Entry-level V8V prices
Discussion
I've been toying with the idea of a V8 Vantage - I utterly adore the shape and I fancy a slightly unruly V8 before they are consigned to the fossil-fuel scrapheap.
Sadly, I'm not loaded, so it's always going to be an entry-level car for me. I have some cash saved up and I'll eventually sell my barmy Fiat Coupe which 12 months ago would have put my budget at around £25k. At the time, this was the approximate entry point into 4.3 Vantage ownership. I would have been able to rustle up another three or four grand for something with an excellent spec, but £30k was probably out of my reach and I didn't want to have to sell my "self-congratulatory" Submariner to fund the purchase.
Now, it seems that the very cheapest cars are close to £30k and anything with a desirable spec / colour / history is closer to £35k
My questions are:
Are V8V prices "seasonal", or are we simply seeing a postive adjustment due to all sorts of contributing factors?
Will prices fall back again when it's cold and wet outside?
Should I even be looking at entry-level, or would it be wiser to save up for another 12 months and increase the budget?
For what it's worth, I reckon it will do less than £5k miles a year, and I'm not scared at the prospect of £1k - £2k pa costs of ownership.
Sadly, I'm not loaded, so it's always going to be an entry-level car for me. I have some cash saved up and I'll eventually sell my barmy Fiat Coupe which 12 months ago would have put my budget at around £25k. At the time, this was the approximate entry point into 4.3 Vantage ownership. I would have been able to rustle up another three or four grand for something with an excellent spec, but £30k was probably out of my reach and I didn't want to have to sell my "self-congratulatory" Submariner to fund the purchase.
Now, it seems that the very cheapest cars are close to £30k and anything with a desirable spec / colour / history is closer to £35k
My questions are:
Are V8V prices "seasonal", or are we simply seeing a postive adjustment due to all sorts of contributing factors?
Will prices fall back again when it's cold and wet outside?
Should I even be looking at entry-level, or would it be wiser to save up for another 12 months and increase the budget?
For what it's worth, I reckon it will do less than £5k miles a year, and I'm not scared at the prospect of £1k - £2k pa costs of ownership.
At the moment you are battling with the Covid 'supply and demand' situation.
If you are lucky the car you are selling has gone up too so making the important number of the 'price to change' not that different.
I presume you aren't including tax/insurance/fuel in your £1-2k running costs as just an annual service and routine maintenance will be that in a good year.
I'd be the last person to say don't do it, but be very aware that like any premium car it can throw a very big bill for very mundane issues, I know costs can be reduced if you know one end of a spanner from the other but tyres are still £800 a set, brakes are equally expensive, and you'll be selling the watch if you need a clutch in the same year as well.
If you are lucky the car you are selling has gone up too so making the important number of the 'price to change' not that different.
I presume you aren't including tax/insurance/fuel in your £1-2k running costs as just an annual service and routine maintenance will be that in a good year.
I'd be the last person to say don't do it, but be very aware that like any premium car it can throw a very big bill for very mundane issues, I know costs can be reduced if you know one end of a spanner from the other but tyres are still £800 a set, brakes are equally expensive, and you'll be selling the watch if you need a clutch in the same year as well.
I've just done something sort of similar in the past few weeks. I figured around £25-28k would land me a good one. Had one inspected, it was up for £28k and the inspection revealed it needed £8-10k worth of work before it would be set right. I ended up (on the advice of the inspector) stretching the budget and landed myself (quite quickly) a really pristine low mileage car for not much north of £30k.
From what I have seen, these cars do tend to crop up frequently, so it's not as if you need to jump at the first one you see just because it's "cheap". I would suggest hanging on, building up the reserves a bit and getting as good an example as you can find. Not only would it be a better car, but you would sleep better knowing that the likelihood of something going bang (and the resulting bills) would be reduced.
Also, re seasonal pricing, it's already cold and wet outside
From what I have seen, these cars do tend to crop up frequently, so it's not as if you need to jump at the first one you see just because it's "cheap". I would suggest hanging on, building up the reserves a bit and getting as good an example as you can find. Not only would it be a better car, but you would sleep better knowing that the likelihood of something going bang (and the resulting bills) would be reduced.
Also, re seasonal pricing, it's already cold and wet outside
Nigel_O said:
For what it's worth, I reckon it will do less than £5k miles a year, and I'm not scared at the prospect of £1k - £2k pa costs of ownership.
