48k on the original clutch - would you buy?

[Amris]

Hi All,

I have been looking for a black vantage for a while and this popped up over the weekend:

https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...

It pretty much the exact spec I am looking for and whilst a higher milage car would not be my preference it does look to be a nice car.

I have booked a test drive but am concerned that this is still on the original clutch being such an expensive replacement/repair.

My question therefor is would you buy this car with the original clutch with 48k on the clock?

[AMDBSNick]

How do you know it is the original clutch?

[mikey k]

AMDBSNick said:

How do you know it is the original clutch?

Good question!

[Amris]

I asked the dealer

[Calculator]

How much is a replacment clutch?

Is there a way of checking the % wear on the clutch?

It looks a nice car with decent spec.

[shunt]

Looks like a good buy to me, recently had my clutch replaced for <£1500, so wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

[AMDBSNick]

Amris said:

I asked the dealer

Then use it in your negotiations. Perhaps a new clutch instead of discount. Better from there point of view

[CraigV12V]

That seems a cheap price especially from a dealer. I bought my 2007 4.3 last Spetember(soon to be put on sale via PH) and the guy who I bought it off (who bought it 6 weeks before me) had the dealer put a new clutch in as part of the purchase. You got to think at 48k the clutch has not got long to go before it fails on you and if you can get it fitted at cost to sweeten the deal it might be the way to go.

[Calculator]

Craig, could you drop me a PM with spec etc of your car if it is coming up for sale?

Thanks

[CraigV12V]

Calculator said:

Craig, could you drop me a PM with spec etc of your car if it is coming up for sale?

Thanks

It's a 2007 MY 4.3L V8V Coupe. 40k, Meteorite silver, Iron Ore interior leather, Red Calipers. I am just having wheels redone as they were looking tired and badly corroded (they all go this way after 5 or 6 years) and it was letting the car down. I am going to start looking for circa £38k. The interior is not to everyone's lliking but I specifically sought it. Pictures always make it look awful but in the flesh its a great colour, IMO.

Also- Has transferable AM warranty until July 2012.

Edited by CraigV12V on Monday 16th April 13:49

[X7LDA]

shunt said:

Looks like a good buy to me, recently had my clutch replaced for <£1500, so wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

How and where...? The parts alone are close to £1000!

I personally think it's so cheap because it has 'high' mileage and they will have factored in the clutch already i.e. the owner should be prepared to buy one in the near future.

But yes, I would ask them to replace the clutch to make the deal and if it has been factored in already then try and get it for a small price increase - i.e. £1000.

[sukh_m]

That's a very good price but surely they wouldnt supply a 12 month warranty and "know" the clutch might need replacing soon (and be happy for you to drive off in it!)? It's something I would expect to be checked when they bought the vehicle.

[Amris]

sukh_m said:

That's a very good price but surely they wouldnt supply a 12 month warranty and "know" the clutch might need replacing soon (and be happy for you to drive off in it!)? It's something I would expect to be checked when they bought the vehicle.

I think clutches are wear and tear items so aren't covered by warranty. Hence my concern

[outofstepuk]

My car had it's clutch done at 63k. So it might still have some life left.

[Neil1300R]

That seems very good price especially from that dealer. Nothing wrong with the dealer but they never used to be low cost. Fantastic place to buy from (bought mine there). Worth having a conversation with them about how much is left on the clutch, negotiate a new one.

[jhoneyball]

If the car has been driven properly (*), then the wear on the clutch will be minimal

I had a new clutch in my xpack at 28k miles. At 83k miles, when the engine was rebuilt (the standard o-ring seal failure problem), the clutch had almost no wear at all. And that was after countless track days and a lot of london driving too.

• : never ride the clutch. Always either fully in or out. Never use anything more than minimal revs when engaging.

[MichaelV8V]

With a Vantage that has to reverse anywhere, rapid clutch wear is inevitable, reverse is such a high gear that you have to give it some revs or it will stall, particularly if you're reversing uphill or on full lock.

Whereas you could do 150k miles on a motorway with no wear whatsoever

[mikey k]

MichaelV8V said:

With a Vantage that has to reverse anywhere, rapid clutch wear is inevitable, reverse is such a high gear that you have to give it some revs or it will stall, particularly if you're reversing uphill or on full lock.

Whereas you could do 150k miles on a motorway with no wear whatsoever

Not on the S

[GTDB7]

Clutch wear is more a problem of the driver than the part.

Some can last a few thousand miles others can out last the car.... as stated above, in or out.. never half way.

Once a clutch has engaged and locked itself.. then put your foot down.... no problems.. whilst it is engaging however is where the damage can be caused. The exception to this are faulty seals causing contamination or manufacturing/fitting fault.

[MrMoonyMan]

Surely I'm not the only one here thinking that if a car like this is on its original clutch at this mileage it reflects well on the way it has been owned/ driven?