I had a V8 Roadster for the weekend
Discussion
My car was supposed to be ready on Fridya, post-service and after fixing the aircon that had stopped working. I went to collect it and found the service department in a state of excitement trying ot get the aircon working. It turned out that, in addition to a failed pipe, the compressor had failed.
I was already late setting off for a weekend away and trying to hide a mounting state of agitation. Stratstone Western Avenue came up with the good though and presented me with an onyx black, manual V8V Roadster with 68 miles on the clock to use until my car was ready (yesterday afternoon).
I do like convertibles, but I have never been able to bring myself to buy one. Friday evening was a mixed country roads and motorway trip. The roadster was surprisingly good at 90 on the motorway with the top down, although when we passed through a shower, the top of my head got wet (6'2"). Fuel consumption at that speed with the top down made my V12V look almost like an economy model.
The suspension is much softer, which was pleasant around town, meaning that I didn't have my usual terror of Camdewn and Islington's speed mountains. Power delivery was surprising. From a standing start it feels as if not very much happens for a second or so and then the car gets moving. There is little of the immediacty of the V12V. Once moving though, the torque allows the car to be driven quickly, but without the V12V's ability suddenly to change pace. I really missed the CC brakes. The steel ones are significantly less confidence-inducing.
On the practical side, the boot is very small and got very warm, whcih surprised me. The boot in my car doesn't. The small size of the boot would seriously compromise its value as a touring car. It also lacks the space behind the seats of the coupe.
I had a great time with the car, but in the end I was very happy to get back into my car. If I could afford both, I'd have a V12V Roadster in addition to my coupe.
I was already late setting off for a weekend away and trying to hide a mounting state of agitation. Stratstone Western Avenue came up with the good though and presented me with an onyx black, manual V8V Roadster with 68 miles on the clock to use until my car was ready (yesterday afternoon).
I do like convertibles, but I have never been able to bring myself to buy one. Friday evening was a mixed country roads and motorway trip. The roadster was surprisingly good at 90 on the motorway with the top down, although when we passed through a shower, the top of my head got wet (6'2"). Fuel consumption at that speed with the top down made my V12V look almost like an economy model.
The suspension is much softer, which was pleasant around town, meaning that I didn't have my usual terror of Camdewn and Islington's speed mountains. Power delivery was surprising. From a standing start it feels as if not very much happens for a second or so and then the car gets moving. There is little of the immediacty of the V12V. Once moving though, the torque allows the car to be driven quickly, but without the V12V's ability suddenly to change pace. I really missed the CC brakes. The steel ones are significantly less confidence-inducing.
On the practical side, the boot is very small and got very warm, whcih surprised me. The boot in my car doesn't. The small size of the boot would seriously compromise its value as a touring car. It also lacks the space behind the seats of the coupe.
I had a great time with the car, but in the end I was very happy to get back into my car. If I could afford both, I'd have a V12V Roadster in addition to my coupe.
Zod said:
I really missed the CC brakes. The steel ones are significantly less confidence-inducing.
On the practical side, the boot is very small and got very warm, whcih surprised me. The boot in my car doesn't. The small size of the boot would seriously compromise its value as a touring car. It also lacks the space behind the seats of the coupe.
What year was it? I'm guessing early and maybe 4.3 at that mileage?On the practical side, the boot is very small and got very warm, whcih surprised me. The boot in my car doesn't. The small size of the boot would seriously compromise its value as a touring car. It also lacks the space behind the seats of the coupe.
The later floating 6 pot brakes are really good as is the later sport pack on a roadster
We have got 3 weeks of touring kit in our roadster no problem
The boot does get hot from the enormous silencer and lack of air flow the coupe has, I improved both mine by putting some radiator foil under the carpet
mikey k said:
Zod said:
I really missed the CC brakes. The steel ones are significantly less confidence-inducing.
On the practical side, the boot is very small and got very warm, whcih surprised me. The boot in my car doesn't. The small size of the boot would seriously compromise its value as a touring car. It also lacks the space behind the seats of the coupe.
What year was it? I'm guessing early and maybe 4.3 at that mileage?On the practical side, the boot is very small and got very warm, whcih surprised me. The boot in my car doesn't. The small size of the boot would seriously compromise its value as a touring car. It also lacks the space behind the seats of the coupe.
The later floating 6 pot brakes are really good as is the later sport pack on a roadster
We have got 3 weeks of touring kit in our roadster no problem
The boot does get hot from the enormous silencer and lack of air flow the coupe has, I improved both mine by putting some radiator foil under the carpet
Tony V12V said:
Neil1300R said:
Surprised you thought the boot got significantly hotter on a V8V vs a V12V. on my V8V Coupe its hot in there. Can't think why a V12V would be cooler. 
Woolie how hot is yours?
Mine gets hot Woolie how hot is yours? 
You have so much in the boot it is not surprising 
Cash on the other hand keeps the boot in mine relatively cool
mikey k said:
I saw 68k for some reason!
I was ticked off on another thread today, when I thought 50 miles, 108 miles and 30 miles, meant 50 miles, 108 miles and 30 miles.Silly me, how ridiculous, apparently everyone knows it means 50,000 miles, 108,000 miles and 30,000 miles.
Your confusion Mikey, is understandable.
Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 7th August 20:48
Shame it wasn't a couple of weeks ago with the proper roadster weather 
Cockernee said:
That is because gold bullion is a very good conductor of heat You have so much in the boot it is not surprising
Cash on the other hand keeps the boot in mine relatively cool
Wouldn't gold reflect heat? You have so much in the boot it is not surprising Cash on the other hand keeps the boot in mine relatively cool
Ed50 said:
mikey k said:
The boot does get hot from the enormous silencer and lack of air flow the coupe has, I improved both mine by putting some radiator foil under the carpet
Just read this,what a top tip Mikey but I wish you'd warned me before the Ba*tards just melted my FUDGE......
I did something similar and vowed to find a solution Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff