I really want to love my V8 Vantage but....
Discussion
OP,
Don't ditch the Aston you'll regret it,everything can be over come with a little practical thought I'm sure.
Douglas Bader wanted to fly Spitfires…………he endeavoured and he flew………….
So if you really want to drive the Aston you've got very little to worry about by comparison.
Have you visited a dealer or good Indie and asked there advice as you never know the answer might be out there waiting for you.
A slight seat rail modification or some bolstering to the fixed height maybe,I don't know I'm just thinking out loud and no I'm not taking the piss but merely
trying to keep you with the brand.
Hope you find a satisfactory solution………..
Don't ditch the Aston you'll regret it,everything can be over come with a little practical thought I'm sure.
Douglas Bader wanted to fly Spitfires…………he endeavoured and he flew………….
So if you really want to drive the Aston you've got very little to worry about by comparison.
Have you visited a dealer or good Indie and asked there advice as you never know the answer might be out there waiting for you.
A slight seat rail modification or some bolstering to the fixed height maybe,I don't know I'm just thinking out loud and no I'm not taking the piss but merely
trying to keep you with the brand.
Hope you find a satisfactory solution………..
Wozy68 said:
RichB said:
Humm... if you drive a land rover then I can see why you've got accustomed to that sit up and beg driving position. Had you ever driven any sports cars prior to buying the Aston? I wouldn't have thought a V8V is any more laid-back than a 911 or whatever but either way, they are not cars for twisty, narrow country lanes. You're probably right to use the jeep for that keep the sports/GT for when you'll stretch it's legs.
p.s. I'm a bit concerned to think that maybe you just hammer round blind bends normally because you're in something big that you don't mind scratching on the hedgerow! I'm sure that's not what you meant
p.p.s. Oh, yeah, you were a TVR chap weren't you, so what you moaning about!
I've driven a lot of nice cars, use a Landy as my daily and the first thing I asked when I sat in a V8 was can the seat lift. You do feel very low in the Vantage IMO and I'm 5.11.p.s. I'm a bit concerned to think that maybe you just hammer round blind bends normally because you're in something big that you don't mind scratching on the hedgerow! I'm sure that's not what you meant
p.p.s. Oh, yeah, you were a TVR chap weren't you, so what you moaning about!
mikey k said:
I've found the trick is to visualise where the wheels are in you head and overlay that on what you see out the window, rather than having to actually see the extremities.
I am 5'8 and use the above tactics, works a treat for me, the Missus sometimes means that this corner might have been a close one but close is fast isn't it?Cheers
Christian
avinalarf said:
No idea Valhalla ..........I'm baffled.....,unfortunately there is a section of posters on this forum that do not empathise with handicapped persons.
This is of course disgraceful and completely non p.c.
May I apologise for their behaviour as its not your fault you are vertically challenged.
Good luck with your new car and I sincerely hope that you will find a way to find a suitable thingy to help you see over the steering wheel.
You are still taking the p**s. I suppose you think you are being funny mate. Well I don't see it that way. I never thought I would get insulting comments like this.But I have heard all about you. You seem to think you are a funny guy.So grow up mate!This is of course disgraceful and completely non p.c.
May I apologise for their behaviour as its not your fault you are vertically challenged.
Good luck with your new car and I sincerely hope that you will find a way to find a suitable thingy to help you see over the steering wheel.
Besides that I have had a few sensible replies sent to me. Thanks to all of those members.
Are you sure you don't mean 4'6" ?
I'm 5'6" and when I had my Aston none of what you describe even entered my head. I had the seat about as far forward as it would go. I couldn't see the end bonnet but then my previous cars (Esprits and Noble) I also couldn't see the end of the bonnet.
It sounds to me more like you are just not used to not seeing the end of the bonnet as opposed to not being able to see out of it.
I'm 5'6" and when I had my Aston none of what you describe even entered my head. I had the seat about as far forward as it would go. I couldn't see the end bonnet but then my previous cars (Esprits and Noble) I also couldn't see the end of the bonnet.
It sounds to me more like you are just not used to not seeing the end of the bonnet as opposed to not being able to see out of it.
downr said:
I might be stating the obvious, but have you compared the seat travel with another car (check it out with a dealer maybe). I'm sure my DB9 seat moves up and down by more than an inch, so it may be a fault
This is a good pointMy first Aston had VERY limited seat travel after some warranty work
It was resolved with some more warranty work
You can't "see" even at 6' tall, the waistline is very high - hence the beautiful shape.
Maybe some track time, getting the car accurately on an apex will allow you to "feel" the car's size. I'm in a Z4 now and it's the same, you can't "see" the extremities. I used the edge of the mirrors as my width guide and found it worked well.
It's worth a look at the seat mechanism as well if it's not moving far, an inch sounds less than it should move vertically in total.
Maybe some track time, getting the car accurately on an apex will allow you to "feel" the car's size. I'm in a Z4 now and it's the same, you can't "see" the extremities. I used the edge of the mirrors as my width guide and found it worked well.
It's worth a look at the seat mechanism as well if it's not moving far, an inch sounds less than it should move vertically in total.
Phil74891 said:
I have the same issue, being 5'8" and 17/32nds, in that I've noticed that when driving I can't see any of my Vantage out of the windows - except the wing mirrors. It's never bothered me. I think just drive it every day for a bit and you'll get used to it. I refuse to sit on a cushion though, and have yet to resort to any of Avinalarf's somewhat dubious activities, whether they be legal, or not.
I'm 6'2" and my head nearly brushes the roof with the seat at its lowest. All Ican see of the car's exterior from the driver's seat is the mirrors (and the view of the edge of the rear arches in them) and a foot of bonnet, up to the first few inches of the long vents.OP - I think this is more about what you're used to. Your driving position is probably as it's intended to be in the Vantage. I'm 6'0" but that puts my eye line only 2 inches above yours. I have the seat all the way down, but still feel like I'm about 2 inches too high. I'd be interested in a kit to make the seat lower!
