Nik has a 2010 Aston Martin Vantage that he really likes, but he’s interested in something different. He wants something with style and exclusivity like the Aston and therefore doesn’t want to buy any of the typical brands. With a budget of around $100,000, which car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
Well, I’m in a bit of a conundrum. I have a 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage that I love because it is my fun car. I’ve owned it for 4 years. However, I feel the urge to buy something else. Guilty pleasure. I’m a big Mustang fan, but I only like the “special” ones. I own a manual transmission GT500/Saleen/Roush and have been looking at the GT350.
I own an older RR l322 that I use for camping/off-roading/hiking and commuting with friends to/from the bar, and an E-Class (extremely boring and slow) for my daily commute. Could sell the Rangie and drive it daily.
Anyway, I’m looking to replace my Vantage with something similar or better as far as excitement goes. Not interested in any EV/Truck/BMW product…and wouldn’t prefer Porsches either
I want something with the style and exclusivity that the Aston offers. Budget 100,000.
Fast Facts:
Budget: $100,000
Location: Arizona
Daily Driver: Yes
Want: Style, speed, uniqueness
Do not want: An electric vehicle, a truck or a “predictable” choice
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Speed and Style
Nik, you really like your Aston, but you’re also drawn to the high-end Mustangs. You want something that looks good and also has the strength to back it up. What you need is a Viper. Sure, you could get the faster Challenger Demon or a Shelby SuperSnake, but those will simply be more powerful versions of “normal” cars. If you want to turn some heads, a viper will still draw a crowd. Personally, I’d go for a late 90s GTS coupe, but I’m a sucker for nostalgia. If you’re not interested in something that old, a $100,000 budget will get you a 2005-2010 SRT-1o coupe or roadster.
I like this 2006 with the classic white stripes over blue. Under the hood is the massive 8.3-liter V10 with “only” 510 horsepower, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a normal driving scenario where that isn’t enough. The interior is typical of a mid-2000s Dodge, but no one will care when the exterior looks this good and the sound of that V10 can be heard from the road. Vipers hold their value well, so you can cross this one off your wish list and move on to something else with little loss in value.
Expert 2: Bradley Brownell – You gotta get the Vette
You’ve played around with a few pony cars and British luxury junk, but it’s time to get a real American sports car. While I think Tom’s Viper suggestion is a great idea, there is no substitute for the speed and refinement of a Lingenfelter-tuned Corvette. The Michigan-based tuner launched with the already incredible C7 Corvette Grand Sport with pretty much every option, including the incredibly cool carbon aero package. Then the engine was built to produce 650 naturally aspirated horsepower. You couldn’t ask for better.
This bad machine is currently available on eBay for a Buy It Now price of just $72,997. I don’t think there’s anything else on the planet that would offer this speed for that kind of money. Unlike your Mustangs or Astons, this thing isn’t afraid of corners and has the tires and downforce to cruise around the track at maximum speed. Buy it and don’t look back.
Expert 3: Amber DaSilva – A life of luxury
Nik, you seem like a person to me taste good. You have your Range Rover, you have your $100,000 budget – you appreciate the finer things in life. How about one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving? I present to you the Lexus LC500.
The LC is of course sleek and fast, which is a given for a six-figure V8-powered coupe, but the car really does have an incredible amount of character hidden in its powertrain and chassis. It’s rough, it’s aggressive, it wants nothing more than to hug curves or throw your tail out and slide through them – all without making your country club arrival look like a midlife crisis. I assume that all people who can afford $100,000 cars belong to a country club.
Here is a beautiful convertible in Scottsdale within your budget, but you have the budget to look for new models too. Go for Copper Crest if you can find it.
Expert 4: Daniel Golson – AMG stands for “Amazing, Must Get”
Speed, style and exclusivity? What you need is a Mercedes-AMG GT. There’s a lot for sale in your price range, including some of the later facelifts (what you really want is a GT C), but I chose this 2017 GT S for its blue-over-brown trim. Currently listed for $89,000 With less than 14,000 miles on the clock, it features the coveted Dynamic Plus package, which includes adjustable dampers, dynamic engine mounts, a wider rev range and Race mode.
Firstly, the GT still looks phenomenal almost a decade after its debut. The hood is incredibly long and stance is excellent; Overall it’s just a beautiful car. Sure, these things are annoying, especially when you’re trying to park, but isn’t that part of the fun? Additionally, you have a very practical hatchback cargo area and the interior is every bit as luxurious as you would expect from a Mercedes.
The GT’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 is one of the largest turbocharged engines of modern times, and in GT S trim it pumps 503 hp and 473 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a nice 7-speed dual-clutch automatic . In Car and Driver testing, it reached 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, which is still pretty darn quick these days, and its front-mid-engine layout makes for excellent weight distribution and good handling characteristics. Although it’s not the most maneuverable sports car on the market, it will more than hold its own on a good road and is sure to make you smile. And since only about 1,500 copies are sold in the USA each year, it is also a rarity.