Hello everyone,
I wanted to reach out and introduce myself. I purchased a 2007 Vantage V8 a few weeks ago out of Indiana - my second 2007 Vantage. I live in Dallas, TX (Flower Mound, TX to be exact).

I'm a proud owner of a "Silver Ice" (actual color name) Vantage V8 - purchased with 13,500 miles. Completely optioned minus the piano black ski slope. During my search over the past few months, I found this particular Vantage quite interesting. It was made specifically for the 2007 Detroit Auto Show - was on display in some type of "in the middle of a watery pond" display at the show. The sill plate was also engraved with "Hand Built in England for Detroit Auto Show 2007".

I have never heard of this color - officially known as "Silver Ice". My previous Vantage was Titanium Silver. Silver Ice is very close to that color but has a slight bluish/purple hue down deep. Very beautiful. I was told it was a special color again for that 2007 auto show. This one also has the Chancellor Red interior.

It is in great condition with relatively low miles. The interior and paint was perfect. Only issues I encountered was the "alarm service" message (fixed by replacing the alarm sounder in the rear wheel well) and also the temp gauge "stuck" low - temp gauge only two clicks up (thermostat seal on the coolant thermostat was deformed and the engine never got up to temp. Threw a code until repaired). Replacing the thermostat cured that easily.

I do all my own work on this car. I find it pretty easy to work on and have access to a lift. I have all the tools too which makes it a fun hobby. Aston Martin Dallas is a good partner is and is always willing to answer my questions as needed. It is nice to know of the thousands of dollars in labor savings potential by working on this car.

My first mod is already in - VelocityAP "Sport Exhaust". I had been accustomed to the QuickSilver SuperSports version. The current VAP "Sport" isn't near as loud as the QS-SS, but it is a great, quality exhaust package. Most likely, I'll put my current "sport" exhaust up on eBay and look for either the VAP SuperSports or Quicksilver SuperSports. If you have a "too loud" exhaust and want to go more quiet, please ping me. I'll sell/trade, etc. Though, those with the louder exhausts I bet stick with them. I do. Ha.

I also replaced the interior lights with new LEDs (2 doors, 2 footwell, 2 trunk, 2 license plate, and 2 map lights). To me, that's an absolute necessity - getting cool white LED's to replace the "old yellers'".

Sitting on my desk ready for install from VelocityAP: 200 cell cats, high flow air filters, ECU programmer (loaded with customized "max performance" ECU software to upload), and all the parts needed for the 10K mi service including transaxle. That all is this weekend's project. I am hoping the 200 cell cats bring the volume up to a nice level for me. I'm also looking forward to the power add with the 200c cats+VelocityAP ECU upgrade. Stuart's been great to work with over the past few weeks. Have become a BIG fan of VelocityAP (unpaid endorsement).

Speaking of power, I did a dyno last week for baseline - just exhaust installed. I ended up with 335HP max at 7192 RPM and 266TQ at 6073 RPM. I'm happy with those numbers...for now. I will do two more sets of dyno pulls. One set after cats+filters (so will be exhaust, cats, and filters) and then another set after I upload the new ECU power software (so will be exhaust, cats, filters, and ECU). It'll be good too see how each of the three stages compare...

Only things left on my to-do list are clear lights in the back (looking for the best deal - AstonMartinBits.com looks to be best at $1500 shipped) and also iPod integration. I had the factory iPod integration put in on my previous Vantage and really loved it. I'll probably just bite the bullet and go with the factory option. It worked very well for me. I have heard rumors there is a "new" kit that allows for steering wheel controls (the previous kit did not have that) AND there is some type of upgrade to the bluetooth system to bring it up to spec. Just rumors and my dealer's looking into that.

