Manual Vanquish

[Vesuvius 996]

Been in the markey for a 911 Turbo, but I see that Vanquishes are now amazing value for money.

Any views on getting one of the Vanquishes from an AM dealer and having a manual gearbox conversion done?

That would be a WHOLE lot of car for 80k.

[AstonZagato]

So right you are! I like your thinking.

The only issue is that not many with the manual conversion done (and it is the thick end of £20k with the risk that the clutch needs replacing before they can do the work).

Edited by AstonZagato on Monday 3rd September 12:11

[Lagerlout]

..and apparently the gearstick position is poor so that when you change into 1st/3rd/5th etc your hand hits the centre console? This is what a dealer told me not sure if it is true?

[NDA]

The gear position is in a slightly awkward position.

I also like the idea of a conversion. Hmmm....

[AMpilot]

All Vanqui up to the very last Linn-equipped 05 cars retain the old console with the manual conversion. Post 06 cars get a new style centre console aluminium casting in order to aleviate this problem. You can also read the clock with that one!

[cardigankid]

Would you be that keen to convert it. Why not just keep the original equipment, and treat it with a bit of care?

[NDA]

Have you driven a Vanquish? It's not really about driving it with care - more to do with a manual box married to an air-select in a heavy car.

I've not heard reports about the manual conversion but I suspect it improves matters.

[cardigankid]

No, as close as I have got is watching VBH and J Clarkson do it, which I did not think was representative. Is it really that bad?

[NDA]

VBH and Clarkson try very hard to trash cars - Clarkson was driving the Vanquish bouncing off the rev limiter and was trying to change down a gear. Much satisfaction was had when they knackered their respective Vanquishes.

The truth of the matter is that the gearbox is fine - for the long distance GT trips that the Vanquish was designed for. Drive in London regularly, and it starts to protest and smell clutchy.

A manual conversion would improve the experience I reckon.

[rs200evo]

I have a standard car but also test drove the manual. I had absolutely no problems with the positioning of the gearstick. Never hit my hand on the console at any time, and the whole installation looked very natural. Clutch was firm but nothing out of the ordinary for a 500+bhp car.

The only issues I ever have with the standard car are stop-start heavy traffic and very steep hill starts. You just dont quite get the finesse in these situations as with a manual but then again how often are you driving in these situations? Oh and 3 point turns are a little more cumbersome

I plan to use the car as built for a few years till it needs a new clutch, then have a manual conversion. It will be like 2 cars for the price of one!

DJ

[MFD]

The price is less than £20k, and it is worth taking for a test drive. There are other modifications avaliable to personalise the car and improve peformance.the only way to know is to drive it.