£20k Aston Martin Vantage | Spotted
A nice spec, full Aston history and two owners - tempting...
The appeal of a cheap Aston Martin has never needed much explaining. Little else does style, sound and sense of occasion quite like a bargain basement Aston. Absolutely nothing opens up so much opportunity for an iffy ‘007’ numberplate.
But there seem to be fewer and fewer of them, as with so many other modern classics. A few things have contributed to that, from inflation to a shrinking pool of available cars. Add to that a recent increase in demand for manual gearboxes and it’s easy to see why finding an affordable Aston seems harder than ever. The job isn’t impossible, however, as this Vantage demonstrates. It’s in a smart colour combo of grey over dark red leather, the wheels appear smart and there’s said to be 20 Aston Martin services in the book, yet it’s for sale at £20k. Or £19,990, to be specific, with an MOT up at the end of the year, so potentially with some more wiggle room in there.
For the best-looking series production Aston Martin made this century, that’s not a lot of money. Especially for a car with just two owners from new. The mileage of 96,500 will be why, and some bolster wear inside gives the game away a bit. But there are no tears or rips, and the overall condition looks very good, free from scratches and scrapes (as far as can be told from the pics). There must be lower-mileage cars that don’t look as good.
Plus there's the innate appeal of a Vantage: that ripsorting V8 paired to a manual gearbox. While so many cheap Astons are understandably fitted with automatics, here’s a proper little hot rod to get stuck into. Yes, the 4.7 delivered the bite to match the bark - and Aston manuals were never the greatest - but, again, £20k. For a six-speed V8 sports car that’ll still draw affectionate glances.
Now, obviously, £20k won’t go as far as hoped for when it comes to Aston Martin upkeep; there will be stuff to repair and replace, as well as keeping up with a 20mpg average. But surely beginning with a car in regular use has to be a better start than a seized and stiff summer car. As well as cheaper. And even if there is some money to spend, how much less can a Vantage ever be worth? Particularly with nat-asp engines done, and manuals now the preserve of the million-pound specials.
When £20k won’t even buy a 997 with less than 100,000 miles, the Aston certainly looks a conspicuous bargain. Maybe there’s a reason for that, but with only one other manual at less than £30k it’s hard not to be intrigued. With the miles on it, the Vantage is like a blank canvas, one to be enjoyed rather than preserved for posterity; it could be a daily driver for the courageous, a GT8 road racer homage, or an occasional sports car that would make every drive feel very special indeed. Told you the appeal was easy to understand.
SPECIFICATION | ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE
Engine: 4,280cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 380@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 302@5,000rpm
MPG: 18.8
CO2: 358g/km
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 96,479
Price new: £83,000
Yours for: £19,990
However, at this mileage of this car, there’s a good chance some of these jobs have been done. Oxblood interior is a welcome differentiator to the usual black interior on monochrome exterior cars.
Worth a gamble at £20k, but go in with your eyes open and pay for an inspection from a specialist before parting with your cash.
Not sure there are that many Bond connotation's any more.
I'm not here to diss this Aston as it's a lovely car. On any old expensive car it helps if you can do things like change the oil yourself rather than being at the mercy of specialists as this keeps the costs down.
The main issue with all Astons is parts prices as it was only this element that sunk my ownership. It wasn't affordability it is a feeling of being right royally ripped off when compared to almost al other cars of this market segment. Even a Lambos parts were cheaper! ... well some of them
That said there is a good thread on the Aston forum for alternative parts as most are Jag, Volvo or Ford
Being realistic, at £20k you're in a very leggy 997, a now old 996, a Jag F Type, or this Aston. You'll be committed to maintenance with all of them, but I'd take a punt on a 997 myself.
I also have a friend who is an Aston Martin specialist.
I wouldn't buy any of them without an inspection, and that's speaking as someone who has bought multiple 5 litre supercharged Jaguars and big old Merc barges sight unseen from trade auctions.
I'd also encourage potential purchasers to be aware that small ridiculous things can be inescapably costly such as door modules that kill your windows (a grand each) and wiper motors needing the inlet manifolds out with the inevitable snapped studs, they really aren't engineered for maintenance in the slightest.
People obsess about "oh the engine is reliable" which it does appear to be, but there are plenty of other bits that are crap, expensive, and time consuming to repair/replace.
Your alternatives for relatively powerful, RWD, manual cars are pretty few and far between though and even 20 years on has there been a prettier car?
I'm not here to diss this Aston as it's a lovely car. On any old expensive car it helps if you can do things like change the oil yourself rather than being at the mercy of specialists as this keeps the costs down.
Presumably that’s the beauty of going “ sensible classic “ ie no laptop needed !
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