Is a "cheap" V8V a risk too far
Discussion
Early next year I will be in a position to get rid of my personal lease car and get back in to ownership.
Already have a much loved BMW 650 convertible as the practical car, wife has an even more practical car that could become the family holdall on the few occasions all 3 of us go out together
That leaves me in the position that I can consider a sub 30k V8V, ideally no more than 28k
There seems to be a small but growing number of cars at this kind of price point, I'm willing to be flexible on colour, spec and mileage but what I will be looking for is a good, solid history and obviously, a car that is well cared.
Have ruled out an M6 V10 due to rod bearing, throttle actuator concerns, a 911 and XK R as I just dont think they look or feel special enough, the only other car currently in the frame is Mercedes CL63, very different to a V8V but has the same sense of "occasion" about it. I have had use of a V8V for 2 weekends a few years ago as a present from my OH and I loved every minute of it - not necessarily looking for all out performance nowadays so I know the 4.3 will be enough
I fully appreciate its a 30k car that will have maintenance costs of an 80k+ car and have factored that in - am I dreaming that I can get a decent car on this basis?
Already have a much loved BMW 650 convertible as the practical car, wife has an even more practical car that could become the family holdall on the few occasions all 3 of us go out together
That leaves me in the position that I can consider a sub 30k V8V, ideally no more than 28k
There seems to be a small but growing number of cars at this kind of price point, I'm willing to be flexible on colour, spec and mileage but what I will be looking for is a good, solid history and obviously, a car that is well cared.
Have ruled out an M6 V10 due to rod bearing, throttle actuator concerns, a 911 and XK R as I just dont think they look or feel special enough, the only other car currently in the frame is Mercedes CL63, very different to a V8V but has the same sense of "occasion" about it. I have had use of a V8V for 2 weekends a few years ago as a present from my OH and I loved every minute of it - not necessarily looking for all out performance nowadays so I know the 4.3 will be enough
I fully appreciate its a 30k car that will have maintenance costs of an 80k+ car and have factored that in - am I dreaming that I can get a decent car on this basis?
Edited by Andy665 on Friday 12th July 15:02
johnnyBv8 said:
Nope, if you buy carefully and get one with FSH and consumables recently replaced (e.g. clutch), then you can definitely achieve it. They're reliable and robust cars if properly maintained.
+1Buy one that's been well maintained (and there should be several such cars in your budget) and you'll be fine.
History is everything. I traded in my previous 2006 Vantage with 83k miles on it. It was a great car, well maintained, original clutch replaced at 73k. Drove like a few year old car rather than 10 years old (when traded in). Other than a few stone chips, and a bit of wear on a seat bolster it was pretty well unmarked.
New owner bought it from the dealer for £31k with 12 months warranty, and hopefully still enjoying it now.
Im sure there are other great examples out there, its just a case of checking them out. Consumables can be expensive if they all come due in within say 12 months you soon have a few thousand pounds bill on top of a £650 service. Keep it longer term and its just a matter of time before you need other parts like wheel bearings, clutch etc. Then a £5k+ spend in a year is on the cards sooner or later ......
....On the other hand you could buy a well maintained car, with fairly new consumables, you get to run it for £650 service cost for a year, maybe 2 years, enjoy 10k miles in it and trade it in......
New owner bought it from the dealer for £31k with 12 months warranty, and hopefully still enjoying it now.
Im sure there are other great examples out there, its just a case of checking them out. Consumables can be expensive if they all come due in within say 12 months you soon have a few thousand pounds bill on top of a £650 service. Keep it longer term and its just a matter of time before you need other parts like wheel bearings, clutch etc. Then a £5k+ spend in a year is on the cards sooner or later ......
....On the other hand you could buy a well maintained car, with fairly new consumables, you get to run it for £650 service cost for a year, maybe 2 years, enjoy 10k miles in it and trade it in......
Oilchange said:
Curious, what is included in a £650 service, assuming it’s an annual?
annual or every 10k milesoil, filter and a load of checks and labour... (nearly 3 gallon of oil)
check prices of service bits here: https://www.astonmartinbits.com/search?search=serv...
