New owner - My Aston story, sand raced lemon? + picture.
Discussion
There doesn't seem to have been a story for a while, so here's mine.
My Path to Aston ownership started a long time ago, I think it was Top Trumps back in 77. In the playground the old heavyweight Vantage beat almost everything. 0-60 in 5.3seconds, 380HP and 170 top speed, it was the winning card. Only the Berlinetta Boxer or Countach were rivals.
Like many kids, I dreamed of Ferraris, Lambos, Astons and Debbie Harry pinned up on my bedroom wall. I distinctly recall a conversation with my uncle where i said “…one day I’m going to have one of those.” Even then I knew Astons were different, they were driven by the coolest of the cool, just ahead of Interceptor owners with their essential packet of 20 Dunhill Red and blond “dollybird” in the passenger seat.
Apart from a short teenage spell thinking I could build a Dax Cobra, or James Deans “Little b
d” on a shortened VW floorpan, it was only ever going to be an Aston Martin that would fulfil my automotive dream. As the years passed, dreams remained just that, marriage, mortgages, children, school fees and uni fees took hold! My dream never really had a chance.
However, in 2005 when the new Vantage appeared, the longing started again. In my eyes it was the most beautiful of creations, the prettiest of all the current Astons. To this day its flowing lines have not been bettered, from every viewpoint it's simply stunning. When Fisker penned it, he knew when to stop. Less is more as they say. If only Jaguar had done the same instead of over-designing the F-Type, they too would have a classic on their hands. The Vantage is a timeless automotive goddess, Venus and she had cast her spell.
A new Aston wasn’t really an option, so I simply had to wait for the price to drop whilst working on the family to accept the inevitable purchase. For the sake of harmony they would need to be on board.
Research consisted of PH classified, this forum filled with info & banter, and the “Book”. These were crucial in knowing exactly what I wanted and what to do in order to buy the right car. I set my budget at 40k, 45 if I could squeeze down the price of an early 4.7. For anyone considering a Gaydon Aston, get the book, everything you need to know and more is in there.
Then around Easter time, the ball unexpectedly started rolling. On a local website the private sale of what looked like a 2009 4.7 Vantage with just under 13000 miles for 39K… yes 39K! It had to be a typo, but it stayed there for a couple of weeks. I pointed out to my wife that this was a bargain as I’d seen good 4.3s around at this price but not a 4.7. Anyway, that didn’t work with her, even though my cookie jar along with my creative “man maths” could make it work.
So I called the owner anyway, immediately saying I wasn’t a buyer but could we just talk about the car and ownership, and… was that price right? We talked for half an hour, it was indeed a 4.7, it was demo specked up when new with premium audio, heated memory seats, phone etc etc. All the options apart from the sports pack. He was the second owner, had had it for two years and had simply had his fill. The price by the way is a Channel Island price, remember we have no VAT down here.
It sounded like he’d really looked after it too, it lived indoors, had been Swiss Waxed and detailed with some extra gunk to make it extra shiny. To top it off it had a full dealer service history too. The only negatives he pointed out were that the wing mirror stalks were starting to bubble ever so slightly, don’t they all? And inside the passenger top leather facia panel could do with a little fettling as the leather had come unstuck in the Channel Island heat. Plus there was no warranty left.
It all sounded perfect, not having the sport pack option didn’t bother me as the roads around here are bloody awful. Plus I saw myself cruising through Europe rather than hacking it down the country lanes. Anyway, the GT softer ride was to my benefit. However the 20 spoke wheels weren’t my favourite. But hey-ho, what does that matter, I wasn’t buying it was I.
It stayed on the website for a couple more weeks and then it was gone, as was the opportunity. st, sold I thought. Then whilst dropping my youngest off to school, on the forecourt of a local garage I saw her again, Lightning Silver gleaming in the sunlight, the same car but now with a £46,995 price tag. I strolled by and chatted to the garage owner and asked if it was indeed the same car I’d seen and questioned the significant price hike. “Aghh yes, well it needs a service in September and that’s included in the price, as is a 12 month warranty, we’re selling it on behalf of the owner.”
Well she stayed on that forecourt week after week, the price went down though to 43K, still a bargain, but my opportunity had gone at 39.
