New to this forum. Looking to purchase a Vantage V8 and am trying to decide on an 07 stick with 30,00km on it, privately vs a 2012 with same mileage with speedshift being sold by am dealer certified
I have driven Volvo's most of my life; my last was a 93 850 standard which I drove til the clutch went at 350,000km.
this is my first potential leap into this type of car. I did own 2 British sports cars in the late 60's/early 70's a Triumph Spitfire and MGB, the former which was a disaster, the latter a great car

In examining the 07 vs 2012 v8 vantages i would like some feedback on the following based on the following data;
characteristics of 07 car
well maintained
serviced by non am mechanic who does high end cars; owner pleased with work; no major work done
owner quite fastidious (I think you can tell a lot about a cars maintenance by its owner)
hard top
stick shift
disadvantages; ?age, no warranty
2 prior owners, no mva

characteristics of 2012 car
about $20k more expensive than 07
sport shift
convertible
nicer interiour
being sold by dealer; all servicing done by dealer; one prior owner, no mva
warranty available for 1 or 2 years at a cost of $5k or $11k respectively

I actually, like the stick and the car is in great shape but I am concerned some nasty breakdown will occur given its sheer age.
So, peace of mind( 2012) vs what my gut says (07)
I am particularly concerned in the 2012 about the sport shift system since I have heard a lot of bad things about it

I dont plan to use the car as a daily commute.
any feedback appreciated

 

I would only buy a manual transmission and I prefer the looks of the early cars, but that's personal preference. The Vantage is impressively reliable and if well cared for (and 30km isn't really much mileage anyway) I wouldn't put reliability into the equation. But the warranty is nice to have. Have you driven them? You're missing the 40-50HP difference between the two cars on your tradeoff list if the 07 is a non-power pack car and the torque difference. I suspect that a test drive would tell you that the two cars are quite different and your preference will become clear. I own an '07 BTW and really don't look to the newer cars with any interest.

 

I'd go for the 2012 as it is just newer and has all the changes over the years.

 

Buck

You need to drive them

Then decide which you prefer
Then decide if u want a coupe or a convertible

Then find the one you want (it may be one of these two or it may be 12 coupe in manual, or some other combination)

I wouldn't worry about major mechanical issues on the 07 manual - if well maintained they are great cars and plenty fast enough, and $20k cheaper

Good luck

Graeme

 

I own a 2007 manual convertible V8V. It is fun to drive with the top down (not as much with the top up). I have personally had a tough time with the convertible top and wound up replacing it.

The engine has been very reliable and with the help of Redpants I am able to do much of the minor maintenance.

My personal preference is for manual. As to the convertible top, I am now questioning my decision to go topless. I believe that on a nice day with the top down the convertible is a far more enjoyable ride than the hardtop. In the blistering heat or rain or crappy weather the coupe is the way to go.

Also, in my opinion the coupe is a better looking car than the convertible.

But either way I think you will be super happy. Like trying to decide whether you'd rather marry Bo Derek with short hair or long hair.

 

 

I like that color scheme a lot. Most of the Astons I see seem to be silver or white.

 

 

I had a 2007 Vantage with a stick - in traffic extremely heavy clutch - got old quick.

Since then I've had sportshifts - very enjoyable as long as you shift manually with paddles. The warranty price seems extremely high - they get progressively more expensive as they age. They are also great at negotiations. It might be cheaper to find a 2013 or 2014 where (maybe) the warranty extension is lower - or a dealer that would include the extra year to make the deal (only an Aston Dealer can offer that).

 

you need to read the book

and then go test drive them

 

+1 to reading the book (The Definitive Guide to new Gaydon era Aston Martin) first. If you're torn between such drastically different cars (coupe vs. convertible, stick vs. sportshift, 07 vs. 12), you need to decide what you want and then hold out until that comes along.

My opinion is that the 12.25 revision is worth paying more for, if you have the means. Some like the earlier styling more (I like them each for different reasons), but 09+ has the larger engine, and 12.25+ has larger brakes with 6-piston calipers (vs. 4-piston), faster steering rack, and some stereo/nav updates (and more). The book will help you understand the differences.

 

There are a lot of differences between an 07 and 12 as others said. Get the book and it covers them. I went through this decision process last year and wore out my book referencing it. I decided the extra money for a 12.25 year car was worth it. I like the looks of the later cars better as well, but that's a personal choice. Manual cars are harder to find for the later years so you may have to wait a while for the perfect car.

David

 

I also had a 1974 Triumph Spitfire new, it was bad car quality wise. I started with a 2007 Vantage coupe used in 2014 with 2800 miles from my Aston Martin dealer. It was a stick ( that is all I have ever owned, I am 60). I keeped it for 2 years, and then traded it in on a 2016 GT, stick. Again a coupe.
My 2007 had a 2 year preowned warranty. It was a reliable car. One rear shock replaced, door struts, and nav screen gear. All fixed under the warranty. The clutch is heavier in 2007 than the 20016. My 2007 had the power pack and sport exhaust. It's just a different driving experience with the 2007 you have to wind the car up to redline to ring out most of the performance even with the powerpack. With the 2016 4.7 there is more power lower down and about 50 foot pounds more torque not to mention 40 more horsepower.
Plus the other upgrades of the interior center stack navigation stereo brakes steering and the seats are better in the 2016 as well.
I would say as others have suggested drive both cars make your own determination if you like the coupe with a stick shift have it checked at an Aston Martin dealer before purchasing it. Same goes for the convertible you're looking at it's also color and options which you can find out by asking the dealer to give you a build sheet for whatever car you're looking at from the Vin number.
One last thing the 2007's 4.3's also have problems with oil leaks from the front cover of the motor which can be very expensive to repair. I was lucky with mine. I never that problem.
Ron

 

The cover is about to fall off my book.

Some thing you won't find in the book,
Many of these V8's have a stalling issue [before 10 chime in to say their doesn't 4 will to say theirs does]
If you buy the M6 I recommend turning the nannies off and on a pre 2012 car is takes 6 seconds to hold the button until it's off. On the post 2012 it's 6 seconds to get it to track mode, then another 4-5 to get it off. I was considering the newer cars but that was my deal breaker.
I always preferred the earlier pure design over the racer boy additions post 2011, splitter, extended tail, etc.
The 4.7 will cost alot more than the 4.3 and the 4.3 can be tuned to get as much out as the 4.7, but then the 4.7 can be tuned to get more also. I personally decided on the 2009-2011 window as the car for me, then took 9 months finding the one to buy.

 

From what I've read on this board, the leak is not restricted to the 4.3.