Realities of a V8 Vantage Roadster
Discussion
Hi chaps
For a while now, I've been quite interested in buying a V8 Vantage Roadster and running it as my daily driver.
What are the pitfalls to look out for?
Commute isn't too long 12 miles of mainly motorway.
Will probably do some road trip holidays with the misses.
Looking for people's feedback
Thank you
For a while now, I've been quite interested in buying a V8 Vantage Roadster and running it as my daily driver.
What are the pitfalls to look out for?
Commute isn't too long 12 miles of mainly motorway.
Will probably do some road trip holidays with the misses.
Looking for people's feedback
Thank you
I've done over 30k miles in my V8 roadsters
Just a few down sides;
Rain comes over the top of the screen
The displays aren't bright enough to see in the sun
Your hat collection will grow
Other than that I bloody love it!
Road trips are a MUST!
Jockland 405_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Just a few down sides;
Rain comes over the top of the screen
The displays aren't bright enough to see in the sun
Your hat collection will grow
Other than that I bloody love it!
Road trips are a MUST!
Jockland 405_resize by mikey k V8VR, on FlickrEdited by mikey k on Sunday 15th March 22:19
I have had mine for 26 months and 22,000 miles now - as a late '07 Manual with 46k miles, it has been my main drive for the past 2 years and my costs have been:
Approx: £1800 on Premium Warranty (first year was free - This was insurance against those scary bills) Not sure I would get the warranty on the next car
Approx: £1700 on 2 services and alignment - higher services costs as I hit the first 10k miles very quickly. 12k miles in Yr1, and 8k miles in Yr2
Approx: £1000 on Rear brake pads, discs and front pads
Approx: £800 on new set of Michelin Tyres - tyres were half worn when I bought the car
Approx: £1100 on Road Tax - little road tax when I bought the car
Fuel - I guess I average around 17 Mpg.
Plus side:
I have had about £1000-1500 of work covered by the warranty (Thermostat (I think) and Electric Roof Module)
Original clutch now at 46k - working fine, if a little stiffer and higher bite point - but still fine.
Insurance cost very very low. £275 for the year, for 12k miles, 6k of which for business use. Car parked on a drive in London Suburb.
I have no idea what I have lost in depreciation - could be anything from £3-9k.
Not cheap, but not outrageous.
Approx: £1800 on Premium Warranty (first year was free - This was insurance against those scary bills) Not sure I would get the warranty on the next car
Approx: £1700 on 2 services and alignment - higher services costs as I hit the first 10k miles very quickly. 12k miles in Yr1, and 8k miles in Yr2
Approx: £1000 on Rear brake pads, discs and front pads
Approx: £800 on new set of Michelin Tyres - tyres were half worn when I bought the car
Approx: £1100 on Road Tax - little road tax when I bought the car
Fuel - I guess I average around 17 Mpg.
Plus side:
I have had about £1000-1500 of work covered by the warranty (Thermostat (I think) and Electric Roof Module)
Original clutch now at 46k - working fine, if a little stiffer and higher bite point - but still fine.
Insurance cost very very low. £275 for the year, for 12k miles, 6k of which for business use. Car parked on a drive in London Suburb.
I have no idea what I have lost in depreciation - could be anything from £3-9k.
Not cheap, but not outrageous.
I think the question you're really asking here is whether a V8V is a viable daily driver full stop, and the answer you'll find is most definitely yes.
Just accept that you're not going to get the fuel economy of a Corsa (especially round town) and that servicing and consumables are not cheap, but then they're equally not that bad when compared to Ferrari or Maserati for instance. As long as you don't try and kid yourself about the running costs required to keep the car in tip top shape then you should be good.
The only downside of the Roadster for me is luggage space. It's the perfect car for those European trips in the sun, you just can't take much with you. Either that or maybe my Mrs takes too much.......probably the later.
Either way, as others have said they're pretty rock solid cars. Yes the clutch can be a weak point, but that seems to be a slight lottery as some have gone at 6k and some are still going strong at 60k.
As they say, in life you regret the things you don't do........so get one bought !
Just accept that you're not going to get the fuel economy of a Corsa (especially round town) and that servicing and consumables are not cheap, but then they're equally not that bad when compared to Ferrari or Maserati for instance. As long as you don't try and kid yourself about the running costs required to keep the car in tip top shape then you should be good.
The only downside of the Roadster for me is luggage space. It's the perfect car for those European trips in the sun, you just can't take much with you. Either that or maybe my Mrs takes too much.......probably the later.
Either way, as others have said they're pretty rock solid cars. Yes the clutch can be a weak point, but that seems to be a slight lottery as some have gone at 6k and some are still going strong at 60k.
As they say, in life you regret the things you don't do........so get one bought !
Make sure you buy "the book" - sticky at top of forum. Generally speaking they are well engineered cars, I ran my coupe as a daily for 3 years / 20k miles - one minor issue during my ownership. Worth having a little kitty for the roof control module, which a few people have had fail. Besides that, get it bought!
The Moose said:
If the rain is coming over the top of the screen, surely you're not driving fast enough?!
What about reliability/running costs etc?
Thank you
Oh believe me speed doesn't help!What about reliability/running costs etc?
Thank you
On my S2000 there is a lip across the top of the windscreen that channels the water over to the side and along the side window
Nothing there on the Aston so air flow just pushes it up and the lower pressure just above the rear view mirror suck it in and turns the ski slope in to a water fall
No biggie as the roof is pretty quick and you can do it on the move (up to 30 mph).
Reliability and running costs are as per the coupe
Occasionally the roof modules can throw a wobbler, disconnecting it sometime sorts.
Big Ry said:
The only downside of the Roadster for me is luggage space. It's the perfect car for those European trips in the sun, you just can't take much with you. Either that or maybe my Mrs takes too much.......probably the later.
We got 18 days of clothes etc in our roadsterTrick is to use a large holdall in the main section of the boot, a smaller one crammed in either side, suit carrier over laid over the top.
Two messenger/laptop style bags on the floor behind the seats and two more on the shelves behind the seats
LOADS of room!
mikey k said:
Big Ry said:
The only downside of the Roadster for me is luggage space. It's the perfect car for those European trips in the sun, you just can't take much with you. Either that or maybe my Mrs takes too much.......probably the later.
We got 18 days of clothes etc in our roadsterTrick is to use a large holdall in the main section of the boot, a smaller one crammed in either side, suit carrier over laid over the top.
Two messenger/laptop style bags on the floor behind the seats and two more on the shelves behind the seats
LOADS of room!
I went on a 3 week honeymoon in my V8VR and I got everything in (including the wife!), including various things picked up along the way.
And on the way home, when you may not need to have the room open anymore, there is a load of space under the roof cover too
If your daily drive includes stop-start traffic, I would consider a manual (which may sound bizarre). SportShift can be a little jerky at slow speeds and is more suited to fast road driving.
And on the way home, when you may not need to have the room open anymore, there is a load of space under the roof cover too
If your daily drive includes stop-start traffic, I would consider a manual (which may sound bizarre). SportShift can be a little jerky at slow speeds and is more suited to fast road driving.
mikey k said:
Nope loads more space than the Mazda if you are clever.
We also use the vac pack roll up bags to cram even more in.
I found packing in plastic supermarket bags the best way to fit the most in.We also use the vac pack roll up bags to cram even more in.
You look like a proper tramp at a nice hotel after they've parked the car and the bell boy is carrying your shopping bags to the room
Lucky I don't give a s
t what others think of me!!I'm fortunate in that my commute isn't generally stop-start traffic. Currently run a Tiptronic 996 which is fine. Was looking at the Auto V8VR (I believe that's the acronym people use?).
The Moose said:
Was looking at the Auto V8VR (I believe that's the acronym people use?).
Correct acronym, wrong gearbox terminology 
SportShift is a manual 'box with paddles, actuators and no clutch (like Tip, SMG etc). Normally, people are advised "don't expect DSG" but I think if you've run a 996 Tip you'll know what to expect and be fine.
It does have an auto mode, but don't use it! I believe SportShift2 (V8VS onwards) and SS3 (V12VS) are much better in auto.
mikey k said:
We got 18 days of clothes etc in our roadster
Trick is to use a large holdall in the main section of the boot, a smaller one crammed in either side, suit carrier over laid over the top.
Two messenger/laptop style bags on the floor behind the seats and two more on the shelves behind the seats
LOADS of room!
I do like to take more than just my speedos though Trick is to use a large holdall in the main section of the boot, a smaller one crammed in either side, suit carrier over laid over the top.
Two messenger/laptop style bags on the floor behind the seats and two more on the shelves behind the seats
LOADS of room!
divetheworld said:
jazzybee said:
Insurance cost very very low. £275 for the year, for 12k miles, 6k of which for business use. Car parked on a drive in London Suburb.
Thats pretty good, Who are you insured with?jazzybee said:
divetheworld said:
jazzybee said:
Insurance cost very very low. £275 for the year, for 12k miles, 6k of which for business use. Car parked on a drive in London Suburb.
Thats pretty good, Who are you insured with?Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff