When it comes to the coolest cars of the 2000s, nobody consistently knocked it out of the park quite like Aston Martin. From the Vanquish to the DBS, we’re talking a decade plus of absolutely stunning cars worthy of both the silver screen and the red carpet. These days, the entry-level V8 Vantage is still tantalizingly inexpensive, with stick-shift models going for less than $50,000. While the thought of a boutique British luxury sports car sounds a bit scary, the V8 Vantage might be the best first used exotic car to own because under the skin, it’s actually less exotic than its aluminum structure suggests.
See, in the late yuppie era, Ford made a move for Aston Martin. It started with a stake in 1987 and led to a controlling stake in 1991 that let Ford hold onto the esteemed marque while it assembled its dream team. We’re talking Jaguar, then Volvo, then Land Rover, all to join forces with Lincoln to make up the Premier Automotive Group. Ultimately, PAG was a pipe dream that didn’t last long, but new Aston Martins developed from the ground up during the PAG era shared lots of parts with other cars. The V8 Vantage shared the most of the lot.
Let’s start with the engine, because it’s a reworked dry-sump variant of Jaguar’s overhead cam V8. While the internals are completely different on the Aston, the same can’t be said for accessories. The water pump on 4.3-liter models is exactly the same as Land Rover part number 4575902 off a late-2000s Range Rover, which means quality aftermarket units exist. As for the belt tensioner and idler pulley, those were shared with the 4.2-liter Jaguar S-Type, while the PCV valve came from a V8 Land Rover LR3. Even the starter motor is off a Land Rover LR3’s 4.4-liter V8. Spark plugs? OE ones are model-specific, but they’re heaps cheaper as NGK part number IFR7N10 than they’d be through your local Aston dealer. Oh, and cabin air filters are shared with the Mazda RX-8, meaning you won’t have to pay the Aston tax on those either.
So far so good, but what about brakes? Well, discs are application-specific, although because Aston Martin used Brembo as a supplier, you can simply buy brake discs directly from Brembo without paying the full Aston Martin tax. Since those on a budget are probably looking at earlier 4.3-liter V8 Vantage examples with four-piston front brakes, a front disc will run you $209.99 from Brembo itself versus north of $300 in an Aston Martin box. Don’t worry that the listing says DB9, the discs are identical between the big and baby Astons. Better yet, because the front brake calipers are common Brembo four-piston units, quality aftermarket pads are easy to find for far less than the OEM Pagid pads. In fact, the EBC Yellowstuff part number for front brake pads is identical to that of front pads for the 2006-onward Volkswagen Touareg, and a set will run you $204.66 from FCP Euro.
Around back, you’re looking at Brembo part number 09.8781.21 for rear brake discs, while the pad backing plates were shared with the Maserati Quattroporte and many Ferraris so aftermarket options are surprisingly abundant for about the same cost as a set of front pads. As for the parking brake pads, those are off a Jaguar S-Type. Score.
Let’s say you’re parked curbside and someone inconsiderate comes and smashes the side mirror on your V8 Vantage. Before you panic, you might want to go to your local junkyard so long as the mirror base is good. The cap and glass are shared with the facelifted second-generation Volvo V70 and S60. Likewise, the navigation system in early cars is also all Volvo, so if it packs up, used parts are actually easy to come by.
Now granted, there are some V8 Vantage maintenance parts that are model-specific. The engine air filters aren’t shared with anything that isn’t an Aston Martin, and while some Jaguar V8 oil filters are said to fit, it’s probably best to stick with the expensive $60-70 Aston Martin filter just in case. In addition, your dampers and other suspension components will be model-specific, and they can get pricey. Still, as far as exotic cars go, the sheer amount of parts Aston Martin was able to borrow from other Ford-owned brands’ parts bins means that when you factor in the relatively reliability of a V8 Vantage, it’s probably the best second-hand exotic car to own as a first-timer. So, if you’ve always dreamt of one, don’t be scared. That dream might be closer to you than you think.
Top graphic image: Aston Martin
It’s really a crapshoot. There’s definitely some parts-bit accessories like the EGR valve that are Ford Motorcraft and dirt cheap, and certainly there’s no need to spend 5x as much for spark plugs with an Aston logo on them instead of the NGK ones from the same manufacturer, but if a headlight goes out or something goes wrong with a seat you’re in for a big bill.
The main drivetrain is pretty solid. It’s based on the Jag motor, which is based on a Ford Modular. Transmission issues also seem pretty uncommon.
The biggest problem, though, is the computer. The ECU itself is just Ford with some custom software tweaks, but there’s also a separate Volvo body module (with a separate OBD-II connector, which really confuses the emissions people). A lot of maintenance tasks like replacing notoriously flaky door modules (but luckily, not basics like oil changes) require an Aston Martin AMDS at around $20K. There’s some aftermarket readers that do some subsets of it, but for the most part you’ll probably either need an AMDS or be in for an overpriced Aston dealer bill at some point.
Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find an Aston Martin equivalent to Pelican Parts. The non-shared parts I’ve had to import from overseas and pay heavy tariffs on. No one in the US seems to stock Aston parts.
Had a co-worker with a C6 Corvette, which had some electrical component issue. The New part through GM was expensive, he was able to cross reference it and got the same part that was listed for a Lincoln for less than half the price.
Something something bumper to bumper warranty.
Please pull this post immediately. The first rule of wannabe Vantage owners club is don’t talk about Vantage club.
