Aston Martin hasn’t always had the easiest ride as a carmaker, with cash flow issues throughout much of their existence and a current financial crisis threatening their future yet again. But, that hasn’t stopped them from consistently producing amazing cars over the years. For most enthusiasts, it might seem like owning one of these rare performance cars is a dream too costly to ever come true, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Of course, there are plenty of the brand’s models that command prices more than most houses, so they’ll only ever be within reach of the most deep-pocketed buyers. But, there are a few modern classic Aston Martins that have reached surprisingly affordable prices, with some even less than the average new car price of $45,000. Now, bear in mind that although this article is titled, “10 Cheapest Ways to Own an Aston Martin, “and while these ten cars are relatively cheap by performance car standards, they’re still not going to be suitable for anyone on a strict budget. That said, for anyone who just has to own an Aston Martin and won’t settle for anything less, here are the ten most cost-effective ways to do so.
8 Vanquish (1st Gen)
The first generation of the Vanquish was styled by Ian Callum, who will need no further introduction to anyone familiar with Aston Martin’s history. He took inspiration from the DB4 Zagato, aiming for a more aggressive design than the DB7 from the same era.
A V12 engine making 460 hp sat under the hood, and the car was reportedly capable of hitting a top speed of 190 mph. There was a lot of buyer interest in the Vanquish, but since it was handbuilt at the company’s Newport Pagnell factory, only around 2,500 units were ever made. Today, prices will start at around $51,000 for the cheapest examples.
7 Cygnet
The least Aston Martin-like model ever made by the brand, the Cygnet is a re-bodied Scion iQ that for some baffling reason Aston Martin decided to start selling at the start of the 2010s. Presumably a misguided attempt to cash in on the influx of buyers from major cities, the Cygnet predictably drew a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons.
However, as a weird novelty car, it still has some value, and it’s one of the cheapest Aston Martins on the market. Several examples are currently on sale in the UK, with the lowest sat just under $40,000.
6 Virage
It’s been nicknamed the “brute in a suit” by some, but whatever you want to call it, the Virage is not one of the company’s finest looking models. Its blocky design and parts-bin lights don’t look expensive, but in fact, it’s one of the most expensive cars on this list.
Most examples sell for over $70,000, and some even go for considerably more. That’s largely down to the Virage’s rarity and the fact that its 330 hp V8 was a revelation for the era, taking this big luxury grand tourer to proper sports car levels of acceleration for the first time in the brand’s history.
5 DB7
The DB7 is at an age where it’s too old to be considered contemporary, but not old enough yet to be a true classic. That makes it a bargain for used buyers, as prices start from as little as $29,000 for medium-mileage models.
It hails from the era when Aston Martin was under the ownership of Ford, and it shows in the car, as several parts come straight from Ford’s parts bin. For anyone who doesn’t mind the idea of their performance car sharing parts with Ford’s economy sedans, the DB7 is arguably the best value Aston Martin on the market.
4 DBS V12
What happens when buyers take a look at the DB9 and demand more power? Well, the DBS V12 happens. Not to be confused with the 2019 DBS Superleggera or original 1960s DBS, the DBS V12 is essentially a DB9 but with more power and a lighter curb weight.
It also sports a few visual differences from a standard DB9, including its white rear lights in place of the standard red ones. Examples that are already in the US tend to come with a significant premium, but sourcing them from abroad can keep costs down to around $100,000 for the car.
3 Rapide
A four-door, four-seat Aston Martin, the Rapide was already a departure from the brand’s usual fare as soon as it left the factory. It struggled to attract customers, and now it’s around ten years old, it’s even cheaper to buy one used.
The general mania around used cars in the American market has seen prices shoot through the roof, and the Rapide has been affected by this. A few years ago, it was possible to buy one for under $50,000, but now it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to get their hands on one for less than $65,000.
2 V8 Vantage
The smaller, cheaper alternative to a full-fat DB9 was the V8 Vantage, sold between 2005 and 2017. It became one of Aston Martin’s best-selling models ever, and as a result, there are plenty of used examples on the market to choose from.
That’s also helped keep prices low, and it’s possible to get one for less than $40,000 today. Not only is it one of the cheapest Aston Martins on the market, the fact it was sold unchanged up until 2017 means that it’s one of the most modern-looking cheap models too.
1 DB9
If the V8 Vantage doesn’t have quite enough presence for you, then a DB9 is probably the answer. The company’s “DB” series cars have become one of their most well-known features, and it’s worth noting that since the DB10 was never sold for production, the DB9 is only one generation away from the current DB11 sold in dealerships.
The DB9’s design has aged well, and it continues to have a fanbase, but prices are still dropping. Prices start at around $50,000 right now, but in a few years’ time, it might be possible to get one for even less. In fact, in the UK, it’s already possible to buy one for $35,000 for the cheapest examples
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