Looking to join the family.

[Wh1teKnight]

After looking around at a "toy" car I have after many rotations of ideas settled on a V8 Vantage. Until moving recently my neighbour ( a member here) had a DB9 and listening to it start up in the garage and drive off has made the decision easier.

I have made contact with my local AM dealer and taken a trip over there (unfortunately they were closed) to have a look at the cars in the flesh, and discovered photos online do not do either the exterior or interior justice.

I would prefer only to buy one from a main dealer, and I may have to wait a bit im sure for the perfect one. I was wondering if there was any advice on things to look out for during test drives etc.

Thanks

Paul

[Wh1teKnight]

I'm in Fareham Hampshire.

[Wh1teKnight]

I'm looking for a standard V8, probably around the 2007 4.3 area. I have 40k cash to play with and i'm not averse to getting a loan but I would prefer not too. I'm looking for minimal deprecation so late 2006 / early 2007 seems the way forwards.

I'm not overly fussed on gearbox, I have flappy paddles on my 5 series (I understand that's a totally different beast box wise) but when I do use that iI find it a bit odd.

Did you mean the FAQ section in the AM forum i have it a quick scan but noticed nothing about a book ?

Paul

[Wh1teKnight]

Cool thanks for that ill go looking for the sticky ..

[Wh1teKnight]

Already covered that, but thanks for the heads up .... and worked out an on-going "fund" for servicing and future tax / insurance ... my biggest issue is this being my first ever second car ill be starting from scratch on the NCB side of things ... :-(

[Wh1teKnight]

That's good to know I was going to give my current insurer a call for a chat and see what could be done ... at the moment my Man Maths have been based on quotes from compare the meerkat .. and they are ... affordable

[Wh1teKnight]

Hmmm a private sale might be something to consider then .... Im sure if needs be i could smuggle an extra 10k out of savings for the right car (shhhh don't tell the missus). Ive always bought second hand from main dealer as i once bought a Accord type R from a non dealer garage and it was a complete Lemon .... really put me off ... (although i did sell it on 7 months later for a £500 profit).

I Didn't realise there was going to be that much premium on buying from a dealer ... hmm .... food for thought indeed.

[Wh1teKnight]

Thanks for the welcome and advice so far chaps ..... I think including private / non am dealers will certainly open up the pool that i get to look at .... like you say ... having that buffer in pocket means i could make some of the cosmetic changes i like (clear rear cluster etc) a little sooner that's for sure.

[Wh1teKnight]

Well, it's been an eventful day .... But looks like I've become a member of the family sooner than I thought. 3 week wait now for my v8v to turn up at home ....

[Wh1teKnight]

I've only got a couple of pics so far better ones will com

2007 v8v 25k on the clock ... Very excited ...

[Wh1teKnight]

It still needs all the 140 point check to be do e and there is a bit of paint work around the door handle that needs fixing. It might be quicker than that but if it did take 3 weeks it means I'd pick it up on my birthday so not a bad way to celebrate my 35th !!!

[Wh1teKnight]

Hmmm .... best phone the garage and find out if its got a tracker fitted as with my current insurance and the multi car discount thats going to be a requirement .... and with the price they quoted and the tracker subscription included ... cheaper than any other quote I've had so far

[Wh1teKnight]

Well i thought this wait was going to be easy ...... its only Tuesday .... and its pain full :-(

[Wh1teKnight]

Well im 20 mins away from being able to pick her up !
its going to be a long 20 mins ... now to work out how the hell im going to get to chichester.

[Wh1teKnight]

Personally i prefer the smaller shape of the V8V ... i did not need any form of back seats as this will just be a fun car for sunny days etc. I originally went looking at a DB9, but side by side i just felt that the V8V was more "me" if you know what i mean.

[Wh1teKnight]

Well im finally home after a nice blast up and down the A3 after picking her up from the garage ..... I could have done with the Dealer telling me how to open the fuel cap ... having to get the manual out in the forecourt was a little embarrassing ...

The car is immaculate .... inside looks brand new !

But I am over the moon ... grinning from ear to ear ! I cant wait for a nice sunny day now !

Edited by Wh1teKnight on Tuesday 30th September 21:56

[Wh1teKnight]

Ok took fuse22 out this morning .... i get it now ..... big smiles ....

[Wh1teKnight]

mikey k said:

Wow that is in good condition for an early car!
Welcome

And im planning to keep it that way !