Purchase of V8 Vantage Coupe.

[runner911]

Can anyone help please ?
I've run Porsche 911's for many years, and been an enthusiastic member of Porsche Club Great Britain since 1996.
I currently run a 996 GT3 which is of special interest as it was first purchased by the late Richard Burns, former World Rally Champion. The car has covered only 24000 miles since new and is virtually mint.
Due to my advancing years and a back injury I will possibly be selling it in the not too distant future, and looking to replace it with an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe.
I know little about Aston Martins but the Vantage has always appealed.
I would be grateful for any advice of what to look for/potential pitfalls etc., e.g. I recently read about a manual gearboxes needing a modification.
What's that all about ?

[bogie]

on early cars there was a couple of service bulletins on the gearbox for stiff gearchange when cold. Thats about it. I have a Jan 06 car and can think of the service bulletin things done;

gearchange
squeaky belts
squeaky brakes
minor oil weep

all fixed under warranty by the 2nd service, im on 44K miles now

certainly one of the most reliable and trouble free cars Ive owned (touch wood!)

[strappon]

i would hate to put anyone off buying an aston, but i purchased mine off a chap who had a major back operation and he just couldn't get comfortable in the car afterwards, to the extent that he had to sell it. having said that, having driven a 997 gt3 myself, i would suggest the ride in the v8v is softer than in a gt3. obviously, u need an extended test drive to see if it works for you.

lots of previous threads on here for tips, but from my perspective, condition & history more important than a fully loaded spec.

[runner911]

Can you please advise on servicing costs ?

[bogie]

depends on the labour rate of the dealer or specialist where you go

central London, most expensive ive seen is £150 ph +vat

at a Northern specialist, maybe £40-50 ph+vat

10K service intervals, and 5.5 hour avg + parts with nearly 2 gallon of oil to change and filters

so £400 - £1200 per avg service, depending where you go ...before you add bits on - tyres, pads, discs etc ...none of which are any more expensive than say a mid range German saloon in my experience ...I have paid both extremes of the servicing costs, and now regularly use Derby Motor Services, as do many others on here

[IM NUTS2]

bogie said:

gearchange
squeaky belts
squeaky brakes
minor oil weep

all fixed under warranty

As bogie said some few issues but covered under the warranty, i have mine at Harwoods having the squeaky belt/pulley mod today also the other thing to add to the list is the door locks itsself and won't open when you want to get out has happened on both sides.

Other than that the best car i have owned.