Am I crazy? I've been kicking around the idea of buying an earlier Vantage V8 (usually a 2007 model) for a couple years, and have finally come across one that ticks all the cosmetic boxes for me. It's the first one I've seen in the exact color combinations I would choose, with the right wheels, etc. It's been lowered (don't know the details yet but it looks fantastic) and has an aftermarket exhaust. It's a 6-speed and has a fair amount of optional equipment, all things that I would choose if I was making one for myself. It has less than 12k miles. I've owned my Ferrari for 9 years so have some experience owning a fiddly car that I rarely drive yet costs a pile of money to keep up. I can afford to pay cash for the Aston. I'm not too worried about the purchase price or saving the last thousand dollars there. I'm more worried that it will eat me out of house and home with ridiculous reliability problems, etc. My Ferrari mechanic says he can work on it, so that's a good sign? I've searched fchat and saw a few threads related to the Vantage V8, with one guy saying the car is completely trouble-free and another guy saying it is a complete disaster. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who owns or has owned one. Reassure me or scare me away...
I have had exactly the same thoughts but never pulled the trigger on the move. I'll watch this space with interest. Good Luck!
Over the years I have been tempted by Aston's many times (most recently earlier this year a DB9 coupe), I have always found them gorgeous on the outside but not that special once you get into the drivers seat. I ended up buying a BMW 650i (a loaded rep demo car and then gave it the Dinan treatment as well as lightweight wheels and non runflats). I never compared an AM to any of my Ferrari's (or the Lambo), would have been unfair since I see them as GT cars not sports cars, though even as a GT car it just did not give me the feeling I expected (my Abarth is more fun to drive), so I think I have finally got the AM desire out of my system. There is an AM forum out there (I cannot remember the name), do a search there are some good people on it who can give you more info on ownership. Good Luck.
I really enjoyed my AMV8 (2007, 6sp manual), and it sold to another Fchatter this summer, up in Boston. Maybe mine was an anomaly, but I had no issues with it at all.
I've put 4k miles on mine this year so far and no issues (09 V8V). I see you're in Wisconsin, if you get to Chicago I'm happy to let you take her out for a spin.
Thanks for the offer! I'm actually going to be at Lake Forest Sports Cars on Saturday afternoon test driving one I'll probably buy if it checks out OK and we can come to an agreement. There are tons of great people on Fchat! The guy that bought Daniel's (Ricambi America) AMV8 earlier this year sent me his phone number and we talked for almost an hour, others have offered up valuable information offline, and now there's someone volunteering their own car for an orientation ride. Gotta love it! This adventure is going to be my first official implementation of my new policy to regret things that I have done rather than regretting things that I didn't do.
Aston has used the same names for so long, its hard to differentiate between them without seeing the model year. Everytime I see V8 Vantage, this is what I think the of! I would love to have this one!!!! Autosport Designs Mike
My original post says 2007 model year. But I would also love the late '70s, early '80s model like the one you linked. Not in my price range theses days, I don't think.
Absolutely, standing offer should you want.. or at least for another month until she hibernates for a little bit
Please, feel free! I borrowed it, as well. Although now I can't remember from where... Another new favorite I heard on TV the other day - Life's a roller coaster, but I'm tall enough to ride!
+1 My wife and I toured the factory in 1987. I was in love with those V8's. Amazing cars!!!! Mike Image Unavailable, Please Login
Well, I drove the car and I really like it. I drove it 3 times, about 20 minutes or so each time, and it drove much better than I was thinking it would. Made an offer, waiting to finalize the deal hopefully this week. I got the build sheet, looks like the car has every option except power pack (which is extremely rare), it's painted a custom color, and maintenance records show all services and campaigns properly completed. Original 7-spoke 19" wheels were replace a couple years ago with newer Aston Martin 5-spoke lightweight 19" wheels, which I like a lot better than the 7-spokers. It has a Quicksilver SuperSport Plus exhaust with hi-flow cats. I brought along my own OBD scanner and checked for any stored codes (there were none) and also checked to make sure all the OBD readiness flags were set. They were surprised I brought along tools and diagnostic equipment, apparently that's not typical for buyers of this kind of car, but didn't hesitate to let me do whatever I wanted to inspect the car.
Jeff, I owned a 2009 DB9 for a couple of years. Probably one of the most beautiful cars on the road. Tungsten silver over obsidian black. Gorgeous. Did everything well and had no major issues. Will never understand why Aston depreciates like a stone. Such a timeless virtually hand built classic. I would say buy one and get it out of your system. The best way to buy one is used as most of the depreciation will be taken out of the equation. Having said that I'm looking forward to the launch of the DB11 next year. It's an Aston Martin AMG collaboration. German engineering and electronics with Aston styling..could be a winner😊
Deal is done! It's being detailed a bit before I pick it up. Will be a few days before I get to take possession. Graz - that stone-like depreciation is the only way I'm able to own one! Most people have no idea that they could own a V8 Vantage for less than the purchase price of a new BMW 328. Maintenance is a bit more than a BMW but the pricing I've seen at the local AM dealer is not insanely crazy. The crazy prices are at the BMW dealer!
