affordable Aston Martin V8 Vantage

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imp75

Senior member
 Hartlepool
Happy new year everyone!
Since selling my z4 last spring, I have been unable to contribute to the forum and for 6 months couldn't even look at the site due to chronic envy! (its was always saved in favorites and bookmarked on my phone!) Volvo ownership is good for the family safety but not the heart.........
Anyway, a better, more informed and enthusiastic bunch of motorists I can't think of to ask about a potential lifestyle business I have in mind.......
In short, what would you expect to pay for a time share with car like an AMv8 coupe, or Maserati GT? More importantly, what would you be happy/comfortable to pay?
Basic scheme : 10 days use p.a. allowance of 1000 miles (more could be purchased at say 65ppm), includes 2x two day weekends. Tax, maintenance and insurance. Similar to prestige car hire, but limited to say 15 drivers a year so not to trash the interior etc and keep availability quite accessible.
All comments welcome!
Ps I won't be adorning the car with red wheels :)
 
If there were 15 people in the scheme, you would get 24 days, and say for a total investment of £100k that would cost £6,666 total buy in, say financed over 3 years gives £2,500 inclusive of maintenance or about £200 a month.

Which I don't think is that bad
 
It's a good idea, and have seen it mentioned on various forums over the last 10 years. It can work, but you have to be VERY careful and make sure every party is aware of all the terms & conditions involved.
  • Is it a 'business' offering, or simply a car owned/run by a few friends. If the former then you'd have to have 'hire or reward' insurance which will be considerably more costly than private insurance.
  • You've also got the issue of working around unscheduled downtime when there's been an accident/breakdown, and when it's scheduled to go out for a day/weekend/week. Do you have something in reserve, do you offer the 'subscriber' a refund/compensation?
  • What rules will you put in place (and how will you enforce them) to ensure the car is returned in a good state and not abused/thrashed?
  • Who owns or is the registered keeper of the car - and who is responsible for parking/speeding tickets, etc.
 
Great idea tried many times but many hurdles to get over before it works .
On a personal level any such scheme would only interest me if the car was something that appealed 8)
Lamborghini Gallardo ? http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2009/nopq/2009-Premier4509-Lamborghini-Gallardo-Side-Angle-1280x960.jpg
£200 a month ? :cry: where do i sign ? :)
 
A previous boss suggested one of the specialist clubs as a route to get into a Ferrari after he recommended not buying one "as the unreliability would make you unhappy"

Some of the pitfalls to watch out for are:

That EVERYBODY wants it at the weekend.
You have no idea how well treated they are.
The mileage restrictions are onerous meaning you don't really get to use it as you'd want to etc etc

Upsides are, you can rag it and hand it back (see my last paragraph!) no unexpected service horrors etc etc

Shared ownership or clubs are not for everyone, but it is a route in. My Bosses spent more time in the workshop than on the road including a major electrical malfunction on the weekend he took delivery of it, on the way to Silverstone for the F1. Not a happy story

Another friend owns his own 360 and as long as you don't mind an Inspection II price for a basic service, you'll have a car that most people would love to own. For about £1300, his dealer collects the car on a low loader, takes it away, services it and delivers it back. From Exeter!
 
sars said:
If there were 15 people in the scheme, you would get 24 days, and say for a total investment of £100k that would cost £6,666 total buy in, say financed over 3 years gives £2,500 inclusive of maintenance or about £200 a month.

Which I don't think is that bad
Click to expand...

I am thinking of trying with a used car first - put on a private plate - a lot of people wouldnt know the difference. Car with 30k on the clock and a good valet shouldnt be too far from showroom fresh - lower outlay = lower subscription/membership costs.
Reason for 10 days simply to keep the mileage down.
 
Have a look at some of the shared ownership agreements for light aircraft. It shouldn't take the brains of an archbishop to translate it to car ownership. They tend to be more pay as you go plus a flat fee. There's normally also a section about advance booking requirements, fair use etc etc
 
mmm-five,
I would like to run as a business - purchase/lease as business asset. Im awaiting insurance quotes (ill make sure im sat down when i speak to the broker)
As for unscheduled downtime; good point - ive yet to address this issue.....possibly offer extra free miles for someone inconvenienced by a need to reschedule. Perhaps have a set up where, with a definate need for the car = eg wedding, booked weekend away, have the car 'laid up' for a couple days before hand so less likely to be handed back the day before with problems - like i said not sure on this yet. Another benefit of only 10 days per driver is there should be plenty of remaining availability.
There could be a contract to sign a little like rentacar/avis etc that includes a condition report - showing existing wear and tear - and explains that incurred cost - fines - are responsibility of the driver and accept that their details would be passed to appropriate authorities.
 
The place I work at hired a few super cars for a couple of days decently, it was very expensive. They had trackers fitted and they were monitored...
... the cars went back early when they were found to be doing excessive speeds :roll:
 
Mr Wilks,
A Gallardo is still too expensive as a used buy at the min for my risk/reward profile! maybe if I successful with something else and buy a second, Id be in a position to spend more 8)
 
Stuart Truman
I would agree 'That EVERYBODY wants it at the weekend' two weekends a year is not a lot but if the price was commensurate then perhaps the remaining weekend requirements could be bought separately.

The mileage restrictions are onerous meaning you don't really get to use it as you'd want to - again i totally agree, but selling extra miles might appease the heavier user.

Id like to think the servicing can be handled by specialists on a used car - 4 years old or so keeping costs slightly less eye watering.
 
Herminator said:
The place I work at hired a few super cars for a couple of days decently, it was very expensive. They had trackers fitted and they were monitored...
... the cars went back early when they were found to be doing excessive speeds :roll:
Click to expand...

Im not sure about monitoring them - not yet anyway - but good idea. Having corporate use could be a money spinner but i doubt id get involved with that as Id like to vet the drivers personally.
 
What if the car is involved in an accident and is off the road for 5-6 weeks?
Would you expect the Insurance Co to provide a same spec vehicle whilst being repaired?
 
Jimbo
ive only had one accident on a car before - subsequently my e46 328 was written off - i ended up with an e90 for a month whilst they sorted out what they were going to do. perhaps im being naiive but i would hope to be provided with something of decent value. if i knew how long i was gonna have it then a bonus for the users as the could share the time amongst them , as its not my car, the mileage etc would revert to unlimited......
 
Why is it not worth buying then selling with the associated loss?

That way you keep the car as much as you want and sell at a slight loss?
 
shawna said:
Why is it not worth buying then selling with the associated loss?

That way you keep the car as much as you want and sell at a slight loss?
Click to expand...

im looking to see if its viable way of not only avoiding a loss but actually making a viable profitable business case for it that can be scaled up within 12 months.
 
Is anyone from the forum an insurance broker that deals with the kind of commercial insurance I might need? - Insurance seems to be the only stumbling block so far.....I thought I had this sorted but Towergate came back with a 'computer says no' despite advertising exactly what I need :thumbsdown:
 
Cheers Andy - like I said I found it hard to hang around until the pain of being zed-less died down :oops: Gotta say, you've been busy with the posts! :thumbsup:
 
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