Lavazza
Member
- Messages
- 1,060
Do you rate the 360?
I'm tempted to look for a manual.
Something for everyone under 30K.
- Thread starter philw696
- Start date
I'm tempted to look for a manual.
philw696
Member
- Messages
- 25,365
I went to LeMans with Frank in his manual 360 was so taken by it i bought mine 5 days after getting home.
I had the 4200 F1 so I wanted the same.
The 360 on track was amazing.
Mine looked and sounded like a Challenge Car.
Lavazza
Member
- Messages
- 1,060
I think:
- Itch I need to scratch.
- Better value than comparable aircooled Porsche (and I say that having owned 964, 993, GT3).
But... I have an Exige V6 which moves the game on quite a lot!
Ewan
Member
- Messages
- 6,801
I’m with Dicky on this one. The Vantage 4.3 always felt underpowered to me, and certainly not as sporty or quick as a GS. Hence having owned several Masers and no Astons. But give it another few years and I may well end up in an AM of some sort as they certainly look the part.
rivarama
Member
- Messages
- 1,102
Hi Phil - how did you make it sound like a challenge car? The exhaust on the 360 challenge stradale is insane. I read somewhere that the closest (affordable) way of reproducing the sound - short of spending £15+k on the OEM set up, was to fit an F430 back box / resonator.
What was your set up?
safrane
Member
- Messages
- 16,828
I don't think anyone is saying or suggesting a V8 Vantage is 4x better than a GS. Clearly it isn't. Merely it is the better sports car @ £25k.
They were the same price new pretty much and similar price used now. They are different cars. The GS and GT are GT cars and the Vantage biased more as a 2 seater sports car.
Depends what you want and need in a car I guess. If I had to choose between my 4200 or GS against the Vantage.....that would be tough but for my use the Vantage just edges it. I am happy and lucky to keep both though
Actually I was comparing it the the early 4200 I had and using VFM as the bench mark; in that I got just as much out of thr car as she did but for a 1/4 of the price.
I also only lost £9k over 5 years... she lost £25k in two.
rockits
Member
- Messages
- 9,172
I don't doubt that at all. We all know the 4200 is cracking VFM. The 4200 seemed to depreciate heavily quickly and the Vantage had a much shallower depreciation. It has only recently dropped closer to 4200 values and is not far.off GS levels now like for like.
Currently the values are much closer though with similar depreciation so I don't think that comparison would apply now. That must have been some years ago?
Ewan
Member
- Messages
- 6,801
I forgot to add that I took a 4.3 AMV for some laps of Castle Coombe last summer and it was better, quicker and more fun than I expected (or remembered from earlier drives). Seem to recall that by the time I left I was thinking of getting one.
I suspect that with a budget of £35k I’d go for the AM, but with a budget of £25k it would be a GS.
I’d take a 2 seat Strad over either, but of course, they are a different price point.
I suspect that with a budget of £35k I’d go for the AM, but with a budget of £25k it would be a GS.
I’d take a 2 seat Strad over either, but of course, they are a different price point.
safrane
Member
- Messages
- 16,828
2008...Ah... memories.
philw696
Member
- Messages
- 25,365
Mine had this system on it with Challenge wheels, grills front and rear matt black door mirrors and the stripes.
In my opinion for the money at the time less than 40 K she was the business.
rockits
Member
- Messages
- 9,172
I think that is where I have changed over the years. I would have used to have thought that a Vantage 4.3 is under powered by the same token I used to think a 4.2 QPV is under powered. I have changed though. I prefer to enjoy a better driving experience at lower speeds these days as it has all got a bit ridiculous chasing every increasing top speeds and ever decreasing 0-60 mph times. It isn't the be all and all for me now.
A V8 Vantage has a quoted 0-60 mph time of 4.8 secs with a quoted top speed of 175 mph. I would suggest that is slow and plenty quick enough for today's roads. I never drive my Vantage and feel I need more power. I looked at the possibility of later 4.7 or S or even V12. The numbers start going north a fair bit at that point and the 4.3 is sensible money for my back pocket. I am very glad I chose the 4.3 manual and very happy with it. There is certainly no immediate urge to 'upgrade' and won't be unless the gap narrows significantly to get into a V12.
The 4200 has a similar performance level to the Vantage and again I never want for more power. It is plenty fast enough for me.
To enjoy the full benefit of the higher performance cars above this you really need to be on a track. You have to be pretty irresponsible to do so on the public roads. There is an argument that even the 4.3 Vantage or 4200/GS are too fast for the public road but I am happy where we are at the moment. The new McLaren, Ferrari and Lambo stuff is getting silly. Don't get me started on Tesla's and new hyper EV's. They are even more pointless. I drove a Model 3 Performance and it is far too fast for the road. Pointless and almost dangerous in the wrong hands.
I would prefer cars to be lighter. That is what we should be doing. Less unsprung weight, no heavy batteries, better performance, better MPG. Wins all round. A 2.5 ton EV is not an advancement it is a backwards step.
I'd be really happy with a 1 ton car with 200-250bhp. The Alfa 4C nails the idea really in concept. Never driven one but they always got slated a little from the press. This is the kind of thing we should be making. I have been very tempted by an MX5 for a while now.
GeoffCapes
Member
- Messages
- 14,000
Interesting comments about the Vantage.
I love the look of them, but when I sat in one before I bought my 4200, I thought it was very claustrophobic. But then I am 6ft 3" and 18 stone.
What are they to drive if you've taller than 6ft?
I love the look of them, but when I sat in one before I bought my 4200, I thought it was very claustrophobic. But then I am 6ft 3" and 18 stone.
What are they to drive if you've taller than 6ft?
philw696
Member
- Messages
- 25,365
I'm with Dean on this as I have got older.
Worked on a couple of Vantages and drove them too and not wanting to cause upset and get kicked out of here but the build quality especially the interior is far superior to Maserati.
As for performance I find my Boxster 987 3.2 S tricks all the boxes for me.
Worked on a couple of Vantages and drove them too and not wanting to cause upset and get kicked out of here but the build quality especially the interior is far superior to Maserati.
As for performance I find my Boxster 987 3.2 S tricks all the boxes for me.
Doctor Houx
Member
- Messages
- 792
V12 Vantage is much much rarer than the V8’s and whilst more expensive, is far more collectible and keep its value. In AMOC, of the modern cars, those and the original 2001 to 2007 Vanquish are the ones everyone wants and prices are firm due to rarity and desirability. The Vanq is complex and very expensive to maintain properly, as I have learned from 10 years of ownership and Concours competition. With only 2.5k built and the last from the NP factory, they are very sought after and many are garage queens like mine with very low mileages.
V8V’s and DB9’s are relatively common with over 20k and 16k built respectively. There are plenty less than £30k now but the DB9 especially is not cheap to maintain properly and thus there are many early cars that are money pits. Buy with caution, just like a cheapish 4200 or QPV. A well looked after V8V does offer great VFM like a 4200.
V8V’s and DB9’s are relatively common with over 20k and 16k built respectively. There are plenty less than £30k now but the DB9 especially is not cheap to maintain properly and thus there are many early cars that are money pits. Buy with caution, just like a cheapish 4200 or QPV. A well looked after V8V does offer great VFM like a 4200.
Blox
Member
- Messages
- 1,057
Something like this would float my boat in a couple more years....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001166218279
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001166218279
rockits
Member
- Messages
- 9,172
Dunno....I'm 6ft
Inside mine is nice as has grey alcantara headlining and A/C pillars so a bit lighter than black.
I like the inside as has big windscreen but small side windows, 2 seater and low seating position so makes you feel as one with the car and an integral part of it.
Vampyrebat
Member
- Messages
- 3,125
As my Avatar shows, my brother had the Vantage for a few years and we would quite often swap cars for up to a week. I loved the AM and admit, felt a bit more special in it (as more people would stare). But I found it a tad claustrophobic and the gear stick in an awkward position. We both agreed performance wise they were very equal but if anything the 42 had the edge!! As said earlier by others a few faults occurred and the bills were eye watering!!...........So very similar cars, only big bro's was £38k for a car with 30k miles whilst mine was £15k (well less actually) on 50k miles..............Oh, they both make a fantastic noise!!
Andyk
Member
- Messages
- 61,120
That is rather lovely Ian....
Or if you go cheaper this N420 has just come up at £36750. It seems very good value with 34k on the clock and good history. The next N420 Coupe is up for 40k and there are another two at 42k.....Just love Lightening silver as well....
Attachments
GeoffCapes
Member
- Messages
- 14,000
Dunno....I'm 6ft
Inside mine is nice as has grey alcantara headlining and A/C pillars so a bit lighter than black.
I like the inside as has big windscreen but small side windows, 2 seater and low seating position so makes you feel as one with the car and an integral part of it.
Are you? Always thought you were shorter than that!
Is that 6ft with your Cuban Heels on?