advice on buying a virage
Discussion
I had a great relationship with a tvr cerbera, however following a big off in another car decide on something more sensible. The Shelby mustang and 996 route followed but although the v8 sound was there with the musatng the experience was incomplete. I have now decided to step towards a ca r I first saw in the car park of the Tower Thistle hotel in 1990 which I fell in love with. I hae found a very low mileage 10k virge which is immaculate. I would appreciate some advice on failings to look out for or indeed details of a good am inspector.
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Be prepared for something slow and unreliable. The V8 Coupe was vastly improved but marginally less short on thrills. Also, yopu will be staring at the same sterring wheel as you get in a 1990 Ford Taurus.
Not wanting to knock your choice but they are that price for a reason. Aston was in huge trouble when it was built and it shows in every way.
What about an E39 M5? Beffier and more interesting in every way (apart from badge)
Or, how about a Monaro if you really want a V8 in a big coupe?
Maybe even an 850csi? Pretty special engine in that
Not wanting to knock your choice but they are that price for a reason. Aston was in huge trouble when it was built and it shows in every way.
What about an E39 M5? Beffier and more interesting in every way (apart from badge)
Or, how about a Monaro if you really want a V8 in a big coupe?
Maybe even an 850csi? Pretty special engine in that
They were built from 1996 onwards, until 2000 I believe and they look more like the contemporary vantage than the virage. They are a much nicer shape in my eyes, but still have archaic underpinnings.
The difference between the Virage and the V8s which preceeded it are not huge, neither was ever particularly modern.
Great noise though!
The difference between the Virage and the V8s which preceeded it are not huge, neither was ever particularly modern.
Great noise though!
AKA8 said:
Be prepared for something slow and unreliable. The V8 Coupe was vastly improved but marginally less short on thrills. Also, yopu will be staring at the same sterring wheel as you get in a 1990 Ford Taurus.
Not wanting to knock your choice but they are that price for a reason. Aston was in huge trouble when it was built and it shows in every way.
What about an E39 M5? Beffier and more interesting in every way (apart from badge)
Or, how about a Monaro if you really want a V8 in a big coupe?
Maybe even an 850csi? Pretty special engine in that
The problem with someone not liking Astons is they can come accross as a knowledgable sort.Not wanting to knock your choice but they are that price for a reason. Aston was in huge trouble when it was built and it shows in every way.
What about an E39 M5? Beffier and more interesting in every way (apart from badge)
Or, how about a Monaro if you really want a V8 in a big coupe?
Maybe even an 850csi? Pretty special engine in that
The Virage wont be as fast as a Cerbera, but 155nph + is not what many people would call "slow". And they are no more unreliable then any other Aston. Read into that what you will. Oh, the Virage did not have a Ford steering wheel, it had a steering wheel made for it my Mota lita. The later V8 Coupoe (launched after the twin supercharged car) had the Ford airbag steering wheel.
As for saying Aston were in trouble at that time and it shows. Well, Aston have always been in trouble. In fact, the Virage was (at the time) the best developed Aston in the companies history. It had Ford money behind it. It is a better car then the older V8 range. And a Virage at that price? Lets say £25K. For that you can get a DBS, DBS V8, V8, very ropey V8 Volante, Virage, DB7. Thats a lot of choice for your money.
If you want to really know what they ae like (to drive and to own) then have a look on the AMOC forum.
AKA8 said:
...What about an E39 M5? Beffier and more interesting in every way (apart from badge)
Or, how about a Monaro if you really want a V8 in a big coupe?
Maybe even an 850csi? Pretty special engine in that
Not a Virage fan personally, but I don't think that anyone considering one would consider any of these a true alternative.Or, how about a Monaro if you really want a V8 in a big coupe?
Maybe even an 850csi? Pretty special engine in that
The M5's a 4-door saloon. Competent undoubtedly, but I doubt anyone would consider it a serious rival to a coupe GT.
The Monaro's a Vauxhall. And whilst the Virage may have Calibra overtones, it most certainly isn't a Vauxhall. Again, the Monaro's an accomplished vehicle in many ways, but I'm sure that someone wanting a Virage would equally never be seen dead in a Monaro.
850Csi - closer in purpose. But as flawed as the Virage in different ways. Not least of which people will be sure you're an accountant who wears y-fronts, braces with his belt and only at the weekend does the chest wig come out as you go to swingers parties.
Murph7355 said:
850Csi - closer in purpose. But as flawed as the Virage in different ways. Not least of which people will be sure you're an accountant who wears y-fronts, braces with his belt and only at the weekend does the chest wig come out as you go to swingers parties.
x 100000000000000000000000000000
Burriana 
Edited by Seasider on Sunday 29th July 13:33
Definitely poke around the AMOC site and ask questions.
I'd say the Maser is a very different beast. More lithe, less brute force approach. Possibly more fragile. Much prettier IMO (boomerang lights version).
Do you need 4 seats? And what's your budget? Have you considered cars like the Ferrari 456? Or perhaps the earlier V8 Aston or maybe a DB7?
I'd say the Maser is a very different beast. More lithe, less brute force approach. Possibly more fragile. Much prettier IMO (boomerang lights version).
Do you need 4 seats? And what's your budget? Have you considered cars like the Ferrari 456? Or perhaps the earlier V8 Aston or maybe a DB7?
Seasider said:
Murph7355 said:
850Csi - closer in purpose. But as flawed as the Virage in different ways. Not least of which people will be sure you're an accountant who wears y-fronts, braces with his belt and only at the weekend does the chest wig come out as you go to swingers parties.
x 100000000000000000000000000000 Burriana Edited by Seasider on Sunday 29th July 13:33
Have a look here...lots of astons incl Virage and V8 in production order and for sale
http://www.aston.co.uk/carsales_index/php
http://www.aston.co.uk/carsales_index/php
If you can afford to get one I believe the 6.3l conversion made a huge improvement to the engine, brakes and suspension, if not the looks. This was a hugely expensive post build option, that could be bought in component form.
I have always loved the Virage as it came out at a time when I was being taken to my first motor shows and learning all about the marque. It is never going to be a cutting edge drive, but Aston Martins never have been. What it will do is exude class and history and make you feel good every time you climb aboard. Also, whilst hugely expensive to maintain and run, it is unlikely that they will go down in value significantly from where they are at the moment.
Cheers,
Alex
I have always loved the Virage as it came out at a time when I was being taken to my first motor shows and learning all about the marque. It is never going to be a cutting edge drive, but Aston Martins never have been. What it will do is exude class and history and make you feel good every time you climb aboard. Also, whilst hugely expensive to maintain and run, it is unlikely that they will go down in value significantly from where they are at the moment.
Cheers,
Alex
The Virage wont be as fast as a Cerbera, but 155nph + is not what many people would call "slow". And they are no more unreliable then any other Aston.
155mph is fairly optimistic I reckon, but more to the point, it is the gearbox that will annoy you. Not to mention the cars weight. Even with Aston engineers I have never seen one spin its wheels.
As for saying Aston were in trouble at that time and it shows. Well, Aston have always been in trouble. In fact, the Virage was (at the time) the best developed Aston in the companies history. It had Ford money behind it.
The Virage didn't have Ford money behind it, it was developed in 1988 by Victor Gauntlett, who confessed it was developed on a shoe string, and Ford arrived in 1991.
If you want to really know what they ae like (to drive and to own) then have a look on the AMOC forum.
[/quote]#
Couldn't agree more, try it but also have a look at the 456 GT. Not as agricultural to drive and is more reliable.
155mph is fairly optimistic I reckon, but more to the point, it is the gearbox that will annoy you. Not to mention the cars weight. Even with Aston engineers I have never seen one spin its wheels.
As for saying Aston were in trouble at that time and it shows. Well, Aston have always been in trouble. In fact, the Virage was (at the time) the best developed Aston in the companies history. It had Ford money behind it.
The Virage didn't have Ford money behind it, it was developed in 1988 by Victor Gauntlett, who confessed it was developed on a shoe string, and Ford arrived in 1991.
If you want to really know what they ae like (to drive and to own) then have a look on the AMOC forum.
[/quote]#
Couldn't agree more, try it but also have a look at the 456 GT. Not as agricultural to drive and is more reliable.
AKA8 said:
The Virage wont be as fast as a Cerbera, but 155nph + is not what many people would call "slow". And they are no more unreliable then any other Aston.
155mph is fairly optimistic I reckon, but more to the point, it is the gearbox that will annoy you. Not to mention the cars weight. Even with Aston engineers I have never seen one spin its wheels.
As for saying Aston were in trouble at that time and it shows. Well, Aston have always been in trouble. In fact, the Virage was (at the time) the best developed Aston in the companies history. It had Ford money behind it.
The Virage didn't have Ford money behind it, it was developed in 1988 by Victor Gauntlett, who confessed it was developed on a shoe string, and Ford arrived in 1991.
If you want to really know what they ae like (to drive and to own) then have a look on the AMOC forum.
#155mph is fairly optimistic I reckon, but more to the point, it is the gearbox that will annoy you. Not to mention the cars weight. Even with Aston engineers I have never seen one spin its wheels.
As for saying Aston were in trouble at that time and it shows. Well, Aston have always been in trouble. In fact, the Virage was (at the time) the best developed Aston in the companies history. It had Ford money behind it.
The Virage didn't have Ford money behind it, it was developed in 1988 by Victor Gauntlett, who confessed it was developed on a shoe string, and Ford arrived in 1991.
If you want to really know what they ae like (to drive and to own) then have a look on the AMOC forum.
Couldn't agree more, try it but also have a look at the 456 GT. Not as agricultural to drive and is more reliable.
Autocar tested a Virage and got a mean average of 155mph around Milbrook, saying that on the flat a little more would be possible, with the highest run of 160mph. And Ford bought 75% of the company in 1987, and took full conttol in 1994.
williamp said:
... If you only "reckon" something, dont pass it off as fact.
Autocar tested a Virage and got a mean average of 155mph around Milbrook, saying that on the flat a little more would be possible, with the highest run of 160mph. And Ford bought 75% of the company in 1987, and took full conttol in 1994.
To be fair, I'm not sure the use of "reckon" is unwarranted. From the numbers you quote, it could easily be that a Virage now may not make that speed. May make more. Who really knows. And with these cars being handbuilt, one may make it, another may not.Autocar tested a Virage and got a mean average of 155mph around Milbrook, saying that on the flat a little more would be possible, with the highest run of 160mph. And Ford bought 75% of the company in 1987, and took full conttol in 1994.
I also tend to agree that a 456GT may make a much nicer mile muncher. Though it would likely be more expensive to buy in the first place.
All personal opinion, but I doubt you'll find many who would regard the Virage as the pinnacle of Aston Martin's output. I'm confident enough to state that as fact
I made the mistake of selling the same man two Virage........first one was a coupe which was always breaking down, we did our best with it and it went back to the factory but was never really right......so the man swopped it in against a Virage Volante 6.3 "cosmetic" (6.3 looks without the bigger engine)........bargain at £110K pre owned........the car turned a nice mild mannered gentleman into a raging monster, it was the most unreliable car i have ever sold......it leaked water in, it squeaked and rattled and at anything above 60 mph the roof ballooned up and the wind noise was horrid, the car went back to Aston who spent 6 weeks messing with it........gave it back to the man, and guess what............it broke down...........these cars can be very unreliable, but they look a bit tempting at the price.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff