V8 Vantage Questions
Discussion
Hi Guys
Just considering a V8 Vantage and I had a few questions that I'd be grateful to get some opinions on....
1 Why are there so few Sportshift Coupes around and (relatively) a lot more Roadsters with the auto box? I have a dicky left leg and would probably prefer the Sportshift, especially around town.
2 Obviously Sporthift costs an extra £3k as an option but would this added value, or some of it, be carried over into the used market. Or is a Sportshift car actually less desirable?
3 How comfortable is a manual for someone around 6 foot 2? Obviously I'll test drive the car but that's not the same as living with it on a day to day basis. Is there plenty of leg room or are people's knees touching the steering wheel? I've also heard that the clutch is heavy and gets heavier and heavier - is this true?
4 Is an Aston the sort of car that you have to buy from a main dealer? I'd certainly be nervous about using a non-marque specialist, but are there independent Aston specialists that anyone would recommend?
5 Finally, if older Vantages (ie 2005) are now at the £50-55k mark, where would you expect them to be in 12 and then 24 months? Is there a price point where they'll stabilise, being Astons and, I guess, instant classics?
Thanks for your help, it's really appreciated.
Richard
Just considering a V8 Vantage and I had a few questions that I'd be grateful to get some opinions on....
1 Why are there so few Sportshift Coupes around and (relatively) a lot more Roadsters with the auto box? I have a dicky left leg and would probably prefer the Sportshift, especially around town.
2 Obviously Sporthift costs an extra £3k as an option but would this added value, or some of it, be carried over into the used market. Or is a Sportshift car actually less desirable?
3 How comfortable is a manual for someone around 6 foot 2? Obviously I'll test drive the car but that's not the same as living with it on a day to day basis. Is there plenty of leg room or are people's knees touching the steering wheel? I've also heard that the clutch is heavy and gets heavier and heavier - is this true?
4 Is an Aston the sort of car that you have to buy from a main dealer? I'd certainly be nervous about using a non-marque specialist, but are there independent Aston specialists that anyone would recommend?
5 Finally, if older Vantages (ie 2005) are now at the £50-55k mark, where would you expect them to be in 12 and then 24 months? Is there a price point where they'll stabilise, being Astons and, I guess, instant classics?
Thanks for your help, it's really appreciated.
Richard
As far as I know the semi-auto is a relatively new feature and wasn't offered on the coupe, even as an extra, until after the convertibles came out. I bought new last March and it wasn't an option, so you basically won't see it on any second hand cars pre March 07.
I'm about 6 foot and don't find the cabin at all cramped. Plenty of headroom. The only issue I sometimes have is being on the front rank at the traffic lights; sometimes have to tilt my head to see when they change. But as far as getting in and out is concerned the door opening is huge and with the redesigned seats getting in and out is no problem.
Depreciation isn't really a subject I like to consider. At the end of the day I don't ever buy a car as an investment and usually count on 25-30% of residual per year. And if anyone tells you it levels off at some point, they might have a point with classics, but under 10 years old I wouldn't count on it. There are a lot more Vantages than DB5's
Good luck
I'm about 6 foot and don't find the cabin at all cramped. Plenty of headroom. The only issue I sometimes have is being on the front rank at the traffic lights; sometimes have to tilt my head to see when they change. But as far as getting in and out is concerned the door opening is huge and with the redesigned seats getting in and out is no problem.
Depreciation isn't really a subject I like to consider. At the end of the day I don't ever buy a car as an investment and usually count on 25-30% of residual per year. And if anyone tells you it levels off at some point, they might have a point with classics, but under 10 years old I wouldn't count on it. There are a lot more Vantages than DB5's
Good luck
1 Why are there so few Sportshift Coupes around and (relatively) a lot more Roadsters with the auto box? I have a dicky left leg and would probably prefer the Sportshift, especially around town.
Same answer as above - availability of that model
2 Obviously Sporthift costs an extra £3k as an option but would this added value, or some of it, be carried over into the used market. Or is a Sportshift car actually less desirable?
I think they are about the same as there are a hardcore of owners who only want manual, as much as those who want the Sportshift
3 How comfortable is a manual for someone around 6 foot 2? Obviously I'll test drive the car but that's not the same as living with it on a day to day basis. Is there plenty of leg room or are people's knees touching the steering wheel? I've also heard that the clutch is heavy and gets heavier and heavier - is this true?
Fine - I have a friend who is 6'4 who owns a Vantage too and gets on fine with it
4 Is an Aston the sort of car that you have to buy from a main dealer? I'd certainly be nervous about using a non-marque specialist, but are there independent Aston specialists that anyone would recommend?
It depends, under 3 years Id sooner go to a dealer, once its out of warranty its like any other used premium car, you can save a few grand once its out of the network, but you wont automatically get 1 year extra warranty thrown in as part of a dealer used scheme etc
5 Finally, if older Vantages (ie 2005) are now at the £50-55k mark, where would you expect them to be in 12 and then 24 months? Is there a price point where they'll stabilise, being Astons and, I guess, instant classics?
