Possible new owner - Good time to buy / Jag Servicing?

[rossyl]

Hi guys

I am considering buying an early V8 Vantage for around the £30k mark. From what I've read they generally seem pretty well made and reliable, but I've a few questions I'd be grateful for an answer on.

• When will the V8V be replaced, is now a bad time to buy?*

From what I've read a DB9 replacement is due in late 2016, early 2017. Any idea when the replacement Vantage is due?
Whenever that new Vantage is released, is it likely to see a depreciation in the value of the early cars?

• Jaguar Servicing*

I've seen some people mention that they get their cars serviced by Jaguar. Is that the case for a V8V as well? Does Jaguar servicing have an effect on value of the car, or does it not really matter.

• Aston Martin Specialists*

There does not seem to be a huge network of Aston independents in the South East which I find very surprising. It seems there's just Runnymede, Nicholas Mee and Trinity.
Independent servicing, it seems fairly pricey (and I'm coming from a Maserati) going off Bamford Rose - £575 for oil and brake fluid; £750 for oil, air filters, pollen filters, brake fluid, wiper blades.

Thanks very much
R

[dkatwa]

I use AM Works to service my DB9...not that much more than Indy...

[Jon39]

Welcome. You are about to buy a fantastic car.

Re. Vantage Mk2. We think it will be unveiled in 2017, with deliveries probably Sept 2017 ie model year 2018.

The effect on values could be down or up. It must be quite a challenge to design a better looking car than the present Vantage. Perhaps also the end of manual gearbox and naturally aspirated engines.

Had to chuckle about the servicing at Jaguar garages. You might be thinking about the DB7, which I am told might have Jaguar parentage.

Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 18th August 21:14

[rossyl]

Thanks Jon.

Do those costs look about right for a Vantage servicing?

Also,are the only active Aston forums this one and AMOC? Coming from Maserati where there is an extremely active forum with lots of DIY knowledge, both seem a little light. Or, am I not digging hard enough, or is there another resource out there?

I've heard there's a book on Gaydon cars (this www.astonmartinreview.co.uk)Do youbinow does if it has a bit on DIY on common faults and how-to's?

Thanks
R

[Jon39]

rossyl said:

Thanks Jon.

Do those costs look about right for a Vantage servicing?

Also,are the only active Aston forums this one and AMOC? Coming from Maserati where there is an extremely active forum with lots of DIY knowledge, both seem a little light. Or, am I not digging hard enough, or is there another resource out there?

I've heard there's a book on Gaydon cars (this www.astonmartinreview.co.uk)Do youbinow does if it has a bit on DIY on common faults and how-to's?

Thanks
R

Costs for independents probably in the range that you mention. I have been using a main dealer, so have paid a few hundred more.

My understanding is that this is the popular forum for Gaydon built cars, and the AMOC forum covers all Aston.

Re. DIY. It may be that our DIY activities with these cars, does not go much further than cleaning. There are a few contributors who are very skilled with engineering and electronics. When a technical question has been asked, replies have usually followed.

The buyers guide, see top of this forum, is very detailed about model changes, and technical guides are available through the Aston Martin website.

Most questions that new buyers have, will have previously been discussed on this forum. The search function here does not work well, so if you wish, type a question into a search engine including the word pistonheads.

Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 19th August 08:57

[steveatesh]

Hi OP, re this forum, it's good for general information and the occasional spat over which twin plate clutch to have, plus technical advice from some first class and brave engineers on here.

There are articles on the most common issues, either search or check out the stickies at the top.

As regards those common issues, well misuse of the clutch (ie lots of reversing up hill) can cause premature clutch plate wear ( hence the discussions about alternatives), electronic modules may go, there may be issues with paint bubbles ( not rust, it's the way the paint was applied to aluminimum apparently) and the LED sidelights can go (like all cars) but the unit is expensive.

Some of these can be done yourself, for example I've replaced two Parking sensors myself (one front one rear) and the rear pads. I also tackled the ubiquitous rattle from the middle of the dash. Relatively straight forward of course. Others have done much more involved work. Others prefer to leave everything to their local preferred service centre.

They are generally reliable cars though, budget for the lights and modules just in case.

Good luck with it if you get one, lovely cars

[morty1961]

I don't think the introduction of a new model will hit the values of the older cars ..... newer ones however will take a hit !!

Lee

[rossyl]

Thanks very much guys. Really appreciate it.

[Phil74891]

Take your time and buy the very best there is for your 30k and I doubt you'd lose much in the short term. I think you'd probably see it appreciate in value over 5-10 years.