When launched, Jeremy Clarkson famously tested the V12 Vantage is almost silence. The car must have made an incredibly deep impression. Clarkson predicted – correctly perhaps – that it was the final ‘real’ supercar. With its massive normally aspirated V12 engine mated to  conventional manual gearbox, it appeals to enthusiasts. If you are considering something comfortable, cheap to run and easy to drive – walk away. With a production run of only 1200 examples, owners are reluctant to trade the V12 Vantage for a newer model. It you can find one, buy it and keep it forever. It’s the last of the line.

Why should you consider a VH3 DBS? It’s far rarer than the similar DB9 with a production run of just over 2500 coupes. It’s a genuine Bond car and in it’s time, it was the most expensive, most powerful, top of the range model. Initially only available with manual transmission, by the time production ended, most were delivered with the automatic Touchtronic 2. If you can stretch to it, a manual DBS coupe is a car to keep. 

Now, before you think I’ve lost my mind, I’m not going to suggest that a Cygnet should be your first Aston. But how about a Cygnet as a daily driver and a V12 Vanquish for weekends. Lets say you have a V12 Vanquish but you cannot use it every day as it’s impractical, thirsty and you only have limited mileage insurance. So what do you have as a daily driver? A previously owned Cygnet perhaps? Quite a few AM owners have seen the light. They are able to enjoy their favourite marque, save money and drive a stylish, comfortable yet extremely practice little car.

OK, so Volantes always fetch far more than their hardtop equivalents, but this desirability keeps prices very firm. They appear to be virtually depreciation proof. Their high value tends to mean that they are well looked after. The V8 Volante is a truly beautiful car and whatever they cost, they are still way way cheaper than a DB4/5/6 Drophead.

Now as Aston Martins go, the Virage coupe is quite plentiful. They sold very quickly at the very end of the 80’s and start of the 90’s yet demand dropped dramatically as the recession bit hard and demand has been slow ever since. Perhaps it’s the looks, an interior that has not aged well or a reputation for middling performance with less than optimum handling, but these £130,000 bespoke cars are now available for a fraction of this – a lot of car for so little money. Most are automatics and thus manual cars command a premium. Big car, fast, comfortable GT, huge road presence for a (relative) pittance. The Virage is now the cheapest entry level coachbuilt Aston Martin. And if you want more performance, you could always have it converted to a 6.3 litre. I personally rate the rarer Volante.

If you want an Aston without the potential problems of running a ‘classic car’ then you will not be surprised that the 6 cylinder DB7 is now very affordable both to buy and to run. Believe it or not, the early 94 and 95 cars are now regularly advertised at affordable prices – a bit of haggling by you could net a real supercar bargain! Volantes are only a little more expensive as they are only slightly rarer than the coupe. Autos and manuals were built in roughly equal numbers so you should be able to find a car that is just right for you. V12 Vantages are also now plentiful but I must warn you that V12 running costs are significantly higher than the i6. It is a very sophisticated car and very thirsty too.

The V8 Vantage is most popular Aston Martin of all time. Plenty to choose from worldwide. Maybe the best bet would be an AM Approved example. Special editions such as the N400 and N420 are well worth searching out although you should not pay a premium for them. A great place to start your search for a V8 Vantage would be https://used.astonmartin.com/

In production since 2004, the DB9 was the cornerstone of the range for over ten years. Glorious V12 engine with over 400 bhp for only a bit more money than a DB7 Vantage. Plenty to choose from, although most are either silver, grey or black. Cars from AM main dealers are perhaps a little more expensive but are often the best examples. A great place to start your search would be https://used.astonmartin.com/. Getting close to the bottom of their depreciation curve?

Spec note – manual DB9’s are rare – rarer than the desirable manual VH3 DBS.