In passing I popped by again, asking why it still hadn’t sold. The dealer was as surprised as I. The only reason they could give me was that they had sold a couple of 4.3s and an N400 in the proceeding months and that everyone who wanted a Vantage had already got one, even though this was by far the nicest of the lot, they said. I had to agree, I even liked the classy diamond cut wheels glinting in the sunlight, a modern twist to the spoked wheels of earlier Astons. I put it to the back of my mind again.
Then out of the blue I received a phone call from the owner I originally called, asking if I was still interested in his Vantage, and if so, he was willing to let it go for 36K as he had a new car on order and needed to get shot of it quickly. “Give me 24 hours” I said.
OK, at that price I had to get my wife to bend a little about this being my 50th Birthday present and i wasn't 50 yet. So, I mentioned it in passing in a blasé kind of way. Unexpectedly without hesitation she said “yes, of course, what an opportunity.” Well that wasn’t hard I thought.
The following day however I started to have my doubts, I’d waited for this day for so many years, and here it was. The moment I was actually buying my dream car. Everything started to feel wrong. What if it had been stuffed or raced on the beach and was a real lemon? Why hadn’t it been sold on the forecourt? Let me quickly add, I’m very much a “glass always half full” kind of guy, so this wasn’t like me. But add to this that I’d not had a test drive, in fact I hadn’t even sat in or driven a Vantage before, and that’s why I was getting cold feet. The only Aston I’d ever driven was a V12 DB7 for my best friends wedding, and that I stalled 3 times. What if I didn’t like the drive? They say don’t buy the first one you view, look around as there are plenty for sale, and get it inspected professionally. All that had gone out the window and I was jumping in feet first without an inspection…. or a drive.
So I sought advice from my buddies at work, silly really as they were only ever going to say, "buy it". When you’ve saved every penny it’s a lot of cash. Looking back, what was I thinking? Doh!
Anyway, good job I had my reservations and talked it through with my mates. One pointed out the glaring obvious, the owner really needs to sell it as he’s called you, so why don’t you make him an offer and let his reply be the deciding factor.
And so I did, I made an embarrassing insulting offer that could not be said out loud, it could only be delivered by text. It was worth a shot.
The reply came in a matter of seconds, if I could transfer funds by Friday I could have the car and the deal was done.
A year to the day has now passed, did I bag the biggest bargain or had I bought a real sand raced lemon?
Well, as mentioned it had a full service history, all officially stamped up so after only a month of ownership I took it to my local Aston dealership who gave it its yearly service for £680 and found nothing wrong with it. Phew!!! They even performed some outstanding recall issues. They were very good, however they did try and sell me £900 worth or rear pads and discs, i kindly refused this generous offer as through this very forum I was up to speed on Padget pads from Eurocarparts and their famous 30% sale offers. The discs were fine so I only really needed pads at £125.00 plus £60 fitting by my local garage.
Has Aston ownership lived up to my expectations?
Well, it’s exceeded all of them, I just find myself making excuse after excuse to drive. It may not be the fastest like my Top Trumps Aston from the 70s, but it makes me feel special like no other car has ever done, I feel privileged owning and driving it and I especially love the sound of it ticking when its cooling down, real cars need to tick when cooling off.
As people have said so many times on this forum, you’re let out at junctions, into queues, onlookers smile, and people stop just to talk to you.
What else can I add? The plinth was the first thing to come off, a simple process. Fuse 22 is out. I hard wired a switch, a simple task, if anyone is interested, £25 parts on ebay and a 2 hour job. Anyone can do it and in my opinion less hassle than looking for the IR remote switch when you need it. The V8 sound is awesome, but you get used to it, I wanted just a hint more loudness, so I replaced the cats with a pair of Quicksilver 200 cell cats. To begin with I thought it was just a tad too much, however the sound is addictive. It’s the reason behind my 11.5 MPG average, which is fine as I feel I’m entitled to my share of the oil reserves. You do need the switch though otherwise it could be seen as a bit OTT at times.
I have found she runs better on 97 instead of 95, it could be psychological though but she seems more “instant”. The wing mirror stalks got sorted via a “good will” Aston warranty claim, Initially they were to be painted however with a bit of persuasion I got them Powder-coated. The lifting leather facia panel has been fixed for £25.00. Aston wouldn’t “good will” that, fair enough, but it was very simple to remove and then a yacht upholsterer stretched and glued the leather back down to be as good as new.
