I get that we are a small market, but there are so few cars it should all work out. There have been a few guys in my market that just wholesaled there cars. I have NO idea why they would do that. Perhaps desperate, perhaps they are in a hurry. perhaps there are no buyers in some markets.

What I do know is there is no good reason why we should be selling our cars at a really discounted price.

The production numbers are really low for a modern car. In fact they are low for some vintage cars (1315 F40's produced, 1270 Porsche Carrera GT's, 4000 Ford GT's, 600 997 Porsche GT3 RS 4.0)

I think they are the last v12 6 speed car made by any manufacturer. Was the Murcie the last two seat V12 car before this one? I can't think of another.

The cars are universally thought of as beautiful and are crowd pleasers wherever they go.

Few cars can offer a soundtrack this amazing.

The steering is still beautiful hydralic and feelsome. A rarity in the world of electric steering.

-- Now, some people think they are problematic and mechanically not very sound.

Some people think they aren't fast enough. (over time this will matter less)

There is a belief that they depreciate like crazy and you should not pay good money for them. Let's not encourage that.

 

Well, they do depreciate a lot from new. And there's no guarantee that they will ever appreciate.

I personally think they will appreciate but it will take time. At least 10 or so years. As long as AML still makes cars that look visually like the V12V (most people can't tell the difference between the Vantage, Vanquish or DB9), the short term value will not hold. You know they are the last V12 manual and I know that but the larger world doesn't. The last V12 manual won't be "missed" or "valued" until it is historically further away from the present.

In the meantime, however, if you know of other people willing to wholesale their V12V . . . please have them contact me. I'd be happy to buy another one!

 

I wonder if part of the problem is that the V12V does look just like the V8V. The V8V can be had for 60-70k these days so people on the market might question spending all that additional money just for an engine(I know there is a lot more but most people don't no or notice these things)? I'm just hypothesizing but there is a reason why these cars still aren't holding in value and this is the only tangible thing I can put my finger on.

 

I think time is the key. It is rare for cars to not to continue to depreciate over the first 5-10 years of life and even more rare to appreciate over that time. These cars will appreciate, but I agree it will take time

 

I definitely think that's part of the issue. We're all preaching to the choir about how special these cars are but it will take awhile for the larger population capable of buying these cars to sniff out and ultimately desire the V12V. And by desire, I mean desire the car to the point where buyers are willing to pay a premium to own the vehicle.

That will take years because there's a lot of similar AM options out there. Can't afford a V12V? Lot of folks are happy to settle with a V8--and let's face it, the V8V is a damn nice car. Soon, the market will also be temporarily blinded by the next generation of AM cars coming out. Even though I think the next AM cars will ultimately be disappointing to purists, there will be a ton of hype that distracts everyone for a few years while AM tries to convince sports car purists that turbos and automatic transmissions are great.

Another point (which I sort of referenced earlier) that will ultimately drive up prices: I know a few other V12V owners and--like myself--they have no intention of ever selling their cars. We love these things. It would take *A LOT* of money to make me part ways with this vehicle in the next 10 years.

So, the way I read the market now is the few cars for sale have largely been passed over by potential buyers. (There's three cars still for sale now that I considered and passed on before purchasing mine last spring). So, we're seeing cars that are more challenging to sell and prices of those are being discounted to encourage selling. At the same time, current owners are holding onto their cars and very few nice vehicles are entering the marketplace. The very low volume of vehicles (sub 200 for the U.S.) combined with owners reluctant to sell will ultimately put pressure on prices . . . but, again, my opinion is it will take quite some time before we see that.

 

^^^^Very well thought out response. I agree with your view. I like the part where you say Aston will try to convince people that the new stuff is better. . They've been doing that for years with the Sportshift gearbox. LOL.

 

After my GT3 comes in, I am thinking of taking a break from buying cars and picking up a V12V as a long term car. Hopefully by then the market will be in a more predictable place as the Vantage is one of the best cars I've owned and having the V12 to drive on weekends will keep me smiling

 

So, I just traded a 2008 BMW M6 (manual!) for a 2012 Carbon Black, Satin Black paint Vantage V12.

I spent about 2 months looking and over that time I don't think the "pool" of available cars changed that much. An Aston dealer in the DC area has a 2011 for $125k or so, that's the lowest around. There's a white one that a guy has been trying to sell on Ebay for buy it now of $137k. I think it is a 2011 with an extended warranty.

The Dallas Lamborghini dealer has a black on in the $135k range. It's been for sale for a while too.

Miller Automotive in Connecticutt has two, both in the $140s, both black, one a 2011 and one a 2012.

Foreign Cars Italia has a silver with red interior 2012 with a year warranty for $145k. It's the newest car on the market. I drove it, very nice car.

Some guy in the Northeast has a green one with a black interior, 2012 I blieve, for $170k but it only has 900 miles.

I just bought my car from Scottsdale AM. $137k list. 9.5k miles. 14 months warranty left. B&O stereo. 2nd annual service just done. I'm not crazy about the satin black and used that to get them down to $130k. They wouldn't budge beyond that (they were fair).

They also gave me a GREAT price on the M6. Basically, private sale value for it.

Make of that what you will. I do suspect these cars will continue to depreciate some. Not sure where the bottom is.

They are amazing though. I drove a new F Type Coupe R, a Cayman S, a new M4 and several other cars before saying screw it and going for the AM. Nothing like it out there.

 

^^^ this is the kind of purchase story experience everyone wants....contgrats and enjoy in good health my friend. Are you local to Scottsdale Jeff or did you have it transported to you?

 

Thanks! Nothing but good things to say about Scotsdale AM.

I'm actually in North Carolina, close to Foreign Cars Italia (they are in Greensboro, and I'm in Raleigh). They (FCI) seem like great folks too but I did not like the red seats in their car, and the $145k seemed high to me.

The car is being transported to me (Scotsdale AM agreed to pay to transport it out, and I pay to ship the M6 to them -- fair again). I get it on Dec. 28.

Thanks again for teh welcome and look forward to many years enjoying the car, and spending time on this board.

 

Congratulations!

And you are right, nothing else like it on the road.

enjoy.

 

Sounds like a great Vantage. Is it a stick? You had a M 6 with a stick, that is a rare car.
Ron

 

Yes, the V12V is a stick -- 2012, last of the breed I think.

Yes, the M6 with a manual is rare. Frankly, I loved the car. Rear end is a bit odd looking, and it's big. 3800 lbs so not much more weight than a Vantage, but it is BIGGER size wise. The V10 is amazing. 8250 redline. But not nearly as torquey as the AMV12 and it feels it.

The manual tranny is the exact same one BMW had in the E39 M5 (had one of those too, great car). It was the weak point during track days. I tracked the M6 five times in teh two years I had it, and three of those times I got a tranny overheat message.

 

Car is here. It is stunning. Still working on getting used to the Satin Black, but these are just beautiful pieces of machinery. Much, much, much, much better looking car than the M6.

Only drove it briefly (raining). Tons more low end torque than the M6 as well. Far more nimble. Much better steering.

 

Pics or you're banned