What is a Vantage S?

[Molly GT]

What is a Vantage S? It's a rip-snorting monster - thats what it is!

We said we would report back when we had lived with the S a bit so here's what I think: our V8 Vantage was a gentleman's tourer - refined, classy & comfortable - a fabulous car in which we drove 5,500 glorious and varied miles in the first half of this year and I wont have a word said against it!

The Vantage S looks similar but feels (& sounds!) completely different. The steering is sharper, everything feels like it's reacting more quickly, the exhaust note sounds like the snarling hounds of hell being let loose and the speed ......!!

When I'm in the passenger seat I confess that the ride isn't quite as smooth as in the V8V but this thing has an irresistible urgency about it. Any (ex-)bikers reading will understand.

Talking of bikers - I think I've sussed the paddle shift now - like changing gear with your fingers instead of your toes!!

Anyone else out there experienced the S yet?

[Neil1300R]

Only experienced the S on a 20 minute test drive.
Wish I hadn't.
Because I really, really want one now!
Loved the gearbox, even though I didn't manage a smooth upchange in the time I had it.
The Sport button is best - as a current biker - its manic!
Glad you are loving it and realise hubby made the right choice by buying it without permission

[mikey k]

Me - had a few extended test drives
It is exactly as you describe, much more focussed, expecially with the sport button on!



I can now reveal I have mine on order!
Deal done yesterday for late September delivery
Lightning Silver Roadster with carbon fibre seats & sports pack wheels
Can't wait
Down side is my current car goes to them now (to get max value) and I have to do my Scotland Hoon in the Volvo
At least the S will be waiting for me when I get back!

Edited by mikey k on Friday 29th July 12:12

[JohnG1]

mikey k said:

Me - had a few test extended test drives
It is exactly as you describe much more focussed, expecially with the sport button on!



I can now reveal I have mine on order!
Deal done yesterday for late September delivery
Lightning Silver Roadster with carbon fibre seats & sports pack wheels
Can't wait
Down side is my current car goes to them now (to get max value) and I have to do my Scotland Hoon in the Volvo
At least the S will be waiting for me when I get back!

Nice!!

The only weird thing about the cf seats is when you want to adjust the lumbar support and have to faff around with velcro - feels a bit odd. But they look very cool.

If I ever write off my V12 I am going to salvage those seats and make a very cool desk chair from them...

Perish the thought!

[mikey k]

Yep same on any shell based seat
Once I've got it right I'll leave them alone
I think I can get heating retrofitted as well

[JohnG1]

mikey k said:

Yep same on any shell based seat
Once I've got it right I'll leave them alone
I think I can get heating retrofitted as well

Heating - are you a man or a mouse?????

[Highrisedrifter]

JohnG1 said:

Heating - are you a man or a mouse?????

I'm no expert, but after reading a couple of threads in the Aston section, I think the mouse goes under the bonnet.

[mikey k]

JohnG1 said:

Heating - are you a man or a mouse?????

useful in a roadster when we do this

[JohnG1]

mikey k said:

useful in a roadster when we do this

bah!

Man up!!!!

[Jockman]

mikey k said:

Lightning Silver Roadster with carbon fibre seats & sports pack wheels

I note you refrain from confirming the grille ???? You had intimated standard but then again.....

Heated seats are a MUST if you're getting a funboy's roadster. Facilitates the dropping of the roof on crisp sunny mornings in the winter.

Molly - thanks for the excellent write up. Regards to gaylord Rob

[George H]

JohnG1 said:

bah!

Man up!!!!

Coming from the man with a fixed roof!

Jockman said:

Facilitates the dropping of the roof on crisp sunny mornings in the winter.

Take the car out in the winter? Are you mad?

[JohnG1]

George H said:

Take the car out in the winter? Are you mad?

Never had heated seats in the S2000 and drove that all through winter with the top down...

[George H]

JohnG1 said:

Never had heated seats in the S2000 and drove that all through winter with the top down...

Oh it isn't the cold that bothers me, I have heated seats after all.

What bothers me is all the salt on the road. Means I have to clean the car after every time it is used so I can put the cover back on without risking scratching it. When the hosepipe is frozen it makes it very difficult. Would be a lot easier if I had a normal sized garage door where the car could actually fit in, then I wouldn't have to bother with the cover.

[GlynMo]

George H said:

Snip... Would be a lot easier if I had a normal sized garage door where the car could actually fit in, then I wouldn't have to bother with the cover.

So, is the answer a new, normal sized garage door - or does the undersized garage door lead to an undersized garage??

[George H]

GlynMo said:

So, is the answer a new, normal sized garage door - or does the undersized garage door lead to an undersized garage??

Nope, it has a full double and a bit garage, with workshop inside. But as the house is in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' they are really strict with planning rules. The garage was derelict when we moved in, and we weren't allowed to widen the doors.

[peterr96]

George H said:

But as the house is in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'

Huh? Your profile says you're in Lancashire! Outstanding beauty?? Round the back of the ship shop maybe, but you can't normally see the scenery in Lancashire cos it's always bd raining!
(I'm permitted such views being originally from Yorkshire. However I'm now a soft shandy drinking southerner!)

In fairness the bloke from planning did you all a favour. He made sure you left the Aston out for all to see thereby improving the world for all. Good work!

[JohnG1]

George H said:

Nope, it has a full double and a bit garage, with workshop inside. But as the house is in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' they are really strict with planning rules. The garage was derelict when we moved in, and we weren't allowed to widen the doors.

Oh dear. I feel a "bloody council jobsworth" rant coming on. Two ibuprofen, couple of large whiskies and a damp cloth on my forehead and it'll pass...

[George H]

peterr96 said:

Huh? Your profile says you're in Lancashire! Outstanding beauty?? Round the back of the ship shop maybe, but you can't normally see the scenery in Lancashire cos it's always bd raining!
(I'm permitted such views being originally from Yorkshire. However I'm now a soft shandy drinking southerner!)

In fairness the bloke from planning did you all a favour. He made sure you left the Aston out for all to see thereby improving the world for all. Good work!

http://www.forestofbowland.com/

I always forget how it never rains in Yorkshire

Unfortunately it was my dad who dealt with all the planning officer before building an undersized garage door, and then buggering off to Spain, leaving me to suffer with it. I tried putting my new Polo in the garage the other day to fit my new numberplates on it, there was about 2" each side with the wingmirrors folded in. Not a chance in the Aston.

[George H]

JohnG1 said:

Oh dear. I feel a "bloody council jobsworth" rant coming on. Two ibuprofen, couple of large whiskies and a damp cloth on my forehead and it'll pass...

Exactly! Does he not realise people feel the need to buy impractical, oversized, uneconomical sports cars? Honestly, some people!

[peterr96]

George H said:

http://www.forestofbowland.com/

Yeah I concede it is pretty up there. Bloody wet though last I was there.

George H said:

I always forget how it never rains in Yorkshire

We turn all ours into beer though.

George H said:

Unfortunately it was my dad who dealt with all the planning officer before building an undersized garage door, and then buggering off to Spain, leaving me to suffer with it.

Nasty man! I trust he put the planning officer under the patio before fleeing the country.