From the Terrible Ideas File

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
09/15/2020 at 14:08 • Filed to: None

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

I was doing a little bit of Unnecessary Car Shopping (without E90M3) when I saw this beauty. Gorgeous car, digging the “color” and wheel combination, and love the interior. The engine is * basically an AJ- V8 out of a Jag/Ford/Lincoln/Land Rover/etc. It’s also got a stick shift, and 60k on the clock. Other than that, I know nothing about Astons.

I also think this this may be a dealership where I went to look at a B5 S4 wayy y back in 2006. They tried to pull a bait & switch on me so I walked and ended up buying a WRX (this was the correct decision) . That fact alone makes me think this isn’t a good idea, but I do kind of wonder just how bad of an idea it is...

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

*The Aston version of the AJ-V8 is completely different from the engine that Ford/Jag/Rover used. Per Wikipedia: “The cylinder block, cylinder heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management are all unique to the Aston Martin version.”

DISCUSSION (30)

E90M3 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:11

I’ve heard of worst ideas.

Sovande > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:12

It’s fackin’ wicked, guy.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:17

Oppo is a bunch of enablers so no, this is not a terrible idea. Its a fantastic idea!

Echo51 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:20

Slap a Ford badge on the front and try to sell it on your insurance company as being a “fiesta coupe” since the front mouth kinda looks

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Echo51
09/15/2020 at 14:23

Oh god, I didn’t even think about what insurance would cost on this.

I wonder if USAA would even sell me a policy for it, or if I’d have to go through a specialty insurer?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/15/2020 at 14:27

I’m idly shopping for a new daily, and my dad has been pushing me to consider a C5 Z06. I started looking at Corvettes, then fell down a sport coupe rabbit hole and wound up finding some cheap Astons. I mean, it’s a front engine, RWD, V8 sport coupe, so basically a B ritish Corvette, right?

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:29

That's true but for 30 large, you can get a C6Z06 which will be a lot more car than the Aston...if you can live with the image and interior

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:30

Not the worst idea. Not the best. It feels overpriced by a bit, though.

Tripper > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:40

That’s gonna be a yeah from me dawg. To clarify that’s a “yeah get it and no it’s not a bad idea”, dawg.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:43

It’s only a bad idea if you can’t afford the expensive maintenance and repairs... not to mention that it’ll be out of service for longer than a typical car while you will sometimes have to wait for parts to arrive from the UK.

If you’re not prepared to budget at least $5000/year maint/repairs/surprises, then buying this absolutely will be a bad idea.

krustywantout > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:49

I guess if you have driven one, like the way it drives, and are happy with the interior, why not! I would say that seeing that it has 60K miles and is located in Massachusetts, I’d be concerned about rust. The dealer’s location is in Malden which is not an city where you would see a car like this so I’d be a little concerned about who was the last owner. Lastly, I’d check to see if it was ever titled in Vermont because that’s where many salvage cars go to get their titles washed.

Chariotoflove > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:49

Not the worst idea, actually.

notsomethingstructural > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:53

Definitely do not DD a used aston if you want to continue to DD, you know, anything. Especially not if you’re cross-shopping with Corvettes. Cars in this category run $1 / mile in maintenance and repairs. The aston MIGHT be more like $.75 since it’s generally considered marginally less of a headache than most Italians. As to your insurance issue, you won’t be eligible for cheap collector insurance if it’s your DD, and lower-end insurers may not cover it at all.

I’m not saying this isn’t an idea worth exploring, but it’s also one worth really thinking through first.

My bird IS the word > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:56

Its hard to argue with that face.

hillrat > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:58

If you don’t buy it, someone else on here will . . . or will attempt to.

boredalways > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:59

6 previous owners, no carfax/autocheck, no repair history, questionable dealership offering nothing else like it = RUN AWAY!!!

Future next gen S2000 owner > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 14:59

This is a good idea!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/15/2020 at 15:04

The image doesn’t bother me, I just don’t care for the C6 interior or exterior if I’m honest. I love the C5s, and I love the C7s, somehow the C6 just never really did it for me.

The prospect of a 15 year old Aston with 60k miles is.. daunting. But a Corvette? I know I can get parts at any Chevy dealer, and I can fix most of the stuff in my driveway. After all, it’s got a truck motor and buggy suspension. How much can even go wrong in the first place? (famous last words..)

E90M3 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 15:25

Geico doesn’t even list Aston.

Kinja'd!!!

someassemblyrequired > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 15:35

I mean it is an Aston, but buying it from one of the BHPH Z-lots in Malden? Yep, gonna nope right out of that one.

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 16:21

The only real thing to worry about is timing chains. Especially with that mileage. Hopefully the have already been done. They are a bit high on the price, talk them down to 34 or so and then jump on it. They are pretty bulletproof, even the electrics are adequate. And with any specialty car, no service history, no deal, unless you are a glutton for punishment, like me.... RIP 308 GT4.

Ssfancyfresh > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 17:02

Yes. But I don’t think I would get that particular example.

I just watched Casino Royale again. Now I’m searching for DB9’s.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 17:05

I get it, C5s do look good :D

C5Z06 are still dropping in price but you could get a pristine car with 60k miles on it for around 17k round the Midwest, a good deal imo...

Snuze: Needs another Swede > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/15/2020 at 17:13

That does sound like a good deal. I’ m definitely not buying just yet, I got a big, 3 week long work trip coming up, and I need to actually sell the Cruze and the 850, so I got time. But a Corvette is definitely on the list.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > notsomethingstructural
09/15/2020 at 17:16

Oh yeah, the chances of this happening are slim. I got a month or two before Im really ready to pull the trigger on anything, and I'll probably end up getting something less exotic and more reliable. But a man can always dream...

Snuze: Needs another Swede > E90M3
09/15/2020 at 17:17

I might check USAA later to see if they even cover it.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
09/15/2020 at 17:18

Yeah, the "waiting on parts from the UK" thing in particular bothers me. There is probably like a sub 1% chance of this happening. But sometimes its fun to dream.

notsomethingstructural > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 17:19

Get an Aston for 2000 miles a year and a $800 camry to beat the piss out of. You can pay for all the upkeep on the Camry with the money you’re saving by having the Aston on collector’s insurance. Killed two birds with one stone for you.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 17:23

Join the Oppo C5 club!

E90M3 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
09/15/2020 at 17:31

I was hoping that geico would cover it and it'd be only a little more than my M3