I've driven the car on narrow country lanes and would agree it's not at all fun in that environment. You can't see much of the car, I think the curve of the bonnet prevents that regardless of how high you sit. Oncoming Freelander drivers expect you to dive out of the way, that kind of thing
My Vantage now feels normal to me, as it's my daily driver. I feel like I'm perched on top of a horse and carriage if I get into a 'normal' car. I've not climbed into a Freelander type vehicle for a while, but would imagine that feels like walking on stilts to me now.
You get used to what you know, and you have two fairly extreme ends of the spectrum that you're alternating between. I guess an Elise isn't high on your shopping list, you sit 1 inch above the floor pan!
Best suggestion so far is to use the Aston more
Oh, Avinalarf, seriously? You're a f
king tt.
I've driven the car on narrow country lanes and would agree it's not at all fun in that environment. You can't see much of the car, I think the curve of the bonnet prevents that regardless of how high you sit. Oncoming Freelander drivers expect you to dive out of the way, that kind of thing
My Vantage now feels normal to me, as it's my daily driver. I feel like I'm perched on top of a horse and carriage if I get into a 'normal' car. I've not climbed into a Freelander type vehicle for a while, but would imagine that feels like walking on stilts to me now.
You get used to what you know, and you have two fairly extreme ends of the spectrum that you're alternating between. I guess an Elise isn't high on your shopping list, you sit 1 inch above the floor pan!
Best suggestion so far is to use the Aston more
Oh, Avinalarf, seriously? You're a f
king tt.valhalla said:
avinalarf said:
No idea Valhalla ..........I'm baffled.....,unfortunately there is a section of posters on this forum that do not empathise with handicapped persons.
This is of course disgraceful and completely non p.c.
May I apologise for their behaviour as its not your fault you are vertically challenged.
Good luck with your new car and I sincerely hope that you will find a way to find a suitable thingy to help you see over the steering wheel.
You are still taking the p**s. I suppose you think you are being funny mate. Well I don't see it that way. I never thought I would get insulting comments like this.But I have heard all about you. You seem to think you are a funny guy.So grow up mate!This is of course disgraceful and completely non p.c.
May I apologise for their behaviour as its not your fault you are vertically challenged.
Good luck with your new car and I sincerely hope that you will find a way to find a suitable thingy to help you see over the steering wheel.
Besides that I have had a few sensible replies sent to me. Thanks to all of those members.
twas smirkinly amusing anyway. (am I allowed to say that?) But you have had some good posts as well. You have a Lovely car, hope you can find a way to enjoy it more.
What a lot of nonsense.
A short person has a problem with seeing and judging the length of the bonnet.
Solutions....
1) Use a booster seat......OP has tried this and it's proved unsatisfactory.
2) Phone or take car in to an Aston main dealer and see....
a) If there is a problem with raising the seat
b)If seat is operating correctly ask whether any adjustments can be made.
It's not bloody rocket science.
To the OP .....I shall not post silly answers to your posts again ,it was meant as a larf ,obviously you didn't find it so.
To Johhny42....in the spirit of your unnessary use of foul language.....go fk yourself...
A short person has a problem with seeing and judging the length of the bonnet.
Solutions....
1) Use a booster seat......OP has tried this and it's proved unsatisfactory.
2) Phone or take car in to an Aston main dealer and see....
a) If there is a problem with raising the seat
b)If seat is operating correctly ask whether any adjustments can be made.
It's not bloody rocket science.
To the OP .....I shall not post silly answers to your posts again ,it was meant as a larf ,obviously you didn't find it so.
To Johhny42....in the spirit of your unnessary use of foul language.....go f
k yourself...cayman-black said:
LOL :avinalarf are you aving a larf or what ?
To be honest I was getting bored with it but I had a spare moment so I thought I'd post one last time.As you may know I'm 6'6" tall and 18 stone.....this has led to many risible comments on PH which I have taken in good spirit as they were just avinalarf and obviously without malice,however we are not all the same.
avinalarf said:
cayman-black said:
LOL :avinalarf are you aving a larf or what ?
To be honest I was getting bored with it but I had a spare moment so I thought I'd post one last time.As you may know I'm 6'6" tall and 18 stone.....this has led to many risible comments on PH which I have taken in good spirit as they were just avinalarf and obviously without malice,however we are not all the same.
downr said:
avinalarf said:
cayman-black said:
LOL :avinalarf are you aving a larf or what ?
To be honest I was getting bored with it but I had a spare moment so I thought I'd post one last time.As you may know I'm 6'6" tall and 18 stone.....this has led to many risible comments on PH which I have taken in good spirit as they were just avinalarf and obviously without malice,however we are not all the same.
Hi Avinalaugh. Sorry I Got a bit riled up previously. And never meant to say what I said to you. Yes I actually love the banter on here.But I don't even know you(yet).
My wife puts my tentativeness down to my age. As I don't drive the Aston like I did all the TVR's I've had. I'd like to thank you all,including Avinalaugh
for all of the advice you have given so far. Just been out and checked the seat. And I guess it has a fault,as it only rises up about two inches. So I will be getting it looked at.
You have all inspired me to give it a good go before I do something silly like selling the car.
Thanks Dave
My wife puts my tentativeness down to my age. As I don't drive the Aston like I did all the TVR's I've had. I'd like to thank you all,including Avinalaugh
for all of the advice you have given so far. Just been out and checked the seat. And I guess it has a fault,as it only rises up about two inches. So I will be getting it looked at. You have all inspired me to give it a good go before I do something silly like selling the car.
Thanks Dave
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff