Any comments with this listing?

[BiggaJ]

LTP said:

Dewi 2 said:

My son is a chartered accountant. They are certainly a 'breed' who enjoy a bargain.

Remember that you can buy two, 3 year old 'as new' Aston Martins, for the same cost as one new one.
Therefore, two very happy EY partners.

A good point, but the cost of a couple of Astons would be a rounding error in the EY accounts. Barely three weeks at a partner's charge-out rate each.

My wife works at PWC and partners earn serious amounts, most over £700,000k year or better. so a VH or new vantage are loose change to them.

[BiggaJ]

TheHound said:

Thank you. One final question - possibly a silly one. At this mileage is it unnecessary to get an independent check (I've used the AA in the past for this)? On the one hand, low mileage; on the other, high value car!

Get it checked. Dont use the AA, its not a Fiesta!!

Get in touch with a local specialist to you, most will offer a check for a fee, others have mentioned BR, DAE but other names would include AHM, Vantage Engineering ... just depends where you are located. Dont be surprised if you get a niggle list as long as your arm, these guys usually go into great detail. I know from experience AHM did with mine.

Not knowing where you are in the UK, just google Aston Martin specialist near me and it will throw up some names. Go see them, have a chat and build a relationship with them because once the timeless warranty runs out you may find you use them over a franchised dealership.

[JonnyCJ]

TheHound said:

Thank you. One final question - possibly a silly one. At this mileage is it unnecessary to get an independent check (I've used the AA in the past for this)? On the one hand, low mileage; on the other, high value car!

Ask for a photo of the rear subframe. 99% guarantee it will be rusty. If you google Vanquish rear subframe and see what happens to those, you'll definitely be glad you're fore-warned. Fixing it yourself involves getting it out, then getting it industrial coated, for full longevity, or paying an indy £1k+ to do it for you.

This is a great read https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... and if it's a keeper, 100% worth doing.

It's not just V8 Vantage, DB9 and Vanquish that suffer this, many other cars have the same issue, but at least here you have something that it's worth doing on.

Also a very handy negotiation point when buying.

[LTP]

JonnyCJ said:

Ask for a photo of the rear subframe. 99% guarantee it will be rusty. If you google Vanquish rear subframe and see what happens to those, you'll definitely be glad you're fore-warned. Fixing it yourself involves getting it out, then getting it industrial coated, for full longevity, or paying an indy £1k+ to do it for you.

Don't frighten the lad, Jonny. Yes, they get surface rust but they don't rot out like an old AlfaSud. They can look a little scabby, especially as the rest of the underbody, being mainly aluminium, usually looks pristine by comparison, but they're easily good for 10 years (the Ford corrosion target they were engineered to) and most Astons live relatively pampered lives so the life is much longer. But yes, there's more paint on a baked bean can than was applied by the supplier to the VH Aston steel subframes.

[Dewi 2]

BiggaJ said:

My wife works at PWC and partners earn serious amounts, most over £700,000k year or better. so a VH or new vantage are loose change to them.

Yes, we know the 'big four' profitability and partners earning potential Jon, but the puzzle is, why would a used Vantage have been purchased and/or registered in EYs name? Especially as there is now a much greater reluctance to incur considerable Benefit in Kind tax for employer owned vehicles. Presumably when partners are appointed, they continue to also have employee status for tax purposes.

[macdeb]

Oh, and don't trust a main dealer with their own 'timeless' inspection.

[LTP]

Dewi 2 said:

Yes, we know the 'big four' profitability and partners earning potential Jon, but the puzzle is, why would a used Vantage have been purchased and/or registered in EYs name? Especially as there is now a much greater reluctance to incur considerable Benefit in Kind tax for employer owned vehicles. Presumably when partners are appointed, they continue to also have employee status for tax purposes.

Upmarket pool car for Mayfair and Surrey contract meetings?

[SHIFTY]

Mac

You mean that the main dealers actually inspect them before sale?.

[Audis5b9]

macdeb said:

Oh, and don't trust a main dealer with their own 'timeless' inspection.

Please elaborate...

[JonnyCJ]

LTP said:

Don't frighten the lad, Jonny. Yes, they get surface rust but they don't rot out like an old AlfaSud. They can look a little scabby, especially as the rest of the underbody, being mainly aluminium, usually looks pristine by comparison, but they're easily good for 10 years (the Ford corrosion target they were engineered to) and most Astons live relatively pampered lives so the life is much longer. But yes, there's more paint on a baked bean can than was applied by the supplier to the VH Aston steel subframes.

Not wishing to alarm anyone, just educate and give something to bargain with.

[Jon39]

JonnyCJ said:

Not wishing to alarm anyone, just educate and give something to bargain with.

I think it is a 3,000 mile car being sold by a Ferrari specialist.

Presume the car has been kept in a dry garage, which surely must be the case (9 years old, 3,000 miles), so would not expect much subframe rust to negotiate about.

[TheHound]

Well, it is at least something to be aware of, especially if I don't end up convincing myself to spend a bit more, and end up looking more at a higher mileage car (bit of vacillation). I have read about subframe rust on these so useful to see it corroborated. This does look like the condition is rather lovely, though.

Really been a helpful response in this thread - thank you all. I should not be surprised that a subforum of Aston owners are a splendid bunch of chaps.

[Greathey]

Have a spare 3-5k for a potential clutch replacement and major service and you should be good to go

Not sure what's wrong with the 4.3, they sound better because you have to push the pedal harder and they cost significantly less

[Ikemi]

I’m in the same boat at the moment, although I am looking for a 2007-2010 4.3l manual roadster in any colour other than black or red. I’m not too fussed about additional extras, but just those few requirements results in almost no available cars!

My budget is £40K, although I’d rather keep it closer to £35-37K. I’m going to buy some 200 cell cats pretty much immediately!

I did pop up to McGurks the other day, just to have a look around. I must admit, I’ve changed my mind with regards to Onyx Black! Still, there doesn’t seem to be many manual roadsters available ... Possibly due to summer/COVID/car shortages/no holidays?