On the hunt for a new car.
Previously, I had never remotely thought about owning an Aston Martin as they are rare to see in the wild and quite expensive.

I got my mid-life crisis car about 3 years ago, a highly modified Porsche 996 Turbo. I loved parts of it, but it ended up being a money pit. Sold it after 2 years, after spending about $20k in maintenance. I only drive about 8k per year at best - was just too much expense for the benefit. But I fell in love with beautiful cars and sports cars. Have an interim car now (GTI) until I make my next move.

We live fairly simple, no boats, no second house, etc. I really enjoy having a nice car -so that is where I choose to put my money. Wife doesn't get it, which will be one of my dilemmas. Have some stock money I can cash in, but have to do it over a few years to avoid higher tax brackets. So I'll take out enough this year to pay for some home renovations and to pay for the majority of kids college costs remaining. This will leave little other burdens, meaning next year I can tap into what's left for my car. I simply see the cost of entry higher than other cars. If I don't like it after 4-5 years, I can easily get into a Porsche / other.

I definitely want a car under warrantee at least for 2 years (bad experience with the Porsche) and hope to keep it for a long time. On my short list are Porsche Cayman GTS, year old 991 S, and Vantage GT (minus the makeup), Might consider an F-Type manual as well.

I have no desire to drag race or have the fastest 0-60 times. I really enjoyed the basic, raw feeling in the 996 Turbo. Must be manual. On paper the Vantage v8 really seems like a winner - sophisticated, yet old school. Of course, I am a bit scared of potential maintenance - but I think that is an unfounded concern for the newer cars.

Would likely go for a 1 year old model that has taken some of the depreciation hit - but likely won't be many Vantage GTs, manual floating around.

I really like the 'exclusivity' of Aston...seems like everyone getting a sports car trends towards Porsche (which are awesome, but I like having something a bit unique as well).

Will likely get in a test drive soon to see if it floats my boat. Still have a long wait, but sometimes that is part of the fun.

 

I am currently helping a friend look for an aston. He is considering a v8v but also a v12v. On paper, it is only 0.6 second faster and about $50-70k difference for a used one from the v8 to the v12. He only wants manual. His hesitation is that he read that the ride of a v12v is too stiff for daily driving. Anyone have both should tell him the 12v is no brainer but he is on the fence because its only marginally faster on paper.

 

As we chatted, 0-60 is for magazines....
The V12 is a monster compared to a V8V. I met 2 other owners that traded their V8's for V12VS just this past weekend. We all said there is No comparison.
I used to be old school too and said "no way unless it's manual" but you get over it, real fast!!
If you can swing the V12, it's a no brainer.

 

Other than a better navi, what is the difference between the 2012 v12 vantage and 2011 v12 vantage?

 

I believe that is the main and maybe only difference between the 2011/2012.

0-60 numbers don't tell the story at all. Tell your friend to test drive and each. In my opinion, the suspension setup on the 11/12 cars is DD worthy.

 

I have a 2012 V12. I've had a couple of Lotuses (Exige and Esprit) and several M Cars.

The V12 ride is fine for a daily. It's not as soft as an M5 or 6 on the soft settings, but it is fine.

 

Here's some ideas for your search. Start with "AutoTrader.com" and search the whole US. I found my 2008 V8V in Illinois and then had a nice vacation driving it home to Lake Tahoe, NV. V8 will likely be less maintenance than V12, so if you're more interested in "power, BEAUTY, SOUL", the body design and handling, then the V8 will be great. Posts on this site indicate more problems with the Automatic (primarily the Clutch) than the Manual--so stick with Manual if you can. Make sure it's Non-Smoking, also get it as fully loaded as you can--Aston starts out pretty bare-bones until you add options like Nav, Cruise Control, Blue-tooth, Sirius Radio, Heated Seats, etc. Don't hesitate to go a couple of years earlier, even without factory warantee--you'll find the lower price-difference will cover any unexpected maintenance costs. If the car you get has 10-15K miles, you'll find most of the warrantee issues were taken care of, and any dealer can check service records for you. Then be sure to get a PPI. Good luck in your exciting search.

