Bought a V8 Vantage!
Discussion
Hi all,
Thought I'd say hi properly (with photos in tow), and say thanks for all of the help over the last few months. I bought a 2007 V8 Vantage last month, and finally got rounds to sorting some photos.
I have wanted one for a long time, and have been putting it off since about 2012 in the hope that the Vantage would dip to £20k. I've realised that this is very unlikely to happen, so have put faith in my money being reasonably safe buying in the £30-35k mark. I have kept a close eye on this end of the market for a few months now.
I originally wanted one of the very early models with a sound service history and sensible mileage (which I defined as being less than 50k), and pay as close to £30k as possible. After getting Grant's book for Christmas (a vital guide for any prospective buyer!), I decided that I wanted an MY2007 for slightly better standard spec (guaranteed leather dash/rear parking sensors) and the revised seats which I prefer the look of.
I also absolutely wanted Tungsten Grey originally, and I later included Meteorite Silver - which is a fantastic colour.
I ended up putting a very quick offer on the one I bought after being the first to pounce on Autotrader. It was a private sale, and everything stacked up for me apart from the colour. I was sold on Onyx Black the moment I saw the car.
I've got it back from an inspection with Chiltern AM last week. It needed a new thermostat and oil breather valve, and I had the aux belt changed as a precaution, but otherwise given the green light! It came off an AM AUC warranty in September last year, so I wasn't expecting a huge amount of problems.
A few details: June 2007, 43k miles, FAMSH, new clutch at 31k miles, MOT till late 2016; 700w Premium Audio, Sat nav, auto dimming mirror, Xenons, Bluetooth, cruise, folding mirrors, memory seats, heated seats.
Been driving an e46 M3 for the past 7 years (which I still have). Looking forward to a fun summer ahead, and looking to hold onto it for as long as I can!
Nick
Thought I'd say hi properly (with photos in tow), and say thanks for all of the help over the last few months. I bought a 2007 V8 Vantage last month, and finally got rounds to sorting some photos.
I have wanted one for a long time, and have been putting it off since about 2012 in the hope that the Vantage would dip to £20k. I've realised that this is very unlikely to happen, so have put faith in my money being reasonably safe buying in the £30-35k mark. I have kept a close eye on this end of the market for a few months now.
I originally wanted one of the very early models with a sound service history and sensible mileage (which I defined as being less than 50k), and pay as close to £30k as possible. After getting Grant's book for Christmas (a vital guide for any prospective buyer!), I decided that I wanted an MY2007 for slightly better standard spec (guaranteed leather dash/rear parking sensors) and the revised seats which I prefer the look of.
I also absolutely wanted Tungsten Grey originally, and I later included Meteorite Silver - which is a fantastic colour.
I ended up putting a very quick offer on the one I bought after being the first to pounce on Autotrader. It was a private sale, and everything stacked up for me apart from the colour. I was sold on Onyx Black the moment I saw the car.
I've got it back from an inspection with Chiltern AM last week. It needed a new thermostat and oil breather valve, and I had the aux belt changed as a precaution, but otherwise given the green light! It came off an AM AUC warranty in September last year, so I wasn't expecting a huge amount of problems.
A few details: June 2007, 43k miles, FAMSH, new clutch at 31k miles, MOT till late 2016; 700w Premium Audio, Sat nav, auto dimming mirror, Xenons, Bluetooth, cruise, folding mirrors, memory seats, heated seats.
Been driving an e46 M3 for the past 7 years (which I still have). Looking forward to a fun summer ahead, and looking to hold onto it for as long as I can!
Nick
Congratulations Nick!! 
With my last two cars I didn't intend to get black but when you see them in person they really stand out, especially when clean and there's a bit of sun! The photos look stunning.
I've always been a big fan of red brake callipers on black cars and those two tone seats really stand out.
How you finding the drive compared to your BMW? You must be loving the noise...
I assume you've taken the fuse out?
With my last two cars I didn't intend to get black but when you see them in person they really stand out, especially when clean and there's a bit of sun! The photos look stunning.
I've always been a big fan of red brake callipers on black cars and those two tone seats really stand out.
How you finding the drive compared to your BMW? You must be loving the noise...
I assume you've taken the fuse out?
Edited by Nijius Maximus on Tuesday 9th February 18:53
Edited by Nijius Maximus on Tuesday 9th February 18:54
Lovely looking example, hope you have many happy years of motoring. As already stated get fuse 22 removed if you haven't already for a glorious noise.
Then get a remote switch fitted so that you can quieten it down when you need to on those early morning/late night outings.
Oh and buy plenty of cleaning products to keep that black looking shiny.
Then get a remote switch fitted so that you can quieten it down when you need to on those early morning/late night outings.
Oh and buy plenty of cleaning products to keep that black looking shiny.
What's Fuse 22?
Parcel shelf has been neatly stowed too! I have a huge collection of cleaning products for my M3 including a Meguairs G400 polisher which I'll be getting out in the Spring, so the Black paint will be staying nice and shiney.
I want to keep the full AMSH, I really like Chiltern AM - great service and extremely convenient for me. Are Chiltern AM considered 'proper' AM for servicing purposes? I don't quite understand their Independent status, but would prefer to use them for everything if I can.
Parcel shelf has been neatly stowed too! I have a huge collection of cleaning products for my M3 including a Meguairs G400 polisher which I'll be getting out in the Spring, so the Black paint will be staying nice and shiney.
I want to keep the full AMSH, I really like Chiltern AM - great service and extremely convenient for me. Are Chiltern AM considered 'proper' AM for servicing purposes? I don't quite understand their Independent status, but would prefer to use them for everything if I can.
NickXX said:
What's Fuse 22?
I think you know.
There are two valves in the exhaust system.
The valves are open from 0 to 1500 rpm.
Closed from 1500 to about 4000 rpm.
Open above 4000 rpm.
If you remove fuse 22 ( offside boot floor under the useless puncture goo), the exhaust valves remain open all the time.
I replace mine at intervals, so the valves do not stick through non use.
If you wish, you can have a remote switch or a wired switch.
Your car looks great. Well chosen.
Enjoy.
PS. Burghley - have you heard?
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 9th February 20:50
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NickXX said:
The Burghley meet looks great- if I'm not away on that Saturday (planning to go away the following week), I'll sign up! Also going to be heading down to Beaulieu in April.
Pop your cherry and get signed up,where better to meet the friendly inmates and really get the Aston bug get under your skin.Ypu'll be most welcome,registers at the top of the page…...
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