Ownership costs?!

[alz]

I'm in the market for either a V8 Vantage, R8 or low milleage 360 modena.
I really like the look of the Aston, but need to weigh up general ownership costs.
Is it expensive to insure? (I'm under 30)
How much is servicing?
Are they reliable?
People say, if you can afford the car, you shouldn't need to ask, but sadly I'm not rolling in cash, so thought it prudent to ask.
I have recently sold a Tuscan S and do not want to have the ownership problems I had there!!!

Thanks in advance.

[Murph7355]

Running costs generally will be cheaper than the TVR I reckon.

Fuel's expensive (it is for everyone these days, but you notice sub-20mpg).

Servicing is 600-1k per annum depending on the service/company used. Car's should be in warranty for the bulk of "major" expense.

Tyres are tyres, so no more or less expensive than for other cars. I'd guess around 800 a set.

Clutches can be pricey I hear, but have no experience of them in 14mths and 12k miles.

Insurance depends on so many variables. Mine's on a multi car policy so not easy to compare. At 37 living in London and on u/l miles, I reckon mine would be around the 1100 mark.

The Modena will likely cost more to run, but will probably cost less in depreciation. Though with the 430 well and truly in full flow and dipping into 5 figure land, who knows.

The R8's a totally unknown quantity. I think when production steps up they will have a tough time.

[tuscaneer]

exactly the same as you mate.tvr for years culminating in a brand spanking 05 tuscan s.what a pile of shtie ,fuel leaks oil leaks shagged clutches and all after 8000 miles!went from this to a db7 but 6 monthly service intervals grate a bit.traded 7 for a new v8 last year and so far a really good buy.couple of niggles like squeeky brakes and fan belts but all sortable under warranty.i too looked at a 360 but i dont think ive got the brass neck to drive round in one.my missus went to audi to look at q7`s and while there i had a good prod and poke at the r8. looking at both my car and the r8 next to each other there is no contest,i definately made the right choice.in terms of residual value etc i try not to think about it!fact is when you pay nearly 100k for a car you are pretty much going to get a kick in the bks which ever way you look at it.insurance wise i am 33 and paying about 1200 quid a year for garaged tracker alarm etc in cheshire.unless you are doing 20000 miles or more i don`t really see fuel as an issue-you expect dire economy from all of them ,my trip shows i`m averaging 16 miles to the gallon at the moment

[alz]

Thanks for all the help guys. For looks there really isn't much contest. The Aston just has a presence.
I just checked the insurance and I'm actually cheaper than on my CSL. Still can't figure out how they are so expensive to insure. That's good though!
Fuel has never been a worry. The way I see it the only car you grudge putting fuel in, is your dailly runaround. When you are getting in a car which looks and sounds as good as the vantage, you don't really care.
The general running costs had been a worry, because a friend was going to buy a DB9 (different car I know) and was put off by the extremely high servicing costs. What everyone is saying makes sense. Most niggles should be picked up under warranty and tyres, well I bet they are probably more expensive on the BMW which will go through them quicker too! A fact proved by me having to change them today in order to sell it!
As much as I really want to own a ferrari, there is definetely the fact you look a bit of a C~*% in them and as a friend said; don't leave it when you go shopping, because people will spit all over that. Never understood why, but probably just a convenient place to do so!!
Well I think my mind is nearly made up. Aston I think it is!
That should get the neighbours talking!!

[Pugsey]

alz said:

Thanks for all the help guys. For looks there really isn't much contest. The Aston just has a presence.
I just checked the insurance and I'm actually cheaper than on my CSL. Still can't figure out how they are so expensive to insure. That's good though!
Fuel has never been a worry. The way I see it the only car you grudge putting fuel in, is your dailly runaround. When you are getting in a car which looks and sounds as good as the vantage, you don't really care.
The general running costs had been a worry, because a friend was going to buy a DB9 (different car I know) and was put off by the extremely high servicing costs. What everyone is saying makes sense. Most niggles should be picked up under warranty and tyres, well I bet they are probably more expensive on the BMW which will go through them quicker too! A fact proved by me having to change them today in order to sell it!
As much as I really want to own a ferrari, there is definetely the fact you look a bit of a C~*% in them and as a friend said; don't leave it when you go shopping, because people will spit all over that. Never understood why, but probably just a convenient place to do so!!
Well I think my mind is nearly made up. Aston I think it is!
That should get the neighbours talking!!

