drove a V8V for the first time this week and, well....
Discussion
... I have to say I was slightly disappointed. I knew that it wasn't going to be the last word in driving dynamics but there were a number of things I wasn't expecting and i'm keen to work out if these were a case of "they all do that Sir" or if the car in question was perhaps a pup. I'm guessing it may well be a bit of both. So here goes...
1. Steering. Dead ahead to just off centre it felt almost like it wasn't connected. Very light and didn't appear to do anything. Then as soon as you had a bit of lock on it weighted up nicely. Rather disconcerting.
2. Throttle response. When I first "blipped" the throttle nothing happened. It felt like the top 10-15% of the travel didn't do anything and (much like the initial response from the steering) like it wasn't actually connected. Once on the move it was fine, but pulling away and trying to judge when the throttle position would get a response from the engine made junctions rather tricky.
3. Pedals. Seemed odd that they weren't set up for heel & toe. Unless that was something unique to this car?
4. Squeaks / Rattles. Ok I know this can afflict any car, but for one that had covered less than 25k there were multiple squeaks / rattles coming from various parts of the cabin.
I wasn't expecting Lotus type, scalpel sharp, dynamics or indeed German build quality - and don't get me wrong it was pant wettingly gorgeous - but I also wasn't expecting any of the above either. Very interested in any thoughts / experiences of owners.
1. Steering. Dead ahead to just off centre it felt almost like it wasn't connected. Very light and didn't appear to do anything. Then as soon as you had a bit of lock on it weighted up nicely. Rather disconcerting.
2. Throttle response. When I first "blipped" the throttle nothing happened. It felt like the top 10-15% of the travel didn't do anything and (much like the initial response from the steering) like it wasn't actually connected. Once on the move it was fine, but pulling away and trying to judge when the throttle position would get a response from the engine made junctions rather tricky.
3. Pedals. Seemed odd that they weren't set up for heel & toe. Unless that was something unique to this car?
4. Squeaks / Rattles. Ok I know this can afflict any car, but for one that had covered less than 25k there were multiple squeaks / rattles coming from various parts of the cabin.
I wasn't expecting Lotus type, scalpel sharp, dynamics or indeed German build quality - and don't get me wrong it was pant wettingly gorgeous - but I also wasn't expecting any of the above either. Very interested in any thoughts / experiences of owners.
oh and while we're at it, one other thing I forgot!
This might sound silly, but the windscreen wiper on the passenger side didn't appear to sit properly and although it was correctly fitted etc the last 2-3cm wasn't sitting on the windscreen and so flapped about, more so with speed. It's the sort of small, but irritating, thing that would have driven me mad!
This might sound silly, but the windscreen wiper on the passenger side didn't appear to sit properly and although it was correctly fitted etc the last 2-3cm wasn't sitting on the windscreen and so flapped about, more so with speed. It's the sort of small, but irritating, thing that would have driven me mad!
MBH said:
1. Steering. Dead ahead to just off centre it felt almost like it wasn't connected. Very light and didn't appear to do anything. Then as soon as you had a bit of lock on it weighted up nicely. Rather disconcerting.
My DB9 felt like this, I had a fast road Geo done by Rick at DMS and some RSC spacers to widen the track and increase the scrub radius, H&R progressive springs and lowered an inch. It felt much better, up there with anything I have driven. Modern cars all seem to be afflicted by this overassistance though.MBH said:
2. Throttle response. When I first "blipped" the throttle nothing happened. It felt like the top 10-15% of the travel didn't do anything and (much like the initial response from the steering) like it wasn't actually connected. Once on the move it was fine, but pulling away and trying to judge when the throttle position would get a response from the engine made junctions rather tricky.
Yeah... The engine can be slow to react to an input. Again, I had it remapped by DMS to react faster to my inputs and it's much better now though not like my V6 Alfa. Guess there's a lot of inertia in an engine that size and a big ole' flywheel. Clutches are heavy and so are the cars, I still find mine tricky to pull away sometimes. Never *actually* stalled but frequently overrev and look somewhat of a tool. MBH said:
3. Pedals. Seemed odd that they weren't set up for heel & toe. Unless that was something unique to this car?
Been discussed before. Very annoying for the drivers of manual cars (which I have one). I am considering doing something like fitting the TouchTronic's brake pedal to replace the manual's one, so bringing them closer together. Can't see a downside? Looks maybe...MBH said:
4. Squeaks / Rattles. Ok I know this can afflict any car, but for one that had covered less than 25k there were multiple squeaks / rattles coming from various parts of the cabin.
Should be tight, a dealer or indie will sort those.MBH said:
I wasn't expecting Lotus type, scalpel sharp, dynamics or indeed German build quality - and don't get me wrong it was pant wettingly gorgeous - but I also wasn't expecting any of the above either. Very interested in any thoughts / experiences of owners.
In short - it sounds like a dealer needs to go through and sort the rattles, everything else would be whether you want to make the car drive as you want it to - it is what is, you seem to want something different. What are you coming from, Lotus? Astons have never been the 'last word' for anything except perhaps class. It won't steer like a Lotus, it won't rev like a Ferrari, it won't have the drama of a Lambo or the build quality of a Porsche but as a complete package, and taking into account its sheer... 'Astoness' it's a great car. It might not be what you're looking for though?Maybe try another one, or man up and get a DB9
Edited by yeti on Thursday 11th August 09:20
Ah the phrase 'TADTS', I can tell instantly that you have come from Lotus ownership 
Joking aside I don't think you've driven a fully representative example. However there are similarities with Lotuses in so much as they are hand-built and do tend to suffer a few niggles (particularly early cars) that need sorting in the first couple of years. In fact when I visited the factory at Gaydon last year I very much thought it was like a bigger smarter (and cleaner) version of Hethel.
To comment on your points:
1. That doesn't sound right. While you don't get Elise levels of feedback the steering normally has pretty good feel to it. Could be a number of things but would suspect the geometry was out.
2. I can't say I've noticed this on the cars I've driven.
3. That one is normal. Heel and toe is quite difficult in them.
4. You can get a few squeaks and rattles (hand built remember) but they tend to be easy to track down and sort IME.
And the windscreen wiper not sitting on the windscreen and flapping about isn't right either.
Cheers
Joking aside I don't think you've driven a fully representative example. However there are similarities with Lotuses in so much as they are hand-built and do tend to suffer a few niggles (particularly early cars) that need sorting in the first couple of years. In fact when I visited the factory at Gaydon last year I very much thought it was like a bigger smarter (and cleaner) version of Hethel.
To comment on your points:
1. That doesn't sound right. While you don't get Elise levels of feedback the steering normally has pretty good feel to it. Could be a number of things but would suspect the geometry was out.
2. I can't say I've noticed this on the cars I've driven.
3. That one is normal. Heel and toe is quite difficult in them.
4. You can get a few squeaks and rattles (hand built remember) but they tend to be easy to track down and sort IME.
And the windscreen wiper not sitting on the windscreen and flapping about isn't right either.
Cheers
Edited by EpsomJames on Wednesday 10th August 23:27
mine isnt like that after 60K miles
throttle response isnt *that* sharp but certainly not a hinderance in daily use
pedals, I never have been able to heel n toe in it (unlike my old Elise)
windscreen wiper seems odd and needs sorting out
try another one...perhaps one that someone has used, done the geo, checked the tyre pressure etc
throttle response isnt *that* sharp but certainly not a hinderance in daily use
pedals, I never have been able to heel n toe in it (unlike my old Elise)
windscreen wiper seems odd and needs sorting out
try another one...perhaps one that someone has used, done the geo, checked the tyre pressure etc
MBH said:
1. Steering. Dead ahead to just off centre it felt almost like it wasn't connected. Very light and didn't appear to do anything. Then as soon as you had a bit of lock on it weighted up nicely. Rather disconcerting.
Doesn't sound right. Steering in mine's very nice. Much nicer than my old 355s.MBH said:
2. Throttle response. When I first "blipped" the throttle nothing happened. It felt like the top 10-15% of the travel didn't do anything and (much like the initial response from the steering) like it wasn't actually connected. Once on the move it was fine, but pulling away and trying to judge when the throttle position would get a response from the engine made junctions rather tricky.
Worst part of the car IMO. I don't think it's the engine, but the way the throttle is mapped and sprung. I'm sure it must be possible to fix this, but would probably mean access to the ECU is needed (I think it's an electronic throttle?).You get used to it.
MBH said:
3. Pedals. Seemed odd that they weren't set up for heel & toe. Unless that was something unique to this car?
The pedals are comfortable for all other modes of use though. I guess it depends what you want to compromise on.It is possible to get a decent blip in with practice.
MBH said:
.
4. Squeaks / Rattles. Ok I know this can afflict any car, but for one that had covered less than 25k there were multiple squeaks / rattles coming from various parts of the cabin.
.
Often a factor of myriad leather surfaces rubbing against each other. Easily solved by a decent dealer (and/or a bottle of talc). The more handmade/low volume the car, the more you generally put up with this sort of thing.4. Squeaks / Rattles. Ok I know this can afflict any car, but for one that had covered less than 25k there were multiple squeaks / rattles coming from various parts of the cabin.
.
MBH said:
oh and while we're at it, one other thing I forgot!
This might sound silly, but the windscreen wiper on the passenger side didn't appear to sit properly and although it was correctly fitted etc the last 2-3cm wasn't sitting on the windscreen and so flapped about, more so with speed. It's the sort of small, but irritating, thing that would have driven me mad!
Not noticed it on mine. Again, a decent dealer should be able to remedy.This might sound silly, but the windscreen wiper on the passenger side didn't appear to sit properly and although it was correctly fitted etc the last 2-3cm wasn't sitting on the windscreen and so flapped about, more so with speed. It's the sort of small, but irritating, thing that would have driven me mad!
Murph7355 said:
Often a factor of myriad leather surfaces rubbing against each other. Easily solved by a decent dealer (and/or a bottle of talc). The more handmade/low volume the car, the more you generally put up with this sort of thing.
Sorry for the slight hijack, but can you elaborate, please (on the talc bit)?I've also got a Lotus and an Audi, so almost both ends of the build quality spectrum, but I, too was a bit surprised at the squeaks in my Vantage. I'm only 3 weeks into Vantage ownership, so still smiling like an idiot whenever I drive it, but I'd guess that over time those pesky squeaks will start to grate!
Thanks,
Phil.
PhilSm said:
Sorry for the slight hijack, but can you elaborate, please (on the talc bit)?
I've also got a Lotus and an Audi, so almost both ends of the build quality spectrum, but I, too was a bit surprised at the squeaks in my Vantage. I'm only 3 weeks into Vantage ownership, so still smiling like an idiot whenever I drive it, but I'd guess that over time those pesky squeaks will start to grate!
Thanks,
Phil.
No squeaks in mine. If you've only had it 3 weeks take it back to the dealer and ask for them to be sorted. The only 'squeak' I occasionally get is from a seat rubbing against the leather on the transmission tunnel. Mines's a 2006 with over 30k on the clock so no reason for them to squeak / rattle etc.I've also got a Lotus and an Audi, so almost both ends of the build quality spectrum, but I, too was a bit surprised at the squeaks in my Vantage. I'm only 3 weeks into Vantage ownership, so still smiling like an idiot whenever I drive it, but I'd guess that over time those pesky squeaks will start to grate!
Thanks,
Phil.
A quick fix is to remove Fuse22 if you haven't already done so - masks all sorts of noises.
MBH said:
... I have to say I was slightly disappointed. I knew that it wasn't going to be the last word in driving dynamics but there were a number of things I wasn't expecting and i'm keen to work out if these were a case of "they all do that Sir" or if the car in question was perhaps a pup. I'm guessing it may well be a bit of both. So here goes...
1. Steering. Dead ahead to just off centre it felt almost like it wasn't connected. Very light and didn't appear to do anything. Then as soon as you had a bit of lock on it weighted up nicely. Rather disconcerting.
2. Throttle response. When I first "blipped" the throttle nothing happened. It felt like the top 10-15% of the travel didn't do anything and (much like the initial response from the steering) like it wasn't actually connected. Once on the move it was fine, but pulling away and trying to judge when the throttle position would get a response from the engine made junctions rather tricky.
3. Pedals. Seemed odd that they weren't set up for heel & toe. Unless that was something unique to this car?
4. Squeaks / Rattles. Ok I know this can afflict any car, but for one that had covered less than 25k there were multiple squeaks / rattles coming from various parts of the cabin.
I wasn't expecting Lotus type, scalpel sharp, dynamics or indeed German build quality - and don't get me wrong it was pant wettingly gorgeous - but I also wasn't expecting any of the above either. Very interested in any thoughts / experiences of owners.
Firstly, Your 'feel for the steering is correct, the geo check can help with that a little though.1. Steering. Dead ahead to just off centre it felt almost like it wasn't connected. Very light and didn't appear to do anything. Then as soon as you had a bit of lock on it weighted up nicely. Rather disconcerting.
2. Throttle response. When I first "blipped" the throttle nothing happened. It felt like the top 10-15% of the travel didn't do anything and (much like the initial response from the steering) like it wasn't actually connected. Once on the move it was fine, but pulling away and trying to judge when the throttle position would get a response from the engine made junctions rather tricky.
