Which model would you put your 80k on?
Discussion
yeti said:
Good news then that the so-called and oft-reported problematic gearbox isn't. Curious all the people who reported problems did so wrongly. Takes all sorts I suppose.
Not saying that at all Yeti. Just trying to increase the reported incidence of those that do work ok. ie good news is not reporded, bad news is!F1 NDW said:
yeti said:
Good news then that the so-called and oft-reported problematic gearbox isn't. Curious all the people who reported problems did so wrongly. Takes all sorts I suppose.
Not saying that at all Yeti. Just trying to increase the reported incidence of those that do work ok. ie good news is not reporded, bad news is!
It is genuinely good to hear of two that have reported no issues; there has been one parked at BR for a while and I can't help but be drawn to it every time I visit. What do you think you are doing differently to others who have problsms? Do you think it's a operator skill/regular maintenace thing, or just some beuing better put together than others?
Lets face it, even a fully manual box can have the clutch ridden or not pushed in far enough, a failure to let fluids warm up and so on. Operator error plays a large part in car longevity
So I see the armchair experts have returned…
Rather than making statements like my uncle’s brother’s cousin’s friend had a Vanquish and, as one poster so eloquently put, it was s
te, I think we should try to stick to the facts. You have a number of owners on here saying they have had no problems with their Vanquish and the paddle shift and how much they enjoy it. It has been explained a number of times that the issues with the early models were resolved with a relatively cheap fix, and that the large majority of cars have had this done. So where are these “numerous other reports” to the contrary?
As I’ve said before, I do think that the Vanquish and in particular the Vanquish ASM does require specialist knowledge that a few companies purport to have but, in my experience, an even smaller number actually do.
If anybody has specific experience (good and bad) then by all means share it, as I’m sure we’re all here to learn from owner’s experiences. Bold sweeping statements don’t help anyone and only serve to perpetuate false rumours.
I’ll get off my soap box now…
Rather than making statements like my uncle’s brother’s cousin’s friend had a Vanquish and, as one poster so eloquently put, it was s
te, I think we should try to stick to the facts. You have a number of owners on here saying they have had no problems with their Vanquish and the paddle shift and how much they enjoy it. It has been explained a number of times that the issues with the early models were resolved with a relatively cheap fix, and that the large majority of cars have had this done. So where are these “numerous other reports” to the contrary?As I’ve said before, I do think that the Vanquish and in particular the Vanquish ASM does require specialist knowledge that a few companies purport to have but, in my experience, an even smaller number actually do.
If anybody has specific experience (good and bad) then by all means share it, as I’m sure we’re all here to learn from owner’s experiences. Bold sweeping statements don’t help anyone and only serve to perpetuate false rumours.
I’ll get off my soap box now…
yeti said:
Lets face it, even a fully manual box can have the clutch ridden or not pushed in far enough, a failure to let fluids warm up and so on. Operator error plays a large part in car longevity
I had a CL600 before the Vanquish, it drove itself. The difference when getting into the Vanquish was immense. It takes me back to my teen’s in the seventies when I had and loved an MGB roadster. You have to concentrate on what you are doing and what is going on all the time you are driving the Vanquish. You have to be mechanically aware of what the transmission is doing. With the first Vanquish, lessons were learnt, but the very nature of the beast means you cannot just sit back and enjoy the ride like you do with an automatic, which I think some owners think it is! I absolutely love the paddle change but if you start day dreaming things turn clunky and nasty.If you take it out for a blast and concentrate on what you are doing it is out of this world. I wont say it’s better than S*X but I probably will in a year or two!
ScottB said:
So I see the armchair experts have returned…
Armchair experts?? I'll have you know I have literally stood next to a Vanquish on a number of occasions!! 
You make a fair point, but whenever I see one at a dealer or specialist I am drawn to it. I start asking questions and the car is rarely there to have simply a service.
It is heartening to know that these may be in the minority and why shouldn't they be - I see plenty of DB9s/V8 Prams having work done but I know first hand that they are a fundamentally very reliable cars.
Agree fully on the manual selcation aspect of driving - I seached hard for a manual DB9 Volante after a TouchTronic DB7 Vantage and don't regret my decision for a minute; even missing a cutch peddle any manual car requires interaction to drive. A DB9 manual also requires attention to driving, although in top gear, cruise on, roof up, stereo on clipping down the autoroute to Beanue I stuggle to think of a more relaxing car
I have a late Vanq S and can concur that it has been problem free. Gearbox feels good although not as sharpe as the Ferrari equiv at the time. AM were continually evolving the gearbox/software and they changed dramatically over the life. I've previously owned an early S (05) and that felt fragile but was largely reliable (check engine liight malfunctions aside) with the exception of one journey when the automated manual went crazy changing up and down at random - but strangely never finding first. I managed to nurse it home slowly. To complete the picture I tested an early non S car a couple of years after launch and it felt completely different, wasn't hard to turn my back on - oh and the engine warning light was on despite it being offered by a main dealer.
Thanks for all your replies. As usual the breadth of views has had me thinking, so here is where I am.
I would prefer a convertible with the exception of a V12V which remains on the wish list.
I would like to buy a car wth some original AM warranty remaining so less tha 3 years old.
Prefer an auto / sportshift, though would want the sportshift 2.
I imagine that the Vantage S Roadster might drop a little at the end of the summer, but dubt it will drop enough.
Standard Vantage roadsters wiith sportshift 2 might get into budget - I hope
Should I still have the DB9 Volante on the list - if so I would like to get into a 2010 470 bhp model
As I say thanks for all your replies, though I would share test thinking. Will be interested in the reaction.
I would prefer a convertible with the exception of a V12V which remains on the wish list.
I would like to buy a car wth some original AM warranty remaining so less tha 3 years old.
Prefer an auto / sportshift, though would want the sportshift 2.
I imagine that the Vantage S Roadster might drop a little at the end of the summer, but dubt it will drop enough.
Standard Vantage roadsters wiith sportshift 2 might get into budget - I hope
Should I still have the DB9 Volante on the list - if so I would like to get into a 2010 470 bhp model
As I say thanks for all your replies, though I would share test thinking. Will be interested in the reaction.
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