I've appreciated reading the good conversations amongst Vantage owners, and this is my first official post.

Have been in the market for a V8V for the past 3 months and have been actively tracking them on Autotrader. Looking to spend between $50K-$59K, out the door, and I'm open to buying remotely and shipping to Phoenix.

Came across this car, which appears to be pretty good for the price - what do you guys think? Appreciate your help!

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...77771208&Log=0

 

A few concerns with the car.

Apparently, the engine was replaced at 12K miles by Aston Martin, as noted in the Autocheck:

http://www.autotrader.com/redirect/e...7fIK8w62OXwies

I don't think it has the Premium Audio. How big of a difference does it make?

Finally, on the options, it doesn't say xenon or HID lights. Are the standard halogens xenon-like (i.e. whitish-bluish tint) or are they the standard yellow tint?

 

Hi -

To answer your question, the HID lights is an option. I have premium audio and it's great. I'm not sure what standard audio sounds like but from what I've read, premium audio is a must. I also noticed this car does not have navigation either.

 

Hi Whag. The choice is obviously yours, but there are some things to consider. This is a lemon law buyback car. That's a huge red flag. That was done in June of '07 when the car had around 12k miles on it. It is rare to see a Vantage with this few options. No nav, no Premium sound, no HID lights, no cruise, no heated seats, Alloy facia, etc. The Meteorite Silver looks nice but the car has a lot of strikes. The only options are red calipers, silver stitching and the 7 spoke 19" wheels. I'd keep looking.

 

I'd hold out for an 07, money is about the same, first year bugs ironed out.

Definitely I'd pass on this car, enough good vantages out there without going for this one.

 

The price is good but it would be difficult to sell with no options should you need to. For me the cruise, premium radio, nav, bluetooth, and a tan interior was a must. Look everywhere not just autotrader. I found my 09 certified at an aston dealer for $65,000 last year.... Delivered from California to Minnesota for that price.

 

Thank you all for the replies. If I decided I still wanted to buy it - based on the fact that 1) it did have the engine replaced by Aston at 12K miles (lemon law buyback) and 2) it has very few options - what would be a good price to try and negotiate?

This is, of course, assuming a positive inspection from a mechanic.

 

Do you happen to know if the non-HID lights are still a xenon-like tint (i.e. bluish white)? Don't want a hot car with the standard yellow-tinted headlights.

 

Thanks, Atlvantage. Based on all the negatives, do you think there is a price that would make this car a good deal?

 

Thanks, Chris. What kind of bugs were there in the 06 model?

 

Sounds like you got a great deal. The tan interiors look really sharp.

I may be moving to MN in the near future for my job - do you ever drive your car in the winter? I was thinking I would need to sell in Phoenix before moving to MN but would love to keep it.

 

As to issues with the 06 vs. 07 and later on the 4.3 cars.

Arguably the seats are nicer design in 07 (that's an aesthetic, not a flaw). I can't articulate specific bad things but first year vehicle just tend to have issues. Karl might now of specifics, I think the belt pulley squeak issue was noted on the 06s.

 

I met a person who had a black Vantage said he was going to drive in the winter in Minnesota. I've driven almost every type of car in the winter but I won't drive the Vantage because of all the chemicals and such. They keep the streets clear amazingly in Minneapolis and I've never felt as if I have to have a four wheel or front-wheel-drive car, just winter (ice) tires. PM me when you are going to be in Minneapolis.

As another note I had the belt problem on my 07 Vantage i had many years earlier, fixed under warranty.

 

-pulley squeak
-timing cover leak
-NAV gear grease dissolves gears over time
-Sportshift I/II have their own set of issues.

 

I can't imagine driving a sports car here in the winter. The chemicals that keep our roads so clear are very hard on paint. Also, most people do NOT use winter tires here, meaning that when it snows a little, there is a high likelihood that someone in a 6000lb SUV will slide into you (I do use winter tires on my land rovers).

Keep your future Aston and buy a beater.