I think you prob wanna check that maths... 5000 miles at say 18mpg at say £1.20 a gallon is around £1500, so that's the whole of your cost of ownership gone just on petrol. That said if you buy a cheap car, assuming its not a lemon, then deprecation isn't an issue, just other running costs, servicing, MOT etc....
Cars at that price are all old cars, so you've gotta expect a few things to need looking at each year.
With insurance I think you probably ought to be more like £3-4k p/a. You may have a really good year and spend less, but every so often something big is bound to raise its head to negate that good year.
I've only had positive experience Nigel and started with an 07.
I think with thorough home work and a very good pre purchase inspection you should be OK.
Some relativity minor items are very expensive and AMDS (dealers only and largely main AM dealers) have to program quite a few modules if they fail and need replacement.
Oil leak on timing cover needs thorough investigation and unless very bad you won't see evidence on the floor. (it evaporates off on hot items so smelling might detect)
£130 Foxwell scanner could save you much money also which is able to clear many codes and diagnose body modules too. (although not program new/SH items)
If like me they are so temptingly beautiful that your heart just rules your head then go for it.
They are well made but have a few handbuilt foybles.
I'm on my 4th (never could afford the newest each time) and have each been un-eventful regarding reliability, very eventful regarding the immense pleasure it gives me whilst driving.
I've always gone down the route of FSH and keep it up but there is some merit in doing more yourself and buying cheaply a non FSH car. It is riskier of course but there is a price point where this is a choice.
Covid and seasonal fluctuations atm. I think that at the price point you mention low depreciation is another of the cars plus points.
Guess we all have to hang up our keys at some point but until then
I think with thorough home work and a very good pre purchase inspection you should be OK.
Some relativity minor items are very expensive and AMDS (dealers only and largely main AM dealers) have to program quite a few modules if they fail and need replacement.
Oil leak on timing cover needs thorough investigation and unless very bad you won't see evidence on the floor. (it evaporates off on hot items so smelling might detect)
£130 Foxwell scanner could save you much money also which is able to clear many codes and diagnose body modules too. (although not program new/SH items)
If like me they are so temptingly beautiful that your heart just rules your head then go for it.
They are well made but have a few handbuilt foybles.
I'm on my 4th (never could afford the newest each time) and have each been un-eventful regarding reliability, very eventful regarding the immense pleasure it gives me whilst driving.
I've always gone down the route of FSH and keep it up but there is some merit in doing more yourself and buying cheaply a non FSH car. It is riskier of course but there is a price point where this is a choice.
Covid and seasonal fluctuations atm. I think that at the price point you mention low depreciation is another of the cars plus points.
Guess we all have to hang up our keys at some point but until then
Edited by leman600 on Tuesday 29th June 11:34
Had mine 5 years, selling this week.
£6/700 insurance, £600 odd tax, £500 servicing.
Depreciation about £12k over 5 years.
Additional consumables about £6k over the 5 years.
Repairs about £3k in 5 years (mainly paint, and a headlight pump and washer pump).
So about £4K pa excluding fuel and I never had anything major go wrong at all.
I did about 1k miles pa.
Great cars, will have another at some point, prices are toppy at the moment, I just sold mine to a dealer for £31k, 13 stamps, 08, 41k, manual, V8S alloys.
Earlier this year I got offered £25-27k.
I’m cashing out and waiting for them to drop.
£6/700 insurance, £600 odd tax, £500 servicing.
Depreciation about £12k over 5 years.
Additional consumables about £6k over the 5 years.
Repairs about £3k in 5 years (mainly paint, and a headlight pump and washer pump).
So about £4K pa excluding fuel and I never had anything major go wrong at all.
I did about 1k miles pa.
Great cars, will have another at some point, prices are toppy at the moment, I just sold mine to a dealer for £31k, 13 stamps, 08, 41k, manual, V8S alloys.
Earlier this year I got offered £25-27k.
I’m cashing out and waiting for them to drop.
Have a look at Bamford Rose videos on Youtube, especially the recent ones regarding buying cheap cars vs more costly (note I didn't say expensive). They've launched a sales portal which has cars that have been through their rigorous pre-inspection process, so you know you're getting something that has been gone over with a fine toothed comb.
A few hrs of watching the videos and you'll know a lot more than you do now and be very well armed when it comes to a purchase.
