This is very helpful - thanks. And as you would expect, when I tried the fuel filler door release yesterday it worked fine. I'm assuming part of the mechanism is expanding/contracting under heating/cooling conditions. I'll look into sanding it down. It looks like Rock Auto doesn't stock that part any more, but I found it at a bunch of other places - thanks.

On the clutch, let's say I "pre-budgeted" for it but it, shows no signs of being near the end of its life right now. I'm assuming $5-6K to have a twin plate clutch installed?

 

$4k for the clutch kit, and another $2500 or so for labor (depending on where you have it done). Worth it, considering this clutch will last about twice as long as the stock unit.

 

Since my original post, I've had the chance to replace the tailgate struts - an easy job indeed and I'm happy to report that's no longer an issue. Also, after some further finessing the fuel filler door now opens - though it needs two presses of the release button. I'll take that as a win.

So, back to the niggles...

On Friday, about five miles of driving after passing my CA smog test, naturally the emissions system check warning appeared 😣 Hopefully that will clear itself eventually as per the advice from the FAQ.

Today I had the chance to take the car out for a longer run. I confirmed that no fluid is released when I pull on the wiper stalk, but there's also no low fuid warning, so this may be the hose issue pointed out earlier. I'm also starting to have an intermittent problem when opening the doors. When I press the 'open' button for either door, I can hear the door unlock, but it won't open. Locking and unlocking via the key fob a few times often resolves this, but as a last resort - about half the time - I need to use the key itself to unlock the door.

Thoughts/workarounds for the door would be appreciated. I believe there may be a couple of fuses I can pull to reset the door modules, but it seems like that may be a temporary fix. There's also a rattle in the drivers door - may or may not be related but I'll try the remedy in the FAQ to at least see if I can address the rattle.

Finally, here's a photo of the 'band' before the Cayman heads off to BaT.

Thanks as always for any advice and/or commiseration. Niggles aside, the car is awesome - no regrets 👍

 

Regarding the doors: is it both doors, or just the driver's side? Knowing that might help narrow the issue.
I've heard that the car's battery can cause some weird electrical gremlins when it gets old. Don't know about it keeping the doors from opening, though.
By the way, it looks great in red.

 

Thanks. It's a problem with both doors.

I really like the red - that puts me in a very small niche within an already small niche of AMs around here. I think it's Toro Red but I'm not sure - which sticker has the paint code in the trunk cubby on the left?

 

It's forward, on the bulkhead above the nav unit.
I'm right there with you on unusual colors for Astons... mine is Speed Yellow.
That white loop of plastic on the left side of the image is the manual fuel door release. Might come in handy if you're still having a problem with it.

 

Thanks - looks like it's "ASTI 3020 Toro Red".

 

I had the door issue crop up, only on passenger door... it could be a sequence of button pushes or the fact that the doors relock after two minutes if you don't open them...I pulled the fuses for door modules (under the passenger floor carpet is the fuse box) and reset everything. works fine now

 

Congrats on the purchase. If this was in Dallas, I checked it out while killing time on a business trip last year. Love the color, it compliments the car well!

 

I picked it up from Topline Auto - was that the one you looked at? If so, thanks for leaving it for me😉

 

This was back in October, it was on the AutoNation lot in Plano. Not that many running around in this color

I probably would have bought it and drove it home, I bought mine on another business trip the next month, but the salesmen wouldn't walk out in the rain and meet me as I was checking it out so I said why bother and left...

 

Update, after a few drive cycles I no longer have the emissions system check warning Another check in the box for 'it will go away on it's own'. Also picked up a non-marring lug nut socket - 22mm is the correct size for a 2007 Vantage in case anyone is wondering -

 

FYI - The color will wear off of the socket, but the plating beneath doesn't so the nuts will still be treated softly.

 

Welcome to the forum, as far as your door locking/unlocking issues it could be due to a failing door modules if it's not your car battery that is too old. There is some video on youtube from Bamford Rose that talks a length about door modules failing due to poor construction by Aston Martin, they release a new version but they have to be replaced in pair and I believe that they are fairly expensive but have not check the dealer yet. Furthermore, you have to go to the dealer to get them sync to your car from what I have read.

 

You asked for a photo of an AMV8 with spacers. These are 20 mm rear, 15 mm front, requiring new studs pressed into the existing hubs.