RE: Aston Martin Vantage AMR | Driven
Discussion
AdamV12AMR said:
mikey k said:
I said it feels crap as a gear box.
...
I'm simply point out a technical aspect that affects the performance of that box and expressed an opinion that I didn't like it.
No Mike, you categorically said...
I'm simply point out a technical aspect that affects the performance of that box and expressed an opinion that I didn't like it.
mikey k said:
This is NOT a real manual.
It is. So admit you were wrong / mis-informed and that your opinion of its performance is, exactly that, an opinion. It's not based on the 'technical aspect' of it being a re-manualised-previously-robotised-automated-manual 
I've now done almost 5,000 miles in my V12 manual with this 'box and absolutely adore it. AMShift works brilliantly (way better than I could ever heel / toe) and, like anything (and as the article says), muscle memory soon kicks-on on the how the box is sprung. It's optimised for the 4th <> 5th shift which is perfect for fast road driving.
Objectively he states it is not a real manual gearbox - like you say he is WRONG. It is definately a manually activated gearbox.
Subjectively he thinks it is a bad box - his opinion! Opinions are like a
holes, we all have one.....I think this car looks fantastic, sounds fantastic, and with a manual box would be an absolute riot.
cypriot said:
mikey k said:
Its not a manual though
its the same auto box with a load of switches and a lever.
Its a horrible thing to use.
None of the "benefits" of a proper mechanical linkage manual gearbox.
what are you talking about?! who cares?! Not a single person or journalist has said that this 7-speed feels fake or is not a proper manual... the car has a clutch pedal, and a gear lever that you must operate with your arm in order to change gears - hence its a manual for all intents and purposes. If you personally don't like how it feels, that is a different matter altogether. To try and say it is not a manual though is completely bonkers though. I personally have driven the v12 manual with this gearbox and it felt great, so I did get the "benefits" of the manual gearbox. So did everyone else when they reviewed the old v12 and gave it glowing reviews. My god some people are negative.its the same auto box with a load of switches and a lever.
Its a horrible thing to use.
None of the "benefits" of a proper mechanical linkage manual gearbox.
I don't recall "glowing" reviews for the seven speed manual V12VS gearbox.
I'm certainly not a powerfully built company director PH driving god but I managed 1st upshift to 4th several times on a test drive.
Didn't know about the linkage though. Hello Mikey!
Fair enough for those luddites who crave for a manual.
But, if you were to actually use it properly...... after the usual 30 minute crawl on the M25 etc, arm and leg would be crying for an auto.
With today's traffic, a manual for long distance and/or regualr use is becoming less relevant.
On track, that is a different matter, I suppose. Not seen too many BTCC drivers using a clutch pedal on track though.
But, if you were to actually use it properly...... after the usual 30 minute crawl on the M25 etc, arm and leg would be crying for an auto.
With today's traffic, a manual for long distance and/or regualr use is becoming less relevant.
On track, that is a different matter, I suppose. Not seen too many BTCC drivers using a clutch pedal on track though.
JohnG1 said:
I've driven this gearbox in a V12VS. It was not good. Nowhere near as good as the six speed V12V.
I don't recall "glowing" reviews for the seven speed manual V12VS gearbox.
I'm certainly not a powerfully built company director PH driving god but I managed 1st upshift to 4th several times on a test drive.
Didn't know about the linkage though. Hello Mikey!
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/aston-martin/v12-vantage/95547/aston-martin-v12-vantage-s-reviewI don't recall "glowing" reviews for the seven speed manual V12VS gearbox.
I'm certainly not a powerfully built company director PH driving god but I managed 1st upshift to 4th several times on a test drive.
Didn't know about the linkage though. Hello Mikey!
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives...
I didn't say the gearbox itself got glowing reviews, but the car itself combined with the manual box got glowing reviews. Anyway, please see above for glowing reviews.
Trophy222 said:
Most powerful car with a clutch pedal? There are loads of American muscle cars with more power (and more importantly torque, which is really the limiting factor) than 500bhp/500lbft here
More impressive than that torque figure is you waiting 10 years to submit your first post on PH! I came pretty close to buying one of these. the new TVR griffith did not appear to be happening anymore. The price was pretty good, similar to a specced up Vantage, and with a limited AMR badge, and a manual. I thought might retain more value.. But when I got to speccing it, I wanted the black version of the standard wheel.. it was a £3500 option.. I thought, why not zero cost!! put me completely off. I know, something could have been done, and might have got the wheels as part of the deal. But for me it was a realisation was about to pay £150k for a car.. Which I felt, why the hell am doing this.
V8 FOU said:
Fair enough for those luddites who crave for a manual.
But, if you were to actually use it properly...... after the usual 30 minute crawl on the M25 etc, arm and leg would be crying for an auto.
With today's traffic, a manual for long distance and/or regualr use is becoming less relevant.
On track, that is a different matter, I suppose. Not seen too many BTCC drivers using a clutch pedal on track though.
I am said luddite!!But, if you were to actually use it properly...... after the usual 30 minute crawl on the M25 etc, arm and leg would be crying for an auto.
With today's traffic, a manual for long distance and/or regualr use is becoming less relevant.
On track, that is a different matter, I suppose. Not seen too many BTCC drivers using a clutch pedal on track though.
For driving in traffic, an automatic car is perfect, something comfortable reasonable mpg etc - not an Aston Martin.
For driving on track, and going for all out track time, again a dual clutcher is best against the clock, for engagement and enjoyment, I would rather a manual. To be honest and Aston Martin is not really at home on a track, nor have I seen many, certainly not going for flying laps!!
For fast driving on an open road, this Aston and a manual gearbox would be blissfull.
JohnG1 said:
I've driven this gearbox in a V12VS. It was not good. Nowhere near as good as the six speed V12V.
It's certainly a gearbox you need to live with and I'm not surprised that most people don't got for it, even after an extended test drive. I wanted one of the last manual V12 Astons, so didn't have a choice on 6 vs 7 speed and I knew I'd either have to learn to use it and love it, or not bother.Disregarding the gearbox, as a package (when you include damping, power, infotainment etc) the Vantage S was a step-change of the original 6SP V12V.
JohnG1 said:
I don't recall "glowing" reviews for the seven speed manual V12VS gearbox.
For all the above reasons. I wish one had been on evo's Fast Fleet, as it's a real grower.My favourite 7sp Manual V12VS review was from MotorTrend's Jason Camissa in the US. Alas it seems to have been taken down. Only a preview available here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1015389074160131...
JohnG1 said:
I'm certainly not a powerfully built company director PH driving god but I managed 1st upshift to 4th several times on a test drive.
Yep, did loads of that. Frightened a fair few people behind me at traffic lights too, my reverse lights coming on as I attempt to find 1st!You end up changing your grip (like moving from a forehand to backhand grip on a tennis racquet) as you move through the box, as you intuitively know where the resistance is, how the shifts slot home etc. It becomes a very tactile, involving experience.
Anyway, this is classic PH of people defending their own choices.
I love it.
Many don't.
That's cool
BJWoods said:
I came pretty close to buying one of these. the new TVR griffith did not appear to be happening anymore. T
A mate of mine said that very thing only this week to me. He has a deposit on a new TVR and since there is more chance of pissing in the Queen's handbag than that ever being made then a Vantage was his next option.snuffy said:
A mate of mine said that very thing only this week to me. He has a deposit on a new TVR and since there is more chance of pissing in the Queen's handbag than that ever being made then a Vantage was his next option.
I realise I'm probably not in the right wealth demographic for Astons, (most I've ever spent on any car is ~£55k)We bought a Mustang GT V8 convertible a month ago ( 3 years old, deep impact Blue, <3k miles, 1 owner. £31,000!) and I swear I'm enjoying that more than I would the Aston (I'd just worry it was worth too much) .. And for ~ < £90k in total vslue, We now have 3 V8 sports cars (Griffith 500, Topcats TVR T350C LS3 V8, and the Mustang) The money new sportscar/super cars cost these days is just frightening.
