati Granturismo perhaps? I'm not sure I like the idea of the gearbox options and no manual. I know the Vantage is not cheap to run but I love that it seems mechanically robust and not sure I'd get the same feeling from a Maserati.
Idle musings at the minute but I appreciate any input. I've not a lot of enthusiasm to actually sell the Vantage but the itch to change is unlikely to go away!
Some of the cars I had before getting a V12VS:
- 996 turbo cab. With the roof down you can really pack the car full! Warp speed acceleration and immensely competent in all conditions, but in the end lacks that sense of occasion. 911 derivative Porsches are ten-a-penny in London too.
- V10 Audi S8. Big, fast, spacious, proper continent crusher. Took it to northern Germany and was very impressed with its refinement and autobahn performance. Cavernous boot.
- L332 Range Rover SC. If I had to have only one car, ever, this would be it. Not as fast as plenty, but as comfortable as your favourite shoes; eats luggage all day long, fast enough (these days, NB - not for spirited use on B roads), provides a genuine sense of serenity on the move. Completely different experience to any other car I've owned but very enjoyable nonetheless - like thinking you're a massive red wine fan then finding a scotch that really does it for you. Or something.
What next? Either another Aston (DBS SL is achingly pretty), perhaps a Mclaren (doubtful, TBH, as I need a guidebook to tell them apart), or (as of this morning when I saw one on Waterloo Br and it really turned my head) a Bentley New Conti GT.
- 996 turbo cab. With the roof down you can really pack the car full! Warp speed acceleration and immensely competent in all conditions, but in the end lacks that sense of occasion. 911 derivative Porsches are ten-a-penny in London too.
- V10 Audi S8. Big, fast, spacious, proper continent crusher. Took it to northern Germany and was very impressed with its refinement and autobahn performance. Cavernous boot.
- L332 Range Rover SC. If I had to have only one car, ever, this would be it. Not as fast as plenty, but as comfortable as your favourite shoes; eats luggage all day long, fast enough (these days, NB - not for spirited use on B roads), provides a genuine sense of serenity on the move. Completely different experience to any other car I've owned but very enjoyable nonetheless - like thinking you're a massive red wine fan then finding a scotch that really does it for you. Or something.
What next? Either another Aston (DBS SL is achingly pretty), perhaps a Mclaren (doubtful, TBH, as I need a guidebook to tell them apart), or (as of this morning when I saw one on Waterloo Br and it really turned my head) a Bentley New Conti GT.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 3rd June 14:24
Kind of the same boat as you, although looking to buy a vantage and also considering what else you can get for the money.
My autotrader watch list is:
Vantage v8
M4
Jag F type
Exige
Cayman
911 997.2
M4 I dont look at much now, still loads of depreciation to be had (if that matters) and crazy spread of prices even on new / nearly new.
Jag F type, love the looks but auto only in my price range and just not as nice as a vantage IMO
Exige, very different proposition and for £40k they are only really early s3 ones but would be sooooooooo nice to own one, but personally I would use it less than a vantage, so cost per use goes up etc (again, if that matters)
Cayman, would want an S, probably the only car I would want Auto (PDK) in and again, £40k really for an S, sure it would be 2014 vs 2010 vantage but still, I know which I would rather look at from the window each day.
911, I am unlucky, I couldnt buy a 997.1 as I would be that 5% of the population the engine dies for, so 997.2, would want an S, would want manual. £45k for a 60,000 mile 10 plate? vs a vantage?
Oh, the other thing on my watch list is a TVR T350, but it would break quicker than a 997.1, be used less than an exige and would mean I needed to clear the garage out!
My autotrader watch list is:
Vantage v8
M4
Jag F type
Exige
Cayman
911 997.2
M4 I dont look at much now, still loads of depreciation to be had (if that matters) and crazy spread of prices even on new / nearly new.
Jag F type, love the looks but auto only in my price range and just not as nice as a vantage IMO
Exige, very different proposition and for £40k they are only really early s3 ones but would be sooooooooo nice to own one, but personally I would use it less than a vantage, so cost per use goes up etc (again, if that matters)
Cayman, would want an S, probably the only car I would want Auto (PDK) in and again, £40k really for an S, sure it would be 2014 vs 2010 vantage but still, I know which I would rather look at from the window each day.
911, I am unlucky, I couldnt buy a 997.1 as I would be that 5% of the population the engine dies for, so 997.2, would want an S, would want manual. £45k for a 60,000 mile 10 plate? vs a vantage?
Oh, the other thing on my watch list is a TVR T350, but it would break quicker than a 997.1, be used less than an exige and would mean I needed to clear the garage out!
