F Type V8 - AM Vantage V8 manual

[ST270]

Hi all,

I m currently in a 2015 Jaguar F-Type V8 and thinking about switching to a 2010 manual 4.7 V8 Vantage as my daily, doing around 6k miles per year.

For those who ve driven or owned both (or daily a Vantage), would love to hear:

How they compare day-to-day chassis feel, steering, ride quality in traffic/commute

Manual gearbox experience in the Vantage engaging and usable, or a handful in town?

Build quality and practicality for regular use

Ownership bits reliability, common quirks,

Anything you d miss from the F-Type (or things the Aston absolutely wins at)

I m not chasing track times more interested in character, engagement and a daily that still feels special.

The cars are of a similar design language but i find myself not using the Jags power very often (too fast?) - but i love the burble at any revs & thought the Vantage would replicate this with lower power to use a little more of when appropriate

any feedback welcomed!

[TVRBRZ]

Right. I'm going to stick my neck out here:

OP, everything you say you want can be found in spades in an Evora. Burble - check (changes to a howl on demand), something special - check, practical - check, reliable check, low servicing costs check.

There are Evora daily drivers out there. For 12 months I did use it and a bicycle as my only form of transport. Went camping in it, eveything (see pic for luggage capacity, it all went in plus passenger).

Please - do not immediately dismiss what I am saying. Go drive one, then tell me I'm wrong.

[bobsavage789]

I have nothing useful to add, I’m afraid.

I’m considering both a V8 F Type and a V8 Vantage (albeit 4.3) for my next fun car, so am just here for information-gathering!

[davek_964]

ST270 said:

Manual gearbox experience in the Vantage engaging and usable, or a handful in town?

I ran a Vantage for about 4 years - albeit a 2007 4.3.
Manual gearbox is fine but the clutch gets very heavy as they age which becomes a pain. And - because they cost about £3-4k to replace, a lot of them are running with very heavy clutches - so watch out for that.

Overall, mine was a fairly painless experience. It was a mostly daily - I had a few other cars, but it was the main one I used at the time.

bobsavage789 said:

I have nothing useful to add, I m afraid.

I m considering both a V8 F Type and a V8 Vantage (albeit 4.3) for my next fun car, so am just here for information-gathering!

I liked mine a lot - I enjoyed the experience of driving it. But I would struggle to call it fun.

The 4.3 engine is.......a bit crap really. It has no urge at all - there is no feeling of acceleration out of corners. It isn't a slow car - if you look at the speedo, it accelerates quickly enough - but it really doesn't feel like it does.

I believe the 4.7 is much better. I'd rather have a 4.3 than no Aston, but make sure you drive one before you buy. I loved mine, but even then wouldn't have described it as a "fun" car.

[bobsavage789]

davek_964 said:

ST270 said:

Manual gearbox experience in the Vantage engaging and usable, or a handful in town?

I ran a Vantage for about 4 years - albeit a 2007 4.3.
Manual gearbox is fine but the clutch gets very heavy as they age which becomes a pain. And - because they cost about £3-4k to replace, a lot of them are running with very heavy clutches - so watch out for that.

Overall, mine was a fairly painless experience. It was a mostly daily - I had a few other cars, but it was the main one I used at the time.

bobsavage789 said:

I have nothing useful to add, I m afraid.

I m considering both a V8 F Type and a V8 Vantage (albeit 4.3) for my next fun car, so am just here for information-gathering!

I liked mine a lot - I enjoyed the experience of driving it. But I would struggle to call it fun.

The 4.3 engine is.......a bit crap really. It has no urge at all - there is no feeling of acceleration out of corners. It isn't a slow car - if you look at the speedo, it accelerates quickly enough - but it really doesn't feel like it does.

I believe the 4.7 is much better. I'd rather have a 4.3 than no Aston, but make sure you drive one before you buy. I loved mine, but even then wouldn't have described it as a "fun" car.

That’s useful to know: thanks.

You make it sound like the massive running costs of the Vantage aren’t worth it…

[davek_964]

I didn't find the running costs were massive. Obviously not Ford Fiesta costs, but nothing scary (I didn't pay for a clutch!).

I loved the car, and I enjoyed driving it - but if I wanted 'fun' it isn't a car I'd choose.
I suspect the 4.7 is better in that regard because I think it does feel faster.
Mine was great, but not a 'take it down a twisty road at the weekend' type car.

I guess the best summary is : I fully expect to own another Aston Martin, because I did like mine a lot.

[Mr_Megalomaniac]

Having driven the V8 Vantage (manual), but not the F-type; I think you might be a bit underwhelmed and disappointed to be honest.
The finish was alright, but not spectacular. I personally think the finish in my Jag is better (but it is 10 years newer). The power and sound were fun, certainly, but I can't imagine that taking a step down in power is really going to scratch any itches.

If it is driving feel and experience you're more after, a Maserati GT might be a better fit. Additionally I found the Audi R8 (V8) to be more than competent, quite fun, well built, even if just a touch on the side of lacking true excitement (You could always find a V10 instead?)
Alternatively a classic?

Edited by Mr_Megalomaniac on Wednesday 4th February 23:38