my 2006 AMV8 to date... 10 months on!

[phunkyphantom]

thought a quick post on here might help people looking, i was going to move into a 997 from a 996 and a cayman before that before even thinking about something like the vantage but the fairy tale started and i fell in love, 2 weeks before our new baby boy arrived! (the passenger seat has iso fixings for a baby seat so that was all the justification i needed to make it a family car!)

I bought a 2006 4.3 vantage coupe in silver, 2 owner, 9000 miles from an indy sports car dealer which had it main dealer serviced before i took it on and 12 month indy warranty. this is my daily hack and gets used almost everyday, it lives outside and is driven rain or sun! while touching my luck wood... the only tiny blip was an emissions message in the dash which is common and caused by a change of driving style. my local garage just reset the ecu and all was well again, 5 minute job and they didn't even bother charging me. Other than that this has been pure joy to drive and makes me smile every time i get in it. even after a crappy day at work this will cheer you up before you get home! oh and pull fuse 22, you'll never put it back in!

what i have realised is that aston is admired rather than envied so avoids all the hassle you'd get in a 360 or similar.

i was unsure, very unsure about making the jump early and as a daily but i've not regretted 1 minute of it.

if you're looking to buy i'd definitely look for...

warranty for peace of mind
low miles
proper service history
folding mirrors
parking sensors
bluetooth prep (i'm looking to retro fit a parrot as the simcard handsfree is a pain)
heated seats (i don't have these and miss them!)
sat nav isn't worth having but helps with resell so i'm told.

hope that helps anyone 'thinking', the sooner you do it the sooner you can start to enjoy it!

[cerealsurfer]

Thanks for your views, very useful to me.

[EBruce]

phunkyphantom said:

if you're looking to buy i'd definitely look for...

warranty for peace of mind
low miles
proper service history
folding mirrors
parking sensors
bluetooth prep (i'm looking to retro fit a parrot as the simcard handsfree is a pain)
heated seats (i don't have these and miss them!)
sat nav isn't worth having but helps with resell so i'm told.

hope that helps anyone 'thinking', the sooner you do it the sooner you can start to enjoy it!

In addition to the above:
-AM power upgrade
-AM Handling package upgrade
-Aftermarket Exhaust
-The built in radar/laser diffuser (add on and has saved me more times than I can count!)
-Clear bra for the paint

Edited by EBruce on Friday 20th August 01:21

Edited by EBruce on Friday 20th August 01:22

[Merlin V8V]

Hi

Im considering some kind of speed camera/radar/laser diffuser and wondered which one you opted for and why that one?

Anyone else have any thoughts on these?

I currently have the old Pogo Alert but not mounted it in the V8V for fear of spoiling the beauty of the cabin.

Thanks

Jay

[V8VKK]

You should also consider the ipod integration with premium audio, it really is very good

[phunkyphantom]

no worries... i thought it might put a potential buyer at ease.

the other 'extras' listed i'm sure are nice but not found on many cars. mine is a stocker which i think is quite nice on this sort of marque? all personal preference of course but i think they are just fine from the factory!

[EBruce]

Merlin V8V said:

Hi

Im considering some kind of speed camera/radar/laser diffuser and wondered which one you opted for and why that one?

Anyone else have any thoughts on these?

I currently have the old Pogo Alert but not mounted it in the V8V for fear of spoiling the beauty of the cabin.

Thanks

Jay

Jay-
I have the Calibre K40 Bluetooth system and think its great. All components are hidden from view....the front radar laser diffuser/detector is in the front grill of the Aston and the rear is the liscence plate surround. The indicators are in my dash (2 small LEDs). I have a remote that can change the volume and tones.

I have compared this to my Escort Passport that I have in another car and it is comparable (not quite as good) BUT it is hidden and it blocks the Cops from reading your speed!

[jamesc69]

Merlin V8V said:

Hi

Im considering some kind of speed camera/radar/laser diffuser and wondered which one you opted for and why that one?

Anyone else have any thoughts on these?

I currently have the old Pogo Alert but not mounted it in the V8V for fear of spoiling the beauty of the cabin.

Thanks

Jay

Hi Jay

I used to sell a wide range of speed camera alert systems (eg road angel) and laser diffusers (jammers).

Firstly my legal disclaimer ! - I do not condone speeding and will not be held responsible for anybody prosecuted for breaking the law -


For static cameras, GPS based speed camera alart systems as the most effective defense such as Road angel etc. However, these days most sat navs have a camera database included anyway, so the dedicated camera alert systems are not as popular. Benefits - no false alarms Negatives - cannot warn about handheld radar guns or mobile camera vans (unless unit has known mobile sites recorded in the database).

In my opinion most drivers know where fixed cameras are located, it is the mobile vans (using laser) and handheld laser guns which are the biggest threat to your license.

Beware any conventiona radar/laser detectors that claim to detect laser guns. This is simply not possible. In the unit does alarm, it is too late, your speed has been clocked.

The only defence against laser is a laser diffuser or jammer. (these are often sold as remote garage door openers so as to offer some legal confusion !)

extract from LRC 100 manual " When the LRC 100 acquires a laser gun, it immediately returns a 5 second signal, gives the driver a visual warning, and emits a 100dB audible alert. For 5 seconds, the laser gun's display will not produce a speed reading, leaving enough time for the driver to check, and if necessary adjust, vehicle speed safely. Then, the diode shuts down, and the diffuser acts as a passive detector for the next 60 seconds while you clear the laser speed trap. After recycling, the LRC 100 is ready to do its job again."

BE WARNED !!! it has been suggested if the laser jammer deploys and the mobile camera van records a "error" reading (ie no speed recorded), a tag marker is electronically recorded on the DLVA car files. Get 2 or more tags and i prepare for a police officer to pay you a visit asking why on more than one occassion a camera van has been unable to record yuor speed.

James