Vantage or Evoque

We have a Vantage in the family and I've done thousand of miles in it, its done 90,000mls now and been a good car, only the boot seal was replaced on the warranty.

Servicing is not too expensive and a bit of bartering with official dealers can get the price to specialist levels.

However the build quality is laughable in places, they also suffer from niggles with aircon, scuttle shake etc. Its not massively quick either. Things like the Focus key, Volvo crap-nav and Ford stalks annoy me also.

For me its a bit of a love hate with the vantage but the rest of the family adore it.

For london traffic, ease of use, running cost, toys - get the Evoque
For looks, noise, earning Morrisons fuel miles - get the Aston.....

P.S. £30k and its yours!!

I think the earliest V8 Vantage was said to be a little under-powered, since rectified, but it will be much faster than the Evoque and there is that fantastic exhaust note.

I'm quite sure "standard" servicing will not be too bad but anything out of the ordinary will get expensive. Reminds me of the story (which I believe to be true) that to replace the wiper motor of a DB9, the engine has to come out...

How many miles you drive makes a big difference for a couple of reasons:

1) if you are only covering low mileage (I.e. c.15k per year) and are planning to own the car for two years before selling...then it will probably cost you less to own a used Vantage than a new Evoque when you offset fuel, servicing and insurance against depreciation. I'm sure a few minutes looking at the maths will tell you what the mileage tipping point is.

2) if you are doing high local mileage then the Vantage will not be a good experience...the sound of the engine is awesome, but with the state of our roads right now you will feel every bump and if the seats are the same as the ones in the DB9 I had, they ain't exactly comfortable!

I've owned a DB9 and a 911 and loved both...but ultimately didn't keep either very long because although they can be used every day, they are a massive compromise for an everyday car. I will own supercars again in the future, but only when I can afford to run one as a second car.

The other thing to bear in mind is that you have to go into Aston ownership knowing that something might go bang and you might have a bill on your hands that makes the servicing cost look incidental! I never had problems, but it can happen and I've known people that have spent all their spare cash buying and running a supercar, only for them to be unable to get it fixed when it's gone horribly wrong.

I don't know your financial position but too many people buy cars a notch above their wealth and then struggle...it just ain't worth it. I really really want a Ferrari 355 and have since the day it launched. And although I am shelling out £50k on an Evoque I could spend another £50k on a 355 ad a second car without taking on any debt...but...I'm not wealthy enough for it to go wrong and be fixed without causing me sacrifices elsewhere...so I'm still waiting for the Ferrari and will continue to wait until I am genuinely wealthy enough to own a Ferrari.

Bottom line...get the Evoque!

I've switched from a DB9 to the Evoque. I thoroughly enjoyed the DB9 - fantastic car. It was something I wanted to own and use. I've now got it out of my system and sensibly switching back to Range Rover.
The DB9 was exciting but frustrating. I was never able to use it as it should be used. I always wanted to go faster than the law allowed and if I'd kept it any longer, then I probably would have lost my licence.
The engine note from the V12 was superb. The looks and compliments I got were great. Depreciation (even secondhand) is eye watering and service/running costs very expensive.
Make your mind up!!!! hehe
ANT

If you are desperate to own an Aston Martin, find £30k and order a Cygnet...................... at least being a Toyota under the skin it shouldn't break down too often and parts will be cheap at the Toyota dealership, insurance should be relatively inexpensive too. Might not go as fast as the real thing but it will cost you less to own and run than an Evoque and will be just as at home in the city as an Evoque. Of course you will always have that little thought at the back of your mind "is it really an Aston?" just like some Evqoue owners might think about their Range Rover

Comments appreciated,

The Aston would be to purchase for a 6 months - 1 year period, and I would buy that used at circa £30-35K, so I am of the opinion I can not loose too much money on the car over the next year of depreciation. Most of the appreciatation has surely occured. I agree with the Aston dealership checking. Last thing I would want is to buy a V8 Vantage to find it to grind to a halt and be starring at a £30k door stop!

The servicing doesnt put me off too much, as I would look to keep the car for 1-2 years until I plan to have kids etc, Im off-setting the service costs against the sheer delight (hopefully) in owning one!

I would def go for a Dynamic, the Prestige looks just dont do it for me, I actually prefer the Pure, but the Dynamic is def the one for me. I would not intedn to buy it brand new in all honesty, the appreciation is a turn off for me. I am looking to lease one at circa £400-600 pcm as my guilty pleasure. Your right you do only live once, and the money I would (save) on leasing vs putting down £35k cash I could use towards an investment to generate funds / pay off my mortgage etc.

Thoughts?