V8 Vantage - what's it really like?
Discussion
I had the shocks replaced, although from some of the answers maybe it was unnecessary. But I assume they were leaking and if that's the case I want them sorted, even if it was minor.
Having said that, I didn't get the brake pads done and am glad I didn't - plenty of wear left, I'd be surprised if they are down to 50%. As one of 3 cars, I think I have at least another year out of them if not more.
The bill was a shade under £3k which is about what I expected but I'm not happy the car cost that much when it went in feeling like it was 100% OK. It now needs to behave itself over the summer!
Having said that, I didn't get the brake pads done and am glad I didn't - plenty of wear left, I'd be surprised if they are down to 50%. As one of 3 cars, I think I have at least another year out of them if not more.
The bill was a shade under £3k which is about what I expected but I'm not happy the car cost that much when it went in feeling like it was 100% OK. It now needs to behave itself over the summer!
A couple of months since my unfortunate service bill, and nothing too significant to report. I must admit though, the service was quite a bit more than I expected it to be and it does seem to have taken the sheen off the car for me. I don't really understand why - I've driven expensive cars for a good few years now, and I've had bigger bills than I had on the Vantage - in fact, just last year the 360 was a big chunk more. But for some reason, it has made me start questioning the costs a bit - I know it will need a clutch one day and that will be a similar chunk of money. My perception seems to have changed slightly from : £3k for a clutch is bad news, but at least it will last a long time - to : That's insane, I don't want to spend £3k on a clutch!
Having said that, I'm still happy with the car and don't have any plans to sell it any time soon. It's been pretty faultless in the last couple of months and with a bit of dry weather has really looked great. I still love the premium audio - to the point where I'm even beginning to question why I haven't spent some money putting something decent in my other cars! Then I remember that the Cayenne is an old bus and probably only worth about £1.50, and you can never hear the stereo over the engine in the 360 anyway.
Had a lovely incident on Saturday when I joined the back of a queue at some traffic lights on a dual carriageway. An old guy - at least in his 70s - slowed down next to me, pointed at the car and gave me a big thumbs up. That's in contrast to the driver of some clapped out Fiesta yesterday who - for no reason that I could tell - chose to visually demonstrate how he relieves his sexual tension as I was driving past a junction in the 360.
In fact, somebody asked me yesterday what the difference is in driving the 360 and the Vantage since he'd heard the stories that everybody lets you out in an Aston and nobody does in a Porsche / Ferrari / BMW. I said I hadn't really noticed much difference, however it seems to be the case that kids get more excited about the Ferrari and I'd say the majority of adults (including most of my neighbours and friends) would always choose the Aston.
I've actually been using it a bit less in the last month or so, because the Cayenne began to make it quite clear that I wasn't using it enough - one of the times I used it, it was definitely a case of : I'll turn the engine over this time, but next time you're on your own.... So the Cayenne will need to be the commuter car for at least half the week even through summer to keep a bit of charge in the battery - and it keeps the mileage on the Vantage down a bit anyway.
I still really do want clear lights, but I just can't justify them at the moment. On the other hand, if I could choose what the next thing to need fixing on the car should be - I'd choose the rear lights!
My driving tends to be fairly leisurely in the Aston - a couple of weeks ago, I did try to press on down a twisty road and for me this is still somewhere the car lacks something. It just doesn't feel like it has any "go" out of the bends, even with the revs up which left me feeling a tad disappointed. Seems to work better just using it to maintain a quick-ish speed, rather than point and squirt type driving. I guess this is where the 4.7 (or at least the V12) would make the difference.
It will be interesting to see how the next few months go. I've actually had the car almost exactly a year now - I bought it in May last year, but it still feels like I only just bought it. Think there is at least another year in this relationship.
