Musing on a change to suit my age group..

[average-mph]

The 400 is not ugly, it’s just a matter of taste.

I’ve owned all the Evora’s except the GT430 and I have no complaints.

Ponded on the V8 Vantage but just not as enjoyable as the Evora and I would not consider an R8, nice looking car but not British.

[richbk]

keep the comments coming folks.

 

interesting thoughts on the R8, every review i have read describe it as a usable supercar with great engine, manual gear change and chassis - which sounds good to me tbh

service and maintenance on the aston scare me a little but they are one of the best looking British sports cars ever i think.

i should try an evora i guess, as i am hearing the love from fellow forum members, but i cant afford the later models which some suggest.

i really enjoy my boxster S - had a great drive to work on sunday morning, roof down and tail out on the damp roads, but dont think a 911 would be 200% better for 200% more money

so they are out for now.

any other suggestions i am missing - 

[dazyates]

Hi Rich,

I've just swapped from a 2011 C4S into a 2017 Elise 220 Sport.

I wouldn't want to swap back even considering the 'niggles' and quirks with the Elise.

Daz

 

 

[DeanB]

Just noticed Central Lotus have a really nice early Evora in ardent red for sale.  Have you seen it?

The wheels aren't very nice imo but with some nice black rims it would look sensational.

[Dr H]

Resurrecting this discussion.

I went to see this at the weekend:

 

 

 

2006 car registered in 2007, one owner from new, 18.5k miles, full Aston history, loads of upgrades.

I was very nice and had looks and sound to die for.

I am 50 this year so maybe.......

[The Cakes]

That’s nice Leigh, funny I’ve been thinking the same last few weeks. Selling up that is, can’t decide what to do. A few of you will be surprised as you know my commitment to the brand over the years but two young kids and a possibility of a complete career change might mean they all might go and buy one car to use at weekends (possibly) with the kids in tow. Like you I’ve probably looked at all possibilities but still unsure but that Aston does look well. Sorry to highjack the thread but if anyone wants a chat with me about any of my cars please U2U me. 

[Dr H]

42 minutes ago, The Cakes said:

That’s nice Leigh, funny I’ve been thinking the same last few weeks. Selling up that is, can’t decide what to do. A few of you will be surprised as you know my commitment to the brand over the years but two young kids and a possibility of a complete career change might mean they all might go and buy one car to use at weekends (possibly) with the kids in tow. Like you I’ve probably looked at all possibilities but still unsure but that Aston does look well. Sorry to highjack the thread but if anyone wants a chat with me about any of my cars please U2U me. 

Blimey, there must be something in the water! I never thought I'd sell the 340 or S2 but times change I guess. Not driven the S2 in 15 months so what's the point of having it!

The Aston isn't that fast, but it looks so f*ing cool and sounds owner doesn't really know much about cars but is VERY well off. Was a 40th birthday present! Since then it's been driven a bit and just sent to Aston for service / MOT / unnecessary upgrades. . Has the official AM engine upgrade (to 400hp), N400 sills, N400 wheels, clear rear lights, AM carbon front lip and rear diffuser, New tyres 2 months ago. It's going for an independent inspection towards the end of this week and if that's all OK I think I'll be talking money with the current owner.....

 

 

[The Cakes]

4 hours ago, Dr H said:

Blimey, there must be something in the water! I never thought I'd sell the 340 or S2 but times change I guess. Not driven the S2 in 15 months so what's the point of having it!

The Aston isn't that fast, but it looks so f*ing cool and sounds owner doesn't really know much about cars but is VERY well off. Was a 40th birthday present! Since then it's been driven a bit and just sent to Aston for service / MOT / unnecessary upgrades. . Has the official AM engine upgrade (to 400hp), N400 sills, N400 wheels, clear rear lights, AM carbon front lip and rear diffuser, New tyres 2 months ago. It's going for an independent inspection towards the end of this week and if that's all OK I think I'll be talking money with the current owner.....

 

 

Yup times change and sometimes very quickly. If you haven’t driven the S2 for that long then it’s a no brainer especially looking at it and the spec, get it bought you only live once. I’ve got a similar situation with a Ferrari California, wealthy owner hasn’t got on with it and I could buy that for a very good price, 2+2 and it’s a 2016 plate. Probably wouldn’t be my first choice F car but I could probably have nearly 18 months free motoring.

[Broadside]

Mmmm very nice! I helped run a GT4 Aston for a couple of seasons for a customer in the GT cup, very expensive!!

I sold my Mk2 Escort competition car at the end of last year, never thought I would, investement and all that, but I wasn't using it and I have wanted a lotus ever since I took my ARDS test in an Exige, so I took the plunge and hopefully I'll go out in it a bit more..........

Buy it 🙂

[Dr H]

1 hour ago, Broadside said:

Buy it 🙂

It is an achingly beautiful thing......

[kieranexige]

12 hours ago, Dr H said:

It is an achingly beautiful thing......

Stunning.

I drove one of my customers Vantage Nürburgring edition a few years ago and absoloutly fell in love with it . The only thing I remember was it seemed to use allot of battery if not left on battery conditioner for period's of time, oh and the Mondeo Key .

