V8 or V8 ?.....;

Author
Discussion

Stefwings

Original Poster:

31 posts

113 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
Hello all,

I'm new in the Aston Martin world even if I read a lot and spend some nights going down the several forums....
I'm willing to buy an V8 Vantage, and I have a difficult choice to be made...

Is offered to me a V8 Vantage 4.3 roadster. year 2008, 24.000Km, second owner, grey/black from a private. All bills and records are available. car is pretty clean, sportshift, no heating seats, no options. (sat nav, cruise control and that will be it)

And a AM dealer in Belgium (I'm belgian) propose me a V8 Vantage N400, year 2008...black on black (Love it) 52.000Km comes with a extended waranty, first owner, handshift, all records and history comes with it. Car looks new.

I love the N400, but a roadster is also pretty much enjoyable.
Price are similar....
That car needs to be my daily driver.

I will appreciate any advice on depreciation, use or downfalls of each of those two.

Barnezy

348 posts

114 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
You won't be disappointed with either, but if you can stretch go for a 4.7l version. The engine is a bit more lively and the other upgrades make the car feel more modern.

If you can't stretch that far, the N400's seem to hold their value we'll and you get the benefit of a years warranty, which could be a lifesaver when buying a secondhand Aston!

Ikobo

511 posts

148 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
It sounds like you already have your doubts on the first, and would be compromising your wish list to buy the car. In my book that should be a sign not to buy it, as you'll always feel you should've waited for a better spec car.

DAMIT

341 posts

162 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
Check the clutch or when it's been replaced on both!

If it is a Daily Driver and to be used in city traffic, could not recommend Sportshift.


mikey k

13,011 posts

215 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
IMHO hold out for a 4.7
I'd say roadster but most the early ones are sport shift, which is a bit marmite on ASM1 due to clutch learns and creep mode
Drive both!

Stefwings

Original Poster:

31 posts

113 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
Thank you to all of you guys, and yes, I know about the clutch problems,and therefore, I'm planning to ask Bamford Rose to fit one of their special clutches and flywheel to the one I'm buying. I have a deal with the dealer who drop the price of the value of the replacement of the original clutch, something around 3500 euros down.
I can't strech for a 4.7, they are still out of my price range, (min 10/15.000 euros more)and even if I could, the few I can see are realy poor on options and all grey (I had a 997 4S (7th Porsche) as daily driver and it was ....grey...so...a litlle bored with that color.)
The N400 has a two year waranty, and if things turn wrong, it could be of course a life saver...you'll never know...
And it comes with winter wheels and tyres for a 2500 euros more. Absolutely needed because I go very often to Switzerland and it is required there or they don't let you enter the country.
What could be the add-ons to make the car more "modern", I see that the N400 has a special suspension, does it really change the way it drives?
Thank you once again for your feed back and sorry if I make mistake in english language, but I learned english with a Texas chick....:-D

Edited by Stefwings on Thursday 13th November 22:20


Edited by Stefwings on Thursday 13th November 22:22

Barnezy

348 posts

114 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
The most noticeable difference is the interior. Personally it just makes the car look more up to date. Other things I've noticed (I test drove an N400) is the ride quality. Mine is a 2010 4.7 with sports pack, but the ride quality is a lot less harsh then the N400, something I prefer. That's about it really.

Don't worry about the clutch so much. All performance cars have a short clutch life and the standard single plate clutch is fine if you know how to drive properly. I've realised that it's reversing that actually wears them the most, I think they made that gear too long. There are other Indys in the UK who will replace the single clutch for around £1k so not bad at all. I'll probably upgrade to the BR twin clutch when this one wears out though.

It sounds like you're getting a deal from the dealer on the N400 and coupes are much cooler anyway! Bond would never drive a convertible........ Sorry I mean a volante, which means flying or steering wheel and makes no sense at all!

BravoV8V

1,858 posts

173 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
Barnezy said:
Bond would never drive a convertible........ Sorry I mean a volante, which means flying or steering wheel and makes no sense at all!


wink



Stefwings

Original Poster:

