Buying a Vantage privately
Discussion
Being my first foray into AM ownership I bought thru a dealer. I can understand the merits of buying privately but the warranty in the first 3 months has been invaluable. Guess if you get a full pre inspection done by a A.M. specialist and it comes up clean then great, but I’ve had 4-5 niggles and potentially expensive bits on my 09 year sorted by dealer. Just my thoughts..
2009 4.7 V8V bought privately - bargain price compared to through a dealer. Low mileage, beautifully looked after, FAMSH, I had no concerns.
8 months later, one wheel bearing failure (£200, was rumbling when I bought it but I never noticed) and an external temp sensor (£15).
Oh, and a whole pile of grins........
thrown in for free!!!!!
If I were after a high mileage model, I'd maybe consider the back up of the dealer network and a warranty.
8 months later, one wheel bearing failure (£200, was rumbling when I bought it but I never noticed) and an external temp sensor (£15).
Oh, and a whole pile of grins........
thrown in for free!!!!!If I were after a high mileage model, I'd maybe consider the back up of the dealer network and a warranty.
Would not be too concerned so long as all the usual stuff checks out, good owner and history.
Some people are risk averse buy from a dealer paying high margins and renew the yearly warranty religiously each year....others are happy to run 5-10 year old models with no warranty....all depends on your attitude to risk and if you feel lucky
Some people are risk averse buy from a dealer paying high margins and renew the yearly warranty religiously each year....others are happy to run 5-10 year old models with no warranty....all depends on your attitude to risk and if you feel lucky
I bought my DB9 privately and would def recommend getting a AM specialist to inspect it before you buy. It'll give you peace of mind once you've bought (knowing what needs to be done to it) and an opportunity to legitimately knock the price down before you do buy it!
My other piece of advice is to look at as many as you can afford the time to view, so that you can get a good idea of what's out there in terms of condition, nr owners, history vs price, etc so that you know when you've found one good enough to invest in the inspection cost. Don't buy the first one you see - you may think it's great, but I can guarantee you'll find a better one if you're patient.
My other piece of advice is to look at as many as you can afford the time to view, so that you can get a good idea of what's out there in terms of condition, nr owners, history vs price, etc so that you know when you've found one good enough to invest in the inspection cost. Don't buy the first one you see - you may think it's great, but I can guarantee you'll find a better one if you're patient.
If you check out the seller ok and it has service history records it should be fine.
Main advantage of an AM dealer is the warranty, but you could add that and still save.
Buy from an enthusiast that has spent a bit along the way and it should be good . The Vantage is pretty robust so regular service evidence is the main issue.
If the last buyer bought from AM at least you know it was checked thoroughly at that point.
Any wear and tear items are not warranty so you still need to consider these dealer or otherwise, e.g. Clutch brakes etc
Main advantage of an AM dealer is the warranty, but you could add that and still save.
Buy from an enthusiast that has spent a bit along the way and it should be good . The Vantage is pretty robust so regular service evidence is the main issue.
If the last buyer bought from AM at least you know it was checked thoroughly at that point.
Any wear and tear items are not warranty so you still need to consider these dealer or otherwise, e.g. Clutch brakes etc
I bought my latest Vantage from a dealer, but the previous two privately (and sold them privately). They’re generally robust and reliable cars - if it has full history and ideally a recent dealer or specialist service, and if the usual consumables are checked, I think you’re pretty safe - and any saving will give you a bit of comfort too. The other bonus of buying privately is getting to meet the owner - you can often get a good idea of how well the car has been looked after; there’s a saying “people buy from people”.
I bought my 2006 V8 Vantage privately 6 months ago. It was the first Aston I had looked at properly and it was all about condition for me. I wanted something other than Grey/ black and there are not too many about at £30K-£35K. I would rather trust a good inspection than rely on a warranty, a personal decision but more reassuring in my mind. Bamford Rose or others will do an inspection if you wish or take a mechanic with some model knowledge. Exterior/ interior condition is not too difficult and any car with a good history should have no real surprises. A good feeling from the owner plus everything checking out should see you sorted. No problems since buying and another inspection last month found no problems. Once you have bought it, just drive it and wash it as often as you can, still not sure which I enjoy most!
Buying privately is fine but as a seller potential buyers made me loose the will to live and would make me think twice to trying to sell privately again at this value.
In short I advertised my 4.7 Roadster last year, Aston serviced every year, recent clutch, tyres, over 6 months premium warranty etc. I had a few e mails and calls but often opening with “will you accept ?”. After a week someone interested came to view the car and after spending nearly 2 hours looking over the car and paperwork offered me £10k less than my asking price with the main reason being the rear box has been changed to a Larini one (by Aston) and it is “a buyers market”.
On a positive note I decided to keep it and enjoy every minute when I do get to use it.
In short I advertised my 4.7 Roadster last year, Aston serviced every year, recent clutch, tyres, over 6 months premium warranty etc. I had a few e mails and calls but often opening with “will you accept ?”. After a week someone interested came to view the car and after spending nearly 2 hours looking over the car and paperwork offered me £10k less than my asking price with the main reason being the rear box has been changed to a Larini one (by Aston) and it is “a buyers market”.
On a positive note I decided to keep it and enjoy every minute when I do get to use it.
when I looked the private ones in a spec and range I was after were few and far between (and often at the other end of the country).
look at few with dealers locally and work out what you want and get idea of conditions and inside spec and options. In 6 months of looking I never saw colour, year and spec I really wanted though - so need to compromise.
As already said if inspected and history OK the difference should more than cover a warranty although some wear and tear items are high cost to replace.
Looking by autotrader it seems currently only about 10 out of 100 or so 4.3s are private sales although should pick up as year goes on. Didn't look at any privately (4.7s though) as a lot easier test driving etc at dealers..
look at few with dealers locally and work out what you want and get idea of conditions and inside spec and options. In 6 months of looking I never saw colour, year and spec I really wanted though - so need to compromise.
As already said if inspected and history OK the difference should more than cover a warranty although some wear and tear items are high cost to replace.
Looking by autotrader it seems currently only about 10 out of 100 or so 4.3s are private sales although should pick up as year goes on. Didn't look at any privately (4.7s though) as a lot easier test driving etc at dealers..
The standard stereo (160w) was no better than the standard stereo on my 2001 golf, whereas the premium (700w) is very nice and tuneable.
I think it is a pain in the shorts to upgrade the standard, and more expensive than what you typically pay extra for one with premium.
I wouldn’t have bought a car without premium audio because I love music in the car
I think it is a pain in the shorts to upgrade the standard, and more expensive than what you typically pay extra for one with premium.
I wouldn’t have bought a car without premium audio because I love music in the car
ds666 said:
Thanks for the feedback . On another matter , is the std stereo any good and if not can it be easily upgraded ??
Depends on what you are used to and your expectations. I had standard for 10 years and managed fine with it, its a nice to have for me rather than a key decision maker on a purchaseMy lastest Vantage does have premium stereo and it is noticeably better. If I found the "perfect car" in every other way I would not let the lack of premium stereo prevent me from buying it.
Its tricky to upgrade the head unit, but adding amp/speakers/sub is like any other modern car.
South tdf said:
Buying privately is fine but as a seller potential buyers made me loose the will to live and would make me think twice to trying to sell privately again at this value.
In short I advertised my 4.7 Roadster last year, Aston serviced every year, recent clutch, tyres, over 6 months premium warranty etc. I had a few e mails and calls but often opening with “will you accept ?”. After a week someone interested came to view the car and after spending nearly 2 hours looking over the car and paperwork offered me £10k less than my asking price with the main reason being the rear box has been changed to a Larini one (by Aston) and it is “a buyers market”.
On a positive note I decided to keep it and enjoy every minute when I do get to use it.
£10k less! In short I advertised my 4.7 Roadster last year, Aston serviced every year, recent clutch, tyres, over 6 months premium warranty etc. I had a few e mails and calls but often opening with “will you accept ?”. After a week someone interested came to view the car and after spending nearly 2 hours looking over the car and paperwork offered me £10k less than my asking price with the main reason being the rear box has been changed to a Larini one (by Aston) and it is “a buyers market”.
On a positive note I decided to keep it and enjoy every minute when I do get to use it.
some people make me sick, to offer 10k les is just ignorant, obviously watched too many episodes of 'Wheeler dealer'. Glad you kept the car and hopefully gave two fingers to the idiot.I looked for around 12 months for right car and eventually bought from a main dealer. If the same car would've been private I'd have had no hesitation in buying it. As has been said at least you get a feel for the owner and how the cars been looked after, good luck
although the 'timeless' warranty came in handy as I had shall we say, an 'issue'
Edited by macdeb on Saturday 13th January 09:32
Edited by macdeb on Saturday 13th January 09:33
Edited by macdeb on Saturday 13th January 09:38
I bought mine privately, 2007 4.3.
