Aston Martin AMV8 out of the question...

[Maff]

All this waiting (near 2 years since I signed up) for a car that was meant to be around £60k...

It doesn't even come with leather, heated seats, or Xenon headlights!

Cost of V8 Vantage : £79,995

Colour & Trim
Full Leather trim - monotone : £695
Full Leather trim - duotone : £1195

Exterior
19" Seven spoke alloy wheels : £995
Reversing sensors : standard
Powerfold mirrors : £295
Heated front mirrors : £295
Tyre pressure sensors : standard
Bright finish grille : £295
Alternative brake caliper colours : £295
Delete "Vantage" badge : no cost
HID Headlamps : £495

Interior Function
Battery conditioner : £95
Smoker's Pack : £145
Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensors) : £195
Tracker Horizon : £795

Facia trim
Alloy : standard
Alternative facia trim : £495

Interor fittings
Anthracite : standard
Platinum Silver : £295
Personalised sill plaques : £195

Comfort and Convenience
Cruise control : £295
Heated Seats : £295
First Aid kit : £95
Intergrated GSM Telephone : £795
Satellite Navigation : £1750

In-Car Entertainment
700W Audio system with Dolby Pro Logic II : £995

* Retail price does not include delivery charges or vehicle excise duty and first vehicle registration feee.
* Please note these costs are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment

 

[C240Sport97]

but you can still buy one, use it and lose very little money if you're near the front of the queue ...

 

[Madferrit]

I know they like to tailor make the car to the buyers needs.. but isn't that taking the biscuit!?!?

 

[Maff]

True, however it makes an 8 month old SL55 or CL55 look good value for money - more toys, more power, more speed. OK maybe not porsche handling and the 'name' the aston has but pretty much all else and more

 

[C240Sport97]

you pay a lot for Aston's looks ... they are unique and rare

plus it should depreciate, at least initially, a lot less than a Merc

True, however it makes an 8 month old SL55 or CL55 look good value for money - more toys, more power, more speed. OK maybe not porsche handling and the 'name' the aston has but pretty much all else and more

 

[Madferrit]

But the tempting thing is.. an Aston is in a league of its own compared to a Merc (apologies to all Forum Mods for making this comment)

 

[Maff]

But the tempting thing is.. an Aston is in a league of its own compared to a Merc (apologies to all Forum Mods for making this comment)

True, there's no denying that.
Only trouble was Aston targeted this car directly at Porsche Carrera, but have now priced themselves out. A decent AMV8 is going to be ~£85k

 

[Madferrit]

in terms or prestige... i think the Aston is still up a few points. Driveability... i think you'll win again. The only downside seems to be the price tag.

btw... i love the pics you put up in the gallery of your CL55... awesome!

 

[glojo]

I am not surprised at the cost of the options. I have just logged onto the Tracker home site and Tracker Horizon fitted to the Aston Martin with the lifetime ownership option was quoted at £999, so if your quote was for a similar set-up it is cheaper.

I must confess to being disappointed with the quality of finish shown in Guy's picture (The DVD screen fitting) plus the telephone bracket. Aston Martin should do better but perhaps the car we saw was just a one off?

I am no fan of Porsche as an everyday car, they are eye catching but do they sacrifice comfort for there excellent handling and performance?

I envy your dilema,
Kind regards,
John

 

[Alfie]

in terms or prestige... i think the Aston is still up a few points. Driveability... i think you'll win again. The only downside seems to be the price tag.

btw... i love the pics you put up in the gallery of your CL55... awesome!

Other downsides;

1). Its a Ford really.
2). Build quality aint what it should be
3). Reliability wont be like that of a Merc
4). Options which are standard on most cars of that ilk cost on the Aston

Its a bit like buying a Lamborghini when you could by a Ferrari. Both good cars but one has a lot more pedigree and heritage to it than the other.

Stick with the CL55 or go up to a CL65, far better cars.

Just my opinion.

 

[Madferrit]

I am no fan of Porsche as an everyday car, they are eye catching but do they sacrifice comfort for there excellent handling and performance?

I had a 996 targa,.. which was great to drive on the open road, but a pain in the city. The seats are very firm, and the stiff suspension doesn't help much as a daily cruiser. Not sure how the 997 is for ride and comfort, but driving the 996.. even i turned my head to look at Astons

 

[OGiii]

you pay a lot for Aston's looks ... they are unique and rare

Unless it's got a Jag badge on it and then it's half the price! The new XK is almost identical to the DB9 but is expected to be £50-£60k.

