Aston Martin---A scathing car review
Discussion
Would be interested to read others views on this one. The reviewer points out so many negatives in a $140,000 car that it is hard to fathom how the company is still going. Yet I still want one 
He states some negatives to save some people having to view the vid;
-Illegible instrument binnacles
-Ill-conceived dash and centre panel with a hole to hold...a pen?
-Storage compartments that open to...zero space
-Cheap plastics and cheap pop up info/nav system that is a $2,700 option
-Bluetooth is a $750 option
-Counter intuitive tacho and speedometer layouts
-Severely cramped cabin with wind noise even when driving at low speed
-Auto transmission described as 'soviet era' tech that ruins the driving experience
-Woeful suspension
He does say the engine is great but that the auto box ruins it. The auto box is a $5k option.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi0yXeuqBjU
He states some negatives to save some people having to view the vid;
-Illegible instrument binnacles
-Ill-conceived dash and centre panel with a hole to hold...a pen?
-Storage compartments that open to...zero space
-Cheap plastics and cheap pop up info/nav system that is a $2,700 option
-Bluetooth is a $750 option
-Counter intuitive tacho and speedometer layouts
-Severely cramped cabin with wind noise even when driving at low speed
-Auto transmission described as 'soviet era' tech that ruins the driving experience
-Woeful suspension
He does say the engine is great but that the auto box ruins it. The auto box is a $5k option.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi0yXeuqBjU
daveco said:
Would be interested to read others views on this one. The reviewer points out so many negatives in a $140,000 car that it is hard to fathom how the company is still going. Yet I still want one
He states some negatives to save some people having to view the vid;
-Illegible instrument binnacles
-Ill-conceived dash and centre panel with a hole to hold...a pen?
-Storage compartments that open to...zero space
-Cheap plastics and cheap pop up info/nav system that is a $2,700 option
-Bluetooth is a $750 option
-Counter intuitive tacho and speedometer layouts
-Severely cramped cabin with wind noise even when driving at low speed
-Auto transmission described as 'soviet era' tech that ruins the driving experience
-Woeful suspension
He does say the engine is great but that the auto box ruins it. The auto box is a $5k option.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi0yXeuqBjU
Most of that is subjective though and irrelevant to most owners/buyers.He states some negatives to save some people having to view the vid;
-Illegible instrument binnacles
-Ill-conceived dash and centre panel with a hole to hold...a pen?
-Storage compartments that open to...zero space
-Cheap plastics and cheap pop up info/nav system that is a $2,700 option
-Bluetooth is a $750 option
-Counter intuitive tacho and speedometer layouts
-Severely cramped cabin with wind noise even when driving at low speed
-Auto transmission described as 'soviet era' tech that ruins the driving experience
-Woeful suspension
He does say the engine is great but that the auto box ruins it. The auto box is a $5k option.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi0yXeuqBjU
I love Aston's & as a brand desperately want them to do well, buuuut...there isn't much I can argue about from a cant-afford-one-but-like-to-pass-judgement sort of way!
Bluetooth optional? Custom pen holder? Dodgy satnav screen? Tiny infotainment screen? Odd storage but no storage cubby holes? squeeks, rattles & wind noise? All very poor IMO.
Bluetooth optional? Custom pen holder? Dodgy satnav screen? Tiny infotainment screen? Odd storage but no storage cubby holes? squeeks, rattles & wind noise? All very poor IMO.
Edited by Andehh on Wednesday 27th July 12:55
valiant said:
Bluetooth optional in this day and age? And $750 to boot?
Talk about fleecing your customers for every penny!
Still, at least if I see a AM driver on the phone whilst driving I shall pity him that he can't afford $750 rather that tut my disapproval.
I can imagine that catching out people who buy a used one who don't think to check it has BluetoothTalk about fleecing your customers for every penny!
Still, at least if I see a AM driver on the phone whilst driving I shall pity him that he can't afford $750 rather that tut my disapproval.
Jimmy Recard said:
valiant said:
Bluetooth optional in this day and age? And $750 to boot?
Talk about fleecing your customers for every penny!
Still, at least if I see a AM driver on the phone whilst driving I shall pity him that he can't afford $750 rather that tut my disapproval.
I can imagine that catching out people who buy a used one who don't think to check it has BluetoothTalk about fleecing your customers for every penny!
Still, at least if I see a AM driver on the phone whilst driving I shall pity him that he can't afford $750 rather that tut my disapproval.
valiant said:
Jimmy Recard said:
valiant said:
Bluetooth optional in this day and age? And $750 to boot?
Talk about fleecing your customers for every penny!
Still, at least if I see a AM driver on the phone whilst driving I shall pity him that he can't afford $750 rather that tut my disapproval.
I can imagine that catching out people who buy a used one who don't think to check it has BluetoothTalk about fleecing your customers for every penny!
Still, at least if I see a AM driver on the phone whilst driving I shall pity him that he can't afford $750 rather that tut my disapproval.
To be honest he's not far wrong with regards to the tech - my Dad has a very similar 2013 Vantage S Roadster (pictured here along with my Lotus Elise and some Fiat: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thorburnj/1924936704... ) and I've driven a few times and passengered in it a lot. He had a 2009 Vantage Roadster before that.
Seeing people operate the centre console controls in them whilst driving is borderline terrifying, they are really bad and when I've driven it I just switch the radio off, put it in Sport mode and leave EVERYTHING over there alone - if I started trying to fiddle with them on the move I'd crash. This applies to MOST cars now though IMO, he also has a M135i and the BMW iDrive system means you are forced to look at the screen in the centre console when operating it, the proliferation of unnecessary tech in cars needs to stop, particularly driver focused machinery.
The gearbox he got wrong, it is a single clutch box, not a dual-clutch, but he is right that in the non-S Vantage with SpeedShift I it was very jerky. The SpeedShift II box in the Vantage S is a lot better, but personally I still prefer a proper manual. You need to lift off the throttle slightly when changing up to get a smoother shift, but I really don't know why when you have the computer controlling the gear engagement, clutch engagement and throttle actuation - it should just deal with it rather than make me try and second guess the computer controlling the clutch.
In terms of wind noise and buffeting with the roof down, he didn't have the wind deflector fitted which helps a lot, but that is pretty irrelevant when driving with the side windows down - no convertible is quiet when doing that.
Suspension - didn't think the Vantage was too stiff, but the Vantage S setup is a bit firm for my tastes.
Dials - the fuel gauge I don't have a problem reading, the counter-clockwise rev counter is idiotic, he willfully ignores the fact that while the speedo is hard to read there is also a digital readout where in the shots it was telling him the door was open.
Interior space - I'm 5'10". I don't have enough leg room and can't travel in it comfortably for any distance.
Seeing people operate the centre console controls in them whilst driving is borderline terrifying, they are really bad and when I've driven it I just switch the radio off, put it in Sport mode and leave EVERYTHING over there alone - if I started trying to fiddle with them on the move I'd crash. This applies to MOST cars now though IMO, he also has a M135i and the BMW iDrive system means you are forced to look at the screen in the centre console when operating it, the proliferation of unnecessary tech in cars needs to stop, particularly driver focused machinery.
The gearbox he got wrong, it is a single clutch box, not a dual-clutch, but he is right that in the non-S Vantage with SpeedShift I it was very jerky. The SpeedShift II box in the Vantage S is a lot better, but personally I still prefer a proper manual. You need to lift off the throttle slightly when changing up to get a smoother shift, but I really don't know why when you have the computer controlling the gear engagement, clutch engagement and throttle actuation - it should just deal with it rather than make me try and second guess the computer controlling the clutch.
In terms of wind noise and buffeting with the roof down, he didn't have the wind deflector fitted which helps a lot, but that is pretty irrelevant when driving with the side windows down - no convertible is quiet when doing that.
Suspension - didn't think the Vantage was too stiff, but the Vantage S setup is a bit firm for my tastes.
Dials - the fuel gauge I don't have a problem reading, the counter-clockwise rev counter is idiotic, he willfully ignores the fact that while the speedo is hard to read there is also a digital readout where in the shots it was telling him the door was open.
Interior space - I'm 5'10". I don't have enough leg room and can't travel in it comfortably for any distance.
valiant said:
Bluetooth optional in this day and age? And $750 to boot?
Talk about fleecing your customers for every penny!
Still, at least if I see a AM driver on the phone whilst driving I shall pity him that he can't afford $750 rather than tut my disapproval.
Optional in 2012... Not really a surprise, most "premium" cars make almost every desirable feature an option.Talk about fleecing your customers for every penny!
Still, at least if I see a AM driver on the phone whilst driving I shall pity him that he can't afford $750 rather than tut my disapproval.
He has a point about some of the cubby space, but it strikes me as a bit of a moron getting excited over nothing. If you wanted a practical interior you should've bought from a company with billions in its R&D budget.
Thorburn said:
To be honest he's not far wrong with regards to the tech - my Dad has a very similar 2013 Vantage S Roadster (pictured here along with my Lotus Elise and some Fiat: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thorburnj/1924936704... ) and I've driven a few times and passengered in it a lot. He had a 2009 Vantage Roadster before that.
Seeing people operate the centre console controls in them whilst driving is borderline terrifying, they are really bad and when I've driven it I just switch the radio off, put it in Sport mode and leave EVERYTHING over there alone - if I started trying to fiddle with them on the move I'd crash. This applies to MOST cars now though IMO, he also has a M135i and the BMW iDrive system means you are forced to look at the screen in the centre console when operating it, the proliferation of unnecessary tech in cars needs to stop, particularly driver focused machinery.
The gearbox he got wrong, it is a single clutch box, not a dual-clutch, but he is right that in the non-S Vantage with SpeedShift I it was very jerky. The SpeedShift II box in the Vantage S is a lot better, but personally I still prefer a proper manual. You need to lift off the throttle slightly when changing up to get a smoother shift, but I really don't know why when you have the computer controlling the gear engagement, clutch engagement and throttle actuation - it should just deal with it rather than make me try and second guess the computer controlling the clutch.
