Here is the pic in sunlight Fortress55

 

I'm not necessarily comparing a 360 to a Aston, just something else exciting for OP to look at . A 360 can be had for $68k-$70k with a Tubi and/or challenge grille and some nice options, although I would recommend (with Ferrari or Aston), finding the nicest example with the most preferable mods in your budget and going with that. That is a pretty similar price to the 4.3L Aston. The 4.7L Aston is significantly more expensive, about $20k more. I won't compare the two models any more than price, but I will highly recommend trying to test drive the 360 (with aftermarket exhaust is mandatory!) and at least consider it .

I don't see the 360 as more expensive to maintain, especially if you service it at an Indy shop which you should b/c Ferrari will eat your wallet. Tires are similar, brakes are similar, fluids are similiar, hour labor rate is similar. I'm not sure about Aston's belts, but a 360 belt job every 4 years is ~$2.2k, and a new clutch every 20k-25k miles is $5.5k at an Indy. Of course, for the same thing you'll pay 30% more at Ferrari. The 360 has proven to be a very reliable car, and is available in a 6 speed if you want to eliminate potential F1 issues at some point, although a new F1 pump is now only $850 at Racambi. The only scary part is the F1 actuator which can be like $10k if it fails, but that is rare and can also usually be repaired, or you can find a salvage/used one dramatically cheaper.

The Aston is classic beauty and elegance for sure. Great exhaust note, fun car. As Clarkson says though, I just don't think it's reaches down my trousers and gives me the same stir a Ferrari does . Again, keep in mind I'm biased

 

^^^ My friend has a 360 Modena 2004 with a Nuvolari exhaust and his car sounds amazing...

Do you have tubi, capristo, or Nuvalari exhaust?

I think Ferrari make the BEST sounding exhaust note in the planet. I love my DB9's exhaust note...it is absolutely brilliant...but when my buddy fires up his 360 w exhaust next to it...I realize there is nothing quite like the sound of the Ferrari. Aston is unique and sounds awesome in it's own right, brutish and raspy demi-high pitch with a throaty groan....but that short stroke flat crank Ferrari just sings a lovely song

 

sunir, Tubi and test pipes for me. It's quite a bit louder at high rpm's than Astons' stock exhausts are, very F1 sounding. I may prefer the Aston's throaty/gutteral cold start, but the 360's high pitch scream to life is great too. I've never heard an Aston in person with aftermarket exhaust, so I can't comment on how that compares. I will say the 360's stock exhaust sucks, so all 360's need some aftermarket exhaust or other, and preferably with test pipes too .

Powercraft makes the craziest 360 exhaust I've ever heard. Titanium and it's like $8k, lol. Beginning of this video is too close to the exhausts and shrill, but notice how great it sounds driving off in a distance, probably hear that thing 4 miles away..

 

^^^ wow dude that thing sounds amazing!!! sounds like a Challenge car more or less...that would be perfect for a CS screaming on the track!!

 

Damn, that thing howls like a banshee! Love the high-pitched wail.

 

The Aston doesn't have timing belts -- it has chains, so no need to change them every few years for a few $grand, if ever. While some people have had early clutch failures in their Astons, most go many more miles than 20 - 25K. While not cheap to replace, I think it's more like $3K+ at a dealer (someone correct me if I'm wrong) than $5.5K at an indy (what does it cost at a dealer?). $10K for an F1 actuator Glad I prefer three pedals and a lever...

"... b/c Ferrari will eat your wallet." That made me laugh (probably b/c I don't have a Ferrari). I think a 360 is a great car -- wouldn't mind having one at all But, I think your post supports my theory that it's more expensive to maintain than the Aston.

I certainly understand the bias thing -- I'll have a Ferrari at some point, but for me it's the Aston that really "reaches down my trousers."

 

Can people leave some numbers they paid for a new vantage clutch? Tia.