I have a 458 and a V8 Roadster and Coupe and I have to say they are two completely different cars. The 458 is the best car I have ever driven for short bursts. I take it out when the weather is nice and even autocross it but I would never use it as a daily driver for many of the reasons mentioned. I don't have the same negative response as the Lambos get but, you can't leave it anywhere without drawing a crowd. Ferrari really got it right with this car and it is easily the best drivers Ferrari made. Its one of those cars that you don't know how good it is until you drive it. I had a 430 and didn't think the 458 would be that much better. I was wrong. So comparing the 458 to any Aston is apples to oranges. I think of the AM as the Gentlemans sports car. The cars look great, are very comfortable to drive, have luxurious interiors and have a special feel to them that is all their own. The Astons really are cars you could drive everyday as they don't attract much attention because most people don't know what they are or they think they are a Jag which draws no attention at all. The Aston is the perfect date night car etc.
As far as cost goes there are many good deals on AMs each year so you can buy whichever AM you want for far less than a 458. Ironically, the Astons cost more to service now than a new Ferrari as the 2012 and newer cars have free service for 7 years.

 

. . . or you could say that the service costs are folded into the rather high sales price.

 

when I mentioned Ferrari,,, was comparing it to a 360 based on dollar to dollar price... I know a 430 and 458 are more $ If I buy an Aston, it is not an everday car for me... It would be a weekend car or after work car... that's why I mentioned the Ferrari... for an everday car.. I would not consider either... I would get a range rover for everday use.. The Aston's are again very classy looking and you dont see many of them here on Long Island where I live.. Boca..yes you see at least 2 a day... When I go back down to Florida I will have to drive the Aston...

 

There is a lovely F430 6sp for sale $120k right here on 6speed. I would pick that up in a heartbeat over an Aston.

That said, I agree with pretty much all of the comments thus far - Aston is a more understated perfect blend of luxury, performance, and beauty. While Ferrari has a presence that few can rival.

The choice is definitely individual, but I have a hard time comprehending the two being on the same paying field.

 

I think you can't go wrong either way. As mentioned multiple times, the Aston might be better received by others -- they don't seem to create negative impressions the way that the better known top-end marques do. You need to decide how much this matters to you. I know a lot of people say that it doesn't matter what others think, but in reality it does matter, to varying degrees, to most of us. Personally, I don't want everyone assuming I'm an a$$hat just because of the car I drive. Then again, to own a Ferrari . . .

As for the 360, I hear it's a great machine but a bit of a handful. Treat it carelessly and it could bite you. I haven't driven the 360, but did spend a day in a 430. A fantastic car and apparently much easier to drive fast. Of course, it will cost you a pretty penny to jump up from the 360 to the 430. One thought is to climb the ladder over time. You could pick up a 360, drive it a year or two, and then trade it in for the 430 after you've built up some extra disposable income. I have considered doing this sort of upgrade strategy, with the goal of ultimately having a 458 in my garage.

 

The 458 sticker is far less than a DBS with nowhere near the depreciation. Of course I like Vantages better than a DB9 or DBS so I am biased anyway. It still all comes down to drive what you like.

 

I have an Aston Martin Vantage. It's the best car I have owned. You can drive it everyday (not snow obviously).

I also considered a Gallardo and a 430. Both Amazing cars (430 is a better service proposition than a 360). They might even be my next cars. Reversing into street parking is a real pain.

The Vantage does draw a lot of attention here in Toronto, people seem to know what it is. It's Porsche that is invisible. I have friends that have run Lambos and they do get more "over the top" attention. More police attention too.

You can dd the Aston, but do not mistake this for a Porsche. It's not THAT practical. Buy an R8 or Porsche if that's what you need.

So far maintenance has been no big deal at all.

The interior is a great place to be. The exhaust is fantastic. The weight of the controls is spot on.

The Vantage is classed as a GT, but it is more sporting than you might consider. Better rubber and a stiffer suspension set up can really change the game.

All good choices. All different.

 

Correct, at least not until the new model comes out....

 

a lot of people who drive an Aston couldn't conceive of buying a similarly priced Ferrari, and vice-versa. Ferrari is all about dramatic extroverted performance, whereas the Aston's performance takes a back seat to luxurious style. The Ferrari crowd will find the Aston too subtle and not visceral enough, whereas the Aston crowd will find the Ferrari brash and ott.

 

Unless it's a V12V!

 

I am making the move from a Vantage to a 430.....for the driving experience.

As mentioned, the Aston is a gentleman's sportscar with the most elegant design of any car out there.
But from a driving performance standpoint, it really isn't visceral enough for me....this is coming from a background of owning and racing Lotus'. The Lotus is truly the most visceral driving experience of any streetcar - a gokart on steroids.
In any case, test driving the 430, it definitely has the performance I am looking for....

 

haha, it's definitely more visceral but not quite an assault on the senses like a fezza. V12 vantage is definitely fast though....

 

You always trade the current F car before the new one comes out. Thats how you stay ahead of the curve. Keeping it too long is not for the faint of heart.
I had a 430 and loved it. The 430s have taken the bulk of their depreciation and you should be able to drive it for a year or two without much depreciation. BTY it never had one service issue. You will enjoy it as well. Too bad the Aston has to go, but one can only keep so many girlfriends.

 

If you are looking at pre-owned, the Ferrari is going to be much older in the same price range than the Aston. It will therefore be likely out of warranty and more expensive to service to boot. I really like the subtlety of the Aston and it attracts as much attention as I would like and none negative that I am aware of. I had in mind that the Aston would have been a softer car with less performance (as far as handling) than the Ferrari, but I don't find it that way.

 

Yes I figured as much....I know I will be trading the 430 out in a year or two for a Scud or 458. I just hear that the 458 is too "easy to drive." I like the rawness of a Lotus or a CS, but the wife wouldn't be comfortable in a CS or even a Scud. I think the 430 will be a happy medium for a while...