Aston Martin V8 Vantage

[digitalsolo]

Hey guys,

I know a person or two has experience with AM stuff.   I’m looking at picking up a V8 Vantage (4.3L).   I’d drive it for a bit and then maybe consider an LS3 or LSA in it.

They don’t seem to scary, ownership cost wise, for someone who can do all their own labor and has a lift.

Anyone have any good/bad on them?

Necro edit:  Moved this to Build Threads because I can't leave anything the hell alone.   Let's go boys (and girls).

[MPbdy]

Friend of a friend who flips cars bought one and almost immediately had a rod knock and he lost his ass, but I guess if you're planning on swapping it later then you can roll those dice lol.

[digitalsolo]

LOL, well I suppose the good news is if I did get a rod knock, I have the tools to pull the engine and rebuild it, etc.   Hopefully that's not in my future. 

I've done a lot of research on them, and decided that buying a nice one and driving it for a few years should, in theory, be pretty cost neutral.    I think the market on them might tick up a little, but we'll see.   With that in mind, I found one with a super-desirable combo and all the maintenance done for a fair price, and made an offer.    Just waiting on sorting the finances but I don't expect any issues there.    If it all goes through, I'm planning (under threat of death from my wife) to leave it the heck alone for a while.   Of course, if something goes super wrong, I'll go full Blake on it, but I suppose just driving it should be plenty entertaining for now, hah!

[wickedrx7]

  If it all goes through, I'm planning (under threat of death from my wife) to leave it the heck alone for a while. 

Who wants to start a "When will Blake fuck with it" pool?

My guess is 3 months...

[Exidous]

I think the wife is strong on this one. I'm going for 7 months.

[digitalsolo]

Ya’ll are hilarious.

Also I’m betting 12 months.

[kinger]

I think Wife is smarter then that, she knows what she got..I predict it wont make it through the winter untouched 

[wickedrx7]

Here is my math behind it. First month if ownership, Blake enjoys the car but starts researching mods and dreaming about it. Next two months are spent dropping not so subtle hints to his wife. After two months, she is sick of hearing about it and says, “fine, do what you want”. 

[DailyDSM]

There was a similar post on Vantages a few months back.  I picked one up about 3 years ago with rod knock (after some research, it seems to be a common issue that no one seems to notice or talk about) for a great price.  It's been on the back burner until recently.  While I was waiting to investigate the carnage, I came across a cheap, spare, engine that I am currently swapping.  Long term plans would likely be an LS/LT (have a couple other engines in mind as well) but I want to see if I like the platform before I go off the deep end.  A lift would make ownership much easier but I'm getting by with a QuickJack with the elevation limitations in my garage.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with what I've seen in terms of build quality and chassis engineering as I tear the car apart and think it's something I'll probably invest more time/money into than the FD, long term.  My biggest gripe is the, expected, Aston tax on everything.  Hard to justify $3500 - 4000, single-plate, clutches (parts alone) that last as little as 15-20k miles and it's the primary driver to thinking about alternative drivetrain options, long term. 

[digitalsolo]

Yeah, that was me in my Mustang build thread probably.   My original plan was roller and LS swap, but for now I’m going to do the stock setup for a few years at least then either LS or Tesla swap.   

The clutch interests me.   There is a local shop that is great at rebuilding clutches, I’m trying to understand why a resurface of the flywheel/PP and refriction of the disc wouldn’t be viable.   I’m sure Aston didn’t use anything magic there and that process is pretty cheap.   I could probably have a flywheel with a replaceable friction surface and an easy to find PP setup designed/machined for what they charge if I need to.

I do have a lift, so that should make the servicing of things like that easier.

[digitalsolo]

Oh, and I pick up the car next weekend.

2007 V8 Vantage
Black/black with red stitching
6 speed manual

Has the Aston performance pack, so improved intake manifold and filters.   It also has an aftermarket back box on the exhaust.    Seller seems like a great guy and the car was very well taken care of and comes with a bunch of extra maintenance goodies.    I’m pretty stoked.   

[Exidous]

I'm guessing those weren't the years they were using a T-56? Graziano?

[kinger]

They look soooooo good!  Great GT car!

[digitalsolo]

Yeah, Graziano transaxle.    The clutch seems to be the only real ugly thing in the drivetrain, cost/reliability wise.

[kinger]

Do you think you would try and keep the rear end Aston or swap to vette like Craig on DynoTorque did?  I was shocked just how well everything fit in there.  The wiring was a mystery he kept saying a 'M module'??  I couldn't make out what that was.  I assumed its some sort of CAN translater device.  Pretty cool he was going to keep the stock Aston gas pedal.  If they were a 2+2 they would be on my list!