Any comments with this listing?

[TheHound]

Hi All

I'm looking at getting a weekend sports car, and the Vantage V8 is calling to me. My three main criteria are: the 4.7 engine, manual transmission, and the convertible.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102189...

This listing ticks all the boxes. Even though I would rather a dark blue than black, I think the colour is less important than the above 3 criteria, and finding the exact colour with all of the above intact seems like it would probably impossible. Therefore I'm thinking of investigating this one further and contacting the seller.

Are there any observations that leap out to people, based purely off the listing? They did not bother to tart up the car for the photos - is that a warning sign of anything? Is there anything I should ask, other than what work has been done on it (and particularly if the clutch has been replaced)?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm new to this sector of car ownership (owned sports cars in the past but nothing higher than an RX8 and my current DD is an Audi S6 Avant).

[TheHound]

Thanks for the comments. I noticed the audio was not the upgraded version. Ordinarily, as a music nut, this would be extremely important to me. Indeed in a daily driver it would be essential. But as this would be a weekend car, and I would be wanting to listen to that V8, I am less bothered here. Plus, perhaps most of all, that I'm not sure I will be likely to find a car that hits my main criteria and has the upgraded audio, in this kind of price range. Maybe I'm wrong.

bogie said:

Looks fine, as you state manual roadsters are very rare (my preference too) and there is a big price jump to a 2012.25 car with the updates that brought. £12k more on autotrader. For sub £40k that looks to be the best option on the market for a manual 4.7 roadster.

Is this example just prior to the 2012.25 update, or does it include the updates? I think it's June 2012 registered, which would imply it is the update, but not clear on this. edit: I think you're saying it isn't, and that an updated one would be 12k more - right?

I did read about the updates but can only recall that hill assist and Garmin satnav to replace the Volvo one became available, but not sure if these were options or standard.

AdamV12V said:

3 things I noticed, each of which may not be a problem for you.

• It only has the 160W std audio, which isn't very good being honest. The Premium 700W system is a huge upgrade, and is as a result seemingly more common.
• Doesn't have the sports pack suspension, so ride/handling will be comfort biased rather than sports.
• Seat in one of the pics looks badly scratched

Just observations - you may be aware and happy with each of these. Good luck.

Thanks Adam. How easy would it be to tart up the seats, in your experience?

Good point on the sports suspension. That's a shame, as it would be a weekend driver's car, rather than a comfortable tourer, but not sure if it's a dealbreaker. Does it make that much difference?

Is it likely another convertible will come on the market with 4.7 engine and manual transmission (in this kind of price range)? Given the apparent rarity of that combo, particularly given the manual element, I wonder if I would regret not looking further into this one and waiting fruitlessly for something else with better audio/dark blue colour/sports pack suspension.

Edited by TheHound on Tuesday 4th May 15:51

Edited by TheHound on Tuesday 4th May 15:52

[TheHound]

bogie said:

https://astonmartins.com/car/v8-vantage-4-7-roadst...

see above for the MY2012.25 update. The 4.7 listed may be one of the last of the previous model years registrations. The 4.7 came in MY2009 to MY2012.

Some people prefer the original shape versus new bumper/splitter/sills of the later cars.

Thank you.

LTP said:

Had a quick look. Difficult to assess the paint as they have let water dry on it, so it's covered in waterspots. It could be an illusion but it looks like the boot lid may be contacting the upper edge of the bumper - there look to be a couple of places where the colour has worn through, showing the white primer. There may also be two or three scratches on the bumper itself just right of centre by the crease line - but it could be a trick of the light. Again the waterspots mask much, but the nose seems suspiciously free of any stone chips and I couldn't see PPF, so it may have had some paint done. The close-up of the "Vantage" badge shows the car really does need a detail - Paddy's your man.

Wheels look OK, but there is some evidence of light kerbing. They only show two of the four - I wonder what the other two are like?

I'd echo the comments on the "sports" suspension. You'll find the laughingly called "comfort" suspension pretty firm compared with most cars - I actually decided I wanted a little more compliance as the roads round by me are shocking, but frankly I drove both comfort and 'S' sports in Coupe, didn't find a huge difference and I doubt on UK roads you'd (I'd) be able to exploit the difference anyway. The biggest improvement I found was junking Bridgestones, if it's still on them - it was as if I'd had new softer bushes fitted and I could imagine owning an 'S' had I known how much difference changing tyres made, as all the cars I tested were on the standard Bridgestones.

Understandably they show it at its best, with the roof down. So you can't see the condition of the hood - I'd want to check it as they are not cheap.

Looking at the seats, and the scuffs on the anodised sills, I know it's not a young car but it may have been owned by someone who doesn't regard a car as thing of pride and joy. They haven't shown a picture of the seat side bolsters, which is where a lot of the wear takes place.

One more thing - and this is a personal gripe about the Roadster (I have a V8V Coupe). Have you actually driven one with the hood up? The rear quarter vision over the shoulder I found appalling as there is no window in the hood behind the door glass, and the view out through the rear window isn't that great to compensate. Obviously when the wind is in the hair it isn't a problem, but knowing UK weather and depending how hardcore you are, you may be driving it a bit with the hood up.

Some astute observations - thank you. If I go and see the car I willd definitely bear those in mind. And that's what my initial thoughts on the sports suspension were too - good to hear the same from a couple of other people.

Yeah, the scuffs on the leather and other little scratches (like on the door sills) make me question the care taken by the owners; also with 4 previous, the odds are higher there was at least one who didn't treat it as a pride and joy, as you put it. Who knows how much the engine has been over-revved when cold too. I guess that's one of the risks buying used. But I would certainly expect the dealer to make the car more presentable if purchased.

No, not driven the roadster, only the coupe, and that was on a track. I've heard the same about rear vision - apparently worst when pulling out at junctions, which obviously isn't great. But I'm pretty keen on a convertible; I miss having one, and it's a weekend fun car, so not sure the decreased visibility ought to be a dealbreaker.

Do many cars with the combination of requirements I mentioned come on the market? Wondering how seriously to take this, or whether to try my luck waiting and seeing if anything else turns up. It's a bit of a distance to go and see (about 80 miles) but I'll happily do so of course.

[TheHound]

LTP said:

In hindsight and having seen the swirls (fixed by Paddy)

Thanks again. Forgive my ignorance, but who is Paddy?


I got the service history through. Not an expert at parsing these things, but noticed a few things:

1. Clutch was replaced in 2019, which I guess is pretty good. Not sure what other major things to check whether they were replaced
2. There was clearly a knock, as there is a receipt for bodywork repair of front bumper and left wing
3. The car was bought in 2018 by Ernst and Young, so has clearly been a company car since then. This pre-dates the clutch replacement and bodywork mentioned above. Also, the mileage was 26,360 at this point, and is now 54,634, so almost half the car's miles have been racked up in these three years. I guess this is evidence the car was probably not cared for that much during this time, and possibly thrashed/driven not so responsibily. Definitely a bit off-putting. Then again, manual 4.7 Vantage Roadster for aounrd £40k is pretty tempting on paper!

mhurley said:

I'm selling my manual roadster if anyone is interested. It's 2008 N400 roadster in black
54,989 miles
FSH
Clutch changed at 34k

Have you listed it anywhere? Assuming it's the 4.7 I'd take a look, if so.

Edited by TheHound on Wednesday 5th May 13:54

[TheHound]

Thanks for the comments. Yeah I'm edging towards discounting this one. I think it's been thrashed a bit since being a corporate car, and the poor listing quality is not a great sign.

There's another lovely one up in Newcastle - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104131...

Quite a bit more cash, but ticks the boxes and is a nicer colour and even includes the upgraded stereo (as per main description, though the specifications list says it has the standard one). In the light of the comment about haggling, what would be a realistic price I may be able to get this one down to?

Also, when did the dash change to that cleaner, touch button version (I did try and google this but couldn't find the answer)? Is it generally considered an improvement over the old one?

[TheHound]

Wife is not keen on me spending the higher price.

I found a pretty nice one here on Pistonheads - still above what I was anticipating spending but less than the Newcastle one and ultra low mileage. I don't know what the etiquette is on posting/discussing listings from this site on the forums, but it's this one: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11219491

As a general question, and if this does transgress anything please let me know, but how much is reasonable as a percentage to expect to be haggle off with these kinds of sales?

Jon39 said:

There have been three different centre consoles.
1st MY 2005 4.3
2nd MY 2009 4.7 (taken from the DBS)
3rd the one which you have asked about (taken from the Vanquish)

I don't know exactly when the 3rd one was introduced (obviously MY2016) but might have been a year earlier.

All personal choice as always. I like the second version. Slightly fiddly to use, but looks good to me.

Thank you - very informative.

[TheHound]

The E and Y car listing has been taken down now, for some reason.

[TheHound]

LTP said:

Perhaps they've found this thread?

It did occur.

[TheHound]

Jon39 said:

There is a premium in the price, but that must reflect the particular car.
The photos show an 'as-new' car, with odometer just 3,278 miles. Few like that around now.

Much haggle room, do you think?

[TheHound]

Thank you. One final question - possibly a silly one. At this mileage is it unnecessary to get an independent check (I've used the AA in the past for this)? On the one hand, low mileage; on the other, high value car!

[TheHound]

I can't remember the timing of the check last time. I guess it's normally done once a price and deal in principle are agreed, right?

As convenient as it would be, I couldn't get the check done before driving 2 hours to test drive it, I assume. Which would allow me, if the check had gone well, to potentially drive away with it that day.

[TheHound]

Well, it is at least something to be aware of, especially if I don't end up convincing myself to spend a bit more, and end up looking more at a higher mileage car (bit of vacillation). I have read about subframe rust on these so useful to see it corroborated. This does look like the condition is rather lovely, though.

Really been a helpful response in this thread - thank you all. I should not be surprised that a subforum of Aston owners are a splendid bunch of chaps.