'23 Vantage?

[naboo]

Some nice looking '23, 'old' model Vantages around at the moment. Any thoughts on what to expect/look out for?

I'd be interested to know how their after sales is like generally, maybe recommendations for dealers, servicing in the SE. Thanks in advance.

[turboman786]

Fantastic cars as you already know

My suggestion is to get one with the highest spec possible in a colour thats unique.....you wont be disappointed!

For me (in the north), Aston Leeds have been fantastic service wise, few issues sorted with zero quibble, pickup/drop off service etc, unbeatable !

[alscar]

You could do a lot worse than start with Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell.

[bridggar1]

I bought from Hatfield and they seem OK. The car developed a fault and they rectified it without quibble. I also hadn't noticed a fault with the satnav screen on collection (only visible in strong sunlight) and they fixed that too. They seem quite fluid with pricing so timing might be a consideration especially if they've had a car for a while - that said, stock seems to shift pretty quickly now compared to xmas.

[reddiesel]

I bought two of them , one from HWM then another from Aston Cheltenham . Wonderful cars and no problems with either though make sure you buy the right spec especially when it comes to Leather as opposed to Alcantara . The later cars have the bonnet vents which greatly improve the aesthetics of the clamshell bonnet , I would avoid the hunter grill as the slatted looks so much better . Its better sat on Michelins than Pirelli and better with PPF than without as they can suffer extensively from stone chipping on the rear quarters and bonnet . In many ways its better than the 911 it was benchmarked against , I honestly couldn't praise the car enough . Divine Red with Snowflake Wheels please

[reddiesel]

alscar said:

You could do a lot worse than start with Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell.

Being comparatively local the " Works " I would be going to HWM . Less pompous , better pricing and the expertise you would expect from Britains oldest Aston Dealer .

[AlexT]

reddiesel said:

though make sure you buy the right spec especially when it comes to Leather as opposed to Alcantara

What did you mean by this?

[alscar]

reddiesel said:

Being comparatively local the " Works " I would be going to HWM . Less pompous , better pricing and the expertise you would expect from Britains oldest Aston Dealer .

I’ve heard only good things about HWM but in fairness I’ve never had a problem with Works , I get well treated and no pomposity. They are happy to be flexible on price too.

[reddiesel]

AlexT said:

What did you mean by this?

Alcantara ( Fake Suede ) which initially was standard over time can begin to look dowdy especially if you use it as a daily driver . Leather especially if its all one colour without gaudy contrast is just a more classy environment and more desirable come resale . Porsche Alcantara is in my experience just as bad .
10,000 miles in you end up with a steering wheel full of bald spots

[reddiesel]

alscar said:

I’ve heard only good things about HWM but in fairness I’ve never had a problem with Works , I get well treated and no pomposity. They are happy to be flexible on price too.

I remember you saying this on some other thread a while back and good luck to you . I find them both pompous and excessively priced . All wheel alignment from memory was over £600 yet barely £300 at HWM . The latter also have the benefit of their wonderful Flying Technician Service who will come to your home or place of work and service your car . I had a few instances of this excessive pricing , I even brought it to their attention and they weren't even prepared to price match . Needless to say I never went back . Personally I don't see why I should pay a premium , I invite anyone to price check Works against HWM you may be pleasantly surprised .

[alscar]

reddiesel said:

I remember you saying this on some other thread a while back and good luck to you . I find them both pompous and excessively priced . All wheel alignment from memory was over £600 yet barely £300 at HWM . The latter also have the benefit of their wonderful Flying Technician Service who will come to your home or place of work and service your car . I had a few instances of this excessive pricing , I even brought it to their attention and they weren't even prepared to price match . Needless to say I never went back . Personally I don't see why I should pay a premium , I invite anyone to price check Works against HWM you may be pleasantly surprised .

Couldn’t agree more about paying a premium and your comments aren’t the first I have seen about them.
All I can do for balance is say that in my experience they are happy to negotiate over various things such as tyres and yes their initial price for these was silly.
I have bought 3 cars from them with 2 being factory specced and yes got a discount on both.
The other Aston bought from them I also got a big discount on.
I assume HWM charge extra for the service at home ( obviously they do ) whereas the pick up and collect service from Works for service suits me fine and is free.

[alscar]

reddiesel said:

Alcantara ( Fake Suede ) which initially was standard over time can begin to look dowdy especially if you use it as a daily driver . Leather especially if its all one colour without gaudy contrast is just a more classy environment and more desirable come resale . Porsche Alcantara is in my experience just as bad .
10,000 miles in you end up with a steering wheel full of bald spots

It can look “used “especially on steering wheels.
In my experience of the seats on my old V12S , the cockpits on my V8 “ new “ Vantage and my GT8 though , Alcantara looks far more suited and wears extremely well.
The V12 and the 8 were daily’s too.
My 2010 GT3 only had 8000 miles on it from new when I sold it but the Alcantara sw was like new.

[reddiesel]

alscar said:

Couldn’t agree more about paying a premium and your comments aren’t the first I have seen about them.
All I can do for balance is say that in my experience they are happy to negotiate over various things such as tyres and yes their initial price for these was silly.
I have bought 3 cars from them with 2 being factory specced and yes got a discount on both.
The other Aston bought from them I also got a big discount on.
I assume HWM charge extra for the service at home ( obviously they do ) whereas the pick up and collect service from Works for service suits me fine and is free.

As I said initially fair comment , we all speak as we find . I must say I never compared the Service costs between the Flying Technician and actually taking the car down there to Walton on Thames , the services were free on the new Vantage up until a certain mileage or age I presume and I had already moved the Cars on by then . I have no experience of buying Cars from the Works , attempting to buy a service off them was enough for me . One Salesman I know from another marque dealership and I don't find them particularly "Aston Men" . As you are no doubt aware , a Showroom in Newport Pagnell is a relatively late addition and I can see the attraction of someone picking up an Aston from the Works though it isn't strictly the Works as in a Maranello sense . glad you are enjoying your cars , I may make a return to the Brand soon as this Porsche at 60 years of age is crippling my back .

[alscar]

reddiesel said:

As I said initially fair comment , we all speak as we find . I must say I never compared the Service costs between the Flying Technician and actually taking the car down there to Walton on Thames , the services were free on the new Vantage up until a certain mileage or age I presume and I had already moved the Cars on by then . I have no experience of buying Cars from the Works , attempting to buy a service off them was enough for me . One Salesman I know from another marque dealership and I don't find them particularly "Aston Men" . As you are no doubt aware , a Showroom in Newport Pagnell is a relatively late addition and I can see the attraction of someone picking up an Aston from the Works though it isn't strictly the Works as in a Maranello sense . glad you are enjoying your cars , I may make a return to the Brand soon as this Porsche at 60 years of age is crippling my back .

Sorry to hear about your back.
I stopped my Porsche journey and ownership when “ my “ dealer refused to sell me certain halo cars unless I played their silly” other purchase “ games.
Clearly my 6 brand new prior purchases counted for nothing.

[reddiesel]

alscar said:

Sorry to hear about your back.
I stopped my Porsche journey and ownership when “ my “ dealer refused to sell me certain halo cars unless I played their silly” other purchase “ games.
Clearly my 6 brand new prior purchases counted for nothing.

In some respects its little more than insider trading and the currying for favour sadly brings out the worst in the Owners .

[Andav469]

reddiesel said:

I bought two of them , one from HWM then another from Aston Cheltenham . Wonderful cars and no problems with either though make sure you buy the right spec especially when it comes to Leather as opposed to Alcantara . The later cars have the bonnet vents which greatly improve the aesthetics of the clamshell bonnet , I would avoid the hunter grill as the slatted looks so much better . Its better sat on Michelins than Pirelli and better with PPF than without as they can suffer extensively from stone chipping on the rear quarters and bonnet . In many ways its better than the 911 it was benchmarked against , I honestly couldn't praise the car enough . Divine Red with Snowflake Wheels please

Have you previously owned a Divine Red Vantage with Snowflake wheels, or just a spec you like?

Edited by Andav469 on Thursday 30th May 22:15

[Davil]

AlexT said:

What did you mean by this?

The initial models came with an all alcantara interior that looked a bit like an 80s velour walled office reception. Mainly as there was just no break in it. I have alcantara in my VH AMR but it is mixed in nicely with carbon fibre all over the place, premium leather and contrast piping and I love it. It has 28000km and no signs of wear.

80s velour look.


The one to go for on the AM6 model is premium two leather colour. It really makes the cabin beautiful and smells terrific. Also the premium sports 65000 way adjustable seats are fantastic. Here’s mine.


I also prefer the original hunter grille though it needs to be with gloss black pack and is quite car colour dependent. I think it fits the design brief better than the vaned grille which looks a bit tacked on for me. The new updated model vaned grille is a different story altogether and looks wonderful to me.

Edited by Davil on Friday 31st May 04:35

[J77wck]

Davil said:

The initial models came with an all alcantara interior that looked a bit like an 80s velour walled office reception. Mainly as there was just no break in it. I have alcantara in my VH AMR but it is mixed in nicely with carbon fibre all over the place, premium leather and contrast piping and I love it. It has 28000km and no signs of wear.

80s velour look.


The one to go for on the AM6 model is premium two leather colour. It really makes the cabin beautiful and smells terrific. Also the premium sports 65000 way adjustable seats are fantastic. Here’s mine.


I also prefer the original hunter grille though it needs to be with gloss black pack and is quite car colour dependent. I think it fits the design brief better than the vaned grille which looks a bit tacked on for me. The new updated model vaned grille is a different story altogether and looks wonderful to me.

Edited by Davil on Friday 31st May 04:35

I strongly dislike alcantara dashboards and wheels, so hard to keep clean. My hands sweat a lot when driving hard.

[reddiesel]

Andav469 said:

Have you previously owned a Divine Red Vantage with Snowflake wheels, or just a spec you like?

Edited by Andav469 on Thursday 30th May 22:15

Yes , I even wrapped her in PPF so the next Owner got the added benefits of pristine paintwork , LJ21YNU . I later saw her for sale at the Works in Newport Pagnell and was tempted to re purchase . Looking recently its not the easiest spec to find for some reason .

[reddiesel]

J77wck said:

I strongly dislike alcantara dashboards and wheels, so hard to keep clean. My hands sweat a lot when driving hard.

I completely agree and I also dislike some of the two tone affairs too but we are all different . I often grimace at the antics of some manufacturers attempting to prolong interest in an ageing model line up . Jaguar are infamous for this .