Vantage Roadster, moving to one from TVR. Advice please!
Discussion
Hello to all. As above really. I've had TVR's for years and currently own an early Chimaera. It's a great car which goes well and never let me down believe it or not. But....I've always liked the vantage roadster. I've decided due to the recent unexpected death of my father to spend a portion of my pension money and put 30k plus whatever I get for the TVR into said vantage....probably 40k in total. Maybe a bit more but that's a ball park. I would like a manual I think. I've visited my local Aston dealer (bristol) and registered interest. I know at 40k I'm probably bottom of the food chain in buying an Aston but it's a lot for me so would appreciate any hints. I've bought the book written by a fellow ph'er and digested it but owners reviews are the best. Thank you in advance and hope to be joining the forum properly in a couple of months.
Mike.
PS I appreciate I put a similar thread on re an XKR...I tried one and found it a bit non sporty. Very nice, quick but too ....well. dont know, didnt make me want to spend 30k on it. Tried a vantage and it did. I promise I'm not a troll!
Mike.
PS I appreciate I put a similar thread on re an XKR...I tried one and found it a bit non sporty. Very nice, quick but too ....well. dont know, didnt make me want to spend 30k on it. Tried a vantage and it did. I promise I'm not a troll!
I've only been a coupe owner for about two months so certainly not the oracle on this subject but nevertheless...
I have owned 4 TVRs although not for a while,and also other supposedly 'flaky' marques too.
My Vantage is 2007my
I would say that you will be pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of the Aston.
Fit and finish is good if not perfect and mine is well screwed together internally with little noise or rattles
Paintwork should be checked for corrosion around door handles,wing mirrors ,door bottoms.
The previous owner of mine had sorted these although I have found a little more in the steel section where it meets the side skirts
I think it's composite wings,aluminium bonnet and doors and steel main shell
Mechanically they are supposedly tough. Its early days for me of course but the 50k miles it's done doesn't seem to have thrown any major bills apart from the clutch at 35k miles.
It's worth looking into that. I suppose if a clutch was due and the price reduced accordingly then the latest twin plate one would be nice to have.
Mine is throwing up emissions warning so a couple of O2 sensors needed.
I think these cars are a good next step for TVR owners. They're not too civilised to be boring but can be a bit less trying when required.
I've done a couple of small things which have improved mine...see other thread and am very happy now.
Good time of year for your search!
I have owned 4 TVRs although not for a while,and also other supposedly 'flaky' marques too.
My Vantage is 2007my
I would say that you will be pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of the Aston.
Fit and finish is good if not perfect and mine is well screwed together internally with little noise or rattles
Paintwork should be checked for corrosion around door handles,wing mirrors ,door bottoms.
The previous owner of mine had sorted these although I have found a little more in the steel section where it meets the side skirts
I think it's composite wings,aluminium bonnet and doors and steel main shell
Mechanically they are supposedly tough. Its early days for me of course but the 50k miles it's done doesn't seem to have thrown any major bills apart from the clutch at 35k miles.
It's worth looking into that. I suppose if a clutch was due and the price reduced accordingly then the latest twin plate one would be nice to have.
Mine is throwing up emissions warning so a couple of O2 sensors needed.
I think these cars are a good next step for TVR owners. They're not too civilised to be boring but can be a bit less trying when required.
I've done a couple of small things which have improved mine...see other thread and am very happy now.
Good time of year for your search!
Welcome Mike.
Many TVR enthusuasts have appeared on here and are now Aston Martin owners.
Financially your timing is good, because the popular 4.7 Vantage (Model Year 2009 onwards, from September 2008) has dropped in value during the past couple of years. For a long time, they stayed above £50k (main dealer retail), but you should find a good one now for the figure you mention.
Cannot go wrong with a manual. There are two choices of suspension on the Coupe (not sure whether that is the same on the Roadster). Normal (sometimes called Comfort) and Sportpack. For UK roads, think of those as very firm and extra very firm. For me, the Normal is perfect.
Many of these cars are 'toys', so if you are patient you should find a low mileage car, but several on here have approached six figure mileages without serious mechanical problems. Clutches tend to be hope for the best. Regular reversing up inclines is a killer, because the gearing is high. Some do 15,000 miles and others achieve 80,000 miles. When a change is required, a twin plate version can be fitted, which us much more robust and with a much lighter pedal action. It is expensive to change because the rear gearbox layout means it is a long job.
