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

[maybe someday]

V8V Pete said:

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

Good shout V8VPete

[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

[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?

[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?

[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

[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

[maybe someday]

Impasse said:

Even then a knackered clutch is no big deal. £3k will see a lightweight flywheel and uprated clutch fitted which sounds expensive-ish in isolation, but only if you're comparing it with a more mainstream car. In the real world it's only a modest outlay on top of what you'd expect to pay to replace a clutch and flywheel in a posh Audi.

Very true when you compare it like that Impasse

Even looking at the servicing, it's not much more than as you say, a posh Audi

I know what I would rather have

[maybe someday]

davek_964 said:

Not entirely convinced by that. A 996 turbo clutch would be half that and I'm pretty sure my 360 clutch would be too.

I spoke to an Indy and they reckoned a clutch plus a service would be around 2.5k

[maybe someday]

Jon39 said:

On Astons I think there is time consuming spannering involved, to access the clutch. A substantial alloy cast tube is between the clutch housing and the rear mounted gearbox. It looks easy when you see those parts being assembled at the factory, but when that is done, the car itself is not present.

With conventional rear drive layouts, just disconnect the front prop shaft joint, remove the gearbox and the clutch is then on view.

Do I sound like an expert? That is the only bit I know. -


Sounds as though you definitely know what you're talking about Jon39

[maybe someday]

davek_964 said:

I wasn't questioning the Vantage cost - just that I think it's quite a bit more than even most premium cars.

Anyway, £2.5k for clutch and service sounds pretty good - my local Indy told me a clutch was about £2.5k I think.

Yeh you are bang on, it is more than most premium cars and I have to admit that I would use an Indy rather than a main dealer. I'm sure that some will challenge me on that, but from what I have read/seen so far the Indy's are better on more ways than just plain cost

[maybe someday]

Impasse said:

Not sure why the need for the hair splitting. But when there's a chap in GG who has been quoted £1300 for a clutch and flywheel on a ten year old diesel Focus, it's not much of a stretch to assume a more premium mainstream saloon car will be more expensive for the same type of job.

Maybe I've come across wrong Impasse, but certainly not hair splitting. In my opinion it's best to know upfront what sort of costs could be incurred when having never owned such a marque. Incidentally I was quoted well over £1500 for a clutch, MOT and service on a family diesel and that was about 3 years ago!

Mind you, I'd far rather have an Aston and manage by without having to replace the clutch

[maybe someday]

Jockman said:

Lol. Don't tempt me

That sounds as though you might well do it Jockman

[maybe someday]

Jon39 said:

I have tried to learn since becoming an owner. There is certainly something special about the whole Aston Martin 'thing'.

Here is a film Andy, which shows how the cars are built, and includes the torque tube being fitted to the clutch housing.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/aston-martin-speed...

Here is another one that you should enjoy. A pity they could not do better with the sound. The cars in the tunnel would have made a better noise than they recorded.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocUKnn7pBcg

It's that special Aston thing that's appealing to me hugely Jon39. Will watch the first link when I have more time, but the second link is a good short review

[maybe someday]

Jockman said:

Sweet Jesus, you must be joking. I'm about as popular as an American Dentist eating a lion bar

lol That just made me laugh out loud in front of the boys there Jockman!

[maybe someday]

woodsypedia said:

I can't recall the exact figure but I believe it was somewhere around £500 for two years with a maximum of 10 claims. It's very worth it.

Yeh it definitely would be at that cost

[maybe someday]

Jon39 said:

Depends how careful you are.
Judging the width can be tricky, but in four years I have lightly touched a kerb twice with the front left. Fortunately only the tyre touched, so that would now make me £1,000 up.

I would like to think that I would be very careful indeed Jon39, but at that cost or thereabouts it's a bit of a no brainer to have that piece of mind I reckon

Did you insure through a mainstream company etc ?