F430 spider or V8V roadster - cant decide?
Discussion
Having finally arrived at the time in life when I can afford to own a very nice car, I'm finding it very difficult to choose between the two types listed in the title. Both would be roadsters (or spider) the AM would be manual whereas the 430 would be F1. They are both stunningly gorgeous to look at whereas the AM is probably the coolest automotive brand. I'm a little worried that the 430 says 'look at me'
I realise that there is a fair difference in performance between the two and the future values will vary somewhat.
What surprises me is that I cant actually decide...I would have thought that one or the other would really be getting me excited (they both do to some degree)but I seem to be able to talk myself into, or out of both.
Help....what do you think? What factors would make you choose?
I have also posted this in the Aston forum.
GG
I realise that there is a fair difference in performance between the two and the future values will vary somewhat.
What surprises me is that I cant actually decide...I would have thought that one or the other would really be getting me excited (they both do to some degree)but I seem to be able to talk myself into, or out of both.
Help....what do you think? What factors would make you choose?
I have also posted this in the Aston forum.
GG
I think you summed it up pretty spot on. The Aston is the cool car, even my GF who is against any type of fancy car by principle admits that Aston are "just a different thing". So for "cool factor" you cannot beat it. The Ferrari you will always get the nasty comment along with the enthusiasts admiration.. Just need to live with both.
As for driving experience, never been in a V8V but the general feeling is that the car is pretty slow, had a friend who owned the 4.3 and he confirmed it's just without any decent torque. So in everyday driving you will have a nice noise but certainly no pace. F430 is and feels fast. F1 gearbox is decent enough to be considered.. and so is the last gated-manual on a Ferrari V8 (bar a few Californias apparently..).
Also price points are quite different. Hard to get a decent spyder for less than 65-70k whilst the Aston can be found at CONSIDERABLY less money.
Last but not least.. if you don't care about the driving experience that much
then you will notice that the Aston has a far better interiour than the F430. The F430 is just a little update form the 360 Modena as inside is concerned.. same 1980's radio.. just bear essentials. Aston should be a better place to sit in especially the later 4.7s with the updated navigation.
I had looked at both fairly closely, a 4.3 initially but in the end went for a 997.1 S which felt massively faster. And when looking at a F430 I chose (wrongly I have to admit) a more recent 991 S which felt much more accomplished, modern and mature.. but didnt have the drama of the F430. The latter choice I have regretted ever since..
As for driving experience, never been in a V8V but the general feeling is that the car is pretty slow, had a friend who owned the 4.3 and he confirmed it's just without any decent torque. So in everyday driving you will have a nice noise but certainly no pace. F430 is and feels fast. F1 gearbox is decent enough to be considered.. and so is the last gated-manual on a Ferrari V8 (bar a few Californias apparently..).
Also price points are quite different. Hard to get a decent spyder for less than 65-70k whilst the Aston can be found at CONSIDERABLY less money.
Last but not least.. if you don't care about the driving experience that much
then you will notice that the Aston has a far better interiour than the F430. The F430 is just a little update form the 360 Modena as inside is concerned.. same 1980's radio.. just bear essentials. Aston should be a better place to sit in especially the later 4.7s with the updated navigation. I had looked at both fairly closely, a 4.3 initially but in the end went for a 997.1 S which felt massively faster. And when looking at a F430 I chose (wrongly I have to admit) a more recent 991 S which felt much more accomplished, modern and mature.. but didnt have the drama of the F430. The latter choice I have regretted ever since..
I think you'll find the majority of Ferrari owners have never experienced negative comments from the public, I personally haven't had anything except adulation in the 7 years of F ownership... Porches very different, but Ferraris just seem to be respected and admired.
I've driven both and think you'll be massively disappointed by the V8V, but blown away by the F430, but we're all different.
No doubting an Aston is a cool car though...
I've driven both and think you'll be massively disappointed by the V8V, but blown away by the F430, but we're all different.
No doubting an Aston is a cool car though...
StuLawton said:
No question for me, F430 every time. Buy one that isn't red - I think there's an elegance to the Grigio cars that the red just doesn't have.
Driving the pair will answer your question with the same conclusion, I'm absolutely sure.
Completely agree with this, drive them back to back, no contest. Also prefer the non-red colours.Driving the pair will answer your question with the same conclusion, I'm absolutely sure.
I've driven several examples of each and I owned a V8V for a while.
Very different cars at somewhat different price points.
I guess it comes down to what you want to use it for. My V8V was a daily drive, made a great noise and was comfortable. It was by no means slow, but wouldn't exactly set your hair on fire either. It's also very practical with a big boot (even the Roadster is reasonable) and you will have no problems getting away for a week in it.
The F430 is a very special car that you aren't going to want to use as a DD. It will feel a lot more fun to use at the weekend and it sure as hell is going to get you a lot more attention than an Aston. You'd have to pack lighter if you want to spend some time away in it.
So IMO, DD go for the Aston, special car for the weekend the F430 no question.
Very different cars at somewhat different price points.
I guess it comes down to what you want to use it for. My V8V was a daily drive, made a great noise and was comfortable. It was by no means slow, but wouldn't exactly set your hair on fire either. It's also very practical with a big boot (even the Roadster is reasonable) and you will have no problems getting away for a week in it.
The F430 is a very special car that you aren't going to want to use as a DD. It will feel a lot more fun to use at the weekend and it sure as hell is going to get you a lot more attention than an Aston. You'd have to pack lighter if you want to spend some time away in it.
So IMO, DD go for the Aston, special car for the weekend the F430 no question.
I heard the V8V is a disappointing driving experience, but I didn't go down that route as I grew up wanting a Ferrari, not an Aston Martin.
I took the plunge last summer. F430F1 spider in Black with Sabia interior. My wife WOULD let me buy a Ferrari, but NOT a red one. Sounded like it was time to stop debating, then I heard a friend of a friend wanted to sell his...went over one Saturday morning and bought it! He actually let me take it away before the cheque was cleared, but like I said I kinda knew him.
Let me tell you, I have never regretted the purchase and I have never had a negative comment or experience. People come up to you and shake your hand for driving one! The other day I went round to visit my Mum (I didn't tell her I'd bought it for about 6 months) and the neighbours came out to take photos. As I drove off someone gave me a round of applause. Its like that the whole time. Attracts a lot of attention, yes, but all of it positive.
Whatever you decide, let us know. I am sure you will make the right choice.
David
I took the plunge last summer. F430F1 spider in Black with Sabia interior. My wife WOULD let me buy a Ferrari, but NOT a red one. Sounded like it was time to stop debating, then I heard a friend of a friend wanted to sell his...went over one Saturday morning and bought it! He actually let me take it away before the cheque was cleared, but like I said I kinda knew him.
Let me tell you, I have never regretted the purchase and I have never had a negative comment or experience. People come up to you and shake your hand for driving one! The other day I went round to visit my Mum (I didn't tell her I'd bought it for about 6 months) and the neighbours came out to take photos. As I drove off someone gave me a round of applause. Its like that the whole time. Attracts a lot of attention, yes, but all of it positive.
Whatever you decide, let us know. I am sure you will make the right choice.
David
I can tell you for a fact...the 430 experience in terms of driving is a way ahead of the Aston. I have had a DBS and a DB9 and driven a vantage. I sold the DBS because I kept picking up the keys for my 430 Spider, which was supposed to be a second car (and my manual DBS was a far sweeter drive than the vantage).
I've owned 360, 430 and now CS, plus Astons, Porsches and now a 12C. Buy the 430 without hesitation, without looking back, safe in the knowledge you bought the best car out of the two by a country mile.
Any drawbacks? I had no issues with public reaction, I had a silver 360 and ended up wishing I had bought red so the 430 was red and the car was reliable. However, don't think you can do maintenance on the cheap because these cars are far more focused than an Aston and take careful upkeep as a result. Astons are not especially cheap to service but I reckon a 430 will be at least 50% more at an (educated) guess.
In short, if you can truly afford it and you love driving, there is not a choice to be made here. Other than colour, and I would avoid the silvers personally. Reds are a cliche but who cares? TDF is a truly beautiful colour too, and black always looks well IMO.
I've owned 360, 430 and now CS, plus Astons, Porsches and now a 12C. Buy the 430 without hesitation, without looking back, safe in the knowledge you bought the best car out of the two by a country mile.
Any drawbacks? I had no issues with public reaction, I had a silver 360 and ended up wishing I had bought red so the 430 was red and the car was reliable. However, don't think you can do maintenance on the cheap because these cars are far more focused than an Aston and take careful upkeep as a result. Astons are not especially cheap to service but I reckon a 430 will be at least 50% more at an (educated) guess.
In short, if you can truly afford it and you love driving, there is not a choice to be made here. Other than colour, and I would avoid the silvers personally. Reds are a cliche but who cares? TDF is a truly beautiful colour too, and black always looks well IMO.
Just gone from a 4.3 Vantage roadster to a California also test drove a V12 vantage and a DBS my California , IN MY humble opinion felt better drove better and iis better put together than the Astons.
Having owned an Aston for over 4 years I do know what I am talking about.
You only need to spend time on the Aston forum to know what I mean.
I would even say the Califonia felt quicker than both the DBS and the V12 Vantage.
Must agree after having the California for about 4 months now my 4.3 Vantage must have been relatively pedestrian.
I suggest you drive one of each bur try and get as long a drive in each car as you can
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Having owned an Aston for over 4 years I do know what I am talking about.
You only need to spend time on the Aston forum to know what I mean.
I would even say the Califonia felt quicker than both the DBS and the V12 Vantage.
Must agree after having the California for about 4 months now my 4.3 Vantage must have been relatively pedestrian.
I suggest you drive one of each bur try and get as long a drive in each car as you can
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Lukeylikey makes a very valid point, however it was his views that helped persuade me into a California (TDF Blue).
I had a Vantage 4.7 that I bought from new and without doubt the most disappointing car I have owned.
The brakes are a joke (they all do that sir) the gearbox was 10 years out of date, and it was unreliable. Luckily I got a great bid on it and moved on.
I have not driven a 430 but the reaction that I have had in my short Ferrari ownership had been incredible like most people above say. I personally could not pull off the red look but it does suit the 430.
Please have an extended Aston drive because once the cool looks and noise go you may be disappointed. Maybe if I had bought a manual with carbon brakes who knows but my personal experience seemed to mirror a lot of others.
I also know over Christmas there were some Incredible deals on so I am not sure if that tells a story.
Good luck, I know I was lucky to receive some valuable advice on here that put my mind at rest, this is what forums should be for, help.
I had a Vantage 4.7 that I bought from new and without doubt the most disappointing car I have owned.
The brakes are a joke (they all do that sir) the gearbox was 10 years out of date, and it was unreliable. Luckily I got a great bid on it and moved on.
I have not driven a 430 but the reaction that I have had in my short Ferrari ownership had been incredible like most people above say. I personally could not pull off the red look but it does suit the 430.
Please have an extended Aston drive because once the cool looks and noise go you may be disappointed. Maybe if I had bought a manual with carbon brakes who knows but my personal experience seemed to mirror a lot of others.
I also know over Christmas there were some Incredible deals on so I am not sure if that tells a story.
Good luck, I know I was lucky to receive some valuable advice on here that put my mind at rest, this is what forums should be for, help.
Edited by detee on Saturday 19th April 09:26
California is also a great shout. If you want a bit more usability in a brilliant car, California is well worth a look if your budget can go that far. With either 430 or California you have an outstanding driver's car with the key difference being the engine location - which you would choose is down to your preference.
The California is a much more modern experience, though, and the DCT gearbox is simply brilliant. Well worth a test drive before you commit to a 430 (and don't believe any comments about the Cali being too soft to be a Ferrari etc. - it is brilliant).
The California is a much more modern experience, though, and the DCT gearbox is simply brilliant. Well worth a test drive before you commit to a 430 (and don't believe any comments about the Cali being too soft to be a Ferrari etc. - it is brilliant).
I have owned both , manual N420 roadster and 430 spider , Aston good bits : looks fab. , great roof , great sound with sport exhaust , that's about it , bad bits : very low tech , drives like a TVR Griff , long throw second gear , one piece carbon seats not adjustable enough ,shabby paint, popped valve at 3k miles, eye watering depreciation, dials hard to read at night , stupid cup holders with stupid pad insert , too slow , have to rev hard press on , and that is the 4.7 , forget the 4.3.
F430 good bits : power, speed , diff, gearbox F1 , looks , sound , roof , dials are just superb now a half price supercar and I miss mine , Bad bits : take care in the wet and bit of a blind spot over right shoulder with roof up otherwise nothing , an epic experience .
F430 good bits : power, speed , diff, gearbox F1 , looks , sound , roof , dials are just superb now a half price supercar and I miss mine , Bad bits : take care in the wet and bit of a blind spot over right shoulder with roof up otherwise nothing , an epic experience .
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