Aston Martin Vantage V8 (AMV8) Owners - favour?

[Ray4901]

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[deltona]

I think the main issue with them is that they aren't that good to drive seemingly, at least compared to their direct competition. They look incredible though, such a timeless design. Sound amazing too.

I'd second this. Get an extended drive in one across different road types if you can and form your own opinions though.

[blascae111]

Hi JP. I have a 2008 v8 vantage, updated model with 4.7 engine. Have had it for 5 years and drive daily while the weather is fine.
honestly it has cost me nothing to run this car, it is a very basic car, big engine, gearbox and hardly any electronics to confuse things.
I have done basic maintenance myself and it is very easy to work on, everything easily accessible. I agree that it may not be the most dynamic
car to drive but that is not the point, it looks and sounds amazing and makes me smile every time i drive it.
there are very few cars with the character of a v8 Aston and it still looks better than anything else on the road.

The only post on here that matters

[-alan-]

Hi JP. I have a 2008 v8 vantage, updated model with 4.7 engine. Have had it for 5 years and drive daily while the weather is fine.
honestly it has cost me nothing to run this car, it is a very basic car, big engine, gearbox and hardly any electronics to confuse things.
I have done basic maintenance myself and it is very easy to work on, everything easily accessible. I agree that it may not be the most dynamic
car to drive but that is not the point, it looks and sounds amazing and makes me smile every time i drive it.
there are very few cars with the character of a v8 Aston and it still looks better than anything else on the road.

Cracking looking Aston that Ray.

Good to hear it's not always a trial-by-dealership ownership ordeal . Do you mind me asking - purely for curiosity on the reliability front - what kind of mileage is on the car, and how many miles(ish) have you done with it?

(If that's too intrusive a question btw - just ignore me )

[Ray4901]

There is 60,000 miles on it and i have done over half of them. parts can be bought cheap from various Aston specialists. have done exhaust, brake discs, pads and a few other bits and cheaper than maintaining a 5 series BMW. It will need a clutch at some point but kit is approx €1500 and any good mechanic could fit it. Clutch is the only weak point on the car.
These cars were hand assembled and as such you can get your hands on every part that might need attention.

[markcro]

Cracking looking Aston that Ray.

Good to hear it's not always a trial-by-dealership ownership ordeal . Do you mind me asking - purely for curiosity on the reliability front - what kind of mileage is on the car, and how many miles(ish) have you done with it?

(If that's too intrusive a question btw - just ignore me )

How dare you! You never ask a ladies age!

[-alan-]

Yeah.

Was trying to get some real world info beyond the 'internet' received wisdom / perception of reliability. Ray4901's one sounds great - 30, 000 trouble-free miles with nothing but routine maintenance. The two other ones owned by guys on here seemed to be more problematic. Not a statistically representative sample I l know - but at least some kind of insight into the potential real-world ownership.

[Titan]

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Timeless design,congrats on having something like that sitting in your driveway.

[markcro]

I have always loved Aston Martins. Andif I was in that market I would be buying a DB9 or a V8 like Rays above. Stunning looking. But a 911 is better? I don't care! But unfortunately my wallet is small and already has holes in it.

[J.P.]

https://www.cieranmcconnoncarsales.ie/

They dont have it listed in their stock so I guess they sold it but might be worth a call anyway.

The owner was driving it a good bit,to C&C and the like when he did have it.

Cheers Titan! Yeah that was one of the ones in black that was for sale for a while, it's long gone I believe.

[J.P.]

I'm surprised there are so many posts discouraging from buying a V8 anything.
Eamon Ryan would love you all and I'm sure he appreciated the heads up regarding how the bills will be more uncomfortable than a prostate exam with a finger wrapped in 80 grit sandpaper but I suspect he may well be aware of this. The bills that is not the sandpaper.

So come on guys and girls. Give him some encouragement. Lets see if someone on here can get JPs ass into the seat of an Aston so he can make a better informed choice and if he doesn't like it, then we can all suggest the most reliable of supercars, a TVR.

Thanks Charlie! Aye, aware of the bills, pitfalls & Ming's experience with his Sportshift gearbox + softtop DB9, hence erring on the side of manual + coupe, and ideally the 4.7L rather than the 4.3L based on all my reading.

O/T since you mention it: Test-drove (albeit gingerly as the weather was sopping) a member on here's TVR Tuscan S in green (absolute dream-car since I was 12!! 4L straight-6 N/A... next level sound etc.!) - didn't go for it in the end (never meet your heroes etc.) but still have a serious soft-spot for a TVR!

[J.P.]

Hi JP. I have a 2008 v8 vantage, updated model with 4.7 engine. Have had it for 5 years and drive daily while the weather is fine.
honestly it has cost me nothing to run this car, it is a very basic car, big engine, gearbox and hardly any electronics to confuse things.
I have done basic maintenance myself and it is very easy to work on, everything easily accessible. I agree that it may not be the most dynamic
car to drive but that is not the point, it looks and sounds amazing and makes me smile every time i drive it.
there are very few cars with the character of a v8 Aston and it still looks better than anything else on the road.

Ray thanks a million for those insights: I really appreciate it! Yours looks like a gorgeous example as well! I'll send you a PM.

[markcro]

O/T since you mention it: Test-drove (albeit gingerly as the weather was sopping) a member on here's TVR Tuscan S in green (absolute dream-car since I was 12!! 4L straight-6 N/A... next level sound etc.!) - didn't go for it in the end (never meet your heroes etc.) but still have a serious soft-spot for a TVR!

You need to man up!

[SJ]

Everyone says a 911 is a better car in pretty much every way.

I'd have the Aston for sure. Go for it!

[-alan-]

If you actually managed to arrive that is..