Great cars to own and drive, and you have selected one of the last naturally aspirated, manual V8 sports cars.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Sunday 26th May 08:06
milu said:
I think it's composite wings,aluminium bonnet and doors and steel main shell .....
Please excuse my tiny correction milu.
The 'chassis' is alloy and the only steel body panels are the rear wing sections. Try a magnet.
The windscreen surround is not alloy, but cannot remember what material.
Hi Mike,
Same as you previous TVR owner, then 987 Boxster S.
Always had an itch for an Aston so took the plunge last year with a 2008 Roadster in Meteorite.
Loving the car, silmilar to the TVR, but build quality very good.
If you’ve read the book that will help you a great deal.
Got mine from Mcgurks near Warwick, good honest dealer and very helpful.
Simon
Same as you previous TVR owner, then 987 Boxster S.
Always had an itch for an Aston so took the plunge last year with a 2008 Roadster in Meteorite.
Loving the car, silmilar to the TVR, but build quality very good.
If you’ve read the book that will help you a great deal.
Got mine from Mcgurks near Warwick, good honest dealer and very helpful.
Simon
Mike
just buy one which you fall in love with (of course do all the normal checks)
you wont be disappointed
they are great cars
done 78,000km in mine - needs a new throttle body - the first repair (other than services & brake components) it has required
good luck with your search
PS dont think anyone would consider you a troll with that many posts on the forum
Graze
just buy one which you fall in love with (of course do all the normal checks)
you wont be disappointed
they are great cars
done 78,000km in mine - needs a new throttle body - the first repair (other than services & brake components) it has required
good luck with your search
PS dont think anyone would consider you a troll with that many posts on the forum
Graze
I have a copy of the book, read it in depth and made notes before going to view my first possible purchase. Massively recommend the book.
£40k is my budget too and you should be happy. Main dealer less so, but specialist for that money should get you a 09 plate with "low" miles.
Good luck with the hunt!
£40k is my budget too and you should be happy. Main dealer less so, but specialist for that money should get you a 09 plate with "low" miles.
Good luck with the hunt!
They’re great cars (coming from another ex TVR owner….lots on here!). I’ve had three Vantages and the steps are probably relevant to your price-point. I initially had a 4.3 coupe and then moved to the 4.7 - there’s a significant difference in performance….much more than the on-paper stats suggest; it’s got more torque and feels significantly livelier. Having said that, I still loved the 4.3. I then moved to a 4.7 roadster - whilst I prefer the lines of the coupe, the roadster feels like much more of an ‘event’ and I’m glad I made the change.
Aside from the usual considerations, look for full Aston or specialist history (annually), and a recent clutch change (or factor £2.5-3k on top if no evidence). On the roadster, a common issue is the roof control module, which seems to often only last 5-6 years and is around £700 to replace.
Whilst depreciation is comparatively low, as with all performance cars the prices have dipped over the past 12-18 months. £40k is an awkward budget - it’s at the top end for a 4.3 roadster, but it's typically around another £5k to get a 4.7 roadster (unless you go for something at around 50k miles).
Aside from the usual considerations, look for full Aston or specialist history (annually), and a recent clutch change (or factor £2.5-3k on top if no evidence). On the roadster, a common issue is the roof control module, which seems to often only last 5-6 years and is around £700 to replace.
Whilst depreciation is comparatively low, as with all performance cars the prices have dipped over the past 12-18 months. £40k is an awkward budget - it’s at the top end for a 4.3 roadster, but it's typically around another £5k to get a 4.7 roadster (unless you go for something at around 50k miles).
silverback mike said:
Thanks Johnny. Ideally a 4.7 would be my aim but as you say I reckon out of budget....or maybe a high miler... 
You wouldn't need to move your budget much - maybe £3k? I'm talking manuals here - SS are at least 10% cheaper, like for like - so around £4-5k less that this price. Alternatively, what classes as a "high miler" isn't actually very high.... prices are just very mileage sensitive, despite the engines being robust. You'd probably get something at 50k miles ish for your £40k. As I mention above - clutch isn't cheap so you'd be better to spend your budget on a car that's had one done already.Edited by johnnyBv8 on Monday 3rd June 23:32
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