Should I go for a Vantage?

[alscar]

More wise words and advice from Nick especially his last paragraph.
Not sure why he put the “ish “comment on the GT8 exhaust though - it was an expensive option although not as expensive as the quoted retrofit option from Aston of £25k !
Bit like the lightweight seats price differential.

[LTP]

Andy_M_ said:

Does AM provide a list of option codes anywhere, they don't seem to be in the brochures that I have seen in PDF format.

I have a list of the various options (but not the codes) I came across during my search for a V8. It may not be fully comprehensive but it covers the majority.
I can email you a copy should you wish. It's in Excel but I can convert to a .pdf

[DBA086]

I was in a similar position - I have had a raft of BMWs (1M, M2, M3, M4 and Z3 M Coupe, alongside the M5 Touring family bus). I originally started looking at M2 Comps, early E92 M3s (again) and 997s as they seemed to be the only cars that ticked all boxes - comfortable, 4 manual and 4 seats), but struggled to find something special in my budget - despite doubling from £25k to 50k.

The manual criteria limited was quite limiting, which then lead me to reconsider whether 4 seats was required. With that removed, I then dithered between another Z3 M Coupe (with the later engine) or a cayman R. I would have been happy with the Z3 but the ones in budget were all slightly ratty, and the clean ones were too good to park on the street. The Cayman was excellent, but the prospect of a 4.0 GTS or early GT4 for not much more makes the R look poor value.

Coincidently the specialist selling the Cayman also had a V12 Vantage on the floor which was outside of budget, but after a few discussions the price seemed flexible which meant I could take it home after a few weeks.

Each drive is an experience and the car is much more special than anything else I’ve run. Truthfully a V8 would be all that I need, but they rarely have the carbon buckets and alcantara wheel that makes the V12 so special. I have also removed the ridiculous metal gear knob - the alcantara one has improved the shift to no end.

I have been surprised with the service costs (c.£1k for the latest, and about that for the car’s life judging by the invoices) and impressed by the level of service (HWM) and aftermarket support (AM installations have done a few things as well).

[alscar]

Andy , have a quick look at the GC thread today on that Vantage for sale at Mcgurks.
Colour scheme won’t be to all tastes but just look at the side profile !
Vantage or Porsche …there’s your answer.

[cypriot]

Andy_M_ said:

I've watched a number of JayEmms videos on the Vantage and he says something similar that the steering in the V8 was better. Does the AMR have a further step up in suspension over the V8S / N430? I don't think I am looking for a GT3 substitute ... equally I don't want a complete barge. Very few AMRs around.

No, the AMR is just a cosmetic thing on the v8. You got bespoke interiors and exteriors plus a lot of carbon and usually the lightweight seats which are worth every penny. Mechanically the AMRs are identical to the V8S and N430.

I can guarantee that the v8s are not barges in any way shape or form. The only thing that I would recommend doing is a lightweight clutch and flywheel which wakes the engine up. Good luck!

[Andy_M_]

moktabe said:

Unlike most posters here I only have experience of driving one Aston Martin, my 16 plate V12 Vantage S.

In my eyes it looks like a work of art, just a beautiful thing to look at. It has the lightweight seats which are wonderfully comfortable, can easily spend a full day in them without any discomfort setting in.

Definitely an occasion to drive in any scenario, either in heavy traffic or moving on a bit, it's even an occasion to open the garage door and seeing it sat there.

If you go for one you will NOT be disappointed.

DBA086 said:

I was in a similar position - I have had a raft of BMWs (1M, M2, M3, M4 and Z3 M Coupe, alongside the M5 Touring family bus). I originally started looking at M2 Comps, early E92 M3s (again) and 997s as they seemed to be the only cars that ticked all boxes - comfortable, 4 manual and 4 seats), but struggled to find something special in my budget - despite doubling from £25k to 50k.

The manual criteria limited was quite limiting, which then lead me to reconsider whether 4 seats was required. With that removed, I then dithered between another Z3 M Coupe (with the later engine) or a cayman R. I would have been happy with the Z3 but the ones in budget were all slightly ratty, and the clean ones were too good to park on the street. The Cayman was excellent, but the prospect of a 4.0 GTS or early GT4 for not much more makes the R look poor value.

Coincidently the specialist selling the Cayman also had a V12 Vantage on the floor which was outside of budget, but after a few discussions the price seemed flexible which meant I could take it home after a few weeks.

Each drive is an experience and the car is much more special than anything else I’ve run. Truthfully a V8 would be all that I need, but they rarely have the carbon buckets and alcantara wheel that makes the V12 so special. I have also removed the ridiculous metal gear knob - the alcantara one has improved the shift to no end.

I have been surprised with the service costs (c.£1k for the latest, and about that for the car’s life judging by the invoices) and impressed by the level of service (HWM) and aftermarket support (AM installations have done a few things as well).

Thanks both, very re-assuring.

Once again, this thread is a welcome relief from my previous Porsche threads ... thanks all for the helpful comments.

[Andy_M_]

LTP said:

I have a list of the various options (but not the codes) I came across during my search for a V8. It may not be fully comprehensive but it covers the majority.
I can email you a copy should you wish. It's in Excel but I can convert to a .pdf

Thanks, I'll drop you a PM

[Calinours]

Here’s a V8S in odd colours…

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/a...

[Jon39]

Calinours said:

Here’s a V8S in odd colours…

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/a...

alscar pipped you by 9 hours.

Wonder if the colour will make a sale more difficult ?
It was a Vantage colour of course.

[Tin Hat]

V12s owner here too.

Do it, they are simply great, an utter joy to drive at any speed.

[Andy_M_]

Tin Hat said:

V12s owner here too.

Do it, they are simply great, an utter joy to drive at any speed.

Straight to the point ...

[Andy_M_]

Jon39 said:

alscar pipped you by 9 hours.

Wonder if the colour will make a sale more difficult ?
It was a Vantage colour of course.

Colour scheme is not for me ... maybe without the orange, but then it's not a gulf homage

[Longy00000]

I quite like the colour scheme though I think it's a bit of a half way house. Either do it in Gulf livery or don't is my opinion. If I went for something like that it would be straight down for a wrap to add the orange car length stripe and the gulf logo

[LordBretSinclair]

Longy00000 said:

I quite like the colour scheme though I think it's a bit of a half way house. Either do it in Gulf livery or don't is my opinion. If I went for something like that it would be straight down for a wrap to add the orange car length stripe and the gulf logo

Been there, done that

[Andy_M_]

LordBretSinclair said:

Been there, done that

The whole 9 yards is much better ...

[Longy00000]

LordBretSinclair said:

Been there, done that

You sir obviously have taste, that earlier half way house car was a poor effort in comparison to your own.
Always loved Gulf and Martini liveried cars prob my two favourite colour schemes. Doesn't matter what car they are put on they just always looked right.

[moktabe]

LordBretSinclair said:

Longy00000 said:

I quite like the colour scheme though I think it's a bit of a half way house. Either do it in Gulf livery or don't is my opinion. If I went for something like that it would be straight down for a wrap to add the orange car length stripe and the gulf logo

Been there, done that

Not an Aston Martin but I know what you mean

If you're going to do it then do it properly.

[nickv12]

alscar said:

More wise words and advice from Nick especially his last paragraph.

Jeeeeeeezuz! There’s a first for everything. I’m gonna print that off in 36pt text and see if my domestic manager concurs

[nickv12]

LTP said:

I have a list of the various options (but not the codes) I came across during my search for a V8. It may not be fully comprehensive but it covers the majority.
I can email you a copy should you wish. It's in Excel but I can convert to a .pdf

Interesting. Never really see the codes referred to unlike for Porkers with things like their “X51” engine upgrade. We just call it things like “Performance Pack”. Or “Ruinously Expensive”

Simply not that many standard options, relatively. But you sometimes come across very interesting cars which have been touched by the “Q” department. Also some very limited official runs, often instigated by dealers. The “Wings” series are the best known, but there are other specials.

One lovely set of V8’s which you very rarely see were built around 2017 from memory with a very subtle copper-like tinted leather interior (effectively an interesting brown) and classy dark blue paint. I don’t think it was a named series as such, just a batch with that unique leather for the year.

[geresey]

Longy00000 said:

LordBretSinclair said:

Been there, done that

You sir obviously have taste, that earlier half way house car was a poor effort in comparison to your own.
Always loved Gulf and Martini liveried cars prob my two favourite colour schemes. Doesn't matter what car they are put on they just always looked right.

Agreed! Saw a Cayman in Martini strip for sale at local OPC, very nice. And always love the Integrale in it. Oh and a GT8 and McLaren in gulf colours on my first drive out in the Aston