Aston Martin Vantage

AsSiMiLaTeD

Anyone driven one?

Now's not the best time with the job situation and all, but I have the means to do it, and have the opportunity to get a ridiculous deal on one, I mean REALLY ridiculous.

The one I'm looking at has the 4.3L V8, which should be plenty fast. I know there's a V12 model, but that'll never fall into my price range.

The model I'm looking at is a 2007 with 6k miles and is in pristine condition.

Anyone know much about Aston? I assume maintenance and repairs are going to cost an arm and a leg? How reliable are they?

I'll do my research of course, but wanted to get this up here in case any of you guys have any advice. I would likely be selling our M37 to get this, to give you an idea of where I'm coming from.

The guy's going to hold this one for me until Thursday morning, so I've got a day to figure it all out.

AsSiMiLaTeD

It looks like Top Gear reviewed this model in the first episode of series 7. I've not seen that episode, did anyone else catch it, remember how they liked it?

RuSsMaN

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gJIljitAYeg&quot; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Dude, you are about to become my BEST buddy. Granted the review is the roadster.....but c'mon man.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I can't actually watch that video from work, but can see the caption. Is that the one where Hammond races the guy on skates in the jet pack?

bobman1235

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

It looks like Top Gear reviewed this model in the first episode of series 7. I've not seen that episode, did anyone else catch it, remember how they liked it?

Seems worth the 99 cent investment.

http://www.amazon.com/Episode-1/dp/B003VXMMYU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297199894&sr=8-1

nadams

The V8 Vantage is a beautiful car... you will not be disappointed. The guys on top gear love the "Baby Aston"... actually more than they like the v12. It has a hell of a noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1ZkCRfBQVY

AsSiMiLaTeD

bobman1235 wrote: »

Seems worth the 99 cent investment.

http://www.amazon.com/Episode-1/dp/B003VXMMYU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297199894&sr=8-1

Oh crap, I forgot all those from series 6 onward are on Amazon, and that I already own them all, thanks for reminding me!

bobman1235

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Oh crap, I forgot all those from series 6 onward are on Amazon, and that I already own them all, thanks for reminding me!

That's about the only thing of value I could contribute to an Aston Martin conversation, outside of "boy those cars sure are purdy."

jflail2

I know I shouldn't ask, but I'm dying to know what REALLY ridiculous means

And if I ever find a REALLY ridiculous deal on an RS4, I'll be pulling the trigger that day (not to egg you on or anything...)

AsSiMiLaTeD

Awesome, it looks like they now have season 15 up as well.

I'm sure there's already a thread on here somewhere, but Top Gear is one of my favorite TV shows of all time!

AsSiMiLaTeD

I was actually asked not to disclose the price, but let's just call it in the ballpark of a mid level 5 series with some options. If it had been a 'take it or leave it now' kinda thing I would have just bought it knowing that I can flip it if needed, but he's holding it for a day so I've got some time to decide.

I know the guy and have done plenty of business with him before, so no worries about him selling out from under me.

jflail2

Wow, that's a great deal then if I'm thinking in the right price range!

Hah, my uneducated advice would be buy it and enjoy the **** out of it. Astons are on my list of cars to own before I die....

rdb2001

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I was actually asked not to disclose the price, but let's just call it in the ballpark of a mid level 5 series with some options. If it had been a 'take it or leave it now' kinda thing I would have just bought it knowing that I can flip it if needed, but he's holding it for a day so I've got some time to decide.

I know the guy and have done plenty of business with him before, so no worries about him selling out from under me.

Thats a heck of a deal. I would jump on it. I have seen maybe 3 Astons in my lifetime. I am only 27 though. This makes me think about the my future car. The E63 AMG or S550 Mercedes. Congrats on whatever you decide and post pics if you decide to keep it. I remember the last deal my wife made me pass up. A guy locally had a 2004 750i BMW. It had below 50,000 miles on it and still had time on the factory warranty. One owner and in immaculate condition. He wanted 23k for it and I asked him to hold it while I called the wife. Wife said no, next guy was already inline and bought the same day I passed it up. I totally regret not just buying it and asking for forgiveness later. This was in 2008.

Ricardo

Awesome car. Too bad it's British......

British car = headache

F1nut

Ford owned Aston Martin from 1994 to 2007 when they sold it to a group headed by Prodrive. Ford still owns a small part and as far as I know AM still uses Ford drive trains and electronics. So no, it's not a headache. I'd love to own one.

Ford also has part ownership in Mazda, Volvo and use to own Jaguar outright.

sucks2beme

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Anyone driven one?

Now's not the best time with the job situation and all, but I have the means to do it, and have the opportunity to get a ridiculous deal on one, I mean REALLY ridiculous.

There's a reason it's that price. Dealers aren't in the habit of giving stuff away. It's a lot easier to have the money and regret not buying it than
buying it and wishing you still had the money. There aren't many easy
flips right now. Money is tight.

polkfarmboy

Forget the car!!

Buy some mbl speakers !!!

cokewithvanilla

sucks2beme wrote: »

There aren't many easy
flips right now. Money is tight.

true, but if he likes the car, and it's a fair price, there is nothing wrong with going for it. That car should hold its value pretty well, if he chooses to sell it later down the line, he may not make money, but he probably won't lose a lot (as long as its as good a price as he says, i'd check recent sales to make sure). It depends on why he wants it. If he wants it to flip, probably not a good decision, but if he likes the car... well.. its a nice car

Sherardp

Nice car bro. The only thing that will hurt you is the maintenance costs. All the upper model cars costs money (much of it) to maintain. If you can handle that, then go for it. Oil, brakes, small things should be easy. I suggest going over to the Aston Martin forum and asking your questions specifically. I own a BMW 745i and it takes a lot to maintain, battery + computer programming hit me for 600.00. So think similiar costs. I'm planning to move to the Mercedes S550 this yr. GL, nice car. If you can do it, then go for it. Live the dream.

nooshinjohn

F1nut wrote: »

Ford owned Aston Martin from 1994 to 2007 when they sold it to a group headed by Prodrive. Ford still owns a small part and as far as I know AM still uses Ford drive trains and electronics. So no, it's not a headache. I'd love to own one.

Ford also has part ownership in Mazda, Volvo and use to own Jaguar outright.

Aston powerplants all have Jaguar in their DNA. The Jag V-8's share only a very few components from the Ford parts bin and the Jag v-12's were given to Aston after Jag built their last 12 cylinder cars in 1997. They were not designed by Ford. As far as electronics goes, the Jags and Astons have more in common with BMW than with anything from Ford.

The Aston Martin is on the short list for my next car, along with the Ferrari Maranello.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Here's a picture of the one I'm looking at. I've got a few questions to get answered on it, but barring any problems I think we're gonna get it.

Ricardo

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Aston powerplants all have Jaguar in their DNA. The Jag V-8's share only a very few components from the Ford parts bin and the Jag v-12's were given to Aston after Jag built their last 12 cylinder cars in 1997. They were not designed by Ford. As far as electronics goes, the Jags and Astons have more in common with BMW than with anything from Ford.

The Aston Martin is on the short list for my next car, along with the Ferrari Maranello.

Well, Jesse got me thinking for a while, but if Jaguar is in the DNA then all my thoughts on reliability were right on.

Don't get me wrong. Id' love to own that car. And probably would if I had the money to maintain it, and two or three more cars I could choose from while the AM is in the shop.

Fireman32

I got to ride in one. My coworkers father owns it and he brought it to work one day and took me for a ride. Same model that you are looking at. I can only assume that the maintenance is very expensive but if you can get it for a steal it might be worth it.

stuwee

Jealous! Woof!

ohskigod

my .02 is that is alot of money for a car that does low 13's in the quarter, but still, if a car that quantifies the old addage "you don't drive numbers" that Aston is it.

the car looks more stunning in person than in the pic. The interior is soooo sweet. sounds glorious, and you know it handles like a champ it's heavy weight be damned. Definitely one of the ultimate GT cars out there.

trust the seat of your pants. like the car? get it....you only live once!

gdb

Meh....save up for a Bugatti.:biggrin: Veyron....Bugatti Veyron

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Vette C6.r

ohskigod wrote: »

my .02 is that is alot of money for a car that does low 13's in the quarter, but still, if a car that quantifies the old addage "you don't drive numbers" that Aston is it.

the car looks more stunning in person than in the pic. The interior is soooo sweet. sounds glorious, and you know it handles like a champ it's heavy weight be damned. Definitely one of the ultimate GT cars out there.

trust the seat of your pants. like the car? get it....you only live once!

Wow. Very well put. Almost every point I was going to make you did already.

I agree it isn't the 10/10ths sports car that most people brag about but if you get an Aston, you really don't need to brag.

It is the Gentleman's sports car.

F1 you are very correct as well but I thought that some Middle Eastern company bought them out.

I heard the DBR-9 in Lemans trim several times. I can tell you that is one of the pretty sounds that your ears will ever hear.

Good luck.

polkfarmboy

TVR'S are worth a look for a gents sports car

cincycat13

Good luck. The last Aston I saw was a bit old...very cool history tho...:biggrin: I guess more of an Aston Martin Vintage...

F1nut

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Aston powerplants all have Jaguar in their DNA. The Jag V-8's share only a very few components from the Ford parts bin and the Jag v-12's were given to Aston after Jag built their last 12 cylinder cars in 1997. They were not designed by Ford. As far as electronics goes, the Jags and Astons have more in common with BMW than with anything from Ford.

I said drive trains, not power plants.

The deal also assures access to Ford’s international resources. Remember: Aston relies on Ford for everything from its V12 to its Volvo air vents to its switchgear. With Ford’s $77m stake in the biz, the “new” Aston Martin can continue to dip into The Blue Oval’s parts bin and gain access to mission critical research, manufacturing, safety and legislative expertise.

BMW has nothing to do with the electronics.

I thought that some Middle Eastern company bought them out.

There are a couple of investment companies from Kuwait that are part owners.

but if Jaguar is in the DNA then all my thoughts on reliability were right on.

Ford worked very hard to correct those issues and by all accounts, succeeded. These are not the old British made Jags and AM's.

Ron-P

Hands down, Aston Martin makes the sexist car on the planet. Get it! It's my dream car, and one day I will own one. You will NOT find a better looking car.