Considering V8V to V8V roadster...
Discussion
I sold my Vantage coupe about a year ago and am now considering selling my mint F355 GTS, which I barely use, and swapping it for a Vantage roadster. I wouldn't use the car as a daily driver but think it would get a lot more use than the Ferrari and hopefully feel special enough for the type of hoons and trips I've enjoyed in the F355.
My Vantage roadster was completely reliable in my ownership, are there are any drawbacks to the roadster? Is the hood mechanism reliable for example? Any advice appreciated. My budget would ideally be around £45k.
On a separate issue, I've been impressed by my local Ferrari owners club. I belong to the AMOC too but have never attended any events - any views?
My Vantage roadster was completely reliable in my ownership, are there are any drawbacks to the roadster? Is the hood mechanism reliable for example? Any advice appreciated. My budget would ideally be around £45k.
On a separate issue, I've been impressed by my local Ferrari owners club. I belong to the AMOC too but have never attended any events - any views?
notax said:
I sold my Vantage coupe about a year ago and am now considering selling my mint F355 GTS, which I barely use, and swapping it for a Vantage roadster. I wouldn't use the car as a daily driver but think it would get a lot more use than the Ferrari and hopefully feel special enough for the type of hoons and trips I've enjoyed in the F355.
My Vantage roadster was completely reliable in my ownership, are there are any drawbacks to the roadster? Is the hood mechanism reliable for example? Any advice appreciated. My budget would ideally be around £45k.
On a separate issue, I've been impressed by my local Ferrari owners club. I belong to the AMOC too but have never attended any events - any views?
I've been a member of the AMOC since last August. Due to work I have only managed to make one meeting.My Vantage roadster was completely reliable in my ownership, are there are any drawbacks to the roadster? Is the hood mechanism reliable for example? Any advice appreciated. My budget would ideally be around £45k.
On a separate issue, I've been impressed by my local Ferrari owners club. I belong to the AMOC too but have never attended any events - any views?
It was very enjoyable night and I was made most welcome.It was for the North west area if that is any help. They certainly didnt bite!
I have had a couple of roadsters and driven them in most conditions, specific drawbacks are;
Dash lighting is too dim (even on max) for a roadster with the roof down in the sun
The rain channels are crap, if the roof is down and it rains it will just come over the top of the screen and on to the electronics
There is a bracket in the middle of the roof that can wear the liner
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
They are prone to the odd rattle
On grey roof linings it cna get marked by the roll over hoop casing rubbing dirt in to it, I Scotch Guarded both mine
The boot cooks as it is such a small enclosed place sat above the back exhaust box, I've put some radiator foil under the carpet which helps a bit
On the plus side the noise is better
Dash lighting is too dim (even on max) for a roadster with the roof down in the sun
The rain channels are crap, if the roof is down and it rains it will just come over the top of the screen and on to the electronics
There is a bracket in the middle of the roof that can wear the liner
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
They are prone to the odd rattle
On grey roof linings it cna get marked by the roll over hoop casing rubbing dirt in to it, I Scotch Guarded both mine
The boot cooks as it is such a small enclosed place sat above the back exhaust box, I've put some radiator foil under the carpet which helps a bit
On the plus side the noise is better
mikey k said:
I have had a couple of roadsters and driven them in most conditions, specific drawbacks are;
Dash lighting is too dim (even on max) for a roadster with the roof down in the sun
The rain channels are crap, if the roof is down and it rains it will just come over the top of the screen and on to the electronics
There is a bracket in the middle of the roof that can wear the liner
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
They are prone to the odd rattle
On grey roof linings it cna get marked by the roll over hoop casing rubbing dirt in to it, I Scotch Guarded both mine
The boot cooks as it is such a small enclosed place sat above the back exhaust box, I've put some radiator foil under the carpet which helps a bit
On the plus side the noise is better
I presume the roadster is like the Volante too in the fact as soon as the sun shines the dash becomes pretty much unreadable!Dash lighting is too dim (even on max) for a roadster with the roof down in the sun
The rain channels are crap, if the roof is down and it rains it will just come over the top of the screen and on to the electronics
There is a bracket in the middle of the roof that can wear the liner
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
They are prone to the odd rattle
On grey roof linings it cna get marked by the roll over hoop casing rubbing dirt in to it, I Scotch Guarded both mine
The boot cooks as it is such a small enclosed place sat above the back exhaust box, I've put some radiator foil under the carpet which helps a bit
On the plus side the noise is better
Benefits outweigh the drawbacks though, that noise
notax said:
Is there any scuttle shake?
Where is that bears go to the toilet..? It's a coupe with the roof cut off!HOWEVER it is reported to be really very, very good, much better than the early DB9 equivalent and no-one has ever mentioned it as an issue, even press reviewers. It can't physically have the same torsional rigidity as the coupe, but the VH chassis is so rigid anyway than roof chopping doesn't spoil the drive.
BTW, met you and your other half on the handling half-day at Thorney Island - I was in the noisy red Marcos, you in an M3
Consider yourself stalked...
I moved to roadster ownership after nine happy years of Ferrari 355GTS ownership.
I loved the 355 to bits, but like you I just wasn't using it enough (and starting to fret about any possible big money repairs, given Ferrari's ludicrous spares pricing regime).
I am thoroughly enjoying the roadster, and the exhaust note, whilst not quite in the league of a shrieking 355 (with Tubi!), is highly enjoyable.
Scuttle shake is to all intents non existent and the front spoiler is nowhere near as low as the 355.
All in all I am very happy to have made the move to Aston
Go for a roadster!
Alan
I loved the 355 to bits, but like you I just wasn't using it enough (and starting to fret about any possible big money repairs, given Ferrari's ludicrous spares pricing regime).
I am thoroughly enjoying the roadster, and the exhaust note, whilst not quite in the league of a shrieking 355 (with Tubi!), is highly enjoyable.
Scuttle shake is to all intents non existent and the front spoiler is nowhere near as low as the 355.
All in all I am very happy to have made the move to Aston
Go for a roadster!
Alan
yeti said:
Where is that bears go to the toilet..? It's a coupe with the roof cut off!
HOWEVER it is reported to be really very, very good, much better than the early DB9 equivalent and no-one has ever mentioned it as an issue, even press reviewers. It can't physically have the same torsional rigidity as the coupe, but the VH chassis is so rigid anyway than roof chopping doesn't spoil the drive.
BTW, met you and your other half on the handling half-day at Thorney Island - I was in the noisy red Marcos, you in an M3
Consider yourself stalked...
Never seen it in either of my Vantage roadster HOWEVER it is reported to be really very, very good, much better than the early DB9 equivalent and no-one has ever mentioned it as an issue, even press reviewers. It can't physically have the same torsional rigidity as the coupe, but the VH chassis is so rigid anyway than roof chopping doesn't spoil the drive.
BTW, met you and your other half on the handling half-day at Thorney Island - I was in the noisy red Marcos, you in an M3
Consider yourself stalked...
yeti said:
BTW, met you and your other half on the handling half-day at Thorney Island - I was in the noisy red Marcos, you in an M3
Consider yourself stalked...
Hello there! Ironically you met me on the only day I enjoyed owning the M3... really didn't like it as a road car and soon swapped it for an SLK55 AMG which then made way for my first V8V coupe. Happy to be stalked btw Consider yourself stalked...
Mac355 said:
I moved to roadster ownership after nine happy years of Ferrari 355GTS ownership.
I loved the 355 to bits, but like you I just wasn't using it enough (and starting to fret about any possible big money repairs, given Ferrari's ludicrous spares pricing regime).
I am thoroughly enjoying the roadster, and the exhaust note, whilst not quite in the league of a shrieking 355 (with Tubi!), is highly enjoyable.
Scuttle shake is to all intents non existent and the front spoiler is nowhere near as low as the 355.
All in all I am very happy to have made the move to Aston
Go for a roadster!
Alan
Good to hear someone else has made the same move I loved the 355 to bits, but like you I just wasn't using it enough (and starting to fret about any possible big money repairs, given Ferrari's ludicrous spares pricing regime).
I am thoroughly enjoying the roadster, and the exhaust note, whilst not quite in the league of a shrieking 355 (with Tubi!), is highly enjoyable.
Scuttle shake is to all intents non existent and the front spoiler is nowhere near as low as the 355.
All in all I am very happy to have made the move to Aston
Go for a roadster!
Alan
I already have experience of big Ferrari bills - the last one was £4,500 and that is for an immaculate low miles car and not even at a Ferrari main dealer! Having said that it has appreciated since I bought it so I can't complain too much...Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff