V8 Vantage - what's it really like?
Discussion
I am toying with the idea of selling my 996 turbo - in fact, I put it up for sale on Thursday but decided I may regret it and withdrew the ad on Friday. However, I have been browsing the Vantage ads for a while now, and that is a car I'd be tempted by.
Looking at prices, it looks like a 2005 / 2006 with circa 40k miles is probably in the ballpark for what my turbo is worth.
But, I am nervous about their reliability. Stuff does break on the turbo but it's generally pretty reliable. I also have a 360 which seems fairly solid and my first Ferrari (348) made me realise that they weren't as delicate as I'd expected.
Will I get a shock if I went from 996 turbo to V8 Vantage? Somebody told me recently that you "learn which warning lights matter" and that made me worry a bit!
Looking at prices, it looks like a 2005 / 2006 with circa 40k miles is probably in the ballpark for what my turbo is worth.
But, I am nervous about their reliability. Stuff does break on the turbo but it's generally pretty reliable. I also have a 360 which seems fairly solid and my first Ferrari (348) made me realise that they weren't as delicate as I'd expected.
Will I get a shock if I went from 996 turbo to V8 Vantage? Somebody told me recently that you "learn which warning lights matter" and that made me worry a bit!
I'm on my second V8 Vantage also (55 plate coupe with 30k miles was replaced in March 2012 by an 08 plate roadster now on 64k miles).
As already said , the odd niggle here and there - but no more than the 911 I had previously to be honest.
Get out for a test drive in one, but be warned the looks alone will have you smitten. Oh and you'll get everywhere just as fast as in the 911 - people let you out at junctions in an Aston
As already said , the odd niggle here and there - but no more than the 911 I had previously to be honest.
Get out for a test drive in one, but be warned the looks alone will have you smitten. Oh and you'll get everywhere just as fast as in the 911 - people let you out at junctions in an Aston
In my experience since 2007 and 70k miles in a 2006 Vantage, they are very "reliable" as in its never let me down. Touch wood, the worst has been a couple of wheel bearings. An O2 sensor and thermostat ...oh and a squeaky auxiliary drive belt
Pretty much the same as any mainstream car really....
Pretty much the same as any mainstream car really....
SL500UK said:
The 4.3s are quick but have to be pushed, or driven very enthusiastically. There will a huge difference coming from a 911; you won't get the 'shove in the back' feeling as you do in a porker, let alone one with a couple of turbos.
agreed...you have to drive a 4.3 like its a Honda to get the best out of it ...its not a "slow" car as such, but no big wave of torque to wack you in the back from forced induction....nor any step change in power deliveryI went from C4S to 4.7 so they are little closer in terms of performance. As people said the 4.3 does need a little more pushing but then it has a good gearbox (manual of course!) to change through and the noise will be a lot better than a 996TT.
Also you are "treated" better on the road and will get more looks if you are into that sort of thing.
Reliability wise, they will be on par with the Turbo as you know its the M96 engines which had the problems.
Try and get a warranty though and like Porsche....condition condition condition!!
Also you are "treated" better on the road and will get more looks if you are into that sort of thing.
Reliability wise, they will be on par with the Turbo as you know its the M96 engines which had the problems.
Try and get a warranty though and like Porsche....condition condition condition!!
bogie said:
SL500UK said:
The 4.3s are quick but have to be pushed, or driven very enthusiastically. There will a huge difference coming from a 911; you won't get the 'shove in the back' feeling as you do in a porker, let alone one with a couple of turbos.
agreed...you have to drive a 4.3 like its a Honda to get the best out of it ...its not a "slow" car as such, but no big wave of torque to wack you in the back from forced induction....nor any step change in power delivery
Since I stopped driving S2000's around 2009 I have jumped from car to car with frightening regularity, at least as far as the fun weekend stuff is concerned. I wonder if it's the way the 4.3 needs to be driven which has me determined it will go nowhere, as it reminds me of those good old days?
IMHO the vantage is better looking than any porker, sounds better than a Mclaren, but its not nimble, the steering is hard and in my case the seating position makes parking a bit of chore with not being able to see the front corners...will I ever part with it? No, It is the most beautiful under-powered conservative sports car on the road, Like Debbie Harry and Helen Mirren they age well (so do Porkers) clutch is something to budget for if your getting one with some miles on
I have done some maintenance on mine with limited knowledge.
Getting in and out one needs the door open all the way otherwise its a issue in small garages.
AM will always be special, I doubt you will regret owning one. May i suggest you buy the Aston to own and love and keep the porker to drive Hard!
I have done some maintenance on mine with limited knowledge.
Getting in and out one needs the door open all the way otherwise its a issue in small garages.
AM will always be special, I doubt you will regret owning one. May i suggest you buy the Aston to own and love and keep the porker to drive Hard!
mikey k said:
bogie said:
SL500UK said:
The 4.3s are quick but have to be pushed, or driven very enthusiastically. There will a huge difference coming from a 911; you won't get the 'shove in the back' feeling as you do in a porker, let alone one with a couple of turbos.
agreed...you have to drive a 4.3 like its a Honda to get the best out of it ...its not a "slow" car as such, but no big wave of torque to wack you in the back from forced induction....nor any step change in power deliveryIkobo said:
Since I stopped driving S2000's around 2009 I have jumped from car to car with frightening regularity, at least as far as the fun weekend stuff is concerned. I wonder if it's the way the 4.3 needs to be driven which has me determined it will go nowhere, as it reminds me of those good old days?
that's why I bought my 5th to with the Aston bogie said:
perfect, I have promised myself a Roadster one day to get the complete S4000 experience, although I do hope its a V12 by then, which is more like a supercharged Honda
I had a 425 BHP supercharged S2000 ( wish I'd kept it 
)It was nothing like a V12V, so little torque even with the blower
Manic isn't in it
It's more like a BR GT4 conversion with the free reving and high red line
Thanks for all the comments. Must admit, I'm surprised at the comments saying you have to push it to get going - I wasn't expecting that, but it proves I need to drive one. I'd be looking for manual and I know the clutch is an expensive job but actually I see that as a positive. If people are concerned about the potential big clutch bill, it means big service bills are probably not the norm.
Captain Greg said:
AM will always be special, I doubt you will regret owning one. May i suggest you buy the Aston to own and love and keep the porker to drive Hard!
Nice idea, but unfortunately the reason I'm thinking of selling the turbo is because it doesn't have that role even now. I have a 360 too and that is a blast to drive hard! (If I ever come to sell it and somebody finds this thread, my 360 has never been driven above 2000rpm / 40mph and has an oil and filter change every 100 miles - honest!).Similarish situation here. I sold my 996 Turbo S purely because it did nothing other than go ballistically fast. I didn't get any sense of drama or feel any great prestige (ok, call me vain!!) in doing that in the Porsche. As a subtle and understated weapon it was probably ideal and I can appreciate why they are the perfect single car for many people.
The Vantage is different. Rapid enough if you want it to be, but you are aware it is a heavier car, but fast or slow you feel like you are part of an event when driving it. The noise is addictive and it just looks far more special than the Turbo.
Having a Ferrari in the garage is great because there is a real contrast between the 2 cars and you can get a sense of enjoyment and drama in either of them without feeling the need to drive at go-to-jail speeds to get the thrill. Gets my vote
The Vantage is different. Rapid enough if you want it to be, but you are aware it is a heavier car, but fast or slow you feel like you are part of an event when driving it. The noise is addictive and it just looks far more special than the Turbo.
Having a Ferrari in the garage is great because there is a real contrast between the 2 cars and you can get a sense of enjoyment and drama in either of them without feeling the need to drive at go-to-jail speeds to get the thrill. Gets my vote
renmure said:
Similarish situation here. I sold my 996 Turbo S purely because it did nothing other than go ballistically fast. I didn't get any sense of drama or feel any great prestige (ok, call me vain!!) in doing that in the Porsche. As a subtle and understated weapon it was probably ideal and I can appreciate why they are the perfect single car for many people.
The Vantage is different. Rapid enough if you want it to be, but you are aware it is a heavier car, but fast or slow you feel like you are part of an event when driving it. The noise is addictive and it just looks far more special than the Turbo.
Having a Ferrari in the garage is great because there is a real contrast between the 2 cars and you can get a sense of enjoyment and drama in either of them without feeling the need to drive at go-to-jail speeds to get the thrill. Gets my vote
Yep - I've seen posts from you before which made me think your view of the turbo was similar to mine - although I've kept mine longer! As a daily, mine was great but it doesn't really make it as a fun car for me.The Vantage is different. Rapid enough if you want it to be, but you are aware it is a heavier car, but fast or slow you feel like you are part of an event when driving it. The noise is addictive and it just looks far more special than the Turbo.
Having a Ferrari in the garage is great because there is a real contrast between the 2 cars and you can get a sense of enjoyment and drama in either of them without feeling the need to drive at go-to-jail speeds to get the thrill. Gets my vote
Budget in for LED sidelights - ridiculously expensive when they go!
My experience is that the running and stopping gear is superb, very reliable. The let downs are little things like modules etc. I've had to change a PDC sensor once, a Tyre pressure Monitor, and two LED sidelights (1 under warranty). The PDC is currently not working as the main module seems to be f
ked. I have not got round to sorting it out yet. Oh the Battery has just gone today, but they go on all cars so not complaining.
Car just over 5 years old. On the plus side it is much better experience to drive than my Porsche. And other people love them!
Best of luck with your selection.
My experience is that the running and stopping gear is superb, very reliable. The let downs are little things like modules etc. I've had to change a PDC sensor once, a Tyre pressure Monitor, and two LED sidelights (1 under warranty). The PDC is currently not working as the main module seems to be f
ked. I have not got round to sorting it out yet. Oh the Battery has just gone today, but they go on all cars so not complaining.Car just over 5 years old. On the plus side it is much better experience to drive than my Porsche. And other people love them!
Best of luck with your selection.
I might be one of the lucky ones but I've had my V8V for nearly 5 years and it's probably the most reliable car I've had. And this includes 4 x 911s, 2 x SL500s.
As the years roll on the bills will come but that applies to all cars (without exception) and I doubt any of us expect these repair bills to be similar to a Vauxhall Omega or Ford Mondeo.
We all know the 4.3 doesn't perform like a TVR or a 911 - it's a different form of enjoyment and that level of enjoyment increases massively, as does the sound of the engine when you drive it through the gears between 3500 to 6500. But it's still no match for a 911 in performance; only more enjoyable.
As the years roll on the bills will come but that applies to all cars (without exception) and I doubt any of us expect these repair bills to be similar to a Vauxhall Omega or Ford Mondeo.
We all know the 4.3 doesn't perform like a TVR or a 911 - it's a different form of enjoyment and that level of enjoyment increases massively, as does the sound of the engine when you drive it through the gears between 3500 to 6500. But it's still no match for a 911 in performance; only more enjoyable.
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