Neebee V8V owner ;)
Discussion
Hi All - I'm obviously new to this forum but I've used the site on numerous occasions. Apologies for my greenness. This seems to be a great place for advice and to share experiences of these magnificent beasts! 
I shall hope to contribute as much as take from here and I thought I'd start with offering my personal experience of my first AM purchase.
Well it started about 6 months ago. Shortlist then was 996/7 Porker and believe it not, a Nissan GT/R. Pace and handling became a lesser priority due to the fact I dont intend to track nor do I intend to go mad in it. How fast and nuts can you and do you need to go to enjoy these lovely things? I realised it had to have kerb appeal, sit well and stand up when I wanted it to but also dare I say, blend in and be respected rather than seen as over indulgent and despised...I also wanted something to look good over time and even ageless. Is that a little snobby? Sorry. There are many Porsche's around in my village so its nice to have something rarer and different. So the V8V won. I'd set a budget and although there's a few newer ones out there I could have chosen, this one came well under that budget and in fact older. I chose it because of mileage and condition plus I wanted the manual after attempting quite poorly, to manage that flappy paddle thing!
I respect and know some of you will love it but I found it clumsy and over complicated. I wanted the whole driver appeal and having had quite a few paddles in other cars and I just needed a manual to complete the whole driving experience.
So after after some time I found a car I liked the look of but hadn't seen it in the flesh but it was with an independent dealer and came with not a lot extra... So speaking to my local AM dealer in Pangbourne, they did a deal with the said independent and bought it for me to buy via them and of course then benefit from a full Am warranty, recovery, service mot etc etc. I don't regret it. They were superb and after being a major critic of dealerships (I've had a number of fast Audi's in my time) these guys treated me exactly the same if I was someone putting a deposit on one of those lovely £200k Db 11's in the showroom!! The coffee is some of the best I've had and the receptionists just delightful! They have kindly given me a trip to the factory, which I go to this week with a mate and lunch on them. Shame I'm driving!! I just hope it stops raining! Not to mention leather key fobs, champagne, flowers for the wife and a bloody good deal all round IMO. So the experience is a good one.. no in fact its superb. I love the car.... I've had quicker... I've had better handling.... I've had better tech and the sat nav is pointless and the stereo is... well but hey fuse 22 is out and I'm grinning and chuckling like a pubescent schoolboy having just kissed the schools prettiest girl! Photos of any of these cars really don't do it justice...its stunning front and rear and I even try and position it on the drive so I can see it when I get up in morning from my bedroom window! I'm already getting comments from the wife.... as I'm sure most of you have already but I'm hoping for a nice long ownership (maybe longer than the wife!) and not just in this one but also possibly other models in the future. Thanks for listening. ![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/mAy6jJlo.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/1gi8gaq1" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/1gi8gaq1.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/GRWgNeqU" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/GRWgNeqU.jpg)
I shall hope to contribute as much as take from here and I thought I'd start with offering my personal experience of my first AM purchase. Well it started about 6 months ago. Shortlist then was 996/7 Porker and believe it not, a Nissan GT/R. Pace and handling became a lesser priority due to the fact I dont intend to track nor do I intend to go mad in it. How fast and nuts can you and do you need to go to enjoy these lovely things? I realised it had to have kerb appeal, sit well and stand up when I wanted it to but also dare I say, blend in and be respected rather than seen as over indulgent and despised...I also wanted something to look good over time and even ageless. Is that a little snobby? Sorry. There are many Porsche's around in my village so its nice to have something rarer and different. So the V8V won. I'd set a budget and although there's a few newer ones out there I could have chosen, this one came well under that budget and in fact older. I chose it because of mileage and condition plus I wanted the manual after attempting quite poorly, to manage that flappy paddle thing!
I respect and know some of you will love it but I found it clumsy and over complicated. I wanted the whole driver appeal and having had quite a few paddles in other cars and I just needed a manual to complete the whole driving experience. So after after some time I found a car I liked the look of but hadn't seen it in the flesh but it was with an independent dealer and came with not a lot extra... So speaking to my local AM dealer in Pangbourne, they did a deal with the said independent and bought it for me to buy via them and of course then benefit from a full Am warranty, recovery, service mot etc etc. I don't regret it. They were superb and after being a major critic of dealerships (I've had a number of fast Audi's in my time) these guys treated me exactly the same if I was someone putting a deposit on one of those lovely £200k Db 11's in the showroom!! The coffee is some of the best I've had and the receptionists just delightful!
They have kindly given me a trip to the factory, which I go to this week with a mate and lunch on them. Shame I'm driving!! I just hope it stops raining! Not to mention leather key fobs, champagne, flowers for the wife and a bloody good deal all round IMO. So the experience is a good one.. no in fact its superb. I love the car.... I've had quicker... I've had better handling.... I've had better tech and the sat nav is pointless and the stereo is... well but hey fuse 22 is out and I'm grinning and chuckling like a pubescent schoolboy having just kissed the schools prettiest girl! Photos of any of these cars really don't do it justice...its stunning front and rear and I even try and position it on the drive so I can see it when I get up in morning from my bedroom window! I'm already getting comments from the wife.... as I'm sure most of you have already but I'm hoping for a nice long ownership (maybe longer than the wife!) and not just in this one but also possibly other models in the future. Thanks for listening. Edited by Mikee247 on Monday 12th December 13:56
Welcome Mikee, and congratulations on your final choice of a beautiful, timeless, tastefully understated classic. British built, with special roar.
I enjoyed your write up. Yes, most of us here have been on the same journey. After several years of ownership, I still look in wonder at that athletic shape under the dust cover.
I think your car is a V8 Vantage, Model Year between 2009 and 2012·25.
You might have mentioned, but what is the colour name?
Good times ahead for you.
ts to keep shining nicely!
Thanks gents! Yes its a 2009 model and has the Phantom grey interior with course silver stitching... I know its been of well documented but I didn't realise how much and lovely all leather and quality the interior is. It knocks spots off the others I looked at who look cheap in comparison...It really is a place of beauty! As its lightish grey it brightens the cabin and I love the display and instrument set up.
I never really looked at Aston as being somewhere I would end up, mainly as the Vanquish ( 3 week gift from an old boss) I drove a few years back was in poor condition and the gearbox went pop half up the 419!! I did drive a DBS some months ago and as lovely as that its I think the shorter stockier, and more plump rump was more appealing! Read into that what you wish!!
Wheels did it for me as well. Stunning but going to be a bugger to clean I think!
I never really looked at Aston as being somewhere I would end up, mainly as the Vanquish ( 3 week gift from an old boss) I drove a few years back was in poor condition and the gearbox went pop half up the 419!! I did drive a DBS some months ago and as lovely as that its I think the shorter stockier, and more plump rump was more appealing! Read into that what you wish!!
Wheels did it for me as well. Stunning but going to be a bugger to clean I think!
steveatesh said:
Good choice of car 
Sounds like your buying experience was a lot better than mine - it was the only new car I have ever bought where my mrs didn't get a bunch of flowers. Needless to say that's what she remembers about buying an Aston
Mmm yes mine reminds me every day although she's now come round and even makes comments to her mates and even wants to know of nice hotels to go away for odd weekends in it! Im going to have to have a small selection of boutique's that includes a decent windy route to get to! Sounds like your buying experience was a lot better than mine - it was the only new car I have ever bought where my mrs didn't get a bunch of flowers. Needless to say that's what she remembers about buying an Aston
Any suggestions? Jon39 said:
Welcome Mikee, and congratulations on your final choice of a beautiful, timeless, tastefully understated classic. British built, with special roar.
I enjoyed your write up. Yes, most of us here have been on the same journey. After several years of ownership, I still look in wonder at that athletic shape under the dust cover.
I think your car is a V8 Vantage, Model Year between 2009 and 2012·25.
You might have mentioned, but what is the colour name?
Good times ahead for you.
Sorry yes it's tungsten silver. I love it.
I enjoyed your write up. Yes, most of us here have been on the same journey. After several years of ownership, I still look in wonder at that athletic shape under the dust cover.
I think your car is a V8 Vantage, Model Year between 2009 and 2012·25.
You might have mentioned, but what is the colour name?
Good times ahead for you.
Sorry yes it's tungsten silver. I love it.
Jon39 said:
I was slightly disappointed, when I saw exactly the same wheel design on some Ford Focus models.
They were made by Rimstock.
Although, on a similar theme I cant help but see VW Golf wheels on the Zagato.
Thanks again gents. My main issue is not being able to take it out as much as I'd like in this weather!
Yes manual for me is a must on a two seater sports car but I was told the clutch and gearbox was a little heavy and cluncky..... Well I agree that my left calf muscle is getting a good workout but the shift is lovely synced and feels very tight.... just how I like it! I am a little worried about the stories on the clutch and its life span.... its a bugger to reverse I keep bloody over reving to avoid stalling , probably as Ive been spoilt with an auto for ages....but other than that Ill live with it...
My last half decent car with a manual box was an RS4 B5 (one of the originals) and that was a beauty to drive for such an older car and 4 wheel drive.
Yes manual for me is a must on a two seater sports car but I was told the clutch and gearbox was a little heavy and cluncky..... Well I agree that my left calf muscle is getting a good workout but the shift is lovely synced and feels very tight.... just how I like it!
I am a little worried about the stories on the clutch and its life span.... its a bugger to reverse I keep bloody over reving to avoid stalling , probably as Ive been spoilt with an auto for ages....but other than that Ill live with it...My last half decent car with a manual box was an RS4 B5 (one of the originals) and that was a beauty to drive for such an older car and 4 wheel drive.
bigee said:
Lovely motor ! Funny enough I have recently switched from B5 RS4 to a V8 Vantage as well. Enjoy .
They are really a smashing classic now but I sold mine some time ago wished Id kept it to be honest. Its prob worth the same I bought it for back then! Since then Ive had quite a few cars but the only ones of any significant fun were a B7 RS4 and a beast of RS Plus which was bonkers at nearly 500 bhp and with a washing machine in the back! I've just sold a A6 Avant black edition which was very efficient and comfortable but not a car you compare this with. Unfortunately modern day fast Audi's are far too common now with loads of variants throughout the range. Nice as they are far too many and the same goes for the BMW range.. I could be tempted by an R8 in a year or so though.....Does anyone think that the Vantage might become an appreciating classic or just sustain a half re sale price due to reduced manufacturing output? I understand some of the older Vanquishes etc seem to actually going up in price nowadays!
Mikee247 said:
Does anyone think that the Vantage might become an appreciating classic or just sustain a half re sale price due to reduced manufacturing output? I understand some of the older Vanquishes etc seem to actually going up in price nowadays!
No way of telling, but the car certainly has some points that might help with value retention.
Which other recent cars can we think of, that still receive great admiration, more than 13 years after they were first unveiled?
Although it is the biggest selling Aston Martin ever, the numbers are very low compared with most manufacturers. Since 2008, UK Vantages have been under 1000 per year.
Regarding your point about clutch life and reversing. You may already know Mikee, that the reverse gear ratio is higher than 1st. Therefore too much clutch slipping going backwards up a slope, is best avoided.
Congrats on the new car
I too had an Audi RS6 prior to my Vantage nearly 10 years ago now, it was surprising when the Vantage actually cost significantly less to run than the RS6 did over a similar period.
The highest production years for Vantages were the early years and already the price has bottomed out. Cars are maintaining value with inflation rather than "appreciating" as such. Im sure you will still see the odd "cat C" write off or 130k mile old car going a few grand cheaper, but most avg mile and condition cars are around the £29k mark from indies and low £30's from dealers. This gives you a bottom trade in value somewhere in low twenties where it has been for quite some years.
I too had an Audi RS6 prior to my Vantage nearly 10 years ago now, it was surprising when the Vantage actually cost significantly less to run than the RS6 did over a similar period.
The highest production years for Vantages were the early years and already the price has bottomed out. Cars are maintaining value with inflation rather than "appreciating" as such. Im sure you will still see the odd "cat C" write off or 130k mile old car going a few grand cheaper, but most avg mile and condition cars are around the £29k mark from indies and low £30's from dealers. This gives you a bottom trade in value somewhere in low twenties where it has been for quite some years.
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