How to avoid turkeys

[Timcar84]

Hi all.

i am looking to buy my first Aston and it is all very exciting. I have been reading a lot of these threads and i was hoping to tap into this expert community for some helpful advice, so anything you can share willl be greatly appreciated.

I am on the hunt for an 07 V8 Vantage coupe and i have read the very useful buyers guide on PH. However, I cant pretend I know much about cars beyond the basics.

I have been looking mainly at the Aston dealerships due to the warranty and the pre-sale checks. however, i am struggling to find one with the right spec and mileage.

having expanded my search, I have found a few that fit the bill. But as the title suggests, how do I avoid buying a turkey.

Do you know of any inspection services that could go and give the car a once over before I buy it?

Are the Aston warranties worth holding out for? Are there any decent warranties from other traders that are good?

are there any biggies i should watch out for that wouldnt be covered by a warranty? e.g. how would i know that a clutch is about to go?

Anyway, thanks a lot for your time and any assistance you can offer will be hugely welcome and greatly appreciated.

[Neil1300r]

Buy from a recognised Aston specialist such as McGurks, Bamford Rose, Nicholas Mee etc
If not from an Astonn specialist ask for it to be taken to an Aston dealer for a full inspection - with the inspection you cna then put an Aston warranty on it.
Re clutches, dealers can check on wear only on Sportst, otherwise its down to feel of peddle and height.

If you see a car, post up a link to it and lots of us will be able to give opinions.
Good luck in the search

[Timcar84]

Thanks so much for your reply.

i just enquired about this one, but it has gone.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

something like these two have good mileage and spec but look like they are being sold at peoples houses or alongside peugeots and fords. also that seems cheap for a 4.7l

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[davek_964]

Timcar84 said:

Thanks so much for your reply.

i just enquired about this one, but it has gone.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

something like these two have good mileage and spec but look like they are being sold at peoples houses or alongside peugeots and fords. also that seems cheap for a 4.7l

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

The price isn't bad for a 4.7, but I wouldn't say it's that cheap. It's a very early 4.7 (2008) with 35k on the clock, and sports shift which is less popular than manual. As a reference, I looked at a manual 2010 4.7 with 18k on the clock at an independent dealer recently (which had general stock that was more similar to Aston) and that was only £10k higher.

[rossyl]

I would buy the one at Stratstone Western Ave/Park Lane if I were you. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

It is great value now, I almost bought it when it was on sale for £39,000. It is a 2006 (56) so the same model as a 2007.

You also get the advantage of looking at it in the showroom of Aston Martin Park Lane. If you decide to buy they will put it in the window for you, a cracking photo opportunity!

If you do buy from a dealer, whether it be that car or another, be sure to push them on getting some freebies, have a read here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&a...

[Jon39]

Timcar84 said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

This is the lowest asking price that I have so far seen for a 4.7.
The majority have remained within the main dealer network, so prices obviously reflect all that glass, marble and 'free' coffee.

It might be a bargain buy, but of course 'it depends' would be the phrase.

Most customer deliveries did not begin until 1st September 2008.
Try to find the date of registration, full colour name, and original registration mark. If an early press car bothers you, it might be revealed.

Some changes from original can be seen.
Of course as with any car, condition and seller are the important aspects.

Good luck with your search. Take your time if you can. There are lots of really well looked after Vantages around.

[danieldenham]

Neil1300r said:

Buy from a recognised Aston specialist such as McGurks, Bamford Rose, Nicholas Mee etc

I agree with this, I've heard some horror stories of cost cutting coming back to bite 10x over cash saved when things go pop. These were £100k+ cars and just because they are £40k now they still cost a fortune to mend

I know BR have a couple of fully inspected and fully tidied up cars which look amazing.

Dan


.

[renmure]

I wouldn't rule out buying privately if your circumstances allow. Reason for saying this is, eg, my car is an immaculate 07 car, full main dealer SH, everything and anything that ever needed done has been done, 2 owners, 18k miles, great spec and if I were selling it (I am not) then I would look to make things easy at £35k. Same car in a Dealer would be 5k or 6k more expensive I imagine, which is a fair difference and pays for a lot of marble floors and nice coffee and I am sure there are lots of similar cars out there. Each to their own tho.

[davek_964]

renmure said:

I wouldn't rule out buying privately if your circumstances allow. Reason for saying this is, eg, my car is an immaculate 07 car, full main dealer SH, everything and anything that ever needed done has been done, 2 owners, 18k miles, great spec and if I were selling it (I am not) then I would look to make things easy at £35k. Same car in a Dealer would be 5k or 6k more expensive I imagine, which is a fair difference and pays for a lot of marble floors and nice coffee and I am sure there are lots of similar cars out there. Each to their own tho.

Agreed. I bought privately and got a great car - immaculate, full main history, recent new brakes all round, new tyres etc. When I was considering part ex against a 4.7 the dealer told me what an immaculate car it was while valuing it.

[Ken Figenus]

I'd have no qualms buying an Aston privately now. But I wouldnt have done that with no prior marquee owning experience or memorising everything that is posted here. The Aston multi point check seems a little superficial. I got a great deal on a 3yr non Aston warranty that covers everything. Plenty of research!

[northernmedia]

After part ex'ing for a V12S my old 07 Vantage is up for sale here...

http://www.alexandersprestige.co.uk/aston-martin-4...



Message me if you'd like to know mopre.

[divetheworld]

Timcar84 said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

That 4.7 looks like it could be a pup. Notice the front splitter held on by gaffer tape, the state of the engine and lots of bits painted non standard. A lot of fettling but very little TLC. At that price I suspect issues. A new front splitter is only about £65, why not fix that?
A lot of cars don't end up in the dealer network for a reason, at that price it I would have expected a dealer to snap it up, prep and make a handsome profit.

[northernmedia]

That's silly cheap!

[ds2000]

divetheworld said:

That 4.7 looks like it could be a pup. Notice the front splitter held on by gaffer tape, the state of the engine and lots of bits painted non standard. A lot of fettling but very little TLC. At that price I suspect issues. A new front splitter is only about £65, why not fix that?
A lot of cars don't end up in the dealer network for a reason, at that price it I would have expected a dealer to snap it up, prep and make a handsome profit.

I agree, it looks a bit of a pig. As has been said:
http://www.alexandersprestige.co.uk/aston-martin-4...

Alexanders have a great rep for selling good cars ^ I'd be going to look at and secure this one

[IanV12VR]

Some interest wings badges on the car in question - don't look standard? Or are they just dirty??

[northernmedia]

yeah look they've been inlayed in black?

[Rivarama]

divetheworld said:

That 4.7 looks like it could be a pup. Notice the front splitter held on by gaffer tape, the state of the engine and lots of bits painted non standard. A lot of fettling but very little TLC. At that price I suspect issues. A new front splitter is only about £65, why not fix that?
A lot of cars don't end up in the dealer network for a reason, at that price it I would have expected a dealer to snap it up, prep and make a handsome profit.

Seems to be loads of condensation in the front lights.... Expensive to replace.

[Camelstamp]

Thank you all for such an immense response. This great clarity has helped me focus my search. I will take my time and wait for the right one to crop up. Looking for an 07 meteorite silver.

I will look into a non aston warranty. Could be worth while to compensate for my lack of technical knowledge and experience.

Either way, thanks once again and I look forward to joining the club

[northernmedia]

Best of luck.
Keep us informed!

[Ken Figenus]

Camelstamp said:

I will look into a non Aston warranty. Could be worth while to compensate for my lack of technical knowledge and experience.

Happy to share details of my 3yr one via PM which seems to have been a good move - but there are bad ones out there as well as various levels of cover with the AM one.