My new Vantage S Roadster
Discussion
ks.Just can't get on with it!
Crap Sat Nav, clunky gearbox, wooden steering, too loud, uncomfortable seats.
Vantage S Collection 001 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 007 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 006 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Crap Sat Nav, clunky gearbox, wooden steering, too loud, uncomfortable seats.
Vantage S Collection 001 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 007 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 006 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
mikey k said:
Just can't get on with it!
Crap Sat Nav, clunky gearbox, wooden steering, too loud, uncomfortable seats.
Vantage S Collection 006 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I notice the removal of the plate holderCrap Sat Nav, clunky gearbox, wooden steering, too loud, uncomfortable seats.
Vantage S Collection 006 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
First Impressions
Drove in to AM Exeter 10 minutes early to find the techs and the sales guys all over it cleaning it!
Luckily the sun was out in Devon and it looked fantastic!
We had a mooch around it then sat down to do the hand over.
Then we disappeared out to fit my super small plate and apply some body tape to protect it on the 230 mile return home. I still managed to get a small chip on the top of the drivers wing
Chipex needs ordering now!
Vantage S Collection 026 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Really happy with the standard grill, it gives a great contrast and compliments the CF splitter. You can see the beam wipers in this pic. I like them alot, they sit almost flush with the bonnet giving a bit more visibility.
Vantage S Collection 006 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Had a bit of a teach in on the Garmin sat nav. It has full postcode, traffic alerts with rerouting and speed cameras (not sure how to update these yet) the interface is still "clunky" as it uses the same "knob" as the Volvo one. The screen is alot better with a lot more info on it and can be configured to add as much extra info as you like. Only really annoying thing is the audible alerts and directions cut in and fade out the stereo far too frequently. Just really annoying with them all on. So I switched off the audible directions and alerts so I could enjoy the stereo whilst the roof was up in the rain In all a vast improvement over the Volvo system, I will use it more than I did the Volvo one for day to day stuff, but will still use my Tom Tom for itinerary & holidays.
(pics to follow)
The console cover is great, it is the standard S embossed finish, it reflects light back in when the roof is up but does not glare in the full sun. The centre stack now has metal knobs that have a much better feel to them than the old ones. The edges of the stack, the centre console, window switches, speaker grills and door handles are a light graphite colour and again lighten up the interior compared to my old one.
It took a while for me to find the sweet spot with the light weight seat but once I adjusted the lumbar pads and settled in they are very comfortable.
(I'll get some pics of the interior up later in the week)
Starting it up is a joy
much more aural than my last 4.7, it draws a fair bit of attention when it fires up 
I chose to drive up the M5 in auto with the cruise on and the roof up as it was raining It is super quiet, quieter than the Coupe IMHO as you don't get the exhaust and transmission noise through the hatch back boot. The new ASM2 7 speed box is very smooth in auto, it does the same as all autos and flys through the gears to 7th and is crap at kick down for overtakes. But then I never drove the last one in Auto and will do the same with this one 
I got bored on the M6 and the rain eased off so down came the roof and in went the sport button.
I think I will be leaving the sport button in all the time The sharper throttle makes it more responsive and easier to drive, plus it makes all the right noises all the time! I love the popping when you lift off the throttle and the growl when you get on the throttle.
Steering is much much better, better weighted for more feedback and quicker for better turn in.
A nice surprise was the auto folding mirrors and the dipping passenger mirror in reverse
The iphone4 was a bit of a swine to pair to the blue tooth and tracker but we managed on the 3rd attempt
So I need to get it prepped, paint filmed and find some dryer Snowdonia roads to really get to grips with it
Then I might decide to keep it
A few more pics for you until I can get some decent ones.
Vantage S Collection 023 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 007 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 004 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 001 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Drove in to AM Exeter 10 minutes early to find the techs and the sales guys all over it cleaning it!
Luckily the sun was out in Devon and it looked fantastic!
We had a mooch around it then sat down to do the hand over.
Then we disappeared out to fit my super small plate and apply some body tape to protect it on the 230 mile return home. I still managed to get a small chip on the top of the drivers wing
Chipex needs ordering now!Vantage S Collection 026 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Really happy with the standard grill, it gives a great contrast and compliments the CF splitter. You can see the beam wipers in this pic. I like them alot, they sit almost flush with the bonnet giving a bit more visibility.
Vantage S Collection 006 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Had a bit of a teach in on the Garmin sat nav. It has full postcode, traffic alerts with rerouting and speed cameras (not sure how to update these yet) the interface is still "clunky" as it uses the same "knob" as the Volvo one. The screen is alot better with a lot more info on it and can be configured to add as much extra info as you like. Only really annoying thing is the audible alerts and directions cut in and fade out the stereo far too frequently. Just really annoying with them all on. So I switched off the audible directions and alerts so I could enjoy the stereo whilst the roof was up in the rain
In all a vast improvement over the Volvo system, I will use it more than I did the Volvo one for day to day stuff, but will still use my Tom Tom for itinerary & holidays. (pics to follow)
The console cover is great, it is the standard S embossed finish, it reflects light back in when the roof is up but does not glare in the full sun. The centre stack now has metal knobs that have a much better feel to them than the old ones. The edges of the stack, the centre console, window switches, speaker grills and door handles are a light graphite colour and again lighten up the interior compared to my old one.
It took a while for me to find the sweet spot with the light weight seat but once I adjusted the lumbar pads and settled in they are very comfortable.
(I'll get some pics of the interior up later in the week)
Starting it up is a joy
much more aural than my last 4.7, it draws a fair bit of attention when it fires up I chose to drive up the M5 in auto with the cruise on and the roof up as it was raining
It is super quiet, quieter than the Coupe IMHO as you don't get the exhaust and transmission noise through the hatch back boot. The new ASM2 7 speed box is very smooth in auto, it does the same as all autos and flys through the gears to 7th and is crap at kick down for overtakes. But then I never drove the last one in Auto and will do the same with this one I got bored on the M6 and the rain eased off so down came the roof and in went the sport button.
I think I will be leaving the sport button in all the time
The sharper throttle makes it more responsive and easier to drive, plus it makes all the right noises all the time! I love the popping when you lift off the throttle and the growl when you get on the throttle.Steering is much much better, better weighted for more feedback and quicker for better turn in.
A nice surprise was the auto folding mirrors and the dipping passenger mirror in reverse
The iphone4 was a bit of a swine to pair to the blue tooth and tracker but we managed on the 3rd attempt
So I need to get it prepped, paint filmed and find some dryer Snowdonia roads to really get to grips with it
Then I might decide to keep it
A few more pics for you until I can get some decent ones.
Vantage S Collection 023 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 007 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 004 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 001 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 5th October 20:37
'I think I will be leaving the sport button in all the time The sharper throttle makes it more responsive and easier to drive, plus it makes all the right noises all the time! I love the popping when you lift off the throttle and the growl when you get on the throttle.
Steering is much much better, better weighted for more feedback and quicker for better turn in.'
Gotta say it - told you so!!!
Took us both a few drives to get the paddle shift right but it's a fabulous thing when you get used to it - blip it down a couple of notches - the noise and the response - wow!
The sharper throttle makes it more responsive and easier to drive, plus it makes all the right noises all the time! I love the popping when you lift off the throttle and the growl when you get on the throttle.Steering is much much better, better weighted for more feedback and quicker for better turn in.'
Gotta say it - told you so!!!
Took us both a few drives to get the paddle shift right but it's a fabulous thing when you get used to it - blip it down a couple of notches - the noise and the response - wow!
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