BJWoods said:
I realise I'm probably not in the right wealth demographic for Astons, (most I've ever spent on any car is ~£55k)
We bought a Mustang GT V8 convertible a month ago ( 3 years old, deep impact Blue, <3k miles, 1 owner. £31,000!) and I swear I'm enjoying that more than I would the Aston (I'd just worry it was worth too much) .. And for ~ < £90k in total vslue, We now have 3 V8 sports cars (Griffith 500, Topcats TVR T350C LS3 V8, and the Mustang) The money new sportscar/super cars cost these days is just frightening.
Aston's drop like a stone and then seem to settle out and stay there. I bought a Vantage (2005 4.3) about 7 years ago for £34k and the same car would still set you back pretty much the same today. We bought a Mustang GT V8 convertible a month ago ( 3 years old, deep impact Blue, <3k miles, 1 owner. £31,000!) and I swear I'm enjoying that more than I would the Aston (I'd just worry it was worth too much) .. And for ~ < £90k in total vslue, We now have 3 V8 sports cars (Griffith 500, Topcats TVR T350C LS3 V8, and the Mustang) The money new sportscar/super cars cost these days is just frightening.
It will be interesting to see what the new one's settle at in a couple of years.
snuffy said:
Aston's drop like a stone and then seem to settle out and stay there. I bought a Vantage (2005 4.3) about 7 years ago for £34k and the same car would still set you back pretty much the same today.
It will be interesting to see what the new one's settle at in a couple of years.
which was sort of my logic. lot's of Aston's do tiny ,mileages, but initial depreciation is hard (more mass (relative) production now) so a 3-4 year old one, might be for me, roll on 2023... It will be interesting to see what the new one's settle at in a couple of years.
JohnG1 said:
I've driven this gearbox in a V12VS. It was not good. Nowhere near as good as the six speed V12V.
I don't recall "glowing" reviews for the seven speed manual V12VS gearbox.
I'm certainly not a powerfully built company director PH driving god but I managed 1st upshift to 4th several times on a test drive.
Didn't know about the linkage though. Hello Mikey!
I,m with John on this one. The original six speed box in the V12V is the best imo if you want a manual Aston.I don't recall "glowing" reviews for the seven speed manual V12VS gearbox.
I'm certainly not a powerfully built company director PH driving god but I managed 1st upshift to 4th several times on a test drive.
Didn't know about the linkage though. Hello Mikey!
The problem for me is that modern sports cars are too "Powerful" for a manual box. Back in the day, with 200, or maybe even 300 bhp and 300Nm, a manual car with 5 speeds was a joy to drive, because you had plenty of time to get the shifting right, and because with fewer gears you had to shift less.
Today, with 500 bhp and 500Nm, and 7 speeds, you quickly realise that as a driver, you are actually the weak link in the chain so to speak.
So for me, i'd buy an MX-5 with a manual, and a Vantage with an auto/DSG....... ;-)
Today, with 500 bhp and 500Nm, and 7 speeds, you quickly realise that as a driver, you are actually the weak link in the chain so to speak.
So for me, i'd buy an MX-5 with a manual, and a Vantage with an auto/DSG....... ;-)
The looks are growing on me once I saw one in the flesh. Very different from the last one but still somehow imbued with elegance. Applaud them for offering the choice, it wouldn't have been possible if they were all about money like many German marques today. No one would've ever thought Aston would care more about purists than Porsche just a decade ago.
Edited by C.MW on Thursday 24th October 04:44
As someone who owns a manual N430 and recently had an extended drive in an Auto Vantage new model.
The two cars are like chalk and cheese , the power of the new model is immense and the gear change instantaneous, making it an extremely rapid vehicle.
Those who say they prefer manual for driver involvement, may I politely suggest haven’t experienced both cars back to back.
For the record , I’d not buy one of the new model Vantage models for various reasons well documented on this web site.
The two cars are like chalk and cheese , the power of the new model is immense and the gear change instantaneous, making it an extremely rapid vehicle.
Those who say they prefer manual for driver involvement, may I politely suggest haven’t experienced both cars back to back.
For the record , I’d not buy one of the new model Vantage models for various reasons well documented on this web site.
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