As for my "previous" Vantage. It was a Titanium Silver 2007 with Chancellor Red interior. Very similar - most options minus a few minor ones. Drove it for a year and a half before spinning into the ditch of divorce. Recovered into what I think is a better car. On that Vantage, I had the Power Pack from the factory installed. around $5K later, I didn't see that impressive of a change, and I never did dyno. A really good friend local bought that car from me, so it'll be interesting to see the difference in power between the two "how to get more power" (factory vs. aftermarket) philosophies. Had also QuickSilver SuperSports exhaust and RSC 200c cats on it (in addition to the factory power kit). Great car. Parted out those parts before selling them. I'm sure we'll go dyno together soon once I get everything on my side done.

My other "daily driver" for the kids is a 2007 Acura RDX. Good all-around car.

I'm hoping to see some other Aston folks in the DFW area. I coordinated lots of events back in my Acura NSX days (coordinated the 2002 national convention in Dallas - owned a 1991 NSX #3073), so if anyone here is ever interested in a local or regional Aston event, let me know. I'll put something together. A couple of years ago I attended a dealer event, but those seem pretty rare and there were maybe 12-15 cars. Fun to meet other folks no matter how many.

So cheers and appreciate all the info on this board! Best, Brent Cobb

 

Congrats Brent! I'll be honest with you and I made two offers on this exact car before ultimately deciding I wasn't ready. Brian Buxton right?

Honestly one of the best color combo's around, congrats!!!

 

Ellipsis - Yes! I bought this from Brian at Buxton Motorsports in Evansville, IN. Then drove it 775 mi back to Dallas. I hope you find the one you're looking for, but I am SO glad you didn't buy this one! Love this car, model, and brand...

 

hahah! Yeah I think by having that color combination the car looks truly exotic. At the time I wasn't prepared to travel that far for the car. Brian was more than accommodating and offered a lot of scenarios to help me out, but I couldn't pull the trigger. I ultimately did buy one however.

Best of luck to you, post some updated pics soon!
-Peter

 

Peter, that pearl white is wonderful - saw the post but didn't connect the dots that it was yours. Love that color.

Also saw your post about the iPod/iPhone connectivity. As I noted, I had the factory kit installed (as $1250 installed as I remember) a couple of years ago in the first Vantage. It worked really well EXCEPT the wheel controls still did NOT control the music.

I have heard something thru the grapevine that another (newer updated) factory kit allows for wheel controls and updates bluetooth. That's total rumor and could be completely wrong - those my be separate or not exist at all. I asked AM Dallas to look into it. They didn't have any info at all when I inquired.

In any event, that'll be something I'm getting too soon as soon as I get some solid info. I don't want aftermarket for iPod/iPhone integration. I haven't burned any music on CD's in years, and doing it now for the Aston is getting pretty old. Lol. You can buy the kit for about $1100 if you're brave enough to tackle the dash. Not sure if that's a dealer only install, but to me, it's a necessity.

The factory option, at least the one I had before, has the "old" large iPod/iPhone connector and also had a USB port in a small hub too. It worked great with a 160GB iPod I dedicated only to the car but also worked with my iPhone 5 with an adapter (Apple manufacture).

 

Great color, i love the interior so much. The car is in great condition and very clean, congrats!

 

How did you do this? What did you buy? Any pics?

 

Congratulations and welcome!

 

Slayer of Souls, there's a pretty substantial write-up here (pics, procedures, etc.)

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...or-lights.html

I specifically went to www.superbrightleds.com and bought these bulbs for all the replacements.



I also got Cool White for all bulbs...best color/hue IMO...
B

 

Beautiful car, congratulations!

 

Congrats on the car. I live about 5 miles down the road in castle hills. I have completed many of the mods on my 08 that you are considering. Let me know if you want to meet up, love to see that color in person.

We did an Aston drive last year out west, need to plan another. Had 8 cars show up. Lets chat.

 

Do you know if the roadster is the same bulb and same locations? I want to change to led and very low light right now!

 

Also...what a great color combo you have! Congrats

 

Beautiful color combo. Congratulations

 

Thanks everyone!

Greatauctions, I would assume the roadster would have the same bulbs - at least map, doors, foot wells, and license plate. The only unknown for me would be the two trunk lights...have not peered into the trunk of a roadster to see them, but I bet they're the same.

jmargolese, I'll PM you soon!
B