[M@r]{]

I love the Vantage, lucky enough to have two over the last 4 years.  First was a manual V8 Vantage Roadster MY2008 (57 plate)  Sounded great, made you feel really special driving it and always an occasion.  Definitely got a lot of appreciation and courtesy on the road.  Sports Cats perfect the sound and give a little more performance.  The 4.3 isn't that quick, needs it neck wrung to get the most out of it, but the sound and the theatre that creates makes up for it.  Just don't expect to be competitive on track, it's a road car.  A common issue to look out for is the clutch, they tend to go after 40-60k miles.  Sportshifts are particularly susceptible.  Cost around £5k.  Most tend to go for an uprated one with lightened flywheel, helps with the heavy clutch.  The other common issue is LED failure on the front sidelights.  At the time it was a new headlight job at £1500 each.  However I'm still a member of some groups and it seems there are people out there now who will split them and replace the LEDs, no experience of this though.  If you can stretch to the 4.7 do so.  4.3 are still great though, try to get the MY2007+ though, revised seats, Bluetooth and some other tweaks and improvements.  Dealer support is good and some great independents about to use for servicing, upgrades and maintenance.  Bamford Rose, McGuirks and my preferred choice, David Appleby engineering.  Earlier suggestions that servicing is stupidly expensive aren't accurate.  £300-£800 for most services.  I suppose it's relative, it's not cheap, but not Ferrari, Lambo stupidly expensive.  More high end BMW money.  Anyway sold mine to Marcus when I made the decision to upgrade....

 

......to my second one, my dream car, a MY2011 V12 manual coupe.  I so loved that car.  Had the performance to match the looks and the sound!!!  Nothing like it.  I got rid of that in the end as I wasn't using it that much.  I'm not a millionaire, so that money tied up in that car was life-changing for me, I was just too worried about losing it by putting miles on the clock or getting car park dings.  So made the really hard decision to move it on.  Started looking again though, but think unless I come into some money my head will win this battle and I'll stick with what I have.  

[Dr H]

Thanks for the info. Love the V12 but way out of my price range. I can't stretch to the 4.7 either unfortunately. Well I could but I don't want to put that much money into a car. During last summer there were a couple of very competitively 4.7s around but now prices seem to be on the up again and they are more expensive than they were. That white V12 is mega, I remember seeing one in Loughborough just after they came out and lusting after it.

This car is the early model so has the early seats. I quite like them to be honest. Seemed very comfy and I quite like the lack of stitching down the middle, looks a bit cleaner to my eye. I'm buying more on history, mileage and spec and this seems to be the best combination out there. It has parking sensors, heated screen and cruise which is stuff I wanted. I know the later cars had a few upgrades but they were not really that much of a deal breaker. As far as I can see they were:

Upgraded seats
LED lights in door handles
Key fob boot release
Full leather trim
Tracker system (UK only)

This car has the last 2 fitted as options anyway and the others aren't that important really I guess.

I like the colour combo too. Interior is not to everyone's taste but I think it goes well with the Tungsten Silver paint. It has an amazing history. The guy just takes it to AM and tells them to do whatever is needed, cost no object it seems. It would come with the OE wheels and a tailored cover too.

Clutches vary in price. Specialist will do just the friction plate for about £1k or fit an uprated twin plate organic clutch and lightened flywheel for about £3.5k. I know it's a problem with the cars and fully expect it to go at some point!

I agree that they are not a fast car. This one has an engine upgrade and a sports exhaust (only back box AFAIK) and it's not 'fast'. But it's quick and the sense of occasion is awesome.

It has a lot of the know issues such as condensation in the lights and looks like the wing mirror mounts are about to start flaking (as they all do). I know they suffer from paint issues too like bubbling around the door handles. Don;t think this car has that but might be some on the drivers door. I missed it but the OH said it looked like it had been touched up, but reckon it could have been bubbles. It's a bit like a Lotus really

I'm getting old and I've always though they were a gorgeous looking thing. Hopefully as it's such low miles I should be able to run it for 3 years and not loose a big amount of cash. It's mad really, the 4.3s seem to have been at the same price for a few years now. Only the high mileage early ones are dropping into the mid 20s. Seems most are high 20s to mid 30s with some dealers going even higher for very low mileage examples. They weren't that much more expensive 5 odd years ago! I suppose a manual, old school V8 sportscar is a thing that doesn't exist anymore. Modern cars are super fast and even everyday stuff (like my OH's Audi S3) are as fast as the 4.3 Vantage. But they are all a bit sterile and boring. That's what makes them attractive to enthusiasts and keep the prices half decent.

Will be going for an independent inspection later this week. If it all checks out then I'll be talking price with the seller.

Already been looking at Nitrons and satnav / reversing camera additions. quite a few options available now for specialists.

 

 

 

[timbo]

Dr H: 

"I'm getting old..." = Zimmerframe?

"I suppose a manual, old school V8 sportscar is a thing that doesn't exist anymore" = Mustang? Camaro?

[Dr H]

Oh well...................need to collect it from him before Feb 11th

Already researched upgrades. Exhaust manifolds and sports cats should liberated over 40 extra horses pity about the prices......