V8 Vantage 2010/2011

[MrVert]

Evening....

Sorry, probably yet another V8 Vantage thread..

Long time Porsche / Lotus addict, as well as a foray into some Italian exotica, looking to scratch a long held itch for a V8 Vantage to add to the stable.

Seen a few 2010 / 2011 V8 up for sale, just have no idea on the 'must have' spec items on these. Really want the Carbon race seats, nav and upgraded wheels, otherwise not too worried but nice to know what's considered prudent to have.

I'd be buying from an authorised dealer, as I'd want warranty etc, is the AM warranty considered to be good?

Finally, have read a few threads on here re the SS gearbox, drove one way back in 2012 and found it quite jerky, but probably wasn't lifting the throttle slightly which makes the difference? Suppose the question is...for a manual 'box addict, is it involving enough to use, or will I get bored?

Thanks in advance

[bogie]

If you can stretch to a year newer the MY2012.25 came with many of the "S" upgrades all as standard; brakes, rack, wider wheels etc...and sport suspension on the roadster.

I think you will struggle to find a used car with those seats, they are rare, you may need to upgrade them after purchase yourself.

Must haves for me; HID lights, heated seats, bluetooth phone
Nice to haves; cruise, memory seats, electric folding mirrors, premium audio

AM Timeless warranty probably the best for a used car and worth having included in the price, it also sets a certain level of preparation for the car.

Re the sportshift. I tried it in 2007 and bought a manual coupe, tried in 2010 and again in 2012 and bought a manual Roadster in 2015.

[MrVert]

Thanks, useful info there re the model year & differences...did not know that.

Gearbox is the main worry for me, especially now!

What's the manual like? I'm used to Porsche 911 manual boxes, pretty slick and precise. Any comparison notes?

[Graze01]

So, always had manuals. 07 V8 us a manual. Bought a 17 V12VS. The sportshift is brilliant if driving fast or pushing the car on country roads (haven't tried track yet). It's ok generally and passable around town where a manual is still better in my view

Don't be put off by it ( thought I would be) just give yourself some time to get the best out of it

Graeme

[MrVert]

Thanks.

Going to arrange to see a couple this week, one manual and one SS 'box.

One is a 2010 the other 2012 model. One is from a AM dealer, has the carbon seats with good mileage but not a massive spec otherwise, the other is two years newer, standard seats, decent spec.

Looking at the 2012/13 ones, they're only about £5k more, so with the additional kit probably look a better bet.

I also like this slightly older one: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Not got the lightweight seats though, are they a big improvement? I know seats are a very personal thing, but are the carbon seats worth holding out for, or are the standard seats good anyway?

[bogie]

Cant comment on the seats, never tried them. More than happy with the later pattern seats (standard in all the model years you are considering)

Manual box is ok, it can vary between cars a lot, you need to drive them. My first 2006 vantage was super slick once it had the later clutch, and oil. The clutch lasted 76k miles in it. My 2012 roadster is stiff when cold 1st to 2nd and just a bit notchy in general. Its had 2 clutches in 52k miles.

This book here is the bible of the modern Aston, all the specs, changes, owner feedback etc ...well worth £20 ish

http://astonmartinreview.co.uk/

for online guide try here, details of all models, heres the MY2012.25 https://astonmartins.com/car/v8-vantage-4-7-my2012...

[QuantumV8]

How'd you go checking out the two cars?

I have a manual MY10 with the carbon seats. I love the aesthetics of the seats, from front and back, I feel the look alone makes the car look more like a big toy. They're comfortable, but i still get a numb bum after a few hours on the hwy. I haven't spent a lot of time in the standard seats, but i reckon I get an extra inch of headroom in the lightweights, which makes a difference for me at 6'2". I believe that carbon seats means deleted side airbags, and possibly deleted seat-warmers? They are also fixed-back, so if you want to change your lean, the base of the seat will also change angle. All up I like them and I'm glad i have them.

The 2012.25-on has a new-look front splitter, and a larger ducktail spoiler, you might find you prefer the look of one over the other.

I haven't driven the sportshift, but as you were pondering, I feel that it would bore me.

I would have mine without the Nav if i had the choice, but I might change that view if/when i can mirror the iphone to it

[MrVert]

Thanks for the input thus far

Drove the manual, however as there's the lure of the 2013 model at not a lot more, decided to bide my time and wait for the car I want, with carbon seats, manual, in the colour I want....which will probably be silver...or grey

Whilst I'm on, can anyone recommended an Indy to service a car in the East Midlands area, or is it just worth servicing at an Authorised Dealership?

I may also need someone to do an inspection if I buy privately. Can you put a warranty on a car after purchasing, assume I'd need a dealer to also inspect prior to issue of a warranty. If yes, anyone know the costs for inspection / warranty?

Thanks again.

[MrVert]

Thread resurrection....

Ended up diving into a Cayman R for a year, which has been great fun, albeit rather far apart from my original intention of a V8 Vantage....

Just sold the R to a fellow PH member so am now definitely on the hunt for a Vantage....can’t shake the thought of owning one..

If anyone looking to sell has a silver / grey coupe with bucket seats, full AMSH, low miles in excellent condition, not worried about manual / SS, please let me know.

Budget around £45k mark for post 2012 car.

Cheers

[macdeb]

IMHO, bucket seats scream 'track day car', and for me didn't suit the interior. SS? you know how to drive or you don't. Manuals ain't perfect by any means, and I drove both before purchase. Good luck, nice cars.

[Dewi 2]

The era you initially mentioned, model years 2009 to 2012 is sometimes referred to as the 'sweet spot'.
ie. Classic original smooth body shape, but with the 4.7 upgrades.
During that period, Sportspack was available, stiffer suspension and lightweight forged wheels. With the present state of UK roads, the standard suspension is sometimes quite stiff enough.

The reference to changes introduced for model year 2012.25 might be confusing. Model years have tended to start in September, but the 2012 changes were about three months late, hence the designation 2012.25.

There used to be many Vantages of that era advertised by main dealers. Not so many now. Perhaps the main dealers prefer trading younger cars.

Good luck with your search.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Saturday 8th August 17:43

[MrVert]

Thanks for the info.

I definitely would like the lightweight carbon seats, they've added so much 'theatre' to some of my recent cars (GT3, 458, Cayman R).

If a good spec car with complete history in the right colour comes up with low miles, I may ditch the seat requirement.

Probably going to go main dealer or someone like McGurk I think, peace of mind and all that....

[AdamV12V]

lightweight seats are a make or break kinda option!

The standard sports seats are neither comfortable or sport, they gave me hours of back ache no matter how hard I tried to adjust them.


The buckets really are epic,especially on a V12V and they take the whole AM experience to the next level.

The std sports seats although looking good, are not.

I've said it before, but I will repeat now, you sit on the sports seats, you sit in the bucket seats. The difference is night and day.

Edited by AdamV12V on Saturday 8th August 23:21

[MrVert]

Ok thanks, you’ve confirmed my thoughts....exactly how I normally describe it for my ‘bucketed’ cars