Top lurker finally takes the plunge!
Discussion
Hello all,
OK, be gentle. Let me begin by saying I have more or less lurked on this fantastic forum since 2012 or so. Only one post to my name and I can't even remember what that was about. For this I will apologise right now.
In my defence, as much as I have read up on these cars, I bought Grant's book years ago - now worn out and tattered - watched all relevant Youtube videos, followed numerous threads and websites on everything to do with the modern Aston Martin era but because I didn't actually own one felt quite awkward offering an opinion.
I have now finally, after a few false starts, managed to secure myself my first Aston - a 2009 V8 Vantage with 4.7l engine, sports pack, manual gearbox and grigio titanio paint with very, very low miles on the clock and FAMSH. It ticks all boxes except for the Premium Audio but really.... I don't need that!
The car looks amazing, just like it was delivered in 2009, absolutely spotless.
I pick up the car around the end of the month and feel it's the end of a journey and the beginning of the next.
So, without further ado, here are some pics (courtesy of the previous owner Phil).
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/GJZuOtpG.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/uvfTK6Fs" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/uvfTK6Fs.jpg)
More pics will follow next month with better background, i.e. local Scottish Highland scenes, empty roads, etc...
Standby for imminent queries on various bits and bobs. Still undecided over a private plate. I might just buck the trend and keep the regular one - subtle and low-key as possible. Remote exhaust switch is getting bought and also probably the clear light conversion. Also need some PPF on the front. Tony Hall has already had an email for sill plates - order going in soon.
Very much looking forward to some good Pistonheads banter and meeting up with some of you over the next few years.
thanks
rovcallum
OK, be gentle. Let me begin by saying I have more or less lurked on this fantastic forum since 2012 or so. Only one post to my name and I can't even remember what that was about. For this I will apologise right now.
In my defence, as much as I have read up on these cars, I bought Grant's book years ago - now worn out and tattered - watched all relevant Youtube videos, followed numerous threads and websites on everything to do with the modern Aston Martin era but because I didn't actually own one felt quite awkward offering an opinion.
I have now finally, after a few false starts, managed to secure myself my first Aston - a 2009 V8 Vantage with 4.7l engine, sports pack, manual gearbox and grigio titanio paint with very, very low miles on the clock and FAMSH. It ticks all boxes except for the Premium Audio but really.... I don't need that!
The car looks amazing, just like it was delivered in 2009, absolutely spotless.
I pick up the car around the end of the month and feel it's the end of a journey and the beginning of the next.
So, without further ado, here are some pics (courtesy of the previous owner Phil).
More pics will follow next month with better background, i.e. local Scottish Highland scenes, empty roads, etc...
Standby for imminent queries on various bits and bobs. Still undecided over a private plate. I might just buck the trend and keep the regular one - subtle and low-key as possible. Remote exhaust switch is getting bought and also probably the clear light conversion. Also need some PPF on the front. Tony Hall has already had an email for sill plates - order going in soon.
Very much looking forward to some good Pistonheads banter and meeting up with some of you over the next few years.
thanks
rovcallum
first in, best dressed!!!!!
Collected car today. Road home was a longer route than usual
Got it dirty!!!!
Many thanks to the guys in the F-type and the i8 who were on the road from Grantown to Nairn at the same time, good hoon!
Got the remote fuse switch and the iPhone Bluetooth working well, thanks to everyone for the tips.
It's true what they say - I can't stop grinning!!!!!!!
Got it dirty!!!!
Many thanks to the guys in the F-type and the i8 who were on the road from Grantown to Nairn at the same time, good hoon!
Got the remote fuse switch and the iPhone Bluetooth working well, thanks to everyone for the tips.
It's true what they say - I can't stop grinning!!!!!!!
Mmm, not convinced yet.
I've seen pics of a similar car with clear lights and it looks "correct" if you know what I mean.
Never considered the red calipers as part of the overall look but gives me pause for thought.
Anyway, it's now put away for a month while I go back to work, so plenty of time to think about it!
I've seen pics of a similar car with clear lights and it looks "correct" if you know what I mean.
Never considered the red calipers as part of the overall look but gives me pause for thought.
Anyway, it's now put away for a month while I go back to work, so plenty of time to think about it!
Mileage is edging over 19K now, so I've put on about 2K miles in 3 months of ownership. More than the previous owner did in 4 years.
The exhaust valves are constantly switched (by remote) to OPEN and I'm overdosing on the noise every drive. Intoxicating!
