V8 Vantage - what's it really like?
Discussion
It's almost service time (it's booked in for the 27th of this month) so I was going to update after that - but then figured it might be worth updating before and after - my mood might have changed after the service!
In fact, my mood isn't that positive at the moment anyway - which is often the case at this time of year, since the Vantage and the 360 both need MOTs and services. My "car fund" - which I pay into each month to cover the running costs - was looking very healthy. Enough so that I was considering finally getting the heated seat fixed as part of the service.
Unfortunately, in the last couple of weeks I had :
Tax for the Cayenne
Tax for the Alfa
Discovered the 360 had worn the inside of the front tyres out before it has worn the rears out. Full alignment + 4 tyres needed
The car fund is now slightly less healthy.
So - what's happened since the last update.....
Absolutely nothing that I can think of. The car is running perfectly and is faultless (well, apart from the heated seat). I haven't used it a huge amount - I've stuck to the Cayenne more this winter - but I'm sure that will change soon.
Most winters I've suffered from belt squeal - even though I have the update - this year, it's been silent.
If I haven't used it for over a week, then I'll get brake squeal initially (EBC reds) but that disappears within a mile.
Although I've not been giving it conscious thought, I can gradually feel myself thinking I'll own this car for a long time yet. Although it would be nice to have a newer one - I prefer the interior of the 4.3s, so apart from being younger (and a bit quicker) they don't really appeal that much.
So, at the moment I'm feeling very positive about the car. I plan to get an MOT at the end of this week, and I have the service next week (for which I've been quoted ~£420). Let's see if I'm still feeling positive after all of that.
If the Aston doesn't need anything extra - and if the Ferrari doesn't (it's a minor for that too, so should be relatively cheap - although they warned me last year that I may need ball joints soon) then I will probably take the Aston back to get the heated seat fixed in a month or two.
Next update in a couple of weeks......
In fact, my mood isn't that positive at the moment anyway - which is often the case at this time of year, since the Vantage and the 360 both need MOTs and services. My "car fund" - which I pay into each month to cover the running costs - was looking very healthy. Enough so that I was considering finally getting the heated seat fixed as part of the service.
Unfortunately, in the last couple of weeks I had :
Tax for the Cayenne
Tax for the Alfa
Discovered the 360 had worn the inside of the front tyres out before it has worn the rears out. Full alignment + 4 tyres needed
The car fund is now slightly less healthy.
So - what's happened since the last update.....
Absolutely nothing that I can think of. The car is running perfectly and is faultless (well, apart from the heated seat). I haven't used it a huge amount - I've stuck to the Cayenne more this winter - but I'm sure that will change soon.
Most winters I've suffered from belt squeal - even though I have the update - this year, it's been silent.
If I haven't used it for over a week, then I'll get brake squeal initially (EBC reds) but that disappears within a mile.
Although I've not been giving it conscious thought, I can gradually feel myself thinking I'll own this car for a long time yet. Although it would be nice to have a newer one - I prefer the interior of the 4.3s, so apart from being younger (and a bit quicker) they don't really appeal that much.
So, at the moment I'm feeling very positive about the car. I plan to get an MOT at the end of this week, and I have the service next week (for which I've been quoted ~£420). Let's see if I'm still feeling positive after all of that.
If the Aston doesn't need anything extra - and if the Ferrari doesn't (it's a minor for that too, so should be relatively cheap - although they warned me last year that I may need ball joints soon) then I will probably take the Aston back to get the heated seat fixed in a month or two.
Next update in a couple of weeks......
MOT and service done - so am I still happy, or have I driven it off beachy head and claimed on the insurance?
The car went straight through the MOT, and although there were no advisories I was told it only just passed. Apparently, the handbrake came up almost too far. When it's working properly it doesn't come up far at all. But I've still not replaced the dodgy calliper they mentioned at the last service so sometimes it will come up much further. I really need to get a calliper in the spring although at a new price of £250 it's a bit irritating.
Service was a minor - I've mentioned that I wasn't really impressed with where I took it this time so will find somewhere else next year. They did pick up on a few things I'll need to look at:
The well known Aston paint issues are present - a tiny bit of bubbling in the corner of the roof where it meets the rear window (drivers side). It is very small, so although it needs sorting it's unlikely to be this year.
Apparently I have a loose heat shield on the exhaust.
There were a couple of other comments which I disagree with (e.g 50% worn brake pads).
So, nothing particularly major. I do intend to sort the calliper out this year but will wait until it's a bit warmer.
No idea what they did to my tyres - maybe they got something on them from the workshop - but as I pulled onto the (dry) road from the garage, the back end literally went sideways. I didn't pull out quickly, and it's never done that before since I bought it.
Car felt great on the drive back, although that wasn't anything to do with the service.
So, at the moment, still very happy with the car. In just over a week, I'll take the Ferrari for an MOT - if they thought the Aston handbrake came up too high, the Ferrari is going to fail. I've used several different garages in the time I've owned it, and I'm not convinced any of them have adjusted it - even when I've asked them to make sure it's done. Since you need to get under the car and take the undertray off, I won't be doing it unless the weather warms up - so if the Ferrari does fail on that, it's likely I'll just get it all sorted at the service.
The car went straight through the MOT, and although there were no advisories I was told it only just passed. Apparently, the handbrake came up almost too far. When it's working properly it doesn't come up far at all. But I've still not replaced the dodgy calliper they mentioned at the last service so sometimes it will come up much further. I really need to get a calliper in the spring although at a new price of £250 it's a bit irritating.
Service was a minor - I've mentioned that I wasn't really impressed with where I took it this time so will find somewhere else next year. They did pick up on a few things I'll need to look at:
The well known Aston paint issues are present - a tiny bit of bubbling in the corner of the roof where it meets the rear window (drivers side). It is very small, so although it needs sorting it's unlikely to be this year.
Apparently I have a loose heat shield on the exhaust.
There were a couple of other comments which I disagree with (e.g 50% worn brake pads).
So, nothing particularly major. I do intend to sort the calliper out this year but will wait until it's a bit warmer.
No idea what they did to my tyres - maybe they got something on them from the workshop - but as I pulled onto the (dry) road from the garage, the back end literally went sideways. I didn't pull out quickly, and it's never done that before since I bought it.
Car felt great on the drive back, although that wasn't anything to do with the service.
So, at the moment, still very happy with the car. In just over a week, I'll take the Ferrari for an MOT - if they thought the Aston handbrake came up too high, the Ferrari is going to fail. I've used several different garages in the time I've owned it, and I'm not convinced any of them have adjusted it - even when I've asked them to make sure it's done. Since you need to get under the car and take the undertray off, I won't be doing it unless the weather warms up - so if the Ferrari does fail on that, it's likely I'll just get it all sorted at the service.
davek_964 said:
No idea what they did to my tyres - maybe they got something on them from the workshop - but as I pulled onto the (dry) road from the garage, the back end literally went sideways. I didn't pull out quickly, and it's never done that before since I bought it.
Check your tyre pressures, over the years I've had a few cars back from services with some interesting pressure settings which weren't like that when they went in!!Read the whole thread and many others bedside. Very helpful and honest. I’m currently deciding whether to make the jump to a first Aston. It would be an early 4.3 so I’m under no illusion about niggles
I’m kind of thinking it would be like running a Tvr of which I’ve had 4. Most of the jobs outlined on this thread I would do myself. Some of the suggested items on the services were a bit keen!
Anyway thanks for the info
I’m kind of thinking it would be like running a Tvr of which I’ve had 4. Most of the jobs outlined on this thread I would do myself. Some of the suggested items on the services were a bit keen!
Anyway thanks for the info
Milu,
My 4.3 is nothing like my old Tvrs (cerb&tuscan) in terms of running it.
The vantage is well designed and put together out the factory. My car has zero niggles (a few things needed to be sorted, but that's normal for all cars).
The parts prices for the vantage are high though when things need doing, much harder to find alternate fit parts (ie citroen coil packs for cerb etc.. Same part much cheaper), so reset your part cost expectations cf tvr diy.
I just spent £350 parts price on f+r brake pads FFS. In my head pads should be max 70 an axle!!
Biggest problem for me is throttle response, I wish I had a twin plate clutch and remap, but I'm not spending 5k on that, instead I've got my eye on another tvr to join the vantage
My 4.3 is nothing like my old Tvrs (cerb&tuscan) in terms of running it.
The vantage is well designed and put together out the factory. My car has zero niggles (a few things needed to be sorted, but that's normal for all cars).
The parts prices for the vantage are high though when things need doing, much harder to find alternate fit parts (ie citroen coil packs for cerb etc.. Same part much cheaper), so reset your part cost expectations cf tvr diy.
I just spent £350 parts price on f+r brake pads FFS. In my head pads should be max 70 an axle!!
Biggest problem for me is throttle response, I wish I had a twin plate clutch and remap, but I'm not spending 5k on that, instead I've got my eye on another tvr to join the vantage
stuthe
said:
said: Milu,
My 4.3 is nothing like my old Tvrs (cerb&tuscan) in terms of running it.
The vantage is well designed and put together out the factory. My car has zero niggles (a few things needed to be sorted, but that's normal for all cars).
The parts prices for the vantage are high though when things need doing, much harder to find alternate fit parts (ie citroen coil packs for cerb etc.. Same part much cheaper), so reset your part cost expectations cf tvr diy.
I just spent £350 parts price on f+r brake pads FFS. In my head pads should be max 70 an axle!!
Biggest problem for me is throttle response, I wish I had a twin plate clutch and remap, but I'm not spending 5k on that, instead I've got my eye on another tvr to join the vantage
I'd agree with that. Parts are pricey but the car far better constructed. Driving experience is remarkably similar though IMO. Lazy V8 that needs some revs to make it shift properly, not the sharpest handling but predictable in the tail so you can have fun without snappiness, lovely V8 burble and torque, long pedal travel and of course NA. My 4.3 is nothing like my old Tvrs (cerb&tuscan) in terms of running it.
The vantage is well designed and put together out the factory. My car has zero niggles (a few things needed to be sorted, but that's normal for all cars).
The parts prices for the vantage are high though when things need doing, much harder to find alternate fit parts (ie citroen coil packs for cerb etc.. Same part much cheaper), so reset your part cost expectations cf tvr diy.
I just spent £350 parts price on f+r brake pads FFS. In my head pads should be max 70 an axle!!
Biggest problem for me is throttle response, I wish I had a twin plate clutch and remap, but I'm not spending 5k on that, instead I've got my eye on another tvr to join the vantage
milu said:
Regarding suspension springs which have been mentioned a bit. Is it not better to go aftermarket for a set? Or is that frowned upon?
My issue moving away from OEM is insurance based. I had a specialist Aston policy on recommendation when I first bought the car but discovered at renewal main stream insurers were a fraction of the price of the specialists so I would rather stay stock for that reason. I must admit, when I needed the new front shocks it didn't occur to me to consider non stock. For the most part, I tend to keep my cars fairly stock anyway - and I don't generally use my Vantage as a car I push particularly hard on the twisty bits, so probably wouldn't benefit from the improvement anyway.
Having said that - I wasn't in the best mood last night, and happened to have the Vantage with me. The journey home was a little more "like I stole it" than it would usually be, and it did impress me. It's definitely carrying a tad too much weight - as is the driver unfortunately - but it felt like it was running great last night, and it really does sound superb when you open it up.
I was impressed enough that - although I knew it was going to be high winds and heavy rain today - I still wanted to use it for work. Slightly wetter roads this morning, but still a great drive.
Having said that - I wasn't in the best mood last night, and happened to have the Vantage with me. The journey home was a little more "like I stole it" than it would usually be, and it did impress me. It's definitely carrying a tad too much weight - as is the driver unfortunately - but it felt like it was running great last night, and it really does sound superb when you open it up.
I was impressed enough that - although I knew it was going to be high winds and heavy rain today - I still wanted to use it for work. Slightly wetter roads this morning, but still a great drive.
Riddochg said:
Milu. I'm with Admiral & I disclosed the Velocity springs and it didn't change the premium. Accept that other insurers may be a bit more sniffy.
That's interesting as I am with Admiral. I just assumed they would clam up at giving them anything out of the ordinary and you know what they say about assumption..davek_964 said:
Having said that - I wasn't in the best mood last night, and happened to have the Vantage with me. The journey home was a little more "like I stole it" than it would usually be, and it did impress me. It's definitely carrying a tad too much weight - as is the driver unfortunately - but it felt like it was running great last night, and it really does sound superb when you open it up.
I was impressed enough that - although I knew it was going to be high winds and heavy rain today - I still wanted to use it for work. Slightly wetter roads this morning, but still a great drive.
It is quite impressive when used in anger! The irony being its not a car that often pushes you to drive it like you stole it like my old Exige did (or my ex's E46 M3 that you couldnt seem to ever drive without being a hooligan!). I was impressed enough that - although I knew it was going to be high winds and heavy rain today - I still wanted to use it for work. Slightly wetter roads this morning, but still a great drive.
What I have noticed is for a "slow" car you notice in this sort of weather just how easily the rears light up in first and second.
Shnozz said:
Riddochg said:
Milu. I'm with Admiral & I disclosed the Velocity springs and it didn't change the premium. Accept that other insurers may be a bit more sniffy.
That's interesting as I am with Admiral. I just assumed they would clam up at giving them anything out of the ordinary and you know what they say about assumption..
Costs me about £380 fully comp.Just spent the last hour reading this thread. Very useful and entertaining.
I've promised myself a V8V (and surprisingly the boss hasn't objected) and so the OP's tale of ownership is enlightening.
Oddly, I have an Alfa Spider (916 series V6), so there do seem to be some parallels with the ownership experience albeit the AM one does appear vastly more expensive but I kind of guessed it might be.
I haven't yet decided where to set my budget and that may well come down to 4.3 v 4.7. Currently reading the Grant Neal guide so please do keep updating as my research continues.
I've promised myself a V8V (and surprisingly the boss hasn't objected) and so the OP's tale of ownership is enlightening.
Oddly, I have an Alfa Spider (916 series V6), so there do seem to be some parallels with the ownership experience albeit the AM one does appear vastly more expensive but I kind of guessed it might be.
I haven't yet decided where to set my budget and that may well come down to 4.3 v 4.7. Currently reading the Grant Neal guide so please do keep updating as my research continues.
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