Why are there so many low milage Vantages?
Discussion
My first post! I've been lurking in this forum for a while now, reading and learning for my aspirational purchase of a Vantage next year. I've bought Grant's book, tore a V8 Vantage and DB9 round a track on a track day (got 9 laps of Silverstone booked for early next year 
, but I'm still enjoying the learning and banter in here (things to look out for etc). I 'think' I know what colour I want, know the desired spec and hope to get a '07 car around March April time...
Anyway, the thing that I wonder about is why are so many '05-07 year Vantages quite low milers? I wouldn't have thought it's because owners can't afford to or that servicing becomes more expensive (if kept to 10k per year). I suppose there's lots of people keeping them as 'weekenders'; must be difficult driving something mundane when a Vantage is available. As someone who is looking for a Vantage as a daily driver which means 10k a year, I wonder if it'll be the right car. A low mileage car is normally a good thing, but I've read many on here say that lack of excercise can be problematic on a Vantage.
I look forward to joining the fold early next year.
, but I'm still enjoying the learning and banter in here (things to look out for etc). I 'think' I know what colour I want, know the desired spec and hope to get a '07 car around March April time...Anyway, the thing that I wonder about is why are so many '05-07 year Vantages quite low milers? I wouldn't have thought it's because owners can't afford to or that servicing becomes more expensive (if kept to 10k per year). I suppose there's lots of people keeping them as 'weekenders'; must be difficult driving something mundane when a Vantage is available. As someone who is looking for a Vantage as a daily driver which means 10k a year, I wonder if it'll be the right car. A low mileage car is normally a good thing, but I've read many on here say that lack of excercise can be problematic on a Vantage.
I look forward to joining the fold early next year.
Mysterae said:
the thing that I wonder about is why are so many '05-07 year Vantages quite low milers? I wouldn't have thought it's because owners can't afford to or that servicing becomes more expensive (if kept to 10k per year). I suppose there's lots of people keeping them as 'weekenders'; must be difficult driving something mundane when a Vantage is available. As someone who is looking for a Vantage as a daily driver which means 10k a year, I wonder if it'll be the right car.
Welcome to the AM forum. For many people, the Vantage will be a second or third car, I won't use mine for trips to the supermarket, or when its raining (can't keep the windows open to hear it properly), and don't use it for long motorway journeys, when I feel its just wasted. So with no effort at all, the mileage has stayed low.
Using one as a daily driver shouldn't give you any problems at all, you'll have read that these are very reliable cars, capable of high mileages without damage. The only way you'll suffer is through depreciation, when you sell you will be up against lower mileage cars, but if you build that into the running costs, you pay the money but you get the pleasure of driving a fabulous car. Good luck in your search
I personally think it can vary from individual car to individual car. However, here's my personal experience.
In early 2010 a good friend mine bought a 2006 V8V. I few weeks later I bought mine (2007 V8V).
Since then I've used my Vantage as my every day car (c.10,000 miles/annum).
My friend as used his a hell of a lot less - weekends at most, if that.
Excluding "normal" costs such as tyres, brake pads, etc, he has spent thousands (seriously!) more than me on issues with his car. In fact my car has been pretty much fault free and not missed a beat.
Obviously there's no proven correlation in increased usage = less problems, but for me it certainly seems to have been the case when compared to my friend.
In early 2010 a good friend mine bought a 2006 V8V. I few weeks later I bought mine (2007 V8V).
Since then I've used my Vantage as my every day car (c.10,000 miles/annum).
My friend as used his a hell of a lot less - weekends at most, if that.
Excluding "normal" costs such as tyres, brake pads, etc, he has spent thousands (seriously!) more than me on issues with his car. In fact my car has been pretty much fault free and not missed a beat.
Obviously there's no proven correlation in increased usage = less problems, but for me it certainly seems to have been the case when compared to my friend.
Cheers Michael. I did think about depreciation and did consider it but I would aim to keep it for at least 3 or more years. By then the gap may not be as large between low and high mileage Vantages.
I do wonder about keeping my diesel BMW for the longer business trips, but a work supplied hire car will do that duty (if I can keep myself away from the Vantage!).
It's good that these cars are seen to be reliable by owners, I often thought it a bit paradoxical paying premium for a car that lets you down more or needs constant attention (Lotus owner).
I do wonder about keeping my diesel BMW for the longer business trips, but a work supplied hire car will do that duty (if I can keep myself away from the Vantage!).
It's good that these cars are seen to be reliable by owners, I often thought it a bit paradoxical paying premium for a car that lets you down more or needs constant attention (Lotus owner).
Dav_s said:
I personally think it can vary from individual car to individual car. However, here's my personal experience.
In early 2010 a good friend mine bought a 2006 V8V. I few weeks later I bought mine (2007 V8V).
Since then I've used my Vantage as my every day car (c.10,000 miles/annum).
My friend as used his a hell of a lot less - weekends at most, if that.
Excluding "normal" costs such as tyres, brake pads, etc, he has spent thousands (seriously!) more than me on issues with his car. In fact my car has been pretty much fault free and not missed a beat.
Obviously there's no proven correlation in increased usage = less problems, but for me it certainly seems to have been the case when compared to my friend.
totally agree with above...i did 60k in my 9....fantastic...have already done 5k in my DBS....fIn early 2010 a good friend mine bought a 2006 V8V. I few weeks later I bought mine (2007 V8V).
Since then I've used my Vantage as my every day car (c.10,000 miles/annum).
My friend as used his a hell of a lot less - weekends at most, if that.
Excluding "normal" costs such as tyres, brake pads, etc, he has spent thousands (seriously!) more than me on issues with his car. In fact my car has been pretty much fault free and not missed a beat.
Obviously there's no proven correlation in increased usage = less problems, but for me it certainly seems to have been the case when compared to my friend.
king fantastic.....I've done 47k in mine since buying it new in 2007. It runs as well now as it ever has and (touch wood) has had nothing more than the usual minor niggles to sort out (mechanically). It's been (and continues to be) a great car.
One thing I am noticing is that whilst they seem strong mechanically, and the interiors hold up well, paintwork on them is not great. Mine is used all weathers, and spent a good bit of time outside and I have paint blistering around the door handles (common fault, no less annoying when it's down to poor material choice by AM) and I have some lacquer peeling on the front (note to everyone - don't leave paint chips untouched up. I think this might have contributed to this on my car). In context, my old 355 was used in exactly the same way and did not suffer this lacquer issue. Nor has my other half's 8yr old Beetle and that gets way more abuse.
Running costs? I reckon including depreciation, insurance, all servicing and consumables (and in my case refreshing the paint) you're looking at £1.50-£2.00 per mile. IME par for the course for cars in this class.
I suspect that this does contribute to people not using them much. Especially as cars hit the £30-£40k mark and people buy them who aren't used to running cars like this.
One thing I am noticing is that whilst they seem strong mechanically, and the interiors hold up well, paintwork on them is not great. Mine is used all weathers, and spent a good bit of time outside and I have paint blistering around the door handles (common fault, no less annoying when it's down to poor material choice by AM) and I have some lacquer peeling on the front (note to everyone - don't leave paint chips untouched up. I think this might have contributed to this on my car). In context, my old 355 was used in exactly the same way and did not suffer this lacquer issue. Nor has my other half's 8yr old Beetle and that gets way more abuse.
Running costs? I reckon including depreciation, insurance, all servicing and consumables (and in my case refreshing the paint) you're looking at £1.50-£2.00 per mile. IME par for the course for cars in this class.
I suspect that this does contribute to people not using them much. Especially as cars hit the £30-£40k mark and people buy them who aren't used to running cars like this.
I dont think anyone would say they 'needed' an AM... I guess its probably a second /third / fourth car for most people?
I got mine with the intention of using it most days and certainly for all trips that i didnt need to lug the family around. I have probably done about half as much as i intended, maybe less, mostly due to crap weather!
I dont generally do a lot of milles, my day to day car does around 5k a year, the family car does around 10k a year, the family motorhome does around 2k a year and i have insured the AM with good intentions to do around 5k a year.
Most long distance i do by air, as this is my main hobby/passion. The AM is kind of a second place hobby but its a fantastic one
I really hope the winter and next year is far better in terms of the weather as this year was a complete washout! So glad i have a coupe and not a roadster!
I got mine with the intention of using it most days and certainly for all trips that i didnt need to lug the family around. I have probably done about half as much as i intended, maybe less, mostly due to crap weather!
I dont generally do a lot of milles, my day to day car does around 5k a year, the family car does around 10k a year, the family motorhome does around 2k a year and i have insured the AM with good intentions to do around 5k a year.
Most long distance i do by air, as this is my main hobby/passion. The AM is kind of a second place hobby but its a fantastic one
I really hope the winter and next year is far better in terms of the weather as this year was a complete washout! So glad i have a coupe and not a roadster!
I do around 3000 miles - it's my second car and my wife also has a car. Like a previous contributor I don't use it for short journeys up to the supermarket or newsagents but use it whenever I can when not at work.
I don't quite understand the notion how a car used 2 or 3 times a week could be more unreliable than one that's used everyday but would understand this if it's not used for much longer periods.
I don't quite understand the notion how a car used 2 or 3 times a week could be more unreliable than one that's used everyday but would understand this if it's not used for much longer periods.
My 2010 V8V had 4100 miles on it when I bought her in March this year and now has 6000 miles. She's a third car and I don't anticipate anymore than 5k miles in the year. It's not that I'm being overly precious about her but I'd rather the family and dog clambered over the Disco3 and Mini. My next door neighbour was told by Ulrich Bez when he picked up his Vanquish that an Aston Martin was like champagne ie you don't drink it every day.
Mine has done 11k miles since Feb 2009. Like some of the above posts, it is simply a result of being a second car. I do about 500 miles a week getting to work so have a diesel 5-series for that - I use the Vantage sometimes but if nothing else it would drive me round the bend going to the petrol station constantly if it was my daily driver. I have no fear of using it and not sure it benefits from low use other than the paintwork is practically unmarked. The 5 on the other hand has 130k miles and I've never spent a penny on it beyond routine stuff. The Aston has been relaible too but I actually think regular and more importantly longer drives seem to be good for the mechanical bits.
Mysterae said:
Some good feedback there, thanks guys.
I can understand why people would be hesitant to drive it every day. Today for example, the weather and roads were wet and filthy, not the best Aston driving conditions. I may have to reconsider it as my primary car.
It won't dissolve in the wet and dirt! It's a car like any other so drive it like one I can understand why people would be hesitant to drive it every day. Today for example, the weather and roads were wet and filthy, not the best Aston driving conditions. I may have to reconsider it as my primary car.
They are easy to clean. 
Mysterae said:
Some good feedback there, thanks guys.
I can understand why people would be hesitant to drive it every day. Today for example, the weather and roads were wet and filthy, not the best Aston driving conditions. I may have to reconsider it as my primary car.
It was indeed wet and dirty.I can understand why people would be hesitant to drive it every day. Today for example, the weather and roads were wet and filthy, not the best Aston driving conditions. I may have to reconsider it as my primary car.
And I had a great drive back down 15mls of country roads, Nascar like V8 sounds bouncing off and through trees.
Coming home from work and having that to look forward to is far preferable to coming home from work and knowing that I'd have to suffer some sheitebox clonking its way over the same roads (even if my paint's in need of a refresh)
I can feel an element of urine extraction from the last few posts 
. Hopefully you can see my point; some folk can be overly protective with their p&j (original question of low mileage) and yet others drive them in all weathers. It's good to see both behaviours to be honest and instils confidence that I will find a balance between the two.
. Hopefully you can see my point; some folk can be overly protective with their p&j (original question of low mileage) and yet others drive them in all weathers. It's good to see both behaviours to be honest and instils confidence that I will find a balance between the two. Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff