V8 vantage roadster
Discussion
Hi all, my first time on the Aston blog..
I have just sold my 997.1 Porsche and deciding what to buy next but do fancy a convertible.
I see there is a main dealer manual V8 Vantage roadster, 2008, just 18k miles, up for £45k, so assume could get a grand or so off that. Problem is its a fair way from my house so can't easily test drive.
Could I ask what you guys think of this model, obviously its the early 4.3 engibe version, but how do these drive ? The reviews seem to say its a heavy beast compared to a 911....any comments welcome !
Are there any known issues with the V8 engine akin to 911 bore scoring (which is the only reason i sold the 997)?
what do you reckon the depreciation will be like on this if I do 5k miles pa ?
Also, im guessing main dealer servicing is steep even compared to Porsche ?
Cheers
I have just sold my 997.1 Porsche and deciding what to buy next but do fancy a convertible.
I see there is a main dealer manual V8 Vantage roadster, 2008, just 18k miles, up for £45k, so assume could get a grand or so off that. Problem is its a fair way from my house so can't easily test drive.
Could I ask what you guys think of this model, obviously its the early 4.3 engibe version, but how do these drive ? The reviews seem to say its a heavy beast compared to a 911....any comments welcome !
Are there any known issues with the V8 engine akin to 911 bore scoring (which is the only reason i sold the 997)?
what do you reckon the depreciation will be like on this if I do 5k miles pa ?
Also, im guessing main dealer servicing is steep even compared to Porsche ?
Cheers
Hi there,
The Aston is more refined then the 997, but the 997 is probably a better drivers car. That's not to say the Aston is bad at all, it's just more towards GT then the Porsche.
I had a Porsche before and was always worried about the IMS bearing and bore scoring, but as far as I understand nothing really goes wrong with the V8's. The only thing to consider is that some people don't get much life out of their clutches, but this may have something to do with driving style, rather then design fault.
Service cost aren't much more then Porsche. The Vantage was designed to compete with the 911 and to have similar running costs.
I test drove a 4.3 initially in wasn't that impressed coming from the Porsche. The engine just seemed a little lethargic. I then drove the 4.7 and loved it. The interior is also much more up to date, so if you can stretch a little to a 4.7, I'd say it's worth it.
Good luck!
The Aston is more refined then the 997, but the 997 is probably a better drivers car. That's not to say the Aston is bad at all, it's just more towards GT then the Porsche.
I had a Porsche before and was always worried about the IMS bearing and bore scoring, but as far as I understand nothing really goes wrong with the V8's. The only thing to consider is that some people don't get much life out of their clutches, but this may have something to do with driving style, rather then design fault.
Service cost aren't much more then Porsche. The Vantage was designed to compete with the 911 and to have similar running costs.
I test drove a 4.3 initially in wasn't that impressed coming from the Porsche. The engine just seemed a little lethargic. I then drove the 4.7 and loved it. The interior is also much more up to date, so if you can stretch a little to a 4.7, I'd say it's worth it.
Good luck!
Welcome
You're near top end money on the 4.3 but you'd need another 10k for a similar 4.7. The later car has a better interior (almost identical to the current car) plus 40 bhp more but possibly worth the stretch. Either way depreciation is levelling off and condition is important.
Servicing at an Indy can be checked online (the FAQ thread lists a few well known ones) but it will be more - I think it's 600 for a service at an Indy.. And if you need a clutch you're looking at a couple of grand v less than half that on a 997.1 based on a friends experience. That said, no real issue and certainly nothing like the problems some Porsche owners have. Warranty costs a lot though so some decide not to, although it's the incidentals that run up bills- headlights can be 4 figures, suspension bits, paint bubbles etc.
There is a book you can buy that tells you everything you could possibly want to know. Check the sticky posts.
You're near top end money on the 4.3 but you'd need another 10k for a similar 4.7. The later car has a better interior (almost identical to the current car) plus 40 bhp more but possibly worth the stretch. Either way depreciation is levelling off and condition is important.
Servicing at an Indy can be checked online (the FAQ thread lists a few well known ones) but it will be more - I think it's 600 for a service at an Indy.. And if you need a clutch you're looking at a couple of grand v less than half that on a 997.1 based on a friends experience. That said, no real issue and certainly nothing like the problems some Porsche owners have. Warranty costs a lot though so some decide not to, although it's the incidentals that run up bills- headlights can be 4 figures, suspension bits, paint bubbles etc.
