how bad is 2011 sport shift compared with........

[Ed50]

Hi All,

Seen a nice 2011 Vantage Roadster in the Ad's thats taken my fancy, which is all well and good but I've only had manual boxes in my previous Astons leading to some concerns.

This is the previous Sports Shift and not the SS2 version, which I have driven and really enjoyed but not having driven the original box I worry about a less than smooth
drive as I would enjoy from a standard everyday automatic car.

I know you will say go drive it but its a 500 odd mile round trip to do so,so I thought I should ask those that live with one to enlighten me with their experiences first hand.

Questions.

Will it be a pain in traffic congestion or when left in Auto to do its own thing whilst just cruising.

Do you need to do the flappy paddle thing to get the best out of the vehicle.

Does the gearbox lurch or pass smoothly through the gears.

Initially, until I've adjusted or learnt a slightly different driving style is it likely to be lurching about or performing like a Bucking Bronco.

Any advise would be appreciated as I fear if I don't get re Astoned soon I could slip back to the Darkside.........

Thanks in anticipation and hoping to have my mind put to rest so I can get Stuttgarts finest complete with PDK out of my head.

Ed.

[Ed50]

Hi Adam

I let the V12 go a while back in a moment of weakness but still get that Aston itch so fancied this particular Roadster .......... not had a soft top in ages,it may
also keep me out of the Porsche showroom as I'm seriously tempted to go PDK......Sorry it must be an age thing unless I need a beating with a sh*tty stick.

[Ed50]

Adam I've had SMG in a previous M5 but strangely got cheesed off with it what with the lumpy morning drives which may have been more down to the V10 engine I suppose but
both the wife and I didn't like the roll back on inclines and little things like that but loved the paddles up and down the box.

That now said accompanied with the other comments I wonder if SS1 is what I'm looking for indeed or possibly I have spent to much time wafting about in the RR and have lost a
little of the appetite for the full blooded thrash.

The PDK does appeal especially having had a couple of days at Porsche's Silverstone facility to fully intergrete with its workings,I found it smooth and relaxing whilst still offering a
degree of spirit in manual or flappy mode.It may well be my driving is evolving into old fart mode punctuated with the odd outrageous blast to keep the blood pumping as such.

I'll take onboard Mikey's wisdom and look locally for a tester, I'll also think hard on Mr AM's thoughts but I must admit the creepy thing bothers me a bit.

Thanks for now.