V8 Vantage or DB9?
Discussion
I've got one last tick to put against my list of 'must have' cars, which is an Aston. I would be in the market for a second hand model but can't decide which would be better with a budget of GBP 50-60,000.
I don't need four seats, but I do want a fast 0-60. The car would also be used for track days.
I don't need four seats, but I do want a fast 0-60. The car would also be used for track days.
x2 the V8V.
Not sure I'd be using either for track days though. Will probably get expensive on brakes, tyres and servicing IMO if you use it hard on track a lot.
I decided a long time ago that having a separate track toy was the most sensible route...
Also, 0-60 times are one of the most irrelevant performance statistics in the motoring world. Don't get hung up on them.
Not sure I'd be using either for track days though. Will probably get expensive on brakes, tyres and servicing IMO if you use it hard on track a lot.
I decided a long time ago that having a separate track toy was the most sensible route...
Also, 0-60 times are one of the most irrelevant performance statistics in the motoring world. Don't get hung up on them.
defo a Vantage
you *can* track them ...and even as standard they hold up better than say some "psuedo" track stuff like M3 CSLs ...in other words the brakes are up to the job - I took mine out a couple of times when my other car was off the road at short notice, and it was surprisingly good...and surprised a few mates too, in their Exiges
adjustable suspension, change of pads, the optional Pirelli sticky rubber, and then the odd trackday here and there would be good fun.
Id want to be be getting it serviced 2x as often though, maybe at an indie if its an older car
so yeah, it can be done, id get some insurance though as I wouldnt want to pay any repair bills ...not with spares prices on the composite wings etc
work out a years running costs though for 12 track days and you could buy a tasty Elise\Caterham for the same cash, just for track use
you *can* track them ...and even as standard they hold up better than say some "psuedo" track stuff like M3 CSLs ...in other words the brakes are up to the job - I took mine out a couple of times when my other car was off the road at short notice, and it was surprisingly good...and surprised a few mates too, in their Exiges
adjustable suspension, change of pads, the optional Pirelli sticky rubber, and then the odd trackday here and there would be good fun.
Id want to be be getting it serviced 2x as often though, maybe at an indie if its an older car
so yeah, it can be done, id get some insurance though as I wouldnt want to pay any repair bills ...not with spares prices on the composite wings etc
work out a years running costs though for 12 track days and you could buy a tasty Elise\Caterham for the same cash, just for track use
bogie said:
...
work out a years running costs though for 12 track days and you could buy a tasty Elise\Caterham for the same cash, just for track use
Exactly my point.work out a years running costs though for 12 track days and you could buy a tasty Elise\Caterham for the same cash, just for track use
Set of tyres on a 7 is less than half those for the Aston. Same for brakes. And servicing. And a 7 will last twice as long in these areas when tracked than the Aston will, while going significantly quicker and giving you much more fun all at the same time (which is not to say the Aston is a bad car. It's most definitely not, but the 7 is designed for this).
Of course you then have two cars, so storage may be an issue. Insurance less so as it's cheap for a 7 - and because of the nature of the car, I never bother with track insurance (it's expensive anyway for the actual cover you get - just keep out of the armco!).
Far Eastender said:
... and keeping my Cerbera for the track.
Without wishing to be rude, a Cerbera is hardly the sharpest of tools for the track! Epic 4 seater yes. Track toy? I wouldn't.All personal choice, but I'd end up finding it hard to decide which of those two to use. Surely something more left field would go better with either Aston or Cerb? Something like an Atom, Radical, Caterham etc etc?
Or perhaps some old banger done up specifically for track use (orig Mini, early Escort, Pug 205 etc etc)?
Would also work out cheaper...
A fine car, but the V8 vantage still leaves a slightly bitter taste in my mouth as, traditionally the vantage name was for the fastest, most powerful, best version of the marque. Now it represents the cheapest and smallest.
I've got my sights set on the DB9. Better looking in my eyes, and the racing version has won its class in Le Mans for the past 2 years.
I've got my sights set on the DB9. Better looking in my eyes, and the racing version has won its class in Le Mans for the past 2 years.
williamp said:
A fine car, but the V8 vantage still leaves a slightly bitter taste in my mouth as, traditionally the vantage name was for the fastest, most powerful, best version of the marque. Now it represents the cheapest and smallest.
I've got my sights set on the DB9. Better looking in my eyes, and the racing version has won its class in Le Mans for the past 2 years.
Eye of the beholder etc. I think the DB9 is too log at the back and unbalanced in profile, the V8V, to me, is perfect!I've got my sights set on the DB9. Better looking in my eyes, and the racing version has won its class in Le Mans for the past 2 years.
garyhun said:
Eye of the beholder etc. I think the DB9 is too log at the back and unbalanced in profile, the V8V, to me, is perfect!
I agree, though to me it's the length of the front that irks. And the headlights (particularly indicators) and grille - looks like a fish!Only thing I would change on the V8 would be to put a DBS style strake in the side vent - the one with the indicator embedded.
I do tend to agree that using the Vantage name was daft. But it is a really very, very good little car.
BAHN-STORMA said:
Murph7355 said:
I do tend to agree that using the Vantage name was daft. But it is a really very, very good little car.
It's the 'little' bit that kind of kills it for me - Aston's aren't suppoz'd [sic!] to be SMALL!the cerbie is agreat track animal, merely for the intimidation factor alone ..I have been on track with a 4.5RR once and it was quite an imposing sight in the rear view mirror before howling by 
As for the aston, if I had a spare £60k I would be hunting down a nice Vanquish (S), not a V8V or a DB9.
As for the aston, if I had a spare £60k I would be hunting down a nice Vanquish (S), not a V8V or a DB9.
Edited by M@H on Thursday 29th January 15:34
I have a DB9 volante , which is not as good looking as the DB9 coupe , which is not as good looking as a Vantage , but the truth is all three are fantastic looking cars . I prefer the DB9 because it is big , a bit of a handful ( especially with manual gearbox ) magnifcenth and much closer to my idea of what an Aston should be than the Vantage which is adequately powerful,cheaper to run,better looking and the sensible choice - which is why it is much more common and why I don't want one . Lucky we are all different !!!
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