Any V8V 4.3 owners?

[tonyhall38]

out of season...and very childish ....perhaps next year....if your good...

[AMDBSVNick]

tonyhall38 said:

and very childish

[tonyhall38]

..will the rest of the br boys be along soon.....i do like a good party...

Edited by tonyhall38 on Wednesday 11th January 15:23

[telum01]

Frances The Mute said:

It doesn't need more power, it just needs the right roads to actually exploit the car.

I've driven my car on some incredible roads and several tracks. The standard car is great - that's why I've had mine for 5 years and counting. But driving a standard 4.3L back-to-back with a modified one with more power and less weight, you can see that there's a massive amount of potential for the car. I started working on weight savings because I hated the way the car felt during quick side-to-side transitions, like you feel in esses on a track or a sharp, windy canyon road. There's a lot of unnecessary weight in the car, and getting rid of it makes a world of difference. Combined with some extra power, it's a silly fun car.

[northernmedia]

martindesu said:

I originally asked the question not to start a "which is better"—money no object I wouldn't be looking at the 4.3L Vantage. I know they're practical enough to use every day, and I love the idea of that. I think I do prefer the 4.7 interior for the most part, perhaps except the cup holder position—what else about to older 4.3 interior do people like? The switches look a bit dated to me but I'd get over that in a heart beat.

Are you new around here?

[davek_964]

martindesu said:

I originally asked the question not to start a "which is better"—money no object I wouldn't be looking at the 4.3L Vantage. I know they're practical enough to use every day, and I love the idea of that. I think I do prefer the 4.7 interior for the most part, perhaps except the cup holder position—what else about to older 4.3 interior do people like? The switches look a bit dated to me but I'd get over that in a heart beat.

Funnily enough, it was the switches on the centre console I disliked on the later car. I much prefer the console on the 4.3.
I also liked some of my options that a later car would lose (heated windscreen).
I'm sure I'll be happy to buy a 4.7 one day, but I am aware that there are negatives as well as positives when I do.

There are occasional days when I wish the Aston felt faster (note the word 'felt' - it feels slower than it is) but they are rare, and have got rarer the longer I've had the car. I am spoiled though, and this is not my 'fun' car.

[Graze01]

Martin

I have an 07 V8V manual. Purchased it 6 months ago after years driving a series of RS audis.

I have not driven a 4.7 but given extra torque, power and uprated suspension and steering it must be a step up - but at a cost.

I have done 10,000km over the six months. About half of it in two long interstate trips. The balance has been work related trips and some high speed quality country driving.

I love the cabin and the simple design of the waterfall with the radio and rectangular touch buttons and analogue clock. I have uprated the radio knobs to aluminium and the cabin lights to LED (thanks Redpants). The seats are comfortable and provide good restraints to sideways forces during cornering.

I don't have sat Nav and the waterfall is a Matt carbon which is my preferred option - piano black would be unbearable with reflections in the harsher Aussie sunlight.

The standard 160W stereo is more than adequate for my ears but I am sure the 700w would be better although for me not essential.

Driving -as a tourer it is sublime, plenty of power (if you use the gears and get the revs above 4000) to pass anyone, anywhere safely. My test has always been if you change down, indicate overtake and change up and can be back in the lane before you have time to indicate again the car is quick enough - the Vantage passes this test. And it sounds brilliant while doing it!

On fast B road driving it is balanced and predictable, with revs in the right range it is very stable and the accelerator can provide plenty of control mid corner to adjust the aspect of the car. I have not had it as fast as 200km an hour yet but at speed it handles bumps and undulations well and feels safe. Ask my wife!j

The clutch - not overly heavy in my view but heavier than the 2007 RS4. The gearbox - a bit clunky when cold but otherwise the change is direct and the spring weighting of the gate suits me perfectly.

Yes it could be faster, lighter, tauter suspension but as an all round car it is very accomplished

Am I an Aston convert after 14 years of Audis - absolutely! Will I trade it for a 4.7S or GT - probably in a few years but if I don't then this car is more than enough for me

Good luck with your search and purchase - you will end up with a car you will love and a smile every time you see it or drive it

Hope this helps

Graze

[TKP]

martindesu said:

I originally asked the question not to start a "which is better"—money no object I wouldn't be looking at the 4.3L Vantage. I know they're practical enough to use every day, and I love the idea of that. I think I do prefer the 4.7 interior for the most part, perhaps except the cup holder position—what else about to older 4.3 interior do people like? The switches look a bit dated to me but I'd get over that in a heart beat.

I've driven a 4.3 SS Coupe on a race track (Zandvoort) and I think my 4.7 manual Roadster is definitely feeling more powerful. However, it was a lot of fun on the track.