 

I bought my 2007 Vantage V8 last August with 2900 miles on it and a 1 year per owned Aston warranty. If you buy from an Aston dealer then you get the warranty with a used 2007 or newer. I now have over 6000 miles on my Vantage, it is a blast and a great long distance car. I told my dealer a while ago that I wanted one, and to let me know when a used stick shift coupe came around. They sold this car new, and the original owner traded it in on a DBS.
He just kept in his hanger covered up.
Since I bought it, I have updated the 19" wheels and added the Aston Martin Power pack. Plus I added I pod connectivity. The only time the car has had any work done was New door struts under warranty. And the seat heater and gas filler door Recall.I also have a 2011 Lotus Evora 2+0 and a 1965 Jaguar E-Type that is my show car. So the Aston fits in quite nicely. I have only ever owned stick shift cars, and plan to keep that way as ling as I can. I think a used Vantage is a great buy at 1/2 the price it was new for me.
One last thing I was also thinking of the F type coupe with a stick until I realized after going to my dealer it would be well over $90,000
Ron

 

V8 Vantage is a rock solid, low maintenance car. Yes, there are some horror stories out there if you look, but find me a car without any.

V12, same. Buy one if you can/want to afford it.

Brand new GT should really be on your list. Get it with 3 pedals and you can keep it very near $100k sticker.

Pre-loved V8 Vantage, still brilliant.

 

Did you negotiate that warranty into the price? I didn't get that on my '07 and nobody else here has reported getting it for free.

 

Funny how I posted some similar 'cross shopping' opinions in a Porsche forum, of course the overwhelming majority of comments were AM blows, Porsche #1. Haha.

Most are terrified of an assumed $3k-$5k per year in maintenance (even for new ones), and thoughts that Astons were nowhere near as nimble, scalpel like as a Cayman S / GTS or 911 S. I agree that both cars need to be driven back to back to clearly see the differences, but 99% of people will not get to the limits of either car on the street.

I stopped by a dealership to take a firsthand look at the new Vantage - jesus, they are more beautiful in person...so much so that one can overlook some issues. 911 and Caymans are so well sorted and buttoned down, it is hard to ignore them as long term cars.

My gut tells me that the smart play is to go for a 2 year old Vantage (depreciation benefits and still have some warrantee) and only keep it a few years (avoiding long term maintenance expenses). I feel I have to experience an AM in my lifetime. Porsche for the long term car.

 

Aston makes a great car. I bounce around between Porsche, Ferrari and Aston with an occasional exception. I have owned 4 Vantages, including the S which was my favorite. I also had a N420 which was very nice and 2 V8's. I love the usability and ease of the Vantage and its a great weekend car or even DD. True, they are not very fast but as you said, you are not interested in that. I keep coming back to them so it must be love!
Two things really linger from AM ownership, the beauty of the design and the curious but friendly reaction from other motorists. Unlike Ferrari, which I also love, AM seems to bring out the best in people's reactions.
I wouldn't say they are the best at anything but they are very good at almost everything and the market, for some reason, is pretty soft so it you are buying from a dealer, don't pay asking price. And after experiencing the manual, the sportshift I and II, I would go with the manual all day. Good luck with the search.

 

No I did not even ask about the warranty when I first looked at the car. It was going to be a negotiation tool for me when it down down to the deal. The dealer told me it was slandered on a used vantage that they sold new originally. They did offer me a two year addition to the warranty for another $4000.00. I decided to wait till one month before the expiration of my warranty and see how reliable the cars been before I decide about the extended warranty.
Ron

 

The nav itself is worth getting the 2012. Also, on the 2012, the windhshield wipers and actuators are different compared to 2011. IMO, the pre-2011 wipers sit too high. Kind of a nuisance..then again I have OCD.

 

What about steering and better brakes in the 2012? I know in the v8v, they made the steering and brakes better but anyone know if this is true in the v12v?