 

[OGiii]

True, there's no denying that.
Only trouble was Aston targeted this car directly at Porsche Carrera, but have now priced themselves out. A decent AMV8 is going to be ~£85k

And it's only got 2 seats!

 

[fuzzer]

they gotta be taking the mick with the size of that options list :O

don't you get hid's standard on mass market cars now never mind sports cars?

 

[glojo]

they gotta be taking the mick with the size of that options list :O

don't you get hid's standard on mass market cars now never mind sports cars?

I think I have got the standard CL500 offerings and sells for £73,630, so slightly dearer than the Aston, but more things as standard. (I might have missed the tyre pressure monitor, but it might well be an option).

The CL55AMG is obviously far more expensive and Maff's example has some excellent options which would again put up the price.

7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission
with Tipfunction and Speedtronic cruise control
Aerial in rear window
Alloy wheels (4) – 5-spoke 7.5Jx17 (225/55 tyres)
Bi-Xenon headlamps

Closing aid for doors and boot lid
Door mirrors – electrically operated, folding and
heated with integral ambient lighting

Electric glass sunroof
Headlamp wash
Heated screen wash system
Infrared protective glass
Metallic paint (refer to brochure)
Parktronic (PTS)
Remote boot release
Spare wheel – full size

Interior

Automatic climate control
CD changer in boot – 6 disc
Centre armrests – front and rear (both with storage)
Cockpit Management and Navigation Display

(COMAND) – includes radio, single CD/DVD*
in centre console and DVD navigation in
luggage compartment *Region 2 DVDs only

Cupholders – rear

Driver and front passenger seat – electrically adjustable
with Easy Entry function
Electric windows (4)
Exit lights in doors
Heated front seats
Leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift
Leather upholstery (refer to brochure)
Luggage nets in boot
Lumbar support in front seat backrests

Map pockets on front seat backs

Memories for front seats, door mirrors
and steering column
Multi-function steering wheel with trip computer
Outside temperature gauge
Service indicator (ASSYST)
Steering column electrically adjustable with

Easy Entry function
Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
Walnut wood trim

 

[IanA2]

Looks like CL500 is a nose ahead in this race......

 

[Alfie]

Looks like CL500 is a nose ahead in this race......

MB invented the car. Whatever they make will always be more than a nose ahead of anything Ford make. MB make useable practical supercars that last. Ford dont. Whatever guise Ford wrap their offerings up in its still a Ford made to Ford standards - poor. eg the X type - its a mondeo with a different body

If I had all the money in the world I wouldnt buy a Jag or a Aston. I'd buy quality with pedigree and class instead.

 

[Flyer]

MB invented the car.

Mr Benz might have invented the car, but anything to do with him is long gone from the conglomerate that is DaimlerChrysler AG, except, perhaps, his coffee mug in the museum

Whilst I love most MBs, given a choice between an SL/CL or an Aston Martin, the AM would win hands-down. More exclusive and every model looks stunning (although telling them apart is getting more difficult ). Whitefield Mercedes have a, used, SL65AMG up for £120k. Looks absolutely, truly gorgeous and, it's probably fair to say, would go quite well, but put it up against a DB9 ...

Alfie, isn't is great that we have these choices?

 

[glojo]

If I had all the money in the world I wouldnt buy a Jag or a Aston. I'd buy quality with pedigree and class instead.

So what do you really, really think of Fords???

Lotus Cortina, Ford Escort RS and maybe the Mexico, Cortina 1600E are already classics (all Mercedes-Benz will eventually be classics )

Unfortunately if Ford had not bailed out Aston Martin it is highly possible they would no longer be trading.

John

 

[Alfie]

So what do you really, really think of Fords???

Not a lot.

Lotus Cortina, Ford Escort RS and maybe the Mexico, Cortina 1600E are already classics (all Mercedes-Benz will eventually be classics )

Unfortunately if Ford had not bailed out Aston Martin it is highly possible they would no longer be trading.

John

True

Would you buy Fiesta when you could have a Polo? No. Would you buy a carcinogenic burger when you could have steak? No. But there are lots of people who do

Off to the pub now.... have a good weekend all.