AMV8 Roadster or Coupe, Sportshift or Manual
Discussion
Need some help and advice from some of the experienced AM enthusiasts............
I have always loved the look and appeal of the AM vantage and now fortunately have a budget (and OH's approval)of £55k to buy one.
Question is "what do I go for?" My previous car was a 2011 Audi S4 DSG, so was thinking Sportshift or should I get back to a manual which may give more smiles for the miles. Roadster or Coupe - practicality of use living in Scotland - so this is maybe a no brainer!!
4.3 or 4.7 - budget will stretch to an early 4.7 but maybe better to get a 4.3 and get BR involved with some of the savings?
New to this Forum malarkey - so please be gentle!!
I have always loved the look and appeal of the AM vantage and now fortunately have a budget (and OH's approval)of £55k to buy one.
Question is "what do I go for?" My previous car was a 2011 Audi S4 DSG, so was thinking Sportshift or should I get back to a manual which may give more smiles for the miles. Roadster or Coupe - practicality of use living in Scotland - so this is maybe a no brainer!!
4.3 or 4.7 - budget will stretch to an early 4.7 but maybe better to get a 4.3 and get BR involved with some of the savings?
New to this Forum malarkey - so please be gentle!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Buy and read this book first. Then ask questions.
Not saying people won't help on here but the book will answer lots of your questions and tell you the differences between the cars, engine size, model years etc.
Buy and read this book first. Then ask questions.
Not saying people won't help on here but the book will answer lots of your questions and tell you the differences between the cars, engine size, model years etc.
Edited by Neil1300R on Monday 10th June 11:29
My advice would be to try and stretch to a 4.7. Sportshift will not be a match for your Audi's DSG. Sportshift 2 will get you closer but your proposed budget will be going up. Remember the box is an Automated Manual not a DSG. Also might be best to stick to a coupe to try and keep the price in check.
Try ringing H R.Owen in Cheltenham. They have a 4.7 in stock which is within your proposed budget. Ask for Rachel, her knowledge and downright professionalism throughout my last 2 purchases has been exemplary .
I wish you good luck in your search
Try ringing H R.Owen in Cheltenham. They have a 4.7 in stock which is within your proposed budget. Ask for Rachel, her knowledge and downright professionalism throughout my last 2 purchases has been exemplary .
I wish you good luck in your search
my advice would be to do what I did when I bought my first - book a day with a dealer to drive all of them. You will find as many people on here who love sportshift as those who don't. You need to start by determining what transmission you prefer
You will almost certainly be disappointed with a 4.3 if you try a 4.7. So you probably have to factor in the cost of a BR conversion if looking at 4.3s and see what works out overall better value
Once you've done all that, if you want a roadster, you will know from the previous answers if you can get one in budget - there is no reason not to get the roadster if you can afford it and you actually like roadsters - obviously some on here don't and it's a very personal preference.
When you've done all that, you should have a pretty good idea on what to get. Then you will fall in love with a specific car that you see, totally different to what you've decided is your ideal car and buy it anyway :-) !!!!!
You will almost certainly be disappointed with a 4.3 if you try a 4.7. So you probably have to factor in the cost of a BR conversion if looking at 4.3s and see what works out overall better value
Once you've done all that, if you want a roadster, you will know from the previous answers if you can get one in budget - there is no reason not to get the roadster if you can afford it and you actually like roadsters - obviously some on here don't and it's a very personal preference.
When you've done all that, you should have a pretty good idea on what to get. Then you will fall in love with a specific car that you see, totally different to what you've decided is your ideal car and buy it anyway :-) !!!!!
I owned a 2007 4.3 Sportshift coupè. In Italy a manual was very hard to find and the example was in the right color for me and very interestingly priced. Yes, the transmission isn't perfect but in a sportscar I think that a comfortable automatic is not essential. Once you learn the way of working of this automated manual you can get smooth shifts and parking with ease using just the right amount of the throttle.
Personally I think the roadster doesn't look good as the coupè but this is personal taste. I heard it drives well as the coupè but I never drove one. I once brifely drove a manual 4.7 of a German friend and I noticed a more consistent urge but not significant differences in dynamics.
Personally I think the roadster doesn't look good as the coupè but this is personal taste. I heard it drives well as the coupè but I never drove one. I once brifely drove a manual 4.7 of a German friend and I noticed a more consistent urge but not significant differences in dynamics.
You need to try all the options really.
The SS is definitely faster round a track, but many think the manual is more "involving". The SS1 is pretty terrible in slow traffic.
A few (me included) prefer the 4.3 to the 4.7 - the noise is a bit better, and the cabin is a bit different, but most prefer the 4.7. The difference in performance is pretty subtle IMHO.
For about a grand-and-a-bit Bamford Rose can change the cats to add about 20hp, plenty of lowend torque and a lot of noise to a 4.3 - to get it to something like 4.7 performance, but more drivable. Though you wont get that back in resale value.
The SS is definitely faster round a track, but many think the manual is more "involving". The SS1 is pretty terrible in slow traffic.
A few (me included) prefer the 4.3 to the 4.7 - the noise is a bit better, and the cabin is a bit different, but most prefer the 4.7. The difference in performance is pretty subtle IMHO.
For about a grand-and-a-bit Bamford Rose can change the cats to add about 20hp, plenty of lowend torque and a lot of noise to a 4.3 - to get it to something like 4.7 performance, but more drivable. Though you wont get that back in resale value.
bigeckfaetherigs said:
Roadster or Coupe ...
