20 Years of Hesitation: My Journey to the V8 Vantage N420
Discussion
Hey hey AM fans,
A bit more than a month ago, I finally got my hands on one of my dream cars: an Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
I d been looking at them for the last 20 years hesitating, rationalising ( no, it s not a wise choice ), looking away, and coming back to it again and again. This time, I took the leap emptied part of my bank account and went for the one I truly fell in love with.
Let me spoil the reveal: it's the V8 Vantage N420, number 70/420, the former car of PH member EVR (Hi Edo).
Quantum Silver, Obsidian Black interior, carbon front splitter and rear diffuser, N420 embroidery, premium audio, cruise control the lot.
The story (not the short one)
I d been living abroad for the last 15 years without owning a car. I didn t really miss it and honestly, it saved me a fortune. I used public transport, planes, rentals In Scandinavia, you can rent a brand new Volvo V90 T6 AWD or an Audi A6 Quattro for 600 a week, unlimited km hard to beat that.
Before that, back in France, I d owned several British machines three Range Rovers, two Jaguars plus a few Aero Saabs. My last one before leaving was a Jaguar XKR from 2007, a fantastic GT with a loud, soulful V8.
Fast forward to 2025: I m back in France, needing to drive a lot between four cities. I started car shopping again with sensible criteria: a GT, comfortable, reliable, economic, beautiful, and with a proper sound system. My first pick? A BMW 6 Series F13 Diesel xDrive (yes I know). It did everything well smooth, classy, quick, efficient. It eats kilometres without noticing it
Until one day, I opened an Aston Martin classified ad.
At first, I looked at some early 4.3s. Then some 4.7s. If I top up a bit more you know how it goes. Soon I was obsessed, spending nights watching videos, reading reviews, doing (men s) maths, dreaming of these naturally aspirated V8 and exhaust note.
In August, I almost bought a 2008 V8V 4.7 in the South of France, deposit paid, silver and brown interior but some money got blocked, I had to cancel. It felt like the universe saying: wait for the right one.
And then came the EVR N420. A little more expensive, but miles more character. I called the dealer, booked a visit, and it was love at first sight. Honestly, the seller didn t have to do anything I was already sold the moment I saw it. I didn t do any PPI, just drove it for 20mn, unable to focus on anything.
I signed the order on the same day, my birthday.
The waiting game
Everything was set for delivery a week later, early September money transferred, insurance ready when the dealer called:
Bad news, good news. Bad: you can t collect it this weekend. Good: we re changing the clutch for a new one, free of charge.
Nice gesture. The car had 62,500 km and the original clutch, so that made sense. But the nightmare began when they ordered it from a UK supplier AstonParts247. Weeks went by, no delivery, no response, no tracking, nothing.
For a month, I had paid for the car but had no car, no ETA, and growing frustration. What should have been the happiest purchase of my life was turning into pure stress.
In early October, still no clutch. I finally sent a formal letter: delivery by November 15 or I d cancel the sale. A week later miracle a tracking number appeared. Coincidence or not, it worked.
On October 15th, six weeks later, the clutch was fitted, and I was finally on my way to pick up my Aston.
---
The Collection Day and an Epic First Road Trip
15ft of October, 5am.
I was on the first train from Paris, half-awake but fully charged with adrenaline. I d barely slept. It felt like the night before a big exam or a first date but multiplied by ten. Four hours later, I stepped off the train, was brought to the dealer shop and saw her (it s a she): my N420. There she was, gleaming under the morning sun, Quantum Silver body reflecting every bit of excitement I was trying to contain. The paperwork was done in minutes, but my brain was miles away, convenience chit chat The garage owner handed me the keys, and for a moment I just stared at them, heavy in my hand the weight of a crystal dream finally real.
When I pressed the start button, that V8 roar exploded into life. It was raw, metallic, mechanical, and utterly intoxicating. The sound reverberated through the walls of the garage a proper Aston Martin fanfare. I couldn t help but laugh nervously. People will turn around. This wasn t subtle. This was an entrance.
Leaving the garage, I was both euphoric and terrified. My hands were shaking. The paddles clicked with a satisfying clack, the gearbox engaging like a rifle bolt. The car felt alive powerful, sharp, but demanding full respect. For the first few miles, I was stiff, fully stressed, hyper-aware of every bump, every sound. But as the kilometres rolled, I began to breathe again.
And then the magic happened.
The road wound into gentle hills, through small villages and stretches of countryside still bathed in late autumn light. Kids walking home stopped and pointed. A few raised their thumbs, smiling wide. In another village, an old man with a cane froze mid-step as I drove past, shaking his head with a grin. At a fuel stop, two drivers who d overtaken me earlier pulled in just to take a look they didn t say much, just a nod and another thumbs-up. That s the unspoken language of car people.
At one point, a motorbike pulled up beside me at a red light the rider revved his engine, looking straight at me with a grin. I understood instantly. I blipped the throttle, and the Aston answered with that unmistakable, spine-tingling roar of a naturally aspirated V8. For a few seconds, it was pure symphony two engines, two enthusiasts, and one shared understanding of what passion sounds like. When the light turned green, he gave me a salute and disappeared ahead. I couldn t stop smiling.
I stopped several times just to take it all in. In one spot, I parked near a viewpoint overlooking the hills. The exhaust clicked as it cooled, birds were flying low, and the car looked almost unreal against the landscape. That was the moment it truly hit me: I did it. I own an Aston Martin.
The rest of the trip was a blur of sensations the sound, the balance, the connection between machine and man. Every corner felt deliberate, every acceleration like a heartbeat. It wasn t a comfortable cruise; it was intense, emotional, almost spiritual. By the time I reached my destination, five hours later, I was exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally. My back ached, my face hurt from smiling, and my brain was buzzing with the echo of the V8.
That night, I couldn t sleep. I just kept replaying the day in my head. The sound, the faces of people I d passed, the smell of warm leather and hot brakes. I had lived my dream and somehow, it had exceeded everything I imagined.
I m aware that the best has now passed. The best is when we are waiting, we are expecting, we are dreaming, until the gift is open. Then we realise and we are back to basics , to Aston Martin s basics
After delivery, I sent it straight to an independent Aston specialist for a full preventive service all fluids, filters, belts, brakes, calibration more than 6,000 already, and more to come. But now, it feels right.
It s my daily, and I love it. Maybe one day I ll move on but for now, I m just at peace with this car.
Impressions
-- Gearbox (Sportshift I)
I knew what to expect it s not smooth, not clever in traffic, and reverse is a pain. But on the open road, it s raw, mechanical, full of character. I recalibrated it with AMDS, which helped a lot. Not perfect, but part of the charm.
-- Suspension & handling
The Sport Pack setup is firm. Coming from a BMW 6 or Jag XKR, it s a shock but it corners like a dream, with great feedback through the wheel.
-- Exhaust
Brutal. Addictive. Too loud on long trips, maybe. The valves open at 3100 rpm (exactly 132 km/h ), so yes, I m now a model citizen sticking to limits.
Overall
Is it perfect? Not at all. There are some parasite sounds here and there on bumpy road, not super economics, maintenance and parts cost and arm each time, but it s like a high maintenance girl friend.
But, it s everything I hoped for: a car with soul, imperfection, and beauty in every detail.
Thanks for reading my little adventure.
Happy to answer any questions.
About me: I m in my early 50s, a marketeer / UX designer, now studying wealth management, based in France (Normandy, Burgundy, Paris). Two kids and no, they can t fit in the Vantage - and that s a good news but hey, don t tell to anyone.
Cheers,
TheBigHunt
Ps: I don't know why, but when I pasted from my notepad, all accents, ' and symbols went away... You have to decrypt ??
Some photos
A bit more than a month ago, I finally got my hands on one of my dream cars: an Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
I d been looking at them for the last 20 years hesitating, rationalising ( no, it s not a wise choice ), looking away, and coming back to it again and again. This time, I took the leap emptied part of my bank account and went for the one I truly fell in love with.
Let me spoil the reveal: it's the V8 Vantage N420, number 70/420, the former car of PH member EVR (Hi Edo).
Quantum Silver, Obsidian Black interior, carbon front splitter and rear diffuser, N420 embroidery, premium audio, cruise control the lot.
The story (not the short one)
I d been living abroad for the last 15 years without owning a car. I didn t really miss it and honestly, it saved me a fortune. I used public transport, planes, rentals In Scandinavia, you can rent a brand new Volvo V90 T6 AWD or an Audi A6 Quattro for 600 a week, unlimited km hard to beat that.
Before that, back in France, I d owned several British machines three Range Rovers, two Jaguars plus a few Aero Saabs. My last one before leaving was a Jaguar XKR from 2007, a fantastic GT with a loud, soulful V8.
Fast forward to 2025: I m back in France, needing to drive a lot between four cities. I started car shopping again with sensible criteria: a GT, comfortable, reliable, economic, beautiful, and with a proper sound system. My first pick? A BMW 6 Series F13 Diesel xDrive (yes I know). It did everything well smooth, classy, quick, efficient. It eats kilometres without noticing it
Until one day, I opened an Aston Martin classified ad.
At first, I looked at some early 4.3s. Then some 4.7s. If I top up a bit more you know how it goes. Soon I was obsessed, spending nights watching videos, reading reviews, doing (men s) maths, dreaming of these naturally aspirated V8 and exhaust note.
In August, I almost bought a 2008 V8V 4.7 in the South of France, deposit paid, silver and brown interior but some money got blocked, I had to cancel. It felt like the universe saying: wait for the right one.
And then came the EVR N420. A little more expensive, but miles more character. I called the dealer, booked a visit, and it was love at first sight. Honestly, the seller didn t have to do anything I was already sold the moment I saw it. I didn t do any PPI, just drove it for 20mn, unable to focus on anything.
I signed the order on the same day, my birthday.
The waiting game
Everything was set for delivery a week later, early September money transferred, insurance ready when the dealer called:
Bad news, good news. Bad: you can t collect it this weekend. Good: we re changing the clutch for a new one, free of charge.
Nice gesture. The car had 62,500 km and the original clutch, so that made sense. But the nightmare began when they ordered it from a UK supplier AstonParts247. Weeks went by, no delivery, no response, no tracking, nothing.
For a month, I had paid for the car but had no car, no ETA, and growing frustration. What should have been the happiest purchase of my life was turning into pure stress.
In early October, still no clutch. I finally sent a formal letter: delivery by November 15 or I d cancel the sale. A week later miracle a tracking number appeared. Coincidence or not, it worked.
On October 15th, six weeks later, the clutch was fitted, and I was finally on my way to pick up my Aston.
---
The Collection Day and an Epic First Road Trip
15ft of October, 5am.
I was on the first train from Paris, half-awake but fully charged with adrenaline. I d barely slept. It felt like the night before a big exam or a first date but multiplied by ten. Four hours later, I stepped off the train, was brought to the dealer shop and saw her (it s a she): my N420. There she was, gleaming under the morning sun, Quantum Silver body reflecting every bit of excitement I was trying to contain. The paperwork was done in minutes, but my brain was miles away, convenience chit chat The garage owner handed me the keys, and for a moment I just stared at them, heavy in my hand the weight of a crystal dream finally real.
When I pressed the start button, that V8 roar exploded into life. It was raw, metallic, mechanical, and utterly intoxicating. The sound reverberated through the walls of the garage a proper Aston Martin fanfare. I couldn t help but laugh nervously. People will turn around. This wasn t subtle. This was an entrance.
Leaving the garage, I was both euphoric and terrified. My hands were shaking. The paddles clicked with a satisfying clack, the gearbox engaging like a rifle bolt. The car felt alive powerful, sharp, but demanding full respect. For the first few miles, I was stiff, fully stressed, hyper-aware of every bump, every sound. But as the kilometres rolled, I began to breathe again.
And then the magic happened.
The road wound into gentle hills, through small villages and stretches of countryside still bathed in late autumn light. Kids walking home stopped and pointed. A few raised their thumbs, smiling wide. In another village, an old man with a cane froze mid-step as I drove past, shaking his head with a grin. At a fuel stop, two drivers who d overtaken me earlier pulled in just to take a look they didn t say much, just a nod and another thumbs-up. That s the unspoken language of car people.
At one point, a motorbike pulled up beside me at a red light the rider revved his engine, looking straight at me with a grin. I understood instantly. I blipped the throttle, and the Aston answered with that unmistakable, spine-tingling roar of a naturally aspirated V8. For a few seconds, it was pure symphony two engines, two enthusiasts, and one shared understanding of what passion sounds like. When the light turned green, he gave me a salute and disappeared ahead. I couldn t stop smiling.