Don't want to either confuse the issue (or sound like a cracked record) but don't dismiss the Fezza for the wrong reasons. With respect, has your friend owned one. I only ever had positive (extremely) reactions to my F430 and happily left it in any - sensible - carpark or space. I had more thumbs up, admiring comments, chats in fuel stations etc etc than with any other car I've owned - except maybe for my MK1 ClioV6! I've got a few friends with various Ferraris and they have all had the same experience. I'll pass on your comment regarding what I look like in a Fezza but of course - even were that true - once you're siting behind the wheel do you actually care!

Edited by Pugsey on Monday 2nd June 10:45

[alz]

Sorry I didn't mean that in a nasty way. I would love one. If you spend all that money on a car you wan't to be noticed. I think it's the whole reason for buying them. Otherwise just buy a mitsibushi evo, they are as fast and probably easier to drive!
My friend used to buy and sell them for himself, so has had a few. He totally loved them and still uses one, but just said people can get jealous.
I can't stretch to the F430 (I wish), but could probably just manage a low milleage 360. I'm only 26 and am buying it myself. The constant outlay with the TVR was a pain. The only difference with the ferrari is it is going to be more expensive! I am feeling quite lucky to have the choice though! Either one would be cool!! Think I will go an have a look at some today and then let you know.......

[Pugsey]

alz said:

Sorry I didn't mean that in a nasty way. I would love one. If you spend all that money on a car you wan't to be noticed. I think it's the whole reason for buying them. Otherwise just buy a mitsibushi evo, they are as fast and probably easier to drive!
My friend used to buy and sell them for himself, so has had a few. He totally loved them and still uses one, but just said people can get jealous.
I can't stretch to the F430 (I wish), but could probably just manage a low milleage 360. I'm only 26 and am buying it myself. The constant outlay with the TVR was a pain. The only difference with the ferrari is it is going to be more expensive! I am feeling quite lucky to have the choice though! Either one would be cool!! Think I will go an have a look at some today and then let you know.......

That's cool - all taken in good spirit! Just didn't want you to take the wrong path for the wrong reasons. Oh, and BTW. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!! The reason for buying the F430 was the driving experience. It is awesome. Think big Elise but with the slideability/controlabilty of a Caterham/M3 if you want it. A real hoot and very easy to take to it's limits. But I agree - you can't exactly sneak around unnoticed in one!

[bogie]

out of your 3 choices I think the Vantage will be the cheapest to run. You cant compare it with the V12 Db9 service costs...if it cost that much, I wouldnt have bought one myself to do 25K miles a year in !

If the TVR was bad, then an older F360 will be a nightmare in comparison I think...well I had a friend who spent many thousands on one in a short period of time, then got rid of it...and he'd had TVRs before. Id make sure you have a good warranty on any F360 you bought...or any car of this nature to be honest !

An R8 will be typical Audi I guess for reliability, I do wonder about the servicing and parts cost though. I had an RS6 Avant as a daily drive before my Vantage, and that was more expensive to service and on parts than the Vantage...it seems like when you drive into an Audi dealer in an "RS" car, their eyes just light up ...how about £1600 for discs n pads all around? (every 20K) £1100 for tyres, £600 for a basic service (double that for a cambelt) £20 for a litre of oil etc...labour rate at £100ph the same as my Aston dealer ...so overall the Aston has proven much cheaper to run than an Audi estate so far !

On a Vantage its about £600-800 for each service (just had the 30K recently and no more expensive) and about £220 a corner on tyres. The big thing is fuel at 18mpg avg...but it will be on any of the cars you have chosen. Brake pads were done recently at £200 for Pagids (the same price as my Elise for Pagids!) the oil in the service was charged at sub <£8 a litre...basically less than what I could buy the same oil for. Overall the Vantage has proven a much better proposition as a daily drive than I imagined. I shall of course get the extended warranty when its 3 years old to be on the safe side !

have fun deciding anyway

cheers
bogie

[Murph7355]

alz said:

....
As much as I really want to own a ferrari, there is definetely the fact you look a bit of a C~*% in them and as a friend said; don't leave it when you go shopping, because people will spit all over that. Never understood why, but probably just a convenient place to do so!!
...

If this is all that's putting you off owning a Ferrari, I would revisit the notion (and ask owners/previous owners rather than the people who would no doubt spit on one ).

I sold a 355 for the Aston, and the former was a truly great car. Very little between them aesthetics wise, though I actually think the 355 gets the vote still from most angles. Interior's more modern and sturdy on the Aston, though it feels a little more hemmed in than the 355. Performance is similar, as is the noise (in terms of quality rather than timbre). Basically not much between them but the Aston's a more modern experience (and still the only car I would have changed the 355 for).

As for other people's impressions...

1) I don't buy cars for other people.
2) I never, in 4.5yrs of ownership and 33k miles, had a bad word said about it or me. Quite the opposite with some hugely positive reactions (much of this is down to one's own attitude IME - offer someone the option of sitting in it, taking their photo next to it or even going for a ride and you will be treated with the biggest smiles you have ever seen).
3) To this day I reckon if the 355 and Aston drove down a street, the 355 would still grab the "headlines". Now this may not be a positive, depending on your view, but there's something childishly smile inducing about it.

If you like Ferraris, one would be worth considering. The overall ownership proposition is really hard to beat.

That said, the 360's a munter looks wise (CS excepted). And the 430s worse from some angles.

[Pugsey]

Murph7355 said:

alz said:

....
As much as I really want to own a ferrari, there is definetely the fact you look a bit of a C~*% in them and as a friend said; don't leave it when you go shopping, because people will spit all over that. Never understood why, but probably just a convenient place to do so!!
...

If this is all that's putting you off owning a Ferrari, I would revisit the notion (and ask owners/previous owners rather than the people who would no doubt spit on one ).

I sold a 355 for the Aston, and the former was a truly great car. Very little between them aesthetics wise, though I actually think the 355 gets the vote still from most angles. Interior's more modern and sturdy on the Aston, though it feels a little more hemmed in than the 355. Performance is similar, as is the noise (in terms of quality rather than timbre). Basically not much between them but the Aston's a more modern experience (and still the only car I would have changed the 355 for).

As for other people's impressions...

1) I don't buy cars for other people.
2) I never, in 4.5yrs of ownership and 33k miles, had a bad word said about it or me. Quite the opposite with some hugely positive reactions (much of this is down to one's own attitude IME - offer someone the option of sitting in it, taking their photo next to it or even going for a ride and you will be treated with the biggest smiles you have ever seen).
3) To this day I reckon if the 355 and Aston drove down a street, the 355 would still grab the "headlines". Now this may not be a positive, depending on your view, but there's something childishly smile inducing about it.

If you like Ferraris, one would be worth considering. The overall ownership proposition is really hard to beat.

That said, the 360's a munter looks wise (CS excepted). And the 430s worse from some angles.

So, that's two ACTUAL first hand reports of only positive Ferrari ownership experiences to consider.

If you've got even the slightest Fezza itch then scratch it - lifes short and then you're gone mate.

[alz]

Never bought the ferrari. I have invested in a Porsche GT2.
What a machine! I will def get a ferrari though. Always wanted one, but this is my first shot a car of this level and this was too good an opportunity to miss!
The time will come......

