V8 vantage roadster N400
Discussion
Hi all, I'm currently a long term tvr owner for the last 15 years and am looking at a possible change. If I'm honest I wasn't too interested in an early v8 but I do love the look of this n400 https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... and was wandering if I could trouble you for thoughts on the car, the dealer, what to look for etc. How much does the n400 differ from standard and are they likely to hold their value better?
It's slower than my current 4.3 t350 but will hopefully be more useable. What are the average running costs of these?
Am I better looking for a later model v8 4.7 or saving a little and getting a v12? That puts me in v10 r8 territory though which for me would make it tough
It's slower than my current 4.3 t350 but will hopefully be more useable. What are the average running costs of these?
Am I better looking for a later model v8 4.7 or saving a little and getting a v12? That puts me in v10 r8 territory though which for me would make it tough
Well, firstly you wont regret swapping from a TVR to a Vantage, no matter what Vantage you end up buying.
I think you can discount the V12 as these start around £60k+ for an early one (Based on you looking at this one around £43k)
Although this is a 4.3 V8 vantage, its got quite a few upgrades that are found on the 4.7/V12 (noticeably the bonnet, bumpers, grill & gear stick) and these are not cheap.
Seems a reasonable car, but difficult to tell from pictures and description.
Best thing is to go out and test drive a few.
Clutch is probably the most important (and costly) part to check. Other than that just the usual, service book stamps, MOT advisories etc.
Might be worth getting an independent check if in doubt.
Even if I was in the market for around £60-70k car, I personally wouldn't even think about an Audi R8, V12 all the way.
I think you can discount the V12 as these start around £60k+ for an early one (Based on you looking at this one around £43k)
Although this is a 4.3 V8 vantage, its got quite a few upgrades that are found on the 4.7/V12 (noticeably the bonnet, bumpers, grill & gear stick) and these are not cheap.
Seems a reasonable car, but difficult to tell from pictures and description.
Best thing is to go out and test drive a few.
Clutch is probably the most important (and costly) part to check. Other than that just the usual, service book stamps, MOT advisories etc.
Might be worth getting an independent check if in doubt.
Even if I was in the market for around £60-70k car, I personally wouldn't even think about an Audi R8, V12 all the way.
Edited by leerandle on Wednesday 12th December 16:11
I had a very quick look.
First registered in March 2009. Main customer deliveries of the 4.7 upgraded model began in September 2008, so therefore the car advertised must have sat around unsold for a long time.
The bonnet louvres make it look like a V12, but they were not a factory option.
Front splitter is not original either. It was on the V12 Vantage, but the 4.7 did not have that until model year 2012.25.
https://astonmartins.com/car/v8-vantage-n400/
The V8 Vantage N400 was announced in July 2007. A Limited Edition of 240 Coupes and 240 Roadsters.
240 Coupes were built, but only 195 Roadsters. 44 Roadsters were manual (36 of those being UK).
Therefore the car is one of those 36. Whether that means an enhanced value, I do not know.
Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 12th December 17:17
You could look at it another way. The modifications would have been quite expensive.
Changing to the 2012MY from and rear bumpers with carbon splitter and diffuser ~ £5-7k
Changing to V12 bonnet with carbon louvres ~ £4-5k
Changing to V12VS grille ~ £2-3k
I would estimate a minimum of £10k combined on bodywork. Maybe closer to £15k if were all new parts.
Now you could argue that detracts from it being a N400 special edition as it is not as it left the factory, but if you like the cosmetic changes then equally that could be a bonus. Sourcing the original standard parts could be done quite easily as these go for not huge amounts on eBay
Changing to the 2012MY from and rear bumpers with carbon splitter and diffuser ~ £5-7k
Changing to V12 bonnet with carbon louvres ~ £4-5k
Changing to V12VS grille ~ £2-3k
I would estimate a minimum of £10k combined on bodywork. Maybe closer to £15k if were all new parts.
Now you could argue that detracts from it being a N400 special edition as it is not as it left the factory, but if you like the cosmetic changes then equally that could be a bonus. Sourcing the original standard parts could be done quite easily as these go for not huge amounts on eBay
That's a nice looking car in a great colour(biased) but I would want to know if the V12 bumpers and bonnet from that era were done purely to enhance the car or to replace damaged standard parts. Also the 400 is worth a slight premium over a standard 4.3 but would probably need to have the original bumpers etc to make it truely a 400 again. (I wouldn't fit them but need to know if available for later resale perhaps)
I would also recommend looking for oil leaks especially around the front timing cover which are possible on these engines and paintwork especially doors as corrosion in the area of the mirrors often needs remedial work.
I came from a Cerbera and although I loved that car my stepping to Aston' s has been really enjoyed and not regretted one jot. My wife even likes it a little. (Hated the TVR)
Pretty sure you'd enjoy it too.
I would also recommend looking for oil leaks especially around the front timing cover which are possible on these engines and paintwork especially doors as corrosion in the area of the mirrors often needs remedial work.
I came from a Cerbera and although I loved that car my stepping to Aston' s has been really enjoyed and not regretted one jot. My wife even likes it a little. (Hated the TVR
)Pretty sure you'd enjoy it too.
It looks like a nice car with all the upgrades. Other than a few bits of trim and badging, the N400 really sold as having 20bhp more than a standard 4.3. This was achieved by different airbox and map. You need to run it on 98RON to feel the extra 20bhp.
All the usual used car checks apply, there is plenty of info in the modern Aston "bible" www.astonmartinreview.co.uk well worth putting on your xmas reading list
The cheapest 4.7 Roadster I can see on autotrader is £47k on a 2010 plate, which will have further updates over the N400. It really depends if you like the later look - the N400 has upgrades that make it look like a MY2012.25 car or later.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
All the usual used car checks apply, there is plenty of info in the modern Aston "bible" www.astonmartinreview.co.uk well worth putting on your xmas reading list
The cheapest 4.7 Roadster I can see on autotrader is £47k on a 2010 plate, which will have further updates over the N400. It really depends if you like the later look - the N400 has upgrades that make it look like a MY2012.25 car or later.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 12th December 17:39
bogie said:
It looks like a nice car with all the upgrades. Other than a few bits of trim and badging, the N400 really sold as having 20bhp more than a standard 4.3. This was achieved by different airbox and map. You need to run it on 98RON to feel the extra 20bhp.
All the usual used car checks apply, there is plenty of info in the modern Aston "bible" www.astonmartinreview.co.uk well worth putting on your xmas reading list
The cheapest 4.7 Roadster I can see on autotrader is £47k on a 2010 plate, which will have further updates over the N400. It really depends if you like the later look - the N400 has upgrades that make it look like a MY2012.25 car or later.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
To get the extra 20bhp you need 100RON fuel.All the usual used car checks apply, there is plenty of info in the modern Aston "bible" www.astonmartinreview.co.uk well worth putting on your xmas reading list
The cheapest 4.7 Roadster I can see on autotrader is £47k on a 2010 plate, which will have further updates over the N400. It really depends if you like the later look - the N400 has upgrades that make it look like a MY2012.25 car or later.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 12th December 17:39
To the OP. Walk away. This is an N400 with a lot of parts fitted such as the £4k bonnet and slats.
But why pay for that - to anyone who knows that era of Aston Martin it's something of a frankenstein car.
leerandle said:
I think you can discount the V12 as these start around £60k+ for an early one (Based on you looking at this one around £43k)
Well, the V12 Vantage Roadster will be more than that and even rarer than the N400.I have a mixed feeling about that one, it is a bit marmite, I doubt the V12 parts have been fitted by the factory as the seller claims, so not an original N400 and not the total V12 look nor the engine.
Also, as mentioned elsewhere why were these parts fitted, I would be worried about modifications after an accident.
I'd walk away.
Jibberingloon said:
I would have to agree with saying the N400 has been spoilt as it was a limited addition and should not be messed with.....
However I am a lover of making changes to my 2007 V8...............
Always nice to be different
Thats a great looking car, nice upgrades !!However I am a lover of making changes to my 2007 V8...............
Always nice to be different
Edited by Jibberingloon on Thursday 13th December 06:59
Thanks all for your advice. I do love the looks of the n400 I mentioned but agree it needs a lot more investigation as it's not really the sort of mods you'd do on a whim.
The one mentioned above also looks good and for future value I think better to stay stock.
In terms of budget, in theory I could afford a brand new model but that would wipe out all my savings and get me divorced
so for now it would be the vale of my tvr (35k ish) plus max 10k. Else I could push to mid 60s but given it's a weekend fair weather toy it's an awful lot of money to have sitting in the garage depreciating, hence asking about the n400 as hopefully being rarer it will hold a little more value.
The one mentioned above also looks good and for future value I think better to stay stock.
In terms of budget, in theory I could afford a brand new model but that would wipe out all my savings and get me divorced
so for now it would be the vale of my tvr (35k ish) plus max 10k. Else I could push to mid 60s but given it's a weekend fair weather toy it's an awful lot of money to have sitting in the garage depreciating, hence asking about the n400 as hopefully being rarer it will hold a little more value. If you're hinting at a V12 you should get one, the V8 handles a bit more delicately but the V12 is a super entertaining animal for those special times... A little more expensive to run, get the brakes checked out for sure.
The V8 is still plenty quick enough obviously, realistically either 4.3 or 4.7 is more than enough for a road car.
V12's feel 'cheap' to me at the moment though... I think there are bargains to be had.
Full disclosure, I have one and love it so am totes biased R8 V10 doesn't quite have the same charm for me.
The V8 is still plenty quick enough obviously, realistically either 4.3 or 4.7 is more than enough for a road car.
V12's feel 'cheap' to me at the moment though... I think there are bargains to be had.
Full disclosure, I have one and love it so am totes biased
R8 V10 doesn't quite have the same charm for me.I would doubt any of the items listed were factory fitted (at the time of build) because the V12V had only just come into production and AML would just not have agreed to it.
The N400 coincided with the 4.7l being introduced which is a better engine (imo and I have had both) and has an updated fascia plus other improvements which Aston always incorporate into their cars at they update them.
For a N400 to maximise its value because it is a N400 it would need to be as near to stock as possible. Otherwise it just becomes another 4.3 with a power upgrade. I’m with the others get the book (bible) and if you really like this car get to the bottom about the changes being made and when/why they were done but accept its value may be affected by what previous owners have done.
The N400 coincided with the 4.7l being introduced which is a better engine (imo and I have had both) and has an updated fascia plus other improvements which Aston always incorporate into their cars at they update them.
For a N400 to maximise its value because it is a N400 it would need to be as near to stock as possible. Otherwise it just becomes another 4.3 with a power upgrade. I’m with the others get the book (bible) and if you really like this car get to the bottom about the changes being made and when/why they were done but accept its value may be affected by what previous owners have done.
If you have the time / inclination, I dare say you could buy original V8V parts to get the N400 back to 'stock' relatively inexpensively, and you'd more than recoup the cost in the on-sale of the V12V bonnet and MY10.5 bumpers and splitter/diffuser.
This would be a very appealing package for someone looking to mod a 'standard' Vantage (but not ruin an N400)
N400 is on the few 'numbered' Vantages and a manual roadster's value will hold incredibly well.
This would be a very appealing package for someone looking to mod a 'standard' Vantage (but not ruin an N400)
N400 is on the few 'numbered' Vantages and a manual roadster's value will hold incredibly well.
Having done this "conversion" previously to a customer's car, I can concur that if done correctly, it is a very expansive thing to do. Its not just the cost of the new bumpers, diffusers, etc, but also the wheel arch liners and mountings are different on the later style cars. I'd want to be sure that they have been done too.
However, on saying that, I agree with the others that the N400 is a special car, and I would personally prefer it to be the way that the factory built it. I also see that the wheels have been darkened too, rather than just the inners of the spokes, so again, its a detraction on what the car was.
My advice would be to either buy a standard N400 or up the budget a little and buy a Vantage S. Ok, its Sportshift, but its a much better Sportshift than to the first generation, and in my opinion, probably the best of the V8 engined cars.
However, on saying that, I agree with the others that the N400 is a special car, and I would personally prefer it to be the way that the factory built it. I also see that the wheels have been darkened too, rather than just the inners of the spokes, so again, its a detraction on what the car was.
My advice would be to either buy a standard N400 or up the budget a little and buy a Vantage S. Ok, its Sportshift, but its a much better Sportshift than to the first generation, and in my opinion, probably the best of the V8 engined cars.
If it was me looking for an N400 I'd avoid this one just because of the mods, whether the reasons for them are legitimate or not, it's neither fish nor fowl to look at.
An N400 is a limited run model so I don't really get the thinking behind it, a 4.7 is a better car and similar money, so it can only be because of its relative rarity that you'd go for one over a standard 4.3 or 4.7. In which case, residuals must be a significant part of the appeal of an N400, given they are near identical to the standard cars visually and mechanically.
An N400 is a limited run model so I don't really get the thinking behind it, a 4.7 is a better car and similar money, so it can only be because of its relative rarity that you'd go for one over a standard 4.3 or 4.7. In which case, residuals must be a significant part of the appeal of an N400, given they are near identical to the standard cars visually and mechanically.
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