Vantage Sportshift

[JW1]

Hi All,
I have started looking at adverts for 4.3 Vantage convertibles and have only seen the Sportshift gearbox so far. Is this the standard gearbox for the convertible model and how reliable is the Sportshift? As I am getting the impression that they are potentially troublesome.
James.

[Jon1967x]

You can get both manual and sportshift in both the coupe and convertible. The V12 was originally manual only and the v8vs was originally auto only, but as you're looking at 4.3 it's either.

I don't believe it's any worse than the manual. The actual box is an acquired taste especially in the earlier cars (I think there have been a few tweaks over the years and then a bigger upgrade to the ASM2 box recently)

[mikey k]

ASM1 was released with the roadster so many of them were speced with it
The high reverse gear (same on manual) and creep mode are an acquired taste, both sorted on ASM2

Edited by mikey k on Sunday 2nd February 13:50

[X7LDA]

Troublesome? No more so than a manual.

I've had both and would never go back to manual. Love the SS

[LancsKid]

JW1 said:

Hi All,
I have started looking at adverts for 4.3 Vantage convertibles and have only seen the Sportshift gearbox so far. Is this the standard gearbox for the convertible model and how reliable is the Sportshift? As I am getting the impression that they are potentially troublesome.
James.

I have had no,trouble but it does,take a bit of getting used to

[Jon39]

X7LDA said:

Troublesome? No more so than a manual.

I've had both and would never go back to manual. Love the SS

I have only driven the manual, but the conclusion I have from this forum, is that it must be a 'Marmite' choice. Some love Sportshift, but others hate it.

Clearly it seems that buyers need to decide carefully, which they prefer.

My impression is that on the move it is really great, but criticisms have been to do with slow speed manoeuvring, parking (especially on an incline), and whilst in stop / start traffic.

There have also been comments about the Sportshift improvements, SS1, SS2 and SS3

[mikey k]

Jon39 said:

My impression is that on the move it is really great, but criticisms have been to do with slow speed manoeuvring, parking (especially on an incline), and whilst in stop / start traffic.

Those issues are only with ASM1

[divetheworld]

X7LDA said:

Troublesome? No more so than a manual.

I've had both and would never go back to manual. Love the SS

Me too. It can do exceptional things (redline shifts in sport mode are faster than Hong Kong Fuey).

[J12MOC]

mikey k said:

Jon39 said:

My impression is that on the move it is really great, but criticisms have been to do with slow speed manoeuvring, parking (especially on an incline), and whilst in stop / start traffic.

Those issues are only with ASM1

So when did ASM II appear? I have a 12 plate V8VR with paddles on hire and I hate it! OK it's fine when 'pressing on' but parking and starts on inclines are a nightmare. It either stalls or if you give it a bit of welly it takes off with wheel spin. The car has done 14k miles. Can't wait to get my manual car back!!

[mikey k]

J12MOC said:

mikey k said:

Jon39 said:

My impression is that on the move it is really great, but criticisms have been to do with slow speed manoeuvring, parking (especially on an incline), and whilst in stop / start traffic.

Those issues are only with ASM1

So when did ASM II appear? I have a 12 plate V8VR with paddles on hire and I hate it! OK it's fine when 'pressing on' but parking and starts on inclines are a nightmare. It either stalls or if you give it a bit of welly it takes off with wheel spin. The car has done 14k miles. Can't wait to get my manual car back!!

MY12 on the S but not until MY12.25 on the std car
No issues with hill starts in ASM2 as it gains hill assist which works well on most inclines