AMR Vantage 59 Hero or 718 Spyder

[DovieHK]

Hi all - I am considering a 2020 manual AMR vantage 59 Hero edition - which is a similar price to a Porsche 718 Spyder. They are both special cars - the Aston has dropped a lot of value but it is still 20k or so more than a regular Vantage. Is it special enough not to keep materially dropping in value? In comparison, the Spyder has barely lost value from its list price and seems to be a highly regarded sports car which should have strong residuals.
I would like to hear your views as to which might be a better buy/value/fun to drive on British roads and cities. I might be driving it more than a few times a week (plus special days).
Thanks

[leerandle]

For info, I haven't driven either.

But for me, the Aston is bought with the heart and the Porsche bought with your head.

The Aston is definitely a more special car that will probably get more attention.

The Porsche although very nice and probably a better driving car, is just another Porsche....

The car market is very odd at the moment and you can pick up some cars where someone else has took the hit on the depreciation.

I'd say the Porsches and Astons will both lose a bit more money long term, but the Aston would always be more special.

I'm biased, but I'd buy the Aston.

[Minglar]

There have been reports on here about problems with manual cars of that era. The seven speed manual does not seem to work as well with the AMG V8 as it did in the final run of V12VS cars. If you search through the forum you may find some more information, but as far as I can remember the auto gearbox is better at handling the torque of the V8. I think the torque had to be reduced for the manuals and eventually the gearbox was dropped as an option, albeit rather quietly. I’ve always liked the look of 718 Spyder, although the roof seems to be rather fiddly. Imho that is probably the better choice of the two. If you are dead set on Vantage from that era, there are still plenty of cars out there, albeit mainly autos, and imho that gearbox suits the powertrain much better. BRM.

[Beckson]

Buy the aston! The porsche is just not the same.

But... I'll stand by one of the most fun cars I've driven is a 718 boxster gts 4.0 manual. Felt light, very agile, great engine and transmission. Really honestly spectacular in my opinion. It's not a gt3 sort of thing, but a very fun and road focused roadster. Watch the Harry Metcalfe video on it.

If I had the funds and garage space. I'd have one to run alongside a V12 n/a more GT focused AM like a 2015 Vanquish volante. That'd be quite the pair.

There are some late MY v/h v8v manuals out there. I thought the transmission was good but not great in them ( 6 speed in the v8), however better than the AMG Vantage as a manual for sure. Not a fan of the single clutch paddle shift though in the v/h cars. As much as I love manuals, gotta say the 8 speed ZF really suites any Aston I've driven with it, really helps the mk 2 vanquish in my opinion over the early 6 speed ones. and of course is great in the Db11/db12.

Edited by Beckson on Friday 31st October 01:17