Potential new owner - may I pick your brains please?
Discussion
Hello all,
I've been lurking here for quite a while and I'm about to take the plunge. I've narrowed my choice down to either a V8V Roadster or a 997 Cabriolet and have a slight preference for the former :-)
I'm very drawn to the Aston Martin brand and have looked at a few V8Vs. I've seen one in particular that I really like and falls just within my budget. I do have a couple of questions that I'm hoping the wisdom here can help with.
- The car is an 07 and has done just under 20k miles. It appears to have hardly been used in the last 15 months or so as it had a big service in December 2010 and has only done 1,000 miles since. Is this likely to cause problems with the car, and would the advice be to get the next service done now anyway (even though the car has only done 1,000 miles since the last one)?
- The current owner has extended the warranty until later this year. Would it be possible to transfer the remainder of that warranty to the new owner (i.e. me)?
- What is the approximate cost of a 12 month warranty if I extend when the current one runs out?
- I haven't driven the car yet, I'm going to be doing so tomorrow. I understand clutches can be problematic on these cars. If the clutch needs replacing (it's a Sportshift) would that be covered under warranty (given that the car has only done 19k miles)?
- Anything else I should look for? I have bought Grant's book which is excellent and has already helped me rule out a few cars but now that I've found one that looks good I'd love to find out the last few bits and pieces I should be looking for.
Thanks very much.
I've been lurking here for quite a while and I'm about to take the plunge. I've narrowed my choice down to either a V8V Roadster or a 997 Cabriolet and have a slight preference for the former :-)
I'm very drawn to the Aston Martin brand and have looked at a few V8Vs. I've seen one in particular that I really like and falls just within my budget. I do have a couple of questions that I'm hoping the wisdom here can help with.
- The car is an 07 and has done just under 20k miles. It appears to have hardly been used in the last 15 months or so as it had a big service in December 2010 and has only done 1,000 miles since. Is this likely to cause problems with the car, and would the advice be to get the next service done now anyway (even though the car has only done 1,000 miles since the last one)?
- The current owner has extended the warranty until later this year. Would it be possible to transfer the remainder of that warranty to the new owner (i.e. me)?
- What is the approximate cost of a 12 month warranty if I extend when the current one runs out?
- I haven't driven the car yet, I'm going to be doing so tomorrow. I understand clutches can be problematic on these cars. If the clutch needs replacing (it's a Sportshift) would that be covered under warranty (given that the car has only done 19k miles)?
- Anything else I should look for? I have bought Grant's book which is excellent and has already helped me rule out a few cars but now that I've found one that looks good I'd love to find out the last few bits and pieces I should be looking for.
Thanks very much.
Tidybeard said:
- The car is an 07 and has done just under 20k miles. It appears to have hardly been used in the last 15 months or so as it had a big service in December 2010 and has only done 1,000 miles since. Is this likely to cause problems with the car, and would the advice be to get the next service done now anyway (even though the car has only done 1,000 miles since the last one)?
Don't think it's a problem. Tidybeard said:
- The current owner has extended the warranty until later this year. Would it be possible to transfer the remainder of that warranty to the new owner (i.e. me)?
If it's an AM warranty, yes. Tidybeard said:
- What is the approximate cost of a 12 month warranty if I extend when the current one runs out?
About a grand. You will need a 140 point inspection to be carried out as well. That's about 2 hours labour, but if you get it done during the service they can sometimes throw it in. Tidybeard said:
- I haven't driven the car yet, I'm going to be doing so tomorrow. I understand clutches can be problematic on these cars. If the clutch needs replacing (it's a Sportshift) would that be covered under warranty (given that the car has only done 19k miles)?
Dunno. Unlikely. 
Hello!
Most of the answers you need are above but thought it's worth clarifying:
- The clutch will not be covered under warranty.
- Nick's advice is good regarding getting it serviced ... you might also want to check with the dealer that the extended warranty currently on the car is still valid as the service interval has not been adhered to despite the low milage in between.
- Check which service is required by talking to a dealer, if it's a big one e.g. the "40k" one it will cost more (the car does not have to have done 40k miles to be due a 40k service as it also goes by the age of the car)
Best of luck!
Most of the answers you need are above but thought it's worth clarifying:
- The clutch will not be covered under warranty.
- Nick's advice is good regarding getting it serviced ... you might also want to check with the dealer that the extended warranty currently on the car is still valid as the service interval has not been adhered to despite the low milage in between.
- Check which service is required by talking to a dealer, if it's a big one e.g. the "40k" one it will cost more (the car does not have to have done 40k miles to be due a 40k service as it also goes by the age of the car)
Best of luck!
Tidybeard said:
- The car is an 07 and has done just under 20k miles. It appears to have hardly been used in the last 15 months or so as it had a big service in December 2010 and has only done 1,000 miles since. Is this likely to cause problems with the car, and would the advice be to get the next service done now anyway (even though the car has only done 1,000 miles since the last one)?
The cars have to be serviced annually or at 10k miles. The service is therfore overdue and really ought to done if you ever want to sell it on again. Will it need it... maybe not. Should it be done, yes. £600 will do it.Tidybeard said:
- The current owner has extended the warranty until later this year. Would it be possible to transfer the remainder of that warranty to the new owner (i.e. me)?
If it hasnt been serviced on time to Aston standrads and with the correct 140 point check done, the warranty is already void!! Check with AM about this particaulr car. Is is overdue by 3-4 months!Tidybeard said:
- What is the approximate cost of a 12 month warranty if I extend when the current one runs out?
My guess was £1400-1500. You will need a 140 point inspection to be carried out as well. That's about 2 hours labour, but if you get it done during the service they can sometimes throw it in. Tidybeard said:
- I haven't driven the car yet, I'm going to be doing so tomorrow. I understand clutches can be problematic on these cars. If the clutch needs replacing (it's a Sportshift) would that be covered under warranty (given that the car has only done 19k miles)?
Absolutely zero chance of warranty I'm afraid, I believe the threshold is about 9k miles. 19k isn't bad for a performance car, any powerful manual car eats clutches to an extent, 20-30k seems about right, more if a car has been looked after or been driven gently. If it's on the original clutch, with a Sportshift it may well be due, although some owners get in excess of 60k miles! No easy way to tell how worn it is, may be better to assume the worst and budget for it. Can you negotiate into the price for a replacement when required? £2.5k for a standard single-plate clutch replacement or £3.5k for a twin plate upgrade with new flywheel that will last properly.
Good luck with the viewing, i bet you love it! If the shift seems jerky, it may need a 'clutch learn' done on it. Someone with an ASM box will be along directly to tell you how
My personal opinion would be to leave this particular car, it does need to be serviced annually, and something that hasn't been used regularly in recent history is more likely to develop niggles when you start using it, seals will have dried out, batteries drained etc.
There are enough cars, correctly specced and maintained if you are patient. Alternatively, the price needs to reflect these factors, I would expect the warranty to be invalidated as the car hasn't been serviced as per the manufacturers schedule.
Cheers
Kris
There are enough cars, correctly specced and maintained if you are patient. Alternatively, the price needs to reflect these factors, I would expect the warranty to be invalidated as the car hasn't been serviced as per the manufacturers schedule.
Cheers
Kris
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