Vanquish daily driver?
Discussion
Thinking of buying an immaculate 02 Vanquish with 18k on the clock and a proper AM service history for use as a daily driver. My hesitations are around reliability and the gearbox / transmission smoothness when driving around town. Any thoughts / words of wisdom from Vanquish owners out there gratefully received. Previous wheels were a '97 Porsche 993 C2S, now reluctantly sold.
I doubt you will lose much on a Vanquish - in fact it may well appreciate over the next few years, depending on mileage added. However, maintaining V12 Astons is not like a Porsche - much more expensive and if anything serious goes...
The car is also a lot bigger which makes a difference in car parks, especially the ones with hidden low kerbing on ramps etc.
The up side is that you feel great in an Aston and it is genuinely a brillian experience to own one. I went from a 996 C4S to DB9 then DBS though not as daily drivers. Can't help you with gearbox though I do know that Works Service pick up a lot of business converting Vanquishes to manual gearbox, which can't be cheap.
Generally mine have been reliable, only 'small' things plus servicing and wheel damage which you will pick up even being careful.
If you have eyes wide open, go for it, nothing is similar to an Aston.
The car is also a lot bigger which makes a difference in car parks, especially the ones with hidden low kerbing on ramps etc.
The up side is that you feel great in an Aston and it is genuinely a brillian experience to own one. I went from a 996 C4S to DB9 then DBS though not as daily drivers. Can't help you with gearbox though I do know that Works Service pick up a lot of business converting Vanquishes to manual gearbox, which can't be cheap.
Generally mine have been reliable, only 'small' things plus servicing and wheel damage which you will pick up even being careful.
If you have eyes wide open, go for it, nothing is similar to an Aston.
I think a DB9 would be the far better car for a daily driver. Maintainance costs on the Vanquish will be far higher with a 6 month service period, and I've heard that a Vanquish can cost an absolute fortune if anything goes wrong.
Is it worth buying a low mileage example if you're going to use it every day too? The extra money you pay over a higher mileage example will be lost once you have put a lot of miles on it.
Is it worth buying a low mileage example if you're going to use it every day too? The extra money you pay over a higher mileage example will be lost once you have put a lot of miles on it.
George H is right about being sensible. But where's your sense of hunour? vanq is the last of the old school, last of the Newport Pagnall cars. A fantastic vehicle to own, and (I believe) an asset which will appreciate.
So buy one. Enjoy it on high days and holidays. Drive it like a hooligan. But think about another car for the everyday commute. Even a £500 snotter...
So buy one. Enjoy it on high days and holidays. Drive it like a hooligan. But think about another car for the everyday commute. Even a £500 snotter...
From what I have heard, some eye-watering bills, but if they're set up right in terms of how the gearbox operates, then they're actually pretty good. The engine is strong and many buits are Jaguar sourced (like S-Type hubs).
6 monthly service as mentioned, same as a DB7. For a car to be used on high days and holidays and the odd run into town I would go Vanq, but for a daily driver, if you are talking that kind of money it'd be a DBS or V12V for me.
Less money (i.e. what I could afford) it'd be a DB9
6 monthly service as mentioned, same as a DB7. For a car to be used on high days and holidays and the odd run into town I would go Vanq, but for a daily driver, if you are talking that kind of money it'd be a DBS or V12V for me.
Less money (i.e. what I could afford) it'd be a DB9
Most of the Vanq's advertised at present have not followed the 6 month servicing schedule - they seem to be on a 12 month cycle. Some advertised as full service history, don't have, not even yearly.
Get one with the gearchange actuators upgraded to the magnetic ones. Check which version of ASM software it is running. Get it checked by Works Service or an Aston dealer - as they will need to take the undertrays off to check for corrosion.
Go on the AMOC website as well, lots of information on them. On page 4/5 of the Vanquish thread there is a buyers checklist. Lots of owners using them as a daily driver.
Post up the advert, we can comment from there.
Not that I've been looking recently
Get one with the gearchange actuators upgraded to the magnetic ones. Check which version of ASM software it is running. Get it checked by Works Service or an Aston dealer - as they will need to take the undertrays off to check for corrosion.
Go on the AMOC website as well, lots of information on them. On page 4/5 of the Vanquish thread there is a buyers checklist. Lots of owners using them as a daily driver.
Post up the advert, we can comment from there.
Not that I've been looking recently
Neil1300R said:
Most of the Vanq's advertised at present have not followed the 6 month servicing schedule - they seem to be on a 12 month cycle.
Same for almost all DB7s. If they don't do the miles, the owners often don't do the 6 monthly service. I always did, but that's me, and there was always something that needed doing on a DB7 too. Can't see a Vanq would be different...George H said:
I think a DB9 would be the far better car for a daily driver. Maintainance costs on the Vanquish will be far higher with a 6 month service period, and I've heard that a Vanquish can cost an absolute fortune if anything goes wrong.
Is it worth buying a low mileage example if you're going to use it every day too? The extra money you pay over a higher mileage example will be lost once you have put a lot of miles on it.
George is right......a Vanquish is a very high risk purchase and service/gearbox upgrades very expensive.....it is not uncommon to end up with an 8k bill for a service and gearbox sort.......they are also prone to rust........on the upside they are a stunning car with little or no depreciation.......if you must buy one make sure it’s had the gearbox upgrades Is it worth buying a low mileage example if you're going to use it every day too? The extra money you pay over a higher mileage example will be lost once you have put a lot of miles on it.
Better buy as a daily car is a DB9
Thanks to you all for the very helpful advice. I am asking more questions along the lines suggested. To add more detail omitted from the original post -- I am a Brit in the US, where for some strange reason an immac Vanq can be had for less than an early, higher mileage DB9. So whereas the Vanq is asking $65k, it's diff to find any DB9s below $80k. Plus, despite the risks of expensive repairs, the idea of having something so rare (esp here) makes the Vanq infinitely more appealing. Btw, when I say "daily driver" I am still only talking about ~6k miles a year as much commute is relatively short and I don't do it everyday.
CRW4 said:
Thanks to you all for the very helpful advice. I am asking more questions along the lines suggested. To add more detail omitted from the original post -- I am a Brit in the US, where for some strange reason an immac Vanq can be had for less than an early, higher mileage DB9. So whereas the Vanq is asking $65k, it's diff to find any DB9s below $80k. Plus, despite the risks of expensive repairs, the idea of having something so rare (esp here) makes the Vanq infinitely more appealing. Btw, when I say "daily driver" I am still only talking about ~6k miles a year as much commute is relatively short and I don't do it everyday.
Have a read of the Vanquish section on AMOC. Lots of USA owners on it and some great write up of people buying them (GTJoey is one). Would be worth posting and asking if any of them know about that car. Good luck. if you buy one post some pictures up here.yeti said:
Neil1300R said:
Most of the Vanq's advertised at present have not followed the 6 month servicing schedule - they seem to be on a 12 month cycle.
Same for almost all DB7s. If they don't do the miles, the owners often don't do the 6 monthly service. I always did, but that's me, and there was always something that needed doing on a DB7 too. Can't see a Vanq would be different...Without wishing to malign our errant colonial chums, does the depth of knowledge exist within the US Aston Martin network to keep the Vanquish at its best? It's a complicated, niggly car that really needs an expert to get set up right and keep in tip top condition.
If you find that expert, lock him in your cellar (not the wine one) and make sure you have constant access to him!
If you find that expert, lock him in your cellar (not the wine one) and make sure you have constant access to him!
yeti said:
Without wishing to malign our errant colonial chums, does the depth of knowledge exist within the US Aston Martin network to keep the Vanquish at its best? It's a complicated, niggly car that really needs an expert to get set up right and keep in tip top condition.
If you find that expert, lock him in your cellar (not the wine one) and make sure you have constant access to him!
wise words.......buying a Vanquish is not the faint hearted or the poor......if you can get somebody to fix your gearbox when it goes wrong (which it will)be ready to pay big money.......your a brave man If you find that expert, lock him in your cellar (not the wine one) and make sure you have constant access to him!
There appears to be a fair bit of scaremongering going on here about Vanquish ownership from a number of armchair experts but, as far as I can tell, no posts from any owners.
I've done the best part of 20k miles over three years without my gearbox giving me any trouble. A mate of mine has done over 35k in his and he's still on his original clutch. The ASM system does require very specialist knowledge to get the best from it, but once setup correctly it’s a delight both on the open road and around town. It is worth checking if the actuators have been upgraded, but at approx £2k fitted it's not a deal breaker.
Will a Vanquish require more TLC than a DB9/Vantage – undoubtedly, and yes some parts prices are prohibitive but no you don't need to have bottomless pockets to run one. In fact if you take into account the very low depreciation (or even potential appreciation in future years the way prices seem to be going) it's likely to have a similar cost of ownership to a DB9/Vantage.
The key is to get someone with a detailed Vanquish knowledge to inspect any potential purchase and maintain your car. I've found the standard of many so called experts to vary greatly. I can recommend Bamford Rose highly. That doesn't help the OP being in the US, but I'm sure they can offer some sound advice on what to look for.
I agree that you'll get more balanced advice on AMOC. Or PM me if you have any other questions.
I've done the best part of 20k miles over three years without my gearbox giving me any trouble. A mate of mine has done over 35k in his and he's still on his original clutch. The ASM system does require very specialist knowledge to get the best from it, but once setup correctly it’s a delight both on the open road and around town. It is worth checking if the actuators have been upgraded, but at approx £2k fitted it's not a deal breaker.
Will a Vanquish require more TLC than a DB9/Vantage – undoubtedly, and yes some parts prices are prohibitive but no you don't need to have bottomless pockets to run one. In fact if you take into account the very low depreciation (or even potential appreciation in future years the way prices seem to be going) it's likely to have a similar cost of ownership to a DB9/Vantage.
The key is to get someone with a detailed Vanquish knowledge to inspect any potential purchase and maintain your car. I've found the standard of many so called experts to vary greatly. I can recommend Bamford Rose highly. That doesn't help the OP being in the US, but I'm sure they can offer some sound advice on what to look for.
I agree that you'll get more balanced advice on AMOC. Or PM me if you have any other questions.
ScottB said:
The ASM system does require very specialist knowledge to get the best from it, but once setup correctly it’s a delight both on the open road and around town. It is worth checking if the actuators have been upgraded, but at approx £2k fitted it's not a deal breaker.
Good to hear from an actual owner and echoes what I have heard.Does the knowledge to set up the ASM perfectly exist within the US, and does it exist near where the OP lives..? Plenty of tales of 600 mile round trips to the dealer from US/Canadian owners!
ScottB said:
There appears to be a fair bit of scaremongering going on here about Vanquish ownership from a number of armchair experts but, as far as I can tell, no posts from any owners.
I've done the best part of 20k miles over three years without my gearbox giving me any trouble. A mate of mine has done over 35k in his and he's still on his original clutch. The ASM system does require very specialist knowledge to get the best from it, but once setup correctly it’s a delight both on the open road and around town. It is worth checking if the actuators have been upgraded, but at approx £2k fitted it's not a deal breaker.
Will a Vanquish require more TLC than a DB9/Vantage – undoubtedly, and yes some parts prices are prohibitive but no you don't need to have bottomless pockets to run one. In fact if you take into account the very low depreciation (or even potential appreciation in future years the way prices seem to be going) it's likely to have a similar cost of ownership to a DB9/Vantage.
The key is to get someone with a detailed Vanquish knowledge to inspect any potential purchase and maintain your car. I've found the standard of many so called experts to vary greatly. I can recommend Bamford Rose highly. That doesn't help the OP being in the US, but I'm sure they can offer some sound advice on what to look for.
I agree that you'll get more balanced advice on AMOC. Or PM me if you have any other questions.
I think you make a very fair comment about armchair experts.....but there is little doubt that a Vanquish is high risk purchase compared to a DB9 especially a 2002 which the OP is interested in (especially as a daily drive).......I would love to own a Vanquish S which probably is a much lower risk than the early cars.......there is no doubt that a Vanquish is a wonderful car and probably more "Aston" than a DB9I've done the best part of 20k miles over three years without my gearbox giving me any trouble. A mate of mine has done over 35k in his and he's still on his original clutch. The ASM system does require very specialist knowledge to get the best from it, but once setup correctly it’s a delight both on the open road and around town. It is worth checking if the actuators have been upgraded, but at approx £2k fitted it's not a deal breaker.
Will a Vanquish require more TLC than a DB9/Vantage – undoubtedly, and yes some parts prices are prohibitive but no you don't need to have bottomless pockets to run one. In fact if you take into account the very low depreciation (or even potential appreciation in future years the way prices seem to be going) it's likely to have a similar cost of ownership to a DB9/Vantage.
The key is to get someone with a detailed Vanquish knowledge to inspect any potential purchase and maintain your car. I've found the standard of many so called experts to vary greatly. I can recommend Bamford Rose highly. That doesn't help the OP being in the US, but I'm sure they can offer some sound advice on what to look for.
I agree that you'll get more balanced advice on AMOC. Or PM me if you have any other questions.
Neil1300R said:
Full engine and gearbox rebuild, repaint and retrim at a guess?? Will go to a collection I suppose, what a lovely colour combo though.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff