My new Vantage S Roadster

[mikey k]

I think this deserves a bit of an update after 8 months and 4k miles! :drive:

It drives exactly like my old HIGHLY modified Honda S2000 did which I loved!
Very direct, lots of grip and lots of communication from the steering and light weight seats.
Suspension is alot tighter and a bit hard to live with on long cruises but pays dividends on the twisties
I am finding I occasionally need a bit more power on an overtake as I hit the limiter mid flight
It's averaging 16.7 mpg
SO SO glad I put the venture shield on. I have watched cans, pop bottles and chunks of wood bounce up the bonnet without any paint damage! Only 3 stone chips ALL outside the venture shield Chipex has dealt with them!
Other than a dead battery after a trip round N Wales to see Molly & Rob it has been very reliable.

It has now been back in for THREE warranty trips;
1st week new front grill falling apart
a few weeks later misc and random electrical gremlins and refusing to start - 2 dead cells in the new battery
After our cornwall trip I booked it in for round three
squealing rear brakes (done)
ASM2 update (done)
Various rattles (one persists )
Passenger seat leather parting company (new cover eventually order after a call to Gayon by me )
Bump under leather in door card (new one ordered)
Passenger seat belt staying locked (not a bad thing but Mrs K disapproved )

Thanks to Jockman for recommending JCT600 in Leeds
They have been very attentive, professional and sorted the problems.
I will be trying to give them my service work (depending on where we move to )

I came very close to replacing it with a V12VR but realised other than the power on overtakes it is ideal and exactly the package need for what I use it for.
I'm now looking forward to Bamford Rose tweaking the DNA and giving it a suitable name

[mikey k]

Waiting on two new pieces of trim now
Whole new passenger seat cover as the one fitted in the factory is wrinkling baddly in the area between the shoulders.
It looks like the leather is parting company with the backing

[mikey k]

BingoBob said:

That's bad news about the leather. Did you have to kick up a fuss?

I raised it as an issue when they did the brakes an ASM update, Gaydon turned it down initially stating fair wear & tear
After a call to Gaydon to explain and an "attempt" to heat seal it back on they agreed to a new cover (on 8 weeks lead time)

Strangely the small bump under the leather on the top of the drivers door card was passed as a warranty replacement with no arguement.

[mikey k]

JCT600 now have my new leather bits to fit next week.
Timing is good as we are off around Europe soon.

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

mikey k said:

JCT600 now have my new leather bits to fit next week.
Timing is good as we are off around Europe soon.

I'm assuming all this is a warranty job Mikey ??

I wouldn't be seen dead claiming on the warranty - I like to pay my way in this world

It is all warranty

[mikey k]

Bit of an update
10 months, 4.5k miles and running well.
No brake squeal and smoother gear changes thanks to JCT in Leeds.
They also sorted a couple of interior rattles and squeaks for me, as well as replacing a smearing wiper blade.
Replace the top of the drivers door card under warranty as there was a small lump in the leather.
Not so good progess on the passenger seat though.
The panel between the shoulders was wrinkled from new but it got worse.
JCT fought my corner to get a new seat cover supplied which they had fitted by a local car upholstery specialist
Unfortunately it looked even worse
After a few photos and exchanges with the factory they agreed it is not acceptable and will sort it after our Eurohoon
I'll give JCT the first service and rear tyres at the same time (providing they are competitive )
Just need to sort out a geo check then

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 8th August 17:12

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

You may find your rear tyres more expensive than my DB9 ones from JCT as - for some daft reason - they are wider !!

I mwill be taking Karen's car up to Buckleys shortly to get its geo done if you are interested. We could even go and annoy a couple of people whilst we are in the area JCT have assured me that the new Front Tyres they are currently putting on will not impact on my recent geo settings

Absolutely mentally busy at the mo, I'm sure you trust Buckley now it will be a lot cheaper only being front wheel drive.
JCT are right new tyres shouldn't change the geo.

[mikey k]

Thanks Rob
I am enjoying it
Just frustrated with the factory
It does need a bit more power (for the way I drive )
But Mike @ BR has a cunning plan to deliver 550 BHP

[mikey k]

BR are "estimating" 550 BHP
It does involve making it a 5.1 litre GT4 engine though
Enjoy your meal and drive by

[mikey k]

Time for the first year update!
The car was 1 year old on 5th October
It has just gone over 9k miles

Highlights of the first year?
picking it up and seeing how much blue is in Lightning Silver
The Cream Tea Tour
The drive up to the N Wales from Gaydon and the N Wales meet the next day
The French Loop Tour
The reaction to the car driving around Europe
Getting 9k miles out of a set of rears (even with the way I drive!)
Too many tunnels to mention


Lows of the first year?
getting a stone chip on the way home from collection
Killing the battery driving round the EVO triangle in sub zero temps with the roof down
Numerous warranty niggles which I'm still trying to get sorted
Some arse dinging my drivers door in Spain
Aston releasing the V12 roadster after I bought a new S roadster because "they were never going to make a V12VR"

ASM2 is miles better than ASM1 especially when used in manual only
The AM sports exhaust is so much better than the standard one on my MY09 car.

All in all it's been a good year and I'm glad I upgraded
It's now at JCT600 for its first year service (£600 ) and two rear tyres £300 each fitted
Once it's back and we aren't homeless I will get it in it's new home and give it the winter TLC scheme I do.
Need to get over to BR and get that sorted as well!

A couple of pictures (because I know you like them!)


French Loop 1078_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 1993_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

[mikey k]

Oh and for clarity here is the list of warranty issues

1. Passenger seat leather is now a lot worse - the top section is sagging, the pads no longer fit the same as drivers side, there are lumps under leather on left shoulder, creasing in base leather to the left side, the cloth for Velcro to stick to behind the pads is coming away from the seat base and not holding the pads & cover in place, there is now play in the seat rack (wasn’t there before cover was replaced) & it squeaks on cornering with someone sat in it.
2. Rattles & squeaks - The dash rattle we’ve tried twice to solve is worse, it is a plastic on plastic lightly rubbing I think it is the “ski slope”. It has got worse, MUCH worse, it also now does it when the Sat Nav is on and the voice guidance is being spoken. The other rattle we tried twice to solve from cubby hole/tonneau cover is still there, it sounds like a loose washer rattling under the roof cover. A new one has appeared on drivers side around the instrument cowl. It sounds like a flock of birds in there!
3. The tonneau is also squeaking as it comes down to close
4. The petrol filler ratchet has gone weak and the cap now doesn’t close as tight and rotates a lot more
5. Rear brakes are still squealing on light pedal pressure, I believe there is a Bulletin to replace the rear pads with a different part number?
6. Drivers side wiper is still not clearing properly and smearing directly in drivers eye line
7. Gearbox is kangarooing in traffic in 1 & 2nd, it also seems to slip the clutch on manual down change off throttle

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

How would you rate the service you're receiving from JCT Mikey ??

Reserving judgement for the moment
Though I will say they are competitive

[mikey k]

Steve - as Jockman will confirm I am a fussy bugger but I don't think that is unreasonable given the money I have spent
I like the car enough to be patient

[mikey k]

Last resort is taking it to the RSPB
Maybe they can identify the flock of birds and relocate them to a more appropriate roost

[mikey k]

Well JCT have delivered on their promises!
They have convinced the factory to replace the whole carbon fibre light weight passenger seat!
They've been on a squeak hunt (one of which involved removing the windscreen!) and solved all but one
They are keeping it a few more days to chase down the last one.
Looking forward to getting it back and head over to BR

Edited by mikey k on Tuesday 16th October 13:22

[mikey k]

It sure will!
A bit like you it's just how far do I go

[mikey k]

Well she is parked up in here new home looking a bit shell shocked
JCT600 were great and have worked hard to get the seat and the rattles sorted.
Unfortunately the rattles are still there.
Time to get the factory involved I think

[mikey k]

Just bad a call from the factory to discuss the issues
They are going to send someone to look and listen with me when the new seat goes in

[mikey k]

Bit of an update
Just had a call from the factory to say the new seat will be shipped next week
Once JCT have it and are happy with it they will organise for one of the senior techs who has just come off 1-77 hand overs to come up to JCT and go through every issue with me.
Now that's more like it!

[mikey k]

New seat is at JCT and Factory "super" tech is booked for next week to spend the morning with me & the car