Buying advice and intro

Buying advice and intro

Author
Discussion

V8Andrew

Original Poster:

387 posts

161 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Hi there - I've been lurking for quite a while on this forum and thought I'd break cover now that I have the funds in place to buy my first Aston Martin.

I've pondered lots of alternatives, and have test driven the competition including Audi R8, Nissan GT-R but I always come back to the Aston Martin Vantage. I am lucky enough that my GF runs a 911 997 Carrera, and whilst that's also very good, it just isn't an Aston. I'm running a Focus ST-3 in ASBO Orange (chav comments welcome) for my practical car, so I'm in no real hurry to buy the Aston and will wait for the right one. I intend to use the Aston as it was intended to be used and so will actually drive it rather than just polish it and look at it. So rambling into the buying, I've read Grant's very informative book, and have test driven both manual and sport shift cars, and coupe and roadster. I prefer the coupe, and whilst I thought the sports shift was very good especially on full throttle up shifts, I'll probably go for a manual. I'm looking at an early car ideally:
1. 19 inch wheels
2. Premium audio
3. Power fold mirrors
4. Reversing sensors
5. Rear lights upgraded to clear glass
In terms of colour it really depends on the combination with the interior colour. I do like a cream interior. I also like red cars but there just don't seem to be that many around, the red one on sale at PH at the moment is sold. I'm going to buy on condition not mileage as I'll be driving it anyway having a low miles garage queen is pointless.

So my questions:
Anyone looking to sell PM me if you have something that fits the bill.
I'm currently between houses, so it would live on the driveway this winter. Is undersealing a good idea, does anyone have any experience of this?
Is an outside car cover a good idea, any experiences?
From what I'm reading clutch life is max 60k miles, is this correct? I'm guessing therefore a car with 55k miles and no clutch change should have the price negotiated appropriately (£3k) and then have a dual plate clutch installed ;-)
Are there any other options people would suggest?
Is this the right time of year to get a deal with it coming into winter?
When buying would anyone make any further observations about things to look for, or possibly an independent car check?

I'm considering looking at the one linked below at the weekend, any views on this regarding price or the dealer would be appreciated.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Thanks

Andy

mikey k

13,011 posts

215 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Welcome
You don't say what your budget is?
No need to underseal its mainly Aluminium under there!
The clear rears are an easy retrofit so don't get hung up on buying one with them already one.
There is a metallic red one on "trader" at a similar price to the one you linked wink
Have a look at the interior of a 2007 car with the later seats and see what you think.

Neil1300r

5,487 posts

177 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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As Mikey said clear rears is an easy upgrade. Whilst it won't be your daily Bluetooth is a useful option, just make sure it's got the MIC upgrade/ fix. Cruise also useful for continental trips away.
Clutches would probably be nearer 40k than 50k
Max budget?

Oh and welcome

Jon1967x

7,175 posts

123 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
I went through the same process - R8, 911, Granturismo etc but came back to Aston. Not sure why I even bothered with the others looking back.

Have you clocked Grants book? A Gaydon Bible as much as a buyers guide, but if you're just looking for a good straight car, I'm sure one will come along. Some of the specialist independents might be a good place to look, they know their cars, probably handle them better than a main dealer, and should give plenty of peace of mind.

This ones a 2007 - bit marmite the interior but you might like it. I've mixed feelings about the dealer for personal reasons but nothing to say don't, and its a good time to buy

http://www.mcgurk.com/stock/253/Used-Aston-Martin-...

They also have a 2006 model with the different seats up for more so you can compare.

divetheworld

2,565 posts

134 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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For around £35k you should be looking for a 2007MY car, that is 56 or 07 plate. <2006MY cars are missing some nice bits at this price range.
Also I've seen good cars in the 30k miles range with the above price and age. If you manage to find one with the toys and colours you like in 30-35k miles on >2007MY then you should consider cracking open the piggy bank.

V8V00

354 posts

200 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all

I'm considering looking at the one linked below at the weekend, any views on this regarding price or the dealer would be appreciated.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Thanks

Andy
[/quote]

Hi Andy,

That's my old car which I owned for 4 years, it has premium audio which is not mentioned in the advert, I was the second owner and it appears to have gone through 3 owners in less than a year which is worrying! There was nothing wrong with it when I sold it at 49k and the clutch and brakes were all good, let me know if you want any further info

V8Andrew

Original Poster:

387 posts

161 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
Wow, thanks all for the speedy replies.

