Pre owned Evora, Vantage or ???
Discussion
I've been looking into the Evora for a while now, but unfortunateIy decided to look at my options before parting with the readies and I've just got myself confused! Here's what I'm looking at, all would be pre-owned and in the same price bracket, all would be a second car. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Evora. '10 model, the sensible option, still under warranty but reports of dubious build quality are worrying, as is the potential for yet more depreciation.
Aston V8 Vantage. '05-'06, it's tough not to love that engine and the living quarters are pure class, potentially expensive to run although I wasn't impressed when I read an Evora clutch with labour could set me back around £3k either!
Ferrari 355 mid/late '90's, drop dead gorgeous with all the Italian excess and issues! I've always fancied a Ferrari but it's not exactly a practical purchase.. but it IS a Ferrari.
Mad, Bad or Dangerous to know?
Evora. '10 model, the sensible option, still under warranty but reports of dubious build quality are worrying, as is the potential for yet more depreciation.
Aston V8 Vantage. '05-'06, it's tough not to love that engine and the living quarters are pure class, potentially expensive to run although I wasn't impressed when I read an Evora clutch with labour could set me back around £3k either!
Ferrari 355 mid/late '90's, drop dead gorgeous with all the Italian excess and issues! I've always fancied a Ferrari but it's not exactly a practical purchase.. but it IS a Ferrari.
Mad, Bad or Dangerous to know?
Between the evora and 355 i'd say. The aston is the only one I havent driven but everyone i know who has owned one disposed of it quite quickly and was ultimately disappointed by it. A bit blunt, dull and underpowered or so they said. Fine GT car though I would have thought with a glorious note and wonderful looks (if thats what youre looking for).
The evora arguably offers one of the finest handling and ride experiences and overall 'feel' at any price. Over a country road there cant be much thats as much fun or as secure. The expression finely crafted tool comes to mind, just as lomg as you can live with the antiseptic and underpowered V6 and also 'that' gearchange.
The 355 is a hell of a lot older of course and will feel it too but what a sound/engine and of course a Ferrari and all the emotion/attention/drama that that entails to go with it. Just dont expect Hethelian levels of steering feel and ensure you have a slush fund to take good care of her and pay for the Fuel. Both more than good cars, both GREAT cars. I say do both sequentially, or at the same time if funds allow !
The evora arguably offers one of the finest handling and ride experiences and overall 'feel' at any price. Over a country road there cant be much thats as much fun or as secure. The expression finely crafted tool comes to mind, just as lomg as you can live with the antiseptic and underpowered V6 and also 'that' gearchange.
The 355 is a hell of a lot older of course and will feel it too but what a sound/engine and of course a Ferrari and all the emotion/attention/drama that that entails to go with it. Just dont expect Hethelian levels of steering feel and ensure you have a slush fund to take good care of her and pay for the Fuel. Both more than good cars, both GREAT cars. I say do both sequentially, or at the same time if funds allow !
Edited by jackal on Saturday 30th April 22:16
jackal said:
Between the evora and 355 i'd say. The aston is the only one I havent driven but everyone i know who has owned one disposed of it quite quickly and was ultimately disappointed by it. A bit blunt, dull and underpowered or so they said. Fine GT car though I would have thought with a glorious note and wonderful looks (if thats what youre looking for).
The evora arguably offers one of the finest handling and ride experiences and overall 'feel' at any price. Over a country road there cant be much thats as much fun or as secure. The expression finely crafted tool comes to mind, just as lomg as you can live with the antiseptic and underpowered V6 and also 'that' gearchange.
The 355 is a hell of a lot older of course and will feel it too but what a sound/engine and of course a Ferrari and all the emotion/attention/drama that that entails to go with it. Just dont expect Hethelian levels of steering feel and ensure you have a slush fund to take good care of her and pay for the Fuel. Both more than good cars, both GREAT cars. I say do both sequentially, or at the same time if funds allow !
Interesting, I know a chap with a Vantage and he loves it, however I can imagine he'd last about 10 minutes in any sort of Lotus which probably speaks volumes. I've got mixed feelings about the Vantage, sometimes it really appeals, other times it just seems like the lardy option.The evora arguably offers one of the finest handling and ride experiences and overall 'feel' at any price. Over a country road there cant be much thats as much fun or as secure. The expression finely crafted tool comes to mind, just as lomg as you can live with the antiseptic and underpowered V6 and also 'that' gearchange.
The 355 is a hell of a lot older of course and will feel it too but what a sound/engine and of course a Ferrari and all the emotion/attention/drama that that entails to go with it. Just dont expect Hethelian levels of steering feel and ensure you have a slush fund to take good care of her and pay for the Fuel. Both more than good cars, both GREAT cars. I say do both sequentially, or at the same time if funds allow !
Edited by jackal on Saturday 30th April 22:16
As for the 355, the thing putting me off IS the attention, simple as that! I've driven Lotus's for 15+ years and only ever had one unpleasant incedent and that involved a truck load of builders working on my neighbours house! I may be wrong but the Ferrari strikes me as having far greater potential for attracting the wrong sort of attention, I want to be able to use the car which means parking it! Maybe I'm a little paranoid here but I wouldn't feel so conspicuous in either the Evora or the Vantage. Any thoughts?
Had no build quality issues with my Evora. I also like the cabin design accepting a few ergonomic niggles. I think it depends partly on where you want to do your driving! I really enjoy the spirited B road runs and the Evora is just the right size and instills massive confidence (even if something is coming the other way and a tight squeeze is required on the very narrow routes!). The Evora is still comfortable and capable at the GT stuff as well.
I use mine as a daily driver and enjoy every trip! The only gripe is I cant take the roof off: and there is great news on that front.
I use mine as a daily driver and enjoy every trip! The only gripe is I cant take the roof off: and there is great news on that front.
A friend has just bought a Stradale in red and has had nothing but thumbs up and positive comments.
That said, I think of lot of it is down to area. He lives in a lovely leafy area of surrey that is devoid of enraged shellsuited youngsters who failed as children to successfully resolve the oedipus complex.
I saw lots of 355s at brooklands yesterday. They arent on my shopping list because they grate with what I already have but their proportions still make you stop and stare. There was a silver example there and a darker grigio, both look fantastic and would be my pick over Rosso. Blue with tan is also stunning.
A red ferrari is something that transcends cars altogether. Its something powerfully symbolic that is buried in everyones conciousness. I have test driven 355's and had 90 year old grannies gawping. Its an iconic archetype that will get tons of looks so avoid red at all costs if thats not your bag.
It might be worth mentioning that the folk who were disappointed with the Aston V8 mostly came from porches so perhaps were expecting a bit too much ? I you go in with your eyes open and not seeking a gt3 or eora type experience then why not ?
That said, I think of lot of it is down to area. He lives in a lovely leafy area of surrey that is devoid of enraged shellsuited youngsters who failed as children to successfully resolve the oedipus complex.
I saw lots of 355s at brooklands yesterday. They arent on my shopping list because they grate with what I already have but their proportions still make you stop and stare. There was a silver example there and a darker grigio, both look fantastic and would be my pick over Rosso. Blue with tan is also stunning.
A red ferrari is something that transcends cars altogether. Its something powerfully symbolic that is buried in everyones conciousness. I have test driven 355's and had 90 year old grannies gawping. Its an iconic archetype that will get tons of looks so avoid red at all costs if thats not your bag.
It might be worth mentioning that the folk who were disappointed with the Aston V8 mostly came from porches so perhaps were expecting a bit too much ? I you go in with your eyes open and not seeking a gt3 or eora type experience then why not ?
Edited by jackal on Sunday 1st May 15:22
Not sure if you're looking at a weekend toy or daily driver so hard to comment. If low mileage toy then depreciation on the Evora per outing / mile will be expensive. If daily driver I'd think running a 10+ year old Ferrari was going to be expensive.
I'm not sure of the UK market, but here in Switzerland a V8 R8 would be Evora type money. Would likely make a reliable daily driver.
For a toy, the other car I'd be having a very good look at would be a 911 GT3, I guess you'd be looking at a 2nd gen 996. I go into every drive of a 911 wanting it to be like a GT3 but have realised that the only way of getting the experience is to buy a GT3.
Given all that, after driving the Evora for me there can probably only be one choice.
I'm not sure of the UK market, but here in Switzerland a V8 R8 would be Evora type money. Would likely make a reliable daily driver.
For a toy, the other car I'd be having a very good look at would be a 911 GT3, I guess you'd be looking at a 2nd gen 996. I go into every drive of a 911 wanting it to be like a GT3 but have realised that the only way of getting the experience is to buy a GT3.
Given all that, after driving the Evora for me there can probably only be one choice.
I own a Vantage and I'm enjoying my second 355GTS. My Ferrari is in full mid life crisis spec - Rosso red, carbon seats, extremely loud Capristo and the number plate 355 SEX so it isn't subtle! In spite of this I have had no negative comments. My first one was a very subtle dark blue and was also well received. I wouldn't use one as a daily driver and it isn't very practical to park them either - you won't be able to get out if parked in an ordinary space between other cars. Having said that, the cars like to be used but I certainly wouldn't recommend one as an only car.
The Aston makes a great daily driver and is very well received by everyone. A vast number of people have complimented me on the car and many, of all ages, tell me it is their favourite car. I am an enthusiatic driver and really enjoy it - although it could be seen as a little blunt compared to the Elises and Ferraris I've driven (not tried an Evora yet). I drove another Vantage on track recently and it was superb. The noise the Aston makes is awesome if you remove fuse 22 for the exhaust flaps and the cars are very reliable and not that expensive to run.
I did consider an Evora instead of a Vantage but the interior is not nearly as good and nor is the noise. Had the Evora depreciated more (as I expected them to) I would have been tempted but over the next few years an early Vantage for £38k has to be a better financial decision and when coupled with the solidity of the car, the gorgoeus interior and exterior, the noise and the badge I couldn't help myself
The Aston makes a great daily driver and is very well received by everyone. A vast number of people have complimented me on the car and many, of all ages, tell me it is their favourite car. I am an enthusiatic driver and really enjoy it - although it could be seen as a little blunt compared to the Elises and Ferraris I've driven (not tried an Evora yet). I drove another Vantage on track recently and it was superb. The noise the Aston makes is awesome if you remove fuse 22 for the exhaust flaps and the cars are very reliable and not that expensive to run.
I did consider an Evora instead of a Vantage but the interior is not nearly as good and nor is the noise. Had the Evora depreciated more (as I expected them to) I would have been tempted but over the next few years an early Vantage for £38k has to be a better financial decision and when coupled with the solidity of the car, the gorgoeus interior and exterior, the noise and the badge I couldn't help myself
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