First post newbie, been a lurker on this site for years. I am in quite the dilemma and would certainly appreciate your honest feedback.

I have closed in on 2 vastly different cars and I need to make a decision. I have a refundable deposit made on a one owner 2007 Vantage with 10k miles. The agreed upon price is $53k (pre-tax).

I am also potentially entertaining a deal with a private seller to purchase a black 2008 Z06 with 8k miles for $42.5K.

My dilemma is a 2 part question:

1. Both are vastly different cars, however which one is easier to sell in the event that I need to unload the car?

2. Based on the purchase prices of both cars, which one is the better buy? Which one will hold it's value better based on the agreed upon purchase price?

Also to take into consideration is that I normally cringe when I see a high repair bill. I can tolerate the $1500 to $2,000 "average" annual cost to maintain the Vantage, but multiple repairs in one year at a clip of $2-$3k annually would grow very tiresome.

Would appreciate everyone's thoughts, thank you all!

 

Based on the info you provided, your financial apprehensions and your chosen username, I would say stick with the Corvette.

 

Hi Karl,

Thank you for your reply. In regards to the price of the Aston Martin, is it a good value? And based on your observations, on average from speaking to owners; how long does it take to resell?

 

If you were planning on a lot at track days I'd say the Z06. However if not I'd go with the V8V. I plan on tracking my V8V but not as much as my other car.

I went to the Cars and Coffee event in Plano TX a few weeks back and the number of corvettes was crazy. Not knocking them as I like them and also have an older 80 model. My V8V and a newer Vantage S were the only Aston's there and quite few folks stopped to talk about the car.

Low 50's seems a good price but only you can determine that and let the buyer beware.

Annual service on the Aston is probably $1.5K to $2K. I willing to pay that for a more exclusive ride.

 

I swapped cars with a buddy for a drive once, he took my V8V and I took his Z06 (dunno the year, but it was the same generation as the '08). Loved the engine torque, but didn't care for the interior or transmission. They're good cars, but I see them as being a "bang for your buck" car. The V8V is the opposite - you're getting less performance for more money, but the car itself feels better as a whole (styling, driving, etc).

I guess it depends on what kind of car you want - sacrifice performance for the nicer qualities of an Aston, or go for performance and get something that blends into the crowd. Not trying to disparage the Z06 by any means - they're great cars.

 

Was talking to the poster above "Dave" through message and I told him that I'm not really the type of guy who has the time to take his car to the track. In actuality, I'm more of the type who cares about the overall experience of driving the car. Going fast is one thing, but it's not everything.

My biggest fear about purchasing the car is more so related to the unforeseen maintenance issues and their relative cost. I can handle the occasional $700 to $800 repair with ease. And the annual maintenance fee of $1500. But it is the $2500 to $4,000 unforeseen hit that may force me spend weeks sleeping on the living room couch, haha .

I also tend to get bored of my cars (not to say that I will with this one), but ideally would want an exit strategy that would allow me to offset risk. If I purchased the Vantage, how easy is it to get rid of as a private seller? What have people's experiences been with fetching their asking price? Trading it in is always an option, but often times its not the best.

If all else equal, if I obtained a Z06 for $42k and the Vantage for the same price, which one would yield the higher return after a years time?
(Current deals on the table for both cars btw)


Thanks again!

 

In general Aston's difficult to sell buy Owner. There is a much larger pool of corvette buyers.

 

If a quick exit strategy is important to you definitely get the Corvette. There is little demand for used Aston's even at these crazy low prices. I think the low demand is because Aston's of the past weren't exactly reliable and these newer ones are just as reliable as my daily driver. In the almost 4 years of ownership with my DB9 it has been the most reliable "super car" I have ever owned. Unfortunately, break downs can and will occur but I think a large part of reliability depends on how well you treat the car. Probably the best advise I can give... is definitely don't buy an exotic car just because its a "good deal" or is "cheap". Rarely do these cars end up being the good buy you thought they were. Put your effort in finding a well cared for well serviced car. Good luck!

 

Thanks Dan,

I really appreciate the advise. I am not opposed to keeping the car long term as well, but my eyes do wander haha. I am fortunate that this deal is run by Autobytel's broker program. The car will be delivered to me at the expense of the seller, and if the inspection happens to come back unsatisfactory, I can send the vehicle back no questions asked (also paid by the seller I might add).

It really is a win-win situation from that standpoint. I'm really glad to hear that your car has held up so well. It is my hope that when I become an AM owner that I will experience much the same.

 

53k for that car looks to be a killer deal. Aston is prob going to be a tough sell of waiting many, many months.

 

The OP said the price was 42k! I don't know if the seller rode the short bus or what but that seems to be well below market value especially with those kind of miles. Makes me wonder what kinda surprises the buyer will find when he gets it checked out.

Did you run a carfax on the car?

 

That's the Z06's price.

 

Maybe I missing something but quoting the OP above he said the agreed upon price was $42k on the Vantage and $42.5k on the Vette. Where are you seeing the 53k price at?

 

It sounds to me like you really want the Aston, but are a bit afraid of what you'd be getting into. Ok, that's reasonable... an expensive fix on an AM is probably more frequent and more expensive than on a mass-production car. Of course, while many people use their Astons as daily drivers, I'm confident that they are "occasion" cars for most of us, and there is no question that Astons deliver a far greater sense of occasion than the vast majority of 'Vettes.
Owning an Aston Martin is about embracing their heritage, class, style, subtlety, performance, and everything - good and bad - that comes with low production volume.
If you want a car to use as a "tool," then get the 'Vette. It's the automotive equivalent of a very good quartz watch, with a good balance of performance and quality at a very reasonable price. But if you want something to wear with pride, that will be noticed by those who have an appreciation for craftsmanship, design, and performance, get a good mechanical watch and an Aston Martin.

 

It was $53k earlier, looks like it got edited....