Thnking of buying a V8 Vantage
Discussion
I am looking at a Vantage V8 for circa late 30's early 40's (06/07) and was looking for hints as to what to look for and what the pitfalls of owning an running one would be.
It would be garaged and used on high days and holidays not as a eceryday car.
Someone pointed that the gearbox needs attention every 20k miles but just wanted some advice.
Only looking at the out and out manual gearbox.
Cheers
It would be garaged and used on high days and holidays not as a eceryday car.
Someone pointed that the gearbox needs attention every 20k miles but just wanted some advice.
Only looking at the out and out manual gearbox.
Cheers
Hi Dave, welcome. The gearbox won't need attention, it's pretty bulletproof, but the clutch certainly will as its a known weak
point. Otherwise, all the usual rules apply. Service history is important, don't worry about mileage (up to a point obviously) as they are designed to be driven. Look for any paint bubbling near door handles and wing mirror mounts. Think about options that you really want. Colour combo is worth considering as well, granted that most are black or silver or grey, but there are some lovely brighter versions out there.
Most important thing ever? Buy Grants book. The best £20 you ever spend and will tell you sooo much about the cars, options, buying guides and owner advice. It's at the top of the page as a sticky.
HTH
point. Otherwise, all the usual rules apply. Service history is important, don't worry about mileage (up to a point obviously) as they are designed to be driven. Look for any paint bubbling near door handles and wing mirror mounts. Think about options that you really want. Colour combo is worth considering as well, granted that most are black or silver or grey, but there are some lovely brighter versions out there.
Most important thing ever? Buy Grants book. The best £20 you ever spend and will tell you sooo much about the cars, options, buying guides and owner advice. It's at the top of the page as a sticky.
HTH
Dave - also give consideration to 'where' you want to buy from and what level you are currently at.
A Dealer will give you a 1 year warranty, a bit of peace of mind, access to a network of support etc....at a price.
Buying privately is a cheaper option (without warranty) - even better if you are near an Indy specialist etc who can be relied upon for assistance if required
A Dealer will give you a 1 year warranty, a bit of peace of mind, access to a network of support etc....at a price.
Buying privately is a cheaper option (without warranty) - even better if you are near an Indy specialist etc who can be relied upon for assistance if required
Hi Dave
I bought a used manual V8Vantage recently and I absolutely LOVE it!
The gearbox is fine, as for the clutch it seemed a bit of a letdown in traffic etc - so I had the improved clutch installed at Bamford Rose... It's not only much more durable but it also makes it sooo much more usable! Lighter and very precise so even stop and go traffic or paralell parking on a hill is no longer a problem
I highly recomment a manual Vantage and suggest to safe a bit of cash for an uprated clutch
What you want to watch out for is bubbling paint I guess - have not had that issue but some do
I bought a used manual V8Vantage recently and I absolutely LOVE it!
The gearbox is fine, as for the clutch it seemed a bit of a letdown in traffic etc - so I had the improved clutch installed at Bamford Rose... It's not only much more durable but it also makes it sooo much more usable! Lighter and very precise so even stop and go traffic or paralell parking on a hill is no longer a problem
I highly recomment a manual Vantage and suggest to safe a bit of cash for an uprated clutch
What you want to watch out for is bubbling paint I guess - have not had that issue but some do
Had my MY07 V8V for just over a year now. Its been bullet proof over the 4k ish miles I have done.
I prefer to have service done at the main dealer but you can save some cash if you don't.
They're fantastic cars for 3 series money and you'll feel a million dollars every time you fire it up. The feeling hasn't faded during my ownership. I could not recommend the V8V enough for the price.
I prefer to have service done at the main dealer but you can save some cash if you don't.
They're fantastic cars for 3 series money and you'll feel a million dollars every time you fire it up. The feeling hasn't faded during my ownership. I could not recommend the V8V enough for the price.
OP,
I'm on my second V8 Vantage, the first was a 55 plate Coupe with 3 years of service history missing, car had done 5,000 miles in that time and was owned by a Mr Bond (!!) who lived a few miles down the road from me. I had the car inspected, I paid for a full service and two new tyres then ran the car for 14 mnonths. Never intended to sell it until a V8V Roadster on an 08 plate came up for sale also very local to me.
I put the Coupe up for sale on here and sold it in a week to the first viewer for £30k and was on 31,000 miles (I did 6,000 miles during my ownership). I originally paid £32k for the car.
I've had the Roadster 15 months now, picking it up again later today. It's in for it's 6 year, 60,000 mile service (it's done 57,000 miles) and warranty renewal. The car had 2 new clutches previously before i purchased the car in March 2012. The only other issue i had was the roof failed (roof module was replaced under warranty).
I have done approx 8000 miles in the last 15 months, it's been awesome ! I don't drive the car hard at all, I'm in it because i love the beauty of the car and the noise I've averaged 18 mpg over the 8000 miles (mostly short trips to shops, office, golf club etc...).
Mine is definitely not a garage queen, I don't own a garage !
My advice , buy one privately with AM warranty on it, or buy subject to inspection and budhet for the warranty.
...Oh and buy/read Grants book. I actually bought the book but managed to buy the Coupe before browsing more than a few pages
Good luck with your hunt.....
Cheers,
Nick
I'm on my second V8 Vantage, the first was a 55 plate Coupe with 3 years of service history missing, car had done 5,000 miles in that time and was owned by a Mr Bond (!!) who lived a few miles down the road from me. I had the car inspected, I paid for a full service and two new tyres then ran the car for 14 mnonths. Never intended to sell it until a V8V Roadster on an 08 plate came up for sale also very local to me.
I put the Coupe up for sale on here and sold it in a week to the first viewer for £30k and was on 31,000 miles (I did 6,000 miles during my ownership). I originally paid £32k for the car.
I've had the Roadster 15 months now, picking it up again later today. It's in for it's 6 year, 60,000 mile service (it's done 57,000 miles) and warranty renewal. The car had 2 new clutches previously before i purchased the car in March 2012. The only other issue i had was the roof failed (roof module was replaced under warranty).
I have done approx 8000 miles in the last 15 months, it's been awesome ! I don't drive the car hard at all, I'm in it because i love the beauty of the car and the noise
I've averaged 18 mpg over the 8000 miles (mostly short trips to shops, office, golf club etc...).Mine is definitely not a garage queen, I don't own a garage !
My advice , buy one privately with AM warranty on it, or buy subject to inspection and budhet for the warranty.
...Oh and buy/read Grants book. I actually bought the book but managed to buy the Coupe before browsing more than a few pages
Good luck with your hunt.....
Cheers,
Nick
I have had my V8 Vantage for a year now and its been a great car. It's a '06 and had two previous owners. I looked around a quite few cars and then bought on from my local dealer. It will be going for its annual service next tuesday and I expect to have two new rear tyres fitted. Nothing has gone wrong with it that I needed to worry about. The driver's side window decided not to drop once when opened and by using this forum I was able to do the window reset myself and now its all fine.
I bought a AM second year warranty for my own piece of mind but i'm not expecting to have to use it. It is also useful if I want to sell the car privately.It has now done 38k miles with a FSH from AM and when I contacted the company that carried out the servicing before I bought it (HWM)they confirmed that the only items replaced as a non-service items had been 2 new windscreen washer jets.It may be up for sale in the near future.
Buy one and enjoy it
I bought a AM second year warranty for my own piece of mind but i'm not expecting to have to use it. It is also useful if I want to sell the car privately.It has now done 38k miles with a FSH from AM and when I contacted the company that carried out the servicing before I bought it (HWM)they confirmed that the only items replaced as a non-service items had been 2 new windscreen washer jets.It may be up for sale in the near future.
Buy one and enjoy it
Edited by JACK6284 on Friday 21st June 15:35
I can only echo the thoughts here .... i have had my 2006 Vantage for nearly 5 years now and it has been totally reliable, just serviced it and put tyres on other than that just drive it !
Gearboxes are bullet proof but can be a bit lumpy when cold, especially in second but I agree that a manual is the best way to go ....
In fact I am looking to upgrade to a newer car so my perfect Toro Red one will be for sale shortly if interested, 20 K miles and totally immaculate condition with all the desired extras also ... PM me if interested ! Cheers Ian
Gearboxes are bullet proof but can be a bit lumpy when cold, especially in second but I agree that a manual is the best way to go ....
In fact I am looking to upgrade to a newer car so my perfect Toro Red one will be for sale shortly if interested, 20 K miles and totally immaculate condition with all the desired extras also ... PM me if interested ! Cheers Ian
ident said:
In fact I am looking to upgrade to a newer car so my perfect Toro Red one will be for sale shortly if interested, 20 K miles and totally immaculate condition with all the desired extras also ... PM me if interested ! Cheers Ian
Hmm Toro - lovely, couldn't find a 2007 MY one for the life of me in 2011 when I was buying! mangante49 said:
I am looking at a Vantage V8 for circa late 30's early 40's (06/07) and was looking for hints as to what to look for and what the pitfalls of owning an running one would be.
It would be garaged and used on high days and holidays not as a eceryday car.
Someone pointed that the gearbox needs attention every 20k miles but just wanted some advice.
Only looking at the out and out manual gearbox.
Cheers
Had mine a year and a half now, pretty much bulletproof and as solid as the Porsche I had before. Back and forth to work 19mpg during that time. 10,000+ miles and not a problem. At 43000 miles its still on is first clutch, as you will see from a poll on here clutches are not an issue for many cars. Had a major service this year, £800 at Grange in Exeter and this pretty much it. Definitely get grants book and read it twice. Get premium sound, heated seats and Bluetooth as a minimum, wish I had cruise control though for driving in boring traffic on the motorway.It would be garaged and used on high days and holidays not as a eceryday car.
Someone pointed that the gearbox needs attention every 20k miles but just wanted some advice.
Only looking at the out and out manual gearbox.
Cheers
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