Dreams do sometimes come true!
Discussion
Hi all
My first 'poster/must have one day car' as a child was a 1980s V8 Vantage. What a thing.
Wind forward a few years to when I got my first TVR in 1997 and those Vantages were available for £40k-ish which with some man maths I thought might be achievable one day.
Wind forward a bit more to 2003 and the original V8 Vantage prices had gone up. A lot! And then the new V8 was unveiled... My 'must have one day car' list had a new entry in the #1 spot.
Wind forward for the final time to yesterday and I collected my dream car after waiting what felt like forever for the reg to be transferred (it was only 1 week!!). It's a manual, Meteorite grey, 2011, 20500 miles, Obsidian Black with silver stitch. I am still pinching myself!!
I started looking seriously for a Vantage at the beginning of this year with a budget in mind. There followed several weeks of looking at 4.3s as a cheaper way of ticking the Vantage box and then upping the budget to make a 2013 car achievable. Sportshift was considered but in the end I preferred a manual.
After some analysis paralysis my sweet spot slowly became clear - not Onyx black, a manual 2010/11 car, no front splitter and preferably no side sills. Don't get me wrong, I think all variants of the Vantage look stunning but my preference at my budget was the simpler original bodywork. I couldn't be happier. Well, maybe I could be happier if Aston still had a factory GT team and my 2 least favourite drivers were not racing in the F1 team but I've got an Aston Martin V8 Vantage parked next to my TVR in the garage and that is more than enough for me.
Thanks to everyone for the numerous posts in this forum which were an enormous help to me in finding the right car.
Cheers,
L'rs
My first 'poster/must have one day car' as a child was a 1980s V8 Vantage. What a thing.
Wind forward a few years to when I got my first TVR in 1997 and those Vantages were available for £40k-ish which with some man maths I thought might be achievable one day.
Wind forward a bit more to 2003 and the original V8 Vantage prices had gone up. A lot! And then the new V8 was unveiled... My 'must have one day car' list had a new entry in the #1 spot.
Wind forward for the final time to yesterday and I collected my dream car after waiting what felt like forever for the reg to be transferred (it was only 1 week!!). It's a manual, Meteorite grey, 2011, 20500 miles, Obsidian Black with silver stitch. I am still pinching myself!!
I started looking seriously for a Vantage at the beginning of this year with a budget in mind. There followed several weeks of looking at 4.3s as a cheaper way of ticking the Vantage box and then upping the budget to make a 2013 car achievable. Sportshift was considered but in the end I preferred a manual.
After some analysis paralysis my sweet spot slowly became clear - not Onyx black, a manual 2010/11 car, no front splitter and preferably no side sills. Don't get me wrong, I think all variants of the Vantage look stunning but my preference at my budget was the simpler original bodywork. I couldn't be happier. Well, maybe I could be happier if Aston still had a factory GT team and my 2 least favourite drivers were not racing in the F1 team but I've got an Aston Martin V8 Vantage parked next to my TVR in the garage and that is more than enough for me.
Thanks to everyone for the numerous posts in this forum which were an enormous help to me in finding the right car.
Cheers,
L'rs
I too "just had to have a Vantage one day" when I first saw the pictures in 2003. 7 years into ownership and the love hasn't faded. Your car looks fantastic and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
I notice from your profile that you cycle too. Do you know already that you can get a bike in the back?
I notice from your profile that you cycle too. Do you know already that you can get a bike in the back?
Congrats on becoming an Aston Martin owner Ian. Exciting times for you and the passion does not wear off.
4.7 with original bodywork is a favourite for me too.
Whilst being unable to drive at present, we can still gain some enjoyment, just looking at the beautiful shape under the dust cover.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Sunday 7th February 11:51
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.
I hope the paint doesn't blister in reaction to temporarily using a borrowed cover...
paddy328 said:
From mcgurks too. Great bunch of guys.
Yes, definitely, highly recommended.bogie said:
Congrats, looks great, enjoy....when lockdown eases and Spring arrives 
It was really hard driving straight home yesterday but got to be sensible and patient at the moment, in terms of travelling anywhere and with using 4.7 litres of V8 lovleyness at sub zero temps.V8V Pete said:
Do you know already that you can get a bike in the back?
No I didn't! That'd certainly make driving to sportives in the Alps a lot more interesting!Dewi 2 said:
we can still gain some enjoyment, just looking at the beautiful shape under the dust cover.
I know exactly what you mean. When I woke up this morning it was an amazing feeling to know I now owned a V8V. I hope the paint doesn't blister in reaction to temporarily using a borrowed cover...
Well done and what a beauty!!!
I got my DB9 from McGurks many moons ago and very highly respected.
Regarding car covers, I got mine from - https://www.specialisedcovers.com/car-covers/
They are the same company AM use to source their covers, mine was a Prestige indoor cover, black with silver piping £250 and the same quality cover.
I see your in Rutland, I'm in Grantham so quite close, maybe meet up for a run out sometime?
This is mine
I got my DB9 from McGurks many moons ago and very highly respected.
Regarding car covers, I got mine from - https://www.specialisedcovers.com/car-covers/
They are the same company AM use to source their covers, mine was a Prestige indoor cover, black with silver piping £250 and the same quality cover.
I see your in Rutland, I'm in Grantham so quite close, maybe meet up for a run out sometime?
This is mine
Edited by paulrog1 on Sunday 7th February 15:31
vernierMike said:
Welcome and a beauty! I rather prefer the red rear lights but I seem to be in the minority. Oh, and the pure shape of the early 4.7 which is, well, what I've got. Gratuitous photo below:
Red rear lights rock - as the original from the factory !Clear lights are up there with added on fat boy sills in my book.
Edited by JonnyCJ on Sunday 7th February 16:24
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff