Vantage Farewell Drive
Discussion
After a very enjoyable 14 months of 4.7 Vantage ownership I took it on its farewell drive before the weekend, nice little run through the villages to Lancasters at Cambridge.
Don't think it really appreciated me then introducing it to it's replacement a beatiful Vantage S Roadster in Cobalt Blue.
I was pleasantly surprised at the difference in drive between the two cars, considering that the changes individually between the two seem quite minor they combine to give a much improved experience.
Really enjoying the sound with the top down, definately a better aural experience than my coupe was.
Gratuitous shot of the two together.
I am finding it hard to believe that having dreamt about having an Aston Martin for years I have been lucky enough to be able to upgrade after such a short period of ownership.
As has been said in the "Expensive Visit To a Dealer" thread I know that Cobalt Blue isn't to everyones taste but personally I think it looks absolutely stunning and I just feel very priveledged to have it.
Don't think it really appreciated me then introducing it to it's replacement a beatiful Vantage S Roadster in Cobalt Blue.
I was pleasantly surprised at the difference in drive between the two cars, considering that the changes individually between the two seem quite minor they combine to give a much improved experience.
Really enjoying the sound with the top down, definately a better aural experience than my coupe was.
Gratuitous shot of the two together.
I am finding it hard to believe that having dreamt about having an Aston Martin for years I have been lucky enough to be able to upgrade after such a short period of ownership.
As has been said in the "Expensive Visit To a Dealer" thread I know that Cobalt Blue isn't to everyones taste but personally I think it looks absolutely stunning and I just feel very priveledged to have it.
Thanks one and all for the compliments, as for the questions regarding red as the next colour and V12 I would love to go for both combined but I think that unless circumstances change then even my man maths won't be able to get there. We can but dream and scheme though 
Spec wise and in answer to the other question grey calipers with the grey and diamond turned wheels with blue hood and interior. A bit of light blue contrast stitching would have finished it off a treat but as that will have to wait for the lottery win.
One thing is confusing me though, I removed fuse 22 (20 Amp) but the exhaust valves still seem to be operating. I read that on 12.25 model year cars it is fuse 15, looking in the fuse box fuse 15 isn't a 20 Amp so don't want to pull that one really. So when did 12.25 model year cars start? mine was registered in September 2011 but I know the releases often predated their designation.
I will be getting an override switch fitted but in the meantime would like a bit more volume low down in the rev range.
Spec wise and in answer to the other question grey calipers with the grey and diamond turned wheels with blue hood and interior. A bit of light blue contrast stitching would have finished it off a treat but as that will have to wait for the lottery win.
One thing is confusing me though, I removed fuse 22 (20 Amp) but the exhaust valves still seem to be operating. I read that on 12.25 model year cars it is fuse 15, looking in the fuse box fuse 15 isn't a 20 Amp so don't want to pull that one really. So when did 12.25 model year cars start? mine was registered in September 2011 but I know the releases often predated their designation.
I will be getting an override switch fitted but in the meantime would like a bit more volume low down in the rev range.
Congrats on the swap, it's a belter. Don't take this the wrong way but look in the manual for the fuse location, it could be either knowing AM. It may already have been taken out by the dealer ready for the first test drive when they got it in.
Are you going to Snetterton in it? Good opportunity to show it off
Are you going to Snetterton in it? Good opportunity to show it off
Thanks Jeff, according to the manual it's fuse 22, although coming from TVR's I never believe manuals as they are frequently inaccurate.
Away on holiday when you are at Snetterton, hope you have good weather and an even better time.
I am wondering if part of the noise effect is the air box which I understand has a opening flap which would presumably increase the induction noise.
If that is correct then the increase in volume could well be down to that instead of the exhaust valves still opening.
It sounds lovely anyway but I just love the deeper note that comes in at around 3000 rpm with the sport button depresssed.
I am surprised that a car like this defaults to a softer throttle response on start up, would have expected it to be the other way round.
Mind you if that is all I find to moan about then it can't be that bad.
Away on holiday when you are at Snetterton, hope you have good weather and an even better time.
I am wondering if part of the noise effect is the air box which I understand has a opening flap which would presumably increase the induction noise.
If that is correct then the increase in volume could well be down to that instead of the exhaust valves still opening.
It sounds lovely anyway but I just love the deeper note that comes in at around 3000 rpm with the sport button depresssed.
I am surprised that a car like this defaults to a softer throttle response on start up, would have expected it to be the other way round.
Mind you if that is all I find to moan about then it can't be that bad.
Laser Sag said:
One thing is confusing me though, I removed fuse 22 (20 Amp) but the exhaust valves still seem to be operating. I read that on 12.25 model year cars it is fuse 15, looking in the fuse box fuse 15 isn't a 20 Amp so don't want to pull that one really. So when did 12.25 model year cars start? mine was registered in September 2011 but I know the releases often predated their designation.
I will be getting an override switch fitted but in the meantime would like a bit more volume low down in the rev range.
From the FAQI will be getting an override switch fitted but in the meantime would like a bit more volume low down in the rev range.
Fuse22
The (in)famous Fuse 22 - supplies the power to the vacuum solenoid to keep the exhaust bypass valves open, so that the exhaust tone is kept constant from 1500 revs to 3000 revs. So the first thing you need to do after picking up your new Aston is remove the fuse to release the full aural effect at all revs. It will not damage your car in anyway. There have been reports of a few cars of the exhaust valves seizing through not being used. May be worth occasionally putting the fuse back in.
Its easy to remove, but there is more than one Fuse22 on the car DONT remove the one in the engine bay as the car will not start.
Video guide for the Vantage here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyF82sj6TYc&fea...
Is now Fuse 3 in the Virage & Fuse 15 on +MY12.25 Vantages.
So should be Fuse 15
Laser Sag said:
It sounds lovely anyway but I just love the deeper note that comes in at around 3000 rpm with the sport button depresssed.
I am surprised that a car like this defaults to a softer throttle response on start up, would have expected it to be the other way round.
Mind you if that is all I find to moan about then it can't be that bad.
On current MY cars there is a tick box under 'Car Settings' which says 'Keep Sport Mode Enabled' or something like that. Worth checking to see if yours has that option.I am surprised that a car like this defaults to a softer throttle response on start up, would have expected it to be the other way round.
Mind you if that is all I find to moan about then it can't be that bad.
It confused me for a while as I thought it meant 'Always enable Sport on start up' whereas what it actually does is remember Sport mode if you were previously in that mode. If you stopped the car with Sport off then it will be off next time. So 'remember Sport mode' is probably more apt.
I may be the only owner not pulling the fuse, I quite like that the car decides depending on several factors. I don't want to be all mouth and no trousers
Thanks Hashluck
I will have a look and see if that is an option.
I know what you mean about the noise but it just feels a little too quiet below the valve opening threshold. I found on my coupe that it offered the best of all worlds to have the remote switch. Having the option of factory settings, always open or always closed depending on how you felt on any given journey or part of just worked well.
I often take mine to work and when I arrive in the residential street where we are based its good to be quiet but on the journey there through the B roads its good to have all revs noise.
As a friend said you can take the boy out of the TVR but not the TVR out of the boy and that TVR bit really does mean the noise
I will have a look and see if that is an option.
I know what you mean about the noise but it just feels a little too quiet below the valve opening threshold. I found on my coupe that it offered the best of all worlds to have the remote switch. Having the option of factory settings, always open or always closed depending on how you felt on any given journey or part of just worked well.
I often take mine to work and when I arrive in the residential street where we are based its good to be quiet but on the journey there through the B roads its good to have all revs noise.
As a friend said you can take the boy out of the TVR but not the TVR out of the boy and that TVR bit really does mean the noise
Laser Sag said:
Thanks Jeff, according to the manual it's fuse 22, although coming from TVR's I never believe manuals as they are frequently inaccurate.
Away on holiday when you are at Snetterton, hope you have good weather and an even better time.
I am wondering if part of the noise effect is the air box which I understand has a opening flap which would presumably increase the induction noise.
If that is correct then the increase in volume could well be down to that instead of the exhaust valves still opening.
It sounds lovely anyway but I just love the deeper note that comes in at around 3000 rpm with the sport button depresssed.
I am surprised that a car like this defaults to a softer throttle response on start up, would have expected it to be the other way round.
Mind you if that is all I find to moan about then it can't be that bad.
It's a Aston not a TVR a bit more subtle.Away on holiday when you are at Snetterton, hope you have good weather and an even better time.
I am wondering if part of the noise effect is the air box which I understand has a opening flap which would presumably increase the induction noise.
If that is correct then the increase in volume could well be down to that instead of the exhaust valves still opening.
It sounds lovely anyway but I just love the deeper note that comes in at around 3000 rpm with the sport button depresssed.
I am surprised that a car like this defaults to a softer throttle response on start up, would have expected it to be the other way round.
Mind you if that is all I find to moan about then it can't be that bad.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff