Two Years with my V8 Vantage
Discussion
I'm just approaching the end of the second year with my V8 Vantage, so I thought I'd write up some quick thoughts for any prospective purchasers. It's dark grey, and has all the options except the bigger wheels (I think the standards look better).
I fell in love with them at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2005, and knew I'd get one eventually, and so firtsly, I've never looked back and will always be proud of the fact that I've owned it. I've added 15,000-20,000 miles in two years, including multiple trips to the South of France/Monaco - it's definitely a car that provides a great excuse for a weekend away in a gorgeous château.
I had high expectations too - this is a car that's supposed to make you feel like James Bond, and it certainly does. Of course there are many more on the road now than there were in late 2007 - especially around Bromley, where the local 'Farnborough Park' and 'Keston Park' inhabitants regularly commute along the A21, but its still a huge head turner (if that's important to you), and also still a car that people will happily give way to (not a privilege that I'm told Fezza and Lambo owners benefit from). It's as much fun to drive nipping down the shops in your scruffy clothes, as it is when you're feeling smart and attending an awards ceremony,
It's been super reliable too, without a single breakdown or major problem - I've only really had tiny issues - such as the fuel filler cap sticking (I just use the emergency release now, rather than ever bothering to use the actual button), and floor mats wearing through.
Frustrations... AM still don't have a sollution for playing music from the current iPod/iPhone, but the bluetooth handsfree works well enough. I'd also like a Road Angle Professional fitted nicely (no visible cables) but it seems Lancaster have given up on these. Finally, it's depreciated FAST - I'm not sure I expected that, though I don't know if I really care - it's just frustrating to think of my baby as being worth £35k less in two years.
It's only now that I've had it for two years am I starting to get pangs for something new, and even then it's more due to the depreciation (and feeling that I'm now driving round in a £50k car, rather than a £90k one). I'd love to stick with an Aston (and I'm sure I'll return to them), but with a baby on the way, I'm looking to get something a little more insane before I grow up and get a four-seater Lagonda (but for now, probably an F430 - gasp - sorry!).
I use it as a daily driver, and every time I leave the house, I'm just as excited to drive it as the day I bought it. I'd also add that in terms of appreciation, I can't imagine many other cars that receive so many 'thumbs up' and positive responses from other people.
I had to pay closer to £80k, but with a ton of AMV8's on the market in the mid-forties, anyone considering purchasing a V8 vantage has a fantastic opportunity to own a contemporary model at last-model's prices.
I fell in love with them at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2005, and knew I'd get one eventually, and so firtsly, I've never looked back and will always be proud of the fact that I've owned it. I've added 15,000-20,000 miles in two years, including multiple trips to the South of France/Monaco - it's definitely a car that provides a great excuse for a weekend away in a gorgeous château.
I had high expectations too - this is a car that's supposed to make you feel like James Bond, and it certainly does. Of course there are many more on the road now than there were in late 2007 - especially around Bromley, where the local 'Farnborough Park' and 'Keston Park' inhabitants regularly commute along the A21, but its still a huge head turner (if that's important to you), and also still a car that people will happily give way to (not a privilege that I'm told Fezza and Lambo owners benefit from). It's as much fun to drive nipping down the shops in your scruffy clothes, as it is when you're feeling smart and attending an awards ceremony,
It's been super reliable too, without a single breakdown or major problem - I've only really had tiny issues - such as the fuel filler cap sticking (I just use the emergency release now, rather than ever bothering to use the actual button), and floor mats wearing through.
Frustrations... AM still don't have a sollution for playing music from the current iPod/iPhone, but the bluetooth handsfree works well enough. I'd also like a Road Angle Professional fitted nicely (no visible cables) but it seems Lancaster have given up on these. Finally, it's depreciated FAST - I'm not sure I expected that, though I don't know if I really care - it's just frustrating to think of my baby as being worth £35k less in two years.
It's only now that I've had it for two years am I starting to get pangs for something new, and even then it's more due to the depreciation (and feeling that I'm now driving round in a £50k car, rather than a £90k one). I'd love to stick with an Aston (and I'm sure I'll return to them), but with a baby on the way, I'm looking to get something a little more insane before I grow up and get a four-seater Lagonda (but for now, probably an F430 - gasp - sorry!).
I use it as a daily driver, and every time I leave the house, I'm just as excited to drive it as the day I bought it. I'd also add that in terms of appreciation, I can't imagine many other cars that receive so many 'thumbs up' and positive responses from other people.
I had to pay closer to £80k, but with a ton of AMV8's on the market in the mid-forties, anyone considering purchasing a V8 vantage has a fantastic opportunity to own a contemporary model at last-model's prices.
NB AM do have a solution for playing iPods/iPhones through the stereo. Costs 1100 quid though.
Paralight do one for about 600 quid.
Ferraris are great cars, so don't apologise. 430's not exactly a looker though. If you want something more mental for a little while, I'd personally go for a 360CS. Will hold it's value and is an epic car, far, far more than the std 360.
Paralight do one for about 600 quid.
Ferraris are great cars, so don't apologise. 430's not exactly a looker though. If you want something more mental for a little while, I'd personally go for a 360CS. Will hold it's value and is an epic car, far, far more than the std 360.
Locki said:
It's only now that I've had it for two years am I starting to get pangs for something new, and even then it's more due to the depreciation (and feeling that I'm now driving round in a £50k car, rather than a £90k one). I'd love to stick with an Aston (and I'm sure I'll return to them), but with a baby on the way, I'm looking to get something a little more insane before I grow up and get a four-seater Lagonda (but for now, probably an F430 - gasp - sorry!).
I thought the same about the F430 but after a test drive I was not a buyer. Not special enough inside the cabin and too loud....Locki said:
Is the paralight a Dension ICE thing? I tried one of those Dension ICE whatsits a few years back for my old Z4 (I ended up taking the entire dashboard off to try and fit it) and got no where 
No. Links into the MOST bus on the car and acts properly (control from the head unit etc I believe).Thanks for the info on the iPhone support - I have Pralight coming Wednesday to install it.
As for that last post above, I don't have any regrets at all - I've absolutely loved the car since I bought it. It's exactly what I wanted from my first 'supercar'. In fact just this past week, I even had someone climb halfway out a car window (while passing!) and salute the car!
Owning an Aston Martin V8 Vantage is fantastic.
As for that last post above, I don't have any regrets at all - I've absolutely loved the car since I bought it. It's exactly what I wanted from my first 'supercar'. In fact just this past week, I even had someone climb halfway out a car window (while passing!) and salute the car!
Owning an Aston Martin V8 Vantage is fantastic.
They charged me £600 to come to the house and install it. It works well, but the interface (via the Aston controls) is a little clunky - using the dial to cycle through hundreds of albums is a pain, so I just choose what I want to listen to on the iPod application on the iPhone, before plugging it in.
Locki - great write-up thanks. I was going to start a new thread but hope you dont mind me posting a related question!
I currently own 2 cars - everyday Golf GTI and my 997GT3 for pleasure drives. Although i dont regret putting myself in the position of owning these two great cars, I'd like to have just one car that'll do the job of both. But I'd also like to own a Vantage!
So, will the V8V do the job or would i also hanker after a V12V having owned a GT3? Can both be used as everyday cars? My daily commute is only 10 miles each way but my annual mileage would be between 8k and 10k.
Would the fuel and depreciation costs be a hefty price to pay for using one of these everyday? Also, winter! Can the Vantage be used over winter with no issues? The car would be garaged overnight?
If you feel all the questions have hijacked this thread somewhat then i'll copy and paste into a new thread.
Many thanks for any feedback
I currently own 2 cars - everyday Golf GTI and my 997GT3 for pleasure drives. Although i dont regret putting myself in the position of owning these two great cars, I'd like to have just one car that'll do the job of both. But I'd also like to own a Vantage!
So, will the V8V do the job or would i also hanker after a V12V having owned a GT3? Can both be used as everyday cars? My daily commute is only 10 miles each way but my annual mileage would be between 8k and 10k.
Would the fuel and depreciation costs be a hefty price to pay for using one of these everyday? Also, winter! Can the Vantage be used over winter with no issues? The car would be garaged overnight?
If you feel all the questions have hijacked this thread somewhat then i'll copy and paste into a new thread.
Many thanks for any feedback
997GT3 said:
...
So, will the V8V do the job or would i also hanker after a V12V having owned a GT3? Can both be used as everyday cars? My daily commute is only 10 miles each way but my annual mileage would be between 8k and 10k.
Would the fuel and depreciation costs be a hefty price to pay for using one of these everyday? Also, winter! Can the Vantage be used over winter with no issues? The car would be garaged overnight?...
Only you can answer many of these questions.So, will the V8V do the job or would i also hanker after a V12V having owned a GT3? Can both be used as everyday cars? My daily commute is only 10 miles each way but my annual mileage would be between 8k and 10k.
Would the fuel and depreciation costs be a hefty price to pay for using one of these everyday? Also, winter! Can the Vantage be used over winter with no issues? The car would be garaged overnight?...
Can it hack being used over winter? Very much so.
my Vantage is a daily driver, and theres no more issues in winter than a regular RWD car
depreciation is more of a problem if you buy new....if you are going to do 10K a year in it, then why not get a 3 yr old one with low miles ...plenty of them about...by the time you come to sell you may have evened out the mileage
fuel for 10 miles each way a day? do you really even think about such things when you are spending £50-90K on a car? ...personally, I dont...even if it only did 5 mpg the monetary difference between 5mpg and 25mpg for 10K miles a year isnt much in the big scheme of things
sure, if you were doing 20K-30K miles a year ...well....Id get something diesel...otherwise I wouldnt worry about that either
depreciation is more of a problem if you buy new....if you are going to do 10K a year in it, then why not get a 3 yr old one with low miles ...plenty of them about...by the time you come to sell you may have evened out the mileage
fuel for 10 miles each way a day? do you really even think about such things when you are spending £50-90K on a car? ...personally, I dont...even if it only did 5 mpg the monetary difference between 5mpg and 25mpg for 10K miles a year isnt much in the big scheme of things
sure, if you were doing 20K-30K miles a year ...well....Id get something diesel...otherwise I wouldnt worry about that either
I use my V12 Vantage as a daily commuter in and out of London and it is very comfortable. On a free bit of road or on the track it is much more like a Porsche GT3 with superb balance, steering and brakes. I also have a 997tt and compared to that the Porsche feels more like a GT, a bit softer but equally quick but in a different way. The power delivery in the V12 Vantage is linear and regardless of which gear it is in it just pulls very strongly whereas with the Porsche you need to shift more often to get the turbo going. Take a test drive and you will see. The GT3 is a superb car but the V12 Vantage is a bit more comfortable and all round whilst delivering the same pace or more on track.
997GT3 said:
...
Yes, i agree
I'd still have a GT3 or GT2 one day I think..just not sure when as I have the Caterham to add proper adrenalin to the garage. And am not convinced a 911 would make me turn back and smile after parking it up in the same way as the Aston (or the odd Ferrari might etc). Yes, i agree
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