Why does a Aston Martin Vanquish Cost 200k more than C7?
#21
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What's next. Why is a Bugatti Veyron 2 million more than a C7. If you guys have to ask these questions you really have no clue what these high end cars are really about.
#23
status and exclusivity.
several years ago i was in aspen and i stopped by a jewelry store in the little nell hotel which is a pretty upscale place close to the main town gondola.
i've always been a watch and clock freak so i just wanted to browse a bit. never forget, the salesman at the counter said that as an example they did not carry rolex watches because they were just another mass produced item. i dont remember what they had in their cases but it was limited production runs of mechanical swiss time peaces, things that i have always found interesting but would not buy because for me exclusivity is not something i am willing to pay for.
at the time, i was wearing a suunto advizor, a digital watch that not only outperformed everything that they had in their cases, but had many more features such as altimeter and heart rate monitor.
i think AMs fall into that category of prestige and exclusivity, something i am not interested in paying for.
and before i would buy an AM at that price, i would buy a turbo 911 with all the extras...
AMs are beautiful cars but i am content to admire them from afar, like patek phillippe grand complications...
several years ago i was in aspen and i stopped by a jewelry store in the little nell hotel which is a pretty upscale place close to the main town gondola.
i've always been a watch and clock freak so i just wanted to browse a bit. never forget, the salesman at the counter said that as an example they did not carry rolex watches because they were just another mass produced item. i dont remember what they had in their cases but it was limited production runs of mechanical swiss time peaces, things that i have always found interesting but would not buy because for me exclusivity is not something i am willing to pay for.
at the time, i was wearing a suunto advizor, a digital watch that not only outperformed everything that they had in their cases, but had many more features such as altimeter and heart rate monitor.
i think AMs fall into that category of prestige and exclusivity, something i am not interested in paying for.
and before i would buy an AM at that price, i would buy a turbo 911 with all the extras...
AMs are beautiful cars but i am content to admire them from afar, like patek phillippe grand complications...
#24
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there is a huge difference between a corvette and an aston in build materials and craftsmanship.
those have nothing to do with reliability or speed.
is there a 200k difference in pure cost of goods sold? no. but the law of diminishing returns apply, each step better is smaller with a disproportionate increase in cost.
my personal opinion is that sport (oriented) cars hit the wall right around the 60-90 mark and anything above that you really have to see a lot of value in what you get.
the cars above that range don't get a whole lot faster and they don't change your life when you sit inside. but they are nicer. whether it is worth it is up to the individual.
quite honestly, i really like my vette, and it is a lot nicer than the < 2013 models.....however it is almost crappy compared to my mercedes.....just the quality of the leather, the feel of the buttons, etc. it isn't anything truly important, but when i get in the vette and turn up the volume, i think, "really?"
those have nothing to do with reliability or speed.
is there a 200k difference in pure cost of goods sold? no. but the law of diminishing returns apply, each step better is smaller with a disproportionate increase in cost.
my personal opinion is that sport (oriented) cars hit the wall right around the 60-90 mark and anything above that you really have to see a lot of value in what you get.
the cars above that range don't get a whole lot faster and they don't change your life when you sit inside. but they are nicer. whether it is worth it is up to the individual.
quite honestly, i really like my vette, and it is a lot nicer than the < 2013 models.....however it is almost crappy compared to my mercedes.....just the quality of the leather, the feel of the buttons, etc. it isn't anything truly important, but when i get in the vette and turn up the volume, i think, "really?"
Last edited by Higgs Boson; 08-27-2014 at 01:51 PM.
#25
Higg's summed it up quite well but I would be remiss if I didn't add,
"If you have to ask you wouldn't understand"
#27
Probably a couple of reasons (and can include Corvette buyers also):
1. People have a desire to fit in, whether at school, work or in social circles. For this reason, people sometimes buy brands because they believe the brands will contribute to greater social acceptance.
2. Sometimes they buy a product for the first time in hopes that it provides a quality experience. Recognized brand names typically have shown a consistency in product quality or performance that has contributed to the evolution of the brand.
3. Some people buy certain brands to support their personal or professional image. Buying a Porsche or other higher-priced car brand or designer suits can contribute to your image as a high-class, well-to-do or sophisticated professional.
4. Sometimes they just want to own something cool!
1. People have a desire to fit in, whether at school, work or in social circles. For this reason, people sometimes buy brands because they believe the brands will contribute to greater social acceptance.
2. Sometimes they buy a product for the first time in hopes that it provides a quality experience. Recognized brand names typically have shown a consistency in product quality or performance that has contributed to the evolution of the brand.
3. Some people buy certain brands to support their personal or professional image. Buying a Porsche or other higher-priced car brand or designer suits can contribute to your image as a high-class, well-to-do or sophisticated professional.
4. Sometimes they just want to own something cool!
Having an AM in the UK is a strong signaling device in that culture.
#29
Race Director
Thread Starter
#31
Apples and oranges comparison. The AM is handbuilt in very small numbers, a few thousand cars across all the model range. I've had lots of cool cars and my life but the Vantage I have (this is the entry level car of the AM line) is absolutely head shoulders in terms of fit, finish, quality of components and paint finish.
Very sophisticated car and a blast to drive. That said, I've no doubt the C7 would be able to outperform the AM on the track and for tens of thousands of dollars less in cost of setup.
It's just not really a fair comparison. That said, it's highly likely I'll get a C7 in the next year or two to carry me into retirement. Cost of service and ease of getting it worked on are huge factors.
Very sophisticated car and a blast to drive. That said, I've no doubt the C7 would be able to outperform the AM on the track and for tens of thousands of dollars less in cost of setup.
It's just not really a fair comparison. That said, it's highly likely I'll get a C7 in the next year or two to carry me into retirement. Cost of service and ease of getting it worked on are huge factors.
#32
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I'm not saying you agree with the statement you made but you understand the comparison. The AM was not built to be a track car and anybody who says, look at what the C7 could do to a AM on a track for 250K less is a idiot.
#34
yep!
On top of higher quality materials; low production, non-crossover parts, hand built and attention to detail add significant cost. Much more than just a name.
Aside from the fact that they both have performance characteristics and two doors, there is no comparison between any Corvette and a Vanquish.
Aside from the fact that they both have performance characteristics and two doors, there is no comparison between any Corvette and a Vanquish.
#35
Burning Brakes
Because someone is willing to pay $200K for it.
The reason why dont understand the price of an Aston Martin, is because you are not shopping for a car in AM price range. When that day comes that can comfortably afford a $200K car and you go shopping for one in that price range, I'll bet one of the last choices on your list is a 2014 Stingray. Why? Because you can afford something that is deemed 'better'. Notice I didnt say faster, I said 'better'. Better does not have to mean that AM offers more value.. better could be defined as many different things. Better could even be as simply defined as being more rare, exclusive and exotic. After all is that the reason why a diamond costs so much? Dont millions of people pay more for a diamond when a synthetic crystal gives the same look?
If we are really going to start questioning the price of cars and what we actually use them for then lets be realistic about this: Very, very few people in the world have a real use for a brand new $60,000 C7. I can buy a used C6 in great condition for $20,000 almost any day. Is a brand new C7 really worth 3x as much as a used C6? Why would you spend $60K on a new C7.. when you could have bought a used C6 for $20K. The same answer to that question is that same reason why an Aston Martin cost $200K. Because you wanted it.
The reason why dont understand the price of an Aston Martin, is because you are not shopping for a car in AM price range. When that day comes that can comfortably afford a $200K car and you go shopping for one in that price range, I'll bet one of the last choices on your list is a 2014 Stingray. Why? Because you can afford something that is deemed 'better'. Notice I didnt say faster, I said 'better'. Better does not have to mean that AM offers more value.. better could be defined as many different things. Better could even be as simply defined as being more rare, exclusive and exotic. After all is that the reason why a diamond costs so much? Dont millions of people pay more for a diamond when a synthetic crystal gives the same look?
If we are really going to start questioning the price of cars and what we actually use them for then lets be realistic about this: Very, very few people in the world have a real use for a brand new $60,000 C7. I can buy a used C6 in great condition for $20,000 almost any day. Is a brand new C7 really worth 3x as much as a used C6? Why would you spend $60K on a new C7.. when you could have bought a used C6 for $20K. The same answer to that question is that same reason why an Aston Martin cost $200K. Because you wanted it.
#36
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Just to add, the two actually are in completely different classes, and not because of the price difference. The Corvette is, and has always been, built as a sports car. The Vanquish is built as a grand tourer, not a sports car. It's a car to drive from coast-to-coast, or country-to-country, in style and sophistication with relative comfort and enough power to still pin you back into the seat while saying "What MPG?" Yes, the Corvette can be driven as a grand tourer, but that's not its main purpose.
Then there's Jay's review. I think he does a good job explaining it as well.
Then there's Jay's review. I think he does a good job explaining it as well.