But I think the comparison is just not fair - the 4.3 has 380hp, that's a lot of horses and more than 4 liters is a lot of capacity. In direct comparison the 4.7 is of course the better car but that doesn't make the 4.3 a bad car. I've driven on the same racetrack on the same day later on an AMG GT. This car is so much better in everything it does and can, precise, perfect handling, cool sound as well, incredible gearbox. But it's a brand new car and just because it's great, a 4.7 or 4.3 is not rubbish.

Interior 4.3 vs. 4.7? Who cares. That's unimportant details. I think the key is stty on the 4.3. but even that - who cares? Premium sound? Totally overrated. I have it, I never turn it on. My BMW F31 has a far better sound system. Who cares?

PDC back & front, that is something I would consider important and HID lights if it should be a DD.

[davek_964]

martindesu said:

davek_964, Graze01, thank you both for your comments. Exactly the kind of owner feedback I was after. The 4.3 is plenty quick enough. It's not about speed. It wasn't when I got my SL55 and that thing shifted like crazy!

Did you buy dealer cars? Privately? That's my next task - get a bit of finance with a dealer or a small bank loan and buy privately...

Thoughts? And thanks again all for the discussion so far

I bought privately.

If you want a more detailed ownership experience, have a read of this - starts with me asking the same questions as you, but then continues with updates during my ownership :

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[shunt]

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/compariso...

😊😊😊

Keep your rose tinted red pants on lads. My old rear lights àre in the post tomorrow to ànother failed LED chap.

[divetheworld]

I did start to write something quite meaningful but deleted it. Instead I thought I'd write something accurate.

There's those who know, and those who don't know. And there's those who don't know they don't know.

[davek_964]

shunt said:

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/compariso...

??????

Keep your rose tinted red pants on lads. My old rear lights àre in the post tomorrow to ànother failed LED chap.

As has already been said, car choice is an emotional decision. If not, considering practicality, running costs and UK speed limits - we'd all be driving Honda Jazz's.
My mate has a Jag (XKR maybe?) and it's a lovely car - however, I have absolutely zero desire to own a Jag - F Type or otherwise.

[ChilliWhizz]

divetheworld said:

I did start to write something quite meaningful but deleted it. Instead I thought I'd write something accurate.

There's those who know, and those who don't know. And there's those who don't know they don't know.

And remember, man will sit in chair with mouth open for very long time before roast duck fly in....

[RobDown]

ChilliWhizz said:

divetheworld said:

I did start to write something quite meaningful but deleted it. Instead I thought I'd write something accurate.

There's those who know, and those who don't know. And there's those who don't know they don't know.

And remember, man will sit in chair with mouth open for very long time before roast duck fly in....

Wise words indeed!

[Graze01]

martindesu said:

davek_964, Graze01, thank you both for your comments. Exactly the kind of owner feedback I was after. The 4.3 is plenty quick enough. It's not about speed. It wasn't when I got my SL55 and that thing shifted like crazy!

Did you buy dealer cars? Privately? That's my next task - get a bit of finance with a dealer or a small bank loan and buy privately...

Thoughts? And thanks again all for the discussion so far

k

I bought from a dealer, cars in Australia are dearer than the U.S. Or UK (govt taxes and charges), so a bit over $100k was my limit and that meant 2007 or 2006 cars. I chose low kms (30,000) with the Aston Warranty.

Now I know the cars I'd buy the next one privately but as my first time I wanted the security of the warranty just in case as the purchase price was pretty much "all in" for me

Good luck and keep us informed

Graeme

[northernmedia]

divetheworld said:

I did start to write something quite meaningful but deleted it. Instead I thought I'd write something accurate.

There's those who know, and those who don't know. And there's those who don't know they don't know.

Ahh yes, and don't forget about those known unknowns. Get you every time!

[James Alexander]

Hi,

I agree with all points with regards to the speed, the 4.3 feels slightly underwhelming after a while, but who cares, the whole experience is what you buy one for.

I've attached an image of mine.......was looking for a DB9 but when this came up at McGurks, I pushed the button within a day of it arriving in his showroom. Go for it, you will not be disappointed..

[M3ax]

James Alexander said:

Hi,

I agree with all points with regards to the speed, the 4.3 feels slightly underwhelming after a while, but who cares, the whole experience is what you buy one for.

I've attached an image of mine.......was looking for a DB9 but when this came up at McGurks, I pushed the button within a day of it arriving in his showroom. Go for it, you will not be disappointed..

That looks lovely. Very pure.

[James Alexander]

M3ax said:

That looks lovely. Very pure.

Thanks Max......nice to get a positive response.......probably a bit of a marmite colour for some.

The last owner really knew his onions, as its painted in the same colour they won Le Mans in 2007 (same age as the car) !!!!!!!

One thing I feel about Aston Martin ownership........You never feel like its true owner ! As if you are a custodian for a few years until you pass it on to someone else........

[M3ax]

What is the colour btw?