AMV8: When, what, etc

[V8thunder]

I love the Aston Martin AMV8 concept, and I'm sure it's going into production with the Jaguar-derived 4.3 V8, but does anyone know any more about it? Performance, price, specification, and more importantly, if/when?

[V8thunder]

I'm a student with no money interested in Aston Martins, I'm only curious, I'm not intending to buy one!


Yet.

[v8thunder]

stewy68 said:

V8thunder said: I'm a student with no money interested in Aston Martins, I'm only curious, I'm not intending to buy one! Yet. Point taken, and I wish you luck when you have the requsite reddies to procure such a vee-hicle, but I was just stating a fact, and (in case no one's noticed), Astons are my first love. Sorry if I offended mate. Stew..

No offence taken

I'd still go for the AMV8, to be honest, as a kind of PH anti-politician insurance policy. If Bliar got out of hand, what's the first car he wouldn't let you drive? a 5.3-litre, 13mpg sledgehammer from the '80s, chucking out more hydrocarbons than Sellafield no matter how glorious, or the AMV8, 4.3-litre, 25mpg (probably), meeting all the eco-weeny requirements.

Speaking of pre-production cars out for a run, I saw a Smart ForFour testing in Durham the other week. Not as exotic as the AMV8, but interesting. And completely defeating the point of the Smart.

[v8thunder]

I heard it was 911 money too, which makes it cheaper new than the original 6cyl DB7, so second-hand it'll be one helluva bargain.

I just wonder if anyone's got any comprehensive performance specs or a pre-production road test?

[v8thunder]

Harry Flashman said:

Old AMV8 Vantage. I want one so bad it hurts. Going for a TVR Griff instead of a 'normal' AMV8 in Oscar India spec. I reckon even a Griff will be cheaper to fix if something goes wrong than the Aston. A shame though. I love those old Astons.

Ah, but the Aston won't break down in the first place...

[v8thunder]

Harry Flashman said:

v8thunder said: Harry Flashman said: Old AMV8 Vantage. I want one so bad it hurts. Going for a TVR Griff instead of a 'normal' AMV8 in Oscar India spec. I reckon even a Griff will be cheaper to fix if something goes wrong than the Aston. A shame though. I love those old Astons. Ah, but the Aston won't break down in the first place... Would love to discuss this as it is a serious dilemma. The way I see it, £15 grand gets me a reasonable, sorted early Griff, or a very, very ropey AMV8, which will break down horribly and cost a fortune to fix. I have set myself a £15K limit as this car will be a toy and do about 2000 miles a year; hence no spending silly money. I want a V8. If I could find an Aston V8 for the money, I'd go for it. A good Griff would be an easier prospect, I think. Correct me if I'm wrong - I need some thoughts from people with experience...

£15k won't get you the best Oscar India, but it'll get you a good example of a Series 2 V8, or an excellent example of a DBSV8.

Here's a hot tip - try and track down a V8 Banham Convertible. Basically, before the Volante arrived, Paul Banham Coachbuilders converted several DBSs and V8s to convertible specifications. As these aren't official Volantes, and are considered undesirable modifications to an otherwise-original V8, you can have a near-as-dammit Aston Martin V8 Volante for less than a good coupe.

One in excellent condition went for £12k at auction this month.

>> Edited by v8thunder on Tuesday 22 June 16:40

[v8thunder]

unrepentant said:

Harry Flashman said: Old AMV8 Vantage. I want one so bad it hurts. Going for a TVR Griff instead of a 'normal' AMV8 in Oscar India spec. I reckon even a Griff will be cheaper to fix if something goes wrong than the Aston. A shame though. I love those old Astons. Likewise. I went up to the Aston Workshop in Beamish, who very kindly arranged for me to drive a V8 Vantage before I decided to buy my Tuscan. I still plan to have the Vantage one day....

The Aston Workshop may be an excellent service, but their prices are the most extortionate in the country. They mark early 6-cyl DB7s up over £60k when everyone else is selling them for just over £30k.

[v8thunder]

If you can't afford to buy/run a V8, what about a 6-cylinder Aston Martin DBS or AM Vantage? Looks just the same, still has 140mph top whack, friendlier mpg, bulletproof engine, they've all been restored by now and you'd pick up a minter for £15k.

[v8thunder]

williamp said:

Andrew Noakes said: Harry Flashman said: Only thing - do they make a nice noise? Get Goldfinger on DVD and listen! >> Edited by Andrew Noakes on Thursday 24th June 18:25 Sorry to be pedantic, but if I am allowed my anorak on anything, it is Aston Martins. Goldfinger was a DB5 (actually the prototype DB5- hence a DB4) but the DBS was used in On Her Majestys Secret Service And what a jolly good film it is, too. The Persuaders also uses a DBS, make to look like the DBS V8 (hence the Dino was able to keep up with it!). The DBS used in "On her majestys secret service" is the only car ever whicg can squeal its tyres when wheelspinning on sand!!!

Ah, but the DBS has the same engine as the DB6 Vantage, which is essentially the same car.

As for the DBS in OHMSS - they dubbed a V8 soundtrack over it. Goldfinger, Thunderball and Goldeneye are the ones you want for that Aston Martin straight-six thrum.