AMV8 Roadster or Coupe, Sportshift or Manual

[bigeckfaetherigs]

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!!

[bigeckfaetherigs]

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!!

[bigeckfaetherigs]

A lot of great advice there from you all.

Possibly another option is the N400 v's the 4.7 - any comments?

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Yeti - DB9 was considered but quickly discounted as an option as I would wish it was a DBS!!

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Yeti - you're not helping much here!!

Though you are correct 4.7 coupe is probably the best option.

[bigeckfaetherigs]

michael gould said:

perhaps it's best for you to start with the junior car.....you can move up a V12 DB9 when you've practised a bit

MG - MMMMmmnnn wonder what AM you have or desire!!!

Got to start somewhere and the baby AM is as good as any.

[bigeckfaetherigs]

cardigankid said:

Eck

Out of curiosity, what have you driven before?

CK - As far Aston Martins go only ever driven the AM V8 4.3 Roadster and an old DB9, last 3 cars were all Audi A4 Avants 2.5TDI then a 3.0Tdi (with Revo Remap), then S4.

Always had a hankering for the AM V8 Vantage and now am able to. I have now ruled out the Roadster and 4.3 and have seen a couple of 4.7's that I am interested in, but still undecided about manual or sportshift - but making progress!!

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Vee12V said:

I'd say buy the best 4.7 you can find that's within your budget. It's worth it over a 4.3 with (engine & drive train) upgrades because of all the other minor upgrades.
Depending the gearbox it's a matter of taste. I prefer manual, but I'd suggest you try both.

As I live way North of Englandshire it is not that easy to get a test drive without a fair bit of travelling an rarely do I see any kind of AM for sale in or around Aberdeen, although there are lot of AM owners.

At the start of this thread earlier today I was swaying towards the Sportshift but now having read a lot of great advice I am beginning to change my mind and have not ruled out the manual.

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Jon39 - good point, however I may be preoccupied pushing the noisy pedal - a lot!!!

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Found an N420 manual that is within budget (hopefully after some negotiating!) - comments????

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Yeti - now you're helping!!

Thanks for confirming my thoughts

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Gutted - N420 sold yesterday

[bigeckfaetherigs]

All - thanks for all your help and comments. This Saturday I will be flying down to deepest darkest Englandshire (with 11 year old AM daft son) to pick up my '09 V8 Sportshift (with N400 side cills & clear tail lights) then a 9 hour drive North. Thanks again for all the great advice.

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Tony/CK,

Really looking forward to joining "The Club" and you have no idea the hours from my life I have used up trawling the internet and forums sponging what information I can. Already ordered the "Fuse 22" remote switch kit & the 3/4 size number plates (for my 5 digit private plate) and am planning my US shopping trip in October for some carbon fibre details.

Be sure pics will be posted soon and hopefully the trip up to Aberdeen will be flash bulb free from the way too many fixed speed camera's!!

[bigeckfaetherigs]

OH YEAH!! 550 mile drive and "Anne" is now parked up in her new home in Aberdeen.

[bigeckfaetherigs]

Well that's almost a week now of what can only be described as some of the most enjoyable (16.9mpg avg) driving I have ever had in a car. The noisy pedal has really been worked a lot and I am now learning a few tricks of how to drive a Sportshift smoothly thanks to the Forums - blip of the throttle between gear changes when using the paddles, clutch learning mode etc. Went to pick up my son from drama the other night and was 10 minutes early so decided to take out Fuse 22 to see what all the fuss was about -- MMMmmmnn lets just say it has not been put back - well it actually got dropped into the recess' of the boot and is gone forever I fear. Never mind, soon as the rest of the "ebay remote switch kit" arrives it will be fitted for the odd necessary stealth mode drive by!!

"Anne" is booked in to get detailed tomorrow and pictures will follow over the weekend in all of her pristine glory.

[bigeckfaetherigs]

As promised some pictures of "Anne" just having been detailed both inside and out - hope you like them.