Vantage V8 Maintanance Vs Ferrari

I had a v8 for a while and I loved it-never had any problems really-engine is fairly bulletproof...plus, As a dd I think the Aston is a little more discreet, and slightly more unusual...(and it sounds amazing!)

 

I have a 2012 Vantage Roadster I bought last August and have just turned 14k miles and I just do the routine 10k mile/1 year maintenance (at my dealer the first service was only $600). I haven't had any serious issues, just some minor things (emissions system kept going off and vacuum pump that drives the exhaust flaps kept running). A friend of mine has a 2007 Vantage Roadster that he just turned 9k miles on and I know of two issues he had, one was the latch that released the deck lid that covers the roof wasn't releasing and second was the gas door not opening which was fixed in later models, other than that it's just the yearly maintenance.

Are you looking at buying new or used? I recommend buying 2009 or later, that's when they introduced the Glass key, refined the interior, and upped the engine from 4.3 to 4.7 litres.

 

FYI,huge difference in maint for a 355 compared to a california or 458,newer models just need fluid changes for the most part

 

I owned a 2009 Aston martin V8 and it gave me great service. The only trouble I had was the gas cap spring was not strong enough to open without a second person. The dealer fixed it under warranty. The car is a cruiser, comfortable but not really a sport car. I have owned three english cars the Aston and my Lotus Elise sport were trouble free. The Evora S was a disaster. After having so many problems I dumped the car.

I have owned 3 ferraris, 360, 430 and now a 458. I know nothing about the 355. These cars have different missions. If you like perfomance and handling Ferrari is the ticket to paradise. The newer Ferrari you get the easier it will be to live with. The service costs on these cars can be bone crushing. My 458 has been more like a normal car.

The better car is the 2009 ZR1. It is faster, and handles better. It is just ugly.

Good luck whatever you buy.

Best

Lee

 

I've been wondering the same, I am considering the Aston since I like the looks of the cars, and I think it is one car that you could drive around and few would know what it costs (mostly clients).

I never felt comfortable bring an F-car to a client, or even to work for that matter. I also think it does not bring out the jealousy that people display when there is an F-car in a parking spot.

 

This is a great point you make and I have thought about it alot. Most lelectronics if it makes the first 100 hours of operation should give god service. This is called infant mortality in engineering circles. In fact the military uses "military spec " electronics for critical spplications. This all assumes the electronic parts a sized correctl for the power load and not exposed to high temps.

My hope is shops will pop up to fix these boards. Most likely you will be able to exchange for a refurbished or a new board. I do not think it will be a problem. The prices will come down in real terms.

We can only hope

Lee

 

Also looking at the Astons, especially the Vantage with the 12. Good to hear they work, was afraid they'd be a nightmare.

 

My 2007 AMV8 has required nothing. Zilch.

 

My experience with the AM was perfect. They are very classy and eloquent cars. My car was the Vantage 8 cylinder. 425hp versus the 12 cylinder at 510hp. I did not drive the 12 cylinder car. My car was just a good cruiser. Maybe they make a sport car, DB9? I just donnot know.

Lee

 

I have had a 2009 Vantage for three years now, it has only required fluid changes. I have 15k on the original brigstones and keep waiting for them to wear out so I can put some Michelin PSS on.