AMV8 Test Drive
Discussion
Had a great test drive on Saturday from the great dealer nr. Cambridge. Despite what the journo's have said about the car, I was very impressed with it. Enough power (not as much as the TVR, but never mind), great balance (especially slightly sideways out of a roundabout) and those brakes! Overall a stunning car and very impressed.
This may surprise a few people (EHasler / Seasider) but I may put a deposite down, subject to test driving a Gallardo and liking/not liking it, but a test drive in one of those seems to be as hard as finding rocking horse sh*t!!!
Well done Aston and to all those who have their cars coming in the next couple of weeks.
This may surprise a few people (EHasler / Seasider) but I may put a deposite down, subject to test driving a Gallardo and liking/not liking it, but a test drive in one of those seems to be as hard as finding rocking horse sh*t!!!
Well done Aston and to all those who have their cars coming in the next couple of weeks.
Hi Bund,
I'm affraid I have not driven the 997s so can't compare. However I have done nearly double your 80 with the roof off in the griff.....what a blast! It's great fun, you should try it.
As for the Aston, I refuse to pay a premium for any car as one I don't agree with it and two I couldn't afford it. However, if you can find someone who would sell their place on the list, or sell theirs as soon as they get it, then you have to put your own value on that little bit of exclusivity to get it early. Wrong person to ask...sorry.
As for the Gallardo, most of the early car's have had their clutches replaced under warrenty, and if not, the selling dealer will do it for you as part of the first service under their warrenty I beleive. All cars from the begining of 05 I beleive are fine and well sorted. Speaking to owners on here, they love them to bits, reliable and easy to live with. A Gallardo is deffinately my first choise subject to driving it, which does seem to be a hard feat! You are right to an extent in that the 06 spec is better than the 05, however most improvements will be machanical, there is a small increase in power and a few different leather combo's. Basically the 06 spec will be the same as a current SE but without the 2tone paint job!
Good luck, I know I will need it. The Aston was a great all round car.
I'm affraid I have not driven the 997s so can't compare. However I have done nearly double your 80 with the roof off in the griff.....what a blast! It's great fun, you should try it.
As for the Aston, I refuse to pay a premium for any car as one I don't agree with it and two I couldn't afford it. However, if you can find someone who would sell their place on the list, or sell theirs as soon as they get it, then you have to put your own value on that little bit of exclusivity to get it early. Wrong person to ask...sorry.
As for the Gallardo, most of the early car's have had their clutches replaced under warrenty, and if not, the selling dealer will do it for you as part of the first service under their warrenty I beleive. All cars from the begining of 05 I beleive are fine and well sorted. Speaking to owners on here, they love them to bits, reliable and easy to live with. A Gallardo is deffinately my first choise subject to driving it, which does seem to be a hard feat! You are right to an extent in that the 06 spec is better than the 05, however most improvements will be machanical, there is a small increase in power and a few different leather combo's. Basically the 06 spec will be the same as a current SE but without the 2tone paint job!
Good luck, I know I will need it. The Aston was a great all round car.
No probs. From what I gather, the G and AMV8 would be fine for that, but I think you will want to use them a lot more than that if you get one!
If you need a cool car for the rat run, just take a punt on a second hand G to see how you get on, then partx it for a new G or Aston! Just a thought.
I do agree, the cabro's are noisy which ever make you have compared to their tin top relatives.
If you need a cool car for the rat run, just take a punt on a second hand G to see how you get on, then partx it for a new G or Aston! Just a thought.
I do agree, the cabro's are noisy which ever make you have compared to their tin top relatives.
Have you tried Imperials (www.imperials.co.uk) for a test drive in the Lambo. They are showing as having a LHD Gallado in stock?
Lightningghost, sorry, yes that is the one....Lancaster. Great people.
Puffsorted2, No I have not tried them yet, because I was looking at the possibiltiy of getting a new one, so have started talking to London, and Wycombe for a second hand one. Not sure whether they think I might be wasting their time, but I have been very honest with them both all the way through, explaining my situation (money/job/timing etc)and that they will have me as a customer at some point soon. Therefore they don't have to sell me a car, more point me in the right direction with regards to options (on a new one) and quality second hand ones (as I'm not a millionair so can't afford to buy a car and spend thousands on it every year which is why the Gallardo would make sense (so I'm told)! Another reason for wanting to drive one is that I may not like it and therefore I would go for the AMV8. So the sooner I drive a lambo, the sooner I can decide what I want and either put a deposite down on the Aston or not.....if you see my point.
