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woodsypedia
Original Poster
53 posts
22 months
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Hey Folks
Looking for a bit of advice. I'm looking at a DBS as my next Aston but stretching to a factory order is a little out of reach so I'm proabably going for a nearly new / ex demo. Nearly all of the models I've seen recently are auto, but I really wanted a manual.
However, I recently tested the new v8 vantage with the auto 7 speed box and its fantastic, kind of makes me think I could live with an auto. Wanted to find out however how good (or bad), the DBS auto box is compared to the one on the Vantage. Do you think I can live with it or should I carry on the search for a manual? Also thinking of a V12 vantage but I don't think it looks anywhere near as good!!
Any help or feedback greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Chris.
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yeti
6,907 posts
144 months
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Fundamental misunderstanding here... The latest Vantage S has Sportshift II which is a robotic manual 7-speed transmission, automated clutch etc. The DBS has TouchTronic II which is a full torque converter automatic. There are paddles to shift should you want to but it's an automatic gearbox like a big wallowy Merc  The shifts are relatively fast and there is even a little ECU controlled engine blip on downshifts, but the torque converter saps energy and makes the car relaxing rather than the fierce sporty changes of the Vantages Sportshift. The manual is a Graziano sourced 6 speed unit. It is slick, the ratios are well spaced and it's a joy to use. DBS also has a twin plate clutch as standard which is nice and light. Hold out for a manual box - you may have to consider an earlier car, but there have been very few model changes. It'll be worth it 
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tonyhall38
1,620 posts
85 months
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get the DBS manual....fantastic..!!!....trust me i know...
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woodsypedia
Original Poster
53 posts
22 months
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Yea congratulations on the recent purchase. Pictures look stunning.
Its a real dilemma. Wanted something new but every new DBS I've seen is an auto. Anyone shed any light on why this is?? Surely Aston haven't dropped the manual box in the later models?? Why the influx of autos if the manual is so good?
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George H
10,212 posts
33 months
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yeti said: Hold out for a manual box - you may have to consider an earlier car, but there have been very few model changes. It'll be worth it I'd say the opposite and get the auto, it seems far more suited to the car imo. The best bet would be to try both and make your own mind up. Also, as Yeti says, plenty of mint condition, low mileage 08/09 models in manuals for about circa. £90k, a massive amount of car for money really.
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AMDBSNick
2,228 posts
31 months
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George H said: I'd say the opposite and get the auto, it seems far more suited to the car imo. It may suit the ladies version of the DB
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Steve*B
637 posts
77 months
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said: but it's an automatic gearbox like a big wallowy Merc Sorry Lewis, but this is utter nonsense. I own 'the big willowy Merc' (ML63) and never take it out of auto. I also own a TT2 DBS and rarely take it out of manual mode. The transmission on these cars couldn't be more different. My advice would simply be to test them both before you make up your mind.
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AWV12
286 posts
16 months
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tonyhall38 said: get the DBS manual....fantastic..!!!....trust me i know... +1 Test drive both, and you know the answer if you have to look and wait more or not. Test drove a DBS TT2 few years ago.....great car, but not gave me the "wow". It is completely different than the Sportshift box in the Vantage (see Yeti's post). Begin this year a test drove a DBS Volante manual and........I totally felt in love an bought it!  As said before: it is very personal, so maybe you like the TT2 more, so test drive both and make your decision. Most DBS until 2009 are manual, then the TT2 was introduced and most dealers ordered these. Not much difference in spec between 2009 and later years, except B&O (you can better avoid this and go for the Premium Alpine, see other threads), Garmin (2012) and some minor things. Good luck! PS: here some manual DBS for sale in EU: http://suchen.mobile.de/auto/aston-martin-dbs.html...
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franki68
1,421 posts
90 months
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woodsypedia said: Yea congratulations on the recent purchase. Pictures look stunning.
Its a real dilemma. Wanted something new but every new DBS I've seen is an auto. Anyone shed any light on why this is?? Surely Aston haven't dropped the manual box in the later models?? Why the influx of autos if the manual is so good? Most people who buy this car new ..when they order it the salesman tells the they must order auto for residual values. Not now but in 5-6 years time it's the manuals that are going to be far more desirable ,so many manufacturers not making manuals anymore...Ferrari,the new vanquish etc.
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AMDBSNick
2,228 posts
31 months
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franki68 said: Not now but in 5-6 years time it's the manuals that are going to be far more desirable ,so many manufacturers not making manuals anymore...Ferrari,the new vanquish etc. Fingers crossed
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yeti
6,907 posts
144 months
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Steve*B said: said: but it's an automatic gearbox like a big wallowy Merc Sorry Lewis, but this is utter nonsense. What's nonsense, that it's an automatic? My point is that it's an automatic gearbox (like your Mercedes) rather than a robotic manual like a Sportshift Vantage. I wasn;t saying it drove like a wallowy Merc, just that it has the same transmission system as one. The speed of change is decided by the software, that's all.
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yeti
6,907 posts
144 months
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George H said: I'd say the opposite and get the auto, it seems far more suited to the car imo. Yes, the most sporting car ever to carry the 'DB' moniker deserves the same gearbox as the base GT 
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yeti
6,907 posts
144 months
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George H said: The best bet would be to try both and make your own mind up. This >really< is the only answer
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George H
10,212 posts
33 months
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yeti said: Yes, the most sporting car ever to carry the 'DB' moniker deserves the same gearbox as the base GT Manuals are in no way sporting! The DBS is a big super GT, I cannot think of a gearbox more suited to it than a full auto with paddle override. Best of both worlds
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yeti
6,907 posts
144 months
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George H said: yeti said: Yes, the most sporting car ever to carry the 'DB' moniker deserves the same gearbox as the base GT Manuals are in no way sporting! The DBS is a big super GT, I cannot think of a gearbox more suited to it than a full auto with paddle override. Best of both worlds And at this juncture, as ever, we agree to disagree
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woodsypedia
Original Poster
53 posts
22 months
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So I think I'm going to have to test them both by the looks of it. What's the opinion on the V12 Vantage as an alternative? I loved my V8 Vantage for sheer throwability so this could be a good option. DBS power but something that loves corners
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Zod
23,282 posts
127 months
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You've just summed up the V12V in a nutshell.
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yeti
6,907 posts
144 months
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Cross eyed, shortarsed, bling bonnet-vented hedgefinder (in 7 degrees or lower, be sure to check temps before you venture out, every time)... Or the world's most elegant and beautiful sporting grand tourer? Stick with the DBS idea, it was a good one
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AMDBSNick
2,228 posts
31 months
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An extract from an email I've just sent to Jockman
As for TT. Well I’ve only done motorway miles so far. Typical Monday traffic on the M6 etc. I am completely open minded as it is important, especially as I may not have a choice on my next AM. Initial view is it does exactly the same as my RR in this type of traffic. At roundabouts in “auto” I don’t think the changes are particularly smooth. However I have it for the week and will be trying every setting. Do you have any advice re Sport or Non Sport mode etc.
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yeti
6,907 posts
144 months
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AMDBSNick said: automatic gearbox nonsense What are you up to Tweedman?
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