Aston Martin V8 Vantage vs MK2 Jaguar 3.8 - Discuss
Discussion
Morning all!
This is a bloody random pairing, but allow me to explain my lucky predicament.
I'm in the fortunate position of being able to purchase a dream car of mine, however- I have two quite distinct dream cars. My budget allows for me to get a very good example of either. MK2 Jags and Aston Martin (as a company). I say as a 'company' as I have always had an affinity with the brand (although not a fan of their fussy, tasteless styling of late), however I do very much like the VH platform vehicles, specifically the Vantage. I have done a lot of research and am contented that it would be a fantastic vehicle. I'm not normally a modern car fan, I think they are compromised by gadgets and legislation, but these Astons do it for me. However, we have a problem. The problem is that every time I see a MK2 Jaguar I walk towards it uncontrollably. Its stunning. So much so that I have gone to the extent of finding a 3.8 to drive, it was great, bearing in mind my only other classic car driving experience has been my Austin Healy frogeye Sprite, the Jag felt like a Bugatti Veyron in comparison. But speed isnt everything. The Jag has pretty terrible steering- thats the only vice I could pick out. My god it made me feel special though.
However, I keep seeing stuff about the Vantage, what a good car they are, how reasonable they can be to maintain. I have been out in one and love the revy V8. For me the reason I need advise is that I want to clear off the rose tint from my glasses and hear from owners of their experiences. What are they REALLY like. I can summarise my pros and cons below and see if you agree:
Aston:
Pro. Modern car reliability - I can take it on a European tour with no worries.
Con. Road Tax- £690 per year really pisses me off. Especially as it's basically like setting fire to your own money as the government seems to do f
k all with it.
Pro. Modern performance. Genuinely engaging drive without making excuses.
Con. If anything complex goes wrong, you're screwed and in the hands of a dealer/ specialist. I intend to do minor services myself as I know my way around a spanner and have a two post lift.
Pro. No rust to worry about! - When the weather turns st you dont have to be too precious about driving it.
Jag:
Pro. Classic car-dom- Driving to Goodwood in this hits slightly different than turning up in a Vantage. The network and events open to you as an owner of such a thing is a lot of fun- do the same exist for the Aston?
Con. Fragility. Now I know that these are actually pretty robust as far as classics go, but I've been burnt with classic Alfa Romeo ownership recently and it's made me more cautious of older cars. I am handy with a spanner but I dont want to be permanently 'fettling the ol' girl' rather than driving it.
Pro. NO ROAD TAX- Driving knowing that you're not throwing money away is a nice feeling.
Pro. How it makes you feel. This is a big one, how people look at you as you get out of an old Jag compared with a relatively modern Aston is very different. Likewise the way one makes you feel knowing that your chances of passing another are slim.
Con. Will that 'special' feeling wear off? - Maybe I'm being too romantic and after a few months with the Jag I will long for modern comforts.
Any interventions are very welcome! I would love to hear from owners who have done trips in these cars, how do they hold up? Can I trot down to Le Mans classic in the Jag without budgeting for an engine rebuild?! etc.
This is a bloody random pairing, but allow me to explain my lucky predicament.
I'm in the fortunate position of being able to purchase a dream car of mine, however- I have two quite distinct dream cars. My budget allows for me to get a very good example of either. MK2 Jags and Aston Martin (as a company). I say as a 'company' as I have always had an affinity with the brand (although not a fan of their fussy, tasteless styling of late), however I do very much like the VH platform vehicles, specifically the Vantage. I have done a lot of research and am contented that it would be a fantastic vehicle. I'm not normally a modern car fan, I think they are compromised by gadgets and legislation, but these Astons do it for me. However, we have a problem. The problem is that every time I see a MK2 Jaguar I walk towards it uncontrollably. Its stunning. So much so that I have gone to the extent of finding a 3.8 to drive, it was great, bearing in mind my only other classic car driving experience has been my Austin Healy frogeye Sprite, the Jag felt like a Bugatti Veyron in comparison. But speed isnt everything. The Jag has pretty terrible steering- thats the only vice I could pick out. My god it made me feel special though.