Dunno, mine is a Jan06 car, with high mileage as I use it every day, I would be lucky to get £50K trade in for it I reckon with 30K miles on it. I can see them settling in the low to mid £40's and that will be it, then it will just be based on condition and mileage...maybe you will get the occasional 90K mile rough one drop below that, but I think it will be quite a few years/high mileage before they are in the £30's
Same answer as above - availability of that model
2 Obviously Sporthift costs an extra £3k as an option but would this added value, or some of it, be carried over into the used market. Or is a Sportshift car actually less desirable?
I think they are about the same as there are a hardcore of owners who only want manual, as much as those who want the Sportshift
3 How comfortable is a manual for someone around 6 foot 2? Obviously I'll test drive the car but that's not the same as living with it on a day to day basis. Is there plenty of leg room or are people's knees touching the steering wheel? I've also heard that the clutch is heavy and gets heavier and heavier - is this true?
Fine - I have a friend who is 6'4 who owns a Vantage too and gets on fine with it
4 Is an Aston the sort of car that you have to buy from a main dealer? I'd certainly be nervous about using a non-marque specialist, but are there independent Aston specialists that anyone would recommend?
It depends, under 3 years Id sooner go to a dealer, once its out of warranty its like any other used premium car, you can save a few grand once its out of the network, but you wont automatically get 1 year extra warranty thrown in as part of a dealer used scheme etc
5 Finally, if older Vantages (ie 2005) are now at the £50-55k mark, where would you expect them to be in 12 and then 24 months? Is there a price point where they'll stabilise, being Astons and, I guess, instant classics?
Dunno, mine is a Jan06 car, with high mileage as I use it every day, I would be lucky to get £50K trade in for it I reckon with 30K miles on it. I can see them settling in the low to mid £40's and that will be it, then it will just be based on condition and mileage...maybe you will get the occasional 90K mile rough one drop below that, but I think it will be quite a few years/high mileage before they are in the £30's
OK - I;m 6'2" and own a Sportshift, and love it! There is plenty of room, but do find I duck my head to look out of the side window!
Very rarely drive in full auto mode as the paddle shift is so responsive and good.
When I started my quest for a Sportshift there were three Coupes at my local dealer (Stratstone Wilmslow) which all sold within about 10 days. They're around but don't dither!
Graham
Very rarely drive in full auto mode as the paddle shift is so responsive and good.
When I started my quest for a Sportshift there were three Coupes at my local dealer (Stratstone Wilmslow) which all sold within about 10 days. They're around but don't dither!
Graham
I havn't owned a manual car for years and had been waiting for the Sportshift. After driving my wifes 3.2 TT with the DSG gearbox I was expecting something similair but that's not the case. I found it really jerky under acceleration and it took a lot of concentration away from the drive when downshifting. It's no doubt something you come to terms with but on balance I'm for the manual.
Thanks for all the advice!
I'm going to test drive a manual and a sportshift at Walton Aston to compare. Anyone know how easy it is to get a 24 hr test drive from a dealer? It might take that long for me to really find out if i could cope with the manual.
If i'm leaning towards the sportshift their scarcity is a worry, plus the fact that the few there are are only a year old, will make them quite a bit more than the 2005/6 manuals i'd been looking at.
my budget of £60k certainly won't do it!
I'm going to test drive a manual and a sportshift at Walton Aston to compare. Anyone know how easy it is to get a 24 hr test drive from a dealer? It might take that long for me to really find out if i could cope with the manual.
If i'm leaning towards the sportshift their scarcity is a worry, plus the fact that the few there are are only a year old, will make them quite a bit more than the 2005/6 manuals i'd been looking at.
my budget of £60k certainly won't do it!
I have an Sportshift I picked up pre-registered from the forecourt last July, main reason for choosing sportshift was that the clutch seemed heavy on the manual so would be no good for th rare occasions my Wife would want to drive the car (as it turns out she hasn't driven it)
I love the feel of the paddles which are finished off in magnesium, they are very intiutive to operate and better than the ones on the R8. The actual box itself gets some getting used to or it can be jerky, particularly from 1st to 2nd, however when accelerating the shifts are fast and responsive.
If and when I replace the car I will go for sportshift again.
I love the feel of the paddles which are finished off in magnesium, they are very intiutive to operate and better than the ones on the R8. The actual box itself gets some getting used to or it can be jerky, particularly from 1st to 2nd, however when accelerating the shifts are fast and responsive.
If and when I replace the car I will go for sportshift again.
Well i took the test drives....
Sportshift - can't see how a normal testdrive can allow anyone to really get a feel for the system. I felt very little connection with the car and didn't enjoy it at all. I'm sure a few weeks of driving would improve this significantly but I'm not going to take the risk...
Manual - far better! the clutch was heavyish but not unbearable. the change was good and i immediately felt more connected, that i was drivng the car. only real grip was the fact that my elbow kept hitting the raised storage area between the two seats (i know it's called something else but I just can't think what at the moment!!!) Think i've read about people struggling with this before.
So I'm going to go for a manual, which is good because there are far more about, especially in the under £60k price range that i'd like to work within.
Cheers!
Sportshift - can't see how a normal testdrive can allow anyone to really get a feel for the system. I felt very little connection with the car and didn't enjoy it at all. I'm sure a few weeks of driving would improve this significantly but I'm not going to take the risk...
Manual - far better! the clutch was heavyish but not unbearable. the change was good and i immediately felt more connected, that i was drivng the car. only real grip was the fact that my elbow kept hitting the raised storage area between the two seats (i know it's called something else but I just can't think what at the moment!!!) Think i've read about people struggling with this before.
So I'm going to go for a manual, which is good because there are far more about, especially in the under £60k price range that i'd like to work within.
Cheers!
You'll find that you adopt a left elbow resting on the tunnel driving style rather than knocking your elbow against the side of the tunnel. The tunnel is high (or the seat is low) but it detracts not one bit from the experience once you have got used to the driving position. I recall I found the tunnel in my mate's TVR Tuscan similarly high the one time he let me drive it. Enjoy when you get it.
Just as a follow up to this...
I bought a manual vantage from HWM Aston and after a month my foot, hip and knee have had enough (old sporting injuries never go away....)!
I then had a proper test drive in a Sportshift (90 mins rather that the 15 mins I'd done before) and it all began to make sense. Changes were getting smoother and smoother and even in auto mode I was able to judge when the changes would happen, reduce throttle and eliminate some of the jerkiness. And I just knew I'd be happy to take the car anywhere regardless of conditions, traffic etc.
I'm therefore, after just 250 miles, going to change to a Sportshift. An expensive change of heart!
So if anyone wants a bargain, immmaculate high spec V8 Vantage coupe manual, in meteorite silver with black leather, with just 6400 miles on the clock and 11 months main dealer warranty then let me know!
cheers.
I bought a manual vantage from HWM Aston and after a month my foot, hip and knee have had enough (old sporting injuries never go away....)!
I then had a proper test drive in a Sportshift (90 mins rather that the 15 mins I'd done before) and it all began to make sense. Changes were getting smoother and smoother and even in auto mode I was able to judge when the changes would happen, reduce throttle and eliminate some of the jerkiness. And I just knew I'd be happy to take the car anywhere regardless of conditions, traffic etc.
I'm therefore, after just 250 miles, going to change to a Sportshift. An expensive change of heart!
So if anyone wants a bargain, immmaculate high spec V8 Vantage coupe manual, in meteorite silver with black leather, with just 6400 miles on the clock and 11 months main dealer warranty then let me know!
cheers.
Ouch... I just hastily scanned the thread to ensure I hadn't been guilty of saying that "the clutch is a breeze, go for manual". Phew - nothing incriminating. Shame you can't enjoy the manual and good luck with the Sportshift version. You could always make it a truly expensive transition and go for the 4.7 in Sportshift!
nodz17 said:
Just as a follow up to this...
I bought a manual vantage from HWM Aston and after a month my foot, hip and knee have had enough (old sporting injuries never go away....)!
I then had a proper test drive in a Sportshift (90 mins rather that the 15 mins I'd done before) and it all began to make sense. Changes were getting smoother and smoother and even in auto mode I was able to judge when the changes would happen, reduce throttle and eliminate some of the jerkiness. And I just knew I'd be happy to take the car anywhere regardless of conditions, traffic etc.
I'm therefore, after just 250 miles, going to change to a Sportshift. An expensive change of heart!
So if anyone wants a bargain, immmaculate high spec V8 Vantage coupe manual, in meteorite silver with black leather, with just 6400 miles on the clock and 11 months main dealer warranty then let me know!
cheers.
I found that the move from my manual V8 to an sportshift N400 took some practice before changes became smooth but it is great fun now I am used to it ....I bought a manual vantage from HWM Aston and after a month my foot, hip and knee have had enough (old sporting injuries never go away....)!
I then had a proper test drive in a Sportshift (90 mins rather that the 15 mins I'd done before) and it all began to make sense. Changes were getting smoother and smoother and even in auto mode I was able to judge when the changes would happen, reduce throttle and eliminate some of the jerkiness. And I just knew I'd be happy to take the car anywhere regardless of conditions, traffic etc.
I'm therefore, after just 250 miles, going to change to a Sportshift. An expensive change of heart!
So if anyone wants a bargain, immmaculate high spec V8 Vantage coupe manual, in meteorite silver with black leather, with just 6400 miles on the clock and 11 months main dealer warranty then let me know!
cheers.
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