Aston Martin Vantage - $15,000 in Repairs! How? Why?

In 2022 I purchased a 2007 Aston Martin Vantage with a 6-speed manual and 38,000 miles. And a LOT of deferred maintenance. Before I bought the car I had a PPI done at a very respected and highly rated Aston shop in the San Francisco Bay Area, and they gave me a hefty list of things the car needed. $8-$10K was their estimate to fix necessary things, along with a lot of optional fixes. I knew what I was getting into and negotiated with the seller accordingly. The clutch was a maybe, and something I eventually decided to replace to the tune of $5500. $15,000 later my Vantage was as good as new. Why did the Aston need so much work?
The prior owners' (3 of them) goal seemed to be to spend as little money as possible maintaining the car - not uncommon for exotic car owners, especially more affordable exotics like the Vantage. But me, I want a car factory fresh and performing flawlessly, and in I spare no expense to get there. In this case it cost me $15,000. Check out the video to learn about common Vantage repairs, what I replaced - and why - and also to learn about what great cars Vantages can be when properly maintained. They are very robust and reliable, not to mention sexy and make an unbelievable exhaust noise.

[@alexparrott6558]

For u DIY'ers out there all this work is only bout $2,600-$2,800 worth of parts then add ur choice of a brand's clutch kit cost to that and ur good to go! Long story short DIY will save u $10k. Thats 10 Grand with the requirement of NO Aston Specific tools.... unless u have a Sportshift car then add bout 1-2 hrs labor cost from a local Aston dealer using the AMDS tool to reset ur TCU and ur ECM's misfire data an ur 👌
P.S. If ur worried bout having ur car be dealer book stamped.... Jus go to the dealership after uve done the work, say when u have ur tcu n ecm reset(sportshift clutch replacement requirement) and have ur car reset an then "checked over" for any needed services. Once they see its already all up to date. They'll stamp u for the checkup an ur 👌 all the same, but w/ a nice lil stamp in ur book now👍

[@joemontagnese904]

People like that shouldn't own beautiful cars, such a shame, glad you had it all sorted out.
I also have an aston martin v8 vantage 4.3, Roadster manual, absolutely love it

[@diegodgar]

Great video. I’m the owner of a 2014 Vantage S and I agree with everything you said in the video.

[@marclovescars]

Thank you, appreciate the feedback! Great car BTW, the later model Vantage S is fantastic.

[@jakubroszka1021]

Great video bro, don't stop 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

[@marclovescars]

Thank you!

[@VictoryHand]

This was interesting.

[@allanmoger1838]

Yeah, so that timing cover leak… that’s expensive and it will get worse, not better. Mine needs to be done and the quote is about half again what you just paid.

[@marclovescars]

Yep, hence why it's the only thing I left alone on the car. I fully disclosed it to the new owner and provided a dozen undercarriage shots on as well so he knew what he was getting into. I feel for you. If I had it done my video would have been titled $20K+ in repairs,. Yikes. Most Vantage owners put if off for years, so you're not alone.