New 06 Vantage Owner
Discussion
So I finally managed to track down a suitable 4.3 Vantage as a replacement for the one I reluctantly had to sell back in 2009 to fund a house renovation project.
After a long and ultimately fruitless search for a Tungsten Silver car, a Meteorite one popped up on one of my search updates a couple of week ago. The ad looked promising, so I phoned the seller half an hour later, arranged to view the next day and, after a lengthy viewing and test drive, did the deal.
It’s a fairly standard 2006 model with Obsidian leather and silver contrast stitching. This is the same as my previous one, the only differences being the inclusion of cruise control, red calipers, bright finish grille and anthracite wheels. I ended up paying slightly over my budget, but it ticked most of my boxes in terms of spec and with only 24k on the clock, I knew I’d end up kicking myself if I passed it up.
After a very wet drive home on Saturday morning, it’s now home and safely ensconced in the recently re-furbished garage. I’d bought a stubby aerial some time ago, so immediately swapped that out for the original whip version and quickly removed the air-bag safety stickers from the sun-visors. I then had to go away for the rest of the weekend, so not had much chance to poke around more and get to know the car. I'll try out filling in a few stone chips with a Chipex kit once I figure out what colour code I need, as I couldn’t find any sticker with the code by the sat-nav box in the boot. Anyone care to advise which one I would need to order for the 06 model year?
Not sure I can live with the anthracite wheels, so they’ll be getting re-sprayed back to silver. Have similar feelings about the red calipers, but as I intend to fit clear rear lights when funds allow, I’ll get them re-painted black or grey when I do this. An indoor cover and battery conditioner are also on the cards soon as well as a detail for the paintwork. Doesn’t require a service for another year, but when that’s due I’ll be trying out Aston Martin Bristol, which conveniently has just opened up 5 minutes down the road from my house.
Thanks everyone for all the advice and responses to my numerous questions over the past few months. This one is hopefully a keeper and I’m over the moon to have an Aston back in the garage again after such a long wait.
After a long and ultimately fruitless search for a Tungsten Silver car, a Meteorite one popped up on one of my search updates a couple of week ago. The ad looked promising, so I phoned the seller half an hour later, arranged to view the next day and, after a lengthy viewing and test drive, did the deal.
It’s a fairly standard 2006 model with Obsidian leather and silver contrast stitching. This is the same as my previous one, the only differences being the inclusion of cruise control, red calipers, bright finish grille and anthracite wheels. I ended up paying slightly over my budget, but it ticked most of my boxes in terms of spec and with only 24k on the clock, I knew I’d end up kicking myself if I passed it up.
After a very wet drive home on Saturday morning, it’s now home and safely ensconced in the recently re-furbished garage. I’d bought a stubby aerial some time ago, so immediately swapped that out for the original whip version and quickly removed the air-bag safety stickers from the sun-visors. I then had to go away for the rest of the weekend, so not had much chance to poke around more and get to know the car. I'll try out filling in a few stone chips with a Chipex kit once I figure out what colour code I need, as I couldn’t find any sticker with the code by the sat-nav box in the boot. Anyone care to advise which one I would need to order for the 06 model year?
Not sure I can live with the anthracite wheels, so they’ll be getting re-sprayed back to silver. Have similar feelings about the red calipers, but as I intend to fit clear rear lights when funds allow, I’ll get them re-painted black or grey when I do this. An indoor cover and battery conditioner are also on the cards soon as well as a detail for the paintwork. Doesn’t require a service for another year, but when that’s due I’ll be trying out Aston Martin Bristol, which conveniently has just opened up 5 minutes down the road from my house.
Thanks everyone for all the advice and responses to my numerous questions over the past few months. This one is hopefully a keeper and I’m over the moon to have an Aston back in the garage again after such a long wait.
leerandle said:
Steve/Bladerunner, its always nice to know other AM owners near by.
I'm happy to meet up after work one night or at a weekend (when I'm about).
Maybe a run out to a pub with good parking is the best option ??
Yes I'd be up for that. Weekday evenings would probably suit me best at the moment.I'm happy to meet up after work one night or at a weekend (when I'm about).
Maybe a run out to a pub with good parking is the best option ??
Bladerunner/Steve, let me know where in Bristol you're from and I'll look at finding somewhere to go.
My first thoughts are the Golden Heart in Winterbourne (As its got a decent car park) and the setting is decent.
Could go there after work one night maybe next week before the weather and nights start to close in.
My first thoughts are the Golden Heart in Winterbourne (As its got a decent car park) and the setting is decent.
Could go there after work one night maybe next week before the weather and nights start to close in.
Personally I'm a fan of the dark wheels, but then I've got silver calipers which are a bit more complimentary.
Murph7355 said:
I really like the darker wheels and overall colour combo. I'd be inclined to live with it for a while and see how you feel.
That colour wheel will hide brake dust better too
Definitely leave the rear lights alone
Enjoy it.
Thanks - I think you're right and I'll leave as is for now and see how I feel in a few months. In their favour, the wheels are totally un-marked and are, as you say, great for hiding brake dust.That colour wheel will hide brake dust better too
Definitely leave the rear lights alone
Enjoy it.
Noticed yesterday that I seem to have one of the few cars that wasn't specced with Xenon's. Can't see any visual difference in the headlamp units compared to my previous car that did have them - so is it just the bulbs themselves that are different? Light output and colour did look a bit rubbish in the garage, but I suppose I could just get some better (higher output and whiter light) bulbs to replace the standard ones.
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