QuantumV8 said:
This was my sole car for about 6 years, before the V8 Vantage
First car I ever bought was one of those. 1.6L with a 2L pinto that was advertised as a 2000E. I was 17 at the time and he picked me up at Walthemstow station at around 10pm and drove me to the middle of a council estate before asking me I wanted to buy it. I figured that I might as well drive out of there with no money in my pocket vs walking out of there with no money in my pocket so i did! 
alabbasi said:
First car I ever bought was one of those. 1.6L with a 2L pinto that was advertised as a 2000E. I was 17 at the time and he picked me up at Walthemstow station at around 10pm and drove me to the middle of a council estate before asking me I wanted to buy it. I figured that I might as well drive out of there with no money in my pocket vs walking out of there with no money in my pocket so i did!
My first car too ! A bright yellow one at the age of 17. It was a 1972 1.6L from the first few months of production so actually had the old MK2 engine and a random mixture of MK2 and MK3 parts which made getting the right spare a nightmare. Still £250 and lasted 5 years !I'd like to go back a step here.....
Your Vantage is your only car? Man, that is very cool. I wish I had done that.
I bought my car with the intention of driving it every day. I remember the conversation I had with the sales guy as I was buying the Aston and trading my M3. I said to him..."I'm going to drive this everyday, I know people say that - but I'm going to do it".. He looked at me with a slight grin and said "Oh yeah - good idea, you should do that".
About a year later I happened upon the same exotic car dealer in Melbourne. I walked in and whilst looking around at the Ferrari stuff he walked up to me and we had a chat for a bit. About five minutes in he says "So do you drive it every day".... I grimaced and in a Defensive tone explained that I'd bought a Range Rover for daily use.
I wish I had not chickened out !
Your Vantage is your only car? Man, that is very cool. I wish I had done that.
I bought my car with the intention of driving it every day. I remember the conversation I had with the sales guy as I was buying the Aston and trading my M3. I said to him..."I'm going to drive this everyday, I know people say that - but I'm going to do it".. He looked at me with a slight grin and said "Oh yeah - good idea, you should do that".
About a year later I happened upon the same exotic car dealer in Melbourne. I walked in and whilst looking around at the Ferrari stuff he walked up to me and we had a chat for a bit. About five minutes in he says "So do you drive it every day".... I grimaced and in a Defensive tone explained that I'd bought a Range Rover for daily use.
I wish I had not chickened out !
Driving it everyday would be lovely. I am considering it, but think I will keep my battered old corsa that was my wifes old car, that I then bought off her after selling my M235i.
I will drive the aston a lot, but do I want to park it at work everyday, do I want to go to the tip in it? take it to B&Q or Ikea? probably not.
For the running costs of a £1k corsa I dont see the point in getting rid of it, but thats not most peoples two car garage I guess
I will drive the aston a lot, but do I want to park it at work everyday, do I want to go to the tip in it? take it to B&Q or Ikea? probably not.
For the running costs of a £1k corsa I dont see the point in getting rid of it, but thats not most peoples two car garage I guess
It is my only car but hardly drive it daily, it is just a hobby. This is my CV:
- First car at 18, Honda Integra Type-R. I adored that car. Very nimble and fun. Of course, being the noughties, I had to pimp it out à la Fast & Furious. Sort of tastefully for the times, but looking back, I should have kept it stock.
- Second car, Ford Focus RS. First adventure in turbocharged territory, very quick, did some mods here and there but not too much.
-Third car: Range Rover Sport HSE V6. More cylinders, less sport and diesel. A very different car, but I loved it to the moon and back. Very nice souvenirs in it.
- Fourth car: Maserati GranTurismo. You did felt special in there; one of the best looking & sounding car on the road (had a Larini x-pipe and rear boxes installed), along with...
- ...my present day car, Vantage N420, you guessed it.
- First car at 18, Honda Integra Type-R. I adored that car. Very nimble and fun. Of course, being the noughties, I had to pimp it out à la Fast & Furious. Sort of tastefully for the times, but looking back, I should have kept it stock.
- Second car, Ford Focus RS. First adventure in turbocharged territory, very quick, did some mods here and there but not too much.
-Third car: Range Rover Sport HSE V6. More cylinders, less sport and diesel. A very different car, but I loved it to the moon and back. Very nice souvenirs in it.
- Fourth car: Maserati GranTurismo. You did felt special in there; one of the best looking & sounding car on the road (had a Larini x-pipe and rear boxes installed), along with...
- ...my present day car, Vantage N420, you guessed it.
I have a 2020 Vantage AMR manual on order.
