V8 Vantage - what's it really like?
Discussion
I've found your thread a really useful source of info, both when I was looking to buy and in the 20 months I've had my V8V, so I'm sort of glad you're keeping it for the time being, if only to see further updates.
My clutch is also heavy but to drive it it feels nowhere like it's worn out. The pedal feel, bite and weight of it has not changed in the 20 months and 10,000 miles I've driven in it so I'm not inclined to think it's about to expire and as much as I would love a nicer clutch in it, I do not think I would get £3000 worth of pleasure of it it so it will stay as it is until it needs replacing.
Your dilemma is definitely one of the nicer problems to have. I'm a huge fan of 360s and I often think a V8V, 360 and 997 would make a fairly complete three car garage for me.
My clutch is also heavy but to drive it it feels nowhere like it's worn out. The pedal feel, bite and weight of it has not changed in the 20 months and 10,000 miles I've driven in it so I'm not inclined to think it's about to expire and as much as I would love a nicer clutch in it, I do not think I would get £3000 worth of pleasure of it it so it will stay as it is until it needs replacing.
Your dilemma is definitely one of the nicer problems to have. I'm a huge fan of 360s and I often think a V8V, 360 and 997 would make a fairly complete three car garage for me.
It's not for sale at the moment. I'm still not entirely sure what my plan is - however in the short term, I intend to fix the handbrake caliper issue, get some new door stays and probably fix the dashboard leather issue (where one panel lifted slightly last summer).
I did realise something at the weekend though, which I must admit leaves me a bit confused about how I feel about the car.
I had agreed to go to a school fete to display the car with a few other people. Initially, I was planning to take the 360 - and agreed to it before I realised it was ~55 miles away. As is becoming the norm this year, the 360 is at the mechanics - which meant I had to take the Aston instead. And I wasn't terribly keen on doing it.
I had already planned to take the cross country route, and in the 360 I would have really looked forward to the drive. In the Aston it just seemed like "a long way" (although obviously it's not really all that far). It reminded me of a couple of years ago when I'd planned my trip down to Italy, and was having a few problems with the 360 losing coolant (thanks to my own mistakes). It seemed likely I'd have to take the Vantage instead, and I really didn't want to.
It's slightly odd. I like the Aston - and I like driving the Aston. And I have never once regretted ditching my 996 turbo once I'd replaced it with the Vantage. But I guess that (for me) it lacks the "fun" element that the 360 has - which means that driving it over a distance becomes a journey, rather than "fun".
That's not to say it's a bad thing - if I needed a car to use every day, I'd choose the Vantage a million times over the 360. But I guess I need to be in the right frame of mind when I use it. Actually - that's a very applicable phrase, because there are plenty of times I'm not in the right frame of mind for the 360 either (it's a bit more like hard work) and would choose the Vantage. (In fact, there are times I'm not even in the mood for that and choose the auto-gearbox Cayenne!).
It was an odd realisation at the weekend though. For a while, I was thinking : I have a car that I don't want to drive - that makes no sense.
But that's not really accurate - I do want to drive it, and am increasingly thinking that I want it to become more of a daily car. The Alfa just doesn't interest me much these days, and the Cayenne seems to be pretty much parked until the winter. I need to sort a few more things on the Aston - and then consider whether I should start using it for more than a few thousand miles a year.
I did realise something at the weekend though, which I must admit leaves me a bit confused about how I feel about the car.
I had agreed to go to a school fete to display the car with a few other people. Initially, I was planning to take the 360 - and agreed to it before I realised it was ~55 miles away. As is becoming the norm this year, the 360 is at the mechanics - which meant I had to take the Aston instead. And I wasn't terribly keen on doing it.
I had already planned to take the cross country route, and in the 360 I would have really looked forward to the drive. In the Aston it just seemed like "a long way" (although obviously it's not really all that far). It reminded me of a couple of years ago when I'd planned my trip down to Italy, and was having a few problems with the 360 losing coolant (thanks to my own mistakes). It seemed likely I'd have to take the Vantage instead, and I really didn't want to.
It's slightly odd. I like the Aston - and I like driving the Aston. And I have never once regretted ditching my 996 turbo once I'd replaced it with the Vantage. But I guess that (for me) it lacks the "fun" element that the 360 has - which means that driving it over a distance becomes a journey, rather than "fun".
That's not to say it's a bad thing - if I needed a car to use every day, I'd choose the Vantage a million times over the 360. But I guess I need to be in the right frame of mind when I use it. Actually - that's a very applicable phrase, because there are plenty of times I'm not in the right frame of mind for the 360 either (it's a bit more like hard work) and would choose the Vantage. (In fact, there are times I'm not even in the mood for that and choose the auto-gearbox Cayenne!).
It was an odd realisation at the weekend though. For a while, I was thinking : I have a car that I don't want to drive - that makes no sense.