4.3 or 4.7 - budget will stretch to an early 4.7
I think a Roadster is great if one does enjoy roof down motoring, but when the roof is up, I consider the Coupe (side view) looks just a little sleeker. That will get me into trouble.4.3 or 4.7 - budget will stretch to an early 4.7
The first customer 4.7s (model year 2009) were new in September 2008. There is a lengthy list of technical changes, from the 4.3.
I thought first about a Sportshift, but bought a manual, and personally am still pleased with that decision.
Good luck with your search. Take your time if you can.
Thanks all for some very good advice;
Neil1300R - short & sweet reply to you - book now ordered
Robgt - I have pretty much decided on the 4.7 Coupe had a quick squint at the H R.Owen in Cheltenham website and may give them a call (after I read the book!!)
Jonyby - great idea to test drive them all, but not practical for me as all the decent dealers are south of the border, decided against the roadster as I will get more months use with the Coupe.
Matsco - I agree about the aesthetics of the coupe over the roadster, had a test drive of the 4.3 roadster, called the garage to arrange it then arrived 2 hours later only to find car had a flat battery, had to then wait 30 minutes until it was sorted, then found out during the test drive that half the electrics weren't working!
PiloteAM - part of the reason I am swaying towards the 4.7 is the interior.
Jon39 - Thinking about the manual - as I believe it will be more involving for me to drive. The Sportshift is probably the lazy side of me coming out and I am sure my left foot will learn again!!
Neil1300R - short & sweet reply to you - book now ordered
Robgt - I have pretty much decided on the 4.7 Coupe had a quick squint at the H R.Owen in Cheltenham website and may give them a call (after I read the book!!)
Jonyby - great idea to test drive them all, but not practical for me as all the decent dealers are south of the border, decided against the roadster as I will get more months use with the Coupe.
Matsco - I agree about the aesthetics of the coupe over the roadster, had a test drive of the 4.3 roadster, called the garage to arrange it then arrived 2 hours later only to find car had a flat battery, had to then wait 30 minutes until it was sorted, then found out during the test drive that half the electrics weren't working!
PiloteAM - part of the reason I am swaying towards the 4.7 is the interior.
Jon39 - Thinking about the manual - as I believe it will be more involving for me to drive. The Sportshift is probably the lazy side of me coming out and I am sure my left foot will learn again!!
whoami said:
Make sure that it's a Sportpack car.
Big difference.
Do you drive on the 'continent' whoami? Big difference.
The authorities here put tar and chippings on perfectly good road surfaces, and then never bother doing anything with roads in a dreadful condition.
Make sure it's a standard suspension car.
Big difference.
Jon39 said:
whoami said:
Make sure that it's a Sportpack car.
Big difference.
Do you drive on the 'continent' whoami? Big difference.
The authorities here put tar and chippings on perfectly good road surfaces, and then never bother doing anything with roads in a dreadful condition.
Make sure it's a standard suspension car.
Big difference.
I never found the sportpack suspension too harsh.
In fact when I changed from a 4.3 to a 4.7 sportpack car, I found the difference in suspension/handling more impressive that the undoubted hike in performance.
OP - as ever try both, buy what suits you best.
whoami said:
The standard car was too soft for my liking.
I never found the sportpack suspension too harsh.
In fact when I changed from a 4.3 to a 4.7 sportpack car, I found the difference in suspension/handling more impressive that the undoubted hike in performance.
OP - as ever try both, buy what suits you best.
Good advice. It is of course one of those personal preferences.I never found the sportpack suspension too harsh.
In fact when I changed from a 4.3 to a 4.7 sportpack car, I found the difference in suspension/handling more impressive that the undoubted hike in performance.
OP - as ever try both, buy what suits you best.
Note - Suspension changes were on the 4.7 revisions list. I think it was given the N400 suspension.
I know you have provionally decided on a coupe but... you can always drive a roasdster with the hood up, you cannot drive a coupe with the hood down 
Always a ragtop for me, but that's personal preference.
55k buys you a heck of a DB9 by the way... Creamy V12 goodness and some real power, similar chassis and Sports Pack and manual vs TT2 automatic options...
Always a ragtop for me, but that's personal preference.
55k buys you a heck of a DB9 by the way... Creamy V12 goodness and some real power, similar chassis and Sports Pack and manual vs TT2 automatic options...
I'm with Yeti on the roadsters/cabs. But thats just my personal preference - 80% of cars I've owned have been a drop top.
good advice on here about trying them all out. I did, and end up going for the 4.7 V8VR, SS. But I knew also that I was going to take it to BR for their clutch, which really does make the difference. Could have gone with the S, but decided to use the difference in price to enhance the car to my taste over the next 6 months or so, less of a one-off financial hit and also getting pleasure from individual mods as I learn what I want from my aston. good luck with your choice.
good advice on here about trying them all out. I did, and end up going for the 4.7 V8VR, SS. But I knew also that I was going to take it to BR for their clutch, which really does make the difference. Could have gone with the S, but decided to use the difference in price to enhance the car to my taste over the next 6 months or so, less of a one-off financial hit and also getting pleasure from individual mods as I learn what I want from my aston. good luck with your choice.
bigeckfaetherigs said:
A lot of great advice there from you all.
Possibly another option is the N400 v's the 4.7 - any comments?
I bought an N400 (now sadly gone) over a 4.7.Possibly another option is the N400 v's the 4.7 - any comments?
No discernible difference in performance and comes with the Sportpack and side skirts - most are usually very well specced and quite a bit cheaper than a sportspack 4.7. They also seem to hold their value better than pauper-spec 4.7s. I'd say it's the thinking man choice
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