about to join the club! - Does this look ok?

[phunkyphantom]

My plan was a mid £30k 997 then an amv8, but had a rethink as now seems to be as good a time as any to make the jump.

Pretty much decided on this one..

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1174117.htm

Having read posts on here I think it ticks most of the boxes?

It's coming freshly serviced etc.

Anything I've missed or need to check on?

cheers

Edited by phunkyphantom on Monday 2nd November 17:07

[bogie]

has it had the common warranty service items done like stiff gearchange, squealing brakes/belts etc? (should be in service book, if done by dealer)

if they are not franchised AM dealer are they extending the AM warranty by 12 months as part of the deal? (or providing their own equivalent)

..thats about all I can think of - looks like a nice low mile example, and Im sure you will be pleased with it

[phunkyphantom]

it has a 2006 - 40miles run in check/service and a 2007 - 3900mile service but missed a 2008 service. They are offering a main dealer service pre collection at the current 9000miles. Only the 2 stamps in the book and no other details of any other work.

They are offering a 12 month Autoprotect warranty? Don't know anything about them?

Edited by phunkyphantom on Monday 2nd November 18:38

[Murph7355]

Do plenty of reading on here. Understand the specs and common problems. Then properly compare as many cars as you can.

Incomplete history and a high price IMO on that one for the spec shown (which may or may not be complete).

You're making a good move. Take your time to ensure it's a very good one

[bogie]

in my service book, the dealer has written the service bulletins done in it, so Id presumed its standard practice...a dealer would be able to plug it into the computer and pull up a full history on the car..

for that price Id want an official AM warranty I can take it to any dealer then and get it sorted ....are there not plenty of good spec cars in the main dealer network that are the colour/spec you want? - thats main dealer money you are paying......

[phunkyphantom]

With low miles the cheapest on the pre owned was just over £52k.

What is this missing on the spec that one should look for?

if I go for it then I suppose I can request the full plug in spec and history along with required updates?

Warranty is my only concern, can you extend the Aston warranty?

I was looking at low 40s cars but this looked like a lot more car for the money!

Maybe I'm rushing in to it a bit quick.

[Murph7355]

phunkyphantom said:

...
Maybe I'm rushing in to it a bit quick.

I bought an 07 car. The following were the options available:

• 19" alloy wheels

Bright finish grille

• HID headlamps
• Powerfold door mirrors

Coloured brake calipers

• Auto dimming rear view mirror
• Heated front seats
• Passenger seat height adjustment - Non-isofix

Satellite Navigation

• Heated front screen
• Premium audio system
• Memory seats
• Cruise control
• Bluetooth
• Stone guards

Battery conditioner
Umbrella and holder
Smokers kit (ashtray)

If all of these were fitted the difference in price would have been over 7.5k. Now, I'm not saying you get all that back at resale as you don't. But...there are a lot of cars out there with big spec. And some of these options are much more handy than you'd initially think, such that I'd definitely look for a car with them (I've asterisked the ones I'd definitely look for, having got them on a car and made lots of use of them even though I doubted I would with all of them).

I would be less hung up on the car having done under 3k miles per annum than I would on getting a car with the right spec and service history/use tbh.

Mind you, it does look like prices might be firming on good cars, which is nice to know!

[bogie]

yeah, the warranty is inspection cost (few hundred quid I think) plus £1300 ish a year I think ....but free if you buy from a dealer ...so you can knock say £1500 of a dealer price I guess, if comparing it with an indie

you can take it anywhere to get it plugged in and service history download - DMS in Derby for instance are one of the most popular indepandant specalists

[Cipo]

Well, I have to agree with the guy's as I took their advice and waited and waited and waited until 8 months passed and got the right car for me. I think without doubt, wanting and waiting for those extras not only help re-sale value but make the already fantastic driving experience that much better. Heated windscreen and seats are really pre requisite whilst memory seats are also if there are two or more driving. My wish list was: -

· 1 owner car
· Full AM service history
· Heated seats
· Power fold exterior mirrors
· Heated front screen
· Blue tooth telephone preparation
· Satellite navigation system
· Tracking Device
· High spec alarm
· 19” alloy wheels – 7 spoke design
· Aston Martin 700W Premium Audio System
· Battery conditioner
· Front wheel stone guards
· Memory seats (3 positions)
· Cruise control
· Auto dimming rear view mirror
· Bright finish grille
· Black brake calliper finish
· Standard facia trim
· Silver stitch
· Xenon (HID) headlamps including power wash
· 2007 MY

I got everything except a one owner car (it was but the guy re-registered it from his company to him) and tracker. You could say I was lucky, but I looked every day, twice a day, in the end I thought my expectations were too high, but the high spec cars are def out there. IMHO for a car of this high standing, don't rush in, as already mentioned, this one seems like dealer money for not many extras. Good luck if you go for this one or if you carry on searching keep us informed of your decision.

[phunkyphantom]

After poking through the used main dealer stock, pistonheads, eBay and autotrader, I couldn't find anything main dealer with sub 15k miles for less than £53k. Again with the indie dealers I couldn't find much under £50k with low ish miles. The one that I did find had been sold last week.

So after all that I went back to the car I started with here. I really like the colour combo so that was a good start. Took the car for a drive and was totally taken by it.

Spec includes
hid lights
cruise
sat nav
19" 7 spokes
parking
phone prep
silver stitch
6 disc

The only thing I would have really liked is heated seats but not the end of the world. This is to be my daily so low miles means I can top it up to expected miles over the next couple of years. That's a good plus and worth something to me.

So tonight agreed a deal!

£47500
full main dealer Aston service
brand new mot
12 month tax
12 month indie warranty unlimited claims no excess etc

sort the scuff on the mirror and tiny wear on the bolster. This is me being very very fussy but spending this sort of money made me feel better!

oh and a full tank of fuel and a proper pre collection valet as you'd expect.

If I'm lucky it might be back for the weekend or early next week. So it seems I've signed up for the club!!

[Murph7355]

Congrats!

Enjoy it

[V8LM]

I don't like the rear 3/4 view much.

[bogie]

well done...at least you cant regret not doing you home work - sounds like you got a good deal ...nice to hear that with so few cars out there now the prices seem to have gone up too !

[Fatrat]

Congrats.

Is the white car thrown in free as part of the deal??

[phunkyphantom]

thanks all

no the fiat 500 isn't included... but i do like them! Would make a good mini 4 seater spare car etc.

Fingers crossed it'll be back for the weekend!

[thorfun]

phunkyphantom said:

Took the car for a drive and was totally taken by it.

that happened to me too. i only went down to "have a look" and consider my options. a test drive and 1hr later i was walking out having bought it and have been enjoying it ever since.

congratulations and i've no doubt you'll love it as much as we all do.

[Cipo]

Congratulations on a buying a great car, unfortunately, the first drive buzz you just had continues throughout ownership