First week with my Vanquish
Discussion
After a busy week, thought I'd share my experiences on the Vanquish after my first week. It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride and one of the unlickiest weeks I've had with any car, but it hasn't spoilt it ... In a nutshell ... the car is brilliant and I am very happy I changed the 360 for an Aston, especially the Vanquish.
The Car:
In general it feels far more solid than the 360 (and more solid & better built than my STR for that matter), but appreciating it is a completely different car, far more a GT than a racing car.
It is a quick car, although the weather has not allowed me to push it too much yet, but it does it in a sense of relaxed comfort, without the same sense of urgency that the 360 or my 911 turbo. It just seems effortless when you push the pedal and the V12 takes it all in its stride and at much lower revs.
I made sure I checked through the SH in detail before buying the car.
It's had the Magnetic Sensor upgrade, it had a new clutch and a recon gearbox fitted between 2008-2009 (unlucky owner at that time spent £17k in less than a year!).
The dealer had the big service along with 12 coils and plugs done at AM Derby, so that's another fairly hefty bill hopefully avoided and it'll mean less trouble (although I am expecting some!)
The car has a few minor swirl marks and scratches on it here and there, nothing bad and looks lovely, just bits I've noticed close up ... it seems to have been well maintained service wise and mechanically, but it's a car that has been used rather than a garage queen. It's not been a loved and cherished car in the sense of being washed and polished every week.
The car is a really dark grey, almost black, so it does show every imperfection more than a lighter coloured car.
I took the decision that servicing and being well maintained mechanically was more important and I'll get a professional detailer to bring the car to it's full former glory in a few weeks.
(If anyone can recommend a good detailer in the Midlands, please PM me).
I found a child seat (maxi-cosi) that allows my nearly 4yr old daughter to fit nicely and the 3 of us can now travel in reasonable comfort - although if my mrs was any taller (5'2") it'd be a struggle, but we all fit reasonably well and it'll allow us to use the car far more than we could use the fezza.
Issues & Bad Luck:
After looking a right plank at the garage trying to fill her up but not being able to open the petrol flap, I eventually got it open with the help of a bypasser fidling with th flap while I was busily pressing teh release button. Next day in daylight and having read the owners manual I found that the emergency petrol flap release was half in so it couldnt release when the button was pressed - all sorted now. (to help other new owners avoid the same - In the LH side of the boot, in the area under the petrol flap there is a small hole in the carpet trim where with one finger you'll find the emergency petrol flap release - just make sure its fully home, otherwise the flap gets stuck and the button in the car does nothing).
Then I had an issue with the lights, sidelight is out and drivers headight seems to have got an intermittent fault - only passenger side ights up, turn all the lights off and on a few times then the drivers springs to life?? (bit surprised it wasn't picked up on MOT!?! - dealer sorting it though although I've insisted it goes to AM to sort as I also need the spare key reprogramming).
The I got the car out the garage to find a coach bolt in the front tyre, and Pirelli have stopped making the tyres fitted (255/35/ZR/20 Pirelli PZero Direzionale), so I now need two Goodyear Eagle F1's at £290/ea ... just a bit unlucky I guess given I'd doen less than 100 miles.
Summary after 1 week:
Despite the weather, I've deliberately used the car every day this week to & from work and put around 250 miles on her in last 5 days ... just to capture any issues early so I can get it all sorted by dealer.
I've noticed that there is a slight 'transmission whine' occassionally when pulling off or reversing, although having spoken to AM they said that the transmissions can make noises and it's nothing to worry about, they'll look at it when it goes back in.
Other than these bits and bobs which are more annoying than real issues, the car has itself been pretty faultless so far, despite being out in the rain and the frosty mornings. It even seems like a car that COULD be used as a daily motor.
The sound when starting the engine is wonderful ... it's a completely different sound to the highly strung Ferrari V8, but what a sound ... it's different but I'd say it's a deeper nicer raw sound! Driving between houses or through tunnels in low gears is the only way you can half experience what everyone outside is hearing ... as you can imagine I've not had the stereo on much this week !!!
Am I still pleased I went the a Vanquish over the DB9 that I was originally looking for, for now as the Chucrhill dog would say ... ""OH YES!!""
The car has so much road presence, the sound is incredible, it's comfortable and the overall build quality is very good ... even the swithes and controls that are from Jag work very well and everything is close to hand and where it should be. I've had school kids and grown men come over to talk to me and had 4 of them tell me that the Vanquish is their dream car.
As I walked out of TGI's there was a chap and his young lad looking at the car ... so I opened the car up sat his son inside and went through the start-up ... the grin on his face when he pushed the red button was priceless!
So yes, very happy so far, hopefully the bad luck will stop.
Off to give her a clean now .... so I can take some pictures and upload
The Car:
In general it feels far more solid than the 360 (and more solid & better built than my STR for that matter), but appreciating it is a completely different car, far more a GT than a racing car.
It is a quick car, although the weather has not allowed me to push it too much yet, but it does it in a sense of relaxed comfort, without the same sense of urgency that the 360 or my 911 turbo. It just seems effortless when you push the pedal and the V12 takes it all in its stride and at much lower revs.
I made sure I checked through the SH in detail before buying the car.
It's had the Magnetic Sensor upgrade, it had a new clutch and a recon gearbox fitted between 2008-2009 (unlucky owner at that time spent £17k in less than a year!).
The dealer had the big service along with 12 coils and plugs done at AM Derby, so that's another fairly hefty bill hopefully avoided and it'll mean less trouble (although I am expecting some!)
The car has a few minor swirl marks and scratches on it here and there, nothing bad and looks lovely, just bits I've noticed close up ... it seems to have been well maintained service wise and mechanically, but it's a car that has been used rather than a garage queen. It's not been a loved and cherished car in the sense of being washed and polished every week.
The car is a really dark grey, almost black, so it does show every imperfection more than a lighter coloured car.
I took the decision that servicing and being well maintained mechanically was more important and I'll get a professional detailer to bring the car to it's full former glory in a few weeks.
(If anyone can recommend a good detailer in the Midlands, please PM me).
I found a child seat (maxi-cosi) that allows my nearly 4yr old daughter to fit nicely and the 3 of us can now travel in reasonable comfort - although if my mrs was any taller (5'2") it'd be a struggle, but we all fit reasonably well and it'll allow us to use the car far more than we could use the fezza.
Issues & Bad Luck:
After looking a right plank at the garage trying to fill her up but not being able to open the petrol flap, I eventually got it open with the help of a bypasser fidling with th flap while I was busily pressing teh release button. Next day in daylight and having read the owners manual I found that the emergency petrol flap release was half in so it couldnt release when the button was pressed - all sorted now. (to help other new owners avoid the same - In the LH side of the boot, in the area under the petrol flap there is a small hole in the carpet trim where with one finger you'll find the emergency petrol flap release - just make sure its fully home, otherwise the flap gets stuck and the button in the car does nothing).
Then I had an issue with the lights, sidelight is out and drivers headight seems to have got an intermittent fault - only passenger side ights up, turn all the lights off and on a few times then the drivers springs to life?? (bit surprised it wasn't picked up on MOT!?! - dealer sorting it though although I've insisted it goes to AM to sort as I also need the spare key reprogramming).
The I got the car out the garage to find a coach bolt in the front tyre, and Pirelli have stopped making the tyres fitted (255/35/ZR/20 Pirelli PZero Direzionale), so I now need two Goodyear Eagle F1's at £290/ea ... just a bit unlucky I guess given I'd doen less than 100 miles.
Summary after 1 week:
Despite the weather, I've deliberately used the car every day this week to & from work and put around 250 miles on her in last 5 days ... just to capture any issues early so I can get it all sorted by dealer.
I've noticed that there is a slight 'transmission whine' occassionally when pulling off or reversing, although having spoken to AM they said that the transmissions can make noises and it's nothing to worry about, they'll look at it when it goes back in.
Other than these bits and bobs which are more annoying than real issues, the car has itself been pretty faultless so far, despite being out in the rain and the frosty mornings. It even seems like a car that COULD be used as a daily motor.
The sound when starting the engine is wonderful ... it's a completely different sound to the highly strung Ferrari V8, but what a sound ... it's different but I'd say it's a deeper nicer raw sound! Driving between houses or through tunnels in low gears is the only way you can half experience what everyone outside is hearing ... as you can imagine I've not had the stereo on much this week !!!
Am I still pleased I went the a Vanquish over the DB9 that I was originally looking for, for now as the Chucrhill dog would say ... ""OH YES!!""
The car has so much road presence, the sound is incredible, it's comfortable and the overall build quality is very good ... even the swithes and controls that are from Jag work very well and everything is close to hand and where it should be. I've had school kids and grown men come over to talk to me and had 4 of them tell me that the Vanquish is their dream car.
As I walked out of TGI's there was a chap and his young lad looking at the car ... so I opened the car up sat his son inside and went through the start-up ... the grin on his face when he pushed the red button was priceless!
So yes, very happy so far, hopefully the bad luck will stop.
Off to give her a clean now .... so I can take some pictures and upload
Can't figure out how to PM. I have recommended Dave Prosser (aka Dave Z) of Sportscar Protection to many. He's done my DB7 twice and now does my V8 Vantage Volante and he's local to you. He's a nice chap with a well earned first class reputation that you can find all over the web. The last person I recommended him to won the next two concours he entered, one in Uk the other in Switzerland; and he drove from one to the other!
http://www.sportscarprotection.com/
or look here:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/hHUDbbsB.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/NZyDdoUj" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/NZyDdoUj.jpg)
http://www.sportscarprotection.com/
or look here:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php
Ah i wondered where you had got to, not surprised you disappeared for a week,Welcome to Vanquish ownership
Yes the sound the first time you pres the Glowing GO button is priceless, cant tell you how many times i stop started mine in the first week. some times not quite holding the button down long enough.
Had a "blinking o/s headlight and put it down to a corroded connection from the harness to the HDI unit despite it having a rubber seal (now greased, is A OK.)
Sorry to hear about the tyre, but get use to buying them.
What wheels are you running?
The little catch cable on the fuel cap can get caught in the minge when you shut the cap.
I learnt not to give it too much in many hard short blasts, (although tempting between high buildings)as the clutch protests. (14000 miles)
And aggressive direction changes may flick the auxiliary belt off,.
Every body loves the Vanquish "the Admiral of the fleet as there referred to"
2 friends bought a new db9s one went to pick his up ,it was parked next to a Vanquish,he paid the extra and got the vanquish,
Another friend had just bought a Db9 convertible (couldn't afford a roof) spent half an hour drooling over my Vanquish, saved up,ticked up and bought a Vanquish so guess I'm going tho have to get another new toy but what could have the same standing as the Vanquish?
They have such presence i have never met any one that doesn't admire it from all ages and groups
Yes the sound the first time you pres the Glowing GO button is priceless, cant tell you how many times i stop started mine in the first week. some times not quite holding the button down long enough.
Had a "blinking o/s headlight and put it down to a corroded connection from the harness to the HDI unit despite it having a rubber seal (now greased, is A OK.)
Sorry to hear about the tyre, but get use to buying them.
What wheels are you running?
The little catch cable on the fuel cap can get caught in the minge when you shut the cap.
I learnt not to give it too much in many hard short blasts, (although tempting between high buildings)as the clutch protests. (14000 miles)
And aggressive direction changes may flick the auxiliary belt off,.
Every body loves the Vanquish "the Admiral of the fleet as there referred to"
2 friends bought a new db9s one went to pick his up ,it was parked next to a Vanquish,he paid the extra and got the vanquish,
Another friend had just bought a Db9 convertible (couldn't afford a roof) spent half an hour drooling over my Vanquish, saved up,ticked up and bought a Vanquish so guess I'm going tho have to get another new toy but what could have the same standing as the Vanquish?
They have such presence i have never met any one that doesn't admire it from all ages and groups
Edited by froggie on Sunday 21st November 22:23
Dosnt the Ademaral wear 19" boots as standard issue?
Just wonderd if the car had upgraded alloys as he had fitted a 20" tyre
I'm running pirelli mainly because they came with one of the wheel tyre packages i bought( a common super car tyre.)
The typo proves my smelling is bad.
I didnt mean the cable from the fuel flap catch mechanisen i ment the wire that stops the twist off cap being detatched from the flap
Just wonderd if the car had upgraded alloys as he had fitted a 20" tyre
I'm running pirelli mainly because they came with one of the wheel tyre packages i bought( a common super car tyre.)
The typo proves my smelling is bad.
I didnt mean the cable from the fuel flap catch mechanisen i ment the wire that stops the twist off cap being detatched from the flap
My car has 20" Kahn wheels, which whilst might not be everyones cup of tea, I personally prefer them to the originals, so it was a bonus that they came with the car.
Tried all sorts of tyres on my cars before.
Toyos were awful and caused tramlining on the Tuscan, but totally surefooted on the 360 (fitted by previous owner).
Pirelli PZeros were better than Michelin Pilot Sports on my 911tt in the dry, while the Pilots were quieter and slightly better in wet.
As Pirelli have stopped making PZeros in this size (255/35/ZR/20) options are Goodyear F1's or more budget tyres, so likely to go for the Goodyear.
Tried all sorts of tyres on my cars before.
Toyos were awful and caused tramlining on the Tuscan, but totally surefooted on the 360 (fitted by previous owner).
Pirelli PZeros were better than Michelin Pilot Sports on my 911tt in the dry, while the Pilots were quieter and slightly better in wet.
As Pirelli have stopped making PZeros in this size (255/35/ZR/20) options are Goodyear F1's or more budget tyres, so likely to go for the Goodyear.
paddy328 said:
Nice choice of car, I've always had a soft spot for the vanquish. I think it looks like a proper mans car.
If dave can't do it, drop me a PM. I'm Swissvax authorised I've done many a vanquish. I could even pm you a link to a write up of one I did if you like.
Francis
+1 for Francis, comes down to the smoke to do my V8V, cannot recommend higher.If dave can't do it, drop me a PM. I'm Swissvax authorised I've done many a vanquish. I could even pm you a link to a write up of one I did if you like.
Francis
S1M VP said:
My car has 20" Kahn wheels, which whilst might not be everyone's cup of tea, I personally prefer them to the originals, so it was a bonus that they came with the car.
Tried all sorts of tyres on my cars before.
Toyos were awful and caused tramlining on the Tuscan, but totally surefooted on the 360 (fitted by previous owner).
Pirelli PZeros were better than Michelin Pilot Sports on my 911tt in the dry, while the Pilots were quieter and slightly better in wet.
As Pirelli have stopped making PZeros in this size (255/35/ZR/20) options are Goodyear F1's or more budget tyres, so likely to go for the Goodyear.
Keep well away from kerbs with the Kahns, They are great for "kerb crawling" with the stick out spokes.Tried all sorts of tyres on my cars before.
Toyos were awful and caused tramlining on the Tuscan, but totally surefooted on the 360 (fitted by previous owner).
Pirelli PZeros were better than Michelin Pilot Sports on my 911tt in the dry, while the Pilots were quieter and slightly better in wet.
As Pirelli have stopped making PZeros in this size (255/35/ZR/20) options are Goodyear F1's or more budget tyres, so likely to go for the Goodyear.
Also keep your tyre pressures checked regular.
I wasn't fussed on the convex front wheel drive style of my fist set and wanted concave to match the aggressive breastly looks of the car, so had a set of Italian double five spokes made.
but didn't get the look i wanted so eventually went out and bought another set of Kahns again with pirellis but in a more practical color as i hate washing cars,
There a little wide @11" for the 285 rear tyres (i cant go to 295s as i have lower suspension) they make a std wheel look lost under the great sumo's arm pits.
Guess you are another that has come fron the TVR fold. TVR and ex TVR owners do seam to buy Astons.
I Had 3 sets of 18" f1s on my first Cerbra in less than 8k miles i even wore the righting off one rear sidewall. My present Tuscan is still got the bobbles on its original tyres after 3 years.
Cipo said:
paddy328 said:
Nice choice of car, I've always had a soft spot for the vanquish. I think it looks like a proper mans car.
If dave can't do it, drop me a PM. I'm Swissvax authorised I've done many a vanquish. I could even pm you a link to a write up of one I did if you like.
Francis
+1 for Francis, comes down to the smoke to do my V8V, cannot recommend higher.If dave can't do it, drop me a PM. I'm Swissvax authorised I've done many a vanquish. I could even pm you a link to a write up of one I did if you like.
Francis
Top bloke.
John
Vanquish's where sold with 19"s and yoko's as standard. Even on the S. Different wheels though. There was a Sports dynamic version that ran just before the S came out that has the suspension and brakes of an S but normal aero and engine. That had different wheels again, quite nice actually, more of a racing wheel. Still wore Yoko's though.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff