to buy or not to buy aston v8 vantage

My mates 4.3 is still on the original clutch at 50k (this is the most expensive job however is only about £1500) and he has just had tyres and brakes done at DMS for a fraction of the dealer price. Looking at their prices it seems in-line with M running costs and with a very unstressed engine. For around £30k they seem a bargain GT car and cant see you losing much money at all. He has tracked his and although it was a bit wallowy it held its own admirably.
 
i'm looking closely at the V8 Vantage S at the moment, i think the 430bhp 4.7 is a good shout, but prices are much higher. I'd jump into a V12 in a heartbeat, but the V8 i'm still unsure about.

Interested to know what mods you'd do to one (pics)? I've not seen any modded that aren't just ruined.

Servicing costs are in line with a 100k car, which is what it is, or would of been. I sat in the N430 at the classic car show and the interior was nice, i didnt feel like it was dated personally, much nicer than the modern plasticy bmw's ive been in.
 
Agreed with all above I intend to add vantage s rear bumper and front bumper....oh and updated sills 20" alloys and updated suspension. Think that's it really :thumbsup:
 
Also to add when I was looking servicing is annual and FSH is important with these cars, this can add up especially if you don't do a lot of miles per annum. You could always service it as required but I'm sure it will affect the resale value, etc.

Clutches can be temperamental as others have said and the interior is poor.

That said they look and sound amazing especially with the N400 sills and so forth. Rear lights depend on the colour of the car :)
 
Hi Sid,

I know lots, having owned one for a few years. Not sure if you're still interested, but if so drop me a line or look on the Aston section of PH, stacks of information on there.

Bins
 
buzyg said:
Bincenzo said:
Hi Sid,

I know lots, having owned one for a few years.

Bins
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Pics Please :D
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Had a brief stint in a V8.. The first thing people tend to say is 'not worth the performance increase' but truth be told, it isn't the sort of car you buy just for the measurable performance. The sound and feel is beyond unique and makes up in spades for what you miss when going from the M imo. It just 'feels' more special. I guess a combo of badge, shoutiness, speed (although it actually didn't feel as exhilerating to drive as the Z in many ways) and handling. It depends what you want out of a car, I loved the Z however little things like the crashy rear suspension, and having a list of things that I wanted to do to make it perfect meant that I leaned towards something more accomplished/special out of the box.

Can't comment too much on running costs as I didn't have it long (had a nightmare importing it and didn't buy another as something else came up). It drank like a thirsty elephant though if that bothers you as im sure you're aware, and thinking about it in the two weeks I did spend driving it, the service light came on and off a few times. little things like the key matching that of a ford mondeo (as did some of the switch gear) and the useless sat nav were niggly little faults, but the 'power, soul, passion' coming up on the dash when you put the keys in made up for it :lol:
 
Jaw said:
Had a brief stint in a V8.. The first thing people tend to say is 'not worth the performance increase' but truth be told, it isn't the sort of car you buy for the measurable performance. The sound and feel is beyond unique and makes up in spades for what you miss when going from the M imo. It just 'feels' more special. I guess a combo of badge, shoutiness, speed (although it actually didn't feel as exhilerating to drive as the Z in many ways) and handling. It depends what you want out of a car, I loved the Z however little things like the crashy rear suspension, and having a list of things that I wanted to do to make it perfect meant that I leaned towards something more accomplished/special out of the box.

Can't comment too much on running costs as I didn't have it long (had a nightmare importing it and didn't buy another as something else came up). It drank like a thirsty elephant though if that bothers you as im sure you're aware, and thinking about it in the two weeks I did spend driving it, the service light came on and off a few times. little things like the key matching that of a ford mondeo (as did some of the switch gear) and the useless sat nav were niggly little faults, but the 'power, soul, passion' coming up on the dash when you put the keys in made up for it :lol:
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Interesting POV - which V8 did you drive? I understand there's quite the noticeable difference between the likes of the 380bhp 4.3 and the 4.7, and again in 4.7 430bhp flavour (and again with sportshift II)
 
jimmybell said:
Interesting POV - which V8 did you drive? I understand there's quite the noticeable difference between the likes of the 380bhp 4.3 and the 4.7, and again in 4.7 430bhp flavour (and again with sportshift II)
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Mine was an early 2008 reg so the 4.3, I can imagine the extra 50 bhp would be just what it needed to be fair!
 
For less money you can get either a late X100 XKR or an early X150 XKR which are quicker and just as easy on the eye and cheaper to run with better build quality -i guess it depends if you have to have the cachet of the Aston -i kind of get that if esepcially if your pockets are deep .
Unfortuantely 3 kids at posh school and then Uni does not equate to an Aston for me
Hope you enjoy it
 
Surprisingly, they are no more to keep on the road than a premium German motor. Annual servicing cost me about £500, assuming nothing needed replacing, tax was heavy at £480 p/a and insurance was about £400. Some consumables are very expensive - they eat clutches so you'd be better replacing with a twin plate clutch which will last significantly longer. 4.3 vs 4.7, big difference. If you're on a budget then do what I did, buy an early 4.3 and have the exhaust mod done at Bamford Rose, which upped the output to 420, which it needs. Don't get me wrong, it's a very quick car in any guise, but you need to be in the right gear at the right time in a 4.3. The 4.7/BR mode car has just that little more Tq which makes all the difference.
I would buy another in a heartbeat, as there is nothing that makes me feel quite as good as popping down the shops for a paper and returning 2 hrs later.....having emptied the fuel tank. It is a thirsty beast though, I averaged 16mpg over my ownership.
I don't buy the interior comments. It's a very pleasant place to be, and the dials are a work of art. What they lack is any decent tech, but as mine wasn't my DD, I never found it a problem.
Bins
 
Bincenzo said:
Surprisingly, they are no more to keep on the road than a premium German motor. Annual servicing cost me about £500, assuming nothing needed replacing, tax was heavy at £480 p/a and insurance was about £400. Some consumables are very expensive - they eat clutches so you'd be better replacing with a twin plate clutch which will last significantly longer. 4.3 vs 4.7, big difference. If you're on a budget then do what I did, buy an early 4.3 and have the exhaust mod done at Bamford Rose, which upped the output to 420, which it needs. Don't get me wrong, it's a very quick car in any guise, but you need to be in the right gear at the right time in a 4.3. The 4.7/BR mode car has just that little more Tq which makes all the difference.
I would buy another in a heartbeat, as there is nothing that makes me feel quite as good as popping down the shops for a paper and returning 2 hrs later.....having emptied the fuel tank. It is a thirsty beast though, I averaged 16mpg over my ownership.
I don't buy the interior comments. It's a very pleasant place to be, and the dials are a work of art. What they lack is any decent tech, but as mine wasn't my DD, I never found it a problem.
Bins
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Huge +1 on the dials.

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I actually like the lack of tech about them - Same as my porsche I think it adds to the sense of occasion, allowing you to just drive the thing.

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