[Murph7355]

alz said:

Never bought the ferrari. I have invested in a Porsche GT2.
What a machine! I will def get a ferrari though. Always wanted one, but this is my first shot a car of this level and this was too good an opportunity to miss!
The time will come......

997 variant?

If so, did you have to pay big overs?

[Grinning]

tuscaneer said:

.couple of niggles like squeeky brakes and fan belts but all sortable under warranty.

tuscaneer - did these issues get sorted satisfactorily under warranty? Mine's going in Monday week to have just these issues and the clunky wipers sorted. I love the sound of my car but at the moment it's an embarrassing whistler before warmed up. Basically I need to know there is light at the end of the tunnel? Cheers.

[mc_conor]

I know this is a bit off topic but what career are you guys in? Under 30 and some of you guys past cars are unbelievable, never mind fezza, astons.

[Pugsey]

Murph7355 said:

alz said:

Never bought the ferrari. I have invested in a Porsche GT2.
What a machine! I will def get a ferrari though. Always wanted one, but this is my first shot a car of this level and this was too good an opportunity to miss!
The time will come......

997 variant?

Not on a V8, R8 or 360 budget!!!!

[holtender_01]

mc_conor said:

I know this is a bit off topic but what career are you guys in? Under 30 and some of you guys past cars are unbelievable, never mind fezza, astons.

i would be interested to know that as well. impressive choice to be in pre-30. I suppose many people would like to know but not many people talk about that sort of thing,

[Murph7355]

holtender_01 said:

i would be interested to know that as well. impressive choice to be in pre-30. I suppose many people would like to know but not many people talk about that sort of thing,

Whilst I'm way beyond 30 now, and was a bit over that when I first took the plunge, I reckon...Avoid having kids and getting married. Buy a house, sell it then spunk the proceeds.

I reckon the actual job doesn't matter too much.. Work hard, and harder at being good at it. People make money doing all manner of stuff.

[Pugsey]

Murph7355 said:

holtender_01 said:

i would be interested to know that as well. impressive choice to be in pre-30. I suppose many people would like to know but not many people talk about that sort of thing,

Whilst I'm way beyond 30 now, and was a bit over that when I first took the plunge, I reckon...Avoid having kids and getting married. Buy a house, sell it then spunk the proceeds.

I reckon the actual job doesn't matter too much.. Work hard, and harder at being good at it. People make money doing all manner of stuff.

Yep, I'm just a smidge over 30 too but I agree - maybe boringly - work hard and whatever it is you do, GO for it! You don't get to do it over again you know so never put yourself in a position where you might look back one day and say "I wish".

[mc_conor]

From some of you're lists of cars on your profile, i have come to the conclusion (taken with pinch of salt):

1. Drug dealer or some other form of illegality;

2. Just lucky and have a wealthy family;

3. Dumped their girlfriend had no kids and worked their ass off;

4. Won the lottery;

5. Bought a house at the jammiest moment possible and sold, rent somewhere now and reap the rewards in automobile form;

6. Very intelligent, and someone within the elite recognised you now you have an incredible job;

7. An obscure mix of all the above.


Even with a degree in structural engineering being completed in a few years i doubt i will ever exceed 50k, and i will buy second hand M cars until i die for my thrills.


Only read if you watched The Apprentice..........

It amazes me that people like Claire and Lee out of The Apprentice exelled out of twenty thousand applicants. Lee can barely articulate sentences never mind run a business, and as for Claire retail buying make up for over 100k salary, i'm speechless.

Are the general public so stupid that these people are the cream of the crop?

[bogie]

LOL ...im 38 and have been working my nads off for years...but anyway, antother tip that has worked out great for me for the last 10 years, is not to settle down with any old tottie that you take home on a Saturday night, but be choosy and pick the right one - find one who earns ( or near) what you do yourself and has a career - sorted, youve doubled your household income immediately, rather than having a 'hanger-on'

...and then you can afford to live somewhere nice, have a nice sensible car AND have all of YOUR money spare to spend on toys