Which one of the modern era Astons stacks up as the best bet for long term financial appreciation ? I'm thinking; Vantage V12 manual (still has depreciation to go) DBS manual or First Vanquish (even though its flappy paddles).
I would place a bet on this or somethings similar. However, buy what you like. Buying a car on speculation isn't a great idea. Lots of better options for your cash. Used 2009 Aston Martin DBS Coupe for Sale in Mclean VA 22102 Intersport Performance
The Vanquish is my choice as well. Low production numbers, last of the handmade Astons out of Newport Pagnell and currently under valued in the US. Don't let the trans scare you away. With the correct set up, and not driving it like it's an automatic, it's an enjoyable and reliable experience. Oh, and did I mention the exquisite exhaust note?
Be careful around a Vanquish. Once you hear one start up from cold, you will write the check, even if there is no money in the bank!! Way under valued.
V12 Vantage will be the most fun of the bunch, and the manual will help hold resale value. The Vank is on the way up now...but you have to like it for what it is...and put up with the service concerns. As mentioned , they have one of the finest sounding V12s ever...
Vanquish S is my vote. I had a perfectly specced 599GTB as well for 3 years yet kept the VQS which I intend to keep forever. Its the last of the hand-built hairy Astons with real soul. I had zero service issues with either car and consider the VQS gearbox 'issue' an urban myth. Have driven the DBS in manual and auto which I loved but somehow its not the same ambience as the VQS. The market agrees it seems. On the VV12, I suspect it will always have a V12 manual niche and even more-so once production ceases. In any case, the market has spoken and VQS values are rising. Like good wine, the sticker price years after initial release is usually a pretty good guide as to collectibility if unsure.
Vanquish S for sure. DBS manual and Vantage V12 manual will be sought after eventually, I'm surprised they haven't popped already.
V12 Vanquish is one of the most superbly designed front-engine GTs of all time with an exhaust note that sounds downright demonic, this is truly one of the last great Aston Martins produced. I intend to keep my Vanquish as long as possible... FOREVER.
Modern AM will be a total crapshot unless it's one of the special ones that already cost millions anyway.
Vanquish, last newport pagnell car. V12 vantage manual way better bet. Maybe that 4 door thing, because its so rare.
Yeah, V12 Vantage is my guess as far as modern AM go. It's quite liked by those who have and keep them. It's essentially more powerful engine in the lighter car. Was better than the DBS performance-wise if I'm not mistaken.
The thing is that Aston Martin now offers manual transmission for the V12 Vantage S (I don't know about the US, I heard about 100 units) so I don't think that the V12 Vantage 2010-2013 will increase so much in the future. For sure they will increase, on the very long term, but IMO it won't be the craziness as for some Ferrari. Definitely the Vanquish S for several reasons which - to my eyes - sum up the car very well : - timeless design mixing charisma and sexiness - the last ever of Newport Pagnell factory since the DB4 in 1958 - 1086 units built - more than 200 MPH of top speed, one of the fastest AM ever - one of the most beautiful engine sounds ever, no other modern V12 Aston can beat it especially with opened valves - a very raw car without DSC, only a limited slip differential and traction control... yeah old-school ! - the gearbox is not an automatic with torque converter, it is a manual with electro-hydraulic clutch, which allows you to feel greatly the car while changing gears - iconic status because the Vanquish back in 2001 was a complete new model - it announced the following models of the current range - while all new modern Aston are good cars, they all look like the same - the new Vanquish 2013 (which, to me, doesn't deserve the name at all...) remains a "tuned" DB9 2013, not at all a new model as the Vanquish was 15 years ago - it was mixing craftsmanship and modern technologies - The Vanquish appeared in James Bond "Die Another Day" in 2002 I'm still "astonished" to notice how cheap those are in the US. In Europe especially in the UK, they worth twice as much. Catch them while you can
yes, 100 cars with the 7 speed manual in a V12S. not sure if all 100 have that whacky yellow paint trim though I still think the modern V12 manual transmission Astons, particularly the DBS and V12 Vantage, are undervalued. consider the price delta between manual and F1 575s.
