4.3 or 4.7 Vantage
Discussion
Speedraser said:
Sukh,
The obvious thing to do is go out and drive a 4.3 and a 4.7 and see if it's worth the difference to you. IMO, the 4.3 is a great car, and plenty quick. Having said that, I think the 4.7 is significantly improved. Also, while the 4.7 is clearly much stronger in the low- and mid-rpm ranges, it is also significantly stronger when revved hard.
You are right I will have to go drive both back-to-back. I've only driven the 4.3 and I thought it lacked the torque low end and decent feedback in the steering. I haven't driven a 4.7 yet but it sounds like the real deal The obvious thing to do is go out and drive a 4.3 and a 4.7 and see if it's worth the difference to you. IMO, the 4.3 is a great car, and plenty quick. Having said that, I think the 4.7 is significantly improved. Also, while the 4.7 is clearly much stronger in the low- and mid-rpm ranges, it is also significantly stronger when revved hard.
v8woollie said:
Here's my simplistic perspective. I feel blessed in that I could afford (finally after many years of hankering for one) an Aston Martin. I knew there was a 4.7 version of the V8V but at the time I purchased they were out of reach for me. I was told by the dealer that there were options to bring the 4.3 to 4.7 spec and ultimately it is possible to do so and spend less money than the equivalent age 4.7. They did make an honest statement and say that the 4.7 is a better all round car and that AM Works do provide 4.3 upgrades to get closer to the 4.7 performance.
Coming from the Audi S4 when I drove the 4.3 I decided it was plenty fast for me. I had found with the Audi that in normal day to day driving when you accelerate hard it is very soon that you slow down because you have caught up with the traffic in front. The 4.3 is the same but it catches up quicker than the S4 did, so for me the 4.3 is fast enough.
I will be looking at the BR exhaust system with the original back box and the AM sports pack or an equivalent third party offering. I think for around £7.5K I will be able to get close to the 4.7 performance.
But for me, in normal day to day ownership and use, I am happy to have a V8V, and a 4.3 V8V at that. Unless going on a hoon down deserted country lanes, I doubt that there is a massive difference between a 4.3 and 4.7 around town and just sitting in the V8V makes me feel like any journey is a special one.
So I am happy with my lot and happy at last that I can experience Aston Martin ownership. To be honest in some ways I am glad I started with a 4.3 as I now see a journey of upgrading that perhaps with a 4.7 I wouldn't have bothered with (given that fundamentaly I think the car is fast enough in 4.3 form).
My dilemma is that I've seen a nice '08 4.3 but its 46k and looking at prices im probably on the cusp of a 4.7. Waiting a few months isnt an issue for me because buying in winter would suit me too, prices have probably recently firmed up a little also! Coming from the Audi S4 when I drove the 4.3 I decided it was plenty fast for me. I had found with the Audi that in normal day to day driving when you accelerate hard it is very soon that you slow down because you have caught up with the traffic in front. The 4.3 is the same but it catches up quicker than the S4 did, so for me the 4.3 is fast enough.
I will be looking at the BR exhaust system with the original back box and the AM sports pack or an equivalent third party offering. I think for around £7.5K I will be able to get close to the 4.7 performance.
But for me, in normal day to day ownership and use, I am happy to have a V8V, and a 4.3 V8V at that. Unless going on a hoon down deserted country lanes, I doubt that there is a massive difference between a 4.3 and 4.7 around town and just sitting in the V8V makes me feel like any journey is a special one.
So I am happy with my lot and happy at last that I can experience Aston Martin ownership. To be honest in some ways I am glad I started with a 4.3 as I now see a journey of upgrading that perhaps with a 4.7 I wouldn't have bothered with (given that fundamentaly I think the car is fast enough in 4.3 form).
Edited by v8woollie on Sunday 22 April 09:51
Edited by v8woollie on Sunday 22 April 12:56
I do like sapphire blue metallic but I don't think they do that in the 4.7 might have to go for something similar :-)
Sukh,
IMO, a V8V should have truly excellent steering feel. 911s are considered a standard-bearer of steering feel (no longer, though, with the new 991). I've driven many 911s, and have had my 993 for 12 years, and I think the steering feel of my MY09 V8V is worthy of comparison. The 4.3's steering feel should be very good, and the changes in the 4.7 make it still better. They do seem to be quite sensitive to wheel alignment/tracking specs.
v8woollie, excellent post
IMO, a V8V should have truly excellent steering feel. 911s are considered a standard-bearer of steering feel (no longer, though, with the new 991). I've driven many 911s, and have had my 993 for 12 years, and I think the steering feel of my MY09 V8V is worthy of comparison. The 4.3's steering feel should be very good, and the changes in the 4.7 make it still better. They do seem to be quite sensitive to wheel alignment/tracking specs.
v8woollie, excellent post
Speedraser said:
Sukh,
IMO, a V8V should have truly excellent steering feel. 911s are considered a standard-bearer of steering feel (no longer, though, with the new 991). I've driven many 911s, and have had my 993 for 12 years, and I think the steering feel of my MY09 V8V is worthy of comparison. The 4.3's steering feel should be very good, and the changes in the 4.7 make it still better. They do seem to be quite sensitive to wheel alignment/tracking specs.
v8woollie, excellent post
This is what I'm looking for; a worthy comparison to my old 997 911. Originally, I drove both the 997 911 and the 4.3 and chose the 911 because I thought the 4.3 was not as satisfying. Did a bit of bedtime reading last night (grants book again) and I think the 4.7 with a sports pack applied is for me ;-)IMO, a V8V should have truly excellent steering feel. 911s are considered a standard-bearer of steering feel (no longer, though, with the new 991). I've driven many 911s, and have had my 993 for 12 years, and I think the steering feel of my MY09 V8V is worthy of comparison. The 4.3's steering feel should be very good, and the changes in the 4.7 make it still better. They do seem to be quite sensitive to wheel alignment/tracking specs.
v8woollie, excellent post
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