AMV8: Second Thoughts (?)
Discussion
Is anyone else having second thoughts about the AMV8?
Don’t get me wrong; I think it looks great and has all the makings of something a bit special. I put in my LOI, and paid an initial deposit, over two years ago and I am told that I can expect delivery sometime in Q1 2006.
But … I am getting increasingly concerned at the (unconfirmed) reports of the price: £79,950 basic has been suggested in more than one place.
At the original ‘suggested’ price of about £70,000, and allowing £7-8k in options for a decent spec, I felt that approx £77-78,000 would be acceptable value for the car. At £87-88,000 for a decent spec, however, I find myself wondering if it really makes sense. I can’t shake the feeling that it would be a bit over-priced at this level.
Anyone else feel the same way?
Don’t get me wrong; I think it looks great and has all the makings of something a bit special. I put in my LOI, and paid an initial deposit, over two years ago and I am told that I can expect delivery sometime in Q1 2006.
But … I am getting increasingly concerned at the (unconfirmed) reports of the price: £79,950 basic has been suggested in more than one place.
At the original ‘suggested’ price of about £70,000, and allowing £7-8k in options for a decent spec, I felt that approx £77-78,000 would be acceptable value for the car. At £87-88,000 for a decent spec, however, I find myself wondering if it really makes sense. I can’t shake the feeling that it would be a bit over-priced at this level.
Anyone else feel the same way?
£80k+ is expensive compared to the main competition (911), BUT.....it's an Aston Martin. It'll be a LOT more exclusive (approx 3000 per year) and just has that certain something lacking in most other marques.
However, the same could be said of the Vanquish and that suffers from frightening depreciation
DB9 prices are holding well though, with the earliest ones still making a tidy premium over the list price.
However, the same could be said of the Vanquish and that suffers from frightening depreciation
DB9 prices are holding well though, with the earliest ones still making a tidy premium over the list price.
What are the chances of a cash discount? Presuming your paying cash and not on finance (arranged outside the dealer) Can't imagine theres much possibility for the first few months, but what if your a couple of years waiting on the list? If no discounts available, what about a complimentary option instead? Has anyone broached this with their dealer?
Has anyone with an early order been given info. regarding what the options are likely to be ?
I've read 19" wheels - haven't seen anything much more though.
I've just paid my deposit ... going to have a long, long wait though. Will need to live the excitement through everyone elses orders that are going to come in throughout 2006 ...
I've read 19" wheels - haven't seen anything much more though.
I've just paid my deposit ... going to have a long, long wait though. Will need to live the excitement through everyone elses orders that are going to come in throughout 2006 ...
You should go to the AMOC forum - http://p088.ezboard.com/fastonmartinownersclub75168frm21
There has been plenty of discussion on this and plenty of people with options lists from the US to check out.
I believe that a properly specced car (leather etc) will be in the high £80K area which is scary when I can get a loaded 997 for a lot less. Agree about the exclusivity BUT...there comes a point where value for money kicks in. I'm an early delivery too and at present I am dreading being asked to firm order and spec my car as I do not know if I will go through with it at this price
There has been plenty of discussion on this and plenty of people with options lists from the US to check out.
I believe that a properly specced car (leather etc) will be in the high £80K area which is scary when I can get a loaded 997 for a lot less. Agree about the exclusivity BUT...there comes a point where value for money kicks in. I'm an early delivery too and at present I am dreading being asked to firm order and spec my car as I do not know if I will go through with it at this price
Thanks for the responses.
Aztec – My Q1 2006 delivery date is, I think, a direct consequence of the “stuck out in the boonies” effect. I put in my LOI + deposit in Feb/Mar 2003 which in London / South-East would probably have got me somewhere around No. 300 with a dealer. In Northern Ireland, however, it got me No. 17 (which has now become No. 16). A friend put his LOI in about 10 days after me and got No. 33 (now No. 32).
Since dealers will be supplied equally regardless of location (I believe), this is a rare case where being out in the sticks results in a benefit.
Nuisance Value – It will be a cash payment (possibly a trade-in + cash top up). Nevertheless, I see no opportunity for discount or any free extras. I understand that the waiting list at the dealer is still growing even now at a rate of 10+ per week (!) – and the dealer expects to get 50-70 cars a year in the early stages.
Yg649 – According to the V8 Vantage brochure I received a few weeks ago, the following are listed as options:
“Full natural grain leather with full Alcantara headlining.
Alternative facia trims (walnut, mahogany, bamboo, piano black).
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps (dipped beam) with powerwash.
Bright finish grille.
Alternative brake calliper finish (black, red, silver).
Platinum silver interior fittings.
Heated seats.
Heated front screen.
Cruise control.
Reversing sensors.
Battery conditioner.
Powerfold mirrors.
Integrated GSM telephone.
Colour satellite navigation system with optional Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC).
Tracker Horizon (UK only).
Alarm upgrade – tilt and volumetric sensor.
Tyre pressure monitoring.
Smoker’s pack.
Personalised sill plates.
Fire extinguisher.
First aid kit.”
Nothing listed re 19” wheels, but the standard spec includes 18” wheels.
I think Twin Turbo touches on the real issue in my mind. It’s an Aston and will have a high degree of exclusivity plus a certain indefinable ‘something’ (and, as I saw in a magazine a while back, it will be impossible to say “shall we take the Aston?” without smiling). So it’s not just about outright performance and statistics, but does include many other factors like style, cachet, history, zeitgeist, exclusivity, character, a sense of achievement and so on.
The question is then: just how much extra is one willing to pay for such intangible elements? I suspect the answer will be different for each individual.
Aztec – My Q1 2006 delivery date is, I think, a direct consequence of the “stuck out in the boonies” effect. I put in my LOI + deposit in Feb/Mar 2003 which in London / South-East would probably have got me somewhere around No. 300 with a dealer. In Northern Ireland, however, it got me No. 17 (which has now become No. 16). A friend put his LOI in about 10 days after me and got No. 33 (now No. 32).
Since dealers will be supplied equally regardless of location (I believe), this is a rare case where being out in the sticks results in a benefit.
Nuisance Value – It will be a cash payment (possibly a trade-in + cash top up). Nevertheless, I see no opportunity for discount or any free extras. I understand that the waiting list at the dealer is still growing even now at a rate of 10+ per week (!) – and the dealer expects to get 50-70 cars a year in the early stages.
Yg649 – According to the V8 Vantage brochure I received a few weeks ago, the following are listed as options:
“Full natural grain leather with full Alcantara headlining.
Alternative facia trims (walnut, mahogany, bamboo, piano black).
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps (dipped beam) with powerwash.
Bright finish grille.
Alternative brake calliper finish (black, red, silver).
Platinum silver interior fittings.
Heated seats.
Heated front screen.
Cruise control.
Reversing sensors.
Battery conditioner.
Powerfold mirrors.
Integrated GSM telephone.
Colour satellite navigation system with optional Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC).
Tracker Horizon (UK only).
Alarm upgrade – tilt and volumetric sensor.
Tyre pressure monitoring.
Smoker’s pack.
Personalised sill plates.
Fire extinguisher.
First aid kit.”
Nothing listed re 19” wheels, but the standard spec includes 18” wheels.
I think Twin Turbo touches on the real issue in my mind. It’s an Aston and will have a high degree of exclusivity plus a certain indefinable ‘something’ (and, as I saw in a magazine a while back, it will be impossible to say “shall we take the Aston?” without smiling). So it’s not just about outright performance and statistics, but does include many other factors like style, cachet, history, zeitgeist, exclusivity, character, a sense of achievement and so on.
The question is then: just how much extra is one willing to pay for such intangible elements? I suspect the answer will be different for each individual.
I'm in the top 20 at HWM and have been informed that a factory visit is on the cards for April/May with delivery late 2005.
I was told £79,500 plus or minus 2% but have no idea of what's on the options list. I guess the visit to the factory will confirm this.
HWM told me that the take up rate on the first 10 "invitation to spec" letters they sent out was "not good". However, a friend of mine is trying to order one now and he has been told Q1 2008 for delivery.
I wonder what reaction the other dealers have had?
Rob
I was told £79,500 plus or minus 2% but have no idea of what's on the options list. I guess the visit to the factory will confirm this.
HWM told me that the take up rate on the first 10 "invitation to spec" letters they sent out was "not good". However, a friend of mine is trying to order one now and he has been told Q1 2008 for delivery.
I wonder what reaction the other dealers have had?
Rob
My problem's going to be with the underpowered engine. I've got a DB7 Vantage Volante at the moment, and placed my deposit for the AMV8 a while back. Most of the time I find the DB7 pretty slow - it's a beautiful engine and it sounds incredible - but in a car that heavy the 420bhp just doesn't cut it. And apparently the V8 Vantage will have under 400, so it'll probably have performance times of 5 to 60 and 12 to 100 which is generally a bit slow considering a decently specced one will be 85k. I hope the handling will be sorted too - the DB7's like a great big boat!
fq400 said:
My problem's going to be with the underpowered engine. I've got a DB7 Vantage Volante at the moment, and placed my deposit for the AMV8 a while back. Most of the time I find the DB7 pretty slow - it's a beautiful engine and it sounds incredible - but in a car that heavy the 420bhp just doesn't cut it. And apparently the V8 Vantage will have under 400, so it'll probably have performance times of 5 to 60 and 12 to 100 which is generally a bit slow considering a decently specced one will be 85k. I hope the handling will be sorted too - the DB7's like a great big boat!
5 to 60 and 12 to 100 show? Buy a Caterham then. DB7 was never a sports car- always a GT car. More so in Volante guise
williamp said:
5 to 60 and 12 to 100 show? Buy a Caterham then. DB7 was never a sports car- always a GT car. More so in Volante guise
Yeah that's why I've got the FQ400 - 3.5 to 60 and 9secs to 100. However imagine how depressing it is to get out of my ricebox evo with cloth and no aircon (ok overexaggeration but you can see where I'm coming from) get into "The Aston" and find that it's literally half as fast.
I agree completely that the DB7 especially the Volante were never supposed to be sports cars, but I actually find the handling dangerous above 120. The AMV8 is supposed to be a direct rival to the 997, so if it's handling is not on and it doesn't have the power to even rival a Carrera let alone an S, it will be a bit of a waste of money!
Still getting it though
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