A few hrs of watching the videos and you'll know a lot more than you do now and be very well armed when it comes to a purchase.
Thanks for the feedback so far chaps - keep it coming
Apologies - I should have been clearer - my £1k to £2k estimate isn't including fuel, insurance etc. Just servicing & repairs and the inevitable tinkering & improvements
A big bill (eg clutch) would hurt but wouldn't put me off.
I'm fairly handy with spanners - I have a Zetec-powered Westfield in the garage which I've been tinkering with all winter - body-off respray and various upgrades. That said, I'm more than happy to pay a decent indy to do the big stuff.
@ Schnozz - intrigued, but your timing might be a bit off, unless you want a beserk Fiat Coupe that would anihilate a V8V in a straight line or round a track...
Apologies - I should have been clearer - my £1k to £2k estimate isn't including fuel, insurance etc. Just servicing & repairs and the inevitable tinkering & improvements
A big bill (eg clutch) would hurt but wouldn't put me off.
I'm fairly handy with spanners - I have a Zetec-powered Westfield in the garage which I've been tinkering with all winter - body-off respray and various upgrades. That said, I'm more than happy to pay a decent indy to do the big stuff.
@ Schnozz - intrigued, but your timing might be a bit off, unless you want a beserk Fiat Coupe that would anihilate a V8V in a straight line or round a track...
Nigel_O said:
@ Schnozz - intrigued, but your timing might be a bit off, unless you want a beserk Fiat Coupe that would anihilate a V8V in a straight line or round a track...
Well I don't really have a timeline in mind so no rush but I am not seeing much use ahead of me for mine so hence thinking about parting ways and its within your desired spend. Have mailed you but as I don't really need the cash, but fancy a submariner, thought I would through it out there! Car has had new clutch so that should be sorted for a long while, new discs and pads all round 500 miles ago so thats sorted, fresh MOT last week along with new rear shocks absorbers and a full service. Last 3 services have been at Phoenix, JCT600 in Leeds and McGurks prior to that. (McGurks also replaced a warped radiator so that is only a few years old and a headlight washer jet (surprisingly expensive part!). The two indie services amassed over £7k I have spent so can see its had a lot of love but also worth noting what these cars can throw at you bill wise. Anyway, if its of interest let me know.
oilit said:
Are you looking for a coupe or roadster?
Coupe - definitelyTrahison said:
More of the Coupe please, rarer than AMV8s these days!
Flickr photoI agree, but it's just too fast to be fully enjoyed on UK roads. 488bhp means that once rolling, it's an absolute monster - 60-120 in about 7.5 seconds (compared to about 12(?) for a 4.3 V8V)
I've spent ages making it one of the most sorted Coupes on the road, but I found that the tinkering was at least half of the fun - now I've "finished", I'm bored and ready for something new.
Hi Nigel
There's some good advice above.
I have recently bought a 4.7 2013. I started out thinking I was going to get 'some fancy car' for about £30k then looked at the Aston's and decided I might be able to afford a 4.3. Well, of course, 4.3 goes to 4.7 and an early car became a later car.
During the course of the process I went to see Vantage Engineering to discuss the cars and their pitfalls and I got some good advice. Terry at VE told me not to worry about whether it was a 4.3 or 4.7 because it was more about how you drive it.
I viewed a number of cars and was surprised at what people try to palm off as good, both dealers and private. Although private seemed more honest, in my experience.
I bought a private car in the end and Vantage have given it a clean bill of health, thankfully. I don't plan to work on it myself because it is FSH carried out yearly since its manufacture and I want to maintain that. But Terry, at Vantage, suggested budgeting £3-4k per year. Now, I think he was ensuring that I didn't think it would be cheap, but he has more experience than me.
However, I have been looking round at parts, etc and it has frightened me a bit seeing how expensive they are. It's got an Aston badge and that warrants a very high price. I don't want to put you off because I LOVE my car. It drives beautifully and feels really special and every petrolhead deserves a bit of that in their life.
I suppose what I'm really saying is go into it with your eyes WIDE open. Do a lot of research. Learn about the cars so that you can do the initial checking and don't have to pay for an inspection on every car you think you might want. Fingers crossed you'll end up like me with a fantastic car and a huge smile.
Good luck
Adi
There's some good advice above.
