I have always lusted after the Vantage, but could never quite afford one. Of late I have a Infiniti G35 coupe which i just traded on a new Nissan 370Z. I came across a 2007 Vantage V8 6 speed with 20k miles Black with Black interior but with red seats. The car fax says the car was fleet car which gives me some worries. It only has one set of keys and history is limited to one AM dealer visit. They are asking in the mid $60s and are offering me in the upper $20 for my car. Just having trouble reconciling myself with paying double for an Aston over the Z. The Aston would replace my Z as a third car, but i don't want to get myself into a money pit situation either.
Just not sure if I should pull the trigger on this deal or save up more and look for something newer.
Im supposed to check out a new lotus Evora tomorrow. i know I'm all over the boards on cars, but something in the Aston Just draws me like a magnet.
Feed back from others with similar experience would be awesome

 

Not sure what you mean about not getting into a "money pit situation". If this is a concern, than the Aston is probably not for you. Service will cost $1500/yr not including tires/brakes etc.

 

I would pass on that car unless you can get a lot more info about it. Sounds like it has been rode hard and put away wet as they say. One Am service since 07? No way. You can buy lower mile cars with full history for about the same money. I would shop a little more.

 

The Aston is a sweet car for sure, but it will not be cheap to maintain if that is what you are looking for. Clutches are expensive and so are the other routein labor. You need to make sure you are ok with this. An Aston is an exotic, and like Ferrari, Lamborghini, ect, they will not be cheap to own, but certainly will be a hell of a lot of fun.

That said, I have a G35 coupe as you did and have to say that it is a hell of a lot of fun and an insane value for money. I'm curious if you would provide your impression of the G35 coupe vs the 370Z. I'm not thinking of getting a Z, but just curious what your impression is since I really like the look of the Z and realize it shares a lot with the G37. Personally, I prefer my G35 coupe to the G37 coupe in many ways, looks, sound, gear ratios, ect.

Don't rush into exotic ownership, make sure you are ready. Nothing wrong with looking and learning for a year or two before you pull the trigger. The hunt is a huge part of the fun!

 

This is why I love community forums. thanks for all the quick replys. I agree not to rush. i don't mind paying a couple of grand for regular maintanance. I am wondering if the Aston has some big "got ya" problems. i know with all cars there are certain years or models there are some specific problems to look out for. I have read the AM V8V had things like radio ans some clutch problems. Where a radio is not a big deal, the clutch can cost big.
MikeR397 to answer your question G35 Vs 370Z. i was surprized how different the cars were. I had a 2003 G35 6MT and agree they look better than the new G37. i loved the G. My only qualms with it was ti traction control and use of some cheap plastic ( I called it plastanium, plastic made to look like metal) and the traction control was a bit to over the top. I usually would just turn off the traction control so I could play. something about the Z makes it feel much more aggressive adn responsive. The Z is about 500lbs lighter with about 50 HP than the G so it responds great. The Zs interior also seems to be a step up from the old G35. I like the Zs traction control. It does not seem to be as much as a nanny. It will let me bring the back around and drive pretty aaggressively without "grabbing me like the G would. Even with the traction control off teh Z is very predictable and forgiving,
I think the Z would compare favorably to a Cayman S. Overall the Cayman is more refined and has a somewhat better feel, but it is twice the money. i think a 911 would probably eat my lunch, but of course it is triple the money.
In the end I'm pretty sure i will end up with an Aston. I will heed everyones advice and be patient.

Thanks everyone for your help in my search

 

I just bought a 2008 v8v roadster from AM Dallas with 11k miles. I worked with them for over a year to get what I was really looking for. The car just came off warranty but had a full service and all maintenance issues taken care of by the deale, new rubber as well as a leather recondition. I had a great experience and would buy from them again. in talking with Zach over there they are really trying to be the used Aston around the US. I was at the dealership today and they had several models to choose from. None as pretty as mine of course!

 

I wouldn't pay more than $63k for the Aston

 

The car story is hiding something. Being driven hard doesn't necessarily mean bad things, but if it's a fleet car no one is taking care when they drive it. Clutch wear would be suspect at a minimum. If it's not a rare color combo I would pass.

 

Sometimes 'fleet' is just code for 'leased' in the CarFax (which admittedly may still cause some concern). If you're interested and they seem flexible, I would just stipulate an inspection at an AM shop to check it out thoroughly (which you'd be doing with almost any car you bought anyway).

 

I would stay away.

1. 2007 Fleet car with so little milage
2. Lacking history
3. 1 set of keys

All points to some adjustment being made regarding how many revolutions the wheels have made imo !

 

a majority of the time "fleet" refers to a car leased in the name of a biz, usually by the owner of the biz. I wouldn't necessarily say that is cause for concern.....

[edit] - fleet could also mean it was originally used as a "press" or "rental" vehicle which would be cause for great concern and if that is in fact the case, you should run from it.

I agree, ALWAYS have a PPI (pre-purchase-inspection) done on a car like this.

 

I took everyones advice and stayed away from the 2007 V8V. while at the AM dealership I took a 2011 Lotus Evora out for a spin. while the evora does not have the presiege the Aston has I cannot describe the driving feel. The deeler let me flog it pretty good on some B roads and I fell in love. i purchased a new 2011 Carbon grey Lotus Evora Black edition for about $66k plus tax.
I will play with the Evora for a few years and maybe my next step up will be a newer Aston.

Thanks everyone for your input. "I will be back"

 

Also wanted to mention I did not get the "S" version of the Lotus. it was about another $12K , but I did not feel it gave the car a $12k boost in performance. St.Louis Motor Sports (place of purchase) has their own photo room and did a whole photo shoot of the car for me ( good sales tactic)




couple more picture for anyone interested. Car has a very good highway ride and soaks up the bumps very well for such a stiff drivers car.

 

was this an '12 evora? I hear they have better ECU tuning, shifting mechanisms, and interior. If not, I suggest you buy the new cables from the '12 for your shifter. also, radium makes a great intake proven to make lots of power for the Evora.

 

Great car but I would worry keeping that engine bay dry enough to function properly when it rains... some of these water run--off areas behind the ****pit are suspect to me. Good luck... Very cute car for sure..