Not another one…
Discussion
Afternoon all, I hope this finds you in a chilled out relaxed Sunday mood and able to guide a potential newbie.
I am in the position to spend c£100k on a nice car for high days and holidays. I can go north of that figure, but would prefer to be below it.
In typical boy made good fashion, I always promised myself a Ferrari, but now the brand seems a little flash for me. Nothing against their cars, gorgeous and if you are more of an extrovert than me, they would be fabulous.
I have owned a fair few toys along the way - Caterham R300, 911 C2S 997.2, Jag XFR, Boxsters, hot hatches etc.
Aston Martin now feels like the brand for me; but my budget gives me a range of options:
Vantage + sports car - two seater only
Vantage 4.3 - a little underpowered versus rivals.
Vantage 4.7 - the sweet spot? Value and pace? Should do everything that I could want - but will I always wish that I had gone for…
Vantage V12/V12S - temptation - but it is too much for running?
I test drove a 4.7 with the Sportshift and would prefer to go manual, unless I can afford SportShift III which I think is a bit more refined / current?
Vantage 4.0 - much more modern, auto, but less Aston character? Will the AMG elements devalue the “Aston-ness”?
DB9 2+2
Old version a bit big and old
DB11
Bit big and cruiser?
Vanquish
Test drove one of these - engine is incredible, gearbox was fine, although I think that was mainly because all the power / torque made the gearbox pretty much redundant
. Made my old XFR seem underpowered!
DBS
A manual may be another sweet spot, but hens teeth if I don’t want black. Might be a bit big and heavy, but I get the impression it is a bit of cross over to sports car?
For all of these I am looking at coupe as I have a soft top already for the sunny days.
I have a deposit in for an Emira as well which I will keep as it is such a different beast, but it may replace my mini track day car.
I know I need to go and test drive more, but I am sitting in France mulling over my options and thought some advice from the experienced would be welcome…
TLDR - which Aston Martin should I buy?
I am in the position to spend c£100k on a nice car for high days and holidays. I can go north of that figure, but would prefer to be below it.
In typical boy made good fashion, I always promised myself a Ferrari, but now the brand seems a little flash for me. Nothing against their cars, gorgeous and if you are more of an extrovert than me, they would be fabulous.
I have owned a fair few toys along the way - Caterham R300, 911 C2S 997.2, Jag XFR, Boxsters, hot hatches etc.
Aston Martin now feels like the brand for me; but my budget gives me a range of options:
Vantage + sports car - two seater only
Vantage 4.3 - a little underpowered versus rivals.
Vantage 4.7 - the sweet spot? Value and pace? Should do everything that I could want - but will I always wish that I had gone for…
Vantage V12/V12S - temptation - but it is too much for running?
I test drove a 4.7 with the Sportshift and would prefer to go manual, unless I can afford SportShift III which I think is a bit more refined / current?
Vantage 4.0 - much more modern, auto, but less Aston character? Will the AMG elements devalue the “Aston-ness”?
DB9 2+2
Old version a bit big and old
DB11
Bit big and cruiser?
Vanquish
Test drove one of these - engine is incredible, gearbox was fine, although I think that was mainly because all the power / torque made the gearbox pretty much redundant
. Made my old XFR seem underpowered!DBS
A manual may be another sweet spot, but hens teeth if I don’t want black. Might be a bit big and heavy, but I get the impression it is a bit of cross over to sports car?
For all of these I am looking at coupe as I have a soft top already for the sunny days.
I have a deposit in for an Emira as well which I will keep as it is such a different beast, but it may replace my mini track day car.
I know I need to go and test drive more, but I am sitting in France mulling over my options and thought some advice from the experienced would be welcome…
TLDR - which Aston Martin should I buy?
Edited by Stuart70 on Sunday 22 August 15:17
Stuart
Nice decision to make.
I have had 4 Astons -all Vantages's although the only one I regret selling is the V12S - I still have my GT8 which will never sell but thats a fair way north of your north of budget so will exclude that.
I came from a fairly long line of Porsche 911's previously.
I started off with a V8S ( SP10 model )as my intro into the brand and then upped that with the V12S which I specced from new.
I traded that for the new shape Vantage which I have also now sold due to no longer commuting due to the C word Pandemic and I suspect that I had kept the V12 I would have also now sold that so the regret is a lttle less.
I used all 3 for daily driving and much preferred the V12 ( mine was sportshift 3 so automated manual ) in terms of ride quality, suspension and all round just a nicer place to be.
I had mine secondary decatted from new and whilst a fan of V8 noise again the V12 was just great -different obviously but great - the GT8 takes noise to theatre levels but thats another story.
So from purely personal view , V12S.
Aston dealers generally sem to be a world better than my Porsche experiences but thats a long boring story.
I had issues ( niggles really ) on all of the earlier shape Vantage's and most on the V12 but confined to things like fuel flap failure to open and thermostat etc.
I also had a drive shaft issue with the new shape one but havent heard of many so perhaps just unlucky.
That said I am retiring early at the end of this year so am currently looking at all my cars and funnily enough am thinking a Vanquish 2 ( a late S model ) might be tempting to sit alongside the GT8 although again you might need to push your budget a little.
Funnily enough I was with a Lotus dealer yesterday ( am selling my Exige as never bonded with it ) and they still have no idea as to whether they will even see one in their showroom before the first customer deliveries are due in April.
Good luck with your searching and test drives !
Nice decision to make.
I have had 4 Astons -all Vantages's although the only one I regret selling is the V12S - I still have my GT8 which will never sell but thats a fair way north of your north of budget so will exclude that.
I came from a fairly long line of Porsche 911's previously.
I started off with a V8S ( SP10 model )as my intro into the brand and then upped that with the V12S which I specced from new.
I traded that for the new shape Vantage which I have also now sold due to no longer commuting due to the C word Pandemic and I suspect that I had kept the V12 I would have also now sold that so the regret is a lttle less.
I used all 3 for daily driving and much preferred the V12 ( mine was sportshift 3 so automated manual ) in terms of ride quality, suspension and all round just a nicer place to be.
I had mine secondary decatted from new and whilst a fan of V8 noise again the V12 was just great -different obviously but great - the GT8 takes noise to theatre levels but thats another story.
So from purely personal view , V12S.
Aston dealers generally sem to be a world better than my Porsche experiences but thats a long boring story.
I had issues ( niggles really ) on all of the earlier shape Vantage's and most on the V12 but confined to things like fuel flap failure to open and thermostat etc.
I also had a drive shaft issue with the new shape one but havent heard of many so perhaps just unlucky.
That said I am retiring early at the end of this year so am currently looking at all my cars and funnily enough am thinking a Vanquish 2 ( a late S model ) might be tempting to sit alongside the GT8 although again you might need to push your budget a little.
Funnily enough I was with a Lotus dealer yesterday ( am selling my Exige as never bonded with it ) and they still have no idea as to whether they will even see one in their showroom before the first customer deliveries are due in April.
Good luck with your searching and test drives !
Stuart70 said:
TLDR - which Aston Martin should I buy?
At that price point, I would narrow it down to a straight choice between a Vanquish or a MY16 onwards V12VS.Why: take the V8 Vantages off the table, only because if you can get into a V12 why go for the V8? A manual V12 is probably out of reach at 100k, but I’d take SSIII + V12 over manual + V8 without blinking. The MY16 was available from late 15 and introduced the centre console makeover lifted from the Vanquish.
DBS/DB9/DB11 - all lovely cars but all overshadowed by the draw droppingly beautiful Vanquish.
Then the only decision is small/two seats vs larger/four seats.
Between those two I chose the V12VS, though when I bought I would have had to stretch a bit further for a Vanquish. I was at Simply Aston yesterday, and to my biased eyes the stand out best looking Astons are the DB5, the DB6, the V12VS, the Vanquish (S really but skip over that) and the DBSSL (coupe and volante).
Thanks to everyone for the opinions. You are not much help at the “go for the V8 option”
I think I was already there on the V12 and am now onto Vantage vs Vanquish.
There is a V12S over at my local AM dealer in Sevenoaks, I think that is my next stop for a test drive when I get back to the UK next weekend.
Depending on my ability to find a COVID test here in Normandy to be allowed back into the UK; all the reasons I love France become a problem when something needs done in a timescale!
I am expecting that the tautness of the Vantage will win over the practicality of the Vanquish (albeit I drove an older 6 speed version).
Test drive awaits and exciting times ahead.
There is a certain grey/green V12S that looks gorgeous and perfectly looked after, but given the condition, I suspect I may take too long to decide, but we shall see on timings…
Thanks again and if the friendliness and responses are anything to go by, I think this is the right brand for me.
I will update on progress in the coming days and weeks.
I think I was already there on the V12 and am now onto Vantage vs Vanquish.
There is a V12S over at my local AM dealer in Sevenoaks, I think that is my next stop for a test drive when I get back to the UK next weekend.
Depending on my ability to find a COVID test here in Normandy to be allowed back into the UK; all the reasons I love France become a problem when something needs done in a timescale!
I am expecting that the tautness of the Vantage will win over the practicality of the Vanquish (albeit I drove an older 6 speed version).
Test drive awaits and exciting times ahead.
There is a certain grey/green V12S that looks gorgeous and perfectly looked after, but given the condition, I suspect I may take too long to decide, but we shall see on timings…
Thanks again and if the friendliness and responses are anything to go by, I think this is the right brand for me.
I will update on progress in the coming days and weeks.
For the money you could get a recent low mileage DB11.
I had an early DB9 for 10 years and don't regret the move to the 11 at all. It is two cars for the price of one. Long distance touring in GT mode will see you get north of 25mpg, or press the button and go to sports plus and really frighten the locals.
Thing to do is drive them all.
I had an early DB9 for 10 years and don't regret the move to the 11 at all. It is two cars for the price of one. Long distance touring in GT mode will see you get north of 25mpg, or press the button and go to sports plus and really frighten the locals.
Thing to do is drive them all.
Edited by pschlute on Sunday 22 August 15:47
Stuart70 said:
There is a V12S over at my local AM dealer in Sevenoaks, I think that is my next stop for a test drive when I get back to the UK next weekend.
If you line up a drive at Sevenoaks, post the date/time here and I will see whether I can get there with mine. It will give you the chance to compare spec/options between the two. With the budget you have (assuming you want to spend it all on the one car) I would think you would be better off looking at any of the V12 cars. Unless of course you have a real hankering for a New Vantage?
Don’t think you can really go wrong with any one of DBS, V12V, V12VS, Vanquish or a late DB9GT. Possibly a DB11 if you fancy something a little more modern? The Vantage models will obviously be sportier, the others are all GT cars to varying degrees. Nice problem to have. Good luck with your search and please keep us updated with your decision.
Best Regards
Minglar
Don’t think you can really go wrong with any one of DBS, V12V, V12VS, Vanquish or a late DB9GT. Possibly a DB11 if you fancy something a little more modern? The Vantage models will obviously be sportier, the others are all GT cars to varying degrees. Nice problem to have. Good luck with your search and please keep us updated with your decision.
Best Regards
Minglar
Minglar said:
With the budget you have (assuming you want to spend it all on the one car) I would think you would be better off looking at any of the V12 cars. Unless of course you have a real hankering for a New Vantage?
Don’t think you can really go wrong with any one of DBS, V12V, V12VS, Vanquish or a late DB9GT. Possibly a DB11 if you fancy something a little more modern? The Vantage models will obviously be sportier, the others are all GT cars to varying degrees. Nice problem to have. Good luck with your search and please keep us updated with your decision.
Best Regards
Minglar
With the budget you have and that you have stated you would prefer a manual, it has to be the V12V really. Values of V12V are pretty stationary really (ok they have gone up recently but ALL cars, have, and they will all come back down in due course - but otherwise they were stationary). Don’t think you can really go wrong with any one of DBS, V12V, V12VS, Vanquish or a late DB9GT. Possibly a DB11 if you fancy something a little more modern? The Vantage models will obviously be sportier, the others are all GT cars to varying degrees. Nice problem to have. Good luck with your search and please keep us updated with your decision.
Best Regards
Minglar
Oh, or a DBS manual would also make a great choice if you prefer more of a GT to a sports car.
What about this one, a manual and in MFW and bang on your budget! https://preowned.astonmartin.com/preowned-cars/145...
