V8 Vantage Spec

[maybe someday]

I know that it's all subjective according to any particular persons wish list/taste, but what spec on the V8 Vantage around 2006/7 tends to be the most desirable along with colour? Better specced cars always sell for more than a basic model as you know, but so far I'm looking at:

Meteorite Grey
Manual
Premium Sound
Satnav
19" 7 spoke alloys
Rear parking sensors
Heated Seats

I'm open to interior colour Although if I played it safe it would be grey with white stitching.

I know that it's essential to buy on condition and that low mileage cars are not always best, but a complete and full service history is essential.

Am I missing anything that current owners would recommend?

Thanks in advance

Edited by maybe someday on Thursday 30th July 00:25

[V8V Pete]

I find the memory seats & mirrors useful (if not essential).

[maybe someday]

V8V Pete said:

I find the memory seats & mirrors useful (if not essential).

Good shout V8VPete

[Jockman]

Coupe or roadster?

I wouldn't drive ANY Aston without front parking sensors

[Grant3]

^ good point Mr J with the lovely DBS ....but they only became a factory fit option on Vantage from the 09MY... the joys of Aston specs.....

I would add Bluetooth as a must, this can now also be officially upgraded (for £££) to the latest spec with audio streaming (alongside aftermarket options) which is an added benefit as USB/iPOD connection didn't come in until the 08MY ( although can be a retrofit).

Cruise is also very useful but is easy to add if not fitted and HIDS are better for low beam night driving..... and as ever the list gets longer...

Anyway, although there are plenty of high spec cars you probably won't get your full wish list and in honesty you often don't miss what you haven't had so buy on condition/service history first .. best of luck

[Jockman]

Grant3 said:

^ good point Mr J with the lovely DBS ....but they only became a factory fit option on Vantage from the 09MY... the joys of Aston specs.....

Good point Mr G. If only someone would write a book on this and help us all out

[maybe someday]

Jockman said:

Coupe or roadster?

I wouldn't drive ANY Aston without front parking sensors

Good point Jockman, I knew there was something obvious I was missing!

It would be a coupe for me Noted re the front parking sensors

[maybe someday]

Grant3 said:

^ good point Mr J with the lovely DBS ....but they only became a factory fit option on Vantage from the 09MY... the joys of Aston specs.....

I would add Bluetooth as a must, this can now also be officially upgraded (for £££) to the latest spec with audio streaming (alongside aftermarket options) which is an added benefit as USB/iPOD connection didn't come in until the 08MY ( although can be a retrofit).

Cruise is also very useful but is easy to add if not fitted and HIDS are better for low beam night driving..... and as ever the list gets longer...

Anyway, although there are plenty of high spec cars you probably won't get your full wish list and in honesty you often don't miss what you haven't had so buy on condition/service history first .. best of luck

Bluetooth, yeh I suppose and an iPOD/USB would be a good call.

Thanks for the comments

[maybe someday]

Jockman said:

Good point Mr G. If only someone would write a book on this and help us all out

Yeh, already had the book and devoured it on holiday

I always feel it's good to ask those who currently have etc and that always brings up some interesting points

[gibbon]

Sounds like the spec of mine, minus the front sensors, i would add for that colour combo and wheels, i find the red calipers look wonderful.

I've also found the electric folding mirrors to be surprisingly useful, its quite a wide car.

I found it surprisingly hard to find the correct spec on an early car.

[woodsypedia]

Perhaps a silly suggestion - but alloy wheel and tyre insurance. I remember buying my first Aston, it's quite difficult at first to see where the front corners are - especially coming out of tight multi story car parks etc. If you can afford it, I would get it. It's worth it's weight in gold when you realise you've curbed a wheel

Chris.

[maybe someday]

gibbon said:

Sounds like the spec of mine, minus the front sensors, i would add for that colour combo and wheels, i find the red calipers look wonderful.

I've also found the electric folding mirrors to be surprisingly useful, its quite a wide car.

I found it surprisingly hard to find the correct spec on an early car.

Totally agree gibbon, the red calipers look great on that colour and noted re folding mirrors, good point

[maybe someday]

woodsypedia said:

Perhaps a silly suggestion - but alloy wheel and tyre insurance. I remember buying my first Aston, it's quite difficult at first to see where the front corners are - especially coming out of tight multi story car parks etc. If you can afford it, I would get it. It's worth it's weight in gold when you realise you've curbed a wheel

Chris.

Good point there Chris, what sort of cost is involved with that then?

[Impasse]

If you're after an earlier car then I'd also suggest putting the heated front screen onto the wish list. It's not everybody's favourite (some optically challenged folk get distracted by the element) but it's something I use on mine surprisingly often during the soggy and cold autumn/winter months.

[maybe someday]

Impasse said:

If you're after an earlier car then I'd also suggest putting the heated front screen onto the wish list. It's not everybody's favourite (some optically challenged folk get distracted by the element) but it's something I use on mine surprisingly often during the soggy and cold autumn/winter months.

I saw that they had these on the pre MY07 cars (I think that's the right info there) and if available on a car I was looking at, it wouldn't hurt to have it that's for sure

How long have you had your Aston then, is it one of the earlier cars, 2005 etc?

[Impasse]

Mine is a very late 2006. I've had it just over three years when I bought it at 14k miles. It's now got over 40k miles with no real issues to speak of during that time - although the dealership do try to convince me that the heavy clutch pedal means imminent failure every time the car goes in for a service...

[maybe someday]

Impasse said:

Mine is a very late 2006. I've had it just over three years when I bought it at 14k miles. It's now got over 40k miles with no real issues to speak of during that time - although the dealership do try to convince me that the heavy clutch pedal means imminent failure every time the car goes in for a service...

That's probably the age of car that I will be looking at in time or perhaps a 2007. It's good to know that they are very reliable by and large, but I know that the clutch has gained some bad press for being a weak point. I suppose it's all down to how you drive and not 'coasting' the clutch

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

Grant3 said:

^ good point Mr J with the lovely DBS ....but they only became a factory fit option on Vantage from the 09MY... the joys of Aston specs.....

Good point Mr G. If only someone would write a book on this and help us all out

Or set up a web site?
www.askjockman.com

[bogie]

maybe someday said:

Impasse said:

Mine is a very late 2006. I've had it just over three years when I bought it at 14k miles. It's now got over 40k miles with no real issues to speak of during that time - although the dealership do try to convince me that the heavy clutch pedal means imminent failure every time the car goes in for a service...

That's probably the age of car that I will be looking at in time or perhaps a 2007. It's good to know that they are very reliable by and large, but I know that the clutch has gained some bad press for being a weak point. I suppose it's all down to how you drive and not 'coasting' the clutch

A lot of it is self perpetuating internet myths based on a small sample size

my clutch is fine, bought a 14 month old Jan 06 car, in 07 with 6k miles. Now at 74K on original clutch. Few other issues. One of the cheapest cars to run ive owned overall...other than the depreciation of course

[maybe someday]

bogie said:

A lot of it is self perpetuating internet myths based on a small sample size

my clutch is fine, bought a 14 month old Jan 06 car, in 07 with 6k miles. Now at 74K on original clutch. Few other issues. One of the cheapest cars to run ive owned overall...other than the depreciation of course

Totally agree Bogie and probably came about due to the cost to replace perhaps?

Certainly not afraid to buy a car with miles on it that's for sure as long as the history and condition are right