Pre-purchase nerves

[Andy665]

Think I have done all my research but getting apprehensive

Viewing a late '09 V8V 4.7 coupe tomorrow and wondering if I have missed anything

36k, FSH, clutch (David Appleby 5k ago), recent brakes

Check for corrosion around door mirrors, side grilles, door handles

Damp in boot

Ad says it has Sport pack fitted but I thought this came with the 5 spoke alloys, car I'm view has the ones below fitted so I'm a bit confused

[LTP]

This thread might be of interest if you haven’t seen it; just as a thought-starter

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

They are lovely things

[Simpo Two]

If it's your first Aston, then like me you will totally forget everything and buy it anyway... or it will go:

'What's the service history like?'
'Hasn't got any mate, sorry'
'Ah well, never mind...'

- and so on

Sport pack - if it's anything like the one on the DB9, you don't want it. I would happily exchange all my 'sport pack' parts for normal ones, no charge. Except the wheels 'cos I like them.

[V8V Pete]

Andy665 said:

Think I have done all my research but getting apprehensive

Viewing a late '09 V8V 4.7 coupe tomorrow and wondering if I have missed anything

36k, FSH, clutch (David Appleby 5k ago), recent brakes

Check for corrosion around door mirrors, side grilles, door handles

Damp in boot

Ad says it has Sport pack fitted but I thought this came with the 5 spoke alloys, car I'm view has the ones below fitted so I'm a bit confused

Those wheels first appeared on the N420 Vantage (with black as the base colour) and then were used on the SP10 and N430 and optional on other Vantages. All these models were later than 2009 so these wheels have been added afterwards on a 2009 car and, as you point out, a Sports Pack car would have had the original Sports Pack wheels. However, the ones pictured are also light weight forged wheels so if you like them then this is not a "downgrade" but just a different style of wheel.

My old 2009MY Vantage with its OEM Sports Pack wheels:


N420/SP10 wheels:

Edited by V8V Pete on Sunday 6th November 19:43

[Andy665]

V8V Pete said:

Those wheels first appeared on the N420 Vantage (with black as the base colour) and then were used on the SP10 and N430 and optional on other Vantages. All these models were later than 2009 so these wheels have been added afterwards on a 2009 car and, as you point out, a Sports Pack car would have had the original Sports Pack wheels. However, the ones pictured are also light weight forged wheels so if you like them then this is not a "downgrade" but just a different style of wheel.

My old 2009MY Vantage with its OEM Sports Pack wheels:


N420/SP10 wheels:

Edited by V8V Pete on Sunday 6th November 19:43

Thanks, not a huge fan of the design but lightweight forged makes me feel slightly better about them

[V8V Pete]

Andy665 said:

Thanks, not a huge fan of the design but lightweight forged makes me feel slightly better about them

I think they look pretty good, especially with black as the base colour. Personal taste/opinion but there are plenty of secondhand wheels out there if you don't like them (apart from original Sports Pack wheels I'm afraid).

[Krhuangbin]

Simpo Two said:

'What's the service history like?'
'Hasn't got any mate, sorry'
'Ah well, never mind...'

- and so on

[Graze01]

get the timing cover inspected for the dreaded oil misting leak

if you get an inspection or timeless warranty you will ned up with a great car & the nerves will disappear

good luck

Graze

[Handyman2009]

you can check the VIN to see if it is a real Sport Pack car or during the inspection look at the rear shocks, mine has sports pack stickers on them. Good luck

[Andy665]

Graze01 said:

get the timing cover inspected for the dreaded oil misting leak

if you get an inspection or timeless warranty you will ned up with a great car & the nerves will disappear

good luck

Graze

Oil misting leak was done at Aston Works a few months ago as well as a new drivers door handle, all covered by the top level of Timeless Warranty that runs through to Aug 2023

[Andy665]

Just to update, I viewed the car on Monday, spending nearly 3 hours with the car / owner

Owner managed to get the use of a 4post lift so I could have a look underneath the car and inspect for damage

Whole car was completely as described and has clearly been very well looked after, only downside was 6 previous owners but I know thats not uncommon or necessarily a concern and was far outweighed by the positives

Deposit paid and all being well collecting the car a week on Saturday

[cardigankid]

I wouldn't worry about the number of owners. People buy a car and then find that they don't use it and grudge the high cost of maintenance. What you get is a series of honeymoon periods where money is spent generously.

[pschlute]

cardigankid said:

I wouldn't worry about the number of owners. People buy a car and then find that they don't use it and grudge the high cost of maintenance. What you get is a series of honeymoon periods where money is spent generously.

+1

My original DB9 had five owners in as many years.

[CSK1]

Andy665 said:

Just to update, I viewed the car on Monday, spending nearly 3 hours with the car / owner

Owner managed to get the use of a 4post lift so I could have a look underneath the car and inspect for damage

Whole car was completely as described and has clearly been very well looked after, only downside was 6 previous owners but I know thats not uncommon or necessarily a concern and was far outweighed by the positives

Deposit paid and all being well collecting the car a week on Saturday

Congratulations.
Well done!
The number of owners wouldn’t worry me as long as the car has been well looked after with a service record to prove it.
Enjoy !

[Dewi 2]

Andy665 said:

Just to update, I viewed the car on Monday ...

Whole car was completely as described and has clearly been very well looked after, only downside was 6 previous owners but I know thats not uncommon or necessarily a concern and was far outweighed by the positives

Deposit paid and all being well collecting the car a week on Saturday

Well done Andy, decision made. Nerves relax.

As several others have already said, these cars often have a few owners, particularly in the early years.

My Vantage had I think 3 owners in the first two years. As long as each one took care (the interior is a clue to that), it doesn't really make any difference.
When the economy is rolling along, there are some car buyers who own these cars for a short time, then are tempted to quickly move on to the next car that excites them. The motor trade just love them.

If you happen to plan for your Aston Martin to be a keeper, then of course it does not matter one jot.

Enjoy your new car.
We always like photos. Please post them, when you are ready to tell us about your initial driving experiences.

( Model year 2009 to 2012.25 Vantages are sometimes called the sweet spot. 4.7 engine, but still original body. )

Edited by Dewi 2 on Wednesday 9th November 16:42

[Krhuangbin]

Enjoy your new motor - my lowly early 4.3 still gives me the honeymoon stage thrill even after getting on for a year of having it.

[Andy665]

Dewi 2 said:

Well done Andy, decision made. Nerves relax.

As several others have already said, these cars often have a few owners, particularly in the early years.

My Vantage had I think 3 owners in the first two years. As long as each one took care (the interior is a clue to that), it doesn't really make any difference.
When the economy is rolling along, there are some car buyers who own these cars for a short time, then are tempted to quickly move on to the next car that excites them. The motor trade just love them.

If you happen to plan for your Aston Martin to be a keeper, then of course it does not matter one jot.

Enjoy your new car.
We always like photos. Please post them, when you are ready to tell us about your initial driving experiences.

( Model year 2009 to 2012.25 Vantages are sometimes called the sweet spot. 4.7 engine, but still original body. )

Thanks, I guess I got lucky with my Tuscan (that is very much staying) saw me becoming only its 3rd owner and it was 18 years old when I bought it> Looking at the history of the Vantage it was a dealer pre-reg and then had 2 owners in its first 18 months, so only had a further 3 owners in its subsequent 10 years

[Crazy_Sean]

The sports pack is a little..... bumpy.... too stiff overall.

As per the other replies - the wheels are nice too. I have an 08 Sports Pack DB9 and I would also swap it for a standard with more compliant suspension.

That said..... just buy it.... you'll love it, it's an incredible and beautiful thing. You'll thank us every time you get a glimpse of it. The shape.... those lines..... that sound... that feel. An Aston Martin is a wonderful thing.

Mic Drop!

[Andy665]

Crazy_Sean said:

The sports pack is a little..... bumpy.... too stiff overall.

As per the other replies - the wheels are nice too. I have an 08 Sports Pack DB9 and I would also swap it for a standard with more compliant suspension.

That said..... just buy it.... you'll love it, it's an incredible and beautiful thing. You'll thank us every time you get a glimpse of it. The shape.... those lines..... that sound... that feel. An Aston Martin is a wonderful thing.

Mic Drop!

I feel fortunate that we are in a position to own the two cars that we regard as design classics, the Vantage and my Tuscan Mk1.

I was surprised how stiff the Vantage was on the test drive, my Tuscan is a wafting barge in comparison but that has been beautifully set up on its Nitrons

[olv]

Andy665 said:

I feel fortunate that we are in a position to own the two cars that we regard as design classics, the Vantage and my Tuscan Mk1.

I was surprised how stiff the Vantage was on the test drive, my Tuscan is a wafting barge in comparison but that has been beautifully set up on its Nitrons

I saw your thread in Reader's Cars, great story. You'll both love it.

It's probably not an immediate worry for you but DAE (I noted you had their clutch) have developed a set of Nitrons for the Vantage, I have them on mine. I've never driven a sports pack equipped car but the improvement in control and ride over the stock dampers is great.