Having said that, I'm still happy with the car and don't have any plans to sell it any time soon. It's been pretty faultless in the last couple of months and with a bit of dry weather has really looked great. I still love the premium audio - to the point where I'm even beginning to question why I haven't spent some money putting something decent in my other cars! Then I remember that the Cayenne is an old bus and probably only worth about £1.50, and you can never hear the stereo over the engine in the 360 anyway.
Had a lovely incident on Saturday when I joined the back of a queue at some traffic lights on a dual carriageway. An old guy - at least in his 70s - slowed down next to me, pointed at the car and gave me a big thumbs up. That's in contrast to the driver of some clapped out Fiesta yesterday who - for no reason that I could tell - chose to visually demonstrate how he relieves his sexual tension as I was driving past a junction in the 360.
In fact, somebody asked me yesterday what the difference is in driving the 360 and the Vantage since he'd heard the stories that everybody lets you out in an Aston and nobody does in a Porsche / Ferrari / BMW. I said I hadn't really noticed much difference, however it seems to be the case that kids get more excited about the Ferrari and I'd say the majority of adults (including most of my neighbours and friends) would always choose the Aston.
I've actually been using it a bit less in the last month or so, because the Cayenne began to make it quite clear that I wasn't using it enough - one of the times I used it, it was definitely a case of : I'll turn the engine over this time, but next time you're on your own.... So the Cayenne will need to be the commuter car for at least half the week even through summer to keep a bit of charge in the battery - and it keeps the mileage on the Vantage down a bit anyway.
I still really do want clear lights, but I just can't justify them at the moment. On the other hand, if I could choose what the next thing to need fixing on the car should be - I'd choose the rear lights!
My driving tends to be fairly leisurely in the Aston - a couple of weeks ago, I did try to press on down a twisty road and for me this is still somewhere the car lacks something. It just doesn't feel like it has any "go" out of the bends, even with the revs up which left me feeling a tad disappointed. Seems to work better just using it to maintain a quick-ish speed, rather than point and squirt type driving. I guess this is where the 4.7 (or at least the V12) would make the difference.
It will be interesting to see how the next few months go. I've actually had the car almost exactly a year now - I bought it in May last year, but it still feels like I only just bought it. Think there is at least another year in this relationship.
Use some man maths to justify the clutch - its not just a clutch, its improving the whole driving characteristics of the car for the better.
My car is nearly hitting 60k miles, still on the original clutch. Now I know its a case of when not if the clutch will go. But having recently made the decision I going to keep hold of the car for the next two years at least, I decided rather than just put up with a heavy clutch, worry every time I need to reverse up hill, get p!ssed off every time i try to heel and toe and fail to match the revs due to the sluggish throttle response, I'd just get it changed now. Otherwise knowing my luck it'll go just before I sell it, have to spend out on it anyway but not get to enjoy the benefits. So do it now and enjoy the car! Opted for an up-rated twin plate and lightened flywheel. Its so much lighter, no harder or jerkier to drive than the oem one and the throttle blips so much quicker. My only regret now is I should have done it 6 months ago as I'm enjoying the car so much more.
Cut a long story short, don't see the clutch replacement as a consumable, see it as an opportunity to upgrade and improve, the difference is worth those few k, and bound to help resale when you can prove you've got a decent new clutch already fitted.
My car is nearly hitting 60k miles, still on the original clutch. Now I know its a case of when not if the clutch will go. But having recently made the decision I going to keep hold of the car for the next two years at least, I decided rather than just put up with a heavy clutch, worry every time I need to reverse up hill, get p!ssed off every time i try to heel and toe and fail to match the revs due to the sluggish throttle response, I'd just get it changed now. Otherwise knowing my luck it'll go just before I sell it, have to spend out on it anyway but not get to enjoy the benefits. So do it now and enjoy the car! Opted for an up-rated twin plate and lightened flywheel. Its so much lighter, no harder or jerkier to drive than the oem one and the throttle blips so much quicker. My only regret now is I should have done it 6 months ago as I'm enjoying the car so much more.
Cut a long story short, don't see the clutch replacement as a consumable, see it as an opportunity to upgrade and improve, the difference is worth those few k, and bound to help resale when you can prove you've got a decent new clutch already fitted.
Yep, I can understand the logic in what you say. Years ago, I had a 911 with a heavy clutch which I lived with for years and when I finally had it done I wondered why I hadn't done it ages ago.
But, although my Vantage is a bit heavy - so I am aware it will need doing one day - it's not convinced me I need to do it yet. There is a limit to what I'm willing to spend on cars, and I think I've reached it for a while!
But, although my Vantage is a bit heavy - so I am aware it will need doing one day - it's not convinced me I need to do it yet. There is a limit to what I'm willing to spend on cars, and I think I've reached it for a while!
martindesu said:
davek_964 - how far is your commute? Think that commuting a little in the Aston is taking the sheen off things?
I'm planning on getting one, a 4.7, and keeping it almost indefinitely (I suppose). I can't see why I would sell it on. I plan on using it for weekend fun and road trips.
The commute is pretty short, but I don't think it's affecting my view - I think it was just that sometimes I get tired of unexpected big bills.I'm planning on getting one, a 4.7, and keeping it almost indefinitely (I suppose). I can't see why I would sell it on. I plan on using it for weekend fun and road trips.
I don't think the vantage will ever be a truly occasional car for me - the 360 fills that role more than adequately. But I think keeping it down to 2 or 3 commutes a week will probably be a good balance.
Definitely time for an update.
There isn't actually much to update though. As I mentioned in my last update, I reduced the use of the Vantage in the week a bit, mostly to keep the Cayenne battery charged up - but also because of the incompetent moron who parks behind my car at work most days - as close as he can which makes me a tad nervous. So the Vantage has been being used a couple of times a week for work, and at weekends if the weather is OK.
Mostly that hasn't bothered me - the service cost made the car the black sheep of my car family for a while. But in the last few weeks it's won me over again. This morning I wanted to take the Aston, but knew I hadn't taken the Cayenne for almost a week so figured I really should take that.
Nothing has gone wrong in the last few months - car has been pretty faultless. It will hit 40k miles within the next few weeks.
I wired a dash cam into the cabin fuse box at the weekend. The rake of the windscreen means the one I bought doesn't really fit behind the mirror, so it's been mounted in the top left corner and the power cord hidden behind the trim.
I guess that with a car like this, no news is good news. Let's hope it stays that way for the next couple of months!
There isn't actually much to update though. As I mentioned in my last update, I reduced the use of the Vantage in the week a bit, mostly to keep the Cayenne battery charged up - but also because of the incompetent moron who parks behind my car at work most days - as close as he can which makes me a tad nervous. So the Vantage has been being used a couple of times a week for work, and at weekends if the weather is OK.
Mostly that hasn't bothered me - the service cost made the car the black sheep of my car family for a while. But in the last few weeks it's won me over again. This morning I wanted to take the Aston, but knew I hadn't taken the Cayenne for almost a week so figured I really should take that.
Nothing has gone wrong in the last few months - car has been pretty faultless. It will hit 40k miles within the next few weeks.
I wired a dash cam into the cabin fuse box at the weekend. The rake of the windscreen means the one I bought doesn't really fit behind the mirror, so it's been mounted in the top left corner and the power cord hidden behind the trim.
I guess that with a car like this, no news is good news. Let's hope it stays that way for the next couple of months!
davek_964 said:
Definitely time for an update.
There isn't actually much to update though. As I mentioned in my last update, I reduced the use of the Vantage in the week a bit, mostly to keep the Cayenne battery charged up - but also because of the incompetent moron who parks behind my car at work most days - as close as he can which makes me a tad nervous. So the Vantage has been being used a couple of times a week for work, and at weekends if the weather is OK.
Mostly that hasn't bothered me - the service cost made the car the black sheep of my car family for a while. But in the last few weeks it's won me over again. This morning I wanted to take the Aston, but knew I hadn't taken the Cayenne for almost a week so figured I really should take that.
