So what don’t you like about your new shape Vantage?
Discussion
I don’t think the new design is particularly more color sensitive than the prior. It’s just that we get to see more colors with the new one and thus more opinions ( mostly negative) on the broader color choices. Not surprising considering we all know shades of silver and black always win the popularity polls.
For instance, I think reds and Madagascar orange looked great on the old car when you find it. I seem to remember plenty of negative comments about yellow, and “ lipstick issues” with the old car.
The lime essence press car freaked out a number of old timers, probably the same that had an issue with yellow in the past ( my guess).
Finally, I think colors typically need to be seen “in the flesh”. Photos just never seem to do cars justice. Greys and silvers not so much.
YMMV
For instance, I think reds and Madagascar orange looked great on the old car when you find it. I seem to remember plenty of negative comments about yellow, and “ lipstick issues” with the old car.
The lime essence press car freaked out a number of old timers, probably the same that had an issue with yellow in the past ( my guess).
Finally, I think colors typically need to be seen “in the flesh”. Photos just never seem to do cars justice. Greys and silvers not so much.
YMMV
My now departed Vantage in Elwood Blue - only issue I had with it was the " Zero Backlash Coupling " ( drive plate damper ) which needed realignment.
Great to drive and whilst noise was a bit artificial with the pops and bangs especially in Sports + it was not the end of the world.
Cabin very high quality ( mine was heavy on the alcantara ) and the front although not necessarily to my total liking ( rear view was always the best ) not a problem when driving ! Whilst I regret selling my V12S I only sold the V8 due to lockdown ( I used it daily to commute ) and would have had to sell the V12 for the same reason probably.
The GT8 is still in the garage though ( will never sell ) but along with the new Vantage never seemed huge love for that on here either - probably the colour and the " over the top " nature.
Will find a few pics.
Great to drive and whilst noise was a bit artificial with the pops and bangs especially in Sports + it was not the end of the world.
Cabin very high quality ( mine was heavy on the alcantara ) and the front although not necessarily to my total liking ( rear view was always the best ) not a problem when driving ! Whilst I regret selling my V12S I only sold the V8 due to lockdown ( I used it daily to commute ) and would have had to sell the V12 for the same reason probably.
The GT8 is still in the garage though ( will never sell ) but along with the new Vantage never seemed huge love for that on here either - probably the colour and the " over the top " nature.
Will find a few pics.
|https://thumbsnap.com/pRSjUicn[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/HYvopfdG[/url]
Bit of history for context, previously owned this 4.3 Vantage which was bitterly disappointing, it drove well and looked pretty but failed to excite and had the worst clutch and manual gear change of anything driven before or since:-
The 4.3 was replaced with a 570s which was spectacular for the 4 years I had it. An utter joy to own, and only sold due to the small spike in values.
The 570s was replaced with this highly spec’d new Vantage a few months ago and so far it’s proven to be great fun, surprisingly quick and with a soundtrack to die for. Interestingly, both the 570s and the Vantage had near identical list prices with options of circa £150k so a fair comparison.
Now I love the way it looks, it has presence and purpose which is helped by the bold colour IMHO, the huge bonnet looks bland in certain light and would benefit from some contrasting vents, but otherwise I think it’s exactly what a modern sporting GT should be.
The satnav is fussy to program compared to the system in my daily Audi but I just need to spend more time using it, and whilst the cabin is a wonderful place to sit, visibility is no where near as good as the McLaren was but again maybe I just need more time to fine-tune the driving position. At the moment I do find it hard to judge where the corners of the car are!
The one thing I would certainly look to change is the balance between the brakes and the gearbox, being an auto it wants to creep which is fine but the brakes are so over-servo’d it’s difficult to modulate without it lurching and grabbing, especially in traffic. The 8 speed ‘box is excellent though, especially when using the paddles so at least we have an Aston with a functional cog shifter… which is nice.
The 4.3 was replaced with a 570s which was spectacular for the 4 years I had it. An utter joy to own, and only sold due to the small spike in values.
The 570s was replaced with this highly spec’d new Vantage a few months ago and so far it’s proven to be great fun, surprisingly quick and with a soundtrack to die for. Interestingly, both the 570s and the Vantage had near identical list prices with options of circa £150k so a fair comparison.
Now I love the way it looks, it has presence and purpose which is helped by the bold colour IMHO, the huge bonnet looks bland in certain light and would benefit from some contrasting vents, but otherwise I think it’s exactly what a modern sporting GT should be.
The satnav is fussy to program compared to the system in my daily Audi but I just need to spend more time using it, and whilst the cabin is a wonderful place to sit, visibility is no where near as good as the McLaren was but again maybe I just need more time to fine-tune the driving position. At the moment I do find it hard to judge where the corners of the car are!
The one thing I would certainly look to change is the balance between the brakes and the gearbox, being an auto it wants to creep which is fine but the brakes are so over-servo’d it’s difficult to modulate without it lurching and grabbing, especially in traffic. The 8 speed ‘box is excellent though, especially when using the paddles so at least we have an Aston with a functional cog shifter… which is nice.
The Surveyor said:
The one thing I would certainly look to change is the balance between the brakes and the gearbox, being an auto it wants to creep which is fine but the brakes are so over-servo’d it’s difficult to modulate without it lurching and grabbing, especially in traffic. The 8 speed ‘box is excellent though, especially when using the paddles so at least we have an Aston with a functional cog shifter… which is nice.
If your car is an early example('18-'19) the grabby brakes were a complaint addressed by a software update IIRC? Might be worth asking your main dealer.Similar story to Paul above. I’ve had three Astons. Started with an SP10 manual then a DBS and finally got into the V12V which I really wanted after going on a Hoon with fellow owners…the noise of that V12 was something else.
Sp10
V12V
The V12V was certainly a step up from the V8V. Plenty of drama, wheel spin in almost any gear and the V12 made the best sound. But after a few months of ownership I wasn’t feeling it with the car and my head/heart was turned by a McLaren 540S. This was light years ahead of the V12V in terms of driving experience, driver view, cornering and even though it was the entry level sports series it was super quick. It got the most interest from Joe Public than any other car I’ve owned.
This was sold due to house build. Once complete I was back in the market for a daily drive car, which is why I went back to Aston and got a new Vantage manual with slat grill (my preference).
So, OP, to answer your post, I’ve had her a year now and not had one fault to report. There’s nothing I don’t like and the looks have grown on me big time. I think the rear and the haunches look fantastic. I smile every time I look at the rear styling…super aggressive IMHO. I also love the interior it’s a great place to sit. The 7 speed manual is very engaging in that I feel more part of the driving experience. This is going to go against the grain of many of the regular posters on here, but I think the new Vantage (IMHO) makes the older model look very dated now. I think Aston call it timeless. I wouldn’t go back to an older Vantage…I would go back to Mclaren.
The only thing that niggles me is the lack of Apple Car Play. Not for music as the Bluetooth does that well for using Waze for sat nav. There is an upgrade to install now (around £1,000 I think)
Good luck with your search…there’s no wrong choice really with Aston just personal preference.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/LbrFEg97.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/uP6ksSK5" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/uP6ksSK5.jpg)
Sp10
V12V
The V12V was certainly a step up from the V8V. Plenty of drama, wheel spin in almost any gear and the V12 made the best sound. But after a few months of ownership I wasn’t feeling it with the car and my head/heart was turned by a McLaren 540S. This was light years ahead of the V12V in terms of driving experience, driver view, cornering and even though it was the entry level sports series it was super quick. It got the most interest from Joe Public than any other car I’ve owned.
This was sold due to house build. Once complete I was back in the market for a daily drive car, which is why I went back to Aston and got a new Vantage manual with slat grill (my preference).
So, OP, to answer your post, I’ve had her a year now and not had one fault to report. There’s nothing I don’t like and the looks have grown on me big time. I think the rear and the haunches look fantastic. I smile every time I look at the rear styling…super aggressive IMHO. I also love the interior it’s a great place to sit. The 7 speed manual is very engaging in that I feel more part of the driving experience. This is going to go against the grain of many of the regular posters on here, but I think the new Vantage (IMHO) makes the older model look very dated now. I think Aston call it timeless. I wouldn’t go back to an older Vantage…I would go back to Mclaren.
The only thing that niggles me is the lack of Apple Car Play. Not for music as the Bluetooth does that well for using Waze for sat nav. There is an upgrade to install now (around £1,000 I think)
Good luck with your search…there’s no wrong choice really with Aston just personal preference.
Really looking forward to hearing how you got on - especially given the similarities between our car histories.
