Test driving a v8 vantage tomorrow

[malibudave]

I could resist it any longer, I've been considering the possibility off owning an Aston for around a year now and what with second hand prices hitting the 35k mark ownership is a real possibility:

Negatives: fuel consumption, servicing costs, road tax.

Positives: the looks, the sound, being able to say " shall we take the Aston", did I mention the looks and sound?

Anyone had an ownership or driving experience?

 

[buzyg]

Not owned one yet, but I do love the looks & the image. Might have bought a DB7 Vantage a few years back, when I bought the MR, but discovered I don't fit. I don't fit in the V8 vantage either.

I do fit in the DB9 though, so I suspect, when the day comes to move on from my middle aged need for a roadster, the DB9 will be very high on the list of replacements.

Sorry guys but it looks soooo much better than the Z4 coupe IMHO.

 

[Woots]

I've always said to the mrs I want to be able to say 'shall we take the Aston'

I've researched them quite a lot as its a potential for replacement of the zed and was in discussion with grange Aston about a year ago....
Ideally it's the 4.7 litre but I know they aren't in that price range but I'm sure the 4.3 will do

Not sure how fast it will feel but hopefully the noise will make up for it? Gearbox is supposedly a bit crap and not by but compared to the ///m it's prob a revelation

Let me know how it goes...

 

[Anonymous]

I could resist it any longer, I've been considering the possibility off owning an Aston for around a year now and what with second hand prices hitting the 35k mark ownership is a real possibility:

Negatives: fuel consumption, servicing costs, road tax.

Positives: the looks, the sound, being able to say " shall we take the Aston", did I mention the looks and sound?

Anyone had an ownership or driving experience?

Just watch the big bills, don't forget it's still a £170k car to repair but good on you

 

[Ewazix]

I genuinely know little about modern Astons beyond my neighbours experience so +1 what Kryton says and please get a warranty!

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=44420

 

[Sae]

I concur with your thinking, so really interested to hear how you get on, mostly how it rides on rubbish roads, and if you could try and parallel park on a steep gradient to test the usability of the gear box that would be appreciated

But have fun

 

[Darren Slone]

I really like the Vantage so I'm looking forward to your review!! Enjoy :driving:

 

[itguy]

Yep - I've been there too, considering the purchase.

I test drove a 4.3 V8V and also a DB9 - both were within reach financially.

The V12 in the DB9 is lovely and it's a great GT car. The 4.3 in the V8V felt a little lacking but MY GOD the noise.

I compared it to a nascar when I drove it - there is a butterfly flap in the exhaust system which opens up (think it's 4k rpm) which really allows it to bark. Below this it's a bit quiet.

Fit and finish good - satnav hopeless (it's a Volvo system). Nothing quite like looking at the dials and seeing them mirror each other in sweep.

Did I buy one?

No - because I thought I'd test drive a 911 Turbo.

Did I buy a 911 Turbo - yes I did.

Aston = heart purchase
911TT = head purchase

The 911 won over with the 4 seats (rear is enough for a baby seat, but we wanted it for the dog), extra performance, remap potential, totally solid feel on the road (4wd and german) and the fact that it really is a genuine supercar.

The 911 TT beats the V8V on driving dynamics - but not on looks or sound.

You pays your money etc...

 

[Stuart Truman]

I genuinely know little about modern Astons beyond my neighbours experience so +1 what Kryton says and please get a warranty!

+1 the cars are gorgeous, but a warranty is essential unless you're minted or don't mind taking out a second mortgage

 

[cj10jeeper]

Owned a DB9 for a real short time. Purchase must be from a main agent and full warranty. Cost are out of this world if it goes wrong. Specialist indy's will halve bills. Ironically the cheap purchase price reflects the cost of ownership.

Looks and sounds to die for, but costs to kill you

 

[Simon_P]

Some miss information in this thread.

Warranty not essential they are pretty well built cars nowadays not the Aston of old - see DB9. Suggest you just put the money you would spend on a warranty into a bank account for when something does go wrong unless you buy from a dealer and get one in the deal. If you buy a good car - make sure you check everything you should be fine. Clutch the big bill but I have a mate on original clutch with 60k at a specialist it's a £2k job. Otherwise as per his bills it's //M car running costs. Expect 15-20mpg.

Would rather have a 4.3 over the first 4.7 for the noise. You can have the open flap thunder all the time if you remove fuse22
Not sure where in the country you are but DMS are the specialist of choice in Derby.

 

[malibudave]

The dealer said that the 4.3 was louder as well. Some good tips have been posted cheers. I'll post my "review" tomorrow. Cheers.

 

[StevenH72]

I could resist it any longer, I've been considering the possibility off owning an Aston for around a year now and what with second hand prices hitting the 35k mark ownership is a real possibility:

Negatives: fuel consumption, servicing costs, road tax.

Positives: the looks, the sound, being able to say " shall we take the Aston", did I mention the looks and sound?

Anyone had an ownership or driving experience?