But that's not really accurate - I do want to drive it, and am increasingly thinking that I want it to become more of a daily car. The Alfa just doesn't interest me much these days, and the Cayenne seems to be pretty much parked until the winter. I need to sort a few more things on the Aston - and then consider whether I should start using it for more than a few thousand miles a year.
What's the issue you have with your handbrake by the way ? Mine has this random operation where sometimes it works fine, and other times the handbrake lever comes all the way up, and I can still feel the car creeping. If I release it and try again it's usually ok. I had the cable adjusted at the last service.
Luckily I don't do a lot of hill starts! I'm suspecting a faulty caliper but I'm tempted to remove the calipers over winter and refurbish them. This article inspired me....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Luckily I don't do a lot of hill starts! I'm suspecting a faulty caliper but I'm tempted to remove the calipers over winter and refurbish them. This article inspired me....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
S1-NOS said:
What's the issue you have with your handbrake by the way ? Mine has this random operation where sometimes it works fine, and other times the handbrake lever comes all the way up, and I can still feel the car creeping. If I release it and try again it's usually ok. I had the cable adjusted at the last service.
That's exactly the issue I have. When it "works" it only comes up 3 clicks. When it doesn't work, it's more like 7 or 8 - and it nearly failed an MOT because of it.I was told (at a service a couple of years ago) that it was the RH caliper that was the problem, although they couldn't explain why.
I have considered trying to strip it and rebuild it - but I'm not convinced that will solve it. I assume that the piston is somehow ending up right back in the caliper and having to wind out again - but not sure how.
I want to catch it misbehaving when I get home one day - then jack the car and prove it is the RH caliper that's causing it. Problem is - I only tend to notice it's not working when the handbrake comes up so far - and by then, it's working.......
How things change in such a short time. It is very likely that tomorrow, I will sign a bit of paper which means my relationship with the Aston will come to an end in just over 3 weeks.
I've detailed this in the Supercar area, so apologies if it's a repeat - but it seems only right to bring this thread to a conclusion.
I decided last weekend that I wanted to seriously look at McLarens - specifically, 650S Spiders and 570s.
I visited Ascot on Saturday, and really didn't like the 570 (mostly the interior). I loved the 650 - far more than I had expected. I was in the Ferrari, so they took some details and on Monday gave me the part ex price - which was pretty poor, but was enough that I agreed to test drive the car on Wednesday.
The test drive was.... not what I expected. It definitely is not a Ferrari, and it's not going to replace mine. Very easy to drive, but no drama (even though it's immensely fast) - it reminded me more of the 911 turbo I used to have, or even the Vantage a bit. Definitely more GT than sports.
That threw me a bit - but the next day, I decided that I would reactivate my Aston advert, sell the car and then look at McLaren as a replacement for that (and the Alfa which I've been meaning to put up for sale for months).
The dealer mailed me to see if I wanted to proceed with the sale - I explained the situation, including the fact that I had decided to sell the Aston instead - but that there was no point in me bringing the Aston since I could not afford to trade up if I only got a part-ex price.
He replied that he was sure he could get me a suitable deal - so I told him the details of the car, and what I needed.
In fact, they couldn't match the price I was selling for (unsurprisingly) - but they did get closer than I expected. However - since the Aston is clearly worth less than the Ferrari, the numbers simply didn't add up for me.
However - I suggested that I was selling another car too - so if they increased the Aston offer by £x, and offered me £y on the Alfa - then I would do the deal. Although - I warned them that I'd discovered yesterday that I'd locked my money away until the 24th August which isn't something I'd realised!
To my surprise - they came back to me and said : Yes. Subject to seeing the cars, it's a deal.
They have now seen the Alfa, and were happy with it - quite taken with it in fact!
Tomorrow morning, they will see the Aston. It's a good car, so I am not expecting any problem with it - and frankly, if they do decide to offer less than we agreed I will simply walk away - you can't spend what you don't have!
If they are happy with the Aston, then subject to one other condition (I want them to wire my dash cam into the McLaren), and another test drive (because I want to drive it in the right frame of mind this time - i.e. it's a semi daily car) then I will sign on the dotted line tomorrow with a view to completing the bank holiday week.
I was walking towards the Aston an hour ago, and I must admit I am not entirely convinced it's a great idea - it's such a gorgeous looking car.
But it does seem it's time for a change - even if it's a slightly insane one (athough I will have one car less, so it's er..... sensible really).
The Aston has been perfect since my last post - annoyingly so actually because I wanted to sort the handbrake issue but it's hard to fix something that doesn't happen.
The Aston ad I created a month or so back is live again, and I have a few weeks until the deal completes. If for any reason I don't sign tomorrow, then I will decide whether to keep it or whether it's time for a change anyway - but if I do sign, and anybody wants one then I'm sure we could do a deal which benefits both of us - the part ex value is good, but I'd rather it went to a private sale.
I'll update after tomorrow - but it's very likely it will be a pending goodbye from the Aston forum for a while.
I've detailed this in the Supercar area, so apologies if it's a repeat - but it seems only right to bring this thread to a conclusion.
I decided last weekend that I wanted to seriously look at McLarens - specifically, 650S Spiders and 570s.
I visited Ascot on Saturday, and really didn't like the 570 (mostly the interior). I loved the 650 - far more than I had expected. I was in the Ferrari, so they took some details and on Monday gave me the part ex price - which was pretty poor, but was enough that I agreed to test drive the car on Wednesday.
The test drive was.... not what I expected. It definitely is not a Ferrari, and it's not going to replace mine. Very easy to drive, but no drama (even though it's immensely fast) - it reminded me more of the 911 turbo I used to have, or even the Vantage a bit. Definitely more GT than sports.
That threw me a bit - but the next day, I decided that I would reactivate my Aston advert, sell the car and then look at McLaren as a replacement for that (and the Alfa which I've been meaning to put up for sale for months).
The dealer mailed me to see if I wanted to proceed with the sale - I explained the situation, including the fact that I had decided to sell the Aston instead - but that there was no point in me bringing the Aston since I could not afford to trade up if I only got a part-ex price.
He replied that he was sure he could get me a suitable deal - so I told him the details of the car, and what I needed.
In fact, they couldn't match the price I was selling for (unsurprisingly) - but they did get closer than I expected. However - since the Aston is clearly worth less than the Ferrari, the numbers simply didn't add up for me.
However - I suggested that I was selling another car too - so if they increased the Aston offer by £x, and offered me £y on the Alfa - then I would do the deal. Although - I warned them that I'd discovered yesterday that I'd locked my money away until the 24th August which isn't something I'd realised!
To my surprise - they came back to me and said : Yes. Subject to seeing the cars, it's a deal.
They have now seen the Alfa, and were happy with it - quite taken with it in fact!
Tomorrow morning, they will see the Aston. It's a good car, so I am not expecting any problem with it - and frankly, if they do decide to offer less than we agreed I will simply walk away - you can't spend what you don't have!
If they are happy with the Aston, then subject to one other condition (I want them to wire my dash cam into the McLaren), and another test drive (because I want to drive it in the right frame of mind this time - i.e. it's a semi daily car) then I will sign on the dotted line tomorrow with a view to completing the bank holiday week.
I was walking towards the Aston an hour ago, and I must admit I am not entirely convinced it's a great idea - it's such a gorgeous looking car.
But it does seem it's time for a change - even if it's a slightly insane one (athough I will have one car less, so it's er..... sensible really).
The Aston has been perfect since my last post - annoyingly so actually because I wanted to sort the handbrake issue but it's hard to fix something that doesn't happen.
The Aston ad I created a month or so back is live again, and I have a few weeks until the deal completes. If for any reason I don't sign tomorrow, then I will decide whether to keep it or whether it's time for a change anyway - but if I do sign, and anybody wants one then I'm sure we could do a deal which benefits both of us - the part ex value is good, but I'd rather it went to a private sale.
I'll update after tomorrow - but it's very likely it will be a pending goodbye from the Aston forum for a while.
I bet a McLaren dealer was keen to do a deal - given how over-stocked they are!
Anyway it sounds like a perfect solution - you (and your gf) fancy a change and being able to part-ex 2 cars to get the car you want sounds ideal.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts on here about the ups and downs of your Vantage ownership. Would love to read a similar thread on how you get on with your Macca (if you have time and the inclination).
Don’t be a stranger and good luck with the new car!!
Cheers
Rob
Anyway it sounds like a perfect solution - you (and your gf) fancy a change and being able to part-ex 2 cars to get the car you want sounds ideal.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts on here about the ups and downs of your Vantage ownership. Would love to read a similar thread on how you get on with your Macca (if you have time and the inclination).
Don’t be a stranger and good luck with the new car!!
Cheers
Rob
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?
I own a 4.7 V8V SSII but I sure as hell am not going to read 21 pages of a thread just to answer your open ended question. Setting aside for a moment the fact that I love mine (but accept it isn’t perfect) what issues are you referring to?Did they fix the common issues when they updated to the 4.7L or are the common faults still there?
Bit of a leftfield observation. I recently bought a 2006 Maserati GranSport LE (pic below as I know Maserati models are confusing, name-wise). I used to have a 2007 V8V.
The Maserati feels far better put together, far more resolved and far nicer to drive than the Aston. I also know that early Maserati 4200s feel rubbish, and later 4.7 V8Vs are far better than early 4.3s. My Maser is beautifully finished, cohesive to drive and feels very polished - apart from the F1 box which is of its time (but also great in London, as opposed to my V8Vs awful manual box and weigh lifter clutch).
