What to look out for?
Discussion
Hi,
I have been on this forum for a while now and have even posted a few things and since the crowd is so knowledgeable I thought I may ask this question. Now before you answer can I say I would by the definitive book however it is not out until after the "Jubes" Celebration and sadly an event has overtaken this for me in the meantime, and so to my question:
I am going to look at a 2008 (though model year is 2009) 4.7 Vantage tomorrow with a view to a potential purchase. I am wondering if there is anything a) that i should out for b) bear in mind whilst looking at it c) be wary of. This would be my first experience of AM towards considering buying and so I would be grateful for any thoughts from the rather more experienced people on here.
Thanks.
I have been on this forum for a while now and have even posted a few things and since the crowd is so knowledgeable I thought I may ask this question. Now before you answer can I say I would by the definitive book however it is not out until after the "Jubes" Celebration and sadly an event has overtaken this for me in the meantime, and so to my question:
I am going to look at a 2008 (though model year is 2009) 4.7 Vantage tomorrow with a view to a potential purchase. I am wondering if there is anything a) that i should out for b) bear in mind whilst looking at it c) be wary of. This would be my first experience of AM towards considering buying and so I would be grateful for any thoughts from the rather more experienced people on here.
Thanks.
Try the search - that question gets asked pretty much every week.
Also buy this book - http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
Also buy this book - http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
More info needed - Sportshift or manual, coupe or roadster etc. Some info is specific to the car type!
Check around the door handles and side strakes very carefully... If you see little bubbles under the paint it's the dreaded galvanic reaction and needs a repaint which is not covered by the warranty. Your move from then on in.
Mileage? If 20-30k and on its original clutch it could be worn... Though not necessarily, though this is the typical lifespan. Same with the discs, do they have a lip on their outer edge? Check tyres have LOADS of tread, not just legal limit as they are pricey to replace 2 months after you've just bought the car!
Lastly, can you arrange to see 2 in a day? Just means you're less likely to buy the first you see, which may not be a bad thing of course, but let's face it... It's going to look great, sound great and go well. Hard not to put a deposit down without even looking at another!
Good luck and let us know how it goes
Check around the door handles and side strakes very carefully... If you see little bubbles under the paint it's the dreaded galvanic reaction and needs a repaint which is not covered by the warranty. Your move from then on in.
Mileage? If 20-30k and on its original clutch it could be worn... Though not necessarily, though this is the typical lifespan. Same with the discs, do they have a lip on their outer edge? Check tyres have LOADS of tread, not just legal limit as they are pricey to replace 2 months after you've just bought the car!
Lastly, can you arrange to see 2 in a day? Just means you're less likely to buy the first you see, which may not be a bad thing of course, but let's face it... It's going to look great, sound great and go well. Hard not to put a deposit down without even looking at another!
Good luck and let us know how it goes
Watch out for the dreaded paint bubbling around the door handles, leading edge of bonnet, and under the black wing mirror support brackets. I also vaguely recall that it has shown up on the windscreen header rail. Anyone recall anywhere else.
In many/most cases this is not covered by warranty so make sure it's 100% right before you commit or insist that the work is correct prior to collection.
There are a few threads on PH on this
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Other than that:-
Check the doors lock when you expect them to (there have been issues with the door modules meaning that despite appearing to have locked they can still be opened).
Check boot release works from inside next to gearlever, on rear hatch button and key fob (double press).
Ask for confirmation that all bulletins have been effected.
Check all LEDS in front and rear lights operate. They seem to be failing.
Other than that I think there are a few known issues such as faulty thermostat (car will not reach operating temp on cold days. That may be hard to check tomorrow!), faulty oil pressure relief valve (ppppft noise at start up IIRC).
Squeeling brakes
Other than that they seem to be pretty good.
have fun
In many/most cases this is not covered by warranty so make sure it's 100% right before you commit or insist that the work is correct prior to collection.
There are a few threads on PH on this
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Other than that:-
Check the doors lock when you expect them to (there have been issues with the door modules meaning that despite appearing to have locked they can still be opened).
Check boot release works from inside next to gearlever, on rear hatch button and key fob (double press).
Ask for confirmation that all bulletins have been effected.
Check all LEDS in front and rear lights operate. They seem to be failing.
Other than that I think there are a few known issues such as faulty thermostat (car will not reach operating temp on cold days. That may be hard to check tomorrow!), faulty oil pressure relief valve (ppppft noise at start up IIRC).
Squeeling brakes
Other than that they seem to be pretty good.
have fun
Check that the satnav and stereo work properly. IIRC these are not covered under the extended warranty and speaker problems are common; Take a CD that you know well and try the stereo out to your entire satisfaction. Make sure there is no buzzing, or vibrations.
Get them to throw in the AM umbrella if you can blag it. You will be irritated if you don't get it with the car, but probably not enough to actually splash out and buy one. Similar for battery conditioner, but they probably won't want to throw it in. You can get a CTEK one which is the same for a quarter of the price.
Take the car out and give it a good drive. Get them to agree to fix any rattles you might discover.
Basically, you want to check carefully anything the extended warranty excludes.
Check the tyres, too. I'd be wary of buying a car that is still on old tyres, even if there is lots of tread.
Get them to throw in the AM umbrella if you can blag it. You will be irritated if you don't get it with the car, but probably not enough to actually splash out and buy one. Similar for battery conditioner, but they probably won't want to throw it in. You can get a CTEK one which is the same for a quarter of the price.
Take the car out and give it a good drive. Get them to agree to fix any rattles you might discover.
Basically, you want to check carefully anything the extended warranty excludes.
Check the tyres, too. I'd be wary of buying a car that is still on old tyres, even if there is lots of tread.
yeti said:
Check around .... side strakes very carefully... If you see little bubbles under the paint it's the dreaded galvanic reaction and needs a repaint which is not covered by the warranty. Your move from then on in.
No its not! Its just a s
t paint job - can't be a galvanic reaction as its a plastic wing.Same result though - so check it and get the dealer to fix / repair it. later cars were subject to a different paint process and checks by the factory.
Neilc123 said:
Apologies Yeti - sportshift coupe
Sportshift - you definately want te dealer to check the clutch wear. How many miles? Some owners don't know how to look after the clutch on the sportshift. How many owners has it had.In addition to previously posted electrical checks, also check to see if the bluetooth has been upgraded with an additional microphone (you'll see it to the right of the visor). Voice calls are rubbish without it.
Most of the cars are very reliable, so don't get too concerned by this whole thread if it makes Aston's seem unreliable - its just a list of things to check.
Hi Neil, an early 4.7 is a great call, if it isn't main dealer you ideally want an A.M. inspection along with a years warranty within the package, this should also cover any bodywork issues (good point by Yeti). Aston's are mileage sensitive so take that into account when comparing prices, FSH, no accidents a must. Neil is spot on with regards to the clutch... it needs checking - particularly on a Sportshift car, on that subject you need to have a decent test drive in town, stop start traffic and the open road to see if you are happy with the system, it takes time to get used to, and can be quirky.
Options are specific to your needs, but fully loaded is good for best re-sale - Sports Pack if you are a serious driving enthusiast - Premium Audio if you enjoy your music on the move - Powerfold, cruise, heated seats, memory, HID's all very useful!
Don't rush in there are plenty of cars out there, condition and history (talk to past owners) is priority... and you could be better informed ( good advice from George
) if you wait a week until the updated guide is out 
! It is, after all, a big purchase.
Options are specific to your needs, but fully loaded is good for best re-sale - Sports Pack if you are a serious driving enthusiast - Premium Audio if you enjoy your music on the move - Powerfold, cruise, heated seats, memory, HID's all very useful!
Don't rush in there are plenty of cars out there, condition and history (talk to past owners) is priority... and you could be better informed ( good advice from George
) if you wait a week until the updated guide is out ! It is, after all, a big purchase.Grant3 said:
Hi Neil, an early 4.7 is a great call, if it isn't main dealer you ideally want an A.M. inspection along with a years warranty within the package, this should also cover any bodywork issues (good point by Yeti).
If the car is over 3 years old paint issues caused by the factory paint process are not covered by the extended warranty. Paint defects are only covered within the original 3 year manufacturers warrantyNeil1300R said:
If the car is over 3 years old paint issues caused by the factory paint process are not covered by the extended warranty. Paint defects are only covered within the original 3 year manufacturers warranty
Good point Neil, but I'm still an advocate of a good inspection as it should pick up issues even if they are at extra cost (but most paint imperfections should have been spotted over 3 years under warranty) and crucially the10 year bodyshell warranty should cover corrosion (if it isn't caused by external means and the car has been inspected as per the service history requirements), best to know before purchase. The extended warranty is also a must in the first year of ownership IMO, while you get to know the car, Aston are also far more sympathetic to any issues that appear on an officially inspected car which is under warranty.peterr96 said:
Watch out for the dreaded paint bubbling around .... and under the black wing mirror support brackets. .....
I am seeing this on my drivers side wing mirror support, is this likely to require replacement or repair AND is this covered by AM warranty (bought my car from the dealership with a years warranty...Thanks
Pete
petecowie said:
I am seeing this on my drivers side wing mirror support, is this likely to require replacement or repair AND is this covered by AM warranty (bought my car from the dealership with a years warranty...
Thanks
Pete
NoThanks
Pete
But can be repainted by and decent sprayer.
Stratstone painted mine FOC but they were painting my wheels at the time as a paying job.
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