Something to relieve the Sunday boredom...

Carper, the wait is over

So the Cayman GT4 has gone (long live the Cayman!) I'd probably describe it as motoring perfection that car, just brilliant. But it was always bought with an eye on investment, and I have some inbuilt issue about it being brand new and therefore too precious to use it That and it's really designed to be exploited on track.

Selling it offered a dilemma though. Go for the Boxster GTS as originally planned (another exceptional car) and have a load of change in the drawer, or go big.

Quite clearly the answer is always go big, life's too short

So I consulted the dream car shortlist I have... The one without the McLaren P1 in it.

458 was just a bit out of reach
360 Stradale a lot out of reach
AMG GT the residuals worried me
R34 GTR had a long hard look and think I'd have got one of one had been for sale!
V12 Vantage looks like a good investment but weren't many for sale when I was looking
V12 Vantage S was just a bit out of reach and wasn't sure about Sportshift III. Much better car than the older V12 though.

So,after all that I started looking for an Aston Vantage N430 manual. Awesome car, decent depreciation, manual etc etc.

But then the guy who gives me race tuition (works for Aston) told me he would only ever go for a Sportshift car. Really sang its praises (despite the stuff in the motoring press) so I started looking at N430 Sportshift... It did then open the door to the V12S again (only available in Sportshift) but they were all well over 110k. I have to say the V12S was probably in my top 3 of all time dream cars but just couldn't t see one I'd class as reasonably priced.

But as if by magic, the one out of about 10 available which was top of my list, had 10k dropped off it (I was clicking refresh daily trying to justify it!) so I started making enquires... These things do not hang around long and when I called up it was indeed sold, but a short call later revealed the guy couldn't get the funds. Back in business!

Went up to see it this week. This was my taxi





So to cut a long story short, I bought it this week

I'm honestly still pinching myself. There's something about the brand amd a V12... It's pure class.

The S model has 570 bhp and near 500 lbs ft torque from memory, and will do 205mph. It's an absolute weapon is all I can say. And the noise!

Whoever spec'd it went a bit mad with Carbon. The dash, mirrors, badges, and a load of other stuff are carbon. The rear parcel shelf is an amazing piece of sculpted carbon (a £6000 option I believe) Also has the lightweight wheel, graphics pack etc. I always go for a highly spec'd car as it sets them apart at resale, and I also think these very rare cars (200 or so?) will do very well in future being an NA V12.

The paint is very rare Ceramic Grey, which doesn't photo so well but stunning in real life.





Video in dull weather...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYT80qjfQ9Q

This is a better example (if you can stand the music)

http://youtu.be/PB2Ig4yvrWs

 

If you don't know much about the car, these are worth a watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vxvlFSJkmw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhH6NH4s3vo

 

The roof / bonnet / front grille are all in silver (graphics pack)

 

She's no S2000 that's for sure.


... just kidding, congrats!

 

Lord have mercy on my soul.

Where's the baby oil

 

That's perfection on every level - it's what a fun car should be, all about the experience, no matter how long / short / slow or fast the drive.

RWD
NA
V12

Many many man points awarded!!

 

That is absolute class. The colour mix for that car is just awesome. It looks military grade. I love it.

 

Well done Mark.

Not what I would have expected but all that matters is that you like it.

They do sound amazing.

 

Nice car ! Congrats.

 

Congrats Mark.

I thought you'd gone for that NA1R that is back in at Plans Performance.

The Aston is totally different!