Potential AM V8 purchase - I have a few questions??
Discussion
I'm looking at a July 2006 AM V8 and have a few questions. It's just had a major service and has completed 16,000 miles....
Would any AM dealer keep specific service and warranty work info on this car or would I need to check with the actual dealer completing the work?
I guess it's unlikely that this is an 07 facelift car (11th July 06 registered), but what are the changes and how can the later spec be identified?
Are there any particular problems that I should be aware of when examining this car for purchase?
I haven't yet viewed the car as it's a couple of hundred miles away but intend to soon after Christmas if initial investigation proves positive. One defect I was advised of when chatting about this car to it's current owner were a couple of finger tip sized dimples at the rear of the tailgate - apparently caused by the steel frame behind (or something like that). The suggestion was that AM would replace the tailgate under warranty but the problem was likely to reoccur - does this sound at all familiar?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Would any AM dealer keep specific service and warranty work info on this car or would I need to check with the actual dealer completing the work?
I guess it's unlikely that this is an 07 facelift car (11th July 06 registered), but what are the changes and how can the later spec be identified?
Are there any particular problems that I should be aware of when examining this car for purchase?
I haven't yet viewed the car as it's a couple of hundred miles away but intend to soon after Christmas if initial investigation proves positive. One defect I was advised of when chatting about this car to it's current owner were a couple of finger tip sized dimples at the rear of the tailgate - apparently caused by the steel frame behind (or something like that). The suggestion was that AM would replace the tailgate under warranty but the problem was likely to reoccur - does this sound at all familiar?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Edited by m33ufo on Saturday 27th December 21:37
I have a May 06
Some things you should look out for:
Stone chips to rear wheel arches due to no front mud flaps
No front mud flaps! (should have been retro fitted)
Very stiff gear shift when cold. There is a fix which should have been done by Aston, but only if they were asked to. Make sure the linkage has been changed and the thinnier oil added
Electronic fuel filler flap not opening. (Mine still doesn't after 5 attempts to fix it)
Alloy rims discolouring due to dodgy manufacture
Spurious electric gremlins - plenty of them
Check the stereo works in stereo.
It's a great car, you'll love it. Honest.
Some things you should look out for:
Stone chips to rear wheel arches due to no front mud flaps
No front mud flaps! (should have been retro fitted)
Very stiff gear shift when cold. There is a fix which should have been done by Aston, but only if they were asked to. Make sure the linkage has been changed and the thinnier oil added
Electronic fuel filler flap not opening. (Mine still doesn't after 5 attempts to fix it)
Alloy rims discolouring due to dodgy manufacture
Spurious electric gremlins - plenty of them
Check the stereo works in stereo.
It's a great car, you'll love it. Honest.
as is mine... and it does. But when you're inside, driving, you don't care a jot!
www.stevecarter.com/aston.htm
www.stevecarter.com/aston.htm
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 25th December 12:31
dafydd2008 said:
I am hunting around for a Vantage however it looks like prices are falling daily.
A quick question on the semi automatics are these on paddle shift?
Do you guys prefer the manuals or the semi's??
Hope you all had a great christmas!
It's a paddle shift automated manual (it has an "auto" mode but it's rubbish).A quick question on the semi automatics are these on paddle shift?
Do you guys prefer the manuals or the semi's??
Hope you all had a great christmas!
Having tested one, it's not as bad as many would have you believe, but there is a knack to it (namely lifting off slightly on upshifts).
I already had a manual car and wouldn't trade in just for that feature. But were I to buy another V8 I wouldn't not buy a Sportshift car if the rest of the car were exactly as required. IYSWIM.
Try one, but be warned that you'll need a bit of time in one to figure out properly whether you like it I think.
m33ufo said:
I'm looking at a July 2006 AM V8 and have a few questions. It's just had a major service and has completed 16,000 miles....
Would any AM dealer keep specific service and warranty work info on this car or would I need to check with the actual dealer completing the work?