3. Pedals. Seemed odd that they weren't set up for heel & toe. Unless that was something unique to this car?
4. Squeaks / Rattles. Ok I know this can afflict any car, but for one that had covered less than 25k there were multiple squeaks / rattles coming from various parts of the cabin.
I wasn't expecting Lotus type, scalpel sharp, dynamics or indeed German build quality - and don't get me wrong it was pant wettingly gorgeous - but I also wasn't expecting any of the above either. Very interested in any thoughts / experiences of owners.
Secondly, throttle response is dire- have to agree. Electronic throttle damping is your enemy there, the engine upgrade helps that a lot though.
Fourthly, they all rattle and it can drve you nuts.
I think the vantage, like so many cars of its kind is better after a number of years customer development. Given the choice I would only buy a 4.7 with sports pack and forget the rest. In the end what you have with the vantage is a pretty body but you cannot compare it to the build, handling of s german counterpart.
Edited by 355f on Thursday 11th August 16:31
some interesting stuff, thanks, I guess it kind of confirms what I thought that it was partly "TADTS" and partly this particular car not being the best example
Mikey K it was an '06 4.3
I guess i'm just desperately trying to avoid the magnetic pull of a 997CS and pre that drive had my heart set on a Vantage. Will track down a mint one and see what that's like in comparison.
Mikey K it was an '06 4.3
I guess i'm just desperately trying to avoid the magnetic pull of a 997CS and pre that drive had my heart set on a Vantage. Will track down a mint one and see what that's like in comparison.
355f said:
In the end what you have with the vantage is a pretty body but you cannot compare it to the build, handling of s german counterpart.
sacrilegious as this may be on an Aston forum(!) I did have that thought when I was driving it. Strip away the glorious body and the badge and it would be a very different proposition.Edited by 355f on Thursday 11th August 16:31
I drove a V8V (N400) on Saturday and was also disappointed. I love the looks but it just didn"t have the quality feel of my 997S. It had only done 12k but the number of stone chips on the body was more like 120k. This was from a main dealer too so they don't put any effort into preparation. The throttle response was poor as you described and the steering just felt cheap. Lovely noise though but I can't bring myself to justify it's worth double the Porker.
MBH said:
some interesting stuff, thanks, I guess it kind of confirms what I thought that it was partly "TADTS" and partly this particular car not being the best example
Mikey K it was an '06 4.3
I guess i'm just desperately trying to avoid the magnetic pull of a 997CS and pre that drive had my heart set on a Vantage. Will track down a mint one and see what that's like in comparison.
I'd hunt out an N400 or drive a 4.7 sport packMikey K it was an '06 4.3
I guess i'm just desperately trying to avoid the magnetic pull of a 997CS and pre that drive had my heart set on a Vantage. Will track down a mint one and see what that's like in comparison.
Some of the early cars are showing their age, and poor geo just makes it worse
I drove 12 of them trying to find my last car and decided the 4.7 with a sports pack was a quantum leap.
They are never going to have the technical prowess, build quality and handling of a 911, but the boy is the "experience" a lot better
I've got an 06 V8V with 25k miles and the only aspect I can agree with here is the poor throttle response. The delay in the throttle valve movement relative to when the accelerator pedal is moved is horrendous. It makes smooth hill starts without over revving or nearly stalling very difficult. How it was ever signed off by the AM test engineers is beyond me.
Having said that though, it is the only aspect of driving the car I'm not happy with. No problems with the steering weight, pedal positions (don't ever need to heel and toe!) and no squeeks or rattles. One problem it did have when I bought it 6 months ago was the stiff first to second gearchange when cold. My local AM dealer sorted this with the modified linkage with a healthy contribution from AM. It is now much improved.
I just love the early V8V having owned one new back in 2006, I really missed it when I sold it after a year, I had to get another. Disappointed is certainy the last word I would use.
Having said that though, it is the only aspect of driving the car I'm not happy with. No problems with the steering weight, pedal positions (don't ever need to heel and toe!) and no squeeks or rattles. One problem it did have when I bought it 6 months ago was the stiff first to second gearchange when cold. My local AM dealer sorted this with the modified linkage with a healthy contribution from AM. It is now much improved.
I just love the early V8V having owned one new back in 2006, I really missed it when I sold it after a year, I had to get another. Disappointed is certainy the last word I would use.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff