One month into ownership...
Discussion
Since my original post I've been able to reflect on the addition of a V8 to the family.
After much deliberation between the various V8 and V12 models I decided that the V8VS would be the way to go, and so far (280 miles) I'm very happy with the decision. The longer term plan is to maybe pair it with a Rapide and/or try a V12V...
The car is a late 2013 manual with about 2000 miles. The interior is black with grey stitching and grey Alcantara roof lining. The exterior is Tungsten which I didn't expect to like but is really growing on me.
So, the things I like:
- The look of the thing, the Vantage was already a pretty car but with the later side skirts and duck-tail I think it looks fantastic. One of those cars that you turn back to look at as you walk away. Lovely!
- The sound, hard to describe, clearly a V8 but somehow more exotic and refined than my old TVR.
- The chassis is immense, it rides well and corners well. Just a shame about the quality of our roads. I really need to get onto a track to explore further.
- The materials and design of the interior make it a really nice place to sit.
I'm not so sure on..
- The sound deadening, I'm not sure enough of the exhaust note comes through to the interior. I need to try pulling the fuse and I think I saw mention of removing the parcel shelf so I might give that a go.
- Ergonomics of the interior. It doesn't bother me, but things like the sport and fog light buttons being obscured by the gear-stick and the tiny, tiny buttons for the infotainment system can be a fiddle.
- Long throttle travel makes heel and toe tricky, just a matter of practice I guess.
- For some reason I find reversing difficult and prone to stalling. I wonder if the LSD is a factor here. Again, more practice required!
Questions..
- The boot lid seems to be rubbing the top of the bumper very slightly. Is there a fix for this?
- The case for the ECU is a little bulky, is there an alternative?
So overall I'm really happy with the car. I just need to get more miles on it. I already have plans to head into Scotland as well as some other trips.
After much deliberation between the various V8 and V12 models I decided that the V8VS would be the way to go, and so far (280 miles) I'm very happy with the decision. The longer term plan is to maybe pair it with a Rapide and/or try a V12V...
The car is a late 2013 manual with about 2000 miles. The interior is black with grey stitching and grey Alcantara roof lining. The exterior is Tungsten which I didn't expect to like but is really growing on me.
So, the things I like:
- The look of the thing, the Vantage was already a pretty car but with the later side skirts and duck-tail I think it looks fantastic. One of those cars that you turn back to look at as you walk away. Lovely!
- The sound, hard to describe, clearly a V8 but somehow more exotic and refined than my old TVR.
- The chassis is immense, it rides well and corners well. Just a shame about the quality of our roads. I really need to get onto a track to explore further.
- The materials and design of the interior make it a really nice place to sit.
I'm not so sure on..
- The sound deadening, I'm not sure enough of the exhaust note comes through to the interior. I need to try pulling the fuse and I think I saw mention of removing the parcel shelf so I might give that a go.
- Ergonomics of the interior. It doesn't bother me, but things like the sport and fog light buttons being obscured by the gear-stick and the tiny, tiny buttons for the infotainment system can be a fiddle.
- Long throttle travel makes heel and toe tricky, just a matter of practice I guess.
- For some reason I find reversing difficult and prone to stalling. I wonder if the LSD is a factor here. Again, more practice required!
Questions..
- The boot lid seems to be rubbing the top of the bumper very slightly. Is there a fix for this?
- The case for the ECU is a little bulky, is there an alternative?
So overall I'm really happy with the car. I just need to get more miles on it. I already have plans to head into Scotland as well as some other trips.
Edited by theaxe on Saturday 25th April 07:26
Regarding the boot rubbing the bumper, if you're under warranty then get a dealer to fix it. It will mark the paint over time. Did that with mine. No quibbles.
The consensus on here is to definitely remove the parcel shelf to improve the cabin noise AND remove that fuse (note that the fuse numbers have changed over time/models - I'm sure someone will be along to comment)
Glad you are enjoying - road trips are a great idea and I am sure you will bump into a PHer from here on your travels, whether in Scotland or elsewhere. Happy motoring.
The consensus on here is to definitely remove the parcel shelf to improve the cabin noise AND remove that fuse (note that the fuse numbers have changed over time/models - I'm sure someone will be along to comment)
Glad you are enjoying - road trips are a great idea and I am sure you will bump into a PHer from here on your travels, whether in Scotland or elsewhere. Happy motoring.
Edited by SELON on Saturday 25th April 09:03
Glad you are enjoying, but not enough it seems, I have done 8K miles in mine now
"Ergonomics of the interior. It doesn't bother me, but things like the sport and fog light buttons being obscured by the gear-stick and the tiny, tiny buttons for the infotainment system can be a fiddle."
Ergonomics are laughable (in that you start laughing sometimes as it is so funny wrong)
- For some reason I find reversing difficult and prone to stalling. I wonder if the LSD is a factor here. Again, more practice required!
Reverse ratio on manuals equally laughable. More gas (not easy) required but that means you go quivkly. Sportshift is the only real fix
Questions..
- The boot lid seems to be rubbing the top of the bumper very slightly. Is there a fix for this?
Yes. Dealer can adjust (not sure why the factory cannot). Adjusting mine also fixed a rattle.
"Ergonomics of the interior. It doesn't bother me, but things like the sport and fog light buttons being obscured by the gear-stick and the tiny, tiny buttons for the infotainment system can be a fiddle."
Ergonomics are laughable (in that you start laughing sometimes as it is so funny wrong)
- For some reason I find reversing difficult and prone to stalling. I wonder if the LSD is a factor here. Again, more practice required!
Reverse ratio on manuals equally laughable. More gas (not easy) required but that means you go quivkly. Sportshift is the only real fix
Questions..
- The boot lid seems to be rubbing the top of the bumper very slightly. Is there a fix for this?
Yes. Dealer can adjust (not sure why the factory cannot). Adjusting mine also fixed a rattle.
hashluck said:
Questions..
- The boot lid seems to be rubbing the top of the bumper very slightly. Is there a fix for this?
Yes. Dealer can adjust (not sure why the factory cannot). Adjusting mine also fixed a rattle.
I always have a strip of Helitape fitted along the boot lid to bumper join line as the marks can often be from over shut as well,cheap fix and it works for me……...- The boot lid seems to be rubbing the top of the bumper very slightly. Is there a fix for this?
Yes. Dealer can adjust (not sure why the factory cannot). Adjusting mine also fixed a rattle.
Get the adjustment as well if needed...
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