Running an old V12 Vanquish

[imac1]

Any owners on here? I mean the 2001-7 models.

Looked at a few now and getting around to commitment time. Seeing the service records and receipts there are certainly some scary bills. Have I just been looking at sad cars, or are they just unreliable, temperamental, and basically expensive to run and maintain.

Want to go into this prepared. I have lusted after one since they appeared, so prepared for a certain amount of grief. I've just come from a Lancia and I thought they were bad!

Any help and direction appreciated.

[LordBretSinclair]

The main thing to look at is underneath - get the undertays off and check the "subframes" aren't rusted out - common problem.
They are epic cars though

[RobDown]

For the original Vanquish I would strongly advise posting and looking at the AMOC forums. It's probably the most active (only?) section on there and has some great advice about what the pitfalls are and what to look for.

[ajr550]

I ran one for 3 years.Did about 3000 miles a year.
Bought the best I could afford (not an S) from a main dealer with a warranty.
Loved the car but they are incredibly expensive to run.Go in with your eyes open.
I ran a 550 Maranello at the same time and did similar mileage.It cost me about a quarter of the running costs of the Vanquish and never gave me any issues.Frankly I was never sure in the Vanquish if I would get to the end of a journey without something breaking !

[roughrider]

Find a nice problem free car, and they are low maintenance, but buy a problem car, and they can be expensive. They need to be started/driven every couple of months, or fuel pumps can fail, gearbox hydraulics can leak, etc. As somebody mentioned, if not stored in a dry area, corrosion problems start.
They are an awesome car!!

[imac1]

Thanks so far. Will dip into AMOC forum. Seems initial impressions are correct. They are just such gorgeous cars it would almost be a privilege to own one.

It's one of those classic car issues that if values dip too low because they are expensive to run, they are just not maintained and too many die.

I think the plan is find a good one owner car that has been loved, and get it inspected and onto an AML warranty initially.

Anyone know of an appropriate car? Year, spec, mileage, and to some degree colour doesn't matter.

[RobDown]

If you can cope with LHD Strastone Western Avenue have one going at a very good price (in part because it's LHD)

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Mine was an early 2-owner car that had the trans upgraded and fuel pumps replaced by the 2nd owner (plus the ubiquitous coils/plugs, of course). I've had it 3 years now and spent nothing, other than oil changes. Runs spectacularly well. Hope it stays that way!

[R129 300SL]

RobDown said:

If you can cope with LHD Strastone Western Avenue have one going at a very good price (in part because it's LHD)

They have had it on sale for over two years!

It did dip down to £106K at one point..

[MarkM3Evoplus]

I've got one and love it. Even the wife loves it, they are very special cars, but v expensive to maintain.

AM charge a fortune for parts, but if you go on the AMOC forum, many parts are Ford/Jag, so can be picked up for a fraction of what AM charge.

A pre purchase inspection is a must imo. I got mine inspected by Bamford Rose.

You need to check the front subframe for corrosion, as around £14K to replace (Bamford Rose do a fix for around £3K though).

Transmission wise, you want the magnetic gear position sensors and the later, larger S clutch. Needs to be set up properly to give good changes.

Brake discs bells corrode and AM items v expensive. Better quality aftermarket items available for less.

I have only driven about 1400(!) miles in mine, but, apart from one false alarm due to the ECU not being reset after a previous repair, she has been reliable.

In the last 2500 miles or so, maintenance bills incl 4 new tyres have totaled £26K, but I am a bit anal when it comes to keeping my 'hobby' cars in tin top shape (some bills picked up by the previous owner).

Rear subframe will be stripped & rebuilt in the spring which will cost c£4500, but I am having loads of bits renewed whilst it is apart which are no doubt serviceable, for peace of mind, but it gives you a idea how much they cost to run.

Quite a few for sale, so take your time, but you are correct in that many don't have the level of maintenance they should, been told people get them serviced for the book stamp, but often leave the advisories.

[avinalarf]

There can always be expensive bills when running an older classic car.
A thorough inspection by a reputable garage is always a good idea.
A cheap car is usually cheap for a reason.
If you don't want the agg or possible expense of a Vanquish then don't buy one.
The Vanquish is,and will remain,one of the most desirable of Astons and prices will reflect that so as a long term commitment it makes financial sense.

[MarkM3Evoplus]

avinalarf said:

There can always be expensive bills when running an older classic car.
A thorough inspection by a reputable garage is always a good idea.
A cheap car is usually cheap for a reason.
If you don't want the agg or possible expense of a Vanquish then don't buy one.
The Vanquish is,and will remain,one of the most desirable of Astons and prices will reflect that so as a long term commitment it makes financial sense.

Well put - even a good one will need bits replaced, but once up to scratch, should be reasonably reliable if used on a regular basis and not left sitting for months on end.

I was offered a right stbox.....luckily the pre purchase report showed me that it had been sat at the bottom of the sea for a couple of years..... The car was then offered and probably sold for a not insubstantial amount of money by an AM specialist and I'll bet many of the myriad of issues it had were not repaired.

[imac1]

Thanks all for the honest replies.

Saw a horror yesterday which set off this train of mind.

Wouldn't engage reverse, badly corroded disc bells, door trim lifting due to aluminium corrosion beneath, degrading sticky plastic inside etc etc. All the stamps in the book and large previous bills. Had recently had a main dealer service!!

I'm not discouraged. Will take my time and find a decent car and get it inspected. Possibly bang an AM warranty on it for a year to be safe.

Part of the fun is finding the one.

[MarkM3Evoplus]

If you find one you like, insist that any pre purchase inspection includes removal of the undertrays and that the car is driven.

Good luck!

[RobDown]

R129 300SL said:

RobDown said:

If you can cope with LHD Strastone Western Avenue have one going at a very good price (in part because it's LHD)

They have had it on sale for over two years!

It did dip down to £106K at one point..

My understanding is that it's long shelf life is in part linked to its previous buyer not just not collecting it.....