In terms of wind noise and buffeting with the roof down, he didn't have the wind deflector fitted which helps a lot, but that is pretty irrelevant when driving with the side windows down - no convertible is quiet when doing that.
Suspension - didn't think the Vantage was too stiff, but the Vantage S setup is a bit firm for my tastes.
Dials - the fuel gauge I don't have a problem reading, the counter-clockwise rev counter is idiotic, he willfully ignores the fact that while the speedo is hard to read there is also a digital readout where in the shots it was telling him the door was open.
Interior space - I'm 5'10". I don't have enough leg room and can't travel in it comfortably for any distance.
Interesting feedback. And they must be doing something right if he's on his second one.Seeing people operate the centre console controls in them whilst driving is borderline terrifying, they are really bad and when I've driven it I just switch the radio off, put it in Sport mode and leave EVERYTHING over there alone - if I started trying to fiddle with them on the move I'd crash. This applies to MOST cars now though IMO, he also has a M135i and the BMW iDrive system means you are forced to look at the screen in the centre console when operating it, the proliferation of unnecessary tech in cars needs to stop, particularly driver focused machinery.
The gearbox he got wrong, it is a single clutch box, not a dual-clutch, but he is right that in the non-S Vantage with SpeedShift I it was very jerky. The SpeedShift II box in the Vantage S is a lot better, but personally I still prefer a proper manual. You need to lift off the throttle slightly when changing up to get a smoother shift, but I really don't know why when you have the computer controlling the gear engagement, clutch engagement and throttle actuation - it should just deal with it rather than make me try and second guess the computer controlling the clutch.
In terms of wind noise and buffeting with the roof down, he didn't have the wind deflector fitted which helps a lot, but that is pretty irrelevant when driving with the side windows down - no convertible is quiet when doing that.
Suspension - didn't think the Vantage was too stiff, but the Vantage S setup is a bit firm for my tastes.
Dials - the fuel gauge I don't have a problem reading, the counter-clockwise rev counter is idiotic, he willfully ignores the fact that while the speedo is hard to read there is also a digital readout where in the shots it was telling him the door was open.
Interior space - I'm 5'10". I don't have enough leg room and can't travel in it comfortably for any distance.
I've never understood the "counter intuitive" rev counter thing? So, it goes the other way? so what? There is no direct link between vehicle speed and revs anway, and in a modern car, there is no actual need to look at the rev counter, expect for possibly maxing up-changes, where all you need to look at is one number (7k for a Vantage) and shift just before the needle gets to that number?
If you are finding THAT bit difficult, then i'd suggest that perhaps driving isn't really your thing!! ;-)
If you are finding THAT bit difficult, then i'd suggest that perhaps driving isn't really your thing!! ;-)
Max_Torque said:
I've never understood the "counter intuitive" rev counter thing? So, it goes the other way? so what? There is no direct link between vehicle speed and revs anway, and in a modern car, there is no actual need to look at the rev counter, expect for possibly maxing up-changes, where all you need to look at is one number (7k for a Vantage) and shift just before the needle gets to that number?
Mostly out of the 6 cars I drive regularly its the only one that does it - hell its the only car I've ever seen that does that.To be fair though it was more annoying when I first drove it, now just ignore it and go by the noise.
Both dials are utter triumphs of function over form though - the digital readout ends up being the only one you use as you can't rely on the dials to convey the information you need at a quick glance.
Having got a 4.7 Vantage i laugh every time i see that clip.
Ive looked at the pen twice and forget its there and also never used it.
The dials.....i use the digital readout as 2nd nature.
Storage....it has 2 cup holders which admittedly in my manual means you cant shift gear when there is a cup(s) there but i dont drink in the car so no issue.
Storage 2....it has a bigger boot than my missus's Mini Cooper.
Gearbox....i have a manual, as it should be.
Sat Nav...is it better then a map or list of directions? Yes. Does it have postcode search unlike my old Porsche 996 C4S? Yes. Does what it says on the packet.
Sat Nav 2....it may of been a option but i have not seen a Aston without it.
Bluetooth...as above but if not, there are cheap oiptions out there.
Cramped...not sure how he can say this. Plenty of space unless you are typical American!
Woeful suspension....well the Vantage S is pretty firm but all Vantage's are renowned for pretty good handling.
Ive looked at the pen twice and forget its there and also never used it.
The dials.....i use the digital readout as 2nd nature.
Storage....it has 2 cup holders which admittedly in my manual means you cant shift gear when there is a cup(s) there but i dont drink in the car so no issue.
Storage 2....it has a bigger boot than my missus's Mini Cooper.
Gearbox....i have a manual, as it should be.
Sat Nav...is it better then a map or list of directions? Yes. Does it have postcode search unlike my old Porsche 996 C4S? Yes. Does what it says on the packet.
Sat Nav 2....it may of been a option but i have not seen a Aston without it.
Bluetooth...as above but if not, there are cheap oiptions out there.
Cramped...not sure how he can say this. Plenty of space unless you are typical American!
Woeful suspension....well the Vantage S is pretty firm but all Vantage's are renowned for pretty good handling.
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