I've changed the rear lights for clears but kept the originals if I ever sell.
I bought some N400 sills and am having really big problems getting a paint match - so they are not fitted yet.
A rear wheel bearing failed - it had always rumbled and I thought that was normal - now fixed and silent.
I never thought I'd ever say this but I really do enjoy cleaning and waxing the car.
The wife is slowly warming to the whole Aston thing. She used to say "It's just a car".
Weekend away coming up - in Ullapool.
The exhaust valves are constantly switched (by remote) to OPEN and I'm overdosing on the noise every drive. Intoxicating!
I've changed the rear lights for clears but kept the originals if I ever sell.
I bought some N400 sills and am having really big problems getting a paint match - so they are not fitted yet.
A rear wheel bearing failed - it had always rumbled and I thought that was normal - now fixed and silent.
I never thought I'd ever say this but I really do enjoy cleaning and waxing the car.
The wife is slowly warming to the whole Aston thing. She used to say "It's just a car".
Weekend away coming up - in Ullapool.
Met up with 8bit who took some lovely photos of the car at Huntly Castle the other week.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmoYbdTe
Enjoy.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmoYbdTe
Enjoy.
A little update from the north;
1 x Annual Service completed at Martin's Aston Services in Mollinsburn.Excellent job as always!
Also, 1 set of 200 Cell Cats fitted. Manufactured by Top Gear. Top quality, excellent fit, just driven 150 miles and all good.
One point to note: The Cats are not supplied with any gaskets or screws/nuts/washers. Best to replace all the screws as they will most likely shear off during removal. Use a thread anti-seize compound of your choice.
|https://thumbsnap.com/u0zdxNRS[/url]
What can I say? Car is now tranformed into an unruly beast. The noise above 4000 rpm is out of this world.
[url]
The sensors lined up with the holes perfectly and no pushing or pulling to make them fit. All in all, an easy job for the mechanic.
Also fitted the Headlight Ventilation System. Took about an hour but only because we were being a bit OCD about the cable routing.
Followed instructions to a point then made it a bit tidier. I'll update tomorrow as I came through lots of torrential rain on the journey home and I hadn't run the silastic round the access panels as per the instructions. Hopefully everything is dry but I will check tomorrow.
And finally, in good company.....
1 x Annual Service completed at Martin's Aston Services in Mollinsburn.Excellent job as always!
Also, 1 set of 200 Cell Cats fitted. Manufactured by Top Gear. Top quality, excellent fit, just driven 150 miles and all good.
One point to note: The Cats are not supplied with any gaskets or screws/nuts/washers. Best to replace all the screws as they will most likely shear off during removal. Use a thread anti-seize compound of your choice.
|https://thumbsnap.com/u0zdxNRS[/url]What can I say? Car is now tranformed into an unruly beast. The noise above 4000 rpm is out of this world.
[url]The sensors lined up with the holes perfectly and no pushing or pulling to make them fit. All in all, an easy job for the mechanic.
Also fitted the Headlight Ventilation System. Took about an hour but only because we were being a bit OCD about the cable routing.
Followed instructions to a point then made it a bit tidier. I'll update tomorrow as I came through lots of torrential rain on the journey home and I hadn't run the silastic round the access panels as per the instructions. Hopefully everything is dry but I will check tomorrow.
And finally, in good company.....
So, a little update on the car.
After the 200 Cell Cats were fitted in 2019, the car was eventually put on my local Rolling Road. I probably put the results on here but can't find the thread. Two curves - exhaust valves closed & open.
Just been serviced at Martin's Aston Services again.
Exhaust Manifolds (Top Gear) now fitted. Not easy install, need small fingers and some nifty socket extensions.
EGR connection has been kept.
ECU Stage 3 tune supplied by Velocity AP is now also installed.
On the same Rolling Road this week, same operator, same conditions.
And the noise is now even more fantastic!!!!
After the 200 Cell Cats were fitted in 2019, the car was eventually put on my local Rolling Road. I probably put the results on here but can't find the thread. Two curves - exhaust valves closed & open.
Just been serviced at Martin's Aston Services again.
Exhaust Manifolds (Top Gear) now fitted. Not easy install, need small fingers and some nifty socket extensions.
EGR connection has been kept.
ECU Stage 3 tune supplied by Velocity AP is now also installed.
On the same Rolling Road this week, same operator, same conditions.
And the noise is now even more fantastic!!!!
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