I stopped several times just to take it all in. In one spot, I parked near a viewpoint overlooking the hills. The exhaust clicked as it cooled, birds were flying low, and the car looked almost unreal against the landscape. That was the moment it truly hit me: I did it. I own an Aston Martin.
The rest of the trip was a blur of sensations the sound, the balance, the connection between machine and man. Every corner felt deliberate, every acceleration like a heartbeat. It wasn t a comfortable cruise; it was intense, emotional, almost spiritual. By the time I reached my destination, five hours later, I was exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally. My back ached, my face hurt from smiling, and my brain was buzzing with the echo of the V8.
That night, I couldn t sleep. I just kept replaying the day in my head. The sound, the faces of people I d passed, the smell of warm leather and hot brakes. I had lived my dream and somehow, it had exceeded everything I imagined.
I m aware that the best has now passed. The best is when we are waiting, we are expecting, we are dreaming, until the gift is open. Then we realise and we are back to basics , to Aston Martin s basics
After delivery, I sent it straight to an independent Aston specialist for a full preventive service all fluids, filters, belts, brakes, calibration more than 6,000 already, and more to come. But now, it feels right.
It s my daily, and I love it. Maybe one day I ll move on but for now, I m just at peace with this car.
Impressions
-- Gearbox (Sportshift I)
I knew what to expect it s not smooth, not clever in traffic, and reverse is a pain. But on the open road, it s raw, mechanical, full of character. I recalibrated it with AMDS, which helped a lot. Not perfect, but part of the charm.
-- Suspension & handling
The Sport Pack setup is firm. Coming from a BMW 6 or Jag XKR, it s a shock but it corners like a dream, with great feedback through the wheel.
-- Exhaust
Brutal. Addictive. Too loud on long trips, maybe. The valves open at 3100 rpm (exactly 132 km/h ), so yes, I m now a model citizen sticking to limits.
Overall
Is it perfect? Not at all. There are some parasite sounds here and there on bumpy road, not super economics, maintenance and parts cost and arm each time, but it s like a high maintenance girl friend.
But, it s everything I hoped for: a car with soul, imperfection, and beauty in every detail.
Thanks for reading my little adventure.
Happy to answer any questions.
About me: I m in my early 50s, a marketeer / UX designer, now studying wealth management, based in France (Normandy, Burgundy, Paris). Two kids and no, they can t fit in the Vantage - and that s a good news but hey, don t tell to anyone.
Cheers,
TheBigHunt
Ps: I don't know why, but when I pasted from my notepad, all accents, ' and symbols went away... You have to decrypt ??
Some photos
Edited by TheBigHunt on Friday 14th November 07:09
Fantastic post and what can I say... I am SO glad that my previous N420 went in such good and passionate hands! You will be a great custodian as I hope you think I have been until now.
I really enjoy exchanging with you on WhatsApp on these early days and I can't wait to see what's next for her, I am very grateful to still having it somewhat in my life, I could not have asked for more.
And of course we should meet up in real life soon, having my current Vantage and my ex-N420 together will feel so special and surreal.
I really enjoy exchanging with you on WhatsApp on these early days and I can't wait to see what's next for her, I am very grateful to still having it somewhat in my life, I could not have asked for more.
And of course we should meet up in real life soon, having my current Vantage and my ex-N420 together will feel so special and surreal.
TBH
Great read, brings back memories of my first days of Aston ownership years ago, and makes me smile.
Thanks for sharing all the sensations and emotions
Enjoy the ride, look back at her every time you park, smile and remember that first drive
Best wishes and welcome to Aston ownership
Graze
Great read, brings back memories of my first days of Aston ownership years ago, and makes me smile.
Thanks for sharing all the sensations and emotions
Enjoy the ride, look back at her every time you park, smile and remember that first drive
Best wishes and welcome to Aston ownership
Graze
That is a great post. Made a brew especially to drink while I sat down and read it properly. Great writing..
Lovely looking car.
I am 3 weeks into my Aston journey. Childhood dream ever since I fell in love with the V8 Oscar( Prince of Wales blue) sometime in the 80's.
Enjoy your car, it's a beauty.
Lovely looking car.
