Discussion
Having been back in the market for a Vantage Roadster for a few months now, I'm fearing I may not find THE car. I have three boxes to tick and, to be honest, would seriously consider any car that ticks two of them:
- Interesting colour (having had tungsten and titanium, I'm ready for a non-black/silver/grey car)
- Manual box
- Lightweight seats
Nothing has come up (except one with 4 cylinders too many and £60,000 too much!) since my search began.
I'm looking at a lovely Mako car on Saturday (LBS's pics of his new steed are not helping!) but it's ASM2 and has standard seats. And because it's the standard obsidian black with white coarse stitch interior, I fear sitting in it is going to feel exactly the same as my last car!
Saying that, I may love SportShiftII, realise I'd miss heated seats and fall in love with Mako!
There's also a manual car with the right seats at Lancaster Sevenoaks, but wasn't taken by Quantum (yawn) and I do prefer the later models' bumper design.
I guess I need somebody to tell me "Adam, wait for the right car to come up; I did and am so glad I did" or "make a couple of compromises and get your arse in an Aston as soon as possible. I waited 6 months and wish I hadn't".
Thoughts / advice / experience all welcomed.
Cheers
- Interesting colour (having had tungsten and titanium, I'm ready for a non-black/silver/grey car)
- Manual box
- Lightweight seats
Nothing has come up (except one with 4 cylinders too many and £60,000 too much!) since my search began.
I'm looking at a lovely Mako car on Saturday (LBS's pics of his new steed are not helping!) but it's ASM2 and has standard seats. And because it's the standard obsidian black with white coarse stitch interior, I fear sitting in it is going to feel exactly the same as my last car!
Saying that, I may love SportShiftII, realise I'd miss heated seats and fall in love with Mako!
There's also a manual car with the right seats at Lancaster Sevenoaks, but wasn't taken by Quantum (yawn) and I do prefer the later models' bumper design.
I guess I need somebody to tell me "Adam, wait for the right car to come up; I did and am so glad I did" or "make a couple of compromises and get your arse in an Aston as soon as possible. I waited 6 months and wish I hadn't".
Thoughts / advice / experience all welcomed.
Cheers
I certainly would never suggest compromising on what is important to you for your next car as you'll have to live with it and may end up being less than happy.
I'd wait longer as the car will be out there somewhere. You may get more roadsters coming onto the market now that the weather is improving and prices will firm up for the sellers. Lightweight seats may be quite rare in a 4.7 roadster though.
I'd wait longer as the car will be out there somewhere. You may get more roadsters coming onto the market now that the weather is improving and prices will firm up for the sellers. Lightweight seats may be quite rare in a 4.7 roadster though.
Jon39 said:
You owned a 4.7 Vantage Roadster, and now you want
...... a 4.7 Vantage Roadster.
What is it, that I do not understand? -
Not sure what it is, that you do not understand. Maybe some context should help....... a 4.7 Vantage Roadster.
What is it, that I do not understand? -
Last autumn I needed to free up some capital to pay for an expensive 2013 (wedding, new house, renovations) and has taken until now to save enough pennies to buy another car.
4.7 Roadster does all the things I want, although am also considering an "S", depending on how the SportsShiftII test drive goes at the weekend.
Only want a drop-top, can't justify doubling my budget to a V12VR (as wonderful as they are) and can still go through the night without needing a pee, which rules a DB9 out
I now have a lovely wife and a lovely home, I liked my old car and I'd like another one (with a few choice differences). Is that so crazy?
Retman said:
Patience Adam, remember the hunt can be the most fun . Agree with Seemon though, lightweights may be a challenge.
Thanks Andrew. . Agree with Seemon though, lightweights may be a challenge. Yes, there is a certain thrill to the chase and I often remind myself I'm a lucky bugger. First world problems and all that...
Am interested in Mikey's POV on the lightweights + manual as I think, IIRC, he couldn't get on with the seat vs gear stick position. Oh, and if he wants to sell me his car (I'd overlook the silver for the seats and the BR goodies
)Tips for driving the ASM.. Don't ever touch D. Letting it do it's own thing is a mistake.
Drive it like a manual with just the slightest lift, more a case of just backing off to hold the revs or slow gently when changing. It becomes second nature after a while although anything less than an hour and you might not get used to it.
Pulling both paddles drops it into neutral. Because you can't ride the clutch this can be handy in really slow edging forward traffic, ie a guck burst, then neutral and roll. Not sure if it's an approved technique but it's certainly smoother, but then try driving a manual at 5mph and about to stall.
In essence don't be put of if it feels a little jerky at first, that will pass, only be put off if the best bits of a manual are still better than the best bits of the ASM.
As for colour, there was a discussion about getting cars wrapped. I'm not a fan but the quality is pretty good and would certainly give you a unique look that's reversible.
Drive it like a manual with just the slightest lift, more a case of just backing off to hold the revs or slow gently when changing. It becomes second nature after a while although anything less than an hour and you might not get used to it.
Pulling both paddles drops it into neutral. Because you can't ride the clutch this can be handy in really slow edging forward traffic, ie a guck burst, then neutral and roll. Not sure if it's an approved technique but it's certainly smoother, but then try driving a manual at 5mph and about to stall.
In essence don't be put of if it feels a little jerky at first, that will pass, only be put off if the best bits of a manual are still better than the best bits of the ASM.
As for colour, there was a discussion about getting cars wrapped. I'm not a fan but the quality is pretty good and would certainly give you a unique look that's reversible.
AdamV8V said:
Nothing has come up (except one with 4 cylinders too many and £60,000 too much!) since my search began.
I'm looking at a lovely Mako car on Saturday (LBS's pics of his new steed are not helping!) but it's ASM2 and has standard seats. And because it's the standard obsidian black with white coarse stitch interior, I fear sitting in it is going to feel exactly the same as my last car!
Saying that, I may love SportShiftII, realise I'd miss heated seats and fall in love with Mako!
There's also a manual car with the right seats at Lancaster Sevenoaks, but wasn't taken by Quantum (yawn) and I do prefer the later models' bumper design.
Thoughts / advice / experience all welcomed.
Cheers
Have you had a sex change since we last met? That reads as if its written by a woman on a shopping trip! In which case you'll end up going back to the first shop, buying it there, then taking it back a couple o weeks later.I'm looking at a lovely Mako car on Saturday (LBS's pics of his new steed are not helping!) but it's ASM2 and has standard seats. And because it's the standard obsidian black with white coarse stitch interior, I fear sitting in it is going to feel exactly the same as my last car!
Saying that, I may love SportShiftII, realise I'd miss heated seats and fall in love with Mako!
There's also a manual car with the right seats at Lancaster Sevenoaks, but wasn't taken by Quantum (yawn) and I do prefer the later models' bumper design.
Thoughts / advice / experience all welcomed.
Cheers
Don't drive the S - as that will make your mind up for you
AdamV8V said:
"Adam, wait for the right car to come up; I did and am so glad I did"
Hi Adam. Took me from September to March to get my DBS. Looked at many and the deal on 'the right car' was there but all fell through in November and there was nothing else that ticked all the boxes. Then lo and behold the car I wanted came along - actually TWO came along at once at Hagley - The original car I wanted plus another of the same age but 2k miles more on the clock. The great wise one aka Mr T(andoori Express) said to me just wait matey - the right car will come along......Sure enough it did and I am so pleased I didnt compromise by going for a different colour or slightly older car to get the Carbon Black Edition I was after.
AdamV8V said:
Thanks Andrew.
Yes, there is a certain thrill to the chase and I often remind myself I'm a lucky bugger. First world problems and all that...
Am interested in Mikey's POV on the lightweights + manual as I think, IIRC, he couldn't get on with the seat vs gear stick position. Oh, and if he wants to sell me his car (I'd overlook the silver for the seats and the BR goodies)
Here I am!Yes, there is a certain thrill to the chase and I often remind myself I'm a lucky bugger. First world problems and all that...
Am interested in Mikey's POV on the lightweights + manual as I think, IIRC, he couldn't get on with the seat vs gear stick position. Oh, and if he wants to sell me his car (I'd overlook the silver for the seats and the BR goodies
)I wifey and I love the light weights fair more comfortable than the sport seats in our last roadster, even with less adjustment and no heaters (still not given up on that!)
Only thing I would say is they can be a bit awkward with a manual
IME with the shoulders supports prevent the forearm coming back far enough to make even gears easy and comfortable
There was a nice Hardly Green roadster with light weights knocking around a few weeks ago, but I can't find it at the moment.
Oh and IMHO ASM2 and the new quicker rack work really well together(MY12.25 face lift cars
)Edited by mikey k on Thursday 10th April 09:12
How about this one, albeit still the black/grey theme but with lightweight seats and manual:
https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...
https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...
mikey k said:
Adam,May I respectfully suggest you extract your digit and go buy this car before lunchtime.
Once the deal is done you can then go to the pub and sit with a lovely chilled glass of white whilst sporting a massive smug grin.
Please report back later.
Nick
V12woollie said:
How about this one, albeit still the black/grey theme but with lightweight seats and manual:
https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...
https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...
AdamV8V said:
There's also a manual car with the right seats at Lancaster Sevenoaks, but wasn't taken by Quantum (yawn) and I do prefer the later models' bumper design.
AMDBSNick said:
Adam,
May I respectfully suggest you extract your digit and go buy this car before lunchtime.
Once the deal is done you can then go to the pub and sit with a lovely chilled glass of white whilst sporting a massive smug grin.
Please report back later.
Nick
May I respectfully suggest you extract your digit and go buy this car before lunchtime.
Once the deal is done you can then go to the pub and sit with a lovely chilled glass of white whilst sporting a massive smug grin.
Please report back later.
Nick
its only up the road from him. Must be the closest dealer to him
mikey k said:
That's your 'box ticker', right there. Get it bought.
mikey k said:
Could do with yellow callipers, otherwise perfect Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff