Aston Martin Newbie
Discussion
I have just agreed to buy an Aston Martin Vantage 4.3. and having looked at several cars within my budget, have bought one with just 27000 miles on the clock with a full Aston Service History. The car is an early 06 plate car in Titanium Silver (not my first choice colour) and has just had the full clutch replaced as well as new rear brake pads. The paintwork is the best that I have seen, and no signs of problems around the door handles, it also doesn't have the 'gravel rash' down the sides like several others that i have seen. The only advisory on the last two MOT's has been the wear on the rear pads, which has now been done. The car will have a new MOT and 12 months warranty and drives really well.
Is there anything else that I should check before taking delivery.
Many thanks for any advise.
Is there anything else that I should check before taking delivery.
Many thanks for any advise.
Titanium silver will grow on you. It wasn't my first choice but I now love it. I originally wanted meteorite.
Check heated screen works properly and gearbox change from 1st to second is reasonably smooth and ask if factory mod has been done and that the air con works properly as compressors can leak and it's an expensive fix.
In five years I've replaced noisy drive belt pulley and a thermostat.,otherwise it's been bomb proof.Check when battery was replaced as one on the way out can play have with electrics.
I didn't bother renewing the warranty I just banked the cost each year,so have £8k in the bank now to fix anything .
You won't regret buying one, just find a good independent to check it over and talk through any work that might need doing, especially a clutch.
Check heated screen works properly and gearbox change from 1st to second is reasonably smooth and ask if factory mod has been done and that the air con works properly as compressors can leak and it's an expensive fix.
In five years I've replaced noisy drive belt pulley and a thermostat.,otherwise it's been bomb proof.Check when battery was replaced as one on the way out can play have with electrics.
I didn't bother renewing the warranty I just banked the cost each year,so have £8k in the bank now to fix anything .
You won't regret buying one, just find a good independent to check it over and talk through any work that might need doing, especially a clutch.
I recommend checking the remote locking thoroughly. Older door modules were prone to failure after three to five years and give no indication that anything is wrong until you find you can open open the door without unlocking it. Replacing a faulty door module will cost about £450 at a dealer.
Pitcombe said:
I have just agreed to buy an Aston Martin Vantage 4.3. and having looked at several cars within my budget, have bought one with just 27000 miles on the clock with a full Aston Service History. The car is an early 06 plate car in Titanium Silver (not my first choice colour) and has just had the full clutch replaced as well as new rear brake pads. The paintwork is the best that I have seen, and no signs of problems around the door handles, it also doesn't have the 'gravel rash' down the sides like several others that i have seen. The only advisory on the last two MOT's has been the wear on the rear pads, which has now been done. The car will have a new MOT and 12 months warranty and drives really well.
Is there anything else that I should check before taking delivery.
Many thanks for any advise.
If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay? There have been so many articles in car mags recently pointing out what a bargain these cars are I wonder whether the prices will start creeping up.Is there anything else that I should check before taking delivery.
Many thanks for any advise.
Prices seem to start from around £28000 for very high mileage or CAT C / D write offs, up to £45000 for ultra low mileage (12000 ish miles) 2006 registered cars. I have seen several advertised by garages (non franchise) with similar mileages to mine for around £38000 - £39000. I did look at a couple of these, but ended up spending quite a lot less on a car that I considered to be in much better condition and with a good specification. I was only interested in a car that had a full service history and the bonus was to find one that had a brand new clutch fitted recently. Like you I feel that the prices for the early cars are now very sensible, and although I think they will depreciate a little bit further, I think they will bottom out at about £30000 for good low mileage examples with history and long term (10 years on) will be a good investment, and in that time, I can have the fun of owning an Aston Martin.
Edited by Pitcombe on Tuesday 31st January 09:36
Edited by Pitcombe on Tuesday 31st January 09:37
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