Vantage - queries about optional extras (2006 car)
Discussion
I'm now 2 weeks into ownership and am slowly discovering the various optional extras that my Vantage has - seems to be quite well specc'd, though I guess a lot of them are. Can't remember them all but those I'm aware of are the bright finish grille, sat nav, parking sensors, cruise control, heated seats, GSM phone thing, premium audio, black calipers, xenon lights, heated front screen, tyre pressure sensors and powerfold mirrors - but a few other options or spec choices I was less sure of:
1) Fine stitching - I was quite keen to find one with the red stitching but couldn't. Mine has the 'fine' black stitching, which I think I now prefer to the heavy white stitching. Was this quite a rare option? It's briefly mentioned in Grant's book.
2) Black alacantra rooflining - is this quite common or not? I initially thought it made my black interior a bit too dark, but now I really like it!
3) Ipod - the connector is in the cup holder bit and says Denison on it - would this have been an Aston Martin option or has someone else fitted it? It charges my iPhone and works through the radio on button 10.
4) Trickle charger - I have the three pin connection point, but no charger. Do they all have the connection point, or has somebody swiped my charger at some point?!
5) Ultrasonics - how do I tell if my car has the upgraded alarm?
Cheers - loving this forum by the way...very friendly - especially compared to a lot of Pistonheads! I went onto AMOC but nothing much seems to be happening!
1) Fine stitching - I was quite keen to find one with the red stitching but couldn't. Mine has the 'fine' black stitching, which I think I now prefer to the heavy white stitching. Was this quite a rare option? It's briefly mentioned in Grant's book.
2) Black alacantra rooflining - is this quite common or not? I initially thought it made my black interior a bit too dark, but now I really like it!
3) Ipod - the connector is in the cup holder bit and says Denison on it - would this have been an Aston Martin option or has someone else fitted it? It charges my iPhone and works through the radio on button 10.
4) Trickle charger - I have the three pin connection point, but no charger. Do they all have the connection point, or has somebody swiped my charger at some point?!
5) Ultrasonics - how do I tell if my car has the upgraded alarm?
Cheers - loving this forum by the way...very friendly - especially compared to a lot of Pistonheads! I went onto AMOC but nothing much seems to be happening!
Edited by OhnnyBv8 on Saturday 16th June 22:26
I ordered my first V8 Vantage in 2006 and the option list was vague at the time - even the dealers didn't know what was optional, what was standard, etc when I spec'd mine at the factory! Originally the car was going to ship with only half leather as standard with the full leather as an option but that soon got scrapped 
The 19" alloys were also optional but I've never seen any cars with the 18" that were meant to be standard.
My memory is a bit vague (My 2006 car went in 2008 to be replaced with an N400) but I think the following is correct...
1) Fine stitching - I'm pretty sure fine stitching was the standard and coarse the option (could be wrong!). I spec'd my car as Toro Red with black interior and light grey roof lining but nearly had coarse red stitching. Glad I didn't at the time!
2) Black alacantra rooflining - I think this was one of the choice of colours for the interior, rather than a special option. Most I've seen are light coloured though
3) Ipod - This sounds like someone had a Dension after-market iPod adapter fitted. It certainly wasn't a factory option when I bought mine, but did become an option around 2007(?) when they modified the audio system to support iPod and USB sticks.
4) Trickle charger, I have the three pin connection point - This is the older trickle charger with the XLR plug on it, often found on Vanquish, DB7s and earlier DB9s. They changed to using a cigarette lighter-style socket adjacent to the battery cutoff switch in the right-hand side panel of the boot. Pretty sure the 3-pin connector was only on early 2006 cars (and possible the 2005 demo/press cars) since I picked mine up on 1st July 2006 and it had the newer cigarette lighter style.
I could probably find my original order / invoice if I looked hard enough!
The 19" alloys were also optional but I've never seen any cars with the 18" that were meant to be standard.My memory is a bit vague (My 2006 car went in 2008 to be replaced with an N400) but I think the following is correct...
1) Fine stitching - I'm pretty sure fine stitching was the standard and coarse the option (could be wrong!). I spec'd my car as Toro Red with black interior and light grey roof lining but nearly had coarse red stitching. Glad I didn't at the time!
2) Black alacantra rooflining - I think this was one of the choice of colours for the interior, rather than a special option. Most I've seen are light coloured though
3) Ipod - This sounds like someone had a Dension after-market iPod adapter fitted. It certainly wasn't a factory option when I bought mine, but did become an option around 2007(?) when they modified the audio system to support iPod and USB sticks.
4) Trickle charger, I have the three pin connection point - This is the older trickle charger with the XLR plug on it, often found on Vanquish, DB7s and earlier DB9s. They changed to using a cigarette lighter-style socket adjacent to the battery cutoff switch in the right-hand side panel of the boot. Pretty sure the 3-pin connector was only on early 2006 cars (and possible the 2005 demo/press cars) since I picked mine up on 1st July 2006 and it had the newer cigarette lighter style.
I could probably find my original order / invoice if I looked hard enough!
Edited by steve_amv8 on Sunday 17th June 07:47
OhnnyBv8 said:
Update - AM have very helpfully provided me with the specification for my car, which is nice to have. Once I've found a 2006 options/price list my anorakesque exploits will be complete!
Will try and dig my original bill of sale out. Has everything listed on it, and post up the figures for youFound it. long list, will scan it in tomorrow and hopefully upload it.
But I'll leave it to people to guess how much AM charged in 2006 to Delete "Vantage" badge.
Edited by Neil1300R on Monday 18th June 20:17
Neil1300R said:
Will try and dig my original bill of sale out. Has everything listed on it, and post up the figures for you
Found it. long list, will scan it in tomorrow and hopefully upload it.
But I'll leave it to people to guess how much AM charged in 2006 to Delete "Vantage" badge.
Thanks Neil, that'd be fantastic. I daren't even guess at the price to not fit a badge!Found it. long list, will scan it in tomorrow and hopefully upload it.
But I'll leave it to people to guess how much AM charged in 2006 to Delete "Vantage" badge.
v8woollie said:
A 'no cost' badge delete option
Does anyone charge for badge deletion these days Woollie ?? BMW certainly haven't for at least the last 10 years.When I bought the DB9 it had the badge deleted and the salesman stated that most people do this now ??
I told him to get it back on otherwise he would lose the sale !!
Can't have uneducated people thinking I was in a vantage
Having just acquired another Aston, this time a DB7 Vantage Volante with original invoices, etc, I was rather amused to see "Deletion of High-Level Brake Lamp" cost the original owner £1086.88.
Then again, the cup holders were £643 and a custom DB7 luggage set an eye-watering £3000!
Just looked again and even the battery conditioner makes the overpriced AM-badged CTEK unit seem reasonable value at £95! It was £311.37! In 2001!!
Then again, the cup holders were £643 and a custom DB7 luggage set an eye-watering £3000!
Just looked again and even the battery conditioner makes the overpriced AM-badged CTEK unit seem reasonable value at £95! It was £311.37! In 2001!!
Edited by steve_amv8 on Tuesday 19th June 20:29
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