by Gabrielle DeSantis

Bought brand new, supercars are understandably expensive. But depreciation can be a great friend to a used dream-car shopper, even if they’re eyeing an Aston Martin. True, a classic DB5 is still out of reach for all but the well-off. However, quite a few of the British automaker’s used modern models are more affordable than you might think. And this week on Cars & Bids there’s a chance to bid on one of these reasonably-priced exotics: a 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Hagerty calls the 2006-2017 Aston Martin V8 Vantage “one of this century’s most beautiful, most lovely-sounding automobiles”

The predecessor to today’s Vantage, the 2006-2017 Aston Martin V8 Vantage was developed while the brand was owned by Ford. But while it has a few Ford and Volvo parts scattered around, the luxury GT “still captures nearly all the specialness of the twice-as-expensive DBS and Vanquish,” Car and Driver says. Part of that is due to its styling, which even 15 years after its debut, remains striking. And it doesn’t hurt that it took roughly 200 hours to hand-build each V8 Vantage.

Something else that doesn’t hurt is how it sounds. Per its name, the RWD Aston Martin V8 Vantage has a hand-built V8. 2006-2008 cars have a 4.3-liter V8 that revs to 7300 RPM and makes 380 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque. Initially available only with a six-speed manual, Aston Martin added a six-speed ‘Sportshift’ automated manual option in 2007, Hagerty reports. 0-60 mph comes in roughly five seconds accompanied by what Hagerty calls “a feral roar.”

While reasonably fast, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage isn’t quite as quick or as sharp as the contemporary Porsche 911. The car’s 2009 update rectified that somewhat by giving the Vantage a 420-hp 4.7-liter V8 as well as retuned steering and suspension. And Aston Martin tweaked the V8 Vantage throughout its lifespan, giving it more power, upgrading the suspension and steering, and swapping the Sportshift for the seven-speed Sportshift II. Plus, at least one tuner is restomodding Vantages into track cars.

However, even the early V8 Vantages are genuinely daily-drivable supercars. Being luxury GTs, they ride comfortably without sacrificing back-road fun. The hydraulic steering is sharp and well-weighted with plenty of feedback, Jalopnik reports. And while there’s some Ford switchgear inside, most of the interior features hand-stitched leather, Alcantara, and metal trim. It might be slightly dated, but it still feels special, CarBuyer says.

You can turn heads with this 2008 model listed on Cars & Bids

The 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage currently listed on Cars & Bids has a Sportshift transmission rather than the manual. But it does have a standard limited-slip differential and swan doors. And it also comes with some extra luxury features.

On top of the Alcantara headliner and leather upholstery, this 2008 V8 Vintage has satellite navigation, xenon HID headlights, heated seats, and rear parking sensors. It also has the optional 700W Dolby Pro Logic II audio system with a six-disc CD changer, Bluetooth, and satellite radio hardware. Plus, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and power-adjustable lumbar support.

This 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage does have some stone chips and leather wear, including on the dashboard. Also, the rear parking sensors aren’t working, and the disc-based navigation system is due for an update. However, it has a zero-accident history, extensive service records, and less than 69,900 miles on the clock. The seller also recently took the car in for its yearly service, which included an oil and oil filter change.

A used Aston Martin V8 Vantage can be a stylish, reliable bargain

As of this writing, this 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is listed on Cars & Bids at $16,257 with three days left in the auction. Considering it originally started at over $100K, that’s a significant discount. It’s also noticeably lower than the average market price for used Vantages. Although values have started rising, a fair-condition automatic V8 Vantage is still usually a $35,000-$40,000 car, Hagerty reports.

Given that this is a used supercar, it’s recommended that potential bidders get a pre-purchase inspection. However, as long as they’re regularly driven and serviced, used Aston Martin V8 Vantages are fairly reliable luxury cars. Some parts, including the clutch and thermostats, do require frequent replacement, Car and Driver says, though longer-lasting versions exist. And the door struts need to be replaced every 5-7 years, Redpants notes. Luckily, owners can sometimes use less expensive Jaguar or Ford parts instead of the identical Aston Martin ones.

So, if you’re looking to style on a budget, this 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage might be worth considering.

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The post Cars & Bids Bargain of the Week: 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a minute. Buying a car is exciting. Especially at auction. Selling one? Not so much. Unfortunately, it can be a real headache. A stressful experience to say the least. So what happens in the worst-case scenario? You’ve listed your car for auction, gotten the money you wanted, and now the buyer won’t cough up the cash.

Auctions are just negotiations

Obviously, your auction winner won’t pay, and that’s not an ideal situation, now is it? Frankly, many auction sites and other places you can sell cars are just “negotiations plus.” Now, what I mean by that is your listing is just a vehicle for negotiations. You want a set price for your car, and you pay a site a little bit of money to help. By help I mean make your listing look clean, professional, and enticing.

Take eBay, for example. Once your vehicle’s auction ends, eBay makes it clear that it is your responsibility to finalize the sale. If your auction winner won’t pay, that one’s on you to solve. Yes, you can report them to eBay, and the site will even re-list your vehicle free of charge if they rule in your favor. But if you need that money now, you may just be out of luck.

Getting that cheddar can be harder than you thought

Now, we could get into the legalities of completing a transaction, but that’s probably more fit for a legal blog than this article. In summary, you could try to legally enforce the sale, but that’s a long, expensive process that’ll quickly eat into any profit margins you’ve accumulated. Fortunately, there’s a sort of culture surrounding some sites that helps to combat this.

I make frequent trips to Cars & Bids. Admittedly, it’s one of my nerdier pastimes, sitting about browsing obscure listings for cars I can’t afford. But Cars & Bids has created a culture around that. Key to that culture is the listings, most of which are enthusiast-leaning trucks and SUVs “from the modern era” as owner Doug DeMuro puts it. Generally, these enthusiasts are focused on making sure their vehicle goes to a good home, and buyers want to provide that. However, it has to be noted that just like eBay, you’re on the hook for getting that cash into your hands.

Bring a Trailer is also just another mediator

Auction site Bring a Trailer is the undisputed king at this point, helped greatly by the pandemic. Honestly, it should be called “Bring a Bullion” given the prices I see vehicles sell for on there. Again, it’s on you to finalize that sale. I recommend collecting a deposit immediately, as eBay allows you to. From there, it’s all about getting that sale done before there’s any buyer’s remorse. Kindness and understanding are key, but use your instincts if something doesn’t feel right. Try to take advantage of the culture created by sites like Cars & Bids and BAT, and you’re sure to sell without a hitch.

RELATED: How to Bid and Buy Smart at Online Car Auctions

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