However, I keep seeing stuff about the Vantage, what a good car they are, how reasonable they can be to maintain. I have been out in one and love the revy V8. For me the reason I need advise is that I want to clear off the rose tint from my glasses and hear from owners of their experiences. What are they REALLY like. I can summarise my pros and cons below and see if you agree:
Aston:
Pro. Modern car reliability - I can take it on a European tour with no worries.
Con. Road Tax- £690 per year really pisses me off. Especially as it's basically like setting fire to your own money as the government seems to do f
k all with it. Pro. Modern performance. Genuinely engaging drive without making excuses.
Con. If anything complex goes wrong, you're screwed and in the hands of a dealer/ specialist. I intend to do minor services myself as I know my way around a spanner and have a two post lift.
Pro. No rust to worry about! - When the weather turns s
t you dont have to be too precious about driving it. Jag:
Pro. Classic car-dom- Driving to Goodwood in this hits slightly different than turning up in a Vantage. The network and events open to you as an owner of such a thing is a lot of fun- do the same exist for the Aston?
Con. Fragility. Now I know that these are actually pretty robust as far as classics go, but I've been burnt with classic Alfa Romeo ownership recently and it's made me more cautious of older cars. I am handy with a spanner but I dont want to be permanently 'fettling the ol' girl' rather than driving it.
Pro. NO ROAD TAX- Driving knowing that you're not throwing money away is a nice feeling.
Pro. How it makes you feel. This is a big one, how people look at you as you get out of an old Jag compared with a relatively modern Aston is very different. Likewise the way one makes you feel knowing that your chances of passing another are slim.
Con. Will that 'special' feeling wear off? - Maybe I'm being too romantic and after a few months with the Jag I will long for modern comforts.
Any interventions are very welcome! I would love to hear from owners who have done trips in these cars, how do they hold up? Can I trot down to Le Mans classic in the Jag without budgeting for an engine rebuild?! etc.
I bought a V8 Vantage last year and also have an old Jag (XJS V12 manual).
The Aston is an awesome car, makes you feel special and has been reliable. It’s in for a service at the moment where a few things have been highlighted that I wasn’t aware of - nothing major but it does add up as Aston parts prices aren’t cheap. Think I’m looking at £3k for a ‘big’ service and remedial work. If I were buying again, I’d definitely pay for an independent inspection by one of the specialists.
Obviously, my XJS is technically inferior in every way, but it looks great, gets lots of attention (more so than the Aston) and parts prices are more reasonable. I’ve had it 12 years and used to run it as my daily driver - it was also pretty reliable during that time. Definitely needs to live in a garage though as keeping rust at bay is a constant battle! I’d say it’s cost me £2k a year in repairs and maintenance.
The Aston is an awesome car, makes you feel special and has been reliable. It’s in for a service at the moment where a few things have been highlighted that I wasn’t aware of - nothing major but it does add up as Aston parts prices aren’t cheap. Think I’m looking at £3k for a ‘big’ service and remedial work. If I were buying again, I’d definitely pay for an independent inspection by one of the specialists.
Obviously, my XJS is technically inferior in every way, but it looks great, gets lots of attention (more so than the Aston) and parts prices are more reasonable. I’ve had it 12 years and used to run it as my daily driver - it was also pretty reliable during that time. Definitely needs to live in a garage though as keeping rust at bay is a constant battle! I’d say it’s cost me £2k a year in repairs and maintenance.
I have 60s ‘classics’ and modern stuff. The classics can’t be driven in the wet and need endless expensive fettling which is less of a problem than finding the people to do the fettling. If I could only choose one, I’d go for the modern. But I’d choose both - a cheaper classic alongside an interesting exotic modern, cheap because it won’t drive you mad when it endlessly needs fettling and you can’t use it.
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