Manual V8 Vantage Roadster (black)

[TonyW360]

After a lot of thinking and research, I really want to get a 4.3 or 4.7 litre manual V8V Roadster - in black if possible (I don't like the 2-tone effect of a different roof colour) - for no more than £50k, but I can see that's being pretty specific and is likely to mean I'm going to have to wait a good while for one to come along. I'd be interested to hear your views on that - I don't want to compromise but do you think it's going to be a really long wait? Also any thoughts on where I should look - I'm keeping my eyes on the Aston Martin pre-owned website and I'm in contact with Garry at Grange Brentwood, plus I'm monitoring the McGurk and Nicholas Mee websites. Anywhere else you recommend? I'm only really interested in buying through a reputable dealer. Thanks

[TonyW360]

AdamV8V said:

You could argue that this is slightly over-priced based on mileage (do NOT be put off by 39k miles though!) and I think John has had it in stock for a while.

Given we're coming out of summer (allegedly ), could be worth a cheeky offer?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Thanks for that, I had spotted it before but ruled it out as being out of my price range. Following your response I figured I'd contact them to see if I could get a deal, and while I'm waiting on that I'd be interested to hear any other views on the car. It's got a few optional features like the sports pack/sports pack alloy wheels and front parking sensor, which I guess partly explains the price, and I love the look of it especially with the red calipers. Not sure about the red stitching, it's a bit of a statement and I wonder if it's partly why it hasn't sold as it wouldn't be too everyone's taste...

[TonyW360]

So...I did the deal on Friday and (subject to the finance coming through) I'm planning to pick the car up this Saturday, and I'm pretty damn excited. Thanks to everyone for their input, especially Adam for suggesting the car. I have a couple of questions before then: I love the sound of the car but perhaps could do with it being a bit louder at low revs - what are people's views (sorry if this has already been discussed in the past) about removing fuse 22? Does it make it a bit too noisy with the roof down? Also, my Ferrari 360 is just about ok getting over some pretty horrendous but unavoidable speed bumps near my flat - I'm assuming (hoping) the V8V has better ground clearance?

Cheers

[TonyW360]

I'm picking it up on Saturday, does anyone have any thoughts as to things I ought to get them to show me before driving back to London - functions/other stuff that aren't obvious but would be really worth knowing (it's a 2009 model with sportspack)? Also, anything else I should get them to do or sell me - I'm getting a cover and CTEK charger and I'll get fuse 22 removed after all the handy feedback so far. Photos to follow...

[TonyW360]

DaveV8V said:

AdamV8V said:

Did you collect the car Tony?

I've been wondering the same thing

Collected it on Saturday from Matt at McGurk's - a great bloke to do business with, I thoroughly recommend him/them. Dave he remembered you and sent his best. I can't seem to upload photos from work so I'll try tonight. Had a good drive down, love the noise (I had fuse 22 removed), the look (my first time getting out the car and turning round to see it parked up will live long in the memory), the interior, everything about it pretty much (except it's pretty noisy/breezy from the buffeting winds with the roof down, way more than the 360 I think). I confess I stalled it a couple of times, which I've barely ever done in my other car - must be because I need to get used to the biting point, or is it maybe more prone to that than other cars? I had to get used to a few other things like the handbrake, but it's all part of the fun of a new marque. It was really cool being able to get the roof down when the sun finally came out and we were in slow moving traffic. I now need to find a way to get the parking space next to my other one so I can charge both cars from the same socket, otherwise I'll have to keep swapping them round (or drive the Vantage every weekend so it doesn't need charging - there's a hardship!). Thanks for all the advice/input - I hope to meet some of you at some point, and maybe to share some more experiences on the forum over time.

[TonyW360]

AdamV8V said:

Great news - congrats!

Did the car come with a wind deflector at all? They make a massive difference to the buffeting. If not, I think they're about £500

Whereabouts are you based?

Thanks Adam. Yes it did - to be fair it was only on the motorway that I really noticed it, which I guess isn't surprising. I'm based in SE London - Deptford. Right, I'm going to try to post some photos now of the car in its new home - I think I've worked out the instructions but it may go wrong...

[TonyW360]