Current car:
911S 991.2 7 spd manual
Previous:
2010 9114S 997.2 PDK (The PDK kept me detached from car)
2008 Audi S8 V-10 (Loved car. Was totaled in a bad accident. Other parties fault & luckily all walked away with no injuries)
2006 BMW M5 E60 (Great engine, tricky transmission for daily use)
2002 BMW M5 E39 (Best car ever. Wish I'd kept it)
1998 BMW 540i Sport 6 spd manual (Sweet car)
1994 Saab 900s 6 spd manual (not sure what I was thinking)
1992 Mazda RX7 6 spd manual (great car. Ruined in a flood)
1990 Mazda MX5 Miata (great car. Too tight for me space wise)
1984 Toyota MR2 5 spd manual (Wonderful car)
1977 Toyota Corolla SR5 Liftback 5 spd manual
Current car:
911S 991.2 7 spd manual
Previous:
2010 9114S 997.2 PDK (The PDK kept me detached from car)
2008 Audi S8 V-10 (Loved car. Was totaled in a bad accident. Other parties fault & luckily all walked away with no injuries)
2006 BMW M5 E60 (Great engine, tricky transmission for daily use)
2002 BMW M5 E39 (Best car ever. Wish I'd kept it)
1998 BMW 540i Sport 6 spd manual (Sweet car)
1994 Saab 900s 6 spd manual (not sure what I was thinking)
1992 Mazda RX7 6 spd manual (great car. Ruined in a flood)
1990 Mazda MX5 Miata (great car. Too tight for me space wise)
1984 Toyota MR2 5 spd manual (Wonderful car)
1977 Toyota Corolla SR5 Liftback 5 spd manual
Wow, can't believe you drive it everyday. I drive my DBS at most once a week, getting it in/out if our garage requires a makeshift ramp and I don't want it navigate city carparks or creep along in traffic!
Current: 2008 DBS, 2017 Mustang GT both in manual. The mustang is amazing fun but surprisingly with a much heavier clutch and steering than the DBS, absolute pain to navigate city carparks in. I'm in the process of replacing it with a city SUV as a daily.
Previous: 2017 CLA45, 2016 RS3, <-- these two were very similar, with AWD and their gearboxes brilliant to get around the city in and the RS3 made a great sound. I had the M135i before those, got bored of it quite quickly it just didn't have any drama.
Current: 2008 DBS, 2017 Mustang GT both in manual. The mustang is amazing fun but surprisingly with a much heavier clutch and steering than the DBS, absolute pain to navigate city carparks in. I'm in the process of replacing it with a city SUV as a daily.
Previous: 2017 CLA45, 2016 RS3, <-- these two were very similar, with AWD and their gearboxes brilliant to get around the city in and the RS3 made a great sound. I had the M135i before those, got bored of it quite quickly it just didn't have any drama.
Mine has always been my only car and its very practical to use as such.
I work from home or commute on foot in a city so don't use the car for that but the car does everything other as an only car.
Previous cars have been Lotus Evora, Exige(s), Elise(s), TVR's and a Boxster as the more interesting stuff. With the TVRs and Lotus I often ran a daily too as they were a step too far in the impractical stakes.
I work from home or commute on foot in a city so don't use the car for that but the car does everything other as an only car.
Previous cars have been Lotus Evora, Exige(s), Elise(s), TVR's and a Boxster as the more interesting stuff. With the TVRs and Lotus I often ran a daily too as they were a step too far in the impractical stakes.
I only have one car at a time but have had a few over the years
Previous to current V8V, 2009 XKR Lunar Grey
Past Jags
78 XJ6 4.2 S2,
87 XJS 3.6 manual,
89 XJ40 3.6 Sovereign,
95 X300 XJR,
02 XK8 Conv,
98 X308 XJR,
99 X308 3.2,
07 X358 TDVI Sport
Others
66 Mini,
81 1.6 Capri,
Rover SD1 V8 & 2.6,
Rover SD1 Vitesse Twin Plenum,
91Supra,
93 BMW e34 540,
95 BMW e38 735,
05 Range Rover Vogue SE Supercharged
Previous to current V8V, 2009 XKR Lunar Grey
Past Jags
78 XJ6 4.2 S2,
87 XJS 3.6 manual,
89 XJ40 3.6 Sovereign,
95 X300 XJR,
02 XK8 Conv,
98 X308 XJR,
99 X308 3.2,
07 X358 TDVI Sport
Others
66 Mini,
81 1.6 Capri,
Rover SD1 V8 & 2.6,
Rover SD1 Vitesse Twin Plenum,
91Supra,
93 BMW e34 540,
95 BMW e38 735,
05 Range Rover Vogue SE Supercharged
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