You can get it a bit cheaper at an independent, obviously its labour rate dependent or you could self service if you have the knowledge and facilities
Edited by bogie on Friday 12th July 16:00
bogie said:
annual or every 10k miles
oil, filter and a load of checks and labour... (nearly 3 gallon of oil)
check prices of service bits here: https://www.astonmartinbits.com /search?search=service&car=5&condition=
You can get it a bit cheaper at an independent, obviously its labour rate dependent or you could self service if you have the knowledge and facilities
Not too bad really - my first oil change on my Leon was £190 and its second year service which I will be avoiding by returning early would be £350oil, filter and a load of checks and labour... (nearly 3 gallon of oil)
check prices of service bits here: https://www.astonmartinbits.com /search?search=service&car=5&condition=
You can get it a bit cheaper at an independent, obviously its labour rate dependent or you could self service if you have the knowledge and facilities
Edited by bogie on Friday 12th July 16:00
Ironically, I'm due to pick up a (new to me) 57 plate V8 Vantage from Aston Workshop up near Durham. Hopefully next week.
Despite the mileage the car looks and drives really nicely. Recent (18 months ago) clutch and flywheel. Premium Audio. Some other bits. Stamped up. Some extra service history (A4 receipts etc for current and previous owner which seems rare in these days of GDPR). And it's Meteorite Silver
The workshop are doing a fair bit of prep for me (passenger door won't stay open, passenger window isn't dropping, one of the rear springs has an issue etc).
So far it's been a really good experience. Hopefully the final result when i pick the car up will be just as good!
I tend to buy cars to drive and enjoy them. So the thought of spending £35k + on a 'mint' lower mileage V8 of that age didn't appeal to me. Figured i might as well get one where some big bills have already been paid for...and put the cash i save into a savings account so i have a slush-fund ready for when my local AM Dealer tells me the interior pollen filters need to be replaced
Despite the mileage the car looks and drives really nicely. Recent (18 months ago) clutch and flywheel. Premium Audio. Some other bits. Stamped up. Some extra service history (A4 receipts etc for current and previous owner which seems rare in these days of GDPR). And it's Meteorite Silver
The workshop are doing a fair bit of prep for me (passenger door won't stay open, passenger window isn't dropping, one of the rear springs has an issue etc).
So far it's been a really good experience. Hopefully the final result when i pick the car up will be just as good!
I tend to buy cars to drive and enjoy them. So the thought of spending £35k + on a 'mint' lower mileage V8 of that age didn't appeal to me. Figured i might as well get one where some big bills have already been paid for...and put the cash i save into a savings account so i have a slush-fund ready for when my local AM Dealer tells me the interior pollen filters need to be replaced
andyvvc said:
Ironically, I'm due to pick up a (new to me) 57 plate V8 Vantage from Aston Workshop up near Durham. Hopefully next week.
Despite the mileage the car looks and drives really nicely. Recent (18 months ago) clutch and flywheel. Premium Audio. Some other bits. Stamped up. Some extra service history (A4 receipts etc for current and previous owner which seems rare in these days of GDPR). And it's Meteorite Silver
The workshop are doing a fair bit of prep for me (passenger door won't stay open, passenger window isn't dropping, one of the rear springs has an issue etc).
So far it's been a really good experience. Hopefully the final result when i pick the car up will be just as good!
I tend to buy cars to drive and enjoy them. So the thought of spending £35k + on a 'mint' lower mileage V8 of that age didn't appeal to me. Figured i might as well get one where some big bills have already been paid for...and put the cash i save into a savings account so i have a slush-fund ready for when my local AM Dealer tells me the interior pollen filters need to be replaced
Just looked at the one you have bought - still on their website but obviously marked as sold - a higher mileage car does not bother me as long as there is history to show it has been well maintainedDespite the mileage the car looks and drives really nicely. Recent (18 months ago) clutch and flywheel. Premium Audio. Some other bits. Stamped up. Some extra service history (A4 receipts etc for current and previous owner which seems rare in these days of GDPR). And it's Meteorite Silver
The workshop are doing a fair bit of prep for me (passenger door won't stay open, passenger window isn't dropping, one of the rear springs has an issue etc).
So far it's been a really good experience. Hopefully the final result when i pick the car up will be just as good!
I tend to buy cars to drive and enjoy them. So the thought of spending £35k + on a 'mint' lower mileage V8 of that age didn't appeal to me. Figured i might as well get one where some big bills have already been paid for...and put the cash i save into a savings account so i have a slush-fund ready for when my local AM Dealer tells me the interior pollen filters need to be replaced
I'd suggest mileage and regular use coupled with proper maintenance is best for the Vantage. It'd just become a "grumpy" car standing around (like most cars) with possibly more unresolved niggles.
Naturally, when a harder-used car gains miles, things will have started wearing in the suspension and other areas. But I wouldn't fear the engine or gearbox.
Naturally, when a harder-used car gains miles, things will have started wearing in the suspension and other areas. But I wouldn't fear the engine or gearbox.
bogie said:
Oilchange said:
Curious, what is included in a £650 service, assuming it’s an annual?
annual or every 10k milesoil, filter and a load of checks and labour... (nearly 3 gallon of oil)
check prices of service bits here: https://www.astonmartinbits.com/search?search=serv...
You can get it a bit cheaper at an independent, obviously its labour rate dependent or you could self service if you have the knowledge and facilities
Edited by bogie on Friday 12th July 16:00
(That’s a lot of oil, does the engine use any normally?)
Edited by Oilchange on Friday 12th July 16:59
I paid 30k for my 07 facelift in March. It wasn’t the cheapest or most expensive.
It did though look right, good history etc and has proven to be fine so far. Has been checked by AML and they identified a corroded brake pipe which is being done August.
Every thing else ok. It’s done 50k miles with no obvious wear inside and the paint had been refreshed by the previous owner.
They’re definitely available at this price point and not rough.
It did though look right, good history etc and has proven to be fine so far. Has been checked by AML and they identified a corroded brake pipe which is being done August.
Every thing else ok. It’s done 50k miles with no obvious wear inside and the paint had been refreshed by the previous owner.
They’re definitely available at this price point and not rough.
Oilchange said:
bogie said:
Oilchange said:
Curious, what is included in a £650 service, assuming it’s an annual?
annual or every 10k milesoil, filter and a load of checks and labour... (nearly 3 gallon of oil)
check prices of service bits here: https://www.astonmartinbits.com/search?search=serv...
You can get it a bit cheaper at an independent, obviously its labour rate dependent or you could self service if you have the knowledge and facilities
Edited by bogie on Friday 12th July 16:00
(That’s a lot of oil, does the engine use any normally?)
Edited by Oilchange on Friday 12th July 16:59
On average i probably put 1 to 2 litres of oil in between services to keep it topped up.
I've never had to top my current one up with oil and it does 5-6K miles per year. It gets regular use, gets driven quite hard quite often and has been utterly reliable. It's on 33,500 miles now and will be due some new brakes soon but is so good and so little trouble that I don't see myself changing it until it's illegal, and then I'll change it into a track toy. They are wonderful cars and in 6 years of ownership have been almost no trouble at all for me. Get one that has been driven, loved and well cared for and you can't go far wrong.
I've had my 07 V8VM for 3 years, it had 30,000km when I bought it, have done 51,000km in the three years, clutch still going well ( never back it uphill!) and the only issue has been a replacement throttle body about 1000km ago.
Drive it, enjoy it and keep smiling
They are great cars, you'll be surprised how capable the chassis and suspension are, keeping mine as a daily ( the V12 is for fast drives and long holiday trips)
Please update us when you find one
Graze
Drive it, enjoy it and keep smiling
They are great cars, you'll be surprised how capable the chassis and suspension are, keeping mine as a daily ( the V12 is for fast drives and long holiday trips)
Please update us when you find one
Graze
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