1st generation Vanquish

1st generation Vanquish

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skeena river rover

Original Poster:

57 posts

100 months

Wednesday 24th January 2018
quotequote all
Hi Guy's

Thinking about adding a 1st generation Vanquish to the stable. Just like to hear from Vanquish owners what to look out for. I know clutch is tricky.

The problem is that i live in Northern BC Canada. Aston martin is 1000 miles away! So my next question would be is the Vanquish easy to work on for a indy mechanic?

Not putting a lot of miles on her maybe 1500 a year. Ps i already own a 2007 DB9 with sports pack what a dearly love.

Cheers from a very cold part of Canada.

MarkM3Evoplus

804 posts

199 months

Wednesday 24th January 2018
quotequote all
Best thing is to get on the AMOC Newport Pagnell Vanquish forum.

Very helpful re part replacement, as much was Jaguar, Ford & Volvo, so can be pick up for a fraction of the AML price.

I don't think they are particularly easy to work on and gearbox setup needs specialist equipment.

I suspect lack of maintenance knowledge in the USA for example has depressed prices compared to UK/Europe.

I love mine and whilst it's been reliable for the small mileage I have done, it has been expensive maintenance wise.

JohnG1

3,462 posts

204 months

Wednesday 24th January 2018
quotequote all
skeena river rover said:
Hi Guy's

Thinking about adding a 1st generation Vanquish to the stable. Just like to hear from Vanquish owners what to look out for. I know clutch is tricky.

The problem is that i live in Northern BC Canada. Aston martin is 1000 miles away! So my next question would be is the Vanquish easy to work on for a indy mechanic?

Not putting a lot of miles on her maybe 1500 a year. Ps i already own a 2007 DB9 with sports pack what a dearly love.

Cheers from a very cold part of Canada.
Whenever I drop my car in for a service Bamford Rose have between 5 and 10 Vanquish (Newport Pagnell era) in at one time. They've even fitted carbon ceramic brakes to them.

So, I would post on their sticky thread and ask...

Stmh1

20 posts

79 months

Wednesday 24th January 2018
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They do need specialist equipment for the gearbox / clutch setup. Mine is great, but I have a local specialist who knows what they are doing. I wouldn't have one personally without access to that knowledge and equipment nearby. Fantastic car though, and I enjoy every single mile in it.

skeena river rover

Original Poster:

57 posts

100 months

Thursday 25th January 2018
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Thanks for the info. Found some good info on the AMOC website. I might pull the trigger on one!

MarkM3Evoplus

804 posts

199 months

Thursday 25th January 2018
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Keep us updated.

Make sure you get it checked over by an expert before you buy.

Front subframe corrodes and unless you have a specialist with a jig to rebuild it, replacement is c£15,000, so a decent pre purchase inspection can save you loads of money.


wtdoom

3,742 posts

207 months

Friday 26th January 2018
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Personally I find the gear box simply unlivable . Having said that I'd love a manual conversion one , I think works do it for 15k

KevinBird

1,036 posts

206 months

Friday 26th January 2018
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wtdoom said:
Personally I find the gear box simply unlivable . Having said that I'd love a manual conversion one , I think works do it for 15k
I had a manual conversion by Works better but the Ford Puma steering wheel just stopped be loving it, not a great car


Speedraser

1,656 posts

182 months

Sunday 28th January 2018
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I'm in the States, and can echo most of what has been said above. Absolutely wonderful, iconic car. Far more maintenance intensive than the Gaydon cars, and you need a knowledgeable specialist or dealer. Wonderful car.

MarkM3Evoplus

804 posts

199 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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wtdoom said:
Personally I find the gear box simply unlivable . Having said that I'd love a manual conversion one , I think works do it for 15k
Mine has all the upgrades to late S standard, and find the gearbox fine, even at low speeds in traffic, although always in manual mode, never tried ASM.

Cheers,

F1NDW

359 posts

150 months

Sunday 4th February 2018
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MarkM3Evoplus said:
wtdoom said:
Personally I find the gear box simply unlivable . Having said that I'd love a manual conversion one , I think works do it for 15k
Mine has all the upgrades to late S standard, and find the gearbox fine, even at low speeds in traffic, although always in manual mode, never tried ASM.

Cheers,
I love the gearbox as designed, smooth fast changes and I just use the ASM when cruising in traffic, it works just fine. You really do have to learn to drive this car and it will reward you with a great driving experience. Watch the Chris Harris Ferrari F12 video on youtube. As he said if he hadn't had the car for a few day's to get used to the gearbox he probably would have hated it.

V8LM

5,166 posts

208 months

Sunday 4th February 2018
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Vanquish is fabulous. I know someone in Victoria (still a few miles south of you) but has three I think.

Treat them kindly and they will reward in spades.

Composer62

1,627 posts

85 months

Sunday 4th February 2018
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Sorry, not a contribution to the thread as such but very interested in the OP's user name.

I toured BC\Alberta last year and had an interesting time while driving near the Skeena River.. ended up calling 911 to save four canoeists who had capsized and were being swept away by the very strong currents. Happened just at this sign....




.....where I'd just stopped off to take some photos .. we were driving something very subtle :-)


Brital

105 posts

120 months

Monday 5th February 2018
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Fantastic car if well set up. Having a dealer or Indy with the special tool (nicknamed the octopus) to sync the transmission is important. Like all Astons of that era they can throw engine warnings due to failed coil packs which are not easy to access to replace. But if you're already running a DB9 you will be familiar with some of that I suspect. Love my Vanquish S - just wish I had more time to drive it!

MarkM3Evoplus

804 posts

199 months

Monday 5th February 2018
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UK owners, there is a NP Vanquish Rolling Road morning taking place in Farnborough, Hampshire on May 12th.

PM me if interested in taking part.

Kind regards,

Mark

Brital

105 posts

120 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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Hi Skeena River Rover. Great articles on the AMOC website Forum in the Newport Pagnell Vanquish section which will help with General maintenance and repair if you feel up for it. We are in Vancouver and Victoria in the summer to see what BC has to offer. Afraid the cars will be staying home though!

Gbox

15 posts

193 months

Saturday 10th February 2018
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Hi Skeena River Rover. Someone else in BC has just taken delivery of his Vanquish.

He's based in Seattle I think. Let me know if you want his details as I am sure he would love to know there was another VQ around. He has the auto gearbox conversion in his. He also has reliable mechanics and access to us.

skeena river rover

Original Poster:

57 posts

100 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies! Till this day I have not found then right vanquish. The specialist tools and mechanics it very tough. I live quite remote. That being said I might pull the trigger because I only live once.

MarkM3Evoplus

804 posts

199 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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The gear change system is effectively the same as Ferrari F1/ Lambo E-gear/Alfa Selespeed, if that helps finding a tech.

ASM pump the same as Ferrari 575 F1.

Alternatively find one with a manual gearbox conversion or auto box fitted.

Good luck in you search.

yvr

311 posts

145 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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There's a bargain-priced 2003 Vanq ($50K CAD) listed on Autotrader.ca right now. It's located in the BC lower mainland, close to Vancouver.