On the verge......

[Bertie2000]

Hello,

I am new here but I have been lurking for a while, mostly just gathering information about Vantage V8's and tracking their prices on Auto Trader and
PH Classifieds.

The car I am looking to replace is a Lotus Elise, a car I love but one that I just don't use very much due to its impracticalities, it has been great to own,
low running costs and zero depreciation.

I am close to pulling the trigger on a 2008 4.3 Roadster, a car I can use everyday if I wish and we can use for motoring holiday to Europe eventually.

This will be the first car of this type I have owned, having had mostly BMW's as company cars for many years before a change in jobs I am now running
a Discovery as a daily driver. I used to race single seaters and have a couple of practical classics too so I am going in with my eyes wide open!

Anyway, I have found a low mileage car that ticks most of the boxes just negotiating at the moment as it requires some work, all age related but I
spotted some paint bubbling just below the drivers door handle, very small bubbles like a skin rash, I have read that paint issues are quite common, will
it spread and get worse?
Also just wondering if the Bluetooth software is still compatible with the current iPhones and what is the best DAB upgrade for these cars?

Thank you for reading.

[blueg33]

Have you driven one? Very different from an Elise/Exige. I thought I would replace my first Evora with a V8 Vantage, until the test drive.

Don't get me wrong through, I like the Vantage but is no sports car, it didn't deliver the feel etc that I got from the Lotus and the mass was noticeable.

[Bertie2000]

Yes I have driven one but only briefly, it did actually feel smaller than I thought it would. I am looking for more of a grand tourer than an out-and-out sports car as I am planning on some motoring holidays in the next couple of years, my other thought was a BMW Z4 3.0 Si, but the Aston is just more special.

[Jon39]

Bertie2000 said:

Yes I have driven one but only briefly, it did actually feel smaller than I thought it would. I am looking for more of a grand tourer than an out-and-out sports car as I am planning on some motoring holidays in the next couple of years, my other thought was a BMW Z4 3.0 Si, but the Aston is just more special.

Some owners discover they are not really smaller. It is when touching a kerb with a front wheel. _

It sounds as though you have done research. A 2008 model is close to the 4.7 introduction, which was in September 2008.
Coming from a Lotus, you might appreciate the extra 40 bhp and increased torque.

Paint bubbling is quite common. It only seems to be in a few particular places. Might worsen, but probably only very gradually. It is of course not rust.

You are right, an Aston Martin does always feel special, even after many years of ownership.

[blueg33]

Bertie2000 said:

Yes I have driven one but only briefly, it did actually feel smaller than I thought it would. I am looking for more of a grand tourer than an out-and-out sports car as I am planning on some motoring holidays in the next couple of years, my other thought was a BMW Z4 3.0 Si, but the Aston is just more special.

Aston is way more special and an great grand tourer.

Sounds like you have done your research, the paint bubbling is worth looking hard for. My neighbour works for AM and says they struggled with the paint on aluminium. He often brings a car home from work along with a spray bottle containing saline. He sprays the car regularly and they assess the issues.

[EVR]

As for Bluetooth, in my 2011 N420 it's working flawlessly with my previous iPhone X and actual 12 Pro. For calls mind you, music streaming is something else, you don't have it out of the box, but can manage with an adapter called Bovee 1000. I personally don't bother, since my preferred soundtracks are, in this order: the V8, some radio stations and occasionally Apple Music via a good ol' jack cable with a Lightning adapter.

Paint bubble, I had the same under the handle, never got worse in 1 year, eventually was fixed by AM for free under the 10 years paint & rust warranty.

Good luck!

[Bertie2000]

Thank you for your replies, I will keep you posted...

[Murph7355]

Bertie2000 said:

...
Anyway, I have found a low mileage car that ticks most of the boxes just negotiating at the moment as it requires some work, all age related but I
spotted some paint bubbling just below the drivers door handle, very small bubbles like a skin rash, I have read that paint issues are quite common, will
it spread and get worse?...

In all likelihood, yes.

Around the door handles is very common. Bonnet edges also. Wing mirror stems can also get nasty.

In theory getting it painted by somewhere that can do decent prep' should sort it. Though that does mean not using Aston Martin.

By far the worst aspect of ownership IME (not had mine for a few years now. Maserati and Porsche that replaced it successively were infinitely better on this front).

[vernierMike]

Agree it's worth stretching to get the 40 horses in the 4.7 if you can. If not, still a fab motor, worth a longer test drive if you get the opportunity. A brilliant sporting GT. If that makes sense....?

I use iPhone cable adapter and sync box - you usually plug in for charging the damned thing, so why not send music down the cable too? If it's not fitted, it's a much more affordable upgrade than the Bluetooth that can always be a bit iffy IMHO.

I had a bubble develop on the roof soon after I bought it, fixed by Aston, mine is an 09. Three years later, just noticed a bubble on the top rear very tip at the rear corner of the passenger door by the window, which is rather annoying. Ho hum.

Porsche corrosion? Bodywork less so, but entire cooling system - yes!!