Vantage V8 4.7 - Feedback Request
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm currently in the market for a V8 Vantage, and happened to come across a potential candidate whilst browsing the classifieds yesterday afternoon.
The car in question is a 2008 V8 Vantage 4.7 with 28000 miles on the clock, and is for sale at BJC Car Sales Limited in Dorset - please see link below;
https://www.bjccarsales.co.uk/used-cars/aston-mart...
The price of £36950 seems extremely reasonable, given that the closest match I could find is some £3000 more expensive. The reason I expect is because the last service was done almost 2 years ago (albeit there's only been around 1500 miles driven since then). However, I would have expected the service to be done yearly irrespective of mileage. As an aside to this, the service history seems fairly sporadic (5307, 10794, 13860, 18819, 25198, and then the final service at 26720 - all done by AM). Also, the clutch has yet to be changed, but given the fairly low mileage this may not be a cause for concern (though this would depend entirely on how its been driven!).
It would be great to get some feedback on the car and/or the seller in general - I've had a browse online and all the feedback for this seller is positive, I've yet to find one example of where the buyer didn't receive a great experience.
Ultimately, this being my first venture into Aston ownership, I just wanted to get all my ducks in a row before viewing the car/parting with any money - and although the above car seems to tick all the boxes, there were a few small question marks that remain (highlighted below).
Many thanks in advance,
T
I'm currently in the market for a V8 Vantage, and happened to come across a potential candidate whilst browsing the classifieds yesterday afternoon.
The car in question is a 2008 V8 Vantage 4.7 with 28000 miles on the clock, and is for sale at BJC Car Sales Limited in Dorset - please see link below;
https://www.bjccarsales.co.uk/used-cars/aston-mart...
The price of £36950 seems extremely reasonable, given that the closest match I could find is some £3000 more expensive. The reason I expect is because the last service was done almost 2 years ago (albeit there's only been around 1500 miles driven since then). However, I would have expected the service to be done yearly irrespective of mileage. As an aside to this, the service history seems fairly sporadic (5307, 10794, 13860, 18819, 25198, and then the final service at 26720 - all done by AM). Also, the clutch has yet to be changed, but given the fairly low mileage this may not be a cause for concern (though this would depend entirely on how its been driven!).
It would be great to get some feedback on the car and/or the seller in general - I've had a browse online and all the feedback for this seller is positive, I've yet to find one example of where the buyer didn't receive a great experience.
Ultimately, this being my first venture into Aston ownership, I just wanted to get all my ducks in a row before viewing the car/parting with any money - and although the above car seems to tick all the boxes, there were a few small question marks that remain (highlighted below).
Many thanks in advance,
T
The car looks good VFM, wouldnt worry too much about the detail on the servicing, at least its been serviced regularly. I would like to think a supplying dealer will service it before sale regardless of just doing 1500 miles since last time. If all the services were done at main dealer you should be able to get a more detailed history if you wish to.
28000 miles is pretty low for a car of that age, many owners do tend to use the Vantage daily and it takes the miles well.
Re the clutch, you just cant tell, it varies so much, and often when they "go" and need replacing, it may not always be worn out, rather a component failure.
I had my first Vantage from 12 months old in 2007 and put 83kmiles on it, the OE clutch lasted 76k miles.
I bought my latest Roadster at 3 1/2 years old with 33k miles on it, for a great price due to "high" mileage, otherwise it was like a new car. Service history showed a new clutch at 31k miles so I assumed I would at least get another 30-40k miles out of it. At 51k miles the clutch went abruptly, turned out it was a release bearing failure....just bad luck really, but an unexpected £3k bill that year on top of routine service & consumables.
www.astonmartinreview.co.uk is where you can buy the modern Aston bible for £20 ish, which has a wealth of info for the prospective owner
28000 miles is pretty low for a car of that age, many owners do tend to use the Vantage daily and it takes the miles well.
Re the clutch, you just cant tell, it varies so much, and often when they "go" and need replacing, it may not always be worn out, rather a component failure.
I had my first Vantage from 12 months old in 2007 and put 83kmiles on it, the OE clutch lasted 76k miles.
