Help purchasing a v8 vantage

[sifocus]

Hi all. Thinking of possibly upgrading my Tvr chimaera to a 4.3 v8 vantage manual. About an 06 plate with circa 50k miles. Can anyone help with what I should check for and their ownership stories.
Thank you for your help, Si.

[sifocus]

Thanks for the update chaps. Seems to be reliable and a few have bought a couple. That speaks volumes. Would you bother buying from a main dealer or save and go to an independent?

[sifocus]

Thank you for the info so far... I’ve Been reading up all day and on you tube looking at the reviews. It seems they need to be revved hard to wake up which is all part of the fun. I had a Tuscan s for a while and that was too eager to kill me from any rpm.

[sifocus]

Thank you everyone for the advice. From a financial point of view, are these holding their money or dropping still? I know you should never buy a car based on depreciation but I’ve lost a fortune on toys over the years. Only my current chimaera will make a little money when/if I take the v8v purchase. Thanks, Si

[sifocus]

When did the seats change and road tax? Thanks.

[sifocus]

Thanks for everyone’s input. I’m out looking this weekend 🙂

[sifocus]

Hi all. I ventured out on Sunday to 3 places. Put my best clobber on and hid my Range Rover sport around the corner at every garage. Didn’t want them to be scared off with a new Range Rover sport to part ex and they think I’d be in negative equity. First stop was the car shop. Have a nice silver one with low miles. I got ignored, they couldn’t tell me what they’d do about a warranty, the 2 missing services and couldn’t start it up for me as the keys are kept off site to stop it going missing. Mmm, leave that one then. Rang a specialist on the Friday local to me and he was going to ring me back to make an appointment. Still waiting. Went to Wilmslow Stratstone and the car was locked away in the compound. My fault for not making an appointment but I wanted to surprise them with my visit. I asked for some potential finance figures (not sure which way to go) and was told he was not FCa accredited. Fare enough, I’ll speak with the business manager. sorry not in on Sundays. Ok a sales manager? Sorry not in on sundays. He asked if I could come back in the week but I work for a living. I asked if I could come back this weekend but he has that weekend off. Mmmm I leave it then! Absolutely shocking experience. Not one has rang me or emailed me since. I didn’t tell any of them that I am in the trade (brand manager for Land Rover), so this was interesting to see. It’s put me back not forward and I was hoping to have moved forward by now. Really shocked :-(. I’m at a meeting in Loughborough on Monday so I’m going to venture to the midlands beforehand and hopefully see a couple before my meeting. :-)

[sifocus]

Ps/ anyone selling a vantage manual? Worth a try, Si.

[sifocus]

This topic wasn’t started for me to rant and call people out. I genuinely wanted help buying a vantage. However this weekend was an eye opener that I wanted to share. A real person? 70% of customers just turn up. If you make an appointment the sales person knows ‘you are hot’. I didn’t mind the car not being at Stratstone ready to view. I mentioned this in my comment that was my own fault. What I didn’t like was a lack of service when I did speak with someone and no-one contacting me as promised afterwards. Yes I was surprised that no manager was in on a Sunday. I’ve worked at VW, Audi, Jaguar and Land Rover and at least one manager was always in. Every retailer should have a manager in at the weekend as this is when you get the most footfall and enquiries. My management team have always worked every other weekend so there was always cover to discuss deals, finance, complaints etc. It’s a retail job. You’d be surprised if there were no managers at any other shop wouldn’t you. M&S, Curry’s, John Lewis etc etc. These days the manager controls the deals in the background. Not much point opening if they’re not in.

[sifocus]

Frances The Mute said:

sifocus said:

Ps/ anyone selling a vantage manual? Worth a try, Si.

I'm seriously considering selling mine.

Mmm... Could be interested. Can you email me the details? [e-mail]. Thanks, Si.

[sifocus]

Grant3 said:

Don’t be put off, generally the sales experience is pretty good, special even, but A.M. dealers are small operations with limited stock. Just purchased an Evoque for the other half and the local LR dealer is massive by comparison. They still didn’t have the model/colour/spec we wanted. Do you know Kim Palmer in the press office - top guy and ex A.M.?

Anyway the reason for the post is to ask - What is your budget Simon?

Hi. Anywhere between £28k to £35k for the right car. You have something in mind? Thanks Si.

[sifocus]

Jon39 said:

OP seems to have gone very quiet.
Hope he has not slipped over to Porsche ( if they open on Sundays ).


Please keep a look out for him.

Not quiet, just working. It’s a busy March. Thanks for showing my picture. Someone may try to help when they see me ;-)

[sifocus]

awg454 said:

A little unfair posting the guys picture unless he was asked first !

Thanks. It annoyed me at first but that’s the internet. Looks like he has taken it off now. good job it’s an alright picture of me.

[sifocus]

ChilliWhizz said:

raceboy said:

McGurks might still be good for the OP though, this might be of interest, depends what the budget is, it's an early car so lower VED and it's just had a clutch.
http://www.mcgurk.com/stock/623/Used-Aston-Martin-...

They are shut on Sundays though.

And it's in the fastest colour

Thank you. Looks nice and tidy

[sifocus]

Good morning. I’m narrowing my search and looking at a couple of cars this Monday morning.
What are your thoughts on the roadster? I’ve always found more Fun when I’ve had soft tops... a4 cab, mx5, Tuscan s and 2 chimaeras. I had a 911 and mustang which were both coupes. I didn’t enjoy them as much though. The coupe looks better in my opinion. Are there any speed diffferences, handling, etc? Not many people have said much about roadsters. Are they holding their value also? Appreciate the help and comments, Si.

[sifocus]

£30k for a nice car, private sale but had full service and check in Dec or £36k for one from McGurks? Can’t decide if saving the money is good or spending more from a dealer is best? It’s driving me daft. Car at McGurks is an 07my 56 plate with 49k miles. Private car is an 06 with 65k. Please help :-)

[sifocus]

Hi all. Well I purchased one and feel scared and happy at the same time. Got an ok deal from McGurks off Rob - nice chap. 56 plate 07my in tungsten and black interior. 3 owner. When opening the bonnet I spotted a black engine top. Turns out the car has had the 400bhp power upgrade and is also de-catted. Sounds aboloulty gorgeous. Got the original cats also.
Collection at month end.
Warranty is only a £2k per claim but can be used anywhere.
Hopefully nothing major happens but should cover the niggly bits.
Wish me luck and thank you for all your help.
I’ll post pics when I collect.
Ps/ I’m nervous as hell!

[sifocus]

Hi all. Well I purchased one and feel scared and happy at the same time. Got an ok deal from McGurks off Rob - nice chap. 56 plate 07my in tungsten and black interior. 3 owner. When opening the bonnet I spotted a black engine top. Turns out the car has had the 400bhp power upgrade and is also de-catted. Sounds aboloulty gorgeous. Got the original cats also.
Collection at month end.
Warranty is only a £2k per claim but can be used anywhere.
Hopefully nothing major happens but should cover the niggly bits.
Wish me luck and thank you for all your help.
I’ll post pics when I collect.
Ps/ I’m nervous as hell!

Edited by sifocus on Wednesday 21st March 07:33

[sifocus]

Hi all. Well I purchased one and feel scared and happy at the same time. Got an ok deal from McGurks off Rob - nice chap. 56 plate 07my in tungsten and black interior. When opening the bonnet I spotted a black engine top. Turns out the car has had the 400bhp power upgrade and is also de-catted. Sounds aboloulty gorgeous. Got the original cats also.
Collection at month end.
Warranty is only a £2k per claim but can be used anywhere.
Hopefully nothing major happens but should cover the niggly bits.
Wish me luck and thank you for all your help.
I’ll post pics when I collect.
Ps/ I’m nervous as hell!

[sifocus]

Hi all. I collect the vantage next week but wanted to ask about the charging point. I use an AccuMate charger plugged into my Tvr battery and it’s been good for a few years. Will this work with a cigar adapter for the charger using the socket in the boot? Thanks Si.