N430 - any good tips please

[squirdan]

Hi all

I'm flirting with an N430. I've never had an Aston and I feel its time. I like the old school analogue proposition of these - V8 and manual - not as in your face as say a GT3 but still an engaging car to drive. And they feel good value to me... same sort of money (high £50s) as lets say a 2004/5 911 GT3. Ok not as sharp a tool but still, a beautiful manual Aston thats not even 5 years old

I've found a Black 16 car which has the later dash.

Thinking / hoping these don't depreciate anywhere near as much as the finance companies think they will. After all, a 2010 N420 in similar spec is still £45-48k today

I cant find a manual with carbon buckets which is what I wanted originally but the seats are not a deal breaker for me

- any common issues with these that can be spotted when I see it in person?
- do people replace the Bridgestones with a PS4S or similar?
- is an extended warranty about £1800?
- it has FAMSH and next service is due May 2021 when car would be 5 years old and probably have c. 20k miles. I'm expecting c. £1k service?

cheers for any advice

[220e]

Hi.
I am in the same boat as you but will probably go for a late S as opposed to a N430.
Search these forums, there’s loads of info on here. Also check out Bamford Rose YouTube videos, loads of very informative advice.
The general consensus is that purchasing an AM warranty is a waste of money and that you’re better off saving for any possible bills and use a reputable independent AM specialist for any work on your car, they will take better care of it.
Good luck.

[bogie]

- any common issues with these that can be spotted when I see it in person?

have a look at the paint in detail, doors, around wing mirrors, look for any bubbles, pitting etc. Probably the only visible fault that could be spotted without a full inspection

- do people replace the Bridgestones with a PS4S or similar?
Yes, but the exact PS4 sizes are not available for N430 (see long thread on tyres recently)

- is an extended warranty about £1800?
Yes but many dont bother (never had one in 13 years over 2 vantages and 120k miles) you have to be real unlucky to spend that per year on faults. If you buy from a dealer you get the first year. However be aware that extended warranty does not cover everything as per a new car warranty.

- it has FAMSH and next service is due May 2021 when car would be 5 years old and probably have c. 20k miles. I'm expecting c. £1k service?

Yeah about £800 at main dealer on the fixed price menu, if you dont need any other consumables on top
https://astonmartinworks.com/aston-martin-works-af...

[V8V Pete]

squirdan said:

I cant find a manual with carbon buckets which is what I wanted originally but the seats are not a deal breaker for me

Have you driven one with both the standard seats and the carbon buckets? I've owned both and, for me, there is no contest. My advice would be to wait until you find what you were originally looking for but if you've driven one with the standard seats and are happy with them then that's fine.

As Bogie says, do your homework on the paint bubbling. It is very common and unsightly and is expensive to sort out yourself if you can't get AML to pay for it although last time I asked they weren't arguing much if your car was under 10 years old!

If you're buying privately I would get an inspection by a respected Indy. Do not waste your money on an inspection by a main dealer.

Do it. You'll love it.

[JACK6284]

I had the N430 in manual with the carbon seats. Fantastic car and well worth the hunt for these models. Hopefully a picture is attached

[Buster73]

Only 3 N430 coupe for sale on AT not one a manual.

Might be a bigger struggle to find one than you think.

[Grant3]

Just to add....

Be sure to look at the V8S (specifically the interior and carbon exterior additions which lift the feelgood factor) as the 430 is derivative of this.

Also test drive a Roadster, very rigid bodyshell means good dynamics, and the roof down adds a whole new dimension of V8 gorgeousness

[LTP]

squirdan said:

Hi all

I'm flirting with an N430.
....
- do people replace the Bridgestones with a PS4S or similar?
....
cheers for any advice

I've just replaced the tyres on my V8V, which has the 'S' sized wheels and tyres (245/40 frt; 285/35 rr) and Michelin don't sell the 245/40ZR 19 in Europe. Rather than mix types (some advocate PS4's for the front and PS4S's for the rear, but Michelin don't recommend this) I went for Continental Conti ContactSport 6's.

There's a Vantage tyre thread in the forum https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[LTP]

Also Mike of Bamford Rose posted a video giving his opinion of AML extended (Timeless) warranties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URXJMcowhJE

You have to bear in mind that it's essentially an insurance policy and there are items it doesn't cover, like trim and door seals (which seems to upset some PHers) and it is NOT an extension of the manufacturer's 3-year warranty. Read the policy document before you buy.

Having said all that, I decided that I'd protect against unforeseen expensive items and I took out 2 years when the year I got with the car was up. The actual renewal costs vary depending on age, mileage and if it's already under a warranty (just like any insurance premium). So far mine has covered a timing cover oil leak and a complete rebuild of the handbrake system, including new cables, after a recent MOT failure.

It may be possible to get an alternative aftermarket insurance policy to cover mechanical failure, but I doubt it would be as good as the AML one.

[squirdan]

thanks all. useful info!

[MichaelV8V]

I bought my car new, and considered an extended warranty when the car ran out of Aston's warranty. These are reliable cars, with lots of options for getting them fixed at reasonable rates, so I took a risk and went without the warranty.

Now after 10 years ownership, nothing has gone wrong that would have been covered by a warranty. Actually, apart from wear items like tyres and wipers, nothing has gone wrong at all. So I must be about £15,000 ahead by taking that risk. A pretty comfortable buffer in case anything does happen. Now if I could only work out where I've put that £15,000 ... ?

[JaseB]

Join the Vantage Facebook group too, nearly 5000 dedicated enthusiasts on there too, so much friendly knowledge

[squirdan]

I've dealt. I did want the carbon buckets but we are talking of tiny numbers of N430s with buckets, manual and 16 plate or later with the waterfall dash. So something had to give...

16k miles, Jet black, silver / grey graphics, alcantara seats, carbon dash.

I'm not expecting it to drive like a GT3 but I do think these cars are really good value now (relative to what else the same £ buys) for an analogue, manual, V8, beautiful shape sports / gt car

will take my chances on the warranty till May and then either try and do a deal with an AM stealer when it needs annual service OR i'll go somewhere like Nick Mee

[squirdan]

[V8V Pete]

squirdan said:

Looks great. Congratulations on your new acquisition.

Can't see what tyres it's on but whatever you do don't let anyone persuade you to put the OEM Bridgestones on it. Michelins every time.

[GTSJOE]

squirdan said:

Congrats Dan; think you have bought the perfect car, as you say, it’s not the fastest but it will be a very involving drive, no computer assisted handling, just your right foot, last of its kind...Look forward to seeing it.

[squirdan]

took a little trip out this morning. Loving the car. Whats surprised me is the useability. And I like the fact you get that amazing noise and can give it full throttle without doing stupidly high speeds

[bogie]

Congrats, looks great

Yes the Vantage is so usable on a daily basis, it does everything I want. The ride height is not too low like some sports cars, there is plenty of luggage space, it really is the daily usable car AM intended it to be.

[dlgis]

As a matter of interest what is the difference in spec between an N430 and a Vantage V8 S ?

[bogie]

dlgis said:

As a matter of interest what is the difference in spec between an N430 and a Vantage V8 S ?

Lightweight seats
variety of special trim
special edition plaques

N430 was £5k cheaper than an "S" at launch...see details here where you will find all the derivative specs over the years:

https://astonmartins.com/car/v8-vantage-n430/