The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was a grand tourer, which had tremendous success with the public thanks to its beautiful design and incredible performance. Dubbed "Britain's First Supercar" thanks to its staggering 170 mph top speed and incredible acceleration, the V8 Vantage impressed car enthusiasts with its power and speed. It’s important to mention that this Aston Martin could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds, which was just marginally quicker than the Ferrari Daytona. And the V8 Vantage has plenty of other prominent features. This car actually had one of the most sophisticated designs on the market, thanks to its opulent interior and stylish cabin. Unsurprisingly, a V8 Vantage Volante made an appearance in the 1987 James Bond movie, The Living Daylights. And that’s not all – the main character in Johnny English Strikes Again, drives a V8 Vantage owned by the lead actor, Rowan Atkinson.

It goes without saying that among Aston Martin enthusiasts, this vehicle is somewhat of a legend. However, gearheads who are eyeing this beauty should consider it carefully, since maintenance and repair costs are not inexpensive. And if you think the high costs won’t scare you off, read this article first before making a purchase. Here are the real costs of owning an Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

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These Are The Most Common Aston Martin V8 Vantage Problems

2007 White Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster front view
Aston Martin

Many Aston Martin fans have an interest in this sports car, so it’s not surprising that they are researching it. On various forums and websites, owners inform potential buyers about the risks associated with this vehicle. For instance, on Quora, a V8 Vantage owner said that “the Sportshift transmission is an abomination against humanity” before adding that it “works horribly.” He also mentioned issues with the clutch and handbrake. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only one reporting these issues because on Pugsley & Lewis, the Aston Martin specialists explain how the clutch is the “Achilles heel,” of this fantastic vehicle and why replacing it is “going to empty your bank account.” The experts also explain that the clutch wears out faster because drivers “often try to accelerate before the clutch has fully engaged, and it’s this that causes the premature wear of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage clutch.”

To be fair, the V8 Vantage also had recalls in the United States for issues with the accelerator pedal and the seat heater/cooler. Furthermore, Aston Martin in the U.S. issued safety recalls for certain V8 Vantage models because of defect door unlocking mechanisms, power train issues, and clutch settings.

These Are The Worst Years For Aston Martin V8 Vantage Ownership

Aston_Martin-V8_Vantage-2005-Front
Via: Netcarshow

Generally speaking, the V8 Vantage is a wonderful car. However, buyers should avoid the 2005-2006 models because of engine-starting issues. Potential buyers should also avoid the 2012 model because of possible hydraulic fluid leaks, interior door locking issues, and clutch problems. Needless to say that before buying a pre-owned V8 Vantage, drivers should book a pre-purchase inspection and test drive. Qualified mechanics will know where and how to check for corrosion, rust, drivetrain concerns, and clutch issues. You might avoid purchasing a lemon car and save thousands of dollars by getting an examination.

RELATED: Here’s What Aston Martin Really Thinks Of Matt Armstrong’s Salvaged V8 Vantage

High Maintenance And Repair Costs On This Sports Car

Gray Aston Martin V8 Vantage on the road
Via Aston Martin

Doug DeMuro from Jalopnik details the costs associated with the ownership of a pre-owned 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

“My Aston Martin CPO warranty—which cost about $3,800 extra when I bought the car five months ago—has now shelled out $5,498 in claims, after a failed thermostat ($738), a timing problem ($4,409), and a door strut replacement ($351),” says the Jalopnik writer. He also mentions that since he started driving the vehicle on a daily basis, the car gave him “rock-solid reliability.” But DeMuro says that on the highway, the Aston Martin consumed “20.19 miles per gallon, topping the EPA’s estimate of 19 mpg highway, though it managed just 13.19 mpg in the city.”

Elsewhere, Aston Martin owners raise the alarm about servicing costs at a dealership. Meanwhile, on Medium, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage owner mentions he owned a 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster between 2011 and 2016 and in the five years of ownership he put more than 40,000 miles on the odometer. The former Aston Martin owner mentions that annual servicing costs were approximately $692 at a specialist, or $1,038 at a dealer. Additionally, tires cost about $230 each and lasted 10,000 miles, while brake disks were $300/axle and lasted roughly 20k miles. As for maintenance costs, the owner said that the parts aren’t affordable and during the five years of ownership, he had to buy a new clutch, which costed $4,613 and lasted up to 50,000 miles, a new brake caliper that retailed for $520, and a new rear lamp that costed $403. The gent also repaired the front lamp for $520, the bubbling paint, which added another $865 to his bill, the thermostat was $138, and the boot button costed another $173. He says that the total was $6,015 per year.