A V12 Gear knob from Astonmartinbits.com has finished the interior, and I do think the extra weight improves the shift. Clear rear lenses bring it up to date and suits the Lightning Silver colour. They were also from AMBits and really finish the tail end off. John is such a helpful chap, offering first class service.
And Sills, V12 or N400? No way, why would I give Venus love handles. There’s no denying they look good with sills, however I prefer the purity of design without them. And when the clutch goes, as it will one day, it will be off to Bamford Rose.
A year on and it looks like i avoided the sand raced lemon. I still can’t believe this object of beauty is mine, I’m a very lucky guy. And I love saying “Shall we take the Aston?” It’s not really a question, is it.
As promised at the start, the all important new owner picture, hope you like and that my ramblings haven’t gone on too much.
My Path to Aston ownership started a long time ago, I think it was Top Trumps back in 77. In the playground the old heavyweight Vantage beat almost everything. 0-60 in 5.3seconds, 380HP and 170 top speed, it was the winning card. Only the Berlinetta Boxer or Countach were rivals.
Like many kids, I dreamed of Ferraris, Lambos, Astons and Debbie Harry pinned up on my bedroom wall. I distinctly recall a conversation with my uncle where i said “…one day I’m going to have one of those.” Even then I knew Astons were different, they were driven by the coolest of the cool, just ahead of Interceptor owners with their essential packet of 20 Dunhill Red and blond “dollybird” in the passenger seat.
Apart from a short teenage spell thinking I could build a Dax Cobra, or James Deans “Little b
d” on a shortened VW floorpan, it was only ever going to be an Aston Martin that would fulfil my automotive dream. As the years passed, dreams remained just that, marriage, mortgages, children, school fees and uni fees took hold! My dream never really had a chance.However, in 2005 when the new Vantage appeared, the longing started again. In my eyes it was the most beautiful of creations, the prettiest of all the current Astons. To this day its flowing lines have not been bettered, from every viewpoint it's simply stunning. When Fisker penned it, he knew when to stop. Less is more as they say. If only Jaguar had done the same instead of over-designing the F-Type, they too would have a classic on their hands. The Vantage is a timeless automotive goddess, Venus and she had cast her spell.
A new Aston wasn’t really an option, so I simply had to wait for the price to drop whilst working on the family to accept the inevitable purchase. For the sake of harmony they would need to be on board.
Research consisted of PH classified, this forum filled with info & banter, and the “Book”. These were crucial in knowing exactly what I wanted and what to do in order to buy the right car. I set my budget at 40k, 45 if I could squeeze down the price of an early 4.7. For anyone considering a Gaydon Aston, get the book, everything you need to know and more is in there.
Then around Easter time, the ball unexpectedly started rolling. On a local website the private sale of what looked like a 2009 4.7 Vantage with just under 13000 miles for 39K… yes 39K! It had to be a typo, but it stayed there for a couple of weeks. I pointed out to my wife that this was a bargain as I’d seen good 4.3s around at this price but not a 4.7. Anyway, that didn’t work with her, even though my cookie jar along with my creative “man maths” could make it work.
So I called the owner anyway, immediately saying I wasn’t a buyer but could we just talk about the car and ownership, and… was that price right? We talked for half an hour, it was indeed a 4.7, it was demo specked up when new with premium audio, heated memory seats, phone etc etc. All the options apart from the sports pack. He was the second owner, had had it for two years and had simply had his fill. The price by the way is a Channel Island price, remember we have no VAT down here.
It sounded like he’d really looked after it too, it lived indoors, had been Swiss Waxed and detailed with some extra gunk to make it extra shiny. To top it off it had a full dealer service history too. The only negatives he pointed out were that the wing mirror stalks were starting to bubble ever so slightly, don’t they all? And inside the passenger top leather facia panel could do with a little fettling as the leather had come unstuck in the Channel Island heat. Plus there was no warranty left.
It all sounded perfect, not having the sport pack option didn’t bother me as the roads around here are bloody awful. Plus I saw myself cruising through Europe rather than hacking it down the country lanes. Anyway, the GT softer ride was to my benefit. However the 20 spoke wheels weren’t my favourite. But hey-ho, what does that matter, I wasn’t buying it was I.
It stayed on the website for a couple more weeks and then it was gone, as was the opportunity. s
t, sold I thought. Then whilst dropping my youngest off to school, on the forecourt of a local garage I saw her again, Lightning Silver gleaming in the sunlight, the same car but now with a £46,995 price tag. I strolled by and chatted to the garage owner and asked if it was indeed the same car I’d seen and questioned the significant price hike. “Aghh yes, well it needs a service in September and that’s included in the price, as is a 12 month warranty, we’re selling it on behalf of the owner.”Well she stayed on that forecourt week after week, the price went down though to 43K, still a bargain, but my opportunity had gone at 39.
In passing I popped by again, asking why it still hadn’t sold. The dealer was as surprised as I. The only reason they could give me was that they had sold a couple of 4.3s and an N400 in the proceeding months and that everyone who wanted a Vantage had already got one, even though this was by far the nicest of the lot, they said. I had to agree, I even liked the classy diamond cut wheels glinting in the sunlight, a modern twist to the spoked wheels of earlier Astons. I put it to the back of my mind again.
Then out of the blue I received a phone call from the owner I originally called, asking if I was still interested in his Vantage, and if so, he was willing to let it go for 36K as he had a new car on order and needed to get shot of it quickly. “Give me 24 hours” I said.
OK, at that price I had to get my wife to bend a little about this being my 50th Birthday present and i wasn't 50 yet. So, I mentioned it in passing in a blasé kind of way. Unexpectedly without hesitation she said “yes, of course, what an opportunity.” Well that wasn’t hard I thought.
The following day however I started to have my doubts, I’d waited for this day for so many years, and here it was. The moment I was actually buying my dream car. Everything started to feel wrong. What if it had been stuffed or raced on the beach and was a real lemon? Why hadn’t it been sold on the forecourt? Let me quickly add, I’m very much a “glass always half full” kind of guy, so this wasn’t like me. But add to this that I’d not had a test drive, in fact I hadn’t even sat in or driven a Vantage before, and that’s why I was getting cold feet. The only Aston I’d ever driven was a V12 DB7 for my best friends wedding, and that I stalled 3 times. What if I didn’t like the drive? They say don’t buy the first one you view, look around as there are plenty for sale, and get it inspected professionally. All that had gone out the window and I was jumping in feet first without an inspection…. or a drive.
So I sought advice from my buddies at work, silly really as they were only ever going to say, "buy it". When you’ve saved every penny it’s a lot of cash. Looking back, what was I thinking? Doh!
Anyway, good job I had my reservations and talked it through with my mates. One pointed out the glaring obvious, the owner really needs to sell it as he’s called you, so why don’t you make him an offer and let his reply be the deciding factor.
And so I did, I made an embarrassing insulting offer that could not be said out loud, it could only be delivered by text. It was worth a shot.
The reply came in a matter of seconds, if I could transfer funds by Friday I could have the car and the deal was done.
A year to the day has now passed, did I bag the biggest bargain or had I bought a real sand raced lemon?
Well, as mentioned it had a full service history, all officially stamped up so after only a month of ownership I took it to my local Aston dealership who gave it its yearly service for £680 and found nothing wrong with it. Phew!!! They even performed some outstanding recall issues. They were very good, however they did try and sell me £900 worth or rear pads and discs, i kindly refused this generous offer as through this very forum I was up to speed on Padget pads from Eurocarparts and their famous 30% sale offers. The discs were fine so I only really needed pads at £125.00 plus £60 fitting by my local garage.
Has Aston ownership lived up to my expectations?
Well, it’s exceeded all of them, I just find myself making excuse after excuse to drive. It may not be the fastest like my Top Trumps Aston from the 70s, but it makes me feel special like no other car has ever done, I feel privileged owning and driving it and I especially love the sound of it ticking when its cooling down, real cars need to tick when cooling off.
As people have said so many times on this forum, you’re let out at junctions, into queues, onlookers smile, and people stop just to talk to you.
What else can I add? The plinth was the first thing to come off, a simple process. Fuse 22 is out. I hard wired a switch, a simple task, if anyone is interested, £25 parts on ebay and a 2 hour job. Anyone can do it and in my opinion less hassle than looking for the IR remote switch when you need it. The V8 sound is awesome, but you get used to it, I wanted just a hint more loudness, so I replaced the cats with a pair of Quicksilver 200 cell cats. To begin with I thought it was just a tad too much, however the sound is addictive. It’s the reason behind my 11.5 MPG average, which is fine as I feel I’m entitled to my share of the oil reserves. You do need the switch though otherwise it could be seen as a bit OTT at times.
I have found she runs better on 97 instead of 95, it could be psychological though but she seems more “instant”. The wing mirror stalks got sorted via a “good will” Aston warranty claim, Initially they were to be painted however with a bit of persuasion I got them Powder-coated. The lifting leather facia panel has been fixed for £25.00. Aston wouldn’t “good will” that, fair enough, but it was very simple to remove and then a yacht upholsterer stretched and glued the leather back down to be as good as new.
A V12 Gear knob from Astonmartinbits.com has finished the interior, and I do think the extra weight improves the shift. Clear rear lenses bring it up to date and suits the Lightning Silver colour. They were also from AMBits and really finish the tail end off. John is such a helpful chap, offering first class service.
And Sills, V12 or N400? No way, why would I give Venus love handles. There’s no denying they look good with sills, however I prefer the purity of design without them. And when the clutch goes, as it will one day, it will be off to Bamford Rose.
A year on and it looks like i avoided the sand raced lemon. I still can’t believe this object of beauty is mine, I’m a very lucky guy. And I love saying “Shall we take the Aston?” It’s not really a question, is it.
As promised at the start, the all important new owner picture, hope you like and that my ramblings haven’t gone on too much.
Great story, I've also had mine a year and had a similar 'saw it - went off the market - thought it was sold' experience.
I love the extras in the text about what you have done since and how you achieved the servicing and personalisation.
Others beware - lurking here will lead to spending money on something worthwhile.
I love the extras in the text about what you have done since and how you achieved the servicing and personalisation.
Others beware - lurking here will lead to spending money on something worthwhile.
Thanks everyone for those kind words, I thought my tale may have been too long, but thought, what the hell, it seemed to have pleased. I was very lucky, right time, right place. It could have gone horribly wrong though, I broke every sensible rule in regards to buying privately, I relied on trust and everything the previous owner said was true, and didn't check a thing, stupid really. Goes to show there are honest people out there, or is it simply a character trait of Aston owners? I'll post a few more pictures and write up how I hard wired the switch for the exhaust. Along with links to parts needed. It really is very simple. And in due course a YouTube clip of the sound with the Quicksilver 200 cell cats. There are some already out there but there's always room for one more.
Regarding that insulting offer, I think it's fair to say I'll keep that between the previous owner and myself. There's no point kicking sand in his face all over again.
Thanks again for reading.
Regarding that insulting offer, I think it's fair to say I'll keep that between the previous owner and myself. There's no point kicking sand in his face all over again.
Thanks again for reading.
A lovely story! Well done on your(very nervous I'm sure) purchase.
I never really took much notice of astons in the past, I don't really know why to be honest. A woman at work just bought a 57 plate Aston V8V cab(is it a 4.3?), Just last week she threw me the keys and told me to take it for a spin, I obviously obliged!
I was honestly amazed! A truly fantastic car. Lovely to drive, a great noise, especially over 4000rpm and surprisingly comfortable too! I might be a little bit in love. With the car of course, not her! Though if I can drive the Aston a bit more often then I'm sure I could change my tune!
I never really took much notice of astons in the past, I don't really know why to be honest. A woman at work just bought a 57 plate Aston V8V cab(is it a 4.3?), Just last week she threw me the keys and told me to take it for a spin, I obviously obliged!
I was honestly amazed! A truly fantastic car. Lovely to drive, a great noise, especially over 4000rpm and surprisingly comfortable too! I might be a little bit in love. With the car of course, not her! Though if I can drive the Aston a bit more often then I'm sure I could change my tune!
Loved your story and could well have been playing TopTrumps with those same cards at that time! That story just could not have been written about so many other excellent cars out there - my ohh-so competent fast BMW for example. No that was a tale that could only be about an Aston from a true Aston fan - absolutely loved it!
Really enjoyed reading that and it should restore some faith in the private buyer that is so often missing on this forum. That said, I bet your palms were sweating for a while. Great to hear the build up articulated so well, I think we've all been there to a certain extent., I remember to this day my first drive in one - I bought it there and then! Subsequently had to sell and never thought for a minute that I'd end up in my current steed, but I have a very understanding wife and an eye for a bargain. Like you, I lucked in massively. More photos please, and welcome to the club. 
Edited by Bincenzo on Tuesday 26th July 20:49
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