4.3 or 4.7 Vantage

[sukh_m]

Was contemplating buying a 4.3 for about 43k but now have seen a few 4.7's drop below the 50k mark and may wait until winter to buy a 4.7

The 4.3 was a bit underwhelming in terms of punch and grant's book summarizes the 4.7 by stating it's what the 4.3 should of been in the first place!

My question is has anyone bought in the winter and found a genuine bargain? Best time to buy in their opinion? I'm hoping the 4.7 may fall into budget

Thanks

[sukh_m]

I'm not necessarily looking at 8 months maybe oct-dec just depends if i can get a 4.7 for about 43-45k. I dont mind waiting at all.

I saw a 26,000 mile 4.7 sell for 48k recently, so i'm hoping beyond summer these will drop a bit more and maybe pick up a lower miles car! I do remember some PH forum members comments on picking up bargains in winter (maybe lower than prices right now!).

[sukh_m]

mikey k said:

That would be me
All high end cars drop in price over the winter.
Roadsters more so.
They all firm up around now, you can see that in the prices of V12V's and roadsters now.
IMHO the cheapest time to buy is January when the weather is still bad and people are more in need of the cash

How much cheaper did you pick it up for if you dont mind me asking?

[sukh_m]

krisdelta said:

Spot on Sir, why wait? The 4.3 is no slouch and it's 100% better than no Aston I purchased one as soon as my budget could afford a spec I wanted, even then it took me 5 months as I didn't want a black interior and I wanted a 2007 car. I am sure the 4.7 is better, but then so is the "S" and V12. You could talk yourself into a long wait, or get out there and enjoy a great car now.

You have a valid point.
My only gripe (and grant's book is spot on) is that the 4.3 is lacking in the torque department and having just sold my 911 I noticed that straight away. The 4.7 sounds a superior car not just with the extra torque but other mods like the suspension and steering feedback improvements. I'm planning to keep it 2-3 years hence the wait for the "right one" :-)

[sukh_m]

Speedraser said:

Sukh,

The obvious thing to do is go out and drive a 4.3 and a 4.7 and see if it's worth the difference to you. IMO, the 4.3 is a great car, and plenty quick. Having said that, I think the 4.7 is significantly improved. Also, while the 4.7 is clearly much stronger in the low- and mid-rpm ranges, it is also significantly stronger when revved hard.

You are right I will have to go drive both back-to-back. I've only driven the 4.3 and I thought it lacked the torque low end and decent feedback in the steering. I haven't driven a 4.7 yet but it sounds like the real deal

[sukh_m]

v8woollie said:

Here's my simplistic perspective. I feel blessed in that I could afford (finally after many years of hankering for one) an Aston Martin. I knew there was a 4.7 version of the V8V but at the time I purchased they were out of reach for me. I was told by the dealer that there were options to bring the 4.3 to 4.7 spec and ultimately it is possible to do so and spend less money than the equivalent age 4.7. They did make an honest statement and say that the 4.7 is a better all round car and that AM Works do provide 4.3 upgrades to get closer to the 4.7 performance.

Coming from the Audi S4 when I drove the 4.3 I decided it was plenty fast for me. I had found with the Audi that in normal day to day driving when you accelerate hard it is very soon that you slow down because you have caught up with the traffic in front. The 4.3 is the same but it catches up quicker than the S4 did, so for me the 4.3 is fast enough.

I will be looking at the BR exhaust system with the original back box and the AM sports pack or an equivalent third party offering. I think for around £7.5K I will be able to get close to the 4.7 performance.

But for me, in normal day to day ownership and use, I am happy to have a V8V, and a 4.3 V8V at that. Unless going on a hoon down deserted country lanes, I doubt that there is a massive difference between a 4.3 and 4.7 around town and just sitting in the V8V makes me feel like any journey is a special one.

So I am happy with my lot and happy at last that I can experience Aston Martin ownership. To be honest in some ways I am glad I started with a 4.3 as I now see a journey of upgrading that perhaps with a 4.7 I wouldn't have bothered with (given that fundamentaly I think the car is fast enough in 4.3 form).

Edited by v8woollie on Sunday 22 April 09:51

Edited by v8woollie on Sunday 22 April 12:56

My dilemma is that I've seen a nice '08 4.3 but its 46k and looking at prices im probably on the cusp of a 4.7. Waiting a few months isnt an issue for me because buying in winter would suit me too, prices have probably recently firmed up a little also!

I do like sapphire blue metallic but I don't think they do that in the 4.7 might have to go for something similar :-)

[sukh_m]

Speedraser said:

Sukh,

IMO, a V8V should have truly excellent steering feel. 911s are considered a standard-bearer of steering feel (no longer, though, with the new 991). I've driven many 911s, and have had my 993 for 12 years, and I think the steering feel of my MY09 V8V is worthy of comparison. The 4.3's steering feel should be very good, and the changes in the 4.7 make it still better. They do seem to be quite sensitive to wheel alignment/tracking specs.

v8woollie, excellent post

This is what I'm looking for; a worthy comparison to my old 997 911. Originally, I drove both the 997 911 and the 4.3 and chose the 911 because I thought the 4.3 was not as satisfying. Did a bit of bedtime reading last night (grants book again) and I think the 4.7 with a sports pack applied is for me ;-)