V8 Vantage, things to look out for.
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m thinking of swapping iconic British brands. Currently own a TVR Tuscan and have been considering something of a change.......
An early V8 vantage is likely to be the chosen path 2007-08 as or maybe a DB9 but don’t know why, but swaying towards the vantage.
Is there anything major to look out for?
Thanks All.
I’m thinking of swapping iconic British brands. Currently own a TVR Tuscan and have been considering something of a change.......
An early V8 vantage is likely to be the chosen path 2007-08 as or maybe a DB9 but don’t know why, but swaying towards the vantage.
Is there anything major to look out for?
Thanks All.
Milky
Standard things are (in no particular order)
1. Clutch, check if slipping or if it has been replaced. They can go early or last 100,000km or more
2. Service history is important now they are getting older
3. Rear sub frame corrosion (see recent thread )
4. Corrosion of door handles (bubbling of paint) and wiper arms
5. Timing cover oil leaks
6. Stereo/Bluetooth module playing up - sometimes one speaker or the other won't work
7. Depending on mileage shocks might be getting tired
8. Check throttle body for oil
I did 60,000km in mine over three and half years and sold it with 90,000km on the clock. Only issue for me was no 8 but a great car. Good luck with your search
Graeme
Standard things are (in no particular order)
1. Clutch, check if slipping or if it has been replaced. They can go early or last 100,000km or more
2. Service history is important now they are getting older
3. Rear sub frame corrosion (see recent thread )
4. Corrosion of door handles (bubbling of paint) and wiper arms
5. Timing cover oil leaks
6. Stereo/Bluetooth module playing up - sometimes one speaker or the other won't work
7. Depending on mileage shocks might be getting tired
8. Check throttle body for oil
I did 60,000km in mine over three and half years and sold it with 90,000km on the clock. Only issue for me was no 8 but a great car. Good luck with your search
Graeme
We have seen quite a few TVR owners on here, who have bought an Aston Martin.
Both obviously big engine sports cars.
With the Ford Motor Company overseeing the development of the DB9 and Vantage, you should be impressed by the quality level.
Expect you have studied the model change aspects. I see that you have discovered Grant's book.
The main change to the Vantage was for Model Year 2009, when the 4.7 was introduced.
Auto and manuals available for DB9 and Vantage. The Vantage auto is not the traditional torque shift box, but an automated manual gearbox. Be sure to drive one, because not everyone likes the idiosyncracies (manoeuvring and slow traffic).
Many of these cars are lightly used, so take time to chose what you want, then wait for the best condition car to appear.
Plenty of knowkedgeable people here to answer your questions.
Don't be afraid of buying one with a few miles on either, they handle the miles very well, and are likely to have had any little mechanical niggles sorted along the way, experience has taught me that immaculate low mileage garage queens are more likely to start misbehaving once they actually get used a bit, but that goes for any car.
As well as around the door handles, you also get corrosion on the bottom of the doors (at the front).
Mine has the timing cover leak but it's tiny. Puts a mist of oil on it. Clean it off every 6-12 months. I did drop a very small bit of oil if left for a few weeks in the garage but it's stopped doing that.
TPS systems can fail too. Usually the valves.
Don't let this ever-growing list put you off. I love mine and came to it from a Lotus.
Mine has the timing cover leak but it's tiny. Puts a mist of oil on it. Clean it off every 6-12 months. I did drop a very small bit of oil if left for a few weeks in the garage but it's stopped doing that.
TPS systems can fail too. Usually the valves.
Don't let this ever-growing list put you off. I love mine and came to it from a Lotus.
JonnyCJ said:
Couple of others - mirror arm corrosion and headlight condensation.
Both home fixes if you’re that way inclined but handy to know when it comes to bargaining.
Worth checking the rear lights too - if they're getting water in them, you're going to have a ~£1k bill pretty soon.Both home fixes if you’re that way inclined but handy to know when it comes to bargaining.
General view is that our cars are tough, generally reliable and can take the miles. And are brilliant and satisfying fun. There can be issues, great pointers in this thread for checking out individual cars.
If you are concerned get one with FSH and a Timeless warranty, it is really very good and a big step beyond open-market ones. Had one for the first year but have 'self insured' since.
Otherwise have a contingency budget, some allow £1000 a year for things going awry. The clutch is the biggest concern on the earlier V8s at £3k for a new one, £3.5k for a twin-plat upgrade, I have to say the 4.7 has it for me IF you can stretch. But not to worry if the 4.3 is where you're at.
Haven't owned a TVR but previous threads support the better build quality of the Gaydon era Astons but a similar feel good ownership experience?
If you are concerned get one with FSH and a Timeless warranty, it is really very good and a big step beyond open-market ones. Had one for the first year but have 'self insured' since.
Otherwise have a contingency budget, some allow £1000 a year for things going awry. The clutch is the biggest concern on the earlier V8s at £3k for a new one, £3.5k for a twin-plat upgrade, I have to say the 4.7 has it for me IF you can stretch. But not to worry if the 4.3 is where you're at.
Haven't owned a TVR but previous threads support the better build quality of the Gaydon era Astons but a similar feel good ownership experience?
Manx V8V said:
Don't be afraid of buying one with a few miles on either, they handle the miles very well, and are likely to have had any little mechanical niggles sorted along the way, experience has taught me that immaculate low mileage garage queens are more likely to start misbehaving once they actually get used a bit, but that goes for any car.
^^^^^ ThisIf I were looking for a daily, I'd be looking for one that had actually been used, instead of just looked at it's whole life. I fell foul of this very thing when I bought my first V8V........had a timing cover leak that should have been sorted a long time before, but as it was never used it wasn't........and then I bought it
Swapped my Tuscan for an 06 Vantage years ago.
Now done 75,000 miles. Not a sqeak or a rattle. One fuel pump & two batteries is the extent of it, other than 3 sets of rear lights before I got a set that kept the water out!
Advice is if you need to swap out the rears bite the bullet & pay for a new Aston set, or use Divinatech. Cheap e bay ones tend to have the same problem.
Now done 75,000 miles. Not a sqeak or a rattle. One fuel pump & two batteries is the extent of it, other than 3 sets of rear lights before I got a set that kept the water out!
Advice is if you need to swap out the rears bite the bullet & pay for a new Aston set, or use Divinatech. Cheap e bay ones tend to have the same problem.
Riddochg said:
Swapped my Tuscan for an 06 Vantage years ago.
Now done 75,000 miles. Not a sqeak or a rattle. One fuel pump & two batteries is the extent of it, other than 3 sets of rear lights before I got a set that kept the water out!
Advice is if you need to swap out the rears bite the bullet & pay for a new Aston set, or use Divinatech. Cheap e bay ones tend to have the same problem.
I just replaced the battery in mine, what a GIANT pain in the rear. Whoever designed those brackets needs a punch in the nose.Now done 75,000 miles. Not a sqeak or a rattle. One fuel pump & two batteries is the extent of it, other than 3 sets of rear lights before I got a set that kept the water out!
Advice is if you need to swap out the rears bite the bullet & pay for a new Aston set, or use Divinatech. Cheap e bay ones tend to have the same problem.
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