Paying an AM dealer spread on toys like this would reduce the 'level of car' I could play with. So I accept hassle of sourcing my own car as part of the game/fun. There are really great cars out there in the private market. McGurk and a few others are the only non Am dealers where the dealer (IMO) offers much value over a private sale, there are a Lot of dogs out there in dodgy forecourts.
I Managed to find one privately in very very good condition with a premium warranty, that de-risked the purchase for me nicely.
I will also try and sell it privately, although the AM private market looks pretty slow / unusual to me. Compared to other marques I've bought and sold privately (BMW M, lotus, TVR) whose private sale markets all valued the individual owners, upgrades/improvements and use of independant specialist garages for servicing, a lot of AM owners appear to buy into the whole dealer AM servicing magic. Its a market/perception AM actively try to Foster (for obvious reasons) and seem to do well at, I suspect the average owner profile (mature owner with excess cash who probably doesn't have much mechanical knowledge /time to mess about) exacerbates this effect.
I'm due a service and it grates a little to spend 700 on some oil and a filter with AM Tbh, but for the few hundred you could save servicing elsewhere, IMO you'll lower you future purchasing pool and you'll lose more than the £300 at sale anyway! . At least I get to see some fun toys when I take the car in, my local am dealer are very good, which helps ease the pain
Finally, on a private or non Am purchase you can pay a few hundred for an AM inspection and 2.3k for a years premium AM warranty to have near zero worry for a year.
TLDR; private cars can be better than indy dealer ones in condition. AM sourced cars condition will be ace and zero worry, but you'll be paying 5+k over other dealers/private. Pays your money, makes your choice
Good luck!
Paying an AM dealer spread on toys like this would reduce the 'level of car' I could play with. So I accept hassle of sourcing my own car as part of the game/fun. There are really great cars out there in the private market. McGurk and a few others are the only non Am dealers where the dealer (IMO) offers much value over a private sale, there are a Lot of dogs out there in dodgy forecourts.
I Managed to find one privately in very very good condition with a premium warranty, that de-risked the purchase for me nicely.
I will also try and sell it privately, although the AM private market looks pretty slow / unusual to me. Compared to other marques I've bought and sold privately (BMW M, lotus, TVR) whose private sale markets all valued the individual owners, upgrades/improvements and use of independant specialist garages for servicing, a lot of AM owners appear to buy into the whole dealer AM servicing magic. Its a market/perception AM actively try to Foster (for obvious reasons) and seem to do well at, I suspect the average owner profile (mature owner with excess cash who probably doesn't have much mechanical knowledge /time to mess about) exacerbates this effect.
I'm due a service and it grates a little to spend 700 on some oil and a filter with AM Tbh, but for the few hundred you could save servicing elsewhere, IMO you'll lower you future purchasing pool and you'll lose more than the £300 at sale anyway! . At least I get to see some fun toys when I take the car in, my local am dealer are very good, which helps ease the pain
Finally, on a private or non Am purchase you can pay a few hundred for an AM inspection and 2.3k for a years premium AM warranty to have near zero worry for a year.
TLDR; private cars can be better than indy dealer ones in condition. AM sourced cars condition will be ace and zero worry, but you'll be paying 5+k over other dealers/private. Pays your money, makes your choice
Good luck!
ds666 said:
I currently looking for a 4.3 Vantage - what are people's views on buying privately ?
I bought our V8V privately. Every car I've ever bought I've bought privately (7 cars I'm 38 y/o). In the beginning it was about best use of money. As time has moved forward I have seen other reasons. These include:- You get to meet the previous owner. Do you want to own the property previously owned by this guy or woman. It's a huge consideration. Do they like the car? Do they seem like a bulls
tter? Look into the whites of their eyes - ask them have you maintained this car properly or is work outstanding. - Some people think if you buy used you "buy other people's problems". I believe this is true if you are a car dealer. If you are a private seller what will you think about selling someone a massive lemon and, effectively, ripping them off? Quite, not a lot and you won't relish the thought of pissed off buyer returning to your house where you live with your family, even if he's just a normal dude with an office job.
- So see point one above and confirm the vendor is not a double hard b
d who owns a scaffolding business. If he or she is broadly your level professionally and you think they are ok the you have a deal.- Make sure vendor lives where you inspect the car. Make sure v5 matches. The only time I didn't do this I got burn for a new clutch kit. I knew the guy was a slippery fish but the car was well priced so I was keen. He was careful in making sure I didn't go to his house and the sale of his car also coincided with his house move. Lesson, if there are barriers to you turning up on the vendors doorstep in the future then be careful. (Obv it's is a private sale and nothing you.can gain from doing so, but most people don't want that sort of conflict so it's a good sign car is acceptable).
- given the above if you had a lemon, what would you do with it. Personally I'd work it off on a car dealer. That's what they are there for - to carry the risk. When you buy used from a dealer that's potentially what you're buying - the cars that people weren't willing to sell in their own name.
- No dealer will "mint" a car before they sell. Yes they have brand standards to uphold but they are in a business, they are not the red cross. Imho that's why a lot of people report getting things fixed on warranty by the dealer. The dealer just.waits to see what you.bring it back for - in many cases it's not that they didn't know what was wrong with the car.
- Look at the dealers profit margins. Are you really telling yourself that with the application of some brain and using the knowledge of mechanics and contacts you have gained in your car enthusiast life that you can't do the same job and keep hold of some cash. Unless you have always been a go to dealer and pull your pants down man when it comes to all aspects of car ownership and sale then the answer must be that you can do better privately.
- Is there a risk, Yes. Is handing over 40k plus privately something to take lightly - No. Can you do it carefully, learn from past experiences and come up smelling of roses and without having a dealer shaped void in your anal canal - yes
Hope helpful
Shinjuku
Edited by Shinjuku79 on Saturday 13th January 12:52
Those of you who think the main dealer cars are perfect and worry-free obviously havent looked at many . The prep on these cars is very bad most had paint work which showed and i was not impressed. Then again i,m sure one or two might be good.
I personally would prefer to buy from someone like Top555 who have very high standards.
I personally would prefer to buy from someone like Top555 who have very high standards.
South tdf said:
Buying privately is fine but as a seller potential buyers made me loose the will to live and would make me think twice to trying to sell privately again at this value.
In short I advertised my 4.7 Roadster last year, Aston serviced every year, recent clutch, tyres, over 6 months premium warranty etc. I had a few e mails and calls but often opening with “will you accept ?”. After a week someone interested came to view the car and after spending nearly 2 hours looking over the car and paperwork offered me £10k less than my asking price with the main reason being the rear box has been changed to a Larini one (by Aston) and it is “a buyers market”.
On a positive note I decided to keep it and enjoy every minute when I do get to use it.
I also had a go selling mine privately last year. Very disappointing phone calls from people who haven't done their search beforehand, they didn't know anything about Aston, mostly used to own a Porsche, are a bit scared about rumoured reliability problems (well, of course Porsches are known for being perfectly reliable! In short I advertised my 4.7 Roadster last year, Aston serviced every year, recent clutch, tyres, over 6 months premium warranty etc. I had a few e mails and calls but often opening with “will you accept ?”. After a week someone interested came to view the car and after spending nearly 2 hours looking over the car and paperwork offered me £10k less than my asking price with the main reason being the rear box has been changed to a Larini one (by Aston) and it is “a buyers market”.
On a positive note I decided to keep it and enjoy every minute when I do get to use it.
), I had one guy coming to view, wanted me to take him for a ride (didn't ask to drive, I wouldn't have let him drive anyway), we drove off with the top down but he asked shortly after we set off if I could put the top back on to check if it wasn't too noisy with the roof up.Anyway after the drive, he said he was genuinely interested and was going to think about it. He later told me my car was way too expensive and that he had found exactly the same car for much less than what I was asking. When I enquired further he told me the much cheaper car he was considering buying was a N430, he didn't even know mine was a V12!
I also decided to keep in the end, I would find it very sad to sell my pride and joy to some ignorant buyer.
To come back to the OP's question, I would certainly buy privately on the condition it has been maintained by a dealer or recognised specialist and after the car has received a full check up by an Aston dealer.
Edited by CSK1 on Saturday 13th January 13:03
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff