Coast to Coast in an AMV8
Discussion
First the disclaimer/qualifier. I have owned an Aston for 5/6 years and have an enduring love for the marque. I've also had a couple of Ferraris and courtesy of Mr Hill's P1 had the use of numerous exotica. So this is the view of someone who's done a few miles in cars that go a bit.
Over the past two days I have driven over 700 miles literally from coast (Torquay) to coast (Burnham-on-crouch). I have done the M25- M4 -M5 blast South from Hertfordshire and the A303 across Salisbury plain North again. I have driven in traffic and on open roads.
What's good about the AMV8: It is undoubtedly beautiful and attracts totally favourable reactions, but you do have to ask how many variations on the (DB4 Zagato)DB7 shape you can have in the market at once. It hasn't really got it's own identity, it is "just" another "new" Aston. And that I'm afraid is it. My problem now is that I can't think of anything else that is great, that isn't flawed.
Let's take the much vaunted handling: Yes it handles pretty well on twisty roads, it feels more nimble than a Porsche 911 and is light years ahead of the big Aston GTs but then it should, given where all the weight is. My problem is that is has a unique idiosyncrasy that I have never experienced in any car before: It's difficult to describe the sensation, but on certain road surfaces it feels as if the car is rippling along the length of the chassis. It's easy enough to correct; just speed up or slow down, but it is disconcerting.
The brakes: They are OK but not as good as a Ferrari or a Porsche. They overheat faster and fade more. The ones on the car I've had also screech embarrasingly at low speeds.
The engine: How Aston can have allowed Cosworth to detune this engine is beyond me. The marketing people have taken over the company and they have made a grave error. They should have let the full fat Aston V8 S, or whatever they're going to call it, out first. This car is anaemic and grossly under-powered. The comedy go-faster exhaust note is fun, but the power from the V8 is insufficient to merit the "Vantage" badge. Yes it revs to 7000 rpm and it will see off a standard 911 (or at least the ones I saw today) but there's no V8 torque, and it just isn't fast enough. On a freezing cold day on Salisbury Plain I'd have expected the traction control to be fighting the torque, and it wasn't.
The gearbox is Italian so second is a bugger when its cold. Thereafter it's Ok. You do reach for the nonexistant 7th occassionally, and I kept wandering which gear I was in, which can't be a good sign.
Other things that aren't right: The sun visors are useless, the buttons on the central console just eye candy. The gear stick is too close to the centre console and the foot rest gets caught up in your shoes. The Petrol flap opener and the heated seat button must have been placed as part of an Easter egg hunt. TIt has too many irritating beeps that should just shut up. The Ferrari 550 loses the prize for biggest cabin that you can't put your sunglasses down in, and why anybody would want a cup holder behind their elbow is a mystery - In summary, awful ergonomics.
Worst thing of all is the seat. It is simply the most uncomforatble seat I have sat in (or in this case on top of)for years. It's not back ache that's the problem, it makes you backside sore. I'm sure I bruised my coxic on the M5, that should never happen in a gentleman's car!
In summary: Almost a really great car. It needs more power and torque,less superfluous flashy marketing tricks (silly noises and buttons that light up) and above all it needs the new ergonomics chap at Aston to think hard about what they are trying to achieve. I've never once opened the manual on my DB7 in 5/6 years. I had to get the AMV8 manual out twice today.
Over the past two days I have driven over 700 miles literally from coast (Torquay) to coast (Burnham-on-crouch). I have done the M25- M4 -M5 blast South from Hertfordshire and the A303 across Salisbury plain North again. I have driven in traffic and on open roads.
What's good about the AMV8: It is undoubtedly beautiful and attracts totally favourable reactions, but you do have to ask how many variations on the (DB4 Zagato)DB7 shape you can have in the market at once. It hasn't really got it's own identity, it is "just" another "new" Aston. And that I'm afraid is it. My problem now is that I can't think of anything else that is great, that isn't flawed.
Let's take the much vaunted handling: Yes it handles pretty well on twisty roads, it feels more nimble than a Porsche 911 and is light years ahead of the big Aston GTs but then it should, given where all the weight is. My problem is that is has a unique idiosyncrasy that I have never experienced in any car before: It's difficult to describe the sensation, but on certain road surfaces it feels as if the car is rippling along the length of the chassis. It's easy enough to correct; just speed up or slow down, but it is disconcerting.
The brakes: They are OK but not as good as a Ferrari or a Porsche. They overheat faster and fade more. The ones on the car I've had also screech embarrasingly at low speeds.
The engine: How Aston can have allowed Cosworth to detune this engine is beyond me. The marketing people have taken over the company and they have made a grave error. They should have let the full fat Aston V8 S, or whatever they're going to call it, out first. This car is anaemic and grossly under-powered. The comedy go-faster exhaust note is fun, but the power from the V8 is insufficient to merit the "Vantage" badge. Yes it revs to 7000 rpm and it will see off a standard 911 (or at least the ones I saw today) but there's no V8 torque, and it just isn't fast enough. On a freezing cold day on Salisbury Plain I'd have expected the traction control to be fighting the torque, and it wasn't.
The gearbox is Italian so second is a bugger when its cold. Thereafter it's Ok. You do reach for the nonexistant 7th occassionally, and I kept wandering which gear I was in, which can't be a good sign.
Other things that aren't right: The sun visors are useless, the buttons on the central console just eye candy. The gear stick is too close to the centre console and the foot rest gets caught up in your shoes. The Petrol flap opener and the heated seat button must have been placed as part of an Easter egg hunt. TIt has too many irritating beeps that should just shut up. The Ferrari 550 loses the prize for biggest cabin that you can't put your sunglasses down in, and why anybody would want a cup holder behind their elbow is a mystery - In summary, awful ergonomics.
Worst thing of all is the seat. It is simply the most uncomforatble seat I have sat in (or in this case on top of)for years. It's not back ache that's the problem, it makes you backside sore. I'm sure I bruised my coxic on the M5, that should never happen in a gentleman's car!
In summary: Almost a really great car. It needs more power and torque,less superfluous flashy marketing tricks (silly noises and buttons that light up) and above all it needs the new ergonomics chap at Aston to think hard about what they are trying to achieve. I've never once opened the manual on my DB7 in 5/6 years. I had to get the AMV8 manual out twice today.
guymarks said:
Whats P1?
www.p1international.com/about.htm
That is a great idea!
Are the cars just for track use?
f328nvl said:Sounds like Sir needs a manual DB9.
In summary: Almost a really great car. It needs more power and torque,less superfluous flashy marketing tricks (silly noises and buttons that light up) and above all it needs the new ergonomics chap at Aston to think hard about what they are trying to achieve. I've never once opened the manual on my DB7 in 5/6 years. I had to get the AMV8 manual out twice today.
I didn't find the gearstick too close, nor did I find any irritating noises. Nor did I have a problem getting second at any point.
As for the seat, I have a bad back and I emerged from the V8 without so much as a twinge
Did the car you used have the 18" or 19" wheels ?
As for this comment :
"On a freezing cold day on Salisbury Plain I'd have expected the traction control to be fighting the torque, and it wasn't."
Surely the alternative to this would be intrusive traction control ? I didn't think anybody liked that ? Each to their own though I suppose.
In fact, being devils advocate here, I pretty much found none of the issues you have found. It appears you were driving it looking for faults as opposed to driving for fun and discovering faults.
A reason for not having to open a manual for the DB7 is probably the fact that most people can work the switch gear in an Escort so they are ok in a 7
As for the seat, I have a bad back and I emerged from the V8 without so much as a twinge
Did the car you used have the 18" or 19" wheels ?
As for this comment :
"On a freezing cold day on Salisbury Plain I'd have expected the traction control to be fighting the torque, and it wasn't."
Surely the alternative to this would be intrusive traction control ? I didn't think anybody liked that ? Each to their own though I suppose.
In fact, being devils advocate here, I pretty much found none of the issues you have found. It appears you were driving it looking for faults as opposed to driving for fun and discovering faults.
A reason for not having to open a manual for the DB7 is probably the fact that most people can work the switch gear in an Escort so they are ok in a 7
I've had my V8 about three weeks now and it is due for it's first service. I'm holding off taking it in because they are still waiting to recieve a new front license plate bracket (replacing ugly US one with a standard UK long bracket).
Here are some of my observations:
* There are plenty of positive comments about the looks and sound, and I won't add anything to that other than to say women are really drawn to the car and love the looks...which is good for a single guy like me. The same women who are put off by guys driving ferraris and lambos are much more positive about the aston and the type of person who owns and drives one. 
* The fit & finish on my car is excellent, but perhaps I'm in the minority?
* Ergonomics are far superior to what I had on my 2002 BMW 745i...but having said that it's clear that this was an exercise in form over function. It looks great, but certainly the usability could be improved.
* The car handles very well, though I have noticed the slight knocking when driving on a cobblestone road. Will get this checked at the first service. The ride is quite comfortable for city driving, I normally cruise at around 130 km/h on my drive to work and it seems very stable at that speed...haven't really tried to drive much faster for an extended period. I have yet to explore the limits of its handling because there is so much grip that the speed required to get it sideways would be too dangerous for public roads. I'll have to wait till I get onto a track before giving any feedback on very high speed handling.
* I cannot avoid scuffing the leather with my shoes on my way in/out. It's driving me nuts but it's very complex to get my feet into the footwell without rubbing the leather either on the door, dash, or front of the seat.
* I haven't had any issues with the gearbox except that I have a hart time getting into sixth gear. You really have to pay attention otherwise you end up in 4th. Also, even in normal city driving I find myself in 6th gear and I too have sometimes found myself reaching for a 7th gear at highway speeds. Normal cruising RPMs are a little high for my liking and experience driving other V8 vehicles. I have also noticed some issues finding the gear I want when the car is cold, but not with second gear as described above.
* Almost every day I find enough torque to feel the tail get a little loose. I do agree that for the money the car really should have had more power. It performs very well but you really have to be in the right gear at the right RPM's to really feel the power. Other high performance vehicles I've driven have enough torque/hp even if you aren't in the optimium gear to accelerate. There's clearly a difference in torque between the big 5.5L V8 in my G55 and the 4.3 in the AMV8. I think supercharging is probably the best way to resolve this. Having said that, because of the weight of the car I'm having a great time and probably would NOT opt for a higher performance model. Maybe the issue is that the power of this car is not scarry, which is probably what disappoints those people who want the thrill you get from a lambo or Corvette Z06.
* Position of steering, pedals, and shifter are perfect for me and i wouldn't change a thing.
* I agree, there is no decent place to keep sunglasses so I bought a visor clip. Also no place to safely keep my mobile.
* Headlights are excellent and i have no complaints about the throw angle or intensity.
* I wish it had front parking sensors, and the beeper volume for the rear ones is very soft. I wish there was a display as well.
* It's very easy to stall when reversing...you need to feather the throttle when backing into a parking spot or you'll end up embarrassing yourself.
Having waited for six months, spent more money than I can afford, I can honestly say I do not regret this purchase at all and would go through the same again. I place a lot of value on drive, power, comfort, convenience, and image...and this vehicle matches my personal preferences in these areas perfectly. I'm a happy and satisfied AML customer and look forward to many more years of ownership.
-Jimmy.
Here are some of my observations:
* There are plenty of positive comments about the looks and sound, and I won't add anything to that other than to say women are really drawn to the car and love the looks...which is good for a single guy like me.
The same women who are put off by guys driving ferraris and lambos are much more positive about the aston and the type of person who owns and drives one. * The fit & finish on my car is excellent, but perhaps I'm in the minority?
* Ergonomics are far superior to what I had on my 2002 BMW 745i...but having said that it's clear that this was an exercise in form over function. It looks great, but certainly the usability could be improved.
* The car handles very well, though I have noticed the slight knocking when driving on a cobblestone road. Will get this checked at the first service. The ride is quite comfortable for city driving, I normally cruise at around 130 km/h on my drive to work and it seems very stable at that speed...haven't really tried to drive much faster for an extended period. I have yet to explore the limits of its handling because there is so much grip that the speed required to get it sideways would be too dangerous for public roads. I'll have to wait till I get onto a track before giving any feedback on very high speed handling.
* I cannot avoid scuffing the leather with my shoes on my way in/out. It's driving me nuts but it's very complex to get my feet into the footwell without rubbing the leather either on the door, dash, or front of the seat.
* I haven't had any issues with the gearbox except that I have a hart time getting into sixth gear. You really have to pay attention otherwise you end up in 4th. Also, even in normal city driving I find myself in 6th gear and I too have sometimes found myself reaching for a 7th gear at highway speeds. Normal cruising RPMs are a little high for my liking and experience driving other V8 vehicles. I have also noticed some issues finding the gear I want when the car is cold, but not with second gear as described above.
* Almost every day I find enough torque to feel the tail get a little loose. I do agree that for the money the car really should have had more power. It performs very well but you really have to be in the right gear at the right RPM's to really feel the power. Other high performance vehicles I've driven have enough torque/hp even if you aren't in the optimium gear to accelerate. There's clearly a difference in torque between the big 5.5L V8 in my G55 and the 4.3 in the AMV8. I think supercharging is probably the best way to resolve this. Having said that, because of the weight of the car I'm having a great time and probably would NOT opt for a higher performance model. Maybe the issue is that the power of this car is not scarry, which is probably what disappoints those people who want the thrill you get from a lambo or Corvette Z06.
* Position of steering, pedals, and shifter are perfect for me and i wouldn't change a thing.
* I agree, there is no decent place to keep sunglasses so I bought a visor clip. Also no place to safely keep my mobile.
* Headlights are excellent and i have no complaints about the throw angle or intensity.
* I wish it had front parking sensors, and the beeper volume for the rear ones is very soft. I wish there was a display as well.
* It's very easy to stall when reversing...you need to feather the throttle when backing into a parking spot or you'll end up embarrassing yourself.
Having waited for six months, spent more money than I can afford, I can honestly say I do not regret this purchase at all and would go through the same again. I place a lot of value on drive, power, comfort, convenience, and image...and this vehicle matches my personal preferences in these areas perfectly. I'm a happy and satisfied AML customer and look forward to many more years of ownership.
-Jimmy.
Maxeh said:
Whats P1?
www.p1international.com/about.htm
That is a great idea!
Are the cars just for track use?
Definately and unequivocably not.
jeremyc said:
In summary: Almost a really great car. It needs more power and torque,less superfluous flashy marketing tricks (silly noises and buttons that light up) and above all it needs the new ergonomics chap at Aston to think hard about what they are trying to achieve. I've never once opened the manual on my DB7 in 5/6 years. I had to get the AMV8 manual out twice today.
Sir had the option to take the first DB9 Manual in the country (April last year) and let friend have it because sir wanted to see what the V8 was going to be like!
:J: said:
A reason for not having to open a manual for the DB7 is probably the fact that most people can work the switch gear in an Escort so they are ok in a 7
Better to spend money on the suspension and engines than developing bespoke bamboo interiors and lit-up glass starter buttons that will look as laughable as white Countach in a few years time me-thinks.
I have to say, the more I read about the AMV8 and the more I see it, the less thrilled I get with it. Im starting to feel the same about the DB9, ironically though the opposite is beginning to happen with the Vanquish. Loathed the thing initially, just didnt look right at all, but now Im really warming to the looks and the whole idea of it. I dont want Astons just being pretty boy Porsche rivals, I like them big, heavyweight brusiers. Small, deft, sh1t hot fast Ive got a Sagaris for and its vastly better than a 911 or AMV8 at what it does.
Someone in another thread asked who would pay £170k for a Vanquish when the £70k AMV8 did it faster, well, that would be me then. Ive already got a £55k motor than is faster than the pair of them and Id still take the £170k Vanquish or its replacement everytime over the AMV8.
Someone in another thread asked who would pay £170k for a Vanquish when the £70k AMV8 did it faster, well, that would be me then. Ive already got a £55k motor than is faster than the pair of them and Id still take the £170k Vanquish or its replacement everytime over the AMV8.
Not sure why some people are taking offence to John's (f328nvl) comments? He has driven the car, has had numerous other cars to make a valid set of comparisons, and concludes that for HIM, it's not all that wonderful.
We are all individuals with differing likes, dislikes and, more importantly, prejudices (even though we sometimes like to think we do not!!) He would not buy one, some others will.
I think it's a really healthy thing to have someone not blinded by their "faith" to give us their view. Will it change mine, of course not, but better to have more information than less when trying out these cars.
We are all individuals with differing likes, dislikes and, more importantly, prejudices (even though we sometimes like to think we do not!!) He would not buy one, some others will.
I think it's a really healthy thing to have someone not blinded by their "faith" to give us their view. Will it change mine, of course not, but better to have more information than less when trying out these cars.
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