Driven a AM Vanquish
Discussion
Good friend of mine has a Vanquish which I managed to get a drive of yesterday,
What a presence, what a noise, what a gearbox ??
Now unless I'm missing something or it gets better with more use, this gearbox is a dog. It refused to change up a lower revs, (just wanted to hear the V12 rumble), and when it does change theres a marked delay.
I'm hoping it was just me and that there's a need for practice to get the best from it. Someone please put my mind at rest??
Phil
What a presence, what a noise, what a gearbox ??
Now unless I'm missing something or it gets better with more use, this gearbox is a dog. It refused to change up a lower revs, (just wanted to hear the V12 rumble), and when it does change theres a marked delay.
I'm hoping it was just me and that there's a need for practice to get the best from it. Someone please put my mind at rest??
Phil
Sadly you might be right. I had a drive of a DB9 recently and was slightly disappointed that it wasn't more sporty in character.
It looked great inside and out, sounded good, and pulled reasonably well, but the gearbox was merely competent rather than great. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it felt like an auto box to be honest (though no doubt it could shift faster than me).
It looked great inside and out, sounded good, and pulled reasonably well, but the gearbox was merely competent rather than great. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it felt like an auto box to be honest (though no doubt it could shift faster than me).
I thnk that's the point. Treat it as an awesome GT with an auto box and I'm sure you'll love it, try to use it as a nimble sports car with a hi-speed, high-tech F1 style 'box and it will surely infuriate.
Now, if you could just arrange for your mate to hand me the keys, I'd like to check my thoughts for myself
Now, if you could just arrange for your mate to hand me the keys, I'd like to check my thoughts for myself
groomi said:
I thnk that's the point. Treat it as an awesome GT with an auto box and I'm sure you'll love it, try to use it as a nimble sports car with a hi-speed, high-tech F1 style 'box and it will surely infuriate.
Now, if you could just arrange for your mate to hand me the keys, I'd like to check my thoughts for myself
My mate is that disillusioned with his he is selling, alot of money to pay out if your not 100% happy. He's after a 997 cab now. I can see his point as the gearbox I imagine will take some getting used to.
I could forgive anything for the noise it makes
Phil
There are a couple of points with the Vanquish gearbox from what I understand. One is that there is a certain amount of "learning" of your driving style by the gearchange software and the other is that there is a sport setting for faster changes. Changes at trundling speed are fine I think and the experience of full bore changes while under max power and just flicking the paddle is quite something. The 997 does offer a rather more raw delivery and sounds much more impressive IMHO.
The Vanquish, as someone has already mentioned is a manual gearbox, with paddle gearchanges. Thus it needed to be driven like a manual car. Whebn I drove one, I had no problems, but then I was told to:
-dont put it into a very high gear at very low speed (why would ou? whats the point?)
-lift the throttle slightly when changing up (unless on full-boar changes), which makes the gear changes almost imperceptable. I'm guessing that yo'uve driven too many computer games, where you just keep your foot in and pull back on the buttons behind the steering wheel.
And thirdly, if you're thinking about a 997 then buy a 997: its the same as everyone else on this list, and will be very common every time soon. An Aston has soul, and takes time to learn.
-dont put it into a very high gear at very low speed (why would ou? whats the point?)
-lift the throttle slightly when changing up (unless on full-boar changes), which makes the gear changes almost imperceptable. I'm guessing that yo'uve driven too many computer games, where you just keep your foot in and pull back on the buttons behind the steering wheel.
And thirdly, if you're thinking about a 997 then buy a 997: its the same as everyone else on this list, and will be very common every time soon. An Aston has soul, and takes time to learn.
To get a smooth change from a Vanquish, you must always have a lift, whether going slowly OR full boar.
Not a full on lift, but merely release a bit of the pressure you are putting on the pedal.
If someone could just get Clarkson to take this on board, maybe he would shut up moaning about those 'jerky' gear changes, lol.
Not a full on lift, but merely release a bit of the pressure you are putting on the pedal.
If someone could just get Clarkson to take this on board, maybe he would shut up moaning about those 'jerky' gear changes, lol.
st170j said:
To get a smooth change from a Vanquish, you must always have a lift, whether going slowly OR full boar.
Not a full on lift, but merely release a bit of the pressure you are putting on the pedal.
If someone could just get Clarkson to take this on board, maybe he would shut up moaning about those 'jerky' gear changes, lol.
EXACTLY! Well said that man.
Got a mate who has a mate with an M3 SMG, always foot to the floor changing gears, no bloody good.
Spread the word..................
williamp said:
-lift the throttle slightly when changing up (unless on full-boar changes), which makes the gear changes almost imperceptable. I'm guessing that yo'uve driven too many computer games, where you just keep your foot in and pull back on the buttons behind the steering wheel.
Agree the first part. The gearchange on the Vanquish I tested was very good indeed. It does need a tiny lift to smooth things out- not much, almost wiggling your toes kind of lift. It sounds like the system in the original post is out of kilter. This used to happen a lot on Ferraris when they first brought out their F1 gearbox.
You do NOT need to lift, at all, on the most recent Ferrari semi autos. In fact, if you do you'll end up looking like a rich tw*t who can't drive.
456mgt said:
-lift the throttle slightly when changing up (unless on full-boar changes), which makes the gear changes almost imperceptable. I'm guessing that yo'uve driven too many computer games, where you just keep your foot in and pull back on the buttons behind the steering wheel.
Agree the first part. The gearchange on the Vanquish I tested was very good indeed. It does need a tiny lift to smooth things out- not much, almost wiggling your toes kind of lift. It sounds like the system in the original post is out of kilter. This used to happen a lot on Ferraris when they first brought out their F1 gearbox.
You do NOT need to lift, at all, on the most recent Ferrari semi autos. In fact, if you do you'll end up looking like a rich tw*t who can't drive.
Having not driven a Ferrari, I stand corrected!
williamp said:
-dont put it into a very high gear at very low speed (why would ou? whats the point?)
-lift the throttle slightly when changing up (unless on full-boar changes), which makes the gear changes almost imperceptable. I'm guessing that yo'uve driven too many computer games, where you just keep your foot in and pull back on the buttons behind the steering wheel.
And thirdly, if you're thinking about a 997 then buy a 997: its the same as everyone else on this list, and will be very common every time soon. An Aston has soul, and takes time to learn.
Thanks for the info, was hoping it was just me and a need for practise as opposed to the car. By the way don't do computer games and I was lifting during changes obviously not enough.
Cars not mine, it a mate, and hes after a 997.
I agree an Aston has soul and if it was mine I would take time to learn. Shame I won't get time if he sells.
Phil
My first post!!
I have a Vanquish and I'd say that the gear change technique (for a silky smooth one) is actually to change on a balanced throttle. In other words neither accelerating or decelerating. In real driving conditions that is a pain to do (if I'm honest) so a tiny lift is all that's required.
When I bought the car I went on the performance driving course offered by AML Newport Pagnell, the balanced throttle technique is what is taught there..
It's not the best gearbox in the world, however as I don't drive the car daily it's a real event when I do and therefore I completely forgive it!
I have a Vanquish and I'd say that the gear change technique (for a silky smooth one) is actually to change on a balanced throttle. In other words neither accelerating or decelerating. In real driving conditions that is a pain to do (if I'm honest) so a tiny lift is all that's required.
When I bought the car I went on the performance driving course offered by AML Newport Pagnell, the balanced throttle technique is what is taught there..
It's not the best gearbox in the world, however as I don't drive the car daily it's a real event when I do and therefore I completely forgive it!
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff