Aston Martin

No first hand knowledge, but that car is class in my opinion....

 

Looks like it's being sold by an AM dealer. If it's CPO with a clean history, I'd go for it. Great colors, manual gearbox, low mileage.

As far as the car itself, I haven't driven one, but reviews say that the V8 wasn't overwhelmingly powerful. I think you should drive one before committing.

IMHO, it could be the most beautiful car being made today, though. Just more of a grown-up's car than a look-at-me toy car. Depends what you want. Would I take one over a 355? Yes, any day of the week.

 

There's a few rather meaningful threads in this subforum w/ regards to the Aston Martin Vantage V8 from the view-point of actual past/current owners & prospective buyers. Def' use the "search" & spend some time perusing them.

Reference:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302468

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278677

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259304

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230047


It seems like the general consensus is to go for an '08+ model-year offering as all/most of the quirks have been sorted out as well as a notable bump in performance due to the powertrain upgrade (4.3L to 4.7L).

I've been keeping an eye on residual/resale values of the Vantage V8 for the past few years. The depreciation for '06 model-year examples seemed to have bottomed up about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago. Obviously, winter pricing will differ from summer pricing. But, point-being that avg. mileage samples have been bogged in the low $60k's during the aforementioned time interval (possibly some high-$50k's acquisitions via motivated sellers, not too uncommon). Via auction, prices are less as to be expected.

What's avg. mileage for an A.M. Vantage V8? I'd say 5,000 - 7,500 per-year is avg. for such a vehicle (ultra-lux' GT manufacturer). More than that is above-avg, less than that is below-avg.

Aston Martin of Dallas is a part of the John Eagle European group of dealerships. They are a stand-up bunch. Their dealer-principal opened an Austin showroom, John Eagle European Aston Martin of Austin (along w/ Bentley & Lotus) a few years ago. I'm a frequent visitor there & they're all class acts w/o a doubt.

 

Power upgrade to 4.7 motor (420hp) happened in 2009 for the U.S. Market. It also included a new interior (dash) and the new glass key. SatNav got appreciably better, as well. In 2010 you could spec a Bang & Olufsen stereo (which is excellent, but added $10K).

2008s had all the goodies (ipod/aux, bluetooth, satradio, center console), but the old dash and the old 3.8L motor (380hp).

2007 didn't have the ipod/aux, satradio or center console (but did have bluetooth)...

They are very robust and very reliable cars. They aren't the fastest thing on the planet, but you could easily get along with one every day (my e39 M5 could easily take a 3.8 car; about even with a 4.7). Doesn't really matter - they're really excellent cars. They are also very easy to drive near the limit, which makes them seem slower than they are (chassis could handle more power, hence the intro of the V12 510hp car with little chassis mod).

2009s are quite a bit more expensive still than the 2008s (more than you'd expect from just a model year difference - the changes are that substantial).

Known issues: Wear on the buttons on the dash. Leather pulls/stretches on cover over instruments and on passenger side dashboard. Squeaky belts (mostly all fixed under FSAs). SportShift cars can wear the clutch if it came from a driver who thought it was "an automatic." Personally, I really love the 6-speed manual. Warranty is 3yr/unlimited from new, and you can easily extend the warranty at a dealership. I'm not sure I would, as the stuff which breaks is way less expensive than the warranty. Peace of mind might be worth it, however.

 

Great information. The Vantage is such a stunning car!

Off topic question... Is your Ferrarichat name a Grateful Dead reference (Wharf Rat)?

 

You perhaps mean 4.3L?

I recall reading about the the 2008 "V8 Vantage Power Upgrade" good for 20hp / 10ft-lbs. Was this available stateside?

Thanks for the other insights, nice to see the differences over the model-years.

 

So given a choice, an '09 would be the better choice than an '07 or '08? I too have heard about the SportShift issues and would think the manual would be the optimal trans. Do these car have issues with the convertible tops? And is the dash leather issue with the adhesives used, sun, heat or a combo of all?

 

Indeed it is. I love my Pearly Baker best.

 

Yes - I meant 4.3! Sorry!

 

If money were no issue, the '09 is defo the way to go. The difference is remarkable over a 4.3 car (and the dash is a lot nicer (and wears a LOT better)). I'd also get the 6-speed. Sure the SS is nicer in traffic (and no doubt quicker on a lap time)... ...but I'm after "driver joy," not trying to shave a few tenths out of my favorite canyon, you know? AND - I sure as heck ain't a-gonna buy my Aston to work best with Los Angeles' stop-'n-go, but rather for that grin it produces in the aforementioned canyon.

The leather issue is a combination of adhesive, and the pulling the leather does when exposed to sun. It's actually not eye-wateringly expensive to repair (but warranty usually covers it anyway). Convertible tops work perfectly, up to 30mph so they are non-issues (and the convertible is actually still a very stiff chassis - hence the reason Aston offered the Sport Suspension after 2008 on the convertibles too...)...

 

Yes - I did mean the 4.3L! Somehow I translated the 4.3's 380 hp into 3.8!

...which originally had 380hp. When Aston did the "N400" in 2008, it came with a different intake manifold which bumped power to 400. This upgrade is available through U.S. dealers (prices vary (duh), but generally $8-10K depending.

It's pretty expensive HP, if you ask me, and I'd spend that money on a 2009 or newer car...

When you drive an N400, you think (re: the 380 cars), "hmmm... is this maybe a little faster?" ...when you drive a 4.7 you think (re: the 380 cars), "holy cow, this a new ballgame!" It's a much bigger difference than you'd expect from what you see on paper.

THEN - I'd go get the exhaust from the 2011 Vantage S fitted - it sounds KILLER!