Vantage N400 vs Tuning a standard. And other things.

[nickythesaint]

Hi Folks,

Been looking at Vantage as an option (among other marques). Haven't test driven any cars yet but I like the N400 just wondering if its worth the premium.

WHICH MODEL?

Can anyone advise me if it would be better value to get a standard car and modify the chassis and increase the BHP.

MANUAL vs AUTO

Finally, smashed up my shoulder not that long ago, so heavy clutches and gear changes can get painful/wearing. Have read a few negative reviews on the Sports-shift system. I'd probably rather take the pain and enjoy a manual if its awful to live with.

Appreciate opinion on this too? Best to go for a manual or are the complaints about the auto exaggerated.

Thanks in advance,

Cheers,

NS

Edited by nickythesaint on Tuesday 12th July 21:48

[mikey k]

I started out looking for a manual N400 roadster and ended up with a 4.7 sport shift & sport pack roadster.
Stretch if you can

[nickythesaint]

mikey k said:

I started out looking for a manual N400 roadster and ended up with a 4.7 sport shift & sport pack roadster.
Stretch if you can

I have tried searching for sports pack but not many seem to list it. Will look again. Thanks for coming back.

Bit of a vague thread I know

[George H]

I would go for the N400, just so I could have it in Karussell orange, I love that colour.

Can't comment on the gearbox though.

[Mr Overheads]

N400 definitely- test drove standard 4.3 and N400/Sports Pack car and there is definitely a sportier feel, that improves the throttle response and handling.

Didn't test drive a 4.7 as couldn't afford one and didn't want to be disappointed with a 4.3

[JohnG1]

George H said:

I would go for the N400, just so I could have it in Karussell orange, I love that colour.

Can't comment on the gearbox though.

The Orange V12 that people saw at the works service event - was that Karussell orange?

I know of a chap who has recently purchased an Orange V12...

[George H]

JohnG1 said:

The Orange V12 that people saw at the works service event - was that Karussell orange?

I know of a chap who has recently purchased an Orange V12...

I'm fairly sure Karussell orange was an N400 exlcusive colour.

Could the orange V12V be Madagascar orange? Either way, it looked fantastic.

[SabreN400]

In my (biased) opinion, the N400 is worth a premium over the standard 4.3. As well as the power upgrade and sports pack suspension, it has most other options fitted as standard (if that's important to you).

I have a sport shift, and I can honestly say I love it. It does take a while to get used to the system, when you can then get the best out of it. It's not an automatic though, and it does not drive well if you treat it like one.

Keep it in manual mode and drive it like a manual.

Rich.

[JohnG1]

nickythesaint said:

Hi Folks,

Been looking at Vantage as an option (among other marques). Haven't test driven any cars yet but I like the N400 just wondering if its worth the premium.

WHICH MODEL?

Can anyone advise me if it would be better value to get a standard car and modify the chassis and increase the BHP.

MANUAL vs AUTO

Finally, smashed up my shoulder not that long ago, so heavy clutches and gear changes can get painful/wearing. Have read a few negative reviews on the Sports-shift system. I'd probably rather take the pain and enjoy a manual if its awful to live with.

Appreciate opinion on this too? Best to go for a manual or are the complaints about the auto exaggerated.

Thanks in advance,

Cheers,

NS

Edited by nickythesaint on Tuesday 12th July 21:48

Why not ask Mike at Bamford Rose? He designed the changes to the 380bhp engine to take it to 400bhp in the N400...

[mikey k]

nickythesaint said:

mikey k said:

I started out looking for a manual N400 roadster and ended up with a 4.7 sport shift & sport pack roadster.
Stretch if you can

I have tried searching for sports pack but not many seem to list it. Will look again. Thanks for coming back.

Bit of a vague thread I know

Look for the wheels as a starter either of these two

[nickythesaint]

Thanks Mikey.

Seems to be around £20k more for a decent 4.7 sports pack over an N400. Although I do like the sound of the improvements on the newer model.

Any thoughts on the auto gear box over manual?

[nickythesaint]

JohnG1 said:

The Orange V12 that people saw at the works service event - was that Karussell orange?

I know of a chap who has recently purchased an Orange V12...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2706091.htm

Here is what the one he means.

[Murph7355]

Budget?

IMO an N400 isn't worth significantly more than a std 4.3. A 4.7 likely will be both as the car will be a chunk newer and the general car is tweaked measurably.

I've only spent 15mins in an Aston sportshift. I wouldn't bother with the earlier generation. The 'S' sounds like it's been upgraded to get it close(r) to Ferrari F1 transmissions. Would like to try one. But they're a lot more money.

Budget below 50k I'd be looking for the best spec/condition manual 4.3 I could find (and would likely spend significantly under that amount!).

Budget above 50k, I'd be looking for a manual 4.7.

Budget over 80k, I'd be seriously considering saving a bit more and looking closely at the Vantage S or V12V (you won't get one for 80k, but if you go in with the folding stuff you may get some decent deals. Soon if not now).

[George H]

I can see sense in Murph's post, but would an N400 not depreciate less than a standard 4.3? Therefore if the OP was looking towards the lower end of the budget of V8V's, then perhaps an N400 would make more sense.

I would go for the N400 if I had the choice, just because I prefer the exclusivity of it.

[Murph7355]

I doubt there'll be much in it (in terms of %age depreciation) as the 4.7 is that much better again than the N400.

And obviously personal preference but the stitching in the armrest alone would put me right off! Don't like the sills either. So if I really had to have the 20bhp and sharper handling, I'd buy a suitably cheaper car and get the kit added afterwards. But am not convinced that's worth the outlay - the 4.3 is a very good car as it stands and on public roads the times you'd really notice the difference are few.

IMO.

[George H]

Again, good point. I guess the difference that you would notice on public roads between the 4.3 and the N400 would be a lot smaller than the difference between the N400 and 4.7.

What exactly is the difference between the N400 and the N420?

[Colesie]

To the OP, I had a 4.3 and the gearshift and clutch are pretty heavy duty, you should definitely try to get an extended test drive if you're tempted by the manual. I've read that the 4.7 has a lighter clutch but maybe owners can comment.

[nickythesaint]

Colesie said:

To the OP, I had a 4.3 and the gearshift and clutch are pretty heavy duty, you should definitely try to get an extended test drive if you're tempted by the manual. I've read that the 4.7 has a lighter clutch but maybe owners can comment.

Thanks have read the same.

[Speedraser]

George H said:

Again, good point. I guess the difference that you would notice on public roads between the 4.3 and the N400 would be a lot smaller than the difference between the N400 and 4.7.

What exactly is the difference between the N400 and the N420?

The N420 is basically a 4.7 with Sports Pack, whereas the N400 is a tweaked (400hp) 4.3 with Sports Pack.

[Ice27]

Speedraser said:

The N420 is basically a 4.7 with Sports Pack, whereas the N400 is a tweaked (400hp) 4.3 with Sports Pack.

Plus the N420 has the carbon fibre Splitter and diffuser.