GranSport or AM Vantage

[BuckRog64]

Interesting to see, for me anyway, that a low miles GranSport now commands the same amount of dosh as a similarly aged 4.3 Aston Vantage. Back in the day numbers suggest most opted for the Aston but maybe some of the deciding factors are different now these are 10/12 year old cars.

Obviously you lot are biased (apart from Andyk) so I know where your hearts are on this.

 

[safrane]

Same miles???

I guess supply v demand.

 

[Andyk]

Both cars are brilliant.....a few on here are going to the Vantage as an inch that needs scratching....Someone at the moment is selling their GS to get into one. From driving them I would go manual though as the Sportshift paddle shift is an acquired taste.......suppose that's the big difference if you want a manual car you can get that in the Aston....but need 4 seats then it's the Maserati.

 

[Vampyrebat]

Bang on the money Andy!

 

[StuartW]

The problem I would have with the AM is that you would always be wanting more. With the GS, you have a great car and the final incarnation of the 3200-4200-GS with all the quirks sorted and fantastic performance. With the similarly priced AM, I would always be yearning for the V12 and would be looking enviously in the classifieds

Both excellent cars though and for that budget, it would be a very tough decision which I am glad not to be making

 

[MrCoop]

Stuart....having owned a 3200GT, didn't you then yearn for the GTS and then finally the Strad?

Unfortunately, the AMV V12 is so far away in price from a AMV V8, that all you can do is dream about it!

 

[StuartW]

Stuart....having owned a 3200GT, didn't you then yearn for the GTS and then finally the Strad?

I did indeed which is why I think I will be sticking to what I have for many years to come - hopefully!

 

[Andyk]

Stuart....having owned a 3200GT, didn't you then yearn for the GTS and then finally the Strad?

Unfortunately, the AMV V12 is so far away in price from a AMV V8, that all you can do is dream about it!

And with the Vantage being replaced is it this year or next those V12 prices are only going one way and that's up. Already started with the early manual cars.

 

[Needamaser]

I considered seriously the 4.7 Vantage. At end of the day I knew I would always have wanted 12 cylinders and going for a Db9. Prices firming on them already. Different car to the Vantage or a GT but with just under 500horses under the bonnet it isn't going to be slow!

 

[philw696]

Having had one of the Best V12's in the World I'm happy to stay V8 as they seriously drink Fuel.

 

[Needamaser]

Having had one of the Best V12's in the World I'm happy to stay V8 as they seriously drink Fuel.

Can't say fuel consumption ever crossed my mind in the buying process.
If it is a lot worse than a V8 I will use the daily driver less to compensate. ;-)

 

[philw696]

My biggest guilty pleasure is purchasing fuel and with my fleet I get through a fair bit but where I save is on the maintenance side of things as my labour is just my time.

 

[MrMickS]

The one thing people, other than other performance car owners, ask is "what do you get to the gallon?". I used to answer truthfully, it gives them some comfort I think that their car is better at something. Now I don't bother, I just say that I don't care.

 

[bigbob]

The one thing people, other than other performance car owners, ask is "what do you get to the gallon?". I used to answer truthfully, it gives them some comfort I think that their car is better at something. Now I don't bother, I just say that I don't care.

LOL. Mind the UK is fixated with MPG which is strange given how small a component of the total ownership costs it is for most.

Agree that a manual Vantage would be a good tuck away.

 

[iainw]

Agreed.
If you ask MPG you are a stingy **** who doesn't get the car thing. The only time I have ever got ****** off re: mpg is in my Evoque- which seems to be as bad as the Ferrari but obviously isnt fun to drive

 

[Vampyrebat]

If you have to ask the price then you can't afford it!!

 

[rockits]

Always makes me laugh when I have ever been approached by a sales guy when buying cars or other items as well it has happened with.

Often get the question....what is your budget? To which I follow...well I haven't got one really. I will pay whatever I need to pay to get what I want to buy the thing I'm looking for. But you must have a budget sir. Must I....well I really haven't as I can really dictate the final cost. The cost will be whatever it is to an extent. I could spend 5k or I could spend 10k. If it takes 15k to get what I would like then so be it.

So many never seem to understand I didn't have a budget.

 

[dannywooly]

Personally, and seriously just my personal preference would be the GranSport. The AM is a nice car and i've driven one of my friends. I just found it feeling heavy slightly under powered and felt like the dash was 10 feet tall.

I've sat in the Gran sport but not driven it, have to admit i got goose bumps. Don't know what it is but it just felt special. There is something the Italians do!

Plus i think for me the Gransport sounds better

 

[Needamaser]

Personally, and seriously just my personal preference would be the GranSport. The AM is a nice car and i've driven one of my friends. I just found it feeling heavy slightly under powered and felt like the dash was 10 feet tall.

I've sat in the Gran sport but not driven it, have to admit i got goose bumps. Don't know what it is but it just felt special. There is something the Italians do!

Plus i think for me the Gransport sounds better

I drove the 4.3 Vantage and that was my initial thoughts on heavy and lack of power.
I think a lot of that though is it is a completely different animal to likes of the GS.
It needs more input from the driver. The power is there but you need to use all the revs. Borrowing a friends car I guess you were probably being careful? Steering brakes and throttle were heavier but I am sure you would adapt fairly quickly. I felt the seating position in the Vantage more hardcore. The high transmission tunnel made me feel it was made to be driven hard compared to the Maserati which felt more relaxed if that makes sense?
I felt both cars have presence and got the "nice place to be" sensation.
Not sure there would be much in it noise wise with both on standard exhausts and valves open?
Imo both great looking cars but have to say the Aston interior felt far more of a quality build. Leather, wood and metal just seemed way ahead of Maserati.
In an ideal world have one of each.

 

[Andyk]

Spot on Stewart......Felt the same when I drove both.....