Thanks all, very kind, there seems to be a clear bias to the V12 if the budget allows
Having done many 6 cylinders in different formats, V8, now a V12 seems like the next step…
BlackWidow13, I will post up when I get it arranged - will be giving them a call tomorrow.
A good way to end a holiday - assuming I make it back.
Having done many 6 cylinders in different formats, V8, now a V12 seems like the next step…
BlackWidow13, I will post up when I get it arranged - will be giving them a call tomorrow.
A good way to end a holiday - assuming I make it back.
AdamV12V said:
Minglar said:
With the budget you have (assuming you want to spend it all on the one car) I would think you would be better off looking at any of the V12 cars. Unless of course you have a real hankering for a New Vantage?
Don’t think you can really go wrong with any one of DBS, V12V, V12VS, Vanquish or a late DB9GT. Possibly a DB11 if you fancy something a little more modern? The Vantage models will obviously be sportier, the others are all GT cars to varying degrees. Nice problem to have. Good luck with your search and please keep us updated with your decision.
Best Regards
Minglar
With the budget you have and that you have stated you would prefer a manual, it has to be the V12V really. Values of V12V are pretty stationary really (ok they have gone up recently but ALL cars, have, and they will all come back down in due course - but otherwise they were stationary). Don’t think you can really go wrong with any one of DBS, V12V, V12VS, Vanquish or a late DB9GT. Possibly a DB11 if you fancy something a little more modern? The Vantage models will obviously be sportier, the others are all GT cars to varying degrees. Nice problem to have. Good luck with your search and please keep us updated with your decision.
Best Regards
Minglar
Oh, or a DBS manual would also make a great choice if you prefer more of a GT to a sports car.
What about this one, a manual and in MFW and bang on your budget! https://preowned.astonmartin.com/preowned-cars/145...
The MFW DBS does look rather lovely though!!
Best Regards
Minglar
I was at Simply Aston on Saturday and it was great watching the cars arrive. A real opportunity to compare. The Vanquish 2 has such road presence and the sound is awesome. I'm afraid the new t/c cars sound more like Teslas (its just not there). The na V12's just have the presence and the sound.
Stuart70 said:
... aways promised myself a Ferrari, but now the brand seems a little flash for me.
... Vantage 4.7 - the sweet spot? Value and pace? Should do everything that I could want - but will I always wish that I had gone for…
Vantage V12/V12S - temptation - but it is too much for running?
... I test drove a 4.7 with the Sportshift and would prefer to go manual, unless I can afford SportShift III which I think is a bit more refined / current?
... Vantage 4.0 - much more modern, auto, but less Aston character? Will the AMG elements devalue the “Aston-ness”?
... Vantage 4.7 - the sweet spot? Value and pace? Should do everything that I could want - but will I always wish that I had gone for…
Vantage V12/V12S - temptation - but it is too much for running?
... I test drove a 4.7 with the Sportshift and would prefer to go manual, unless I can afford SportShift III which I think is a bit more refined / current?
... Vantage 4.0 - much more modern, auto, but less Aston character? Will the AMG elements devalue the “Aston-ness”?
You have almost indicated your choice, Stuart.
My Aston Martin is a V8 Vantage 4.7 manual, which I have enjoyed owning for almost 10 years and which has always been a keeper.
Yes, Ferraris brilliant, but completely the wrong image for me too (except for their classics).
The manual V12 Vantage would be my second choice, but my 4.7 (originally 420 bhp, now 450 bhp) has more performance than can be used on public roads, so why do I need a V12 to drive at exactly the same speeds ?
You would have plenty of change from £100,000. If you like the original bodywork style, those cars were made from model year 2009 until changed for model year 2012.25.
As for Vantage 4 litre, well you appear to understand that model, so I won't say anything.
With Aston Martins there are many pampered low mileage second/third etc. cars, so be patient and a beauty will become available, but you might have to move quickly when you do spot one for sale though.
Good luck with your search. All the Aston Martin models are such wonderful cars to own.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Sunday 22 August 23:24
I too have a 4.7 SportShift (N420 edition, I love the carbon bits and more sporty look) but in all honesty, if I were in the same position as you, I would probably go for a Vantage V12. I have this feeling that there will be nothing like it in the future: 2 seats, V12, central/front engine, small & short... manual will be the cherry on top. No one will ever produce this anymore.
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