V8V Opinions

[lewisco]

Hopefully I will be in the market for an early V8V just after new year. Going to see my first one next Tuesday which is this one:

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

Any opinions on it? Does it looks like the brake disks need updating soon with rust on the inner and outer edges?

[JACK6284]

Not sure where you are based but given that the car on Autotrader is not from a specialist this is a better option at that price:

http://www.mcgurk.com/stock/367/Used-Aston-Martin-...

[lewisco]

I will definately go to McGurk. I'm near Northampton so there are a few cars around not too far away.

I was looking for lower mileage but I guess you buy on condition?

Budget is around £34/35k and has to be a dealer rather than private sale.

[V8V Pete]

This car is a few miles down the road from me. Happy to go and have a look at it if that will help. Have you researched the dealer??

[Grumpydev]

I would rather buy private than from a non-specialist dealer - spoke to a few before I bought my car and their lack of knowledge (considering the value of the car they were selling) was frightening.

[lewisco]

V8V Pete said:

This car is a few miles down the road from me. Happy to go and have a look at it if that will help. Have you researched the dealer??

Thanks for the offer Pete. I don't want to put out over the Christmas holidays though. If its any good and makes the short-list it might be good to see if you see anything wrong I may have missed?

Grumpydev said:

I would rather buy private than from a non-specialist dealer - spoke to a few before I bought my car and their lack of knowledge (considering the value of the car they were selling) was frightening.

They get mixed reviews which is not good enough. I had a right problem with the dealer I got my last car from so do check out a bit more now (well will before purchasing). Still good to look at a few different cars though.

[lewisco]

JACK6284 said:

Not sure where you are based but given that the car on Autotrader is not from a specialist this is a better option at that price:

http://www.mcgurk.com/stock/367/Used-Aston-Martin-...

Worth stretching the budget for this one?

http://www.mcgurk.com/stock/349/Used-Aston-Martin-...

I think I want the premium audio as the Range Rover is the first car I've had with Harman Kardon and I can't go back to normal audio now.

[renmure]

Slightly over budget, but this was mine until 2 weeks ago and is immaculate.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

[Grumpydev]

The second car you list isn't MY07 - not sure if that's an issue for you, but worth pointing out in case you weren't aware of the various model years, and the differences between them. Well worth picking up Grant's book (listed in the sticky) if you haven't already.

As for premium audio, I was of the same opinion until I listened to the standard audio - the premium audio is certainly louder, but other than that it's not worth worrying about in my opinion (although obviously your car your choice ) - they both use the same speakers AFAIK (with the same high volume distortion "issue"), there's just more of them in the premium setup. If you want something comparable to the HK system you might need to look for a car with B&O, or get a standard one and upgrade the speakers to something better.

[JACK6284]

lewisco said:

Worth stretching the budget for this one?

http://www.mcgurk.com/stock/349/Used-Aston-Martin-...

I think I want the premium audio as the Range Rover is the first car I've had with Harman Kardon and I can't go back to normal audio now.

Premium audio is very good and most cars have it. They have a few cars there right now so make time to go there. Check if the clutch has recently been changed otherwise you may need a £2k-ish fund ready for a new one.

[lewisco]

I ordered Grant's book on Tuesday so hoping it arrives today for some Christmas reading. I'm not sure of the models/years. I thought it was out in 2006 then had a face lift in 2009?

Thanks for the advice on the premium audio, good to know its probably not a deal breaker.

[bogie]

Looks like a nice car, identical to my own car (nearly) as mine has standard audio. Brake discs look like they just need using. It might have had a clutch already otherwise may be due one in the next 20-30K miles, who knows. Mine lasted 75K miles.

Its not a carbon dash though, thats the standard finish....

[Grumpydev]

lewisco said:

I ordered Grant's book on Tuesday so hoping it arrives today for some Christmas reading. I'm not sure of the models/years. I thought it was out in 2006 then had a face lift in 2009?

Thanks for the advice on the premium audio, good to know its probably not a deal breaker.

M707 had some decent updates too - Bluetooth rather than a SIM tray and updated seats being the main two obvious ones - if you look at the pics you can see the pre-07 cars have a "one piece" seat, and the post-MY07 ones have a "split" down the middle. Which you prefer is personal preference, but pre or post 07 will have an affect on the price.

[The Milfman]

renmure said:

Slightly over budget, but this was mine until 2 weeks ago and is immaculate.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

I have PM'ed you

[Grumpydev]

The Milfman said:

I have PM'ed you

@ your forum name

[V8V Pete]

So they have the wheel size wrong and describe the dash incorrectly. Do they know anything about the car? Not sure the advert mentions Premiuim audio either. For me, having heard both, Premium audio was definitely a deal breaker. It all depends on how important it is to you but most agree there is a significant difference. You'd pay the same for that car at a Main Dealer and get a decent warranty and guaranteed minimum tyres tread depths etc. etc.

[lewisco]

Thanks Pete. Will just look at the car (first one I've been in since a "driving day" at Silverstone a couple of years ago).

It seems McGurk are well respected on here?

As far as approved used go, this one seems OK (for a MY2006, now I want a MY2007 )

https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...

[renmure]

Grumpydev said:

The Milfman said:

I have PM'ed you

@ your forum name

Hehe.. I was thinking the same
Off to check PM's
(Err, do I get PM's? Try email if not)

[Chipmonkadidooda]

Just to hopefully re-assure you a little. I bought my Vantage V8 last year from Benz Bavarian in Derby (I'm from South Yorkshire). I thought they were excellent. They have a dedicated service garage off site (not AM official of course), but they have a wealth of experience.
Run by a guy called Felix and I dealt with Mike who's their head salesman. He worked for years at Aston on sales all over the country and has loads of knowledge.

Was really dealt with very well and have no complaints at all. Ironed out any minor issues I had before I took collection of the car.

I would recommend them and wouldn't worry at all. They've dealt with loads of Astons and always have them for sale.

[lewisco]

Thanks for that, it does put my mind at ease.

Just spoke to John McGurk and going to see him next Wednesday.