Aston, like Maserati, develop their cars significantly through the model cycle, unlike, say Porsche, whose 911 is a developed product when it first hits the showroom.
So my advice is by the latest you can possibly afford.
Pics: this looks better than it drove (the Vantage really is a design classic), and the engine was good but not great - vocal, but gutless at town speeds and not really engaging unless at higher revs. It also gave me lots of quality issues by 40,000 miles from dodgy electronics through to aircon condensor, failed LED rear light, suspension etc.
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
This drives better than it looks, and the engine is superb, feeling every inch the baby Ferrari powerplant. And its comprehensive history shows that it has had wishbones (a common problem) but apart from that has been faultless apart from consumables. It is on 36,000 miles. Clutch (done last year, just before I bought it) was very expensive at £2.5k.
IMG_20210221_201558 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Having now owned both, I'd rather have the Maserati. Good ones are cheaper than bad 4.3 V8Vs, still.
The Maserati feels far better put together, far more resolved and far nicer to drive than the Aston. I also know that early Maserati 4200s feel rubbish, and later 4.7 V8Vs are far better than early 4.3s. My Maser is beautifully finished, cohesive to drive and feels very polished - apart from the F1 box which is of its time (but also great in London, as opposed to my V8Vs awful manual box and weigh lifter clutch).
Aston, like Maserati, develop their cars significantly through the model cycle, unlike, say Porsche, whose 911 is a developed product when it first hits the showroom.
So my advice is by the latest you can possibly afford.
Pics: this looks better than it drove (the Vantage really is a design classic), and the engine was good but not great - vocal, but gutless at town speeds and not really engaging unless at higher revs. It also gave me lots of quality issues by 40,000 miles from dodgy electronics through to aircon condensor, failed LED rear light, suspension etc.
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrThis drives better than it looks, and the engine is superb, feeling every inch the baby Ferrari powerplant. And its comprehensive history shows that it has had wishbones (a common problem) but apart from that has been faultless apart from consumables. It is on 36,000 miles. Clutch (done last year, just before I bought it) was very expensive at £2.5k.
IMG_20210221_201558 by baconrashers, on FlickrHaving now owned both, I'd rather have the Maserati. Good ones are cheaper than bad 4.3 V8Vs, still.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 17th March 22:08
LTP said:
I own a 4.7 V8V SSII but I sure as hell am not going to read 21 pages of a thread just to answer your open ended question. Setting aside for a moment the fact that I love mine (but accept it isn’t perfect) what issues are you referring to?
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. Harry Flashman said:
Pics: this looks better than it drove (the Vantage really is a design classic), and the engine was good but not great - vocal, but gutless at town speeds and not really engaging unless at higher revs. It also gave me lots of quality issues by 40,000 miles from dodgy electronics through to aircon condensor, failed LED rear light, suspension etc.
Thanks Harry. Yes, those issues you list are also some of the common issues I've read about.Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 17th March 22:08
The comparison has given me another option to think about.
For goodness sake don't go and buy a cheap GranSport! I spent a long time looking for the very best one I could find. Saw some dogs at around £20k, frankly. The trouble with these (and earlier V8Vs) is that they have now been cheap enough for folk to be able to buy, but not be able to maintain properly.
I imagine that a bad Maserati would be ruinous...i hope I don't find this out personally. I had mine inspected at length by a specialist and given a clean bill of health, and then had it major serviced anyway and everything done.
It's how I would buy a V8V too. Mine was a good car that came from a friend who was very honest about it, and a lot of things still went wrong. The early ones just aren't very well made.
I'd still have an V12V though. These look like conspicuous bargains for their rarity. And likely to bankrupt you, of course. Engine out job for virtually any non routine maintenance/repair? Suits you sir!
I imagine that a bad Maserati would be ruinous...i hope I don't find this out personally. I had mine inspected at length by a specialist and given a clean bill of health, and then had it major serviced anyway and everything done.
It's how I would buy a V8V too. Mine was a good car that came from a friend who was very honest about it, and a lot of things still went wrong. The early ones just aren't very well made.
I'd still have an V12V though. These look like conspicuous bargains for their rarity. And likely to bankrupt you, of course. Engine out job for virtually any non routine maintenance/repair? Suits you sir!
Find Zombies account of his Gransport in readers cars. Some real work sorting issues there.
As an aside I owned a 3200gt which was great for the time I had it back in 07. Can’t remember everything but I don’t feel the Aston is of lesser quality.
The 3200 wasn’t particularly well sorted as a drivers car either.
I know the gransport was improved in that regard
As an aside I owned a 3200gt which was great for the time I had it back in 07. Can’t remember everything but I don’t feel the Aston is of lesser quality.
The 3200 wasn’t particularly well sorted as a drivers car either.
I know the gransport was improved in that regard
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