There is a book you can buy that tells you everything you could possibly want to know. Check the sticky posts.
Hey Charlumax,
Faced a similar decision myself, although I actually never bought a 997. I started with a search for a Gen 1, but fears over the IMS/RMS and bore-scoring moved me on to a Gen 2. Despite a few test drives of them, I ended up with a 2006 V8 Vantage (hoping to collect tomorrow, if the various mods are completed) as there simply was no comparison for me, total heart over head decision. The Vantage just grabbed me on the very first drive, I've always loved them! Clutch wear has already been mentioned, so based on my search over the past 3/4 months, here's what I'd recommend -
1. Go for a drive in almost ANY 4.3, you'll love it. Instantly
(Although the second one I drove was not as nice a car and hadn't had the clutch replaced, I just wanted a comparison).
2. Then buy the book in the second sticky, it's invaluable.
3. Peruse this forum, looking at the various ways to alter the 4.3, if necessary (headers/ cats etc).
4. Make sure you buy one with the clutch already replaced, or budget around £2.5k for a new one.
5. The 4.7 seems to be a superb car, but was out of my budget, so I didn't even drive one. A good quality 4.3 (I bought from a superb Indy) with a few mods can go from an excellent car to an outstanding one.
Hope that helps. Best of luck and enjoy the search!
Faced a similar decision myself, although I actually never bought a 997. I started with a search for a Gen 1, but fears over the IMS/RMS and bore-scoring moved me on to a Gen 2. Despite a few test drives of them, I ended up with a 2006 V8 Vantage (hoping to collect tomorrow, if the various mods are completed) as there simply was no comparison for me, total heart over head decision. The Vantage just grabbed me on the very first drive, I've always loved them! Clutch wear has already been mentioned, so based on my search over the past 3/4 months, here's what I'd recommend -
1. Go for a drive in almost ANY 4.3, you'll love it. Instantly
(Although the second one I drove was not as nice a car and hadn't had the clutch replaced, I just wanted a comparison).2. Then buy the book in the second sticky, it's invaluable.
3. Peruse this forum, looking at the various ways to alter the 4.3, if necessary (headers/ cats etc).
4. Make sure you buy one with the clutch already replaced, or budget around £2.5k for a new one.
5. The 4.7 seems to be a superb car, but was out of my budget, so I didn't even drive one. A good quality 4.3 (I bought from a superb Indy) with a few mods can go from an excellent car to an outstanding one.
Hope that helps. Best of luck and enjoy the search!
I went from a 997 Carerra S to a 4.3 V8V (and now to a V12V) and they are completely different cars in almost all respects. Driving the 997, I always felt like I was sitting on it rather than in it, whereas the Vantage feels like it's wrapped around me. Sitting lower in the Vantage obviously helps.
The 997 is a much easier car to drive and live with day to day. The Vantage is heavier but the steering is well weighted so you dont notice it too much. The skinny steering wheel on the 997 always annoyed me but then the steering wheel on all of the Astons (maybe with the exception of the newest models) is the worst part of the car and looks like it came off a 90's rep-mobile.
Even with the sports exhaust on the 997 the sound wasnt in the same league as the Vantage. I put a Quiksilver on my Vantage but took it off as it was just too loud and it attracted the attention of the local Police, who in Qatar, weren't like normal Police, especially when dealing with expats!
The 997 was a great car, really quick when you wanted it to be but somehow uninvolving. The Aston is the exact opposite, very involving. The 997 was like watching a good movie sitting in a deck chair with a can of Stella whilst the Vantage is like watching LA Confidential on a Chesterfield with Emily Blunt serving up a good red.
The 997 is a much easier car to drive and live with day to day. The Vantage is heavier but the steering is well weighted so you dont notice it too much. The skinny steering wheel on the 997 always annoyed me but then the steering wheel on all of the Astons (maybe with the exception of the newest models) is the worst part of the car and looks like it came off a 90's rep-mobile.
Even with the sports exhaust on the 997 the sound wasnt in the same league as the Vantage. I put a Quiksilver on my Vantage but took it off as it was just too loud and it attracted the attention of the local Police, who in Qatar, weren't like normal Police, especially when dealing with expats!
The 997 was a great car, really quick when you wanted it to be but somehow uninvolving. The Aston is the exact opposite, very involving. The 997 was like watching a good movie sitting in a deck chair with a can of Stella whilst the Vantage is like watching LA Confidential on a Chesterfield with Emily Blunt serving up a good red.
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