31 posts

113 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
well, let's say that a coupe make more sense as it will be my kind of daily driver (I have a VW Polo DSG as well, for the city) it rains a lot in Belgium! and also in the way that the trunk (boot) is a real one, and can contain more as an umbrella and a tooth brush...
I send mail to Adrian from BR and he made me a proposal on a exhaust and cats and a double plate clutch...not bad at all.
In Belgium, it's the dealer or noting, Some mechanics will touch an AM but most will run away from it. And the dealer's rate aren't that bad. (around 80eur a hour)...
About the interior, (obsidian black of course with silver stiching)it's in pristine condition on both cars, and I like it pretty much. Don't like those big knobs on the updated center console. Too flashy for me.
But the N400 does have a blue tooth connection (very important for me), an I pod and USB inlet, a top quality stereo, and also the special wheels specific to that serie of cars...I think I made up my mind...
Of course, my ultimate dream will be a V12 Vantage, but that will stay a dream. They are way out of my price range. (and insurance and taxes rates are just stupid on those cars)
Well, I will try to take some pictures tomorrow and post them. (if I find the way to!)
About Porsche clutch, on all of the 911 I owned (914, 2.4, 2.7, 3.2, 3.3 turbo, 3.6 car2, 997, all manual, clutch life was in between 80.000 (turbo) and....don't know, sold the cars before a need for a change, but over 100.000km....
I expect the AM N400 in need of a clutch change in the next 10.00 km, so why wait, I will do it, and have peace of mind. i don't want to have a problem when I will be somewhere in the swiss mountains or in southern Italy, because it will happen on a friday rainy night, like always.:-)






Edited by Stefwings on Friday 14th November 00:24

Stefwings

Original Poster:

31 posts

113 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Here is the roadster......



Edited by Stefwings on Friday 14th November 02:46

Speedraser

1,656 posts

182 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Barnezy said:
The most noticeable difference is the interior. Personally it just makes the car look more up to date. Other things I've noticed (I test drove an N400) is the ride quality. Mine is a 2010 4.7 with sports pack, but the ride quality is a lot less harsh then the N400, something I prefer. That's about it really.
The N400 has the 4.3 interior -- the interior changed with the 4.7 (MY09). Also, a MY10 Sports Pack car has the same suspension as the N400 -- the Sports Pack suspension is the N400 suspension.

mikey k

13,011 posts

215 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Stefwings said:
The N400 has a two year waranty, and if things turn wrong, it could be of course a life saver...you'll never know...
I see that the N400 has a special suspension, does it really change the way it drives?
The N400 was the first Vantage to have the sport pack fitted, comprising light weight wheels and stiffer springs/dampers
Probably the better car for what you are after


Barnezy

348 posts

114 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
BravoV8V said:


wink
Here they are realising their mistakes and installing a roof. wink


Stefwings

Original Poster:

31 posts

113 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
clap good find!

cayman-black

12,625 posts

215 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Who is the dealer in Belgium? AMBrussels?
Just seen that you are in Brussels so i take it its them. Marleen is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with i would think!

Edited by cayman-black on Friday 14th November 12:51

Stefwings

Original Poster:

31 posts

113 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Yes, you're right, it's Marleen.
She is a very kind and helpfull Lady.
Even if AM Antwerp is the same quality and take time tio answer to your questions.
But Marleen found that car for me and ....i will see it for the first time in real life this afternoon....hope I will not have a heard attack!...biggrin

cayman-black

12,625 posts

215 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Stefwings said:
Yes, you're right, it's Marleen.
She is a very kind and helpfull Lady.
Even if AM Antwerp is the same quality and take time tio answer to your questions.
But Marleen found that car for me and ....i will see it for the first time in real life this afternoon....hope I will not have a heard attack!...biggrin
What over her or the car ?biggrin

Jon1967x

7,175 posts

123 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
cayman-black said:
Stefwings said:
Yes, you're right, it's Marleen.
She is a very kind and helpfull Lady.
Even if AM Antwerp is the same quality and take time tio answer to your questions.
But Marleen found that car for me and ....i will see it for the first time in real life this afternoon....hope I will not have a heard attack!...biggrin
What over her or the car ?biggrin
...or the price!

nw28840

985 posts

178 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Stefwings,

I had a manual 2005 V8 Vantage Coupe and for the past 2 years have had a manual 2008 V8 Vantage Roadster in the same colour as the photo you added above.

There is very little difference in the boot size.

Roadster all the way for me - get a wind deflector, just a shame that car doesn't have the heated seats.

Which ever car you buy...welcome to the world of AM smile

Cheers,
Nick

J12KJR

2,860 posts

242 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
Come on Nick very little difference in boot capacity, its basically half according to Aston Martins figures. I love my Roadster but you do need to think more carefully about what you are going to pack for a longer trip.
It's still capable of taking enough for a 2 week driving break but the coupe did allow you to plan for more variables.
To the OP I would make sure you drive both, some have commented about finding the sports suspension a bit too firm. Coming from the Sagaris I really didn't find it a problem myself but best to be certain before parting with a lot of hard earned cash.