I have recently bought a 4.7 2013. I started out thinking I was going to get 'some fancy car' for about £30k then looked at the Aston's and decided I might be able to afford a 4.3. Well, of course, 4.3 goes to 4.7 and an early car became a later car.
During the course of the process I went to see Vantage Engineering to discuss the cars and their pitfalls and I got some good advice. Terry at VE told me not to worry about whether it was a 4.3 or 4.7 because it was more about how you drive it.
I viewed a number of cars and was surprised at what people try to palm off as good, both dealers and private. Although private seemed more honest, in my experience.
I bought a private car in the end and Vantage have given it a clean bill of health, thankfully. I don't plan to work on it myself because it is FSH carried out yearly since its manufacture and I want to maintain that. But Terry, at Vantage, suggested budgeting £3-4k per year. Now, I think he was ensuring that I didn't think it would be cheap, but he has more experience than me.
However, I have been looking round at parts, etc and it has frightened me a bit seeing how expensive they are. It's got an Aston badge and that warrants a very high price. I don't want to put you off because I LOVE my car. It drives beautifully and feels really special and every petrolhead deserves a bit of that in their life.
I suppose what I'm really saying is go into it with your eyes WIDE open. Do a lot of research. Learn about the cars so that you can do the initial checking and don't have to pay for an inspection on every car you think you might want. Fingers crossed you'll end up like me with a fantastic car and a huge smile.
Good luck
Adi
Toby Tram said:
Hi Nigel
There's some good advice above.
I have recently bought a 4.7 2013. I started out thinking I was going to get 'some fancy car' for about £30k then looked at the Aston's and decided I might be able to afford a 4.3. Well, of course, 4.3 goes to 4.7 and an early car became a later car.
During the course of the process I went to see Vantage Engineering to discuss the cars and their pitfalls and I got some good advice. Terry at VE told me not to worry about whether it was a 4.3 or 4.7 because it was more about how you drive it.
I viewed a number of cars and was surprised at what people try to palm off as good, both dealers and private. Although private seemed more honest, in my experience.
I bought a private car in the end and Vantage have given it a clean bill of health, thankfully. I don't plan to work on it myself because it is FSH carried out yearly since its manufacture and I want to maintain that. But Terry, at Vantage, suggested budgeting £3-4k per year. Now, I think he was ensuring that I didn't think it would be cheap, but he has more experience than me.
However, I have been looking round at parts, etc and it has frightened me a bit seeing how expensive they are. It's got an Aston badge and that warrants a very high price. I don't want to put you off because I LOVE my car. It drives beautifully and feels really special and every petrolhead deserves a bit of that in their life.
I suppose what I'm really saying is go into it with your eyes WIDE open. Do a lot of research. Learn about the cars so that you can do the initial checking and don't have to pay for an inspection on every car you think you might want. Fingers crossed you'll end up like me with a fantastic car and a huge smile.
Good luck
Adi
I would echo this, like Adi above, I spent a fair amount of time with my local AM indie garage. They came highly recommended by many and gave me a warts n all over view of what I would need to look for. There's some good advice above.
I have recently bought a 4.7 2013. I started out thinking I was going to get 'some fancy car' for about £30k then looked at the Aston's and decided I might be able to afford a 4.3. Well, of course, 4.3 goes to 4.7 and an early car became a later car.
During the course of the process I went to see Vantage Engineering to discuss the cars and their pitfalls and I got some good advice. Terry at VE told me not to worry about whether it was a 4.3 or 4.7 because it was more about how you drive it.
I viewed a number of cars and was surprised at what people try to palm off as good, both dealers and private. Although private seemed more honest, in my experience.
I bought a private car in the end and Vantage have given it a clean bill of health, thankfully. I don't plan to work on it myself because it is FSH carried out yearly since its manufacture and I want to maintain that. But Terry, at Vantage, suggested budgeting £3-4k per year. Now, I think he was ensuring that I didn't think it would be cheap, but he has more experience than me.
However, I have been looking round at parts, etc and it has frightened me a bit seeing how expensive they are. It's got an Aston badge and that warrants a very high price. I don't want to put you off because I LOVE my car. It drives beautifully and feels really special and every petrolhead deserves a bit of that in their life.
I suppose what I'm really saying is go into it with your eyes WIDE open. Do a lot of research. Learn about the cars so that you can do the initial checking and don't have to pay for an inspection on every car you think you might want. Fingers crossed you'll end up like me with a fantastic car and a huge smile.
