V8 Vantage Values
Discussion
As some of you will know my g/f is thinking of upgrading from her 135iMSport Cab. to a new V8 Roadster (no influencing by me of course 
) and as a consequence of this I've been out and about in the world of AMs a bit of late. In my wanderings I've noticed that used early V8s can now be had for mid £40ks. My question is whether this is an entirely good thing. I can see the first £39k cars being not very far off and given the relatively large numbers of these cars made, is there a concern that they may fall into - not to put to fine a point on it - the wrong hands. I mean a chap's really got to have the right Brogues and school badge don't you think?
Seriously though, do you see my point and will these cars actually 'hurt' the AM brand in their old age in a way some thought they would (but IMO didn't) when the new 'Baby' Aston idea was first muted? Up until now 'old' Astons, by their nature and rarity, have been bought and run by enthusiasts but I can see a few of the Evo/Scoobie baseball cap crew enjoying a pose in an Aston.
PS Usual spelling edits!
) and as a consequence of this I've been out and about in the world of AMs a bit of late. In my wanderings I've noticed that used early V8s can now be had for mid £40ks. My question is whether this is an entirely good thing. I can see the first £39k cars being not very far off and given the relatively large numbers of these cars made, is there a concern that they may fall into - not to put to fine a point on it - the wrong hands. I mean a chap's really got to have the right Brogues and school badge don't you think?Seriously though, do you see my point and will these cars actually 'hurt' the AM brand in their old age in a way some thought they would (but IMO didn't) when the new 'Baby' Aston idea was first muted? Up until now 'old' Astons, by their nature and rarity, have been bought and run by enthusiasts but I can see a few of the Evo/Scoobie baseball cap crew enjoying a pose in an Aston.
PS Usual spelling edits!
Edited by Pugsey on Friday 26th September 10:38
Edited by Pugsey on Friday 26th September 10:41
It'll be an angry letter to the Times next don't you know! Pip pip.Perhaps a bit in the same way that the Bentley Continental GT doesnt enjoy the same sort of image as the old school Bentleys.
The main problem (in a few years time) will be finding one which has been properly looked after. Cars like this are getting to the price where people can afford to but them on finance but not necessarily look after them properly. A massive problem with Ferrari 355's at the moment I understand.
I dont think the Chav element will buy into them in a big way though. I think they are still seen as a old traditional brand and dare I say it not fast enough. The chavs would rather a new style M3 or AMG Merc for similar money.
The main problem (in a few years time) will be finding one which has been properly looked after. Cars like this are getting to the price where people can afford to but them on finance but not necessarily look after them properly. A massive problem with Ferrari 355's at the moment I understand.
I dont think the Chav element will buy into them in a big way though. I think they are still seen as a old traditional brand and dare I say it not fast enough. The chavs would rather a new style M3 or AMG Merc for similar money.
Agree with Davey.
One car destined to end up like the cars in the VW ads (the one where the Golfs cry at being chav'd to the max) is the Audi R8. Absolutely, 100% definitely this car will end up tatty as buggery with dubious wheels, graphics and tintz, being serviced under the arches as soon as prices are sub-40k.
The DB7 is slap bang in dodgy territory price wise, but you don't seem to see them being molested. Hopefully the V8 will follow it in this vein.
One car destined to end up like the cars in the VW ads (the one where the Golfs cry at being chav'd to the max) is the Audi R8. Absolutely, 100% definitely this car will end up tatty as buggery with dubious wheels, graphics and tintz, being serviced under the arches as soon as prices are sub-40k.
The DB7 is slap bang in dodgy territory price wise, but you don't seem to see them being molested. Hopefully the V8 will follow it in this vein.
I said something similar a while ago and got absolutely lambasted for it, some chap called Stimmers if I remember correctly.
I guess it's just a reality that sooner or later all cars fall into the wrong hands. That's not a bad reason to own a classic I guess, shows some taste and enthusiasm rather than just the requisite bank balance.
The only car I can think of off the top of my head which will probably keep its reputation intact is something like a Morgan.
Otherwise, guess we'll just have to quietly ignore the inevitable and enjoy the cars for what they are.
I guess it's just a reality that sooner or later all cars fall into the wrong hands. That's not a bad reason to own a classic I guess, shows some taste and enthusiasm rather than just the requisite bank balance.
The only car I can think of off the top of my head which will probably keep its reputation intact is something like a Morgan.
Otherwise, guess we'll just have to quietly ignore the inevitable and enjoy the cars for what they are.
I assume what you are say Pugs is it would be shame if the car looses it originality & existing classy looks to the bold on bodykit & turbo brigade. As some one said earlier the DB7 hasn't ended up being "pimped" so I don't think the Vantage will either, look at early cheap 911's & Ferraris most of those still have their originality intact.
While there are so many easy to modify Japanese rocketships & last model BMW's around I think the V8 is a pretty safe bet to retain its dignity into old age!
While there are so many easy to modify Japanese rocketships & last model BMW's around I think the V8 is a pretty safe bet to retain its dignity into old age!
Grant3 said:
I assume what you are say Pugs is it would be shame if the car looses it originality & existing classy looks to the bold on bodykit & turbo brigade. As some one said earlier the DB7 hasn't ended up being "pimped" so I don't think the Vantage will either, look at early cheap 911's & Ferraris most of those still have their originality intact.
While there are so many easy to modify Japanese rocketships & last model BMW's around I think the V8 is a pretty safe bet to retain its dignity into old age!
I'm not so sure. The V8 is the first Aston made in big numbers and also probably the first to look like a 'normal' prospect running costs wise by the 'masses'. It is probably on these guys radar in the same way as any 'must have' car of the 2000s whereas earlier/larger AMs almost certainly aren't. I'm not overly bothered to be frank as, in the main, old cars are just that to me - old cars - and the V8 is hardly destined to become a collectable classic, but I found myself musing never-the-less.While there are so many easy to modify Japanese rocketships & last model BMW's around I think the V8 is a pretty safe bet to retain its dignity into old age!
Don't know about anyone else but the thought of a spotty, talentless (and possibly brainless) chav being able to access E92 M3 performance (as others have mentioned) for a few grand in a couple of years time is terrifying - although it might ultimately improve the gene pool I suppose.
Cars getting into the wrong hands has nothing to do with money/value, just look around South Manchester/Cheshire borders for that. I've seen plenty of Astons that I would like to confiscate to aid the 'image'. When they came out all the "must haves" got them for 6 months whilst they were the new 'trendy' thing to have. Now they have dumped them for R8's etc, is no bad thing.
As they get cheaper then I've noticed real enthusiasts getting them, the TVR chaps for example, and this cannot be all bad!
Yum Yum....the Mrs in a Vantage Roadster....yum yum...
ps I wish people will stop pointing out how little my car is worth....oh well cannot think of anything to replace it with anyhow..
As they get cheaper then I've noticed real enthusiasts getting them, the TVR chaps for example, and this cannot be all bad!
Yum Yum....the Mrs in a Vantage Roadster....yum yum...
ps I wish people will stop pointing out how little my car is worth....oh well cannot think of anything to replace it with anyhow..
Edited by sadlerj on Monday 29th September 15:50
Just remember, DB4's 5's and 6's not being built in large numbers didn't prevent them lying in second hand showrooms and rotting away beside kerbs. I vividly remember a DB5 convertible up for £1695 back in '74. Its always an old Aston, nice or tatty as the case may be, ergo its alweays got a touch of class. Don't forget that the residual position even now is a lot better than it used to be, that it will take nothing to write one of these off, and that the insurance costs will take most of the neds out of the market.
Bugger the girls car.
Take a look at Vanquish prices! My "my last *main* car purchase will be either a 456 or 550" plan is rapidly turning into a 456 v 550 v Vanquish plan. I would like to add that this is no bad thing
And Pugsey, I thought hanging out round Aston garages "playing" with various toys was pretty much a full time 2nd career for you?
Take a look at Vanquish prices! My "my last *main* car purchase will be either a 456 or 550" plan is rapidly turning into a 456 v 550 v Vanquish plan. I would like to add that this is no bad thing
And Pugsey, I thought hanging out round Aston garages "playing" with various toys was pretty much a full time 2nd career for you?
DJC said:
And Pugsey, I thought hanging out round Aston garages "playing" with various toys was pretty much a full time 2nd career for you?
You make it ("hanging around") sound thoroughly dodgey! Actually, I took to hanging around Marinas (the ones with water NOT the car) early this year and that certainly ended up making my car 'habit' look cheap! Trouble is, it's airfields now. Bugger! jeremyc said:
DB7s have been in that bracket for some time, and I don't see too much evidence of them having fallen into the wrong hands.
I think the running costs generally ward off the riff-raff.
The DB7 to me (28) and mates of similar age looks aged in design so wouldnt buy one, the vantage and db9 will last better and so I think the inevitable will happen with chavs buying to a degreeI think the running costs generally ward off the riff-raff.
sadlerj said:
Cars getting into the wrong hands has nothing to do with money/value, just look around South Manchester/Cheshire borders for that. I've seen plenty of Astons that I would like to confiscate to aid the 'image'. When they came out all the "must haves" got them for 6 months whilst they were the new 'trendy' thing to have. Now they have dumped them for R8's etc, is no bad thing.
As they get cheaper then I've noticed real enthusiasts getting them, the TVR chaps for example, and this cannot be all bad!
I'm with SadJ on this one..... good call.As they get cheaper then I've noticed real enthusiasts getting them, the TVR chaps for example, and this cannot be all bad!
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