Puffsorted2, No I have not tried them yet, because I was looking at the possibiltiy of getting a new one, so have started talking to London, and Wycombe for a second hand one. Not sure whether they think I might be wasting their time, but I have been very honest with them both all the way through, explaining my situation (money/job/timing etc)and that they will have me as a customer at some point soon. Therefore they don't have to sell me a car, more point me in the right direction with regards to options (on a new one) and quality second hand ones (as I'm not a millionair so can't afford to buy a car and spend thousands on it every year which is why the Gallardo would make sense (so I'm told)! Another reason for wanting to drive one is that I may not like it and therefore I would go for the AMV8. So the sooner I drive a lambo, the sooner I can decide what I want and either put a deposite down on the Aston or not.....if you see my point.
With regard to the above, this months `CAR' magazine contains some facts and figures from Damon Hill's `P1 Club' some of which make sobering reading! Included are the following: One years depreciation on a Gallardo - £50,000! One years running costs for the said car - £25,740! (albeit with 30k miles)
Whether these costs would reflect a private motorists use of such a car could be questioned, but they certainly bear consideration.
It would be interesting to see comparitive costs for the AMV8 Vantage........
>> Edited by disad-vantage-d on Tuesday 6th December 17:59
Whether these costs would reflect a private motorists use of such a car could be questioned, but they certainly bear consideration.
It would be interesting to see comparitive costs for the AMV8 Vantage........
>> Edited by disad-vantage-d on Tuesday 6th December 17:59
reeso said:
Lightningghost, sorry, yes that is the one....Lancaster. Great people.
Puffsorted2, No I have not tried them yet, because I was looking at the possibiltiy of getting a new one, so have started talking to London, and Wycombe for a second hand one. Not sure whether they think I might be wasting their time, but I have been very honest with them both all the way through, explaining my situation (money/job/timing etc)and that they will have me as a customer at some point soon. Therefore they don't have to sell me a car, more point me in the right direction with regards to options (on a new one) and quality second hand ones (as I'm not a millionair so can't afford to buy a car and spend thousands on it every year which is why the Gallardo would make sense (so I'm told)! Another reason for wanting to drive one is that I may not like it and therefore I would go for the AMV8. So the sooner I drive a lambo, the sooner I can decide what I want and either put a deposite down on the Aston or not.....if you see my point.
How would a Gallardo make sense cost wise? They drop alot of money....
reeso said:
agreed, so it would probably be a 2yr old one, making the cost around 85k (Aston territory)!
reeso, Im not arguing with you on this one, but I would suggest that your expectations of low depreciation motoring in this price bracket are a little optimistic. You will loose money whatever the choice, if you accept that and can enjoy the car you are on a winner.
rich1231,
I totally agree with you. I know I will loose money hand over fist on both a new Lambo or Aston. What i was trying to say was that as I can't really afford a new Lambo (and therefore 30-40k depriciation on it in one year) buying a secondhand one at the same price as a new Aston is managable, as they will be around the 85-90k mark. To be honest, I was ignoring the depresiation figure around these levels (85 secondhand lambo-90 new AMV8) anyway and taking it that they will loose more obviously.
Should have explained myself better, sorry.
I totally agree with you. I know I will loose money hand over fist on both a new Lambo or Aston. What i was trying to say was that as I can't really afford a new Lambo (and therefore 30-40k depriciation on it in one year) buying a secondhand one at the same price as a new Aston is managable, as they will be around the 85-90k mark. To be honest, I was ignoring the depresiation figure around these levels (85 secondhand lambo-90 new AMV8) anyway and taking it that they will loose more obviously.
Should have explained myself better, sorry.
Had my first drive in a V8 today and came away very impressed and happy with my impending order.
As I've come from a DB9 I thought it would be interesting to sum up how both cars compare.
The first and imediate thing I noticed about the V8 was it's sure footedness and how planted it felt on the road. Even though the roads were a bit greasy, you really do get a feeling of confidence driving the V8, that you can take it to the edge and have plenty of time for corrections. The DB9 always felt a bit skittish unless you were flat out on a motorway or autobhan. Then there's the sound.... Bloody marvelous. I thought the V12 sounded good, but the V8 is really raspy and gruff
. Some of the media articles suggested that it was quiet at startup and only bellowed when the valves opened. I found the V8 a lot louder on tick over than the DB9 
I doubt I will be removing the valve pipes to have it open all the time as I like the ability to gun at will !!
I did find that I was driving more and more in lower gears, just so I could hear it rev higher. Maybe that's why it's reported fuel economy has been below expectations. But as they say if you worry about that, then why are you buying an Aston.
The Gear box is superb with a lovely short shift through a firm gate, I found it very easy slotting into the correct gears and the clutch was no bother at all.
I was surprised at how much heavier the stearing is. They say it's to make spirited driving more rewarding, well I guess I need a few hours and dry road to qualify that.
Clarkeson says it lacks the real grunt when you floor it. It sounds a feels like it's going to rocket away but it just doesn't. I can see what he means, don't get more wrong this is still a very quick car, but the mid range grunt maybe a tad behind the DB9, but but no means enough to put me off buying one. The handling, grip and feel of the V8, by far make up for that loss of 30-40 bhp.
Can't wait to get mine now. Hopefully around Christmas time as it's 'off line testing' at the moment. Then it's off to the nearest mountain range for 'Shady testing'
One's thing is for sure I will definitely be on the Boxing Day tunnel run if it is here. The sound is orgasmic
As I've come from a DB9 I thought it would be interesting to sum up how both cars compare.
The first and imediate thing I noticed about the V8 was it's sure footedness and how planted it felt on the road. Even though the roads were a bit greasy, you really do get a feeling of confidence driving the V8, that you can take it to the edge and have plenty of time for corrections. The DB9 always felt a bit skittish unless you were flat out on a motorway or autobhan. Then there's the sound.... Bloody marvelous. I thought the V12 sounded good, but the V8 is really raspy and gruff
. Some of the media articles suggested that it was quiet at startup and only bellowed when the valves opened. I found the V8 a lot louder on tick over than the DB9 I doubt I will be removing the valve pipes to have it open all the time as I like the ability to gun at will !!
I did find that I was driving more and more in lower gears, just so I could hear it rev higher. Maybe that's why it's reported fuel economy has been below expectations. But as they say if you worry about that, then why are you buying an Aston.
The Gear box is superb with a lovely short shift through a firm gate, I found it very easy slotting into the correct gears and the clutch was no bother at all.
I was surprised at how much heavier the stearing is. They say it's to make spirited driving more rewarding, well I guess I need a few hours and dry road to qualify that.
Clarkeson says it lacks the real grunt when you floor it. It sounds a feels like it's going to rocket away but it just doesn't. I can see what he means, don't get more wrong this is still a very quick car, but the mid range grunt maybe a tad behind the DB9, but but no means enough to put me off buying one. The handling, grip and feel of the V8, by far make up for that loss of 30-40 bhp.
Can't wait to get mine now. Hopefully around Christmas time as it's 'off line testing' at the moment. Then it's off to the nearest mountain range for 'Shady testing'
One's thing is for sure I will definitely be on the Boxing Day tunnel run if it is here. The sound is orgasmic
rich1231 said:
Lightningghost, sorry, yes that is the one....Lancaster. Great people.
Puffsorted2, No I have not tried them yet, because I was looking at the possibiltiy of getting a new one, so have started talking to London, and Wycombe for a second hand one. Not sure whether they think I might be wasting their time, but I have been very honest with them both all the way through, explaining my situation (money/job/timing etc)and that they will have me as a customer at some point soon. Therefore they don't have to sell me a car, more point me in the right direction with regards to options (on a new one) and quality second hand ones (as I'm not a millionair so can't afford to buy a car and spend thousands on it every year which is why the Gallardo would make sense (so I'm told)! Another reason for wanting to drive one is that I may not like it and therefore I would go for the AMV8. So the sooner I drive a lambo, the sooner I can decide what I want and either put a deposite down on the Aston or not.....if you see my point.
How would a Gallardo make sense cost wise? They drop alot of money....
Its not a question of how much money a Gallardo looses its a question of who on earth will buy the car! When i was selling mine NO ONE wanted it, the lambo dealers no- tom hartley bid 70K for a late 04 car with 4k miles. The thing is a residual disaster- dont go there!
I sold the Gallardo some 4 weeks ago.
With an expensive car you have to sell back into the trade really and that the problem- only 2 lambo dealers and everyone else wants to steal it.
The otehr issue is that some will soon be out of warranty and mine was not the most reliable!
Also there will soon be an audi V8 engined car and much cheaper and the V10 is being used in an audi .
With an expensive car you have to sell back into the trade really and that the problem- only 2 lambo dealers and everyone else wants to steal it.
The otehr issue is that some will soon be out of warranty and mine was not the most reliable!
Also there will soon be an audi V8 engined car and much cheaper and the V10 is being used in an audi .
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