I am 3 weeks into my Aston journey. Childhood dream ever since I fell in love with the V8 Oscar( Prince of Wales blue) sometime in the 80's.
Enjoy your car, it's a beauty.
Edited by Castrol for a knave on Thursday 13th November 22:09
Thank you all for such welcoming messages.
I've read once a guy saying :
When I think about it, I smile
When I look at it, I smile
When I board it I smile
When I turn on the engine, I smile
When I drive it, I smile
Yes, this happens to me all the time (even when I paid my first preventive maintenance bill). This car is a smile generator machine.
I've read once a guy saying :
When I think about it, I smile
When I look at it, I smile
When I board it I smile
When I turn on the engine, I smile
When I drive it, I smile
Yes, this happens to me all the time (even when I paid my first preventive maintenance bill). This car is a smile generator machine.
Edited by TheBigHunt on Friday 14th November 07:09
A wonderful story. As if it were about me. Also a long wait and the same pleasure from the first drive. Before that, I drove a Mercedes, then a Porsche 911, which with age became a bit nervous for me. For a long 8 years, a Jaguar XK X150, a super GT, became a real joy for me, after which there was a natural transition to a DB11. I wanted a V12, which is leaving, I needed to have time with both an Aston and a V12. I'm 53 and an Aston Martin has been a dream since childhood. But it's either expensive, or it's not timely, or it's not practical. There's no time to wait any longer. Due to budget and a love for vehicle restoration, I bought a DB11 after an accident in the USA. 4 months of delivery, 6 months of restoration, searching for spare parts all over the world and I'm finally behind the wheel. I've already driven 3,000 km and every day I wake up early to get behind the wheel The steering wheel. An indescribable feeling every minute behind the wheel. I apologize for using a translator; I speak English, but poorly, and it won't allow me to convey everything I want to say. I'll post a photo later when the forum allows it.
TheBigHunt said:
Thank you all for such welcoming messages.
I've read once a guy saying :
When I think about it, I smile
When I look at it, I smile
When I board it I smile
When I turn on the engine, I smile
When I drive it, I smile
Yes, this happens to me all the time (even when I paid my first preventive maintenance bill). This car is a smile generator machine.
Yep - my wife caught me just stood looking at mine the other day, big smile on my face. I've read once a guy saying :
When I think about it, I smile
When I look at it, I smile
When I board it I smile
When I turn on the engine, I smile
When I drive it, I smile
Yes, this happens to me all the time (even when I paid my first preventive maintenance bill). This car is a smile generator machine.
Edited by TheBigHunt on Friday 14th November 07:09
I don't care that I have had to set up an ISA to pay for the clutch when it's due - it's a bloody Aston, my bloody Aston
! Life is very short and having a car that makes you grin when you drive it, is what it is all about.
Congratulations
reading your post, brought back memories of when I picked up our N420 in June last year, I still haven't stopped smiling about it and like the others I cant help myself but look at it each time I walk past it when its parked up.
Yours looks a lovely spec and like mine looks all the better I think without the lipstick paint additions
reading your post, brought back memories of when I picked up our N420 in June last year, I still haven't stopped smiling about it and like the others I cant help myself but look at it each time I walk past it when its parked up.
Yours looks a lovely spec and like mine looks all the better I think without the lipstick paint additions
SergiyZ said:
I'll post a photo later when the forum allows it.
Hey, wow amazing story too.I figured out how to post a photo. The formating help isn't correct.
I guess you get the 14 days issue about posting an URL.
The mistake is that you need to use the bracket+img+bracket instead of the pic. "Img" instead of "pic". Then it works.
Cheers.
(What'q your original language?)
TheBigHunt said:
SergiyZ said:
I'll post a photo later when the forum allows it.
Hey, wow amazing story too.I figured out how to post a photo. The formating help isn't correct.
I guess you get the 14 days issue about posting an URL.
The mistake is that you need to use the bracket+img+bracket instead of the pic. "Img" instead of "pic". Then it works.
Cheers.
(What'q your original language?)
[thumb] https://ibb.co/JFRPZKhG
https://ibb.co/tpy3gZ5b
https://ibb.co/hJH6kYLf [/thumb]
Edited by SergiyZ on Friday 14th November 13:53
Edited by SergiyZ on Friday 14th November 14:05
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