What's up with Vanquish prices vs. 550/575?

I believe it is rarity mostly and truth be told it is a better looking car.

 

Vanquishes are also newer and produced in far fewer numbers. Compare a 2002 550 to a 2002 Vanquish, you will find the actual sales price to differ by about 10-15%.

I considered a Vanquish instead of the 550, but that tranny scares me. It makes a GLORIOUS noise, though. But it's a real toss-up. Exterior: Vanquish. Interior: 550, no contest. (Vanquish interior looks like a glossed up DB7, which has more parts from my mom's XK8 than I can to share).

If you had a 6sp Vanquish, sans the Jag/Ford/Volvo bits, you'd have a BRILLIANT car.

--Dan

 

Dan,
what bits are you referring to? There are no common parts in any of the visible areas. The Jags and Astons only share those items which the intended consumer would never see, such as the windshield washer bottle.

And it's a great looking interior...what don't you like?

 

All of the center console (well, half of it) is jag. The stereo, air conditioner, window and mirror controls, all of that. Even the key is the same.

Also, that center console doesn't sit right. Plus, the 2+2 looks better but is completely useless. The 2+0 makes sense, but there's no continuity. You need to have the luggage there just to keep it looking ok. THe way the console ends abuptly, etc.

Mechanicals are a whole different story. I'm focusing on, as you put it, the bits you can see.

--Dan

Edit: I should say this. The guages, seats and headliner (quilted) are awesome!

 

Here's the XK8 and Vanquish interiors:

 

No dude, Aston Martin took pains to point out that there are no common components. The mirror, window, door, stereo and air conditioning controls are different. As is the center console.

 

Look at the center console (my mom has a different stereo than the one pictured which is almost exactly the same as the Vanquish). The Stereo, the air con unit, the odometer reset buttons, the gas / trunk release, the window controls, the vents, the lights / wipers stalks...that's all I see in those two pictures.

--Dan

 

I'm telling you. You've been int he Jag. Next time you come over or I do, I'll bring that car and you can see for yourself.

--Dan

 

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!



doody.

 

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the DB7's Mazda Miata door handles (smirk).
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Grow up, not old, as clearly that hasn't helped the maturity (and I *know* Mrs. Doody agrees ).

Anyways, I think tomorrow we're gonna take the Jag down to the Aston dealer to compare. I went over it on the phone and pointed out other Astons... I'm right. Nah nah nah nah.

--Dan

 

Bah, I think he's right. We're gonna go check it out tomorrow, and the proof will be in the pudding.

For those in the San Francisco area, Los Gatos Brewing Company in Los Gatos has the absolute best creme brulee I have ever tasted. Dan, you're buying!

 

For you to eat crow? Well worth it...

--Dan

 

I just noticed: the exterior and interior door handles are the same also.

--Dan

 

Wrong again!!!! They're different. Just cuz.

 

I'm not sure why the tranny scares you. Paddle shifting is the way that manual transmissions will be offered in the future by any high end exotic maker. The F1 in the 575 is simply superb and the Vanquish uses basically the same software so I'm sure it works as well given the huge HP and torque it has.

Personally I find the Vanquish a little broad in the beam and not very lithe looking. I think the upcoming DB9 will be more representative of the beauty that is AM.

In Scottsdale the asking prices for similar mileage Vanquishes and 575's is similar. I'm mystified by the depreciation in 550's as they are great cars and relatively trouble free daily drivers.

 

the price question is simply due to numbers. far more 550/575 out there than vanquishes. and further in its favor, the vanquish will alwys be known as bond's car. never mind that the ferrari is a better overall package.

btw, was at a dinner with the head of development at aston about a year ago, and when he was repeatedly pressed about the tranny, he did say that if you special ordered from new, they would be able to fit a manual instead of the herky-jerky paddle game.

 

I don't know about US pricing, but around here, a base Vanquish is 30% more expensive than a Maranello. Make that 50 if you get carried away with options. This explains with rarity could explain the difference.

The exhaust sound is indeed superb (comes 'optional' on 550/575s with Tubis), but the car is much less of a beast to tame than a Maranello. I think the car has presence, but the rear treatment does not work, the DB9 is much more elegant IMO.

A final comment: advertised resale prices are not what the cars sell for, it's what they haven't sold yet for ...

 

Alex: I'm not a fan of seqential systems in general. Personal preference. Plus, Aston is not the paragon of QA. Personally, the AM V8 will be the real looker of the group. Vanquish lines, but much smaller and tighter, and a bit edgier to boot.

--Dan

 

Good to know, because I haven't seen a single one without the paddle-shifter. Was starting to think it didn't make the Vanquish in manual.

Dan, you're absolutely right: the AMV8 will be a phenomenal car. It's a beaut to look at!!
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Vik: As Alex is well aware, the AM V8 is designed by the man who created the single best BMW as of yet: the Z8. Henrik Fisker poured his heart and soul into that car and it shows.

With him at the styling helm of AML, and Ian McCallum not far away, it's no wonder they're goign to be producing the hottest looking cars around. Aesthetics alone, no manufacturer is comign close.

--Dan

 

Amen brother!

Henrik Fisker will come to be known as the most talented of designers and I still get more positive comments on my Z8 than the rest of my stable combined.

I personally will be right in front of the line for the AM V8.

 

Hi, first post.

It may be of worthy note that Aston has skipped the paddle-shifters for the DB9. Your options are 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual later this summer. They did not get positive feedback from customers apparently. This decision may have been based on the fact that the DB9 is a grand tourer at heart. I suppose the real telling matter as to whether or not Aston will be sticking to paddle-shifters in the future, is what they offer for the AMV8. When chatting with AM North America, I have insisted that they offer it. They told me 380hp to start. Anyone heard anything else?

- J

PS: Sorry for briefly making this astonchat.com