N420 or Vantage S

[DGW67]

Hi

I'm considering changing my V8 Vantage Roadster which is the 4.3 Manual variant. One option I have stumbled across is an N420 Roadster which looks great.

My question is, what are the differences between the N420 and the Vantage S roadsters and which would be the best purchasing option?

Thanks

Dave

[mikey k]

N420 is just an optioned up 4.7
The S is a VERY different animal (providing you like sport shift )

[DGW67]

The N420 is a sportshift. What are the differences between the cars?

[spice]

N420 has sport suspension , bespoke wheels and nice carbon bits I have a manual roadster in Carbon black with light weight seats I am considering selling as I s just don't use it enough, done 5500 miles and is as new , would be over £70k at main dealer , £65k if your interested ?

[DGW67]

What year is it? Last service?

[spice]

2011 service march 2012 , I'm the only owner, warranty to March 2014

[spice]

PM Sent

[mikey k]

DGW67 said:

The N420 is a sportshift. What are the differences between the cars?

Different sport shift, bigger brakes, sport button for throttle map, quicker steering, wider alloys & tyres, V12 Bumpers and CF splitters, Garmin sat nav (on most)
I know I've missed a few
Roadster prices drop a fair bit over winter

[Grant3]

I think this will likely come down to price as the first 420's were out July 2010 (mainly 2011MY) and shouldn't trade at a large premium over a standard well specified Roadster... where as V8S are mainly 2012MY+, so an early 420 would be a good deal cheaper, but unless the price difference is huge the V8S is the better bet - if you like Sportshift rather than manual.

Good advice from Mikey, who has owned both a Sport Pack Roadster and a V8S, so he should know!..

The 420 is basically a 4.7 V8 with some rather nice sporting options added, so...
The Sports Pack - Sports Exhaust (lighter!)- Lightweight Seats - N400 side skirts , Carbon-fibre front splitter and rear diffuser.(you also get things like clear rear lenses - Bluetooth - Cruise - front parking sensors - sports steering wheel (Alcantara as no cost option)- Iridium Silver interior pack - Graphite dials - N420 kick plate logo etc). All very nice but also available as an option on a standard V8, so don't pay a premium over a well specified standard car!

The V8S additions are better than the sum of their parts! The new enhanced sports chassis set-up, wider (new compound)tyres and more direct steering, combine to make the S feel more "pointy and involving" on a twisty road. The upgraded brakes are awesome and the engine has a sweeter more free-revving feel in addition to the extra 10bhp/15 Ib-ft. If you want a Sportshift the latest 7-speed unit, is lighter, faster shifting, more economical and a large step forward. In addition you get a selection of V8 range topping tweaks like (V12V style front/rear Carbon-fibre additions and wider side sills - clear rear lenses - V-spoke alloys - HBA & HSA from the new brake module - Iridium - Bluetooth - Cruise - unique interior touches etc.)

[robgt]

:DI took delivery of my first V 8 V in Jan 2011 built to my spec. Kept it for 6 months then changed it to an S in July 2011 having completed some 6000 miles. The S is a different animal altogether, much more hardcore . Sportshift 2 is a relevation for a start, the list of upgrades over a V8 are substantial. More accessible power and torque coupled with superb fade free brakes. Much sharper steering and reduced body roll. Outwardly the S looks like a V12V which is no bad thing as well.
Having been on many events and been told by pro drivers that the S is their preferred choice in the range I would suggest you drive both a N420 and a S before a decision is made.
Having said all that we all want different things from our cars. My S ticks all the boxes I require .

[Speedraser]

To the OP:
Below is my post from another forum in response to a similar question. Since the N420 is mechanically identical to a 4.7 with the Sports Pack (except that the N420 comes standard with the sports exhaust), just substitute "N420" for "Sports Pack" below...

There is little difference in engine performance between the 420 hp 4.7 and the 430 hp S. After the 2012.25 (yes, .25 -- strangest model year distinction ever) changes to the standard 4.7, the biggest difference between the two, IMO, is in the suspension. The standard-suspension V8V is considerably less firm than the S, and the Sports Pack suspension option on the non-S is now the same as the S suspension. By the same token, the S/Sports Pack car's handling is considerably sharper and more neutral.

Are you looking to buy new or used? I ask because my personal favorite V8V suspension is the '09 - early 2012 Sports Pack (same as the '08 N400). IMO, it gives the best ride-handling balance. The S is quite a bit firmer even than the (pre-2012.25) Sports Pack car. To me, the handling improvement of the original Sports Pack is worth the firmer ride compared to the standard setup, but I'm not at all sure the S suspension's still-sharper handling is worth the considerably harder ride versus the original Sports Pack. This is, at least in part, because the roads where I live are truly poor. Also, many people like the standard suspension best -- the ride is quite good, and the handling is still excellent.

BTW, it's great news that the S can now be had with the real manual gearbox! (End of old post.)

Do you have a preference between manual and paddle-shift? If you do, the decision is greatly simplified since the S has a much-improved paddle shift (until MY2012.25, when the non-S go the same 7-spd). However, if you prefer a manual, the S is ruled out (unless you buy a MY13), so it's N420 only (or a 4.7 with the Sports Pack, assuming you prefer the sportier setups to the standard suspension). I think the magnitude of the difference in feel/character between the S and the Sports Pack/N420 reported by Rob and Mikey is to a signficant degree (though certainly not exclusively) due to the change in the gearbox.

Another consideration is aesthetics. Personally, I prefer the original V8V design to the S and V12V (all look fantastic, though).

[SHIFTY]

"Another consideration is aesthetics. Personally, I prefer the original V8V design to the S and V12V (all look fantastic, though)".


Thats why I am keeping my N420 until I like the look of a replacement, not keen on the front and rear of the latest Vantages to me look unfinished.

[mikey k]

SHIFTY said:

"Another consideration is aesthetics. Personally, I prefer the original V8V design to the S and V12V (all look fantastic, though)".


Thats why I am keeping my N420 until I like the look of a replacement, not keen on the front and rear of the latest Vantages to me look unfinished.

Ironically I agree it was one of the things I was put off by (but still bought it )
I'm slowly coming round!