Aston Martin V8 Vantage
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marcos
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Exhaust valve fuse is number 22! First thing I took out, but then removed the whole valving system anyway.
Early cars had a few niggles like any new model but no unreliability. Engines (Jaguar alloy V8 block, Aston heads and everything else, dry sumped) and transmission are bulletproof, clutches strong. Plus much like a TVR or Maserati, after 44k miles and 7 years it's had 7 full services and everything should be sorted out on it. Spec is good with heated seats and Xenons, value is low partly due to iron ore interior (which is stunning in the flesh) and the mileage. It's no worries and there are plenty about at 70-80k running absolutely fine, just like the 4200.
The advantage it has over the GS is a real manual gearbox, a 6spd Graziano race-derived unit. Short fast shifts, a lovely box. Can suffer from linkage issues from first to second but there is a mod now if your car suffers from baulking. The disadvantage is that it is a real 2 seater, the GS is far more practical. Speed wise, probably very similar as standard, the reasons Astons sometimes don't feel as fast is their smoothness. Look up laptimes and the 380bhp Vantage gets around a track a few tenths slower than the 510bhp DBS. The bonded aluminium chassis makes it incredibly stiff and it's probably a little lighter than a GS too? It's a more modern car than a GS but far, far more common. They aren;t a common sight but there are loads about!
What would I rather have... for just over £30k I think your money is safer in the Aston. If you're going to start modding though, Vantage can be taken to 4.7 and make 450bhp. The Vantage was never a car that interested me so I went for the DB9 manual. Of the two... I'd probably have a GS!
BennyD
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Manual gearbox? Isn't that what they used to have on sports cars in the olden days!? Anyway, a half decent 4200 can get 450 with a remap so much cheaper than modding an Aston to 4.7. As for the exclusivity of the badge, it could go either way. On balance I would take the Maser, but I would say that wouldn't I?
marcos
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It is hard to get more power from that 4.3 unit, but then it's not exactly cutting egde tech like the F430 / Maser unit. A decent exhaust, manifold, remap to 98RON and race cats will get you up to 420bhp and that really is it. And that's still a very good specific output for an old Jag engine, it made 300bhp in it's former life (unless supercharged)! The 4.7 is a different animal all together, shedloads of torque and an achievable 470bhp with mods. The interesting thing with Aston tuners is they don't exaggerate, I think many other do.
I actually had my re-map for mid-range punch, which when you have 6 litres on tap can be insane. I very rarely see 7000rpm on my car, usually shift at 5500rpm or so which is stil rocket ship fast but still smooth. Changes at 7k are brutal and the road network isn't big enough!
We've all come to expect 100bhp/litre or more which is outrageous in a normally aspirated engine for a road appilication, not too long ago the only cars that had that were the McLaren F1 and the BMW M3, it was extremely rare. Times have moved on and Aston's tech is out of date, a very interestng thread on Pistonheads about it.
I actually had my re-map for mid-range punch, which when you have 6 litres on tap can be insane. I very rarely see 7000rpm on my car, usually shift at 5500rpm or so which is stil rocket ship fast but still smooth. Changes at 7k are brutal and the road network isn't big enough!
We've all come to expect 100bhp/litre or more which is outrageous in a normally aspirated engine for a road appilication, not too long ago the only cars that had that were the McLaren F1 and the BMW M3, it was extremely rare. Times have moved on and Aston's tech is out of date, a very interestng thread on Pistonheads about it.
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marcos
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£6300 for the mods! The suspension and so on is roughly the same again. All in all, the Prdrive Vantage added £19k to the price and that was back in 2007!
And it was later found out that the conversion needed 100RON fuel as well which is hardly freely available... Using 98RON gets you 10-20bhp less!
4.7 is the car to have but they're later models and thus still big money.
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marcos
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As I have a DB9, I think it would be partnered very well by a GS 
Hence my choice.
Vantage is nice looking but a little short. I think the GS edges it on looks (both cars standard) and matches it in desirability and personality.
Once you start on Vantage S / N420 and the special cars then it's a different kettle of fish altogether. But for £30k cars, I'd rather have the GS. Genuinely cannot remember seeing one recently apart from at the meet, I see at least 1 or 2 Vantages daily (and 50 911s).
Hence my choice. Vantage is nice looking but a little short. I think the GS edges it on looks (both cars standard) and matches it in desirability and personality.
Once you start on Vantage S / N420 and the special cars then it's a different kettle of fish altogether. But for £30k cars, I'd rather have the GS. Genuinely cannot remember seeing one recently apart from at the meet, I see at least 1 or 2 Vantages daily (and 50 911s).
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Easyplan66
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I think I would rather pay another £6-8k for a DB9 there are a few nice ones around for £40k
marcos
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DB9 is so much 'more car' for the money with the Aston V12 rather than the derived V8. It is also a £130k car vs £80k car new which gives you an idea of the levels of trim, spec and general quality.
HOWEVER out of the box the DB9 is a very smooth cruiser and the Vantage is much more of a sports car. The DB9 I would liken to the QP really more than the 4200/GS, it's a much bigger car that drives in a very different way. The DB9 can be made into a sports car, but it costs... But it's worth it!
Vantage is too short, it needs to be a foot longer... which gives you the DB9, pretty much perfect
HOWEVER out of the box the DB9 is a very smooth cruiser and the Vantage is much more of a sports car. The DB9 I would liken to the QP really more than the 4200/GS, it's a much bigger car that drives in a very different way. The DB9 can be made into a sports car, but it costs... But it's worth it!
Vantage is too short, it needs to be a foot longer... which gives you the DB9, pretty much perfect
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Parisien
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Easyplan66
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Lewis did you get the new switch gear added yet, love to see the pics of the interior.....
marcos
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I have the stereo, satnav, wiper stalks and heater controls; just the gearknob, ashtray and gearshift surround to be changed to the same light anodised aluminium. Sarah is also designing me a unique centre console and fascia which will make the interior unlike any others. Engine turned just like my Marcos is the plan