I bought my latest Roadster at 3 1/2 years old with 33k miles on it, for a great price due to "high" mileage, otherwise it was like a new car. Service history showed a new clutch at 31k miles so I assumed I would at least get another 30-40k miles out of it. At 51k miles the clutch went abruptly, turned out it was a release bearing failure....just bad luck really, but an unexpected £3k bill that year on top of routine service & consumables.
www.astonmartinreview.co.uk is where you can buy the modern Aston bible for £20 ish, which has a wealth of info for the prospective owner
Hi Bogie,
Thanks for your quick and detailed reply - its much appreciated!
I might give the seller a call during the week and arrange a viewing for next weekend (provided the car hasn't been sold). I'll ask them that as a condition of sell that the car needs servicing first. That way I can be sure that the car is in great shape before I part with any cash. I think you're right about the clutch, so I'll bear that in mind as a potential cost somewhere down the road
Another question - do you think its worth having a pre-purchase inspection done or would that be overkill? Presumably if its serviced by AM prior to sell, then anything too untoward will be picked up and resolved as part of the service.
The AM buying guide looks great - I'll definitely pick up a copy!
Thanks again!
T
Thanks for your quick and detailed reply - its much appreciated!
I might give the seller a call during the week and arrange a viewing for next weekend (provided the car hasn't been sold). I'll ask them that as a condition of sell that the car needs servicing first. That way I can be sure that the car is in great shape before I part with any cash. I think you're right about the clutch, so I'll bear that in mind as a potential cost somewhere down the road
Another question - do you think its worth having a pre-purchase inspection done or would that be overkill? Presumably if its serviced by AM prior to sell, then anything too untoward will be picked up and resolved as part of the service.
The AM buying guide looks great - I'll definitely pick up a copy!
Thanks again!
T
It's very cheap for a 4.7, low mileage and it looks good. The history will've affected its value, but being honest I doubt it makes any difference to the car itself.
The clutch is often changed at around 30-40k miles, but it's just hard to know as there are so many variables on its use. It's no different to a lot of Vantages on the market, unless they come with a recent receipted clutch change it's something that might need doing at some point. I've had 3 Vantages and I bought all of them with under 30k miles and having had a clutch change already, but who knows - at 28k it could last another 50k miles!
I'd say if it checks out, go for it!
The clutch is often changed at around 30-40k miles, but it's just hard to know as there are so many variables on its use. It's no different to a lot of Vantages on the market, unless they come with a recent receipted clutch change it's something that might need doing at some point. I've had 3 Vantages and I bought all of them with under 30k miles and having had a clutch change already, but who knows - at 28k it could last another 50k miles!
I'd say if it checks out, go for it!
Edited by johnnyBv8 on Saturday 19th January 13:47
How much warranty is he offering? 6 months would at least give you a chance to make sure that everything is working as it should.
Be sure to check jacking points areas and sills have not been damaged by incorrect jacking.
A pre purchase inspection is great provided the inspector is familiar with the product.
Be sure to check jacking points areas and sills have not been damaged by incorrect jacking.
A pre purchase inspection is great provided the inspector is familiar with the product.
It's that same old chestnut where the mileage and time intervals do not correspond. My DB7 is supposed to be serviced every six months or 7500 miles.
Like most owners I went for a compromise of yearly so timewise I am twice as long as I should be between services but mileage wise I am still getting it serviced three to four times as often as it needs to be. I am now going for 18 month intervals as I do less than 2000 miles a year. (providing the car still drives OK and passes its MOT.) For older cars I would not worry about a two year gap so long as the mileage in between services is not too high.
I'm certainly not going to get my car serviced every 900 miles just because of some arbitrary time limit.
Like most owners I went for a compromise of yearly so timewise I am twice as long as I should be between services but mileage wise I am still getting it serviced three to four times as often as it needs to be. I am now going for 18 month intervals as I do less than 2000 miles a year. (providing the car still drives OK and passes its MOT.) For older cars I would not worry about a two year gap so long as the mileage in between services is not too high.
I'm certainly not going to get my car serviced every 900 miles just because of some arbitrary time limit.
Hi all,
Thanks for all your feedback - its truly appreciated!
I need to confirm the length of the warranty, but would imagine it would be around 6 or 12 months - TBC for the time being until I speak to the seller during the week.
I will be insisting on the service as a condition of sale - I think that will go along way in ensuring that the car is up to scratch, and should eliminate (hopefully) any expensive repairs or additional maintenance for the immediate future (however, the funds are there just in case).
Thanks again for all your advice!
T
Thanks for all your feedback - its truly appreciated!
I need to confirm the length of the warranty, but would imagine it would be around 6 or 12 months - TBC for the time being until I speak to the seller during the week.
I will be insisting on the service as a condition of sale - I think that will go along way in ensuring that the car is up to scratch, and should eliminate (hopefully) any expensive repairs or additional maintenance for the immediate future (however, the funds are there just in case
).Thanks again for all your advice!
T
Yes, thats correct - it does have the optional Sport Pack (wheels, suspension upgrades etc).
The plate in the photo's is a private plate, and the seller confirmed that it will return to the original plate once sold - I checked the MOT on the previous plate and the expiry is January 2020.
Thanks,
T
The plate in the photo's is a private plate, and the seller confirmed that it will return to the original plate once sold - I checked the MOT on the previous plate and the expiry is January 2020.
Thanks,
T
TRA83 said:
- I checked the MOT on the previous plate and the expiry is January 2020.
Take a look at the DVLA MoT History page.
Probably no advisories, but there might be something of interest.
Prices of this model have certainly reduced during the last year or so (after being fairly stable for many years, at around £50k main dealer retail), and obviously being a non-main dealer car, the cost for buyers is now even more attractive.
With regard to clutch life, the only thing you can do is a low revs, uphill, high gear, slip test. Obviously when we buy these cars used, clutch life is a complete gamble. When a change does become necessary, it is costly because it is a long job (rear gearbox). However, you can then look forward to having the improved twin plate clutch.
Great cars to own. Hope that it works out for you.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Saturday 19th January 20:42
I am down the road from the garage so i would of popped down to look for you but it seems as its gone.
As for the clutch issue. I bought my 4.7 on around 25-26k and i am now on 4 years later 35k with the clutch still going well (touches wood!). But being a weak point i do try and prolong it. I heel and toe all the time, rev match on downshifts and the usual dont-reverse-up-hill etc etc. But i think its luck of the draw if the clutch is a stayer or gives up early on.
As for the clutch issue. I bought my 4.7 on around 25-26k and i am now on 4 years later 35k with the clutch still going well (touches wood!). But being a weak point i do try and prolong it. I heel and toe all the time, rev match on downshifts and the usual dont-reverse-up-hill etc etc. But i think its luck of the draw if the clutch is a stayer or gives up early on.
petop said:
I am down the road from the garage so i would of popped down to look for you but it seems as its gone.
As for the clutch issue. I bought my 4.7 on around 25-26k and i am now on 4 years later 35k with the clutch still going well (touches wood!). But being a weak point i do try and prolong it. I heel and toe all the time, rev match on downshifts and the usual dont-reverse-up-hill etc etc. But i think its luck of the draw if the clutch is a stayer or gives up early on.
Have you got the lightened flywheel?As for the clutch issue. I bought my 4.7 on around 25-26k and i am now on 4 years later 35k with the clutch still going well (touches wood!). But being a weak point i do try and prolong it. I heel and toe all the time, rev match on downshifts and the usual dont-reverse-up-hill etc etc. But i think its luck of the draw if the clutch is a stayer or gives up early on.
Bobajobbob said:
petop said:
I am down the road from the garage so i would of popped down to look for you but it seems as its gone.
As for the clutch issue. I bought my 4.7 on around 25-26k and i am now on 4 years later 35k with the clutch still going well (touches wood!). But being a weak point i do try and prolong it. I heel and toe all the time, rev match on downshifts and the usual dont-reverse-up-hill etc etc. But i think its luck of the draw if the clutch is a stayer or gives up early on.
Have you got the lightened flywheel?As for the clutch issue. I bought my 4.7 on around 25-26k and i am now on 4 years later 35k with the clutch still going well (touches wood!). But being a weak point i do try and prolong it. I heel and toe all the time, rev match on downshifts and the usual dont-reverse-up-hill etc etc. But i think its luck of the draw if the clutch is a stayer or gives up early on.
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