I guess it's unlikely that this is an 07 facelift car (11th July 06 registered), but what are the changes and how can the later spec be identified?
Are there any particular problems that I should be aware of when examining this car for purchase?
I haven't yet viewed the car as it's a couple of hundred miles away but intend to soon after Christmas if initial investigation proves positive. One defect I was advised of when chatting about this car to it's current owner were a couple of finger tip sized dimples at the rear of the tailgate - apparently caused by the steel frame behind (or something like that). The suggestion was that AM would replace the tailgate under warranty but the problem was likely to reoccur - does this sound at all familiar?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
You can tell if it is a facelift car by the seat design I prefer the 2006 seats to the 2007+ but it is a personal choice.Would any AM dealer keep specific service and warranty work info on this car or would I need to check with the actual dealer completing the work?
I guess it's unlikely that this is an 07 facelift car (11th July 06 registered), but what are the changes and how can the later spec be identified?
Are there any particular problems that I should be aware of when examining this car for purchase?
I haven't yet viewed the car as it's a couple of hundred miles away but intend to soon after Christmas if initial investigation proves positive. One defect I was advised of when chatting about this car to it's current owner were a couple of finger tip sized dimples at the rear of the tailgate - apparently caused by the steel frame behind (or something like that). The suggestion was that AM would replace the tailgate under warranty but the problem was likely to reoccur - does this sound at all familiar?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Edited by m33ufo on Saturday 27th December 21:37
The bubbles on the back are actually caused by a type of glue used in the original builds. It outgases or causes some other effect that crates some bubbles under the paint on the tailgate. Usually 2 on each side. Had my tail gate repainted and it came back a year later. AM swapped by tailgate with a new one (with different glue) and it has not come back now after almost 14 months.
Other issue described should be looked for but none really keep you from enjoying the car :-)
ThePusher said:
You can tell if it is a facelift car by the seat design I prefer the 2006 seats to the 2007+ but it is a personal choice.
The bubbles on the back are actually caused by a type of glue used in the original builds. It outgases or causes some other effect that crates some bubbles under the paint on the tailgate. Usually 2 on each side. Had my tail gate repainted and it came back a year later. AM swapped by tailgate with a new one (with different glue) and it has not come back now after almost 14 months.
Other issue described should be looked for but none really keep you from enjoying the car :-)
Ah, good....I was hoping someone would reply re the tailgate. At least if worst comes to the worst then I assume AM will sort it out under warranty. The bubbles on the back are actually caused by a type of glue used in the original builds. It outgases or causes some other effect that crates some bubbles under the paint on the tailgate. Usually 2 on each side. Had my tail gate repainted and it came back a year later. AM swapped by tailgate with a new one (with different glue) and it has not come back now after almost 14 months.
Other issue described should be looked for but none really keep you from enjoying the car :-)
I'm hoping to speak to the dealer where the car was recently serviced on Monday to get a brief rundown. If all sounds ok then I intend taking a look and potentially doing a deal Tuesday or Wednesday.
Los Angeles said:
GetCarter said:
Spurious electric gremlins - plenty of them
Carter, tell us more about these gremlins. And when you say AM defaulted on front mudguards do you mean rubber flaps, or transparent shields affixed over vulnerable areas, like Porsche do over protruding wheel arches?It's mudguards (that from about 6 months in) are fitted to every V8. They admitted it had been a 'problem' on early models, and so I asked them to respray the back wheel arches on warranty. They refused. I asked how much for me to do it, they said £3000 - so I live with the chips.
The electrical problems are things like: saying your indicator bulbs are blown when they are not. Saying they you have gone into 'safe mode' which limits the revs (for no reason). Fuel filler cap not opening... stuff like that. Not massive, but annoying.
m33ufo warranty history can be checked by any dealer, service history is retained by the dealer who has serviced it, if you need some warranty info let me have the last 6 digits of chassis number and will have a look for you, also never had a customer who has regretted owning one, yes they have there niggles but they are far out weighed by the smile they put on your face, and the smiles and the comments from other people old and young male and female,
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