Searching for an early V8 Vantage

[Wiltshireman]

Morning all

As the title says I'm searching for an early V8 Vantage, looking to move over from 911 ownership.

Budget will mean a 2005-2007. most specs/colours considered except black. Higher mileage ok if solid FSH. (bought my 2nd 911 on over 100k)
The benefits of lockdown/WFH over the last few months means plenty of opportunities to research all this ! (forums like this plus I think there isn't a relevant youtube video I haven't now seen!)

A couple of questions I'd appreciate any input on

- Servicing - like my 911s I'll be avoiding the main dealership network and looking for a local trusted indy. Living in NW Wiltshire, can anyone recommend one in the Wilts/Dorset/Hants/W Berks/Oxon areas. My nearest and most convenient would be AM Phoenix in Basingstoke so any feedback on this one would be good.

- PPI - is there anyone out there who does mobile PPIs if a private seller doesn't live anywhere an AM dealer or specialist, covering these areas. Are a few good Porsche ones out there (e.g. Peter Morgan until he retired) and hoping to find an AM equivalent if one exists?

Cheers in advance

Edited by Wiltshireman on Sunday 27th September 12:01

Edited by Wiltshireman on Sunday 27th September 12:02

Edited by Wiltshireman on Monday 28th September 10:13

[mrgray]

I recently had AM Phoenix service my V8V, refurb rear sub frame and clutch replace. It was an excellent experience, thoroughly recommend them.

[Wiltshireman]

That’s helpful, thanks

[V8V Pete]

In NW Wiltshire I doubt you're too far from Bamford Rose and it would definitely be worth the journey. I'm pretty sure they will travel to inspect a car also. Definitely do not pay a Main Dealer to do an inspection. Not worth the paper it's written on.

I hadn't heard of Pheonix AM until you mentioned them but that doesn't mean they're no good. Have they started up quite recently?

Enjoy your search and subsequent ownership ........

[JonnyCJ]

Think it maybe Phoenix Arizona......

[Manners79]

I'm in Reading so not too far from you I suspect. I use Bamford Rose for servicing and a few upgrades and, having previuously had 911s maintaiend by the relevant independents, I find them (BR) just as good if not better. I also started by looking for an early V8V but was fortunate enough to be able to stretch the budget and actually ended up with a 4.7 purchased from a non-specialist (but very good) garage. I drove the car straight from there to Bamford Rose who gave it a good going over and did the upgrades I wanted (sports cats, N420 intakes, remap etc). I'm not sure if they do inspections other than as part of a service / upgrade work but certainly worth asking.

As I'm local happy to share other ownership experiecnes - which have all been posiitve by the way. At risk of tempting fate, so far the car is costing less to run (insurance, servicing and maintenance) than my 911s. Tax and fuel work out a bit more but trust me when that V8 roar that is a price well worth paying (don't tell the Chancelleor though or he'll put them up again!). Enjoy looking, enjoy the ownership - and above all use the car, thyey really do run better if used (but as you're not averse to a high miles car I suspect you're in that mindset anyway). BTW mine was 48,000 miles when I bought it and 9 years old so considered realtively high mileage in the Aston world!

[Wiltshireman]

Yes I've read a lot of good things about BR and seen their upgrade videos
I'm loathe to pay main dealer overheads just for a smart waiting area, receptionist and fancy coffee machine...though of course fine if you're maintaining a dealer warranty etc
Northway Porsche near Reading is the type of no frills AM equivalent I'm looking for, and I tend to think indys are better at looking at older cars as their mechanics probably get to see a wider age range of cars and can take a more pragmatic approach, IMHO of course.

[cornershop]

Phoenix were created after Spellbound closed for business.

Good things read about https://www.astonmartincare.co.uk/ too

[cornershop]

I have BR goods on my V12 and the whole experience went well in terms of Comms, end result etc.

Reading recent reviews suggests people are struggling to get calls or emails returned. Hopefully things have improved but that would have me looking elsewhere.

[Manners79]

Wiltshireman said:

Yes I've read a lot of good things about BR and seen their upgrade videos
I'm loathe to pay main dealer overheads just for a smart waiting area, receptionist and fancy coffee machine...though of course fine if you're maintaining a dealer warranty etc
Northway Porsche near Reading is the type of no frills AM equivalent I'm looking for, and I tend to think indys are better at looking at older cars as their mechanics probably get to see a wider age range of cars and can take a more pragmatic approach, IMHO of course.

Northway were indeed my (independent) Porsche centre of choice. BR are very simialr in ethos and even less 'shiny showroom' orientated! (Meant in a good way by the way - rtheir workshop and small waiting are are both spotlessly clean and well equipped)

[Riddochg]

David Appleby Engineering have looked after my 06 Vantage for the last 10 years, excellent! Based in Brackley.