Manual vs Auto on the big GT

[yeti]

Not the chav's pram that is the V8 Vantage, the flagship GTs, the DB9.2 and 310quish

I have read over and over again, and probably said it myself, that I would not buy one of these cars without a manual gearbox. However, I also wish to add that I would not buy one of these cars because I can't afford it

With all the anti-autobox ranting that goes on here, are Aston missing a trick? Could they sell a 1000 big GT cars a year with a manual gearbox or is it just the same half dozen or so on here who moan that it doesn't come with one. If it did, would they (and me) buy it?

Genuinely curious, because if this forum can be extrapolated across the ownership spectrum, Aston are missing a hell of a trick.

The other end of the question is; there is zero chance of a stickshift in the new cars... but what if they put in a robotic manual like Sportshift? Would that make the 'manual' posse think again, or does it have to be a 3 pedal car?

For me, the Sportshift box would conceivably make it a viable option in the future...

[yeti]

Jon39 said:

When I mentioned the manual/auto choice at Gaydon, they said when the DB9 (or would it have been DBS) was offered with both gearboxes, there was very little demand for manual.

Indeed, this is what they say, and it's backed up with sales figures!

But then why are so many people on here voting for manual? Virtually all dealer spec cars will always be auto. And as a customer you'd be strongly advised to get an auto which is a nice cost option for the dealer, you'll have no resale without it etc...

Not sure.

[yeti]

woolders said:

This from a young Git who swears by a manual box.

Welcome back me old fruit

If you'd had the choice at the time, same spec, colour and price... TT2 vs manual, what would you have chosen?

For me it was always going to be manual, although my TT1 DB7 Vantage was very good. I do understand that the TT2 is in a different league to TT1, but the priciple remains the same.

[yeti]

mikey k said:

jonby said:

I'd wager most owners of cars with torque convertor auto rarely use flappies in the real world and most owners of single clutch automated manuals rarely use the D mode - that tells you all that you need to know about the differences.

Very good point

+1 nicely put. Any comments from the DB9/DBS TT2 posse?

Part of the reasn for this might be that robotic manuals tend not to be very good in D mode though.

[yeti]

mikey k said:

Jockman said:

Yes. In 3 years I've only used the paddles twice

Some what surprising considering the photos you & Luna have been posting on other threads

I thouight Mikey would have gone for an 'up a creek without and implement' angle, but no...

[yeti]

Gibberish said:

The TT2 suits the DB9 ‘Sports GT’ character perfectly. I would not want it to be a manual.

I supoose my DB9 is slightly more 'sports' than the original conception of the Volante now. The manual box transforms it into another level of car. I suppose I was after a V12VR before they were even invented!

[yeti]

Indeed; the cars could be sold as a DB9 GT (for example) with TT2 or (TT3 - 8spd ZF eventually) and lots of toys, and then DB9S which is harder, faster, louder, alcantara instead of leather, a bit more carbon tat and comes with our beloved Graziano manual box.

This was >almost< what they did with DB9/DBS excpet that both could be bought with TT2 or manual and the DBS was 60 grand more.