Vantage N430

Author
Discussion

mikey k

13,011 posts

215 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
hashluck said:
I suspect this is going to be a mess (for someone in my position about to pull the trigger) as the whole process of trying to order an AM has been quite and surprisingly difficult (just through lack of information and dealer (even factory) product knowledge of which we see typical examples here.
I found it depends a LOT on who you are dealing with at the dealer.
I ordered my S just after its launch through Lloyd at Grange Exeter (450 miles round trip) so similar circumstance to you.
He was excellent - good product knowledge anything he didn't know on the new model was swiftly checked with the factory, regular updates and managed to get me an earlier build slot.
He was excellent again when I was interested in a V12V roadster

jonby

5,357 posts

156 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
mikey k said:
hashluck said:
I suspect this is going to be a mess (for someone in my position about to pull the trigger) as the whole process of trying to order an AM has been quite and surprisingly difficult (just through lack of information and dealer (even factory) product knowledge of which we see typical examples here.
I found it depends a LOT on who you are dealing with at the dealer.
I ordered my S just after its launch through Lloyd at Grange Exeter (450 miles round trip) so similar circumstance to you.
He was excellent - good product knowledge anything he didn't know on the new model was swiftly checked with the factory, regular updates and managed to get me an earlier build slot.
He was excellent again when I was interested in a V12V roadster
Myself & mikey are following each other on this thread ! On brand new products in particular, exact info from those who you spec your car with at the factory can be frustratingly poor and to a lesser extent, from the dealer. For established products it's normally easier. But it is worth the perseverance even though there can be an element of role reversal at times in terms of who actually educates who ! And there are few cars that offer the level of personalisation that AM do, even with the well documented limitations of Q compared to what the AM marketing department may portray/believe

hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
jonby said:
Myself & mikey are following each other on this thread ! On brand new products in particular, exact info from those who you spec your car with at the factory can be frustratingly poor and to a lesser extent, from the dealer. For established products it's normally easier. But it is worth the perseverance even though there can be an element of role reversal at times in terms of who actually educates who ! And there are few cars that offer the level of personalisation that AM do, even with the well documented limitations of Q compared to what the AM marketing department may portray/believe
Sad but true I don't think I have ever bought any car without knowing more about it than the dealer. In this case, to be fair to the dealer, I have witnessed them ask the same question to two different people at the factory and getting a different answer! I also asked a couple of questions at the factory to which there was no clear answer (e.g. DAB, Stitch Colours). Anyhow I am promised more data tomorrow.

SFO

5,162 posts

182 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
mikey k said:
SFO said:
are the lightweight seats standard or a cost or no cost option?

what is the price difference compared to a V8S?
It's unclear on the light weight regarding cost vs no cost
A V8VS coupe with sport suspension & CF bumpers as standard was £102.5k at launch
This is ~£10 cheaper with some expensive options removed wink
2014 V8S Manual Coupe is £95,000
2013 SP10 Manual Coupe is £92,000
N430 Manual Coupe is £90,000


Gettoff

1,434 posts

206 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
SFO said:
2014 V8S Manual Coupe is £95,000
2013 SP10 Manual Coupe is £92,000
N430 Manual Coupe is £90,000
That was kinda what I was thinking.. where does the SP10 sit in all this? Of all those N430 paintjobs, the 'Stealth' would be my preference but it looks remarkably similar to the SP10.

Who knows which is better, more powerful, better specced, better options? It's as confusing as hell to a follower of the brand let alone someone who is thinking of dipping their toe into the AM pool for the first time.

The marketing strategy does seem a bit squiffy to say the least.

hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
SP10 was definitely a Vantage S based derivative (and good value if you were happy with the colour and trim given the extra kit they put in).

N430 is, I would say, more like a Vantage with Vantage S engine but it really depends what kit is standard. The gap between Vantage and Vantage S has been gradually closing for a while.

N430 is 5K cheaper like for like with same transmission. it fits exactly in the middle price wise between Vantage and Vantage S.

For sure the CF splitter and rear bumper is removed from the N430, I should find out tomoreow what else is standard. I like the CF splitter but as a daily driver it was possibly dangerously vulnersble and I was really looking at the S for the standard kit and small power increase as well as sports exhaust and suspension over the Vantage.

So N430 could suit me well depending on the whole story. For sure it is confusing to me an AM virgin and the Maserati GTS keeps taunting me.


Phil74891

1,064 posts

132 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
Maybe they held an internal competition to see who can ***k up a Vantage the most using the Car Configurator?

I do like those wheels though.......


whoami

13,151 posts

239 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
Gettoff said:
marketing strategy
hehe

SFO

5,162 posts

182 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
hashluck said:
SP10 was definitely a Vantage S based derivative (and good value if you were happy with the colour and trim given the extra kit they put in).
SP10 roadster has premium audio (£1000) and forged wheels in black (£2500) as additional kit over V8S, making it at least £7500 cheaper .. if you like the exterior colour (I love it) and can live with the black only interior (I can't).

If you want SP10 Ceramic Grey paint, it's £2500 on a V8/S.

Will be fascinating to see what N430 has as standard equipment.

SFO

5,162 posts

182 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
just playing on the N430 configurator .. looks like you can deselect the graphics pack (i.e. the lipstick and various garish colour bits) and have leather instead of alcantara on seats and door panels. No idea whether these changes cost money though.

Neil1300r

5,487 posts

177 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
whoami said:
Gettoff said:
marketing strategy
hehe
rofl

Anyone with a marketing background / training is cringing at all this bks. Last time I saw such utter pile of crap was in the death throes of Rover. AM get a grip, stop releasing wk paint jobs as a specuual performance upgrade. Your most loyal customers aren't deceived why do you think Joe Public will be?







hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
Neil1300r said:
rofl

Anyone with a marketing background / training is cringing at all this bks. Last time I saw such utter pile of crap was in the death throes of Rover. AM get a grip, stop releasing wk paint jobs as a specuual performance upgrade. Your most loyal customers aren't deceived why do you think Joe Public will be

Actually I think this marketing bks trumps it

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

As well as being the ugliest car ever look how they describe what is basically front wheel drive. Embarassing and like they invented it.....

sDrive refers to BMW vehicles where torque from the drive train is transmitted via only one axle. Most BMW vehicles have sDrive on the rear axle, that is, rear-wheel drive. Depending on the car's layout and characteristics, sDrive can also be on the front axle – front-wheel drive. In vehicles with compact dimensions that offer a spacious interior and a flexibly extendible luggage compartment, sDrive on the front axle – along with a transverse engine – is a space-saving solution that guarantees distinctive BMW dynamics and agility.



hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
SFO said:
just playing on the N430 configurator .. looks like you can deselect the graphics pack (i.e. the lipstick and various garish colour bits) and have leather instead of alcantara on seats and door panels. No idea whether these changes cost money though.
Apparently the dealer info packs contradict this and say the lipstick is mandatory. I am having a sense of humour failure. Which is it AM?

whoami

13,151 posts

239 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
hashluck said:
SFO said:
just playing on the N430 configurator .. looks like you can deselect the graphics pack (i.e. the lipstick and various garish colour bits) and have leather instead of alcantara on seats and door panels. No idea whether these changes cost money though.
Apparently the dealer info packs contradict this and say the lipstick is mandatory. I am having a sense of humour failure. Which is it AM?
Traditionally, the dealers are the last to be provided with accurate information.

It often changes.

mikey k

13,011 posts

215 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
One more curved ball for those looking at buying SP10s or N430s
At launch the S had sports suspension, a fair few SP10 & S's have recently shipped with comfort suspension as standard
Before you commit confirm what is fitted wink

hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
mikey k said:
One more curved ball for those looking at buying SP10s or N430s
At launch the S had sports suspension, a fair few SP10 & S's have recently shipped with comfort suspension as standard
Before you commit confirm what is fitted wink
Comfort was standard on the SP10 Coupe according to the brochure with aports as an option. Comfort is a NCO on Vantage S Coupe so I assume the correct box was ticked by whomever was ordering? Aston would not be alone in making mistakes though. Some Audi quattros delivered last year with no quattro!

Grant3

3,635 posts

254 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
As you guys have already spotted this is just a parts bin special (with a few unique tweaks) in the same vane as the N420.
Let's be fair to Aston, they are investing heavily in the next model which will feature AMG engines and electronics, but this will take a good while to fully develop. Meanwhile they have to keep sales stimulated hence ( just like all other manufacturers) they are wheeling out a few special editions ( there is also a new DB9 SE). Having said this I agree with those who have just purchased an S to find the SP10 and this model popping up... not ideal.

The 430 is in essence a V8S but without Carbon -fibre (diffuser/splitter) sat nav, cruise or Bluetooth (etc) as standard, but it does feature lightweight seats, special colours and exterior touches, plus interior tweaks, for £5k less. Below is the standard spec for you to look over"..... Enjoy smile

- A selection of 5 exterior liveries: o Alloro Green
o Jet Black
o Skyfall Silver
o Mariana Blue
o Speedway White
- “S” side sills
- 10-spoke forged alloy graphite painted wheels
- Choice of brake caliper finish: Yellow, Black, Silver or Red
- Black vaned front grille
- Black bonnet and side strake meshes
- Black headlamp bezels1
- Black side window trim surround
- Black textured tailpipe finisher
- Clear rear lamps with black surround
- “N430” tailgate badge
- Special edition engine bay inspection plaque

Standard interior specification
- Black or Grey interior theme with a choice of accent colour: Yellow, Black, Silver or Red
- Obsidian Black or Argento Grey full-grain leather interior
- Door and seat inserts in Plissé Alcantara® (Coupe only) or indented leather (all
models)
- Carbon-Fibre facia trim
- Piano Black interior trim
- Black anodised centre console rotary controls
- Pure Black Alcantara® steering wheel with matching stitch (Coupe only) or leather
- Electrically adjustable Carbon-Fibre and Kevlar® lightweight seats2 or Sports seats with side airbags
- Dual-stage driver/passenger front airbags
- Powerfold exterior heated mirrors
- Heated rear screen
- Automatic temperature control
- Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
- Trip computer
- Rear parking sensors
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Alarm and immobiliser
- Remote control central door locking and boot release
- Glass ECU
- Aston Martin Tracking by Cobra3,4 (UK only)
- LED map reading lights
- Black anodised tread plates with machined carbon special edition sill plaque
- Embroidered ‘N430’ seat logo

In-car entertainment
- 160W Aston Martin audio system with six-CD autochanger
- Integrated Apple iPod® connector5
- USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA)
and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
steering wheel with contrasting on-centre stitch (all models)

mikey k

13,011 posts

215 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
Grant can answer a question for us (me wink )
The Sport button on the S is it specific to ASM2?
Is it not fitted to the N430?
I've seen pics of it on ASM2 SP10's, bit not on the manual N430's

jonby

5,357 posts

156 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
Grant3 said:
As you guys have already spotted this is just a parts bin special (with a few unique tweaks) in the same vane as the N420.
Let's be fair to Aston, they are investing heavily in the next model which will feature AMG engines and electronics, but this will take a good while to fully develop. Meanwhile they have to keep sales stimulated hence ( just like all other manufacturers) they are wheeling out a few special editions ( there is also a new DB9 SE). Having said this I agree with those who have just purchased an S to find the SP10 and this model popping up... not ideal.

The 430 is in essence a V8S but without Carbon -fibre (diffuser/splitter) sat nav, cruise or Bluetooth (etc) as standard, but it does feature lightweight seats, special colours and exterior touches, plus interior tweaks, for £5k less. Below is the standard spec for you to look over"..... Enjoy smile
Agree totally with everything above. There is one huge 'but'. The way Aston have announced this new model is arguably disingenuous - it's not the car I havea problem with, it's the way it's being presented - it implies more power than ever before, lighter than ever before, more track focussed than ever before - it's completely false. Those who understand the range can just about understand that those statements are true when talking about the base V8 Vantage, but not when compared to the V8 Vantage S - those who aren't very familiar with Aston will potentially be misled

Can you imagine Porsche announcing their fastest, lightest, most track focussed 911, when in fact it's a de-specced Carrera S with a fancy paint job, but Porsche were only comparing it to the base Carrera (non-S) for their statements on power, weight & handling to hold true ? Is this any different ?

In an all too familiar pattern, Aston launch a car that is in itself fine, but market it horrendously poorly (think Virage and SP10 for just 2 examples)

Just as some examples, the official site launching the N430 refers to:
'the most dramatic expression of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage ever created'
'the most potent V8 engine we’ve ever created'
'V8 Vantage N430 delivers excitement and intense performance with a thrilling ClubSport ethos' (it goes on later to explain in fact clubsport is an optional exterior graphics pack)
'Saving 20kg compared to V8 Vantage, N430 is designed to be lightweight and nimble'
'N430 is all about bringing track-honed excitement to the road in an accessible, emotionally engaging, and authentically ‘analogue’ way'

I appreciate they have to get excited and positive to sell the car but really ? Why not say that they have brought out a car with all the dynamic improvements that their best ever performing V8 powered vantage has (i.e. the S), but at a lower price point, with more kit as standard than a regular vantage and the option to keep traditional more discreet Aston exterior looks OR a new set of exterior colour options that are far more dramatic than any they have previously offered. The best value V8 Vantage ever with identical performance to the V8S range topper

Of course the wording could be improved upon but the statement above tells everyone exactly what it is. Aston's wording leaves more confusion than understanding - it really isn't rocket science. Sometimes the truth is the best way to market a product.............




SFO

5,162 posts

182 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
hashluck said:
mikey k said:
One more curved ball for those looking at buying SP10s or N430s
At launch the S had sports suspension, a fair few SP10 & S's have recently shipped with comfort suspension as standard
Before you commit confirm what is fitted wink
Comfort was standard on the SP10 Coupe according to the brochure with aports as an option. Comfort is a NCO on Vantage S Coupe so I assume the correct box was ticked by whomever was ordering? Aston would not be alone in making mistakes though. Some Audi quattros delivered last year with no quattro!
Sports suspension standard on roadsters.