AM V8 Vantage advice
Discussion
Looking for some advice. Any Aston Martin owners out there have experience of a high mileage vantage? I’m looking to buy a 2009 model 4.3l with 90,000 miles on it however it does have a full Aston Martin dealer service record from new to 80,000 at last service, and whilst it is due a service now at 90,000 do people think that’s a risky proposition?
I have a 4.3 registered in 2009 but with only 28k on it. It will have been built in 2008 as this is the year they moved from 4.3 to 4.7 so like mine the one you are looking at was probably one of the last 4.3's to be built.
I am sure there will be many with much better advice to give however, I would make sure the big spend items have been done, clutch, timing chest seal, I cant imagine the car is on it original set of shocks given they are prone to leaking so worth checking those, get the rear subframe looked at as these corrode and will often be left or forgotten about. I've seen a 2015 car with low mileage at an Aston specialist where the subframe has been completely eaten away and needed replacing rather than the original one sending off for powder coating.
Just make sure all the brake lines and bushes are in good order.
Also worth using something like Car Vertical to check for crash damage, mileage history etc.
I am sure there will be many with much better advice to give however, I would make sure the big spend items have been done, clutch, timing chest seal, I cant imagine the car is on it original set of shocks given they are prone to leaking so worth checking those, get the rear subframe looked at as these corrode and will often be left or forgotten about. I've seen a 2015 car with low mileage at an Aston specialist where the subframe has been completely eaten away and needed replacing rather than the original one sending off for powder coating.
Just make sure all the brake lines and bushes are in good order.
Also worth using something like Car Vertical to check for crash damage, mileage history etc.
BiggaJ said:
I have a 4.3 registered in 2009 but with only 28k on it. It will have been built in 2008 as this is the year they moved from 4.3 to 4.7 so like mine the one you are looking at was probably one of the last 4.3's to be built.
The background to this might be of interest to some.
The 4.7 model was announced by AML in May 2008 (for Model Year 2009).
( Note for Speedraser - In that publication, Aston Martin called it the 'V8 Vantage' )
Main production deliveries began in September 2008 (there are some earlier examples).
However, in 2008 many countries were affected by the beginnings a very serious financial crisis.
The consequence severely impacted AML (even though later Andy Palmer seemed to 'forget' that, when he claimed in the pre-IPO period, that as Aston Martin is a luxury goods business and not a car manufacturer, it would not be affected by recessions).
Dealers had orders cancelled, there were redundancies at Gaydon and production numbers fell sharply.
That is why some new 4.3 models remained unsold until mid-2009.
.............................
High mileage cars inevitably have suffered more wear and tear. For example - Even tired or scruffy seat leather is not cheap to deal with and could there be a corroded steel rear subframe?
Selling prices can obviously be attractive, but when there are many pampered Vantages around, repairs to a high miler might be more than the extra cost to buy an already pristine example. That should be logical, but my main point is that Aston Martin repairs can be expensive. "If you need a clutch Sir, that will be over £3,000".
A 2009 model is obviously now 14 years old. Wonderful cars, but best to select with care.
I have a 2006 Vantage with about 80,000 miles on it. A daily driver since I bought it when it was 3 years old. Up until a year ago no big deal, a clutch at 35,000 miles, pads battery, replaced the shocks, rear lights changed the usual stuff. Otherwise still drives really well no rattle or squeaks.
Went for its service with DAE who have looked after it really well a year back. Advice was the clutch was on its way out. Oh well I thought time for a twin plate. Sure enough shortly after the clutch went.
Oh dear. To get to the clutch remove rear subframe, which was badly corroded, time for a refurb. Remove part of the exhaust system, mounting brackets rusted away so new section required. Oil cooler lines seized had to be replaced and so on.
The cost of the clutch itself fitted was 2.5k or thereabouts. All the other work required took it north of 10K.
On the upside its had a major refurb and should be good for another 80,000 miles. So in summary consider that a car with that sort of mileage and age could cost serious money if things go wrong.
Went for its service with DAE who have looked after it really well a year back. Advice was the clutch was on its way out. Oh well I thought time for a twin plate. Sure enough shortly after the clutch went.
Oh dear. To get to the clutch remove rear subframe, which was badly corroded, time for a refurb. Remove part of the exhaust system, mounting brackets rusted away so new section required. Oil cooler lines seized had to be replaced and so on.
The cost of the clutch itself fitted was 2.5k or thereabouts. All the other work required took it north of 10K.
On the upside its had a major refurb and should be good for another 80,000 miles. So in summary consider that a car with that sort of mileage and age could cost serious money if things go wrong.
Believe it or not, a V8V is more reliable than a 911 from the same era, having the IMS issues and everything.
You may have to check the clutch first as replacing it will be expensive. The 4.3 suffers from an oil leak that requires an engine out job. Not necessary just annoying to see few drops of oil in your garage.
Most consumables are cheap buying after market including brake pads and rotors, air filters, sparks etc etc
I had mine for three years now and still in love. Have done close to 60k (bought it with 40k and had the clutch replaced and a major service)
The fuel economy doesn't exist. I honestly can't believe how thirsty this car is but my daily was a Proton gen 2 and an Audi TT 2.0, so ..
You may have to check the clutch first as replacing it will be expensive. The 4.3 suffers from an oil leak that requires an engine out job. Not necessary just annoying to see few drops of oil in your garage.
Most consumables are cheap buying after market including brake pads and rotors, air filters, sparks etc etc
I had mine for three years now and still in love. Have done close to 60k (bought it with 40k and had the clutch replaced and a major service)
The fuel economy doesn't exist. I honestly can't believe how thirsty this car is but my daily was a Proton gen 2 and an Audi TT 2.0, so ..
Not sure what the asking price is for the car, but if it's due a service why hasn't it had one from AM before they sell it, as you say it's been FSH since 80k so what happened to the 90k visit - always adds buyers confidence?
Possibly it went in for one and after a short phone call from the AM service team it was all cancelled....and put up for sale.
I'm guessing they are still asking ~£25k+ so I'd get AM to inspect it, even if it costs you a few £00 it might save your whole investment.
If the seller is against the idea - you have your answer.
Got my V8S Roadster 2013 from AM Leeds in December with 38k on the clock - they replaced the clutch before I drove it home as everything should be good for 5k miles or 12 months under their terms of sale.
Done 1K miles in 4 months and noticed small spotting of oil on the drive, like clear runny honey 10w60 - so possible small timing cover leak,
I'll book it under warranty to make sure it's sorted as it seems to be such a common issue, but nothing major to worry about as it's dripping tiny amounts IE 1cc while it cools down on the drive then it stops.
I understand your 'itch' to get into the car - they are gorgeous and rare, I always buy from the heart and have no patience (6 y/o child..) but I did take 6 months of 'thinking' before swapping my 100% 'bomb proof' 2016 M6 convertible to the 2013 AMV. Glad I did it - as you only live 'twice'
Possibly it went in for one and after a short phone call from the AM service team it was all cancelled....and put up for sale.
I'm guessing they are still asking ~£25k+ so I'd get AM to inspect it, even if it costs you a few £00 it might save your whole investment.
If the seller is against the idea - you have your answer.
Got my V8S Roadster 2013 from AM Leeds in December with 38k on the clock - they replaced the clutch before I drove it home as everything should be good for 5k miles or 12 months under their terms of sale.
Done 1K miles in 4 months and noticed small spotting of oil on the drive, like clear runny honey 10w60 - so possible small timing cover leak,
I'll book it under warranty to make sure it's sorted as it seems to be such a common issue, but nothing major to worry about as it's dripping tiny amounts IE 1cc while it cools down on the drive then it stops.
I understand your 'itch' to get into the car - they are gorgeous and rare, I always buy from the heart and have no patience (6 y/o child..) but I did take 6 months of 'thinking' before swapping my 100% 'bomb proof' 2016 M6 convertible to the 2013 AMV. Glad I did it - as you only live 'twice'
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