I'm torn whether to order my Vantage GTS or not. It's been my dream car for 10 years. I've owned two 2007 Vantages (manual and SS) already and both sucked. Custom ordered a V8S back in 2013 but dealer was horrible. I'm going through some big changes next year such that I might not be able to afford it, but if I get the car I want it brand new custom ordered and this would be my last chance. I'm already getting tired of thinking about it, worried about paying for it. I'm happy with my 2016 MX-5 and have a Mirai on order (I like getting good mpg). If I do order a GTS it would arrive right before my birthday. But as we all know, it's not wise financially with V12S' going for less nowadays. I could get a lot of other things with the money (i.e. a dream watch).

What should I do...?

 

Decisions decisions.

Since you've owned two v8s before maybe you should go with something different and get a v12.

If I were in your place, I'd have a similar dilemma: custom order a v8 vantage with all the colors, options, and other things I like (e.g. Diamond stitched leather seats and roofliner) OR look for a gently used v12 Vantage with options I'm not offended by.

In the end I'd go with the v12 based on the increased speed and currently observed depreciation values.

Good luck.

 

Your post confuses me. The GTS is your "dream car".

But both of your 2007 V8Vs "sucked" and the dealer is "horrible".

How is a GTS going to fix those problems?

 

I guess I should clarify. The 07s were used and I lost a lot of money on them. The '14 S was a dream to drive, night and day between the 4.3 and 4.7 as far as I remember. I'm working with new dealers, although remotely gives me some concern. I just love the design of the Vantage. But losing so much $$ right off the bat stresses me out.

Yes, I think a V12S would be the smart option, but I want a MT. And I'm not sure how many people lightly break them in

 

This is a no brainer. Buy a V12V. It's a manual, already heavily depreciated, it's not a V8V but looks like one but doesn't perform like one. A future classic.

 

You're going to have to bite the bullet and decide. If you want the custom ordered, brand new car that no-one else has broken in, then you will have to stomach the price and the depreciation, no sense agonizing over it if it is that important to you.

I like XJRS' recommendation - have you ever driven a V12V? It is night and day over the V8, IMHO. Never mind that the V8 is a slightly better balanced car, the V12 engined Vantages are way more than the sum of their parts.

I hear you re: the dealer. My nearest one is 2 hours away - thankfully they are excellent. The first one I did business with (4.5 hours away) nearly drove me away from the brand. But surely there is a decent choice of dealers within a few hours, being in LA as you are?

 

I'd get a used V12 in your situation. And just stop it with the dream watch thing. What are you going to do with that, stare at it? You're a man, right?

 

I special ordered my first vantage... Too many interior colors going on but did not realize it ordering via computer. Next one was used- an 09 in my ideal colors - meteorite exterior... Sandstorm interior. Now I have a 15 GT used. Green, grey interior sportshift exact combo if I custom ordered, was $95k. If I paid $140k for a 2016 gts I'd probably instead get a new discounted 2015 v12s eventhough I'd never need that much power, and even if the color combo was not perfect

 

Not sure, but it does not sound like you are financially stable at present. Is buying that car before you are stable (more stable) wise? I would not be able to sleep if I was financially over extended over a car that is going to suck money regardless.

 

If you are worried about depreciation get the V12V. They are amazing cars and you let someone else take the depreciation hit. If you are patient you can find the right one for you.

 

In my decision to buy a 2015 GT vs. keep my 2009 (paid off) Vantage, I did consider financial stability, as I was still recovering from the recession, still building my businesses, and still have a somewhat considerable (about 5 GT's) mortgage. Buy now when the GT prices were the lowest (I was right about that), or wait 2 years - pay cash assuming there was no economic downturn. At 63 years old, the decision was easy - now, while I'm still young enough to enjoy it. You only live once and every day you wake up is a risk.

 

Have to chime in here. I've owned an 07 Vantage and several newer V8 Vantages. I bought my 12 V12 Vantage new and have never looked back. You can probably buy a nice used V12V for around $130 or even less now that winter is here. They come loaded so you don't have to worry about options. The GTS will be worth less than the V12 as soon as you drive it off the lot. Financially the V12 is the better buy. Driving experience is no contest either. Only reason to buy GTS is if you have a very particular spec. So you have to ask yourself if a certain spec is worth the cost to you.

 

Thanks for the opinions, keep them coming. I have about a week to decide.

I promised myself no more used cars, the Vantages were the only used cars I had ever bought and I regretted it. That's why being able to buy one new is so important. I did test drive a V12V back in 2011, it wasn't ideal. I slightly scraped the splitter on the steep dealer lot curb at the beginning of the test drive, the salesman wasn't too happy so I couldn't enjoy it or even go over 4000 rpm. That was that.

I've contacted all dealers in CA already, to give you an idea. It's not pretty


This is funny, but ironically very relevant.


I can't sleep over that, either. I wish they would make the car for another 2 years so I can save more, or at least get through next year first. But time isn't on my side. I can probably get the car, but it would mean sacrificing a lot of other things. Plus, I just bought a home earlier this year.


And that's the thing. I always remember Roger Sterling saying to Don Draper: "Must I remind you of the finite nature of life?" in regards to getting the '62 Cadillac Coupe deVille

 

If you can afford it. Every day you wait is a lost day driving. Kind of like having kids. If you wait till you're ready you'll never do it.

 

This is a strange conversation. If you can't afford it......don't do it! Are you crazy? That would be irresponsible.