V8 Vantage - what's it really like?
Discussion
AlexNJ89 said:
Just read this entire thread and made me gulp at what I could be in for if I pull the trigger on a V8V.
Did they fix the common issues when they updated to the 4.7L or are the common faults still there?
Did they fix the common issues when they updated to the 4.7L or are the common faults still there?
AlexNJ89 said:
The condensation on the rear lights, the intermittent central locking problem, the headlight cluster failure, poor paintwork, corrosion (usually around the door handles), the fuel filler flap not opening and requiring manual release.
Unless my memory is going - I didn't actually have most of those issues and this thread was 95% positive.Rear lights did fail, which was annoying and expensive - but I don't think that's even unique to Astons - LED lights are not the greatest invention in my opinion.
My central locking problem was cured by replacing the key fob batteries - it did suggest a slightly odd central locking design - but it was a practically free fix.
My headlights didn't fail in 4 years.
My paintwork was fine - I think at the last service they found a tiny tiny point on the rear of the roof but it was absolutely tiny and not really something I was worried about.
My fuel filler flap failed to open when I bought the car - I fixed it easily and didn't have a problem for another 4 years.
They are superb cars, and I fully expect to own another at some point.
Brave Fart said:
Of course, it's rare that someone posts "my car has been reliable" because that's a bit boring.
Funny thing is, I think a lot of my posts in this thread said exactly that.I know I had a little rant when I thought I'd need new door lock modules soon after rear lights - but I'm genuinely surprised that anybody reads this thread and comes away thinking a V8 Vantage would be a bad idea.
AlexNJ89 said:
Ah good to see you're still around and appreciated your updates.
When I read your updates, to be totally honest I got the impression you didn't really like the car very much, it seems to stress you out more than be enjoyable.
Especially when you said that you didn't like the thought of taking the Vantage on a euro trip, in fact you would have hated it and preferred to have taken the 360.
They were different cars that (for me) served different purposes.When I read your updates, to be totally honest I got the impression you didn't really like the car very much, it seems to stress you out more than be enjoyable.
Especially when you said that you didn't like the thought of taking the Vantage on a euro trip, in fact you would have hated it and preferred to have taken the 360.
The Ferrari probably tops my list as the favourite of all the cars I've owned. It was brilliant, and even after 6 years I would have a smile on my face after a blast in it, even if I'd started out in a bad mood. It was very much a fun car - and it was a LOT of fun. Taking it down to Italy - especially through the mountain passes - was something I'll always remember.
The Vantage was a different kind of car for me. Something that I was happy to use mostly daily, which is what I bought it for. It was very enjoyable, but not fun in the same way the Ferrari was. In fact, on a twisty road I initially found it disappointing - there was simply no 'urge' as you accelerated out of a bend - but that's not really want I bought it, and it ceased to bother me.
It felt very special to drive, sounded great and looked fabulous.
I didn't really want to take it on the Italy trip because it just didn't suit the kind of journey I was planning. (For various reasons, I wasn't in a particularly positive frame of mind at that time either, and hence using the Ferrari - that usually cheered me up - was quite important).
There were things that annoyed me about the Vantage, and the part prices was one. Some of them were silly.
But overall, I liked it very much and I do expect to own another one.
If 'fast' is important, then the Vantage may not be for you (at least, not the 4.3). They're not slow, but the power delivery makes them feel pretty sluggish.
For me, stuff like M2s aren't something that compare - they may be functionally better at lots of things, but they're missing something esoteric that the Aston has.
The 996 turbo I had before the Aston was better at lots of things, including being much faster and using almost half as much petrol. Bloody dull though - whatever 'character' or 'soul' is for cars, it had zero while the Aston had loads.
For me, stuff like M2s aren't something that compare - they may be functionally better at lots of things, but they're missing something esoteric that the Aston has.
The 996 turbo I had before the Aston was better at lots of things, including being much faster and using almost half as much petrol. Bloody dull though - whatever 'character' or 'soul' is for cars, it had zero while the Aston had loads.
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