RE: Aston V8 Vantage N430: Review
Discussion
ILoveMondeo said:
I'd like to know how this new one, that reviews quite well, compares to a 2010 V8V, or an N420, I've driven both and was a little disappointed with the drive, nice and all, just not great.
Actually there is a big difference, the MY10 & N420 are pre S/faceliftSo they don't get the better steering, front brakes, suspension and a few other tweaks.
I came from a MY09 4.7 sport pack (N420 with out the cosmetic bits) to an MY12 V8S (which is the N430 wit ha flappy box)
If you want a manual look at a facelifted (MY12.25) std car with some options, if you like flappy paddle hunt out an MY12 S
(I've seen early S's at low £60k recently)toppstuff said:
Who at Aston is responsible for sourcing and deciding on the in-car technology, like Nav etc?
And why is this person still in a job?
This has been a recurring achilees heel with Aston for a very long time now.
It really is not good enough.
They're in an interim bind. They got Volvo satnav when they were owned by Ford and stuck with it for rather too long. My car is one of the last with it. It's the final iteration with hard drive, TMC and post code search and it works well, but it looks ancient and lacks functionality (it's like something from a different century next to the nav in a current BMW). Then a couple of years ago, knowing they needed to update it, they bought in Garmin software. It looks more modern, but has hardly any greater functionality and appears to be less robust.And why is this person still in a job?
This has been a recurring achilees heel with Aston for a very long time now.
It really is not good enough.
In a couple of years' time, they will have the latest and greatest from Mercedes, along with AMG engines, but it will be a long couple of years.
mikey k said:
Actually there is a big difference, the MY10 & N420 are pre S/facelift
So they don't get the better steering, front brakes, suspension and a few other tweaks.
I came from a MY09 4.7 sport pack (N420 with out the cosmetic bits) to an MY12 V8S (which is the N430 wit ha flappy box)
If you want a manual look at a facelifted (MY12.25) std car with some options, if you like flappy paddle hunt out an MY12 S (I've seen early S's at low £60k recently)
Cool, thanks for that, helpful info, will have to look again at some later cars. Prices seem all over the place for vantages at the moment.So they don't get the better steering, front brakes, suspension and a few other tweaks.
I came from a MY09 4.7 sport pack (N420 with out the cosmetic bits) to an MY12 V8S (which is the N430 wit ha flappy box)
If you want a manual look at a facelifted (MY12.25) std car with some options, if you like flappy paddle hunt out an MY12 S
(I've seen early S's at low £60k recently)martin elaman said:
Now that Mercedes have got hold of Aston, we can kiss the driver involvement goodbye; and with it the complete fall of Aston as a true enthusiasts marque. An AMG with another badge. We need another model for building enthusiasts cars. martin
Mercedes has a minority stake. AMG are renowned for their cars that so lack driver involvement, of course. 
Zod said:
martin elaman said:
Now that Mercedes have got hold of Aston, we can kiss the driver involvement goodbye; and with it the complete fall of Aston as a true enthusiasts marque. An AMG with another badge. We need another model for building enthusiasts cars. martin
Mercedes has a minority stake. AMG are renowned for their cars that so lack driver involvement, of course. The F-Type is unquestionably a gorgeous car and very likely more capable than the Aston.
But I cant help feeling, great as it is, that the F-Type is a bit of a designer handbag of a car.
Once the fuss has died down in a year or two it will be just another expensive coupe whereas the Aston is, well, an Aston.
It's more basic nature is it's best asset and the key to it's appeal.
I'll take old school class over new fangled chessy bling any day.
But then I must be one of the very few people on the planet who thinks that the E-Type was beaten with the ugly stick before it left the factory
Don't hate me, just sayin' like
But I cant help feeling, great as it is, that the F-Type is a bit of a designer handbag of a car.
Once the fuss has died down in a year or two it will be just another expensive coupe whereas the Aston is, well, an Aston.
It's more basic nature is it's best asset and the key to it's appeal.
I'll take old school class over new fangled chessy bling any day.
But then I must be one of the very few people on the planet who thinks that the E-Type was beaten with the ugly stick before it left the factory
Don't hate me, just sayin' like
Edited by LordVader on Tuesday 24th June 23:46
martin elaman said:
Now that Mercedes have got hold of Aston, we can kiss the driver involvement goodbye; and with it the complete fall of Aston as a true enthusiasts marque. An AMG with another badge. We need another model for building enthusiasts cars. martin
Mercedes have not "got hold of Aston"
They have a 5% share and are agreeing a deal for engines and some electronics (both of whihch ASton really need to improve)
The AM VH structure, drive train, gearboxes etc will still be Aston and are still good
I know I keep banging on about this but I don't envisage the problem going away any time soon...
...it wouldn't be so much of an issue if 'Infotainment' wasn't an integral part of the interior of current cars. You at least used to be able to replace an old tape deck / pictogram Sat Nav when it became too dated or obsolete - my Discovery's ancient Becker Traffic Pro unit drove me wild - luckily it's a DIN-sized fitment so was easily replaced. There's no such luck though in store for anyone buying car with a system like the Vantage or one of those supremely tacky "My First iPad by Fisher Price" abominations.
...it wouldn't be so much of an issue if 'Infotainment' wasn't an integral part of the interior of current cars. You at least used to be able to replace an old tape deck / pictogram Sat Nav when it became too dated or obsolete - my Discovery's ancient Becker Traffic Pro unit drove me wild - luckily it's a DIN-sized fitment so was easily replaced. There's no such luck though in store for anyone buying car with a system like the Vantage or one of those supremely tacky "My First iPad by Fisher Price" abominations.
LordVader said:
The F-Type is unquestionably a gorgeous car and very likely more capable than the Aston.
But I cant help feeling, great as it is, that the F-Type is a bit of a designer handbag of a car.
Once the fuss has died down in a year or two it will be just another expensive coupe whereas the Aston is, well, an Aston.
It's more basic nature is it's best asset and the key to it's appeal.
I'll take old school class over new fangled chessy bling any day.
But then I must be one of the very few people on the planet who thinks that the E-Type was beaten with the ugly stick before it left the factory
Don't hate me, just sayin' like
I agree, I think it's going to be a race to the bottom with ftypes, I've looked at a fee recently , build quality is a bit sBut I cant help feeling, great as it is, that the F-Type is a bit of a designer handbag of a car.
Once the fuss has died down in a year or two it will be just another expensive coupe whereas the Aston is, well, an Aston.
It's more basic nature is it's best asset and the key to it's appeal.
I'll take old school class over new fangled chessy bling any day.
But then I must be one of the very few people on the planet who thinks that the E-Type was beaten with the ugly stick before it left the factory
Don't hate me, just sayin' like
Edited by LordVader on Tuesday 24th June 23:46
tty (these were all early first generation cars though) and 90k+ specced up v8s are on the market for early to mid 60's 14 months old with low miles.Final value on a pcp deal for one of these cars? 32-32k when it will be 3 years old with 30-40k on the clock.
I was seriously looking at getting one, I really do like them, the noise of the v8!! Closest thing to a modern day TVR IMHO.
However decided to wait, too few around at present to find the high spec minter I want, residuals don't look good, v8r coupe is a tempting prospect for 24 months time...
In the meantime toying with the idea of a v8v, or 997, or maybe a sagaris. But I'm worried about tvr residuals they really are all over the place, sag could gain or lose buckets in a couple of years.
ILoveMondeo said:
Aston residuals have always been poo within the first 4-6 years of the vehicle, probably no worse than any other though. a 4 year old v8v will have seen 40k+ gone from the price paid.
F-types not shaping up to be any better either, 12 month only v8s? 85k+ car with options, £62-65k to you sir, that's one hell of a drop. They seem to be dropping 500-1000 a month at the moment too, I'm wondering if the v8's aren't selling well, the v6s prices are not far off the v8.
Been looking closely at both the f-types and vantages lately.
I'd like to know how this new one, that reviews quite well, compares to a 2010 V8V, or an N420, I've driven both and was a little disappointed with the drive, nice and all, just not great.
Yep residuals for 06/07 4.3 cars haven't moved much at all of late. I bought my facelift 07 for £35k 18months ago, probably not far off that now.F-types not shaping up to be any better either, 12 month only v8s? 85k+ car with options, £62-65k to you sir, that's one hell of a drop. They seem to be dropping 500-1000 a month at the moment too, I'm wondering if the v8's aren't selling well, the v6s prices are not far off the v8.
Been looking closely at both the f-types and vantages lately.
I'd like to know how this new one, that reviews quite well, compares to a 2010 V8V, or an N420, I've driven both and was a little disappointed with the drive, nice and all, just not great.
Zod said:
northernmedia said:
Yep residuals for 06/07 4.3 cars haven't moved much at all of late. I bought my facelift 07 for £35k 18months ago, probably not far off that now.
I'd advise you not to ask a dealer for a trade-in price.Aston main dealers actually seem to make some money on used cars. Most are just volume based, suppose you cant be with Aston!
Clivey said:
I know I keep banging on about this but I don't envisage the problem going away any time soon...
...it wouldn't be so much of an issue if 'Infotainment' wasn't an integral part of the interior of current cars. You at least used to be able to replace an old tape deck / pictogram Sat Nav when it became too dated or obsolete - my Discovery's ancient Becker Traffic Pro unit drove me wild - luckily it's a DIN-sized fitment so was easily replaced. There's no such luck though in store for anyone buying car with a system like the Vantage or one of those supremely tacky "My First iPad by Fisher Price" abominations.
I don't know........it wouldn't be so much of an issue if 'Infotainment' wasn't an integral part of the interior of current cars. You at least used to be able to replace an old tape deck / pictogram Sat Nav when it became too dated or obsolete - my Discovery's ancient Becker Traffic Pro unit drove me wild - luckily it's a DIN-sized fitment so was easily replaced. There's no such luck though in store for anyone buying car with a system like the Vantage or one of those supremely tacky "My First iPad by Fisher Price" abominations.
Some of the specialist aftermarket ICE installers are very good at their jobs.
I'd never spec a sat nav in a car. They are clunky, dated units, and no where near as good as the products available from Alpine & Pioneer, etc.....
I've had a few Double din units retrofited to my cars over the years, and each and every installation looked like it was an OEM fitting. Currently got one in my GT3 and everyone who's been in it thinks it came with the car.
Zod said:
I'd advise you not to ask a dealer for a trade-in price.
Stratstone offered very nearly that amount when I looked to upgrade earlier in the yr.Course the trade in price on any deal relates very closely to the profit in the car you're moving over to.
When I decide to move on I'll sell privately.
Spiritual_Beggar said:
I don't know.....
Some of the specialist aftermarket ICE installers are very good at their jobs.
I'd never spec a sat nav in a car. They are clunky, dated units, and no where near as good as the products available from Alpine & Pioneer, etc.....
.
Not so. The Navigation in a three year old BMW is superior to the after-market systems. The same goes for the other Germans. The newest BMW system is fantastic.Some of the specialist aftermarket ICE installers are very good at their jobs.
I'd never spec a sat nav in a car. They are clunky, dated units, and no where near as good as the products available from Alpine & Pioneer, etc.....
.
I did go the Alpine route a few years back. It was very good, but no better than BMW's contemporary offerings.
Spiritual_Beggar said:
I don't know.....
Some of the specialist aftermarket ICE installers are very good at their jobs.
I'd never spec a sat nav in a car. They are clunky, dated units, and no where near as good as the products available from Alpine & Pioneer, etc.....
I've had a few Double din units retrofited to my cars over the years, and each and every installation looked like it was an OEM fitting. Currently got one in my GT3 and everyone who's been in it thinks it came with the car.
Cars like the GT3 (996/7) are fairly simple in comparison to something like the Vantage because the headunit is a big box with the screen on the front. - If all cars were like that, it wouldn't be an issue as you rightly say.Some of the specialist aftermarket ICE installers are very good at their jobs.
I'd never spec a sat nav in a car. They are clunky, dated units, and no where near as good as the products available from Alpine & Pioneer, etc.....
I've had a few Double din units retrofited to my cars over the years, and each and every installation looked like it was an OEM fitting. Currently got one in my GT3 and everyone who's been in it thinks it came with the car.
I've recently fitted my Alpine headunit in my Discovery (2004, Series 2) and spoke about this at length with the guys from Car Electronics in Derby, who were recommended to me on these forums. They told me that new systems (e.g. in the M135i *) are a pain in the backside right now, let alone in 5+ years time when they begin to date.
* They even had problems with that crappy "sound symposer" (the box of tricks that plays synthesised engine noises through the speakers) interfering with the aftermarket kit they were trying to add to the navigation system.
I like The V8V more as time goes on. I saw a V8VS and quite frankly, it sounded nasty and unruly - perfect.
I think we need to look at cars like this in context and what they actually mean stripped bare and forget the brand and marketing for just a second: It's a beautifully styled V8 Coupe.
I always thought 12 cylinders was excessive in these - until one rumbled and crackled past me in Central London. There is something with experiencing cars like these which changes your view from logical to emotional. The Internet is full of armchair opinions on cars.
Let's not be too hasty to burn Aston.
I think we need to look at cars like this in context and what they actually mean stripped bare and forget the brand and marketing for just a second: It's a beautifully styled V8 Coupe.
I always thought 12 cylinders was excessive in these - until one rumbled and crackled past me in Central London. There is something with experiencing cars like these which changes your view from logical to emotional. The Internet is full of armchair opinions on cars.
Let's not be too hasty to burn Aston.
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