V8 and UK Auto Press

[Boxer]

Over the past year I have noticed a number of articles in the UK auto press pushing the Aston V8 as a model whose value was about to take off. Despite their best efforts I doubt think this has happened. Comments ?

[Argento]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Over the past year I have noticed a number of articles in the UK auto press pushing the Aston V8 as a model whose value was about to take off. Despite their best efforts I doubt think this has happened. Comments ?

Hey Boxer,

Like you I am a relative novice at this Aston stuff, but my guess It will happen...All the dealers seem to be shoving prices up very slowly, I saw a V8 OI for sale last year £3k lower than it's for sale today and with 11k more miles on it.

The V8 is a lovely car, my Dad says "you should always drive a car older than yourself, Make sure you look after it better than you do yourself, and always have a back up"...

I'm smitten by the 80's V8 Vantage - Looks amazing and still looks magnificent on the road today !

Argento

[Boxer]

I think Coys has one in this weekends sale which seemed to be very reasonably priced.

[Argento]

Originally Posted by Boxer

I think Coys has one in this weekends sale which seemed to be very reasonably priced.

So you're buying a Gentleman's (Dr. Jekyll), Chariot to offset your Mr. Hyde F40 persona then?

Argento

[Boxer]

At least not yet, I don't know enough about Astons to feel comfortable diving into ownership at this point.

[Argento]

Originally Posted by Boxer

At least not yet, I don't know enough about Astons to feel comfortable diving into ownership at this point.

I originally felt the same but I'm about to take the plunge with an '85 Vantage V8....Really looking forward to the ride home...

I'll post more when I get it on the drive !!!

Argento

[Boxer]

Argento,

I am very much looking forward to hearing about your Aston experience. Perhaps in 2008 I might dive into Aston ownership.

[Argento]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Argento,

I am very much looking forward to hearing about your Aston experience. Perhaps in 2008 I might dive into Aston ownership.

But still keeping the F40......I hope?

Argento

[Boxer]

Absolutely. Intend to keep the F40 until the day I am no longer able to drive it.

[Argento]

The deal is done, my destiny is sealed, a new (to me), Aston Martin will be in my garage before the end of March - Watch this space ?

Argento

[Boxer]

Argento, Congratulations. Please keep us in the loop on the Aston ownership experience.

[Argento]

So here is my new car...Beautiful isn't she, I've called her "Vesper" for really obvious reason's...

A 1985 V8 Vantage that is in perfect order...She's fitted with a sport's exhaust, (kind of vulgar for this Gentlemen's carriage), But the noise is unmistakeably Aston Martin, the people that look around is unbelieveable...and on the road, especially at junctions...people allow you to pull out, that would never happen in the 550!
The AMOC is great, lovely people, great enthusiasts and even better events...A welcome change to the FoC...
When we go for a good drive I'll report back with a full "Test Review"...

Regards,

Argento

[Argento]

Oops forgot pic....

[Boxer]

Vesper is absolutely stunning. Great to see the proper type of stick on the center tunnel. Please keep us in the loop on the ownership experience.

Speaking of the FOC, just realised that I have now been a member for 3 years and never attended a single event.....

[Argento]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Vesper is absolutely stunning. Great to see the proper type of stick on the center tunnel. Please keep us in the loop on the ownership experience.

Speaking of the FOC, just realised that I have now been a member for 3 years and never attended a single event.....

Cheers Boxer,

I'll certianly be back with comments just as soon as I get chance to go for a proper drive...She is gorgeous though - Did you mean "Manual" - Most Vantage's were, only a handful were made with auto boxes thank god...

Argento

[Boxer]

Yes, in my book, the only proper way of selecting gears is via a metal shaft attached to the center tunnel (i.e manual)

I will admit to preferring the F1 transmission on the track though.

[Andrew]

Argento,

Congrats on the new car. Let us know how the ownership experience is.

[Argento]

OK - So yesterday was a pretty nice day and I thought I had an hour or two to spare so I started up 'Vesper the Vantage'...Noe she's 22 in August but shows absolutely no signs of age whatsoever, She's been very well cared for by a number of well heeled financier types and thankfully they've spent their money exactly in the right places at the right time, She's got a Harvey Bailey handling kit with adjustable Koni's, A supersports exhaust to help her breathe, an Aston Works lead free conversion, The paint is totally original as is the interior, no reconnolising in there, all the wood is perfect as are the carpets etc...When you sit in a Vantage you immediately feel at home, immensely comfortable, gone are the hip hugging Recaro-esque sporty items that the 550 has, replaced with a nicely worn in comfy chair, probably not great for exiting hairpins at mach 2, but just great for continental cruising...Starting is pure pleasure, twist of the key and she burst into life with a loud growl but settles almost immediately into a gentle V8 throbby purr, the exhaust makes her louder than std, but I like it - ALOT.
Starting off is easy, the gate is a dog legged 1st, similar to 80's Ferrari, so I'm very used to the feel, on the move throught the gears is dead easy, despite it's large than average size, she shrinks around you and you can quickly gauge were the corners are using the wing creases as guides.
Now in a Ferrari waiting at junctions is an occupational hazard, only young lads who want a good look or real petrol heads will let you out, In an Aston everyone wants to be your friend, I even had a Taxi let me out yesterday! - An all time 1st.
On the open road, she's unbelivably smooth, power from nothing to way past 5500 rpm, (that's as far as ventured yesterday, Red line at 7000, but I doubt I'll ever do that)...But the biggest most impressive thing is the TORQUE, In third at traffic lights by mistake...I put my foot down, and the World just went backwards as I pulled off - Incredible, simply incredible...On the Motorway, from 50 to a bit over the speed limit goes past in a blink of an eye....But it's not the power, torque or even the looks, it's the real sense of occasion and heritage you get...Knowing that this really was the last of the handmade Aston engineered and produced in Newport Pagnell, Only 356 Vantage Coupe's were ever built, only 42 580Series BBS, Only 4 in Royal Cherry, and I am the very proud owner/custodian of this one!

I'll write more as we get to know each other, but I think this is going to be a very long and beautiful relationship.

Argento

[Argento]

I am so smitten with this car that I want a daily driver Aston...So VANQUISH here I come.

I had my 1st drive in a Vanquish yesterday, and I was just blown away, the performance and noise they make is simply unbelievable and the looks...I do not possess the vocabulary that could do justice to simple elegance and power this model exudes from every angle...

I was worried I wouldn't like the paddle shift, but even around town it behaved impeccably, and out on the open road, changing down is a joy to behold, throttle blips, rev raise and the shift is seamless and instant, and it sounds like Senna might be behind the wheel, not little old me.

To use the the american vernacular - Awesome !

Argento

[Boxer]

Very intriguing. I read an article recntly that was extolling the virtues of the DB7 Vanquish and calling it a real bargain these days.

[Argento]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Very intriguing. I read an article recntly that was extolling the virtues of the DB7 Vanquish and calling it a real bargain these days.

Boxer,

I'm sure you meant to type DB7 Vantage, The Vanquish is a completely seperate model? The DB7 is a good car, but no getting away from it's 30 year old chassis design!

I am talking solely about the Vanquish...

Argento