Good luck
Adi
It's worth waiting for the right car to come along. I missed out on a few due to over thinking things on my part but in the end glad I did as I ended up with a newer car than I thought possible and with very low mileage and full dealer history. I still had the car checked over and was given the green light. So far it's been impeccable and the money I have spent to date was because I wanted to do some upgrades as opposed to things going wrong or needing attention.
I personally didn't get hung up on 4.3/4.7.
I've already done LOTS of reading - this particular corner of PH seems very enthusiastic and knowledgable and more importantly, existing owners seem only too happy to share the knowledge and experience. Seems that Aston owners are rather more helpful than some other aspirational marques.
I have a "want list" of things that would make a car more desirable - right colour combo on the right wheels, good history, evidence of spending on preventative maintenance, evidence of spending on non-essentials (eg twin-plate clutch, rather than OE, sorted rear lights etc) and preferably a good posting history on PH.
There are a few deal-breakers - it has to be a Coupe, it has to be manual and it can't be silver (apologies to any silver owners, but it's just not my preference).
I have no problem waiting, although when (if) the Fiat sells and the cash is in the bank, I'll struggle not to start wanting to do a deal. the longer I wait, the more cash will be available, as I'm saving a decent amount most months.
My problem will be that when the time comes, will want a (say) £30k vantage AND a Submariner on my wrist, or would I be happier with a £38k vantage and a (far) lesser watch? Probably only a question that can be answered at the time. Bit of a first-world issue really and I guess I could borrow to fund a better car, but in the last few months, I've become completely debt-free and I'd really like to stay that way.
On a separate note - I love indie garages, but I suspect good Aston indies are thinner on the ground than Fiat / Alfa indies. Any suggestions within half-decent travelling distance of mid-Staffordshire?
I have a "want list" of things that would make a car more desirable - right colour combo on the right wheels, good history, evidence of spending on preventative maintenance, evidence of spending on non-essentials (eg twin-plate clutch, rather than OE, sorted rear lights etc) and preferably a good posting history on PH.
There are a few deal-breakers - it has to be a Coupe, it has to be manual and it can't be silver (apologies to any silver owners, but it's just not my preference).
I have no problem waiting, although when (if) the Fiat sells and the cash is in the bank, I'll struggle not to start wanting to do a deal. the longer I wait, the more cash will be available, as I'm saving a decent amount most months.
My problem will be that when the time comes, will want a (say) £30k vantage AND a Submariner on my wrist, or would I be happier with a £38k vantage and a (far) lesser watch? Probably only a question that can be answered at the time. Bit of a first-world issue really and I guess I could borrow to fund a better car, but in the last few months, I've become completely debt-free and I'd really like to stay that way.
On a separate note - I love indie garages, but I suspect good Aston indies are thinner on the ground than Fiat / Alfa indies. Any suggestions within half-decent travelling distance of mid-Staffordshire?
AML Performance are about 40 miles / 1H.
Really good guys, know what they are on about, garage is full of Vantage (V8/V12), DB7s and DB9s.
I’d echo the above, I mentioned £3-4K pa, if I remember my AC unit broke whilst under warranty, If I remember the part alone was a grand or so.
The two big ones on the Vantage are the clutch at circa £3k and if any headlight unit leds fail at circa £1500 per side.
Engine and gearbox are robust.
Do your research wrt parts, there’s some Volvo, Ford, etc parts that are interchangeable.
Really good guys, know what they are on about, garage is full of Vantage (V8/V12), DB7s and DB9s.
I’d echo the above, I mentioned £3-4K pa, if I remember my AC unit broke whilst under warranty, If I remember the part alone was a grand or so.
The two big ones on the Vantage are the clutch at circa £3k and if any headlight unit leds fail at circa £1500 per side.
Engine and gearbox are robust.
Do your research wrt parts, there’s some Volvo, Ford, etc parts that are interchangeable.
I use AML Performance as well. They have an offshoot - Just Astons on the sales side. Give Mark a call, he might well be able to source your ideal spec from amongst their client base.
The bonus is that they will know the cars, having looked after them and will also have their ear to the ground on clients looking to change.
The bonus is that they will know the cars, having looked after them and will also have their ear to the ground on clients looking to change.
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