Can anyone check out an Aston Martin for me? | FerrariChat

Can anyone check out an Aston Martin for me?

Discussion in 'Texas' started by nathandarby67, Sep 21, 2012.

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  1. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 1, 2005
    8,349
    Mississippi
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    I have been looking for a V8 Vantage for a while now, and came across one at Expo Motorcars in Houston. Searching that dealership on FChat and google paints a less than flattering picture of them. Supposedly a lot of their cars are misrepresented and/or have undisclosed problems. Supposedly they stock a lot of lemon buy backs and even some flood cars.

    Anyhow, I really like the colors and options on this AM, and the price seems in the ballpark. If anyone is close by and could go have a look for me I would be most grateful. I'd at least like to know if the car is worth hopping a flight and using up a weekend to come look at personally. I am basically looking for a mechanically solid car in top cosmetic shape... no curb rash, scratches, dings, torn leather etc.

    Again, thanks in advance for any help. In exchange, I will be most happy to mail someone a basket of Mississippi goodies including a selection of our finest cheese straws and hushpuppy mix! :)

    Also, has anyone dealt with expo recently, good or bad? They do have 100% positive feedback on eBay so must get it right at least some of the time.
     
  2. BlackBird007

    BlackBird007 F1 Rookie

    Feb 22, 2010
    3,589
    DFW
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    The site lists the car as sold....as well as with no doors and miles. ;)
     
  3. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 1, 2005
    8,349
    Mississippi
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    #4 nathandarby67, Sep 21, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Ah sorry, copied the wrong URL! Here is the one: http://www.expomc.com/details.php?id=6GC01231

    To update, I spoke with a salesman today and he was pretty upfront that the car wasn't in the greatest condition. I got him to snap some pics of the obvious areas, and to me it just looks like the car was used as a rough-and-tumble daily driver and not well taken care of. Has a LOT of rock chips, drivers bolster wrinkled and scuffed, driver's door arm rest very scuffed and scratched, un-repaired rock chips in windshield, etc. He said they are going to get their "touch up guy" to work on it, but I don't know how much one could really improve things. And obviously, if the cosmetics are that rough its pretty much a guarantee the mechanicals were neglected.

    If anyone just happens to be in the area, I guess it wouldn't hurt to go lay eyes on it, but I am thinking I may just continue the hunt elsewhere. Attached are some of the pics he sent.
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  4. marksphere

    marksphere Karting

    Jul 6, 2009
    50
    Houston Texas
    Full Name:
    Mark Darragh
    We can perform a PPI for you. Please feel free to call 832-277-7062. Mark. It is good that you can see the pre-touched up areas.
     
  5. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 1, 2005
    8,349
    Mississippi
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    Nathan
    Sounds good, thanks for the help. Do yall have a lot of experience with Astons? I am waiting on them to send me pics after they do the repairs. At that point I guess I will decide if it is even worth having a PPI. There are plenty of very clean vantages out there, so unless they can make the price very attractive I'd much rather have a car that was well cared for than one that needs this much work.
     
  6. ChunkyMonkey

    ChunkyMonkey Formula 3

    Feb 27, 2006
    1,582
    Texas, duh
    Full Name:
    Chad
    .wow.....only 20k miles and showing that kind of stuff.....
     
  7. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    Feb 1, 2005
    8,349
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    Nathan
    Exactly. I have had daily drivers with 125K miles that didn't have that level of wear and tear.
     
  8. dogdoc97

    dogdoc97 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2011
    711
    Atlanta, GA
    The 2006 was the first year and they had some issues as all 1st year models; better horsepower,torque and handling did not really occur till 2009....but obviously the cost is alot more. I love green and it looks nice, good luck! dog
     
  9. kba

    kba Rookie

    Feb 21, 2011
    42
    Houston
    Rock chips are inevitable - if it bothers you that much consider having the car wrapped or just get the front re-sprayed. I have more miles on my car and my seat has held up much better. Additionally, that side piece on the door is likely to have scratches on it - I have scratches on mine because I wear a watch and it'll hit that piece often.
     
  10. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    This is it, TONS of ranch roads here, with rich owners.

    Mark at Sphere would be a place to start.
    He knows these cars, (as well as exotics)...

    I won't drive a cracked windshield, esp. in front of the driver's view.
    They sell those here too ....
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    You just have to weigh the hassle but there's great paint and trim shops here.
    It can roll to you looking 100%.

    Make sure it's not been underwater........
     
  12. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    Feb 1, 2005
    8,349
    Mississippi
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    Nathan
    Yeah that's the thing. If I could know it would look 100%, I'd be all over it. There is another Aston I'm looking at that already essentially does look 100%, and in general appears to have been babied. I think I like the look of the green a bit more, but maybe not enough to make up for the condition of the car.

    The thing that concerns me the most is that it is metallic Aston Martin paint. Also the fact that it isn't 2 or 3 individual big rock chips but hundreds of tiny little flecks, especially in front of the wheel arch. I know that can be difficult to touch up metallics in such a way it isn't noticed. Also everyone raves on the depth and quality of Aston's paint, and I don't know how a second layer re-spray would compare.

    I suppose I could make an offer taking the amount of work into consideration, and have a recommended paint and trim shop give me an estimate.

    Fwiw here is the other car, similar miles and options: Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  13. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 4, 2004
    39,601
    Texas
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    David
  14. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 1, 2005
    8,349
    Mississippi
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    Yes, that is the plan. I'd rather pay a little more and wait a little longer to find a really nice one. There are plenty for sale at any given time.

    LOVE the vanquish, but right now don't want mess with that level of maintenance or Aston's poor excuse for a flappy paddle gearbox.
     
  15. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,407
    Southlake, TX
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    Rob Lay
    hey Mark, you really need to be a sponsor to be soliciting. LoH pays a pretty penny to have that right in your area, lets not cheapen it. Thanks.
     
  16. plastique999

    plastique999 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 9, 2008
    8,539
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Edward
    I'll chime in having owned an 08 Vantage in Lightning Silver and now have an 09 DBS in Casino Royale color. I'd definitely pick a car in better condition. There are some very unique aspects about Aston that shine - one is the paint and also the interior craftsmanship e.g. The smell of the leather. You want your Aston to be brilliant in these areas. Aston paint is the best I've seen of all exotics - especially their metallics that sparkle with brilliance. You don't want a car that has been touched up or resprayed. Likewise if the interior leather is worn, it won't have that "Aston" smell of their unique leather.
    I bought my DBS sight unseen but did have an Aston dealer do service/PPI. I didn't trust just them. I hired a professional detailer to examine the car closely to look at the paint and leather. When the car arrived it did have some minor wear of which I am renewing but I was pleased with the info I got.
    The other thing to watch out for in British hand built cars is that things are not perfect and there may be rattles or squeaks - so definitely worth a test drive if you can.
    Good luck! Astons are pure elegance.
     

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