AMV8 - 600 miles in!
Discussion
Just returned from a Sunday "blast" in the Vantage, did about 60 miles, A & B roads, town & country. The more I adjust to the Aston the more I like it as a drivers cars, it is very fluid & balanced, revving that fabulous (uncorked) V8 is always something special.
I have learned to hang onto the lower gears through the twisty stuff & the car is right in it's "max power" band (5000-7300rpm) with instant response & a full on aural treat howling in your ear to increase the interaction through the twisty stuff! It responds better to a smooth flowing style, rather than a max-attack fast as possible approach. On an open flowing B road with good straights, nicely sighted open corners & a few tight switch backs it was fabulous, involving, fun & plenty fast enough! It isn't an out & out adrenalin pumping machine (like a Caterham ,GT3, or a 911 Turbo flat out in 2nd gear!) it's a more sophisticated package than that, but still one that you can bond with on a "drivers" level as well as enjoying the other aspects of Aston ownership ( special design, looks, image, exclusivity, interior etc).
So far (he says tempting fate) it hasn't missed a beat & with the hatchback it is a practical daily driver, the gearbox is still very awkward when cold (& still pretty clunky when warm!). I have got used to the continuous pitching, where the suspension never appears to settle on anything other than very smooth surfaces, but this aspect of the car could be improved. I would prefer a harder but slightly better controlled ride.It has averaged only 14.8 mpg which is frightening. The wheels also seem to get covered in brake dust if you just look at them the wrong way, but boy are they fabulous to behold clean!
So far still loving the very special "experience" that is owning an Aston, it continues to get under my skin!
It is so difficult to decide on a car based a short test drive, you need time to get to adapt to it's style, which I am still doing! I wanted to post this update for potential AMV8ers who are wondering what it is like to live with, hope it proves useful as other post have to me in the past!
I have learned to hang onto the lower gears through the twisty stuff & the car is right in it's "max power" band (5000-7300rpm) with instant response & a full on aural treat howling in your ear to increase the interaction through the twisty stuff! It responds better to a smooth flowing style, rather than a max-attack fast as possible approach. On an open flowing B road with good straights, nicely sighted open corners & a few tight switch backs it was fabulous, involving, fun & plenty fast enough! It isn't an out & out adrenalin pumping machine (like a Caterham ,GT3, or a 911 Turbo flat out in 2nd gear!) it's a more sophisticated package than that, but still one that you can bond with on a "drivers" level as well as enjoying the other aspects of Aston ownership ( special design, looks, image, exclusivity, interior etc).
So far (he says tempting fate) it hasn't missed a beat & with the hatchback it is a practical daily driver, the gearbox is still very awkward when cold (& still pretty clunky when warm!). I have got used to the continuous pitching, where the suspension never appears to settle on anything other than very smooth surfaces, but this aspect of the car could be improved. I would prefer a harder but slightly better controlled ride.It has averaged only 14.8 mpg which is frightening. The wheels also seem to get covered in brake dust if you just look at them the wrong way, but boy are they fabulous to behold clean!
So far still loving the very special "experience" that is owning an Aston, it continues to get under my skin!
It is so difficult to decide on a car based a short test drive, you need time to get to adapt to it's style, which I am still doing! I wanted to post this update for potential AMV8ers who are wondering what it is like to live with, hope it proves useful as other post have to me in the past!
Edited by grant3 on Sunday 30th July 19:45
mikial said:
Agree with you Grant3 but 15% more torque wouldn`t have busted the bank along with 40 more hp would it ?
Yes but enough is never enough, at first my 996TT was amazingly quick, then I had to add another 25 horses via sports exhaust system, then it all became, well, normal again...the devil inside says "could do with something faster"...ENOUGH!!!
The AMV8 makes a refreshing change, but once it has become "normal" to me doubt I will be saying exactly the same!
Then Aston can introduce the retro fit SUPERCHARGER kit for an extra 80 horses?????
Edited by grant3 on Thursday 3rd August 09:59
grant3 said:
mikial said:
Agree with you Grant3 but 15% more torque wouldn`t have busted the bank along with 40 more hp would it ?
Yes but enough is never enough, at first my 996TT was amazingly quick, then I had to add another 25 horses via sports exhaust system, then it all became, well, normal again...the devil inside says "could do with something faster"...ENOUGH!!!
The AMV8 makes a refreshing change, but once it has become "normal" to me doubt I will be saying exactly the same!
Then Aston can introduce the retro fit SUPERCHARGER kit for an extra 80 horses?????
Edited by grant3 on Thursday 3rd August 09:59
Rumour has it that Prodrive are on the case with a power/torque hike (ecu ?) , I`m told ( on the QT ) that two senior members of the outfit have AMV8V`s and , working in conjunction with AM , so no warranty blues, are six months away from retailing it .
I did find this, not sure about the wheels, but there is an extra 20bhp if you want to fiddle with the cats & spend E2500, ex VAT, delivery & fitting!!!
www.cargraphic.com/index.php?/o,article,3169/
www.cargraphic.com/index.php?/o,article,3169/
Edited by grant3 on Tuesday 8th August 19:21
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