Nothing has gone wrong in the last few months - car has been pretty faultless. It will hit 40k miles within the next few weeks.
I wired a dash cam into the cabin fuse box at the weekend. The rake of the windscreen means the one I bought doesn't really fit behind the mirror, so it's been mounted in the top left corner and the power cord hidden behind the trim.
I guess that with a car like this, no news is good news. Let's hope it stays that way for the next couple of months!
Thank you so much for all the updates- it's seriously been so helpful. I've just taken the plunge and bought an 2007 V8 Vantage coupe having come out of a 65 plate M3. Previous to that I've owned a 996 Turbo S, and an Audi RS4. So far the Vantage has a better driving experience than all 3 previous cars. I found the Porsche and M3 lacking soul. The V8 Vantage may not be the quickest car on the block but the driving experience is very unique and pleasing. There isn't actually much to update though. As I mentioned in my last update, I reduced the use of the Vantage in the week a bit, mostly to keep the Cayenne battery charged up - but also because of the incompetent moron who parks behind my car at work most days - as close as he can which makes me a tad nervous. So the Vantage has been being used a couple of times a week for work, and at weekends if the weather is OK.
Mostly that hasn't bothered me - the service cost made the car the black sheep of my car family for a while. But in the last few weeks it's won me over again. This morning I wanted to take the Aston, but knew I hadn't taken the Cayenne for almost a week so figured I really should take that.
Nothing has gone wrong in the last few months - car has been pretty faultless. It will hit 40k miles within the next few weeks.
I wired a dash cam into the cabin fuse box at the weekend. The rake of the windscreen means the one I bought doesn't really fit behind the mirror, so it's been mounted in the top left corner and the power cord hidden behind the trim.
I guess that with a car like this, no news is good news. Let's hope it stays that way for the next couple of months!
D1FDS said:
Thank you so much for all the updates- it's seriously been so helpful. I've just taken the plunge and bought an 2007 V8 Vantage coupe having come out of a 65 plate M3. Previous to that I've owned a 996 Turbo S, and an Audi RS4. So far the Vantage has a better driving experience than all 3 previous cars. I found the Porsche and M3 lacking soul. The V8 Vantage may not be the quickest car on the block but the driving experience is very unique and pleasing.
Never tried an M3, but I know what you mean about the 996 turbo - very fast but no character at all.Congratulations on entering the club.
Unfortunately, since the update a few days ago I do have some news now - I kerbed my front left wheel.
The odd thing is, I have no idea when or how. I know it was fine a few days ago and I think I've only used the car once since then - I think I must have caught it as I was reversing into the drive. At some point in the next few months it seems I will be paying for wheel refurbs.
davek_964 said:
Never tried an M3, but I know what you mean about the 996 turbo - very fast but no character at all.
Congratulations on entering the club.
Unfortunately, since the update a few days ago I do have some news now - I kerbed my front left wheel.
The odd thing is, I have no idea when or how. I know it was fine a few days ago and I think I've only used the car once since then - I think I must have caught it as I was reversing into the drive. At some point in the next few months it seems I will be paying for wheel refurbs.
Just let them happen and enjoy the carCongratulations on entering the club.
Unfortunately, since the update a few days ago I do have some news now - I kerbed my front left wheel.
The odd thing is, I have no idea when or how. I know it was fine a few days ago and I think I've only used the car once since then - I think I must have caught it as I was reversing into the drive. At some point in the next few months it seems I will be paying for wheel refurbs.
Fix them every 3/4 years. You will be even more annoyed if you fix the wheel then kerb it on the way home (wasn't me, honestly)
andy01625 said:
I bought a 2007 V8 Vantage (manual) just under a year ago and absolutely love it. Pure quality and class and a superb drive. The sound is just epic. Its being driven out in Dubai in a very dusty and hot climate (47 degrees today) and its fine. Tyres are always warm :-) If you do get one id recommend removing Fuse 22 out - improves the sound even more. A few little annoying things like the Sat Nav and Key fob which are both rubbish.
Hi Andy, I'm in Dubai too and possibly in the market for a V8V. How is dubai for ownership/servicing? Have you had any big bills yet? Seems hard to find a manual out here!
OK, as promised an update on my ownership experience - but once again there isn't too much to say and the only significant point is actually a minor black mark against the Vantage. Although probably an unfair one because it's comparing apples to oranges....
I haven't sorted the kerbed wheel yet because I've had a few other unexpected car expenses (mentioned below) plus it was insurance renewal today so I've postponed the wheels in an attempt to stick to a half sensible car budget.
In general though, all has been good. The mileage has now rolled over 40k but only by a few hundred miles, and the car continues to run with no problems at all - with the exception of the thermostat which I'm sure now is stuck open. I would have sorted it by now but I've had a few issues with my 360 which have taken my focus over the last month or so. I attend the supercar weekend at Dunsfold (people pay to be taken round the track as passengers to support the children's trust) - this was my 3rd year taking the 360. Unfortunately, on the Saturday I spun and collected a landing light which smashed the corner of my rear bumper. It seemed solid enough so I returned on Sunday - and a coolant hose split.
I replaced the hose and then decided to book a trip to Italy in the 360, which would start on the bank holiday weekend at the end of august. But a few test drives showed that I was still losing coolant and over the next few weeks I began to panic. It appeared to be more complicated than it was - in the end, it was simply that the hose I'd replaced wasn't quite sealing at one end and needed tightening up. But, a week before I was due to leave I still hadn't discovered that and had to start seriously considering taking the Vantage instead.
I was surprised at just how much that thought disappointed me. I love the car, but it highlighted just how different the two cars are. When I was planning to take the 360, I was really looking forward to the driving part and the places I was staying were simply the icing on the cake. When I though I may have to take the Aston, it seemed like I suddenly had a lot of long days of driving ahead of me.
As I said at the beginning, it's a little unfair because they are two very different cars which are built to do different things, but I was surprised at how I felt.
The ferrari did make it, and is currently parked at a lovely B&B next to Lake Como having visited Luxembourg, Freudenstadt, Verona, Modena and Maranello - and in a few days will travel the Gotthard and Furkka passes for a few days in Switzerland. And I must admit, I am looking forward to getting back and using the Vantage for a few days - which I will be able to since the ferrari will be heading straight to a body shop to have the bumper sorted.
Whether I will order a thermostat or wait for the next service / visit the mechanics remains to be seen. Although I'm sure it's an easy fix, I'm a bit sick of car cooling systems at the moment!
I haven't sorted the kerbed wheel yet because I've had a few other unexpected car expenses (mentioned below) plus it was insurance renewal today so I've postponed the wheels in an attempt to stick to a half sensible car budget.
In general though, all has been good. The mileage has now rolled over 40k but only by a few hundred miles, and the car continues to run with no problems at all - with the exception of the thermostat which I'm sure now is stuck open. I would have sorted it by now but I've had a few issues with my 360 which have taken my focus over the last month or so. I attend the supercar weekend at Dunsfold (people pay to be taken round the track as passengers to support the children's trust) - this was my 3rd year taking the 360. Unfortunately, on the Saturday I spun and collected a landing light which smashed the corner of my rear bumper. It seemed solid enough so I returned on Sunday - and a coolant hose split.
I replaced the hose and then decided to book a trip to Italy in the 360, which would start on the bank holiday weekend at the end of august. But a few test drives showed that I was still losing coolant and over the next few weeks I began to panic. It appeared to be more complicated than it was - in the end, it was simply that the hose I'd replaced wasn't quite sealing at one end and needed tightening up. But, a week before I was due to leave I still hadn't discovered that and had to start seriously considering taking the Vantage instead.
I was surprised at just how much that thought disappointed me. I love the car, but it highlighted just how different the two cars are. When I was planning to take the 360, I was really looking forward to the driving part and the places I was staying were simply the icing on the cake. When I though I may have to take the Aston, it seemed like I suddenly had a lot of long days of driving ahead of me.
As I said at the beginning, it's a little unfair because they are two very different cars which are built to do different things, but I was surprised at how I felt.
The ferrari did make it, and is currently parked at a lovely B&B next to Lake Como having visited Luxembourg, Freudenstadt, Verona, Modena and Maranello - and in a few days will travel the Gotthard and Furkka passes for a few days in Switzerland. And I must admit, I am looking forward to getting back and using the Vantage for a few days - which I will be able to since the ferrari will be heading straight to a body shop to have the bumper sorted.
Whether I will order a thermostat or wait for the next service / visit the mechanics remains to be seen. Although I'm sure it's an easy fix, I'm a bit sick of car cooling systems at the moment!
I had the thermostat fail on my previous 4.3 vantage and replaced it easily and cheaply using a jaguar part (I'll fish out the part number) I hadn't realized the effect it was having on the car, after changing it the fuel economy was much improved and the car felt much better to drive.
Steve.
Steve.
Many thanks for updating, especially so as you're on holiday, appreciated - sounds like a great holiday
What I've appreciated about this thread, and in particular your most recent post is that you discuss how you feel about the car, subjective I appreciate, but interesting and reasoned from what you've said, and let's be honest few such cars are purchased or run for logical reasons!
Cheers
What I've appreciated about this thread, and in particular your most recent post is that you discuss how you feel about the car, subjective I appreciate, but interesting and reasoned from what you've said, and let's be honest few such cars are purchased or run for logical reasons!
Cheers
Great read!
We bought about the same time last year I can see from your posts.
I'm using mine as much as I can and its only once not started about a month or so after purchase but never happened again. I couldn't spot anything but maybe I'd left something on.
I put clear lights on and they transform the look of the car in my eyes. Sold the originals on flea bay. Kind of a forced purchase in a way as one of them had condensation. But you wouldn't guess, I'm on my third set of clears as the first two condensed up too! All under warranty of course. Makes you wonder why they don't address this at the production stage!?
Also time for a wheel refurb for me too. I'll coincide it with 4 new tyres due before winter then I'm not risking damage to new wheels changing tyres at my local outfit. I'll also put on new TPS valves and centre caps so that lot should last a while.
Last service didn't require anything extraordinary and clutch seems fine so next spend for me after wheels & tyres will be cosmetic; a little bit of paint has flaked of wing mirror stem and the mesh under rear bumper could be brought back to perfection.
My only other spend has been a window module thingy as the glass stopped dropping; all fixed now.
And boy is it good to drive on a sunny day!
Safe driving!
We bought about the same time last year I can see from your posts.
I'm using mine as much as I can and its only once not started about a month or so after purchase but never happened again. I couldn't spot anything but maybe I'd left something on.
I put clear lights on and they transform the look of the car in my eyes. Sold the originals on flea bay. Kind of a forced purchase in a way as one of them had condensation. But you wouldn't guess, I'm on my third set of clears as the first two condensed up too! All under warranty of course. Makes you wonder why they don't address this at the production stage!?
Also time for a wheel refurb for me too. I'll coincide it with 4 new tyres due before winter then I'm not risking damage to new wheels changing tyres at my local outfit. I'll also put on new TPS valves and centre caps so that lot should last a while.
Last service didn't require anything extraordinary and clutch seems fine so next spend for me after wheels & tyres will be cosmetic; a little bit of paint has flaked of wing mirror stem and the mesh under rear bumper could be brought back to perfection.
My only other spend has been a window module thingy as the glass stopped dropping; all fixed now.
And boy is it good to drive on a sunny day!
Safe driving!
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