Recently I was promoted and will be relocating to Seattle from NYC. My DD is already accounted for but can't decide on a weekend car. The three I have narrowed it down to are the Viper GTS, AM Vantage V8 and F360, all of which are very different from each other. Rarity and exclusivity played a big role, thus a Z06/GT500 are not in the cards. Before anyone mentions it, I am not interested in a GTR. I am certainly open to other options and have a max budget of $80k. Below are my thoughts around the three choices, how I would build them and personal pro/con. Would love to entertain your thoughts and any experiences you have had with any of the vehicles. Miles will be kept under 3000/year and with limited track time, mostly street driven. Performance isn't my main concern, I don't need 1000WHP but don't want to regret a purchase. Can't imagine holding on to this for more than a year or two, will move into a Gallardo/Murcie when the funds become available. Need to make a decision before March.

1. Viper GTS

Pro:
Beautiful exterior
Early years have great mod potential - more power than I can handle
For $12k I can have RSI slap a twin turbo on it
Reliable and virtually bulletproof v10
Decent aftermarket support
I believe these can only appreciate in value
Cheap
Easy Maintenance, I can work on myself

Con:
God awful interior
Gets extremely hot inside
Lack of TCS or ABS (Ex 2002) or really any driver aid - this isn't a huge concern

I want one in black like below but with different wheels


2. AM V8 Vantage

Pro:
Beautiful car, much more refined than the Viper - the headlight washers really bother me
Great exhaust note, V8 puts out a fantastic sound
Best interior of the group, although research indicates this falls apart
Reliable and less expensive to maintain than the f360

Con:
Very heavy, wasn't overly impressed with steering response
Limited aftermarket support and mods are just as expensive as the Ferrari
Clutch and any repair will be very expensive, close to or on par with the Ferrari - although this won't happen as frequently
I think these still have a bit of depreciation left in them, unless I can get an 06/07 near $60k which should be near their bottom
Limited power potential

I would replicate the below which IMO is close to perfection


3. Ferrari 360 (only one of the group I haven't driven)

Pro:
Best sounding of the group
Mixed feelings on the exterior, I think I like it, hate the headlights. Would want the CS front bumper and mirrors
Solid interior

Con:
Most expensive of the group
Maintenance is expensive, belts are $3k to change and clutch is $5k. What concerns me more is if something serious breaks. I have read horror stories of people having over $50,000 in repairs and then others who have had the car for 10 years without any issue
Will probably attract a lot of negative attention, especially since I am only 24.
Headlights really bother me
Reliability as noted above

Something like below:

 

Well from the three you have posted I would go with the Aston. Viper is huge beastly car, Aston refined, baller status if it matters, lol and Ferrari as much as I like them they are temperamental, may catch fire lol parts are expensive as is the Aston as you stated. If you have to worry about whats going to break next while your driving, wont be a fun car to drive.

I'm surprised you didn't put a Porsche in there. I would go that route, but i like more to track the car than street drive it. Porsche would give you both of best worlds.

 

For what you say it will be used for, I vote Aston. In my (useless) opinion, they are the most gorgeous cars ever produced. A rolling piece of art, and the interior is beautiful as well. Ive never driven one myself unfortunately, just sat in some.. so I have no comment on the actual driving experience.

If you were going to track it more, id possibly vote viper, as I believe they can only really be appreciated when driven in anger. But as you mention, for a car that you arent tracking, and performance isnt a main concern, why sit in a plastic-y early 90s dodge interior when you can be rolling around in an aston

I know Im probably in the vast minority, but the 360 just doesnt do it for me. Im one of the weird ones who actually thinks the 430 looks better though, so maybe dont trust my opinions haha. IMO in person they just dont look proportionally balanced. (The 430 doesnt really either though, to be fair).

 

I'm assuming there's a level of status that you're also looking to achieve with this car, correct is there an age range you're targeting?

Each of those cars caters to a different crowd. Generally speaking, the Aston without a doubt is the most "high class" of the 3. It would probably be the most well received / expected in the wealthier areas around Seattle. Interestingly, I don't think the Ferrari would do very well... there are quite a few of them rolling around not specifically the 360, but just recent cars from the manufacturer, so you'd end up in that situation where as they put it in "The Incredibles", "when everyone is special, no one is" (sorry to quote a movie, but it applied).

Lastly the Viper. Oddly, the older GTSs aren't seen very frequently around here and if you had one murdered out like that, you'd get tons of attention, so that would probably be my vote,
This suggestion is only if attention/status is a larger part of your consideration.

If you're introspective and couldn't care less what others thought, I'd go with the Aston. Without a doubt, it will have the nicest interior, tamest sound (still ultra burly), I'm think it has the most comfortable ride as well. If you're not gonna track it, then there's no need for a harsh ride, right?

So, Yeah...

Extrovert - Viper
Introvert - Aston

 

Any interest in a Lotus Evora? These guys have a bunch of cool stuff.

Park Place LTD - West Coast's premier luxury sports collector and exotic car dealership

 

Seems like the viper would be the easiest/cheapest to maintain/work on. AM's are beautiful, but not something I would want to own, seems like they'd be a pain in maintenance and cost.

Vipers have some sexy lines, its just that interior, its terrible. But they do seem to have good aftermarket potential.

 

He said he was looking for a weekend car, the vantage seems too tame and to much of a DD to be a weekend car. No I've never driven one so i don't know how much power you feel hitting the gas to know if it would be fun or not but for a weekend car a Ferrari or Viper sounds better. Why look for luxury and soft rides when you have a DD that does that, I vote Ferrari if you can swing that at 24 that's baller!

 

Get the Viper its the best value. And as cheesy as it might be you could still redo the interior.

 

I would pick the Aston

 

Looking at your list I can rule out the Ferrari first. Don't get caught up in costly repairs just to own a car for a year or two. Especially since you're looking at something so much more badass in every way to replace it with later on down the road. The Lambo screams class, has a great interior, AWD, and is fast as hell. Not to mention you can go UG TT one day and just destroying everything. If you can wait a few months, or even a year I'd say wait and get a Gallardo, without a doubt.

Viper, like you said interior wise. Remember this is where you're spending 99% of your time with the car. No thank you.

If you absolutely need to have a car now? Which like any car guy will answer "yes" to. I'd say AM V8 Vantage! I'm not really sure about your color choice though. I'd go white, but I have faith in you seeing as how I really liked your FD exterior.

BTW, it rains a **** ton up there! If you had an AWD car that you wouldn't have to worry about when driving compared to your other options I think you'd be a lot happier. Especially with your plan of selling in a year or two anyway.


This right here sells me on AM. Minus those rims.

 

With that said, this can't be passed up.

 

I would get a Ferrari, but not the 360, this one:

 

Thanks everyone for their help! The porsche is out of the cars as I don't feel they are anywhere near the end of their depreciation curve, esp the 997 turbo.

My pants just a little tighter. My oh my do I love the G Mike. That or the Murci will be in my garage in the next 12 months. Supposedly the Vantage is only an inch longer than a boxer, I don't know it looks kind of squished together and those headlight washers bother the **** out of me.

The 355 will burn a hole in my pockets, most services are engine out and very expensive to maintain. Good god do they sound amazing and I think they are gorgeous too.

Anyways, I ended up buying this Viper for a good deal. If the interior really bothers me I can always wrap the dash in leather. I will start a build thread when it arrives.

 

Congrats on the Viper!!! A blue with white stripes GTS has been a favorite of mine.

 

I was spot on! Yeah baby!

 

Congrats!!

 

congratulations! and you're only 24...

I need to change fields. What do you even do?

 

My question exactly!

 

Actually I am 25 now and a high-end male escort, obviously. I am putting up the Viper for sale in the next few weeks. Looking to pick up a Murci in a few months.

 

Escorting males or females?

Are there really opportunities for escorts in the PNW? Do you find your clients are around your age or older?

 

So there you have it kids - YOU TOO can have a VIPER or even a LAMBO!!!!

You have to smoke a lot of **** and your butt will hurt tho.

 

With boutique in his avi, I'm guessing males.
And with that amount of cash coming in I'm guessing older, wealthy, and overweight clients, namely republican congressmen.

Edit: Can't hate though. Most of us would smoke a little salami for a sweet ride.

 

Wowww