The GT8! Carbon fibre bodied £200K 440BHP 7 Speed V8.
Discussion
Any willing to convoy to Goodwood Breakfast Club this coming Sunday? 2 GT8s in the convoy + 1 will join us in Goodwood directly
More details here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
More details here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
FFM said:
Any willing to convoy to Goodwood Breakfast Club this coming Sunday? 2 GT8s in the convoy + 1 will join us in Goodwood directly
More details here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Mine will be there (also taking the Vanquish, 675LT and FF) but I'm making my own way down a bit later after some photos on the way.More details here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
RobDown said:
Sounds (literally) as though the exhaust valve kit worked then Tim. Will put my order in next week!
Does what it says on the tin! Very clear installation instructions provided and behaves as per expectations. It makes the car maintain that noise you get above 4,500rpm, but right from the bottom. It might be antisocial like that but it defaults to the stock configuration on start so you only have that behaviour if you've chosen to (I. E. Not in central London!)
Beefmeister said:
Sad to see that there are 10 GT8s on Auto Trader. But glad that there are such a wide variety of colour schemes!
I'm sure there will be exceptions to this, but I think there are two explanations:1. Flippers. You can spot some of these cars; they're the ones where the buyer has put zero effort into the spec - just ticked the box for one of the three halo schemes. No individualisation
2. The gearbox. I've done just over 200 miles, the gearbox is very direct, but the clutch is "sharp" (that's probably not the right technical term). It's a challenge to get it right, but one that I'm looking forward to mastering over the coming miles/years. But without having test driven one before I wonder how many GT8 buyers suddenly discover they need to learn to drive a manual again, bearing in mind most other sports cars are paddle-shift now? It's not a criticism by the way, many drivers just prefer the ease of a paddle shift. I know of at least one car up for sale for this reason
It would be a bit like v12 Vantage buyers acquiring a car with the new 7-speed dogleg without test driving it first. Clearly from other threads here some love it and some don't (and would presumably soon part with the cars).
So hopefully what happens over the next 12 months is that the cars find homes with people who genuinely want a manual sports car. And that would be a good thing as my limited experience already suggests the handling, noise and sheer presence are sublime. I'm grinning just thinking about it while writing this (and that's why I want to own a sports car!)
RobDown said:
I'm sure there will be exceptions to this, but I think there are two explanations:
1. Flippers. You can spot some of these cars; they're the ones where the buyer has put zero effort into the spec - just ticked the box for one of the three halo schemes. No individualisation
2. The gearbox. I've done just over 200 miles, the gearbox is very direct, but the clutch is "sharp" (that's probably not the right technical term). It's a challenge to get it right, but one that I'm looking forward to mastering over the coming miles/years. But without having test driven one before I wonder how many GT8 buyers suddenly discover they need to learn to drive a manual again, bearing in mind most other sports cars are paddle-shift now? It's not a criticism by the way, many drivers just prefer the ease of a paddle shift. I know of at least one car up for sale for this reason
It would be a bit like v12 Vantage buyers acquiring a car with the new 7-speed dogleg without test driving it first. Clearly from other threads here some love it and some don't (and would presumably soon part with the cars).
So hopefully what happens over the next 12 months is that the cars find homes with people who genuinely want a manual sports car. And that would be a good thing as my limited experience already suggests the handling, noise and sheer presence are sublime. I'm grinning just thinking about it while writing this (and that's why I want to own a sports car!)
Spot on Rob.1. Flippers. You can spot some of these cars; they're the ones where the buyer has put zero effort into the spec - just ticked the box for one of the three halo schemes. No individualisation
2. The gearbox. I've done just over 200 miles, the gearbox is very direct, but the clutch is "sharp" (that's probably not the right technical term). It's a challenge to get it right, but one that I'm looking forward to mastering over the coming miles/years. But without having test driven one before I wonder how many GT8 buyers suddenly discover they need to learn to drive a manual again, bearing in mind most other sports cars are paddle-shift now? It's not a criticism by the way, many drivers just prefer the ease of a paddle shift. I know of at least one car up for sale for this reason
It would be a bit like v12 Vantage buyers acquiring a car with the new 7-speed dogleg without test driving it first. Clearly from other threads here some love it and some don't (and would presumably soon part with the cars).
So hopefully what happens over the next 12 months is that the cars find homes with people who genuinely want a manual sports car. And that would be a good thing as my limited experience already suggests the handling, noise and sheer presence are sublime. I'm grinning just thinking about it while writing this (and that's why I want to own a sports car!)
Let's hope they end up in the hands of those who actually want to drive them!
Beefmeister said:
It hopefully means that some who wanted a GT8 but couldn't get one can, but at a premium sadly.
True. I would hope that Aston Martin learn some lessons from this in terms of trying to spot the flippers from those who intend to keep the car, I know their primary motivation is just to sell them, but surely it's doesn't look good for them to see the cars coming straight back on to the market? Or maybe I'm being naive thereThat probably in turn means the dealers need to work a little harder. Not everyone will agree with this, but I would think any "special" limited edition car should only really be offered to those who already own an Aston Martin of some sort or have some history with the marque.
I would loved to have had a chance at a Vanquish Zagato for example. But didn't get one, despite a history of owning several AML cars. So I find it a little galling when I see the cars already up for sale by the "flippers" at premiums that push them well out of my range.
Seem you have been spotted Tim, out in Torino, Italy. Looks like the weather isn't too sharp over there at the moment, in fact it's quite a bit nicer back here in old blighty!
https://www.autogespot.com/aston-martin-vantage-gt...
https://www.autogespot.com/aston-martin-vantage-gt...
RobDown said:
True. I would hope that Aston Martin learn some lessons from this in terms of trying to spot the flippers from those who intend to keep the car, I know their primary motivation is just to sell them, but surely it's doesn't look good for them to see the cars coming straight back on to the market? Or maybe I'm being naive there
That probably in turn means the dealers need to work a little harder. Not everyone will agree with this, but I would think any "special" limited edition car should only really be offered to those who already own an Aston Martin of some sort or have some history with the marque.
I would loved to have had a chance at a Vanquish Zagato for example. But didn't get one, despite a history of owning several AML cars. So I find it a little galling when I see the cars already up for sale by the "flippers" at premiums that push them well out of my range.
With a bit of digging the premium seems to be rather elusive on these cars by now. That probably in turn means the dealers need to work a little harder. Not everyone will agree with this, but I would think any "special" limited edition car should only really be offered to those who already own an Aston Martin of some sort or have some history with the marque.
I would loved to have had a chance at a Vanquish Zagato for example. But didn't get one, despite a history of owning several AML cars. So I find it a little galling when I see the cars already up for sale by the "flippers" at premiums that push them well out of my range.
RobDown said:
I know 3-4 did. Nice of him to write personally to apologise for the delay
I binned it the moment I read it. Something about a driving course? No thanks.I was initially expecting this car "end of 2016 / early 2017" and made it clear to my dealer I intend for it to be supplied on winters as I want to drive it straight to the Alps. All was on track, seemingly. December passed, January passed... nothing. With the April 1st RFL changes looming I was reassured the car will be registered 31st March, even if its still on the production line. Wishful thinking... a month ago I was told "2 weeks", now I'm told another 3 weeks.
Needless to say, I had to make alternative arrangements for my ski trip. A Porsche I'll add... and bloody fantastic to boot.
There comes a point where you lose complete interest and, to be honest, I'm not even sure if I want the thing any more. On paper it's the car I've always wanted, but the road to owning it has been so painful that I now resent its arrival. I'd go as far as saying that for several different reasons (including not being 'allowed' the colour scheme I wanted) it has been the most deflating car purchase I have ever endured, with most of the shortfalls being due to AML's ineptitude.
If you hear of an unregistered car being offered around, assume I'm the f
kwit who threw in the towel.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff