Opinions please. Trade my Aston Martin Vantage for Jaguar F-Type V8S?
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Soldato
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Wait, can't believe I recommended the Jag, just buy a ZR1 or a C7 
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Wait, can't believe I recommended the Jag, just buy a ZR1 or a C7
Been there, done that
Soldato
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Schwing!
That video was my first thought when I saw this thread. Go for the Jag. At least just to scratch the itch.
From some reviews I've seen the V6S has been the choice over the V8
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Hardly. I don't really know how to say this but honestly, people who buy exotic cars aren't always after the fastest, best equipped car. It's so easy looking in when you're judging things on face value but there's so much more involved when driving, owning and buying an exotic car.
There are many facets where the Aston, despite being an older car with far less power is infinitely better than the Jaguar. There's something special about a truly hand built car inside and out. In the Vantage, everything that looks like metal *is* metal and every single piece of leather is real leather, not pleather like in Porsche or Jaguar.
Until you own a car like that, it's very difficult to appreciate why people choose an on paper, "inferior" car. If it was such an obvious decision then surely I'd have driven home with it yesterday?
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I watched that video when it first came out and I can't say it really helped. Personally, I feel he underplays the rarity of the AM badge, especially here in the US. It is of course a relatively old design now, with a new engine in 2009 at least but still an 05/06 product at heart.
I couldn't see me going for the V6, regardless of how good it is. This is a mass produced car and as such will become very common over the coming years. At least the V8 will retain more of its value due to price based exclusivity.
You have to remember, my Aston was $148k, whereas the absolute top spec V8S is under $110k. I'm likely to lose a fortune on the Jag, especially if the market dictates that $100k is too much for such a car. I'm relatively safe in the AM as I bought it so well and it's something I do have to weigh up.
[ui]ICEMAN;24737330 said:
Seems to me like you've made your mind up already old chap. Personally, I'd dump the Aston in a heartbeat as it does absolutely nothing for me, which seems to be the complete opposite for you. Which pretty much covers the 'heart' base.
As to the 'head' bit, the cost of extending the Aston's warranty and service plan is less than the cost of getting you into a V8 F-Type before we've even taken immediate new car depreciation into account.
If you're really looking for a Jag where new car depreciation isn't a factor with the head-turning factor of an Aston in the states, I would have thought your only realistic avenue is classic Jaguars (or modern remakes of them like the E-Type, at least, which combine timeless looks with modern power).
However, if it were my dilemma, I'd already be in the F-Type, heading for Nevada, unphased by the complete priapism induced by the car.
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No, I haven't made my mind up at all, it's just hard trying to convey *why* people buy exotics that aren't the latest and greatest car to people who don't own them or who haven't had the opportunity to. That's no criticism at all, merely a different perspective.
I asked for opinions here and thankfully you all came through and offered them. I'm merely trying to lend a little bit of weight as to why the Aston isn't just the "ditch it" choice.
Depreciation isn't a primary factor at all, it really rarely is at this level but it's something I'd be foolish to ignore, especially on a car with no previous history. My Aston tanked from its MSRP of $148k to $110k in a year, so thankfully I didn't buy it new, or even at that lower price.
I asked for opinions here and thankfully you all came through and offered them. I'm merely trying to lend a little bit of weight as to why the Aston isn't just the "ditch it" choice.
Depreciation isn't a primary factor at all, it really rarely is at this level but it's something I'd be foolish to ignore, especially on a car with no previous history. My Aston tanked from its MSRP of $148k to $110k in a year, so thankfully I didn't buy it new, or even at that lower price.
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Soldato
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... and the one I had a go in:
Very memorable. Real sense of occasion. Sounded superb too
If I had the money and it was between the two, I'd probably have the Jaguar, as mentioned before - if I wanted something now.
For me to be truly sold on it, however, Jaguar would have to up the ante inside...
I'd like to take it for a longer test as well, because it moved around a lot - but I suspect that was just the sensation of being sat quite close to the rear axle. That and the fact I was driving on a narrow and quite lumpen track
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The exclusivity of he AM in the states is something I hadn't thought about and, as you said, will have a massive impact on prices, and the inevitable feel good factor when you wake up each morning. Certainly saying "this morning.. I think I'll take the Aston" has a better ring to it than the other way round.[ui]ICEMAN;24737330 said:
The Jag is massively expensive in my opinion and will depreciate like a falling house brick. You say the V8 will retain more of its value over the coming years. Are you really going to keep it for that long. Or will the itch for another car come along.
How about keep the AM for now, wait for the Jag to go through the worse of its depreciation cycle and get one. Run it for a few months, reduce your losses and have some fun. Then you'll be in a position to sell the AM and get either a new Jag (probably a revised facelift model by then) or get some new and shiny entirely.
Or something.
[ui]ICEMAN;24737305 said:
Being privileged as I was as a kid with my dad's car history, I'd never really classify Aston as an exotic. He had a couple of DB7s back in the day and they were rather anticlimactic for the £70k+ they cost. It didn't take long before he was back in SL65s, Ferrari 355s, Porsche Turbos and the like. Maybe a car built in Warwickshire feels less exotic than one made in Modena when you live in Worcestershire.
Perhaps its the right car, at the right time in the right location for you. Sadly for my tastes, a completely hand built car is not much of an attraction but more of a 'here's why there's an extra ten grand on the price tag.'
It's all horses for courses. Whatever you decide, I hope you're pleased as punch with it. They both look to be fantastic cars.
Re-reading your OP I'll change my mind and say keep the AM.
Price wise AM warranty + clutch = Jag sticker price. So the only question is what will cost more, the depreciation on a new Jag, or a 3-5 year old AM.
AM will be cheaper and have more a sense of occasion.
Give it a year until some decent 2nd hand F-V8s hit the market then go out and have both... you know you will
Price wise AM warranty + clutch = Jag sticker price. So the only question is what will cost more, the depreciation on a new Jag, or a 3-5 year old AM.
AM will be cheaper and have more a sense of occasion.
Give it a year until some decent 2nd hand F-V8s hit the market then go out and have both... you know you will
Agreed on this point, ride was absolutely fine on all roads I took it out on today.
The car was a fantastic hoot to drive, sounded great, although the pop on overrun was a bit OTT at lower revs, rode well considering wheel size, had enough grunt and was lovely and smooth, cornered nice and flat at some very high speeds, but could do the cruising thing too. Inside was pretty nice too, some lovely touches in there, although let down by some of the cheaper switchgear that you don't touch every day (Mondeo wing mirror adjuster for steering wheel adjuster)
Can't compare it to the Aston, but its definitely worth a drive to make your own mind up.
