Claifornia T or Aston Martin Vanquish Volante - help needed!
Discussion
So I am looking to part ex my Bentley GTC for either an AM Vanquish Volante or a California T. Have found a nice spec California - 15 reg, 7k miles, carbon etc. for £150k. Test driving it shortly. Ultimately it will be down to my heart but my head says the Ferrari has certain advantages - 6 year's worth of servicing included, more fuel efficient, hard top/soft top. BUT - the AM Vanquish Volante (similar year and mileage although £10k more)is a beautiful beast! I have owned a DB9 before but never a Ferrari.
Any views? The folks on the Aston page are obviously biased!
Any views? The folks on the Aston page are obviously biased!
I dont think that you are comparing like with like so the decision will very much depend on your personal experience driving the cars. The latest California might not be a sports car like the 488 but it is still a pretty sporty car with extras that can make it more so in the handling area. The Aston is more of a big powerful tourer. You could take the Cali on a track day, but you wouldnt take the Aston.
The second issue is depreciation / cost. This might not matter to you but the pattern is clear. The Aston will depreciate far more than the Cali.
Do you plan on using the rear seats - in that case the Aston has the advantage.
Plus I have heard nothing but negatives about Aston reliability and maintenance costs
The second issue is depreciation / cost. This might not matter to you but the pattern is clear. The Aston will depreciate far more than the Cali.
Do you plan on using the rear seats - in that case the Aston has the advantage.
Plus I have heard nothing but negatives about Aston reliability and maintenance costs
Its certainly my impression that Astons depreciate more but thats on the basis of comparing what happens with the Vantage with what happens with the 430. Maybe best that you gather some data. Easy enough to do.
Maybe it isnt an entirely fair comparison but the cheapest 360 I can find is about 60k and the cheapest Vantage is about 30k when its 6 years younger.
Maybe it isnt an entirely fair comparison but the cheapest 360 I can find is about 60k and the cheapest Vantage is about 30k when its 6 years younger.
I would buy the Ferrari. I have owned(and still own it)an Aston DB9 for 18 months but the Ferrari should hold its value better and as you say free servicing. I personally think a Ferrari is more of an event than an Aston Martin but both are lovely cars and you can't go wrong with either in my opinion.
Hi bunnyman, I can tell you the TWO things that dominate my Vanquish: the looks and the sound.
You already know about the looks: I can't stop looking at it when it's parked up. It has so much road presence and in my opinion is the best looking modern Aston. Plus universal positive reaction.
That sound, that sound! There's nothing like a V12. And this is without doubt the best sounding car I've ever owned. The genius of the Vanquish is that you can drive it at even just 5 mph and still get that unique, growly, mean sounding epic orchestral exhaust note. It just puts a smile on your face no matter how you're driving.
I test drove a Ferrari F12 the other day. To me if was like the Vanquish on steroids. If you can afford it that's what you should be looking at. That's a supercar and GT in one: it could seriously replace my Aston AND McLaren. But although the F1 style sound is amazing, at lower revs the Vanquish actually sounds better and it's smoother and more relaxed to boot, which is probably what you want from a convertible GT.
Anyway test drive both and let us know...
You already know about the looks: I can't stop looking at it when it's parked up. It has so much road presence and in my opinion is the best looking modern Aston. Plus universal positive reaction.
That sound, that sound! There's nothing like a V12. And this is without doubt the best sounding car I've ever owned. The genius of the Vanquish is that you can drive it at even just 5 mph and still get that unique, growly, mean sounding epic orchestral exhaust note. It just puts a smile on your face no matter how you're driving.
I test drove a Ferrari F12 the other day. To me if was like the Vanquish on steroids. If you can afford it that's what you should be looking at. That's a supercar and GT in one: it could seriously replace my Aston AND McLaren. But although the F1 style sound is amazing, at lower revs the Vanquish actually sounds better and it's smoother and more relaxed to boot, which is probably what you want from a convertible GT.
Anyway test drive both and let us know...
bunnyman said:
So I am looking to part ex my Bentley GTC for either an AM Vanquish Volante or a California T. Have found a nice spec California - 15 reg, 7k miles, carbon etc. for £150k. Test driving it shortly. Ultimately it will be down to my heart but my head says the Ferrari has certain advantages - 6 year's worth of servicing included, more fuel efficient, hard top/soft top. BUT - the AM Vanquish Volante (similar year and mileage although £10k more)is a beautiful beast! I have owned a DB9 before but never a Ferrari.
Any views? The folks on the Aston page are obviously biased!
I had a friend who had a similar question a few years ago - he was looking at a new DBS Volante at the time vs either a new Cali or even a 458 (not necessarily comparable of course!). He went with a Ferrari although the noise & presence was for most with the Aston as the choice, especially the ladies he asked. For him the issue was with the build quality at the time although this was about 5-6 yrs ago when Astons were plentiful as new cars & had some decent discounts if you knew who to ask, but they have apparently come a long way quality wise. The Ferrari warranty & service plan also makes the decision easier for some although I'm sure those who've driven both might quietly admit it's easier on the road in an Aston as more people will let you pull out Any views? The folks on the Aston page are obviously biased!
Thanks to everyone who has pitched in on this.
I drove both cars earlier this week. The California was fantastic, a great spec and was very tempting.
However, the Vanquish was simply in another league - engine,power,looks etc.
So a Vanquish it will be. Have to decide between a black one or skyfall silver. Leaning towards the skyfall version and the dealer is offering a very good price!
I drove both cars earlier this week. The California was fantastic, a great spec and was very tempting.
However, the Vanquish was simply in another league - engine,power,looks etc.
So a Vanquish it will be. Have to decide between a black one or skyfall silver. Leaning towards the skyfall version and the dealer is offering a very good price!
bunnyman said:
Thanks to everyone who has pitched in on this.
I drove both cars earlier this week. The California was fantastic, a great spec and was very tempting.
However, the Vanquish was simply in another league - engine,power,looks etc.
So a Vanquish it will be. Have to decide between a black one or skyfall silver. Leaning towards the skyfall version and the dealer is offering a very good price!
Wise choice OP. You just can't beat a V12. And a Vanquish in skyfall silver.....that's an unbelievably beautiful thing! I drove both cars earlier this week. The California was fantastic, a great spec and was very tempting.
However, the Vanquish was simply in another league - engine,power,looks etc.
So a Vanquish it will be. Have to decide between a black one or skyfall silver. Leaning towards the skyfall version and the dealer is offering a very good price!
With a slight bias as my father has one and i've used it a lot, I would suggest you save some money and get a DBS Volante.
The best looking car aston have made in the last 10 years, easily fast enough, epic noise, all the benefits of the Vanquish but better looking and likely to hold its value better.
The California is a nice car, but i'd be tempted to say the only way it would be cool would be if it was your wife's car!
Aston every time for me, far classier, and i'd personally go for a DBS over a Vanquish.
The best looking car aston have made in the last 10 years, easily fast enough, epic noise, all the benefits of the Vanquish but better looking and likely to hold its value better.
The California is a nice car, but i'd be tempted to say the only way it would be cool would be if it was your wife's car!
Aston every time for me, far classier, and i'd personally go for a DBS over a Vanquish.
Disagree. Vanqs are a bargain right now. I don't think they'll dip much more. DBS is a beautiful car but the Vanq has better performance and has always looked better than a DBS - see them in the flesh, side by side. The Vanq emphases the DBS as being a DB9 evolution. DBS is beautiful. Vanq way better abd I think will hold its own value wise.
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