Another newbie! But of advice please...
Discussion
Hello chaps
I'm off to see a V8V tomorrow and would really appreciate a little advice on what I should be looking out for. I purchased Grant's book over the weekend but it's a little soon to have expected delivery, so anything major I have missed from my list below would be great.
My budget is mid-£30's and have the cash burning a hole in my pocket (bad I know!), so I've got to try my best to be patient. Looking for a manual in onyx black with dark interior.
Obviously, the only cars in my budget are 06, and the one I'm seeing tomorrow is slightly under budget, but relatively high miler with 60k on the clock. Brand new clutch though. Higher miler doesn't worry me, as despite the car being my new daily driver, I do very few miles due to walking to work and having a couple other cars. However, I notice for couple grand more, there's the latest car listed in the PH classifieds at just 28k miles.
The garage is by no means an Aston specialist, and I've noticed the car has been for sale since (at least) the summer. Seems quite highly specced, full AM service history, brand new MOT and comes with 6 months warranty.
So, to my checklist:
1. Look for rust around door handles, locks etc.
2. Condition of brake discs, pads, tyres etc
3. Check boot for leaks
4. Check condition of headlights and that they are fully functioning
5. Go through service history to make sure it's been serviced correctly and at proper intervals
6. Make sure all electrics work
7. Establish type of sound system (not specified, but maybe not surprising due to not being Aston specialist)
8. Establish extent of warranty
9. Clutch is brand new (at a cost of £4k apparently!), so hoping this side of things is covered.
Anything else?
Something I'm not too familiar with is the engine. Understand a few have slightly noisy belts when cold, but is lack of information because the engines are pretty good?
Cheers!
I'm off to see a V8V tomorrow and would really appreciate a little advice on what I should be looking out for. I purchased Grant's book over the weekend but it's a little soon to have expected delivery, so anything major I have missed from my list below would be great.
My budget is mid-£30's and have the cash burning a hole in my pocket (bad I know!), so I've got to try my best to be patient. Looking for a manual in onyx black with dark interior.
Obviously, the only cars in my budget are 06, and the one I'm seeing tomorrow is slightly under budget, but relatively high miler with 60k on the clock. Brand new clutch though. Higher miler doesn't worry me, as despite the car being my new daily driver, I do very few miles due to walking to work and having a couple other cars. However, I notice for couple grand more, there's the latest car listed in the PH classifieds at just 28k miles.
The garage is by no means an Aston specialist, and I've noticed the car has been for sale since (at least) the summer. Seems quite highly specced, full AM service history, brand new MOT and comes with 6 months warranty.
So, to my checklist:
1. Look for rust around door handles, locks etc.
2. Condition of brake discs, pads, tyres etc
3. Check boot for leaks
4. Check condition of headlights and that they are fully functioning
5. Go through service history to make sure it's been serviced correctly and at proper intervals
6. Make sure all electrics work
7. Establish type of sound system (not specified, but maybe not surprising due to not being Aston specialist)
8. Establish extent of warranty
9. Clutch is brand new (at a cost of £4k apparently!), so hoping this side of things is covered.
Anything else?
Something I'm not too familiar with is the engine. Understand a few have slightly noisy belts when cold, but is lack of information because the engines are pretty good?
Cheers!
I'm not sure if this ever affected the 4.3's or only the 4.7's, but you really want it up on a ramp to see if there's any oil leaking from the timing chain cover.
You need to get under the car and you should be able to see if there's any drips (or similar) at the base of the engine (at the very front).
I know it seems like a hassle, but fixing it will cost you £2k at an indie and £3k at Aston as it's a huge amount of labour.
If the car has a full history then check whether it ever occurred and if so was fixed under warranty etc.
I know this didn't happen to all, but it happened to my 09 (4.7).
I'm sure others on here will be able to verify whether it was an issue on the 4.3's too, and if not, apologies for boring you with my ramblings
You need to get under the car and you should be able to see if there's any drips (or similar) at the base of the engine (at the very front).
I know it seems like a hassle, but fixing it will cost you £2k at an indie and £3k at Aston as it's a huge amount of labour.
If the car has a full history then check whether it ever occurred and if so was fixed under warranty etc.
I know this didn't happen to all, but it happened to my 09 (4.7).
I'm sure others on here will be able to verify whether it was an issue on the 4.3's too, and if not, apologies for boring you with my ramblings
As you mentioned Poole which is near where i live im guessing you are looking at the Vantage for sale a 3cross?
When i was last back in the UK i looked over this as its down the road from where i live. Although i have a 4.7 and not selling i like to look at others for some bizarre reason!
The car itself is in good condition from the short time i looked at it. The garage as well has been there for a bit and i always look at what they have in. They stock a lot of Porsches part-ex'd from local Porsche dealer and are now a Subaru dealer. They always seem to have good cars in there and when i have talked to them seem to be honest as far as limited conversation goes.
If i was back in UK i would happily come with you for "support" but alas im not until June.
Not sure if they could but the road to Poole from Ferndown (nearby) there is a Aston Martin outfit that deals with older Astons. They maybe able to look it over for you. Google Aston Service Dorset!
Good luck.
Edited to add, its not this one as i extended my Autotrader search! Route One?
When i was last back in the UK i looked over this as its down the road from where i live. Although i have a 4.7 and not selling i like to look at others for some bizarre reason!
The car itself is in good condition from the short time i looked at it. The garage as well has been there for a bit and i always look at what they have in. They stock a lot of Porsches part-ex'd from local Porsche dealer and are now a Subaru dealer. They always seem to have good cars in there and when i have talked to them seem to be honest as far as limited conversation goes.
If i was back in UK i would happily come with you for "support" but alas im not until June.
Not sure if they could but the road to Poole from Ferndown (nearby) there is a Aston Martin outfit that deals with older Astons. They maybe able to look it over for you. Google Aston Service Dorset!
Good luck.
Edited to add, its not this one as i extended my Autotrader search! Route One?
Edited by petop on Wednesday 11th March 04:57
You are correct on your second guess! Although the one at 3 legged cross will be the next one I go look at. If both of these are no good, then I'll have to travel further afield.
Thanks for your input, and for your kind offer. I've had dealings with the other garage with my TVR and they are very nice to deal with. Although I choose to use a chap out in Blandford who also happens to also specialise in Astons, although possibly more the older stuff.
Thanks for your input, and for your kind offer. I've had dealings with the other garage with my TVR and they are very nice to deal with. Although I choose to use a chap out in Blandford who also happens to also specialise in Astons, although possibly more the older stuff.
couple of tips
when picking a so called independent to inspect your car it makes sense to get one WELL out of the area as the aston world is a very small one and most local ones all know each other.
when choosing one get one that knows the era very well. dont use a heritage guy to look at a modern car and visa versa.
when picking a so called independent to inspect your car it makes sense to get one WELL out of the area as the aston world is a very small one and most local ones all know each other.
when choosing one get one that knows the era very well. dont use a heritage guy to look at a modern car and visa versa.
vankypanky said:
couple of tips
when picking a so called independent to inspect your car it makes sense to get one WELL out of the area as the aston world is a very small one and most local ones all know each other.
when choosing one get one that knows the era very well. dont use a heritage guy to look at a modern car and visa versa.
Thanks for the tip, I hadn't really thought about that.when picking a so called independent to inspect your car it makes sense to get one WELL out of the area as the aston world is a very small one and most local ones all know each other.
when choosing one get one that knows the era very well. dont use a heritage guy to look at a modern car and visa versa.
simontdo said:
I bought my V8V from Dorset Sports Cars about 2 years ago.
I've had a couple of services and squeaky front pulleys sorted by them since then.
I've been more than happy with them.
Even if you don't buy the one they have, they'd be worth considering for servicing.
Hi Simon. I've used them in the past for the TVR and they seemed pretty good. I've chosen since to use Red-Mist Sports Cars out in Blandford as I really trust the chap who runs it. He used to run Nigel Mansell's old garage, so he's got a Ferrari and TVR background, but he also does Astons. Can't remember if the Mansell garage was also a Aston place or not? The TVR's over there at the moment being serviced so I will have a chat with him when I go pick it up.I've had a couple of services and squeaky front pulleys sorted by them since then.
I've been more than happy with them.
Even if you don't buy the one they have, they'd be worth considering for servicing.
Cockey said:
1. Look for rust around door handles, locks etc.
Just to mention on this, it's not rust, so much as bubbling paint. The underlying panel is aluminium, so repairs are (thankfully) limited to paint / primer / lacquer. Worth looking around mirror arms, the bottom of the doors and around the parking sensors too. All areas that seem vulnerable.Good luck with the viewings!
krisdelta said:
Cockey said:
1. Look for rust around door handles, locks etc.
Just to mention on this, it's not rust, so much as bubbling paint. The underlying panel is aluminium, so repairs are (thankfully) limited to paint / primer / lacquer. Worth looking around mirror arms, the bottom of the doors and around the parking sensors too. All areas that seem vulnerable.Good luck with the viewings!
Well, thanks for all your help everyone. Listened to it all, and applied as much of it as I could. Except the bit about not rushing into anything!
The car was exactly what I was looking for, exact spec (the other local one really wasn't), big AM service history file, so offered him a couple grand less and we settled on £1,500 in the end. So it's mine!
(the wheels are dark grey, not black)
Very impressed with the dealer. Gave me the keys to spend as much time as I liked looking round the car by myself, and spent a good 30 mins doing this. Then he let me go off alone for a test drive. Other than a few paint defects, there was nothing I could find fault with the car, especially for its age. The drive was perfect, no strange noises. Everything worked as it should. The other car I had planned to look at really wasn't what I was looking for, so decided if he would accept an offer, then I'd take the plunge.
One slight issue is the air bag light. I was showed on the previous service invoice that AM remedied this by fixing a loose connection under the seat. However, it is currently back on. It's being booked into the most local AM garage (New Forest apparently) to get this sorted, and will also come with a fresh MOT.
Can I ask, is there ECU software available for interrogating the ECU and resetting fault codes? I have it for the TVR and it's very useful.
The car was exactly what I was looking for, exact spec (the other local one really wasn't), big AM service history file, so offered him a couple grand less and we settled on £1,500 in the end. So it's mine!
(the wheels are dark grey, not black)
Very impressed with the dealer. Gave me the keys to spend as much time as I liked looking round the car by myself, and spent a good 30 mins doing this. Then he let me go off alone for a test drive. Other than a few paint defects, there was nothing I could find fault with the car, especially for its age. The drive was perfect, no strange noises. Everything worked as it should. The other car I had planned to look at really wasn't what I was looking for, so decided if he would accept an offer, then I'd take the plunge.
One slight issue is the air bag light. I was showed on the previous service invoice that AM remedied this by fixing a loose connection under the seat. However, it is currently back on. It's being booked into the most local AM garage (New Forest apparently) to get this sorted, and will also come with a fresh MOT.
Can I ask, is there ECU software available for interrogating the ECU and resetting fault codes? I have it for the TVR and it's very useful.
Glad you got the car and deal what you wanted but a word of caution without pissing on your fire. I dont know of any Aston garage in New Forest. Dealers wise the nearest is Harwoods in West Sussex. They may mean AHM in Harney Witney but thats not in New Forest. Nothing wrong in asking for the garage they are sending it to and while its there asking what they think of the car.....if you get my drift.
If you are local to Verwood, ill keep an eye out for you in June!
If you are local to Verwood, ill keep an eye out for you in June!
Jon1967x said:
Excellent! I've plenty of strange noises do the absence of any mist be a fault 
You can get a code reader, I can't recommend one but I suspect ones that quote ford or jag would work fine.
Perhaps I'm so used to strange noises from the TVR engine (the Speed 6 is famous for sounding like there's a sewing machine somewhere under the bonnet) that I'm now immune to them. You can get a code reader, I can't recommend one but I suspect ones that quote ford or jag would work fine.
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