New shape Vantage was my first experience with AM and so I don't have the advantage (or disadvantage) of comparisons with older versions. As a result I can't relate to some of the negatives posted by others. I'm more inclined to view this like I do with my wife's sister and her husband's new baby. I think the baby is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen. But it's family and I love it for that. Whatever your critique of the new Vantage - its still an Aston
New shape Vantage was my first experience with AM and so I don't have the advantage (or disadvantage) of comparisons with older versions. As a result I can't relate to some of the negatives posted by others. I'm more inclined to view this like I do with my wife's sister and her husband's new baby. I think the baby is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen. But it's family and I love it for that. Whatever your critique of the new Vantage - its still an Aston
Ninja59 said:
I am going to be controversial, I never gelled with the looks of the previous version, especially the rear 3/4 oddly. The DB9 looked better but I can never explain why.
As younger owner, I love the aggressive front end of the new one and the rear light bar, plus integrated spoiler. The rear of the car is truly brilliant.
Mine is Divine Red so a bit of bold, but not in a here i am way like some of the brighter colours.
I am not overly bothered by tech in cars now, a lot of it feels and is gimmicky. I also don't appreciate the packages of things and specs, whilst early vantages had a number of options not long after it is nice to see most things included.
Talking off hand about the comfort seats, sports wheels and the sports plus pack. The sports plus pack is common (sports plus pack is the sports wheel and upgraded seats), as the wheel alone is/was a pricey upgrade. I got told flat out that trade in without the upgraded seats would loose you around 2-3k. People simply don't want them. Early cars with only the twin exit not quad, which is now standard would loose 3k on trade in...
Sounds a lovely car in Divine Red. I do think that the new generation are a quantum leap forward. I wasn't sure about the front end initially (I didn't like the fishy look of the Bond DB10) but when I saw one on the road I changed my mind, it has great presence, instantly an AM even at a distance, just with a modern racing inspired take. I'm less enthusiastic about the alternative grille which seems a bit droopy, but maybe I will catch on. The AMG derived V8 is one of the world's great engines, I opted for that in a DB11. My wife wouldn't get into a Vantage (too scary) but maybe one day. I feel that AM were under pressure to come up with something new, but as soon as they did, they were attacked for it by the old guard. As younger owner, I love the aggressive front end of the new one and the rear light bar, plus integrated spoiler. The rear of the car is truly brilliant.
Mine is Divine Red so a bit of bold, but not in a here i am way like some of the brighter colours.
I am not overly bothered by tech in cars now, a lot of it feels and is gimmicky. I also don't appreciate the packages of things and specs, whilst early vantages had a number of options not long after it is nice to see most things included.
Talking off hand about the comfort seats, sports wheels and the sports plus pack. The sports plus pack is common (sports plus pack is the sports wheel and upgraded seats), as the wheel alone is/was a pricey upgrade. I got told flat out that trade in without the upgraded seats would loose you around 2-3k. People simply don't want them. Early cars with only the twin exit not quad, which is now standard would loose 3k on trade in...
Since I have a MY19 Vantage and have pretty much been a fanboy of the car...based on looks, drive, quality...I will tell you what I really don't like about it.
A few weeks ago I got a check engine light. Brought the car to my local dealer because it is still covered by the Timeless Warranty that I paid about $4000US for one additional year. Aston gave me such a hassle over the repair that I will never buy another Aston product again. It was covered in the end after about three weeks...pretty much only due to the herculean efforts of the dealer, but Aston corporate was completely useless and unhelpful. OK..so they are almost bankrupt but hell, at least try to do the right thing until you file.
Normally I wouldn't buy a third party extended warranty but Aston markets their's as pretty much a seamless Aston product. I've had great experience in the past with both Porsche and BMW CPO products. The Aston warranty completely sucks.
At some point in the near future I will post a detailed account of my experience. For now, it is the number one thing I regret most about my car, not to mention that even after the repair, there is no assurance I won't be going through this issue again in 3 years and 7000 miles albeit without a warranty.
A few weeks ago I got a check engine light. Brought the car to my local dealer because it is still covered by the Timeless Warranty that I paid about $4000US for one additional year. Aston gave me such a hassle over the repair that I will never buy another Aston product again. It was covered in the end after about three weeks...pretty much only due to the herculean efforts of the dealer, but Aston corporate was completely useless and unhelpful. OK..so they are almost bankrupt but hell, at least try to do the right thing until you file.
Normally I wouldn't buy a third party extended warranty but Aston markets their's as pretty much a seamless Aston product. I've had great experience in the past with both Porsche and BMW CPO products. The Aston warranty completely sucks.
At some point in the near future I will post a detailed account of my experience. For now, it is the number one thing I regret most about my car, not to mention that even after the repair, there is no assurance I won't be going through this issue again in 3 years and 7000 miles albeit without a warranty.
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