V8V Showcase Edition
Discussion
Well it’s been about 8 months since picking up the V8V, so thought it was about time I put up a few initial thoughts. This is my first foray into owning a high end brand, my last two cars were Imprezas so I was a little apprehensive coming from 4WD back to 2. In practice it’s not been an issue as the Vantage has great grip, although it will never match the Impreza for getting the power down.
Showcase edition means it has most options fitted, which is nice
There’s so much I don’t like, when you insert the ECU will you get a Red light for ignition or not, the cheap looking mesh used for the bonnet vents, (the pieces below the rear bumper are even worse). The way the boot area gets soaked if you lift the hatch after you’ve washed it, the notchtastic gearbox when it’s cold, or the horrible cheap looking arm rest pads. The little foibles, like the way they’ve ingeniously obscured the high beam light behind the steering wheel, or the randomness of the front parking sensors, why do you have to manually switch on the front ones, but not the back? By way of compensation, the auto misting headlamps are at least working a treat.
The only one that really bothers me is the starting issue, despite adopting the flat of the hand technique, it’s still very random. I know it’s a common issue, but It’s even more annoying that every other Aston I’ve been in starts without problem, even when the key is just inserted and rammed home regardless.
But.............there’s even more to like and I’m absolutely loving it
it has soul by the bucket load.
I’m more than willing to forgive its little characteristics, in fact it’s those little things that make it different (not always a bad thing IMO). My local dealer response to a few issues has so far been very good. Warranty is up shortly, I’m still undecided but will probably renew for the first year and see what happens after that. As for all those little issues, well that's just an excuse for a bit of upgrading here and there
Showcase edition means it has most options fitted, which is nice
There’s so much I don’t like, when you insert the ECU will you get a Red light for ignition or not, the cheap looking mesh used for the bonnet vents, (the pieces below the rear bumper are even worse). The way the boot area gets soaked if you lift the hatch after you’ve washed it, the notchtastic gearbox when it’s cold, or the horrible cheap looking arm rest pads. The little foibles, like the way they’ve ingeniously obscured the high beam light behind the steering wheel, or the randomness of the front parking sensors, why do you have to manually switch on the front ones, but not the back? By way of compensation, the auto misting headlamps are at least working a treat.
The only one that really bothers me is the starting issue, despite adopting the flat of the hand technique, it’s still very random. I know it’s a common issue, but It’s even more annoying that every other Aston I’ve been in starts without problem, even when the key is just inserted and rammed home regardless.
But.............there’s even more to like and I’m absolutely loving it
it has soul by the bucket load.I’m more than willing to forgive its little characteristics, in fact it’s those little things that make it different (not always a bad thing IMO). My local dealer response to a few issues has so far been very good. Warranty is up shortly, I’m still undecided but will probably renew for the first year and see what happens after that. As for all those little issues, well that's just an excuse for a bit of upgrading here and there
triple5 said:
the randomness of the front parking sensors, why do you have to manually switch on the front ones, but not the back?
you do switch on the back ones, when you put it in reverse. If the front ones were on all the time surely it would piss you off in traffic. edit to add, I'm sure some other manufacturers have a better system, I don't have front sensors on any of my cars.
Edited by outofstepuk on Wednesday 12th June 09:14
outofstepuk said:
triple5 said:
the randomness of the front parking sensors, why do you have to manually switch on the front ones, but not the back?
you do switch on the back ones, when you put it in reverse. If the front ones were on all the time surely it would piss you off in traffic. edit to add, I'm sure some other manufacturers have a better system, I don't have front sensors on any of my cars.
Edited by outofstepuk on Wednesday 12th June 09:14
The Aston system for me works well. More than half the time I want the front sensors operational, I've already hit reverse so the sensors are already on. Those times I haven't hit reverse first, I'm obviously going slowly if I need the front sensors operational, so it's easy to hit the huge P button. Perhaps it's just a question of what we are each respectively used to but as I say, I find it intuitive and I wouldn't want to change anything about it, which makes a change !!!
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