05/06/07 vantages?
Discussion
was looking at changing my e46 m3 and getting into a e90 m3, 28-30k's worth.
then started looking at vantage's little more but maybe!!
I'm not gonna lie, would be stretching myself to buy one, initially anyway.
Is there any model i should avoid or not, is there face lifts? I want an auto so sportshift? is the way to go?
what do you aston guys think? are the running costs high?
then started looking at vantage's little more but maybe!!
I'm not gonna lie, would be stretching myself to buy one, initially anyway.
Is there any model i should avoid or not, is there face lifts? I want an auto so sportshift? is the way to go?
what do you aston guys think? are the running costs high?
Someone will be along in a minute to tell you to buy grants book.
In the meantime, running costs (other then fuel) should be similar to any other performance car, probably similar to your M3. £800 services, £200 tyres, etc. Although reading the forums can give a little distorted view as people are much more likely to post when something goes wrong rather than when everything is ok.
Modern astons are very reliable and should give many miles of trouble free motoring, as long as you buy a good one. Just be sure that you could find a couple of grand if something did go wrong.
In the meantime, running costs (other then fuel) should be similar to any other performance car, probably similar to your M3. £800 services, £200 tyres, etc. Although reading the forums can give a little distorted view as people are much more likely to post when something goes wrong rather than when everything is ok.
Modern astons are very reliable and should give many miles of trouble free motoring, as long as you buy a good one. Just be sure that you could find a couple of grand if something did go wrong.
897sma said:
Someone will be along in a minute to tell you to buy grants book.
In the meantime, running costs (other then fuel) should be similar to any other performance car, probably similar to your M3. £800 services, £200 tyres, etc. Although reading the forums can give a little distorted view as people are much more likely to post when something goes wrong rather than when everything is ok.
Modern astons are very reliable and should give many miles of trouble free motoring, as long as you buy a good one. Just be sure that you could find a couple of grand if something did go wrong.
thanks, m3 services are £800 then £250 then £800 etc etc In the meantime, running costs (other then fuel) should be similar to any other performance car, probably similar to your M3. £800 services, £200 tyres, etc. Although reading the forums can give a little distorted view as people are much more likely to post when something goes wrong rather than when everything is ok.
Modern astons are very reliable and should give many miles of trouble free motoring, as long as you buy a good one. Just be sure that you could find a couple of grand if something did go wrong.
one being inspection, then oil servive
These guys will give you the full run down on costs. http://www.bridgemillmotors.co.uk/
I had a v8, it was fine on reliability and running costs were similar to a german sports marque.
I now have a db9 volante, again still no problems. Going in for a service in 2 weeks to stratstone wilmslow for an official service and I've managed to haggle down the price - point being, don't think that Aston drivers just pay asking price for everything!
I had a v8, it was fine on reliability and running costs were similar to a german sports marque.
I now have a db9 volante, again still no problems. Going in for a service in 2 weeks to stratstone wilmslow for an official service and I've managed to haggle down the price - point being, don't think that Aston drivers just pay asking price for everything!
897sma said:
Someone will be along in a minute to tell you to buy grants book.
Buy Grant's book! 
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Read, digest, then come back and ask questions.
If you want an auto then you need to know that the Sportshift isn't an auto, it's an automated manual, so if you're looking for torque converter smoothness you'll be very disappointed.
If, however, you want to use the paddles to change gear, are prepared to modulate the throttle on up shifts, and really get involved in driving the car properly, then you'll get on just fine with the Sportshift.
If, however, you want to use the paddles to change gear, are prepared to modulate the throttle on up shifts, and really get involved in driving the car properly, then you'll get on just fine with the Sportshift.
If you want an auto, don't buy a Vantage, they either have a 6 speed manual or a 6spd robotic manual (now 7 speeds but only recently). Same type of system as BMW's SMG I guess. The only true auto is the TT2 in the DB9, which also comes with an extra 4 cylinders at no extra cost (until servicing).
Yes Sportshift has an auto mode but it's
a) awful
b) will eat your clutch very quickly
The Aston will be more to service than the BMW, around 800-1200 per year depending on what is required. They are pretty damned reliable these days but are a handbuilt/hand finished car made in a little factory in Oxfordshire, not by a Teutonic robot megafactory in Munich
Expect the odd biggish bill although consumables are probably on a par with an M3.
The Aston will feel special every time you get in it, the Beemer will possibly just feel like a fast rep mobile. Unless its a CSL with uprated brakes...
Yes Sportshift has an auto mode but it's
a) awful
b) will eat your clutch very quickly
The Aston will be more to service than the BMW, around 800-1200 per year depending on what is required. They are pretty damned reliable these days but are a handbuilt/hand finished car made in a little factory in Oxfordshire, not by a Teutonic robot megafactory in Munich
Expect the odd biggish bill although consumables are probably on a par with an M3. The Aston will feel special every time you get in it, the Beemer will possibly just feel like a fast rep mobile. Unless its a CSL with uprated brakes...
Nothing I know of to look out for but as a general rule i would say the older the model the less standard features. Not to say their arnt some well spec'd models out there.
If your seriously looking, buy Grant's book as suggested. It saved me thousands when purchasing my v8v and at £20 real is a bargain
If your seriously looking, buy Grant's book as suggested. It saved me thousands when purchasing my v8v and at £20 real is a bargain
Nothing I know of to look out for but as a general rule i would say the older the model the less standard features. Not to say their arnt some well spec'd models out there.
If your seriously looking, buy Grant's book as suggested. It saved me thousands when purchasing my v8v and at £20 realy is a bargain
If your seriously looking, buy Grant's book as suggested. It saved me thousands when purchasing my v8v and at £20 realy is a bargain
George H said:
E93 is the convertible version of the last generation 3 series. E90 is the saloon, E91 the estate and E92 the coupe. The new one is F30 for the saloon. 
Anorak 
......
I've got a mate that quotes numbers at me like that..... Ohh did you see that 997, 911, 435, 872 etc etc....
I just say what colour was it
Amris said:
Nothing I know of to look out for but as a general rule i would say the older the model the less standard features. Not to say their arnt some well spec'd models out there.
If your seriously looking, buy Grant's book as suggested. It saved me thousands when purchasing my v8v and at £20 realy is a bargain
As its my occasional car, I kinda don't mind not having all the toys that's on my D.D's. No blueteeth so don't bother with a phone, no iPod, so don't bother with music. Just me, a V8, a glorious symphony out of the back and with Tony's knob in my hand, I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be on a Sunday morning. If your seriously looking, buy Grant's book as suggested. It saved me thousands when purchasing my v8v and at £20 realy is a bargain
Sportshift only came in MY07 (later on in the cycle too).
IMO it's not very good. It's fine when pressing on, but like a learner driver in all other scenarios. I wouldn't therefore call it the right option in this age of car.
Differences between the other model years is explained on here many times, so a search will give you plenty of reading.
Whichever model year you get, make sure all the typical niggles have been attended to (again, a search will highlight what these are). Most have been covered in service bulletins but a rarely used car might not have bothered having them done...
IMO it's not very good. It's fine when pressing on, but like a learner driver in all other scenarios. I wouldn't therefore call it the right option in this age of car.
Differences between the other model years is explained on here many times, so a search will give you plenty of reading.
Whichever model year you get, make sure all the typical niggles have been attended to (again, a search will highlight what these are). Most have been covered in service bulletins but a rarely used car might not have bothered having them done...
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