I know we have a glovebox, but can we also add a trash bin? I really want this article to disappear. Particularly when I’m late night scrolling after some drinks… for the sake of my marriage and sanity, I don’t need to be tempted by this any longer!
And if you get a Jaguar XKR of the same years, you get the exact same car with a super charger (although it only comes with the ZF 6 speed auto) for half the entry price of the Aston.
This is an exceptionally dangerous article! Must.. resist.. the.. temptation…
Yeah no, that’s not really how it works, more so when you consider the extremely tiny sales numbers these cars had in comparison to, say, a BMW or Mercedes and I’m sure OEMs will quickly NLA all parts, if they haven’t done so already.
what do you mean, “that’s not really hw it works”?
That stating a car is “cheap to own” just because it shares a small percentage of parts with other, cheaper cars is a terrible idea. As the owner of old BMWs which also share a few parts with other cheaper models/brands, those are precisely the parts that almost never fail. The real fun is when something complex and model-specific takes a crap.
The “not really how it works” is that I’m 100% sure that Aston Martin is not “surprisingly cheap to own” as the title states. I found it interesting all the parts it shares with other cars, but that’s it.
McLaren F1 uses the door mirrors of a Volkswagen Corrado, so there’s another saving for you if you are interested in buying a used British sports car.
This is really good information, because my concern about the cost of replacement mirrors has literally been the only thing keeping me from buying an F1.
The Lotus Esprit was also a massive parts bin special and used AE86 rear lights, the aircon is from something GM etc. People have made whole lists of parts equivalencies for them.
The F1 also uses taillights from a bus, and front turn signals from a Lotus Esprit
Unless you are a mechanic, just wait until actual mechanical work that needs to be done.
People complain about “Parts-Bin” pieces when a car is new.
But they’re awfully glad for it when the car is 10+ years old.
Not today, Satan. Not today…
But she’s so pretty..
My brother in Christ, I have been burned by that mindset too many times….
Yep, been there done that.
Devil in a Silver Dress
When someone asks me, what brand of motorcycle do I suggest looking at, it’s always “Honda” first.
But, then, why do I have British and Italian? Mostly because I’m don’t take my own advice, and pay for it later.
Case in point: the build quality of my Triumph has been fabulous. Nearly matching the build quality of my Honda motorcycles (which is quite the complement, I might add).
But now that it’s on a few years – the pain of a smaller brand really starts to shine.
Need parts? Triumph doesn’t carry them.
Never would I hear a story of a common maintenance item, like a thermostat, being unavailable for a Honda motorcycle built since the 60’s unless it’s a very limited run model (or something absurd like an NR500).
Now: I’m very much at the mercy of filtering through reams of forums on how I can kluge together parts from a 1970’s Chevy that claim to fit.
I should replace it with a Honda.
When I was freshening up my 1980 Honda C70, I was shocked to discover how many parts I could get from Honda, and reasonably priced, too.
When I was freshening up my 1990 Acura Integra, I was shocked at how FEW parts I could get from Honda.
I have 4 Honda 2 wheelers in the shed, and I agree for the most part…..but there are plenty of needed parts that are NLA from Honda. I literally just scored one of 10 or so valve cover gaskets left in the US for the Elite 80 scooter I’m recommissioning. For such a basic maintenance item to be NLA for a bike they sold here for like 17 years was pretty disappointing.
My Pacific Coast? Don’t snap or stick your choke cable; there ain’t no more.
My matched set of Urban Expresses? Can’t get a replacement headlight for love or money; I need to extensively mod the existing assembly to accept a removable bulb. No drive belt either, until Treatland in LA stepped up and had them made.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect them to keep making everything, but these are basic maintenance items!
Can they at least make the gasket a flat one I can copy instead of an irregular o-ring type that I’ll eventually have to slop in with RTV???
An old motorcycle mechanic I know claimed liquid gasket was his solution to that problem. Even when the gasket was still readily available, he’d rather liquid gasket so he didn’t need to order the parts and trusted it more than typical paper gasketing.
I bought a mid-00’s supercharged Seadoo earlier this fall. There’s metal in the oil filter, which is a sure sign the supercharger needs to be rebuilt. Common knowledge is to budget for a rebuild if the seller can’t provide documentation it was done. And Seadoo no longer makes a particular fitting that cracks due to age. The solution is buy the Aussie or German made aluminum replacement. Thankfully most other parts are still available.
Make sure your comprehensive covers windshield replacement. Taverish cracked his with cold hose water, and found out it was over $8000 to replace, and a wait to be imported. He wrote about it some years back. Think there are plastic timing chain guides that need replacing too.
It’s absolutely crazy to me that V8 vantage is cheaper than DB9s of the same years, but the secret is out that the V8s in the vantage are shockingly robust, and it’s documented well that the DB9’s V12 is very much not. Still, the parts sharing for such common maintenance items being that extensive makes these even more compelling. It’s hard to think of a better exotic experience for less money both upfront, and over the span of years. Certainly more distinctive than a 718 Cayman or 997 911.
A couple of years ago I was looking for a new old car and I had V8 Vantage budget to spend.
I bought a Lotus Europa S instead. Much more engaging to drive, much noisier, and has the same service costs as the Vauxhall Astra that donated its engine and gearbox.
I pass a V8 Vantage every few days, and it’s such a pretty car, but apart from that I’m happy with the Lotus.
Love reading articles like this. Part conglomeration cars like this are always interesting and the game as people find out what fits and what doesn’t is always fascinating.