Budget - lower is better because it allows me to start saving for a Bamford Rose exhaust system.... I could go to £40k, but I'd rather try and keep it at or under £35k so I have some spare for future upgrades.

Mikey and Neil - thanks for the info on the clear lights. It really does look a lot better so good to hear that it can be done cheaply. Cruise control is a good shout, especially with the number of average speed cameras about! The one at 30k in red on the trader has sold, don't know about the one at 37k, plus need to find out if it has powerfold+premium audio. 2007MY though which is good
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/aston-martin...

Jon - I've got Grant's book and read it which has been useful. I actually like the interior on that one at McGurk, although it appears that the pictures of the interior are from a different car.... Seems like a good idea to compare an 06 and an 07 for the interior.

V8V00 - Wow - your old car? Like you said need to understand what happened in the last year since your ownership. Looks from the photos as if it has some front splitter damage and maybe some stone chips. Was it like that during your ownership? Also does it have reversing sensors? If I end up looking at your old car it would be good to have a chat about it after I've seen it.

Thanks for the responses,

Andy

AMDBSNick

6,990 posts

161 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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V8Andrew said:
Jon - I've got Grant's book and read it which has been useful. I actually like the interior on that one at McGurk, although it appears that the pictures of the interior are from a different car.... Seems like a good idea to compare an 06 and an 07 for the interror
The pictures of the McGurk car will be from the same car it's just their showroom isn't ideal for photography. I have dealt with McGurks and they were excellent thumbup

HappyBoxster

214 posts

122 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
V8Andrew said:
I'm considering looking at the one linked below at the weekend, any views on this regarding price or the dealer would be appreciated.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
I really have nothing constructive to add other than a black car with a tan interior looks the dogs censored

V8V Pete

2,496 posts

125 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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V8Andrew said:
Looks from the photos as if it has some front splitter damage and maybe some stone chips. Was it like that during your ownership? Also does it have reversing sensors?
If the damage to the splitter is limited to the unpainted plastic bit on the underside that is only about £60 brand new (I know as I've done it too). The car looks a little under prepared (why would you take sales pictures with rusty brake discs?). If the front bumper needs repainting that's a couple of hundred quid, if the whole front end needs doing that's a different story (why doesn't everyone get paint protection film?). They all have rear parking sensors, front ones are optional. Enjoy your search.

BravoV8V

1,858 posts

173 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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HappyBoxster said:
I really have nothing constructive to add other than a black car with a tan interior looks the dogs censored
It can do.

But Kestral Tan is more orangey than a straight tan. Definitely an acquired taste.

V8V00

354 posts

200 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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V8V00 - Wow - your old car? Like you said need to understand what happened in the last year since your ownership. Looks from the photos as if it has some front splitter damage and maybe some stone chips. Was it like that during your ownership? Also does it have reversing sensors? If I end up looking at your old car it would be good to have a chat about it after I've seen it.

Thanks for the responses,

Andy
[/quote]

I had the front done by a "chips away" guy prior to sale as it did have a lot of stone chips, it does have reversing sensors, there is a picture of it on page 9 of the photo thread and I believe the number plate is still allocated to the car, it also has an exhaust switch and Dension ipod interface fitted

V8Andrew

Original Poster:

387 posts

161 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks again to everyone for the replies.

I'm going to take a look at this one next week after talking to the owner.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281475105202?ssPageName=...

Any views on it? Seems to be very well looked after, and some good upgrades.

Andrew

Neil1300r

5,487 posts

177 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Rat boy is selling his car! yikes

It's very well looked after and looks stunning. Sounds like the God of War.

V8V00

354 posts

200 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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I think that car belongs to a member on here

V8Andrew

Original Poster:

387 posts

161 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
quotequote all

BravoV8V

1,858 posts

173 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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V8Andrew said:
Yep, that is definitely Burntout's car. Although he isn't seen around these parts much anymore...

AMDBSNick

6,990 posts

161 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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BravoV8V said:
Although he isn't seen around these parts much anymore...
Strange that.....

burntout

1,390 posts

153 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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AMDBSNick said:
BravoV8V said:
Although he isn't seen around these parts much anymore...
Strange that.....
Still lingering Nick..... Just been busy with other things... smile

BravoV8V

1,858 posts

173 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
quotequote all
burntout said:
AMDBSNick said:
BravoV8V said:
Although he isn't seen around these parts much anymore...
Strange that.....
Still lingering Nick..... Just been busy with other things... smile
How about fulfilling your previous obligation (like most others have)?

Edited by BravoV8V on Sunday 26th October 12:01