Can't compare to prices of Ferraris because people want to own a Ferrari just because it's a Ferrari, and they'll pay up for it, especially if it's remotely rare. Some guy paid 600K for a manual 599 not long ago even though you could have a Porsche CGT for that price. And let's be honest, a 599 shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as a CGT. Not even in the same book. I don't think that really exists much for AM and that's why large price deltas exist between a seemingly comparable Ferrari.
I wasn't comparing Aston prices to Ferrari prices, I was pointing out that manual versions of a car do far better (at least in today's market) than versions with an F1/automated manual/dual clutch version. that's true for pretty much any brand I can think of, Porsche Lambo Ferrari etc....so I think the manual Astons represent a good value if you're a "buy and hold" collector.
True, but that first requires a decent amount of demand for the car in general. I agree a manual AM should carry a premium over the paddles, but if the demand isn't high enough for the model in the first place, the premium won't be nearly as pronounced.
I pile on the Vanquish but I will not narrow only to the S. And even the S has 2 variants. If one has to have an S, it has to be an 06 or 07 (europe only) The car has its quirks but once setup right and maintained it is solid and enjoyable. Maintaenance is same as any other hand made exotics. Now if you are "budget oriented" and like to do research consider a well sorted non S. These are close to 1/2 price of the S. Tremendous value for a V12. One drawback i find is that most owners are not driving the car in the USA. The VQ market is way more mature in europe on that car. Here, the V12 VQ is completely misunderstood but only for the "in the know". A car with over 20k miles seems to be considered as a "done" car for most buyers. For sure above 20K miles maintenance is crucial on those but the depreciation has been brutal compared to similar cars. but at 2500 units, in 10 years it wont matter if S or not or if 20k miles or not. I like the DBS manual too but the DBS does not have the pedigree of a VQ. The V12 vantage is very very nice but as a collectable it has a long time to go I think.
I agree any NP VQ is a collectible. Out of interest, the 'S' is somewhat more revered in Australia as there were only some 385 or so RHD made of which ONLY 11 cars were delivered in Australia. Tungsten, Bison leather, quilted headlining. With 9000km (5500mi), from new, I bought mine specifically to add to my eclectic collection and for occasional experiential driving. Over a decade from release, the design looks better every year and I was (and remain) smitten by the real-world panache of the car. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Unlike most collector cars where 100% originality is almost always best, I wonder if the handful of Vanquish that had the manual conversion from AM Works will actually be the most valuable in the long run.
Pat, we already discussed about it. The Vanquish S remains The Last Of The Line, is rarer (1086 vs 1492), faster at high speed, technically more advanced, more exclusive... and so that's why it will always be more sought after even though a well sorted non-S is a very great car which provides similar driving experience than the S. I too, would prefer a perfect non-S than a "bad" S. By the way, MY2006 was not only in Europe, you got some cars in the US in 2006 (just like yours) until June, last chassis was #2257 or officially #2254, still don't know which one is correct MY2007 was only in Europe. But as you said, the main problem is that in the US there are not so many specialists which can maintain properly the Vanquish. Now, more and more this car gets appreciated in the US and no doubt that all Aston Martin dealer get used to this car and know how to maintain it. As I said, I'm still amazed by the value of the Vanquish/S in the US, but I admit I noticed prices increasing a little bit over the last year. A well sorted gearbox on a Vanquish/S really suits the car IMHO, I don't think that the manual conversion is a big plus. To be honest, I've never driven one, no doubt I would love it, but I'm very pleased by the gearbox of our '07 Vanquish S which is a much better gearbox than the Sportshift of the V8 Vantage 4.7 which I've recently test driven. But, as the manual conversion is very rare, for sure those will hold a very strong value. The question is, does it worth $30k ? I don't think so. Apart the fact that, I'm a 100% stock/original car guy @markoj : STUNNING car !
It was never designed to be manual. The factory conversion involves no work to the factory engine software so you end up with really poor throttle control at low speed and idle flair. Also the gear stick is too close to the centre console. Just because it's a rare conversion doesn't make it desireable. The really rare ones are the last 50 ultimate editions. We have number 46.
Rustybits: If you are speaking about the Vanquish, you are incorrect. The software is changed in a number of areas. throttle control is excellent, as is a perfectly stable and smooth idle. I know, I have one. I am 6'5" and find the gear lever position perfectly fine. I question if you have ever driven one, and if so, it must have been badly out of tune.
