V8 Vantage - what's it really like?
Discussion
I wasn't aware of the hidden 3rd one behind the tyreweld box - will check that one too but the play in the light appears to be coming from the left hand side of it so was expecting it to be the nut nearest the centre of the boot that would be loose. Will have another look over the weekend.
Have you seen Redpants' instructions on tail light removal?
He has lots of other useful procedures as well:
www.redpants.lol/tail-light-replacement/
He has lots of other useful procedures as well:
www.redpants.lol/tail-light-replacement/
huntsen said:
There's also a 'Rear Lamp Assembly Condensation Removal and Repair Procedure' Service Bulletin, no SB0286V2 which covers the whole repair procedure - where to drill a hole, dry it out and repair the hole and the original leak.
I can let you have the 5 page pdf if you PM me.
Thanks, but I found it when I did mine and that is pretty much the procedure I followed. I'm sure the light was dried out, but I don't understand how it still gets condensation. I can let you have the 5 page pdf if you PM me.
Just a general note. I used my V8V Roadster as my daily drive for 4 years and took it to over 50K miles with no trouble...and not even a new clutch (it was a sportshift). Proof positive that cars go better when driven daily as long as you have some mechanical sympathy (on these ALWAYS take them out of gear when you're at a standstill and feel the clutch engaging so you can actually drive it rather than treating like an auto). Mind you, the DBS is another world!
Shnozz said:
I wasn't aware of the hidden 3rd one behind the tyreweld box - will check that one too but the play in the light appears to be coming from the left hand side of it so was expecting it to be the nut nearest the centre of the boot that would be loose. Will have another look over the weekend.
I assume you've sorted this by now but just in case you haven't : I noticed at the weekend that the RH light rear light (which is the one I removed) was not level with the boot - the light was too tight against the bodywork. So I removed it again.
What I didn't realise when I had it out before is that although the securing nuts screw onto a thread - that thread is actually screwed onto another thread (on the rear of the light body) and hence can be turned itself to adjust the position of the light correctly against the bodywork when the nuts are tightened.
So - if the nut is tight on the thread, but the light is still loose - I suspect that the thread that the nut is tight on isn't actually screwed on to the thread on the light body.
davek_964 said:
I assume you've sorted this by now but just in case you haven't :
I noticed at the weekend that the RH light rear light (which is the one I removed) was not level with the boot - the light was too tight against the bodywork. So I removed it again.
What I didn't realise when I had it out before is that although the securing nuts screw onto a thread - that thread is actually screwed onto another thread (on the rear of the light body) and hence can be turned itself to adjust the position of the light correctly against the bodywork when the nuts are tightened.
So - if the nut is tight on the thread, but the light is still loose - I suspect that the thread that the nut is tight on isn't actually screwed on to the thread on the light body.
Yep - be careful when removing/re installing the rear lights as they are individually profiled to the car in the factory using the adjustments in those bolts. Not just the distance from the body, but also the height relative to the decklid and rear bumper. If the light is set too high it's possible that the decklid will make contact with it when slamming the boot. Should be an even gap around the light top to bottom. It can take ages to get it just right - profiling is a bit of a dark art! I noticed at the weekend that the RH light rear light (which is the one I removed) was not level with the boot - the light was too tight against the bodywork. So I removed it again.
What I didn't realise when I had it out before is that although the securing nuts screw onto a thread - that thread is actually screwed onto another thread (on the rear of the light body) and hence can be turned itself to adjust the position of the light correctly against the bodywork when the nuts are tightened.
So - if the nut is tight on the thread, but the light is still loose - I suspect that the thread that the nut is tight on isn't actually screwed on to the thread on the light body.
davek_964 said:
Shnozz said:
I wasn't aware of the hidden 3rd one behind the tyreweld box - will check that one too but the play in the light appears to be coming from the left hand side of it so was expecting it to be the nut nearest the centre of the boot that would be loose. Will have another look over the weekend.
I assume you've sorted this by now but just in case you haven't : I noticed at the weekend that the RH light rear light (which is the one I removed) was not level with the boot - the light was too tight against the bodywork. So I removed it again.
What I didn't realise when I had it out before is that although the securing nuts screw onto a thread - that thread is actually screwed onto another thread (on the rear of the light body) and hence can be turned itself to adjust the position of the light correctly against the bodywork when the nuts are tightened.
So - if the nut is tight on the thread, but the light is still loose - I suspect that the thread that the nut is tight on isn't actually screwed on to the thread on the light body.
Yes, sorted it a few weeks ago armed with the knowledge of the hidden bolt! It turns out it was very hidden on my car in that it was missing!
New bolt and all sorted.
Time for an update.
Well, it's official - the Aston is now getting used very little - end of March to End of April, I did about 75 miles. This month it's been more like normal, but only really due to a couple of abnormal trips which definitely won't usually happen. I genuinely am in the situation now where I spend more time washing it than driving it.
Obviously with such low mileage, I've not really had any issues. However - I am beginning to think that it may be time to replace the brake pads - hard braking from speed is still very good - but gentle braking around town just feels like it needs a bit more of a push on the brake pedal than I'd like. So I will almost certainly replace the pads by the Autumn.
As I mentioned before, the reason for the limited use is the purchase of the Alfa Spider, which has become my daily car. And surprisingly, this has caused me to start wondering whether I should sell the Aston.....
They are not serious thoughts yet - but I can see that they may head that way. Now, obviously the Alfa is not an Aston Martin, and the two are so different they can hardly be compared. But - it's fun. Far more fun than I expected, even when it was absolutely tipping down yesterday. And when the sun is shining, driving around with the roof down is lovely - I've always thought convertibles were a tad pointless, but this car seems to be changing my mind.
On Saturday, I was driving along - roof down - and had the thought that I was really enjoying the car. And it's hard to ignore the fact that - compared to the Aston / Ferrari - it is worth pennies, and costs pennies to run. Even if something expensive goes wrong with it (the timing chain stretching is a known weak point, so they have to be replaced every ~50k miles or so) - it's still not expensive. For example - that timing chain replacement is about £1,500. So in other words - what I'd have to pay if one of my Vantage sidelights failed.....
I don't drive around in the Aston or the Ferrari scared of what might break - although I don't think you ever completely forget about the potential costs. But I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying the Alfa - and I'm beginning to think that for a fraction of the price of owning / running the Vantage, I still get 90% of the enjoyment - albeit perhaps slightly different enjoyment.
I love owning an Aston Martin. When people ask what cars I own, the Aston is the icing on the cake. And - as my posts on this thread should confirm - I have really enjoyed it since the day I bought it.
But - I was aware when I bought the Alfa that it was a frivolous purchase and I probably wouldn't own 4 cars long term - although I didn't really expect that it would be the Aston which might be the casualty. It's early days - I definitely do not want to sell it yet - but the thoughts have begun to creep in, and if I find there are other things I want to spend money on (I'm currently single, but if that changes I'm likely to want to divert more disposable income elsewhere) then I think the Aston is the most at risk from my cars.
Let's see how I feel next time I update.....
Well, it's official - the Aston is now getting used very little - end of March to End of April, I did about 75 miles. This month it's been more like normal, but only really due to a couple of abnormal trips which definitely won't usually happen. I genuinely am in the situation now where I spend more time washing it than driving it.
Obviously with such low mileage, I've not really had any issues. However - I am beginning to think that it may be time to replace the brake pads - hard braking from speed is still very good - but gentle braking around town just feels like it needs a bit more of a push on the brake pedal than I'd like. So I will almost certainly replace the pads by the Autumn.
As I mentioned before, the reason for the limited use is the purchase of the Alfa Spider, which has become my daily car. And surprisingly, this has caused me to start wondering whether I should sell the Aston.....
They are not serious thoughts yet - but I can see that they may head that way. Now, obviously the Alfa is not an Aston Martin, and the two are so different they can hardly be compared. But - it's fun. Far more fun than I expected, even when it was absolutely tipping down yesterday. And when the sun is shining, driving around with the roof down is lovely - I've always thought convertibles were a tad pointless, but this car seems to be changing my mind.
