HOW TO GET ONE IN YOUR GARAGE
An expert’s view STUART GOLDSMITH, SENIOR ENGINEER, RIKKI CANN
“The Vantage’s V8 engine is strong and reliable but it doesn’t like being taken for granted. Make sure the car has been properly serviced. That doesn’t mean the work must only have been carried out by main dealers. The specialist service network is just as good if not better since they work on a much greater variety of cars. Check the correct tyres have been fitted and all are in good condition. Air-con and heater controls need to be working correctly as they can be very expensive to put right. When properly maintained at the standard you’d expect of an Aston Martin, a V8 Vantage can be surprisingly affordable to own.”
Buyer beware… ENGINE
The alternator belt may squeak from cold but a modified pulley cures it. Over-revving from cold can damage the engine. Check the exhaust bypass valve hasn’t been tampered with. Oil strainers on the 4.3 need to be removed and cleaned at service.
TRANSMISSION
Expect first and second gear selection to be sticky when cold. The clutch lasts up to 40,000 miles with care and is about £3000 to replace.
WHEELS, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION
Check the tyres for alignment. Use worn discs and pads as a haggling ploy. Low-mileage cars can have leaking shocks and broken springs. Bolts to realign the geometry seize and can be costly to replace. Rear hub’s lower bush housings crack.
BODY
Check for water ingress in the boot caused by blocked drain holes. Any rust is likely to be a bodged crash repair. Look for paint defects at the base of A-pillars and around parking sensors. Check for a loose and discoloured grille. Oxidising aluminium can be a problem on early cars and affects wing mirror stems, door bottoms and inside door handles. Paint on the vertical bars behind the radiator grille can flake off.
INTERIOR
The sat-nav can be slow and the plastic gears that open the screen are prone to breaking up. Check leather for wear and splits. Dash-tops suffer shrinkage.
Also worth knowing
You can buy an extended warranty from Aston Martin – at a price. We were quoted £2192 for 12 months’ Premium cover and £1498 for Plus. The car has to be inspected by an Aston dealer for £600. Then you must wait 90 days before cover is applied, after which the car must be inspected again, for £300.
How much to spend £29,000-£34,995
A spread of 4.3 coupé manuals (some autos) from launch to 2008/57-reg, many with full Aston service history.
£35,000-£39,995
Sub-40k-mile 4.3 coupé manuals, plus sprinkling of Roadsters.
£40,000-£44,995
More coupé and Roadster autos. Small choice of 2008-10-reg 4.7s from £42k.
£45,000-£49,995
The best 4.3 Roadster autos but quality 4.7s Roadsters and coupés are now available in numbers.
£50,000-£69,995
Take your pick of 2010-15-reg 4.7s.
One we found ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE 4.3, 2006/06, 51K MILES, £33,000
There are lots of nice-sounding Vantages at this money but this private-sale car stood out for its full Aston service history and its new clutch, discs and pads. Plus you can tell a lot about a car from its owner.