Just watch the big bills, don't forget it's still a £170k car to repair but good on you

Not sure if you've confused the Vantage (V8) with the Vanquish, but a V8 Vantage is an ~£80k car, more in line with 911 prices. Still not a cheap car, but the running/ maintenance costs aren't quite as astronomical as others may have hinted at.

 

[malibudave]

So just got back for the dealer. The car I drove was a 2006 v8 vantage with around 30k on the clock, Titinaium silver with the upgraded stereo, up for £39k.

Interior: it's nice inside but the central switch pack really let's it down and shows up the cars age and looks a bit plasticky, I have to say that I think the interior of my Z looks more modern. Perhaps it's almost an advantage the Z being so barren inside that there isn't anything to look old. However the driver instrument panel in the Aston is very special indeed. The seats are very comfortable and supportive and the seating position is actually similar to the Z, however the cabin feels much more spacious. Due to the rake of the screen the bonnet feels a long way away.

Driving: The steering is very direct, more so than my Z and it felt really planted on the twisties. It seemed to have quite a quick rack, you could have a lot of fun on proper driving roads. The brakes were also very positive and firm which felt very good. The clutch was very heavy and the bite point very high, not sure if this was due to clutch wear (the dealer assured me not), but it certainly took a bit of concentration to pull away smoothly.

I also struggled a bit with the accelerator, if felt quite unresponsive for the first 15-20 prcnt of travel. I like to heel-toe when decelerating but the revs just wouldn't blip. Maybe it's the sort of thing that one would adjust to in time, but the Z certainly has better response in that area. That said, once passed this dead spot it felt much better.

Acceleration, whilst I didn't give it everything (it was wet and I saw an unmarked police car on the way to the dealers), yes it felt rapid.

It was also very refined whilst tootling around, a lot quieter than I was expecting, which I was a little disappointed in, I would have preffered to be able to hear the v8 rumbling away, HOWEVER, we went though a tunnel with the windows open and gunned it and I am not ashamed to admit a bit of s£x wee came out, wow it sounded truly amazing!! It would be worth paying the money just for the sound!

So I'm not sure how I feel about it at the moment, it truly is a beautiful car to look at and when pushing on it sounds fab. It handles very well, but I think I need to drive a couple others to understand whether the clutch and accelerator behaviour is normal. The controls all feel a bit outdated but other aspects of the interior are really nice.

Finally the dealer offerer £9.5k in part ex for mine....... :tumbleweed:

 

[Woots]

Hmm I've heated the clutch is high and v heavy but I imagine it to be similar to the ///m

The flaps in the exhaust open at mid range rpm but u can remove a fuse (number 20 I think) and it opens them permanently..

However at 39k the 4.3 isn't vastly cheaper than a 4.7 which will be faster and much nicer centre console

Is 9.5 part ex good? I don't think it's too bad?

Hard to say, tbh I think I'd buy one on looks and sound alone...

 

[Simon_P]

It will have aged inside and not for the good as it was pretty funky when released 8 years ago - I agree the Z with carbon leather dash still looks fresh and better.

As I said remove fuse22 and you will have the noise all the time.

Is this car from an AM dealer with a full AM warranty? If not That is a high price and I wouldn't be paying anymore than £35k for a 4.3

When was the clutch last done and how old are the brakes? They are your two costly jobs.

 

[cj10jeeper]

That just sounds too much for a V8 unless its got a very special spec. and in the right combo.

Do call the Derby specialists. They were very helpfull to me in working out real costs, what to look for and what they can do, albeit on the more costly DB9
As mentioned those costs and inability for the dealer to revive a worn interior led to mine going back.

Would really love the V8 instead of the Zed though...

 

[malibudave]

Yeah I think your right, I would be looking to pay around the 35k mark from a dealer. Probably worth it as you get the years warranty.

I'll have a chat with the specialist in Derby, thanks for the tip.

I'm am quite pleased to say that I still got into my Z and it still felt special. Although when parked up next to the Aston it looked as if Kryton from Red Dwarf was sitting next to Megan Fox!

 

[itguy]

It really splits you in two doesn't it - that's how I felt after the test drive I had.

Amazing sound, great looks but v expensive to run and not massively rapid.

I hate to suggest this but you should try a 911 turbo manual as a comparison. Ok it would be a late well specced 996 for that money - especially if you can find an X50 car (extra HP from factory), but they really are very highly capable and a lot more affordable (and faster).

 

[malibudave]

Itguy, I think you are right, I am in that position where I am undecided, I guess I wanted to come away with an unwavering desire that I should get one!

I have only ever driven a Boxster S when I was last on the hunt for a car but it left me a bit cold. I guess a 911 turbo is on a different level though so I will try one.

Other cars I have been considering:

TVR T350
Caterham
Jag E type coupe mark 2
Z4M
Lotus Exige

I am a big fan of cars that are awesome but "flawed", not sure why, maybe it's the British part of me that loves a trier.