On Saturday, I was driving along - roof down - and had the thought that I was really enjoying the car. And it's hard to ignore the fact that - compared to the Aston / Ferrari - it is worth pennies, and costs pennies to run. Even if something expensive goes wrong with it (the timing chain stretching is a known weak point, so they have to be replaced every ~50k miles or so) - it's still not expensive. For example - that timing chain replacement is about £1,500. So in other words - what I'd have to pay if one of my Vantage sidelights failed.....
I don't drive around in the Aston or the Ferrari scared of what might break - although I don't think you ever completely forget about the potential costs. But I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying the Alfa - and I'm beginning to think that for a fraction of the price of owning / running the Vantage, I still get 90% of the enjoyment - albeit perhaps slightly different enjoyment.
I love owning an Aston Martin. When people ask what cars I own, the Aston is the icing on the cake. And - as my posts on this thread should confirm - I have really enjoyed it since the day I bought it.
But - I was aware when I bought the Alfa that it was a frivolous purchase and I probably wouldn't own 4 cars long term - although I didn't really expect that it would be the Aston which might be the casualty. It's early days - I definitely do not want to sell it yet - but the thoughts have begun to creep in, and if I find there are other things I want to spend money on (I'm currently single, but if that changes I'm likely to want to divert more disposable income elsewhere) then I think the Aston is the most at risk from my cars.
Let's see how I feel next time I update.....
kbooker said:
Now you have a convertible hopefully you won't be single much longer, a new boyfriend will be along soon 
I have a (girl) friend who's into cars, and I visited her a few weeks after buying it. We went out for dinner, and as we got to the pub she went to pull the visor down intending to check her makeup in the mirror. I said : It doesn't have a mirror on the visor.
Her answer was : It's probably on your side since you've bought a girls car......
But I still like it!
Ahhhh another 25 minutes spent reading another entire thread! Been a good read though, this is pretty much exactly what I want to do, I would love a V8 Vantage and really want to get the best one I can at the bottom of the market, show it a bit of love and hopefully it would be depreciation free motoring, thanks Davek for your insights. Probably should start my own thread soon and start the whole process.
In the last month or so of ownership, I had my first "serious" problem in two years of ownership - although in the end, it wasn't that serious and cost me nothing to fix. I mentioned it in another thread when it happened, but will summarise here to keep this thread complete.
Driving to work, accelerating hard in the outside lane of a dual carriageway to overtake some cars and discovered that when I changed into 4th, I appeared to have a neutral instead. Tried a few more times with no success - found another gear and carried on.
A bit further on the way to work and it became clear that I hadn't just lost 4th - I'd lost 2nd, 4th and 6th. The car was still useable - and at least I still had reverse - but it became clear pretty quickly why Aston never made a 3 speed Vantage.
It seemed likely it was the gear linkage, so I initially started at the gear shift end. This quickly proved that everything was connected just fine there and hence the problem must be at the gearbox end. A small tip - if you remove your center console, don't be tempted to start the car for some random reason (there was a reason, but I can't remember what it was) - you will get LOTS of warning lights including airbags. Fortunately, when you re-assemble your car, you will find they all disappear (although I'm sure they're logged).
So, back to the gearbox end. With the car on ramps, I could feel the cable wasn't secure - and I could feel the bracket it was supposed to be clipped into. You can feel the thicker part of the cable adjuster, and it is the gearbox end of that adjuster that clips in place - I even heard it click as I fitted it back in the bracket.
Note though that it's all done blind - you can't see any of it, at least not if you're laying under the car on your driveway. I also lied when I said it got fixed for free - the car literally did take a pound of flesh from my forearm. But it was a relatively simple fix for what initially appeared to be a scary expensive problem.
Other than that, the car has been mostly perfect - however I can no longer ignore the fact that the brake pads are low. Braking is good if I need to stop quickly, but really uninspiring the rest of the time - I will get pads in the next few days.
The amount I've used the car has increased significantly this month. Mostly, that's a result of dating - having joined the dating sites, I used it to meet a few girls and that added a good few miles to the car. I have also started seeing somebody exclusively for the last few weeks, and although she doesn't live too far away (~10 miles), I've mostly used the Aston to go there and a few 20 mile round trips add up quickly enough.
The other reason the mileage increased slightly is because my Alfa Spider roof started failing, so the car was away getting that fixed and the Aston became my car of choice for the week or two that I didn't have the Alfa.
What's surprising, is how much I missed the Spider. Not just because of the weather (typically the roof broke while we had the hottest sunniest temperatures for years) but because the Spider is just a nicer car to drive around town. I think I mentioned it in a previous post, but it's smaller, nippy, more fuel efficient and just easier to drive on town roads (lighter clutch etc).
I still feel like I have too many cars - and I still feel that the Aston is the most likely to go. I need at least one practical car, so the Cayenne has to stay. The Ferrari is the perfect sports car, and the Alfa is just a nice, fun, cheap runaround (although when the roof needs fixing, "cheap" maybe isn't the right word). The Aston is lovely - but if I do decide to reduce my cars it will be one of the "expensive" ones that needs to go and that means the Aston or the Ferrari. And I don't think it will be the Ferrari.
Having said that - the lady I'm seeing is into nice / fast cars. And - much as she loves the Ferrari - she has said she thinks the Aston is her favourite - it's just soooooo classy inside. But then - the car she wants to drive is the 360.
So, we will see. New brake pads are needed in the next month and then I really need to give some serious thought about whether I should keep it much longer.
Driving to work, accelerating hard in the outside lane of a dual carriageway to overtake some cars and discovered that when I changed into 4th, I appeared to have a neutral instead. Tried a few more times with no success - found another gear and carried on.
A bit further on the way to work and it became clear that I hadn't just lost 4th - I'd lost 2nd, 4th and 6th. The car was still useable - and at least I still had reverse - but it became clear pretty quickly why Aston never made a 3 speed Vantage.
It seemed likely it was the gear linkage, so I initially started at the gear shift end. This quickly proved that everything was connected just fine there and hence the problem must be at the gearbox end. A small tip - if you remove your center console, don't be tempted to start the car for some random reason (there was a reason, but I can't remember what it was) - you will get LOTS of warning lights including airbags. Fortunately, when you re-assemble your car, you will find they all disappear (although I'm sure they're logged).
So, back to the gearbox end. With the car on ramps, I could feel the cable wasn't secure - and I could feel the bracket it was supposed to be clipped into. You can feel the thicker part of the cable adjuster, and it is the gearbox end of that adjuster that clips in place - I even heard it click as I fitted it back in the bracket.
Note though that it's all done blind - you can't see any of it, at least not if you're laying under the car on your driveway. I also lied when I said it got fixed for free - the car literally did take a pound of flesh from my forearm. But it was a relatively simple fix for what initially appeared to be a scary expensive problem.
Other than that, the car has been mostly perfect - however I can no longer ignore the fact that the brake pads are low. Braking is good if I need to stop quickly, but really uninspiring the rest of the time - I will get pads in the next few days.
The amount I've used the car has increased significantly this month. Mostly, that's a result of dating - having joined the dating sites, I used it to meet a few girls and that added a good few miles to the car. I have also started seeing somebody exclusively for the last few weeks, and although she doesn't live too far away (~10 miles), I've mostly used the Aston to go there and a few 20 mile round trips add up quickly enough.
The other reason the mileage increased slightly is because my Alfa Spider roof started failing, so the car was away getting that fixed and the Aston became my car of choice for the week or two that I didn't have the Alfa.
What's surprising, is how much I missed the Spider. Not just because of the weather (typically the roof broke while we had the hottest sunniest temperatures for years) but because the Spider is just a nicer car to drive around town. I think I mentioned it in a previous post, but it's smaller, nippy, more fuel efficient and just easier to drive on town roads (lighter clutch etc).
I still feel like I have too many cars - and I still feel that the Aston is the most likely to go. I need at least one practical car, so the Cayenne has to stay. The Ferrari is the perfect sports car, and the Alfa is just a nice, fun, cheap runaround (although when the roof needs fixing, "cheap" maybe isn't the right word). The Aston is lovely - but if I do decide to reduce my cars it will be one of the "expensive" ones that needs to go and that means the Aston or the Ferrari. And I don't think it will be the Ferrari.
Having said that - the lady I'm seeing is into nice / fast cars. And - much as she loves the Ferrari - she has said she thinks the Aston is her favourite - it's just soooooo classy inside. But then - the car she wants to drive is the 360.
So, we will see. New brake pads are needed in the next month and then I really need to give some serious thought about whether I should keep it much longer.
Edited by davek_964 on Tuesday 27th June 13:20
Great write up Davek,written with both gravitas and humour and lots of fine detail concerning your love life.
Like myself you obviously have no problem attracting loadsa nubile young ladies only too willing to exchange a ride in our exquisite Astons for "special" favours.
You might have noticed that a new phenomenon has appeared on this forum where we have a poll to ascertain the forum members thoughts on a subject.
It struck me that you may wish to enable yourself of this device.
Therefore if you post a few pics of your current squeezes we can all vote on which one we like the best.
Like myself you obviously have no problem attracting loadsa nubile young ladies only too willing to exchange a ride in our exquisite Astons for "special" favours.
You might have noticed that a new phenomenon has appeared on this forum where we have a poll to ascertain the forum members thoughts on a subject.
It struck me that you may wish to enable yourself of this device.
Therefore if you post a few pics of your current squeezes we can all vote on which one we like the best.
avinalarf said:
Great write up Davek,written with both gravitas and humour and lots of fine detail concerning your love life.
Like myself you obviously have no problem attracting loadsa nubile young ladies only too willing to exchange a ride in our exquisite Astons for "special" favours.
You might have noticed that a new phenomenon has appeared on this forum where we have a poll to ascertain the forum members thoughts on a subject.
It struck me that you may wish to enable yourself of this device.
Therefore if you post a few pics of your current squeezes we can all vote on which one we like the best.
This is a great idea and one that I would wholly support.... Like myself you obviously have no problem attracting loadsa nubile young ladies only too willing to exchange a ride in our exquisite Astons for "special" favours.
You might have noticed that a new phenomenon has appeared on this forum where we have a poll to ascertain the forum members thoughts on a subject.
It struck me that you may wish to enable yourself of this device.
Therefore if you post a few pics of your current squeezes we can all vote on which one we like the best.
avinalarf said:
You might have noticed that a new phenomenon has appeared on this forum where we have a poll to ascertain the forum members thoughts on a subject.
It struck me that you may wish to enable yourself of this device.
Therefore if you post a few pics of your current squeezes we can all vote on which one we like the best.
It struck me that you may wish to enable yourself of this device.
Therefore if you post a few pics of your current squeezes we can all vote on which one we like the best.
You are posting very frequently now Steven.
That is good, because we do so much appreciate your advice, and some of us get your very funny, subtle jokes too.
A month or so ago, I don't think you did much posting at all. I did wonder if you were being detained for some reason, or perhaps very busy implementing an important new strategic management concept for your business.
Jon39 said:
You are posting very frequently now Steven.
That is good, because we do so much appreciate your advice, and some of us get your very funny, subtle jokes too.
A month or so ago, I don't think you did much posting at all. I did wonder if you were being detained for some reason, or perhaps very busy implementing an important new strategic management concept for your business.
I was also concentrating on the format of the book I am writing.
World events are moving so quickly nowadays that as soon as one researches one theme one finds that several books have already been written that covers that ground.
I think I have now found a suitable topic.
I'm hesitant in posting too much as I don't mind pissing off some of the people some of the time but do not want to p
s off all the people all of the time. avinalarf said:
I was also concentrating on the format of the book I am writing.
I think I have now found a suitable topic.
I think I have now found a suitable topic.
Do you think there will be much demand for your new book, 'Ladyboys in 50 Shades of Blue'?
The Booker prize, might be possible though.
Anyway, best of luck. Are you a famous author already?
I am trying to cut a hedge this afternoon. Am not very good at it though.
My gardener sent a text to me from Glastonbury, saying he does not want to be employed any more by a bourgeoisie capitalist, and is going on the dole.
I don't know what has happened. He was not like this last week.
( Sorry OP. Off topic again. )
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 27th June 16:10
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