2005 Aston Martin V8 VANTAGE

Available with both a manual and automatic gearbox, the former is the more desirable option and the one you’re looking at here. Offered as possibly the cheapest Aston Martin V8 Vantage in the country, it’s had a recent paintwork by the same guys who paint Frontline’s gorgeous MGBs, so you know it’s a top-quality job. The stunning metallic black paintwork is complimented beautifully by the tan leather interior; few colours schemes are as iconic as this - and few cars could carry it off with the effortless nonchalance of the Vantage.

With only five previous keepers, it is HPI clear and running like a dream thanks to the current owner recently investing a near five-figure sum on cosmetic and mechanical work in order to bring it up to the condition you see here today. 

The paintwork has been refreshed, so it is now pretty much perfect with no stonechips, car-park dings, or other imperfections to draw your eye away from that gorgeous shape. Black is a notoriously unforgiving colour and yet this car looks perfect with some of the narrowest and most consistent panel gaps we’ve ever seen. It has real road presence and is way, way better than 99% of its contemporaries.

The black alloy wheels are in very good shape and are shod with matching Bridgestone Potenza tyres, all of which are nearly new and so have good tread on them.

The turquoise painted front grille and caliper treatment, along with the mighty front carbonfibre splitter, side skirts, and rear spoiler, make the car distinctive but these modifications could easily be reversed if the new owner prefers their cars more understated. 

Having said that, we quite like the N24-inspired look…

The interior is as gorgeous as the exterior. Comprising tan leather, it manages to be both traditional and contemporary, a contradiction that Aston Martin pulled off to perfection in the V8.

There is a small amount of wear to the outside bolsters on the driver’s seat but it could be successfully disguised at little cost, or removed entirely by any competent car trimmer, although that would involve a slightly more significant expenditure. If it were ours, we’d probably just get it touched-in by someone who knows what they’re doing and then never give it another thought.

Everything else is in fine fettle and working as it should, which is boring to read but exactly the sort of thing you want to be reading when you’re considering bidding on a car like this.

The car starts, stops, runs and drives as well as it should, which is to say that even the shortest drive leaves you grinning like a fool and itching to get back behind the wheel.

This is at least partly due to the care its received: Kennington Motors gave the car a comprehensive overhaul in November 2016 comprising a full service, a new exhaust, new EBC brake pads front and rear, and some general tidying up. The bill for parts alone came to more than £4,000…

A new battery and a couple of other bits and bobs led to another bill for £750 in January 2017, and Kennington Motors also fitted an H&R spring kit and wheel spacers in March 2017, which generated another four-figure invoice. 

The owner clearly appreciates the work the guys do there as much as we do because he also commissioned them to refurbish the wheels, fit four new Bridgestone tyres, and install the carbon front splitter, side skirts and rear spoiler. 

The bill this time came to £2,400, meaning he has lavished almost £9,000 on the car in just two years. That’s very good news for the new owner because it’s left the car looking fabulous and running beautifully.

The online MOT history shows nothing of concern and shows no advisories other than tyre wear and the presence of the factory fitted underbody tray since records for the Vantage began in 2009. The current MOT certificate expires in May 2019 and there are a number of expired certificates in the extensive history folder.

It has an HPI certificate showing that it has never been written off, stolen or otherwise abused.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support the recent work that has been carried out.

This might very well be the cheapest V8 Vantage on the open market, and so offers outstanding value; with a guide price of £19,500-22,000 and a reserve that is set even lower, this well looked after example gives potential bidders the opportunity to get behind the wheel of one of the most desirable contemporary Aston Martins for not a lot of money.

And while a car like this should be bought to be used, we can’t help thinking that it might be a canny buy in the long-term, too. The prices of these cars can only go one way and it looks like they’ve now bottomed out, leaving them with only one way to go…

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen here at The Market HQ in Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.