Dirty, dirty Vantage
Discussion
Cosseted, mollycoddled, pampered. All the things visitors to this corner of the internet must think we lavish on our pride and joy. Yep - I can also be guilty. Rainy out? The journey suddenly becomes a task for the family Skip.
But this morning, enough was enough. Since getting my hands on my second V8V (S, SportShift, 16 MY), I have done a shameful 500-or-so miles. I bought this car to enjoy.
So, in the worst possible wet weather the UK can chuck at its occupants deep in November, I shunned the Skip and go kart (Twingo RS - otherwise hilarious) and pointed the Vantage at the country lanes before dawn in driving rain.
Trees had fallen across the road. The M48 Servern Crossing was closed due to wind (causing a detour). The planned 60 miles mainly on dual carriageway and motorway took a turn when Google let me know about an accident in the distance. So, I pointed the Vantage up the mini single-track two-way mountain pass. It was a route that normally makes me think twice about taking in normal cars. I wondered if I’d regret it, but it was the start of a normally mundane destination that became memorable for all the right reasons.
There was nothing heroic about the journey. I didn’t conquer Mt Everest, but it felt very special. Driving through standing water, mud, slippery leaves in a 430bhp rwd sportscar was brilliant.
It also highlighted just how good the previous Vantage really is. The SSII gearbox is perfect, traction was never a problem, it feels small enough to not be a problem on any country lane and the steering and brakes are spot-on. Creature comforts are very well considered including an excellent 700W stereo, clear instrumentation and dash (somehow important when you attention is continuously dragged back to driving conditions), really low road noise, really noisy de-cat exhaust to re-affirm life, etc.
The journey included a stop-by at Aston Martin Bristol. Always a pleasure, but I really wanted to see the DBSS in person. It’s an absolutely stunning car. Surprised how much I like the relatively simple interior. Even seems to have leg room in the rear for a young human.
But it’s got its work cut out to be a replacement for the old Vantage. That car pulls on the heart strings so badly!
Oh - and something naughty but nice, seeing it filthy after a job very well done!
PS - thanks to james-witton for sorting out the photo!
But this morning, enough was enough. Since getting my hands on my second V8V (S, SportShift, 16 MY), I have done a shameful 500-or-so miles. I bought this car to enjoy.
So, in the worst possible wet weather the UK can chuck at its occupants deep in November, I shunned the Skip and go kart (Twingo RS - otherwise hilarious) and pointed the Vantage at the country lanes before dawn in driving rain.
Trees had fallen across the road. The M48 Servern Crossing was closed due to wind (causing a detour). The planned 60 miles mainly on dual carriageway and motorway took a turn when Google let me know about an accident in the distance. So, I pointed the Vantage up the mini single-track two-way mountain pass. It was a route that normally makes me think twice about taking in normal cars. I wondered if I’d regret it, but it was the start of a normally mundane destination that became memorable for all the right reasons.
There was nothing heroic about the journey. I didn’t conquer Mt Everest, but it felt very special. Driving through standing water, mud, slippery leaves in a 430bhp rwd sportscar was brilliant.
It also highlighted just how good the previous Vantage really is. The SSII gearbox is perfect, traction was never a problem, it feels small enough to not be a problem on any country lane and the steering and brakes are spot-on. Creature comforts are very well considered including an excellent 700W stereo, clear instrumentation and dash (somehow important when you attention is continuously dragged back to driving conditions), really low road noise, really noisy de-cat exhaust to re-affirm life, etc.
The journey included a stop-by at Aston Martin Bristol. Always a pleasure, but I really wanted to see the DBSS in person. It’s an absolutely stunning car. Surprised how much I like the relatively simple interior. Even seems to have leg room in the rear for a young human.
But it’s got its work cut out to be a replacement for the old Vantage. That car pulls on the heart strings so badly!
Oh - and something naughty but nice, seeing it filthy after a job very well done!
PS - thanks to james-witton for sorting out the photo!
Edited by nickv8 on Thursday 29th November 21:20
james-witton said:
Great to see another driver enjoying the car as it is meant to be.
The original design engineers intended to make these machines work all the way around the world. If it can drive in northern Norway and the Middle East, it can damn well drive in soggy England!james-witton said:
As for the photo, all you need to do is edit it In someway (easy on an iPad) before you post it.
That’s what I thought. Rotated the photo 180deg and edited/re-uploaded. Strangely didn’t work. I’ll just stick to uploading for the Mac. I’m simple like that! 
. Hoping to get out briefly in my car tomorrow for the first time in a week.
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