Aston Martin V8 Vantage S | Spotted
Fancy a dinosaur still with its new-car smell?
The prospect of buying a car that’s spent most of its life under lock and key is hardly a new one. Supercars have been bought and sold like this forever - especially the ones being used as transferable commodities rather than a mode of transport. But with petrol power beginning to taper, and traditional combustion models dropping like flies with no like-for-like replacement on the cards, the attraction of acquiring something ‘old school’ (i.e. built in the previous decade, with all mod cons but freed from the nannying aspects of modern-day motoring) is likely to surge beyond even the current high watermark.
So what to get? Well, predictably, the market for the more analogue stuff - particularly cars with large, atmospheric engines and manual gearboxes - has been heating up for yonks. And it’s easy to understand why. Given stringent emissions targets and the never-ending requirement for economies of scale, very few manufacturers are committed to persisting with clutch pedals or a cylinder account much beyond six. Consequently, cars like the F430 Matt found last week, with a never-to-be-repeated naturally aspirated V8 and very few miles, are moving even closer to the top of people’s wish list - especially if they weren’t in the position to buy them when new.
This accounts for that car's POA. Who can say now what exactly it is worth? Matt suggested its like-new condition and comparative lack of use probably warranted 430 Scuderia money - and he’s probably not wrong. But let’s assume you don’t have the thick end of a quarter of a million quid to play with. There’s plenty of stuff that fits the bill which doesn’t require a six-figure spend. Take this Aston Martin V8 Vantage S from 2017, for example. Granted, it’s not the V12, which was always destined to achieve legendary status - but in the real world you don’t need a dozen cylinders to deeply love the chiselled coupe.
For a start, this one, like the F430, is a manual. The reasons why you might want this in a Vantage hardly need retreading here, although it’s worth pointing out (as the advert does) that the number of S-badged cars specced with three pedals was relatively modest - just 243, according to the vendor. Obviously, being the S, you get the uprated 430hp 4.7-litre V8, which was introduced to counter the notion that the Vantage (which launched with 380hp) was lacking in performance versus the equivalent Porsche 911. At 4.5ish seconds to 60mph it certainly isn’t hugely fast in a modern context - but that’s not really what you’re buying the Vantage for. It’s about noise and vibration and feel and fizz, which V8 has in spades.
The revised chassis plays a starring role in all of this, making the car stiffer and better connected to the road than it ever had been before. Aston quickened the steering, too, but it lost none of its burliness or diluted the impression that the Vantage had been built with a hairy-chested attitude in mind. Its replacement, introduced a year after this example was registered, aimed to feel like a cutting-edge sports car, which was fine - but the older version always occupied a greyer and more interesting dynamic space, and was exceptionally good at moving between GT-style cruise and muscle car hustle depending on your mood.
Thanks to the way it looks (which is timelessly good) that mood was almost always sunny. Especially as the later model Vantages benefitted from a much-improved interior. True, the infotainment system was never up to much - although, again, if that’s a concern you’re missing the point. It’s the modern classic as a box-fresh buy that we’re after, and with just 1,300 miles accrued since new (the car has been in storage for nearly six years), this China Grey V8 could hardly be sweeter. Especially when it’s being advertised for what seems like a decidedly reasonable £70k - only £10k more than you’ll pay for a new Cupra Tavascan. Expect those valuations to trade places quicker than you can say 'quad-cam'.
SPECIFICATION | Aston Martin V8 Vantage S
Engine: 4,735cc, V8, naturally aspirated
Transmission: six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 430 @ 7,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 361 @ 5,000rpm
CO2: 321g/km
MPG: 20.5
Recorded mileage: 1,300
Year registered: 2017
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £69,995
B&O sound system is a real catch, but extremely rare on the V8 (and still rare on the V12). Not sure if this example has the standard sound system or the Premium 700W one. Not as much difference as you’d imagine.
SportShift is my preference (it’s not an automatic - you have to learn to use it), but if you want a manual for whatever reason, here you go.
Sports suspension is a bit harsh for UK roads. I found “comfort” setup to be perfect and well controlled. S models could have either. Not stated in the advert.
If you buy it, get the secondary cats removed (completely legal) and hear it roar. These cars - like all cars - don’t like sitting around unused. So you may have a few niggles to sort, but then it will become a sweet thing.
I've had one of these for the best part of a decade, having never kept a car more than a couple of years before that. They need to be revved, but sound amazing at any engine speed, have fantastic steering and balance and are a real 'feel good' car.
They are surprisingly mechanically robust - chassis, engine, transmissions and running gear are all strong. Weak points were flaky electrics, clutch and leaky rear lights.
It's also special, exotic. Yes the n/a V8 is jag-derived, but it is also a highly tuned, dry sump, quad cam, 32 valve all alloy front mid mounted V8, connected to a graziano transaxle by a carbon fibre propshaft. The V8 is slung very low (no sump) in an all alloy, heavily braced (it's visible in the cabin, under the bonnet) and rigid chassis.
It was designed and built under Ford/PAG ownership. All those Ford/Jag/Volvo components used mean it is generally a fair bit cheaper to keep well maintained than many might imagine - if you are thinking of buying a V8, then beyond the inevitability of a clutch replacement (if you keep it long enough) and fragile control modules there really isn't that much to fear.
If you have never had one you are missing out. Definitely a car to make you smile. I owned a 2017 convertible which I stupidly swapped for a new 992. 6months later I swapped the boring Porsche for a 2018 AMR V8 vantage convertible which was lovely. Followed up with a new vantage that was characterless compared to the original and was big disappointment for me. I did have test drive of 2017 Vantage V12S but preferred the V8.
Only car that has come close for me is current car Lexus LC500 convertible which has its own special character plus cheaper running costs and security of 10 year warranty if you get it serviced at Lexus!
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