Discussion
RichB said:
What an annoying knob, baseball cap and sitting on the bonnet of a car that's been loaned to him for a test drive.
I have to confess he is the only Youtuber I watch regularly (even Tim I only tend to watch when it features his GT8). I think you would actually quite like him Rich if you met him. I agree sitting on the bonnet a bit odd, but I bet he made sure it was load bearing before doing it. The baseball cap he wears almost non-stop (he has some unfortunate hair loss for one so young).
But his videos are refreshing because they’re about the cars, not his lifestyle, he’s honest and enthusiastic (particularly the Aston Brand). Oh and he likes classic cars, always a good sign
RichB said:
What an annoying knob, baseball cap and sitting on the bonnet of a car that's been loaned to him for a test drive.
Now this one is annoying.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld-SJCOpEhw
RobDown said:
I have to confess he is the only Youtuber I watch regularly (even Tim I only tend to watch when it features his GT8). I think you would actually quite like him Rich if you met him.
I agree sitting on the bonnet a bit odd, but I bet he made sure it was load bearing before doing it. The baseball cap he wears almost non-stop (he has some unfortunate hair loss for one so young).
But his videos are refreshing because they’re about the cars, not his lifestyle, he’s honest and enthusiastic (particularly the Aston Brand). Oh and he likes classic cars, always a good sign
Agree Rob. I agree sitting on the bonnet a bit odd, but I bet he made sure it was load bearing before doing it. The baseball cap he wears almost non-stop (he has some unfortunate hair loss for one so young).
But his videos are refreshing because they’re about the cars, not his lifestyle, he’s honest and enthusiastic (particularly the Aston Brand). Oh and he likes classic cars, always a good sign
David W. said:
Kept the spec down to something sensible but it didn’t price it!!!
DW
David that looks very classy. I admire your taste! Are you a fan of the DB11 directional wheels? Because you could spec them to potentially keep the cost down over those (forged) Vantage wheels (dealer request).DW
Graphite bodypack would work better in some specs rather than gloss black and likely be much lower maintenance. Plus it has the added benefit of being FOC. I have found a pic of the graphite-painted bodywork and it actually looks quite good:
Alex
Thanks for feedback.
Was playing with configuration on ipad so not perhaps the best at looking at the subtle changes!
What I was also interested in was how cheap (relatively) I could get an acceptable spec to come in at. Shame options aren’t costed. Thought they were on other brands eg Porsche?
DW
Thanks for feedback.
Was playing with configuration on ipad so not perhaps the best at looking at the subtle changes!
What I was also interested in was how cheap (relatively) I could get an acceptable spec to come in at. Shame options aren’t costed. Thought they were on other brands eg Porsche?
DW
RobDown said:
RichB said:
What an annoying knob, baseball cap and sitting on the bonnet of a car that's been loaned to him for a test drive.
I have to confess he is the only Youtuber I watch regularly (even Tim I only tend to watch when it features his GT8). I think you would actually quite like him Rich if you met him. I agree sitting on the bonnet a bit odd, but I bet he made sure it was load bearing before doing it. The baseball cap he wears almost non-stop (he has some unfortunate hair loss for one so young).
But his videos are refreshing because they’re about the cars, not his lifestyle, he’s honest and enthusiastic (particularly the Aston Brand). Oh and he likes classic cars, always a good sign
David W. said:
Alex
Thanks for feedback.
Was playing with configuration on ipad so not perhaps the best at looking at the subtle changes!
What I was also interested in was how cheap (relatively) I could get an acceptable spec to come in at. Shame options aren’t costed. Thought they were on other brands eg Porsche?
DW
What do you call cheap? Serious question as I have no idea what sort of prices differing specs are coming out at.Thanks for feedback.
Was playing with configuration on ipad so not perhaps the best at looking at the subtle changes!
What I was also interested in was how cheap (relatively) I could get an acceptable spec to come in at. Shame options aren’t costed. Thought they were on other brands eg Porsche?
DW
I took the white demonstrator at Grange Brentwood out yesterday for a fairly extensive test drive. Thanks to Garry for an entertaining couple of hours! Here are a few observations. Apologies if it’s covering old ground for some of you.
It’s quick. I would say comparable to my V12V and the power is easily accessible. The engine has plenty of torque and the mid range pull is impressive. Didn’t really experience any turbo lag either. I stayed away from Track Mode, for both suspension, and throttle settings, but the noise wasn’t too bad in comparison to my car. In Sport+ it burbles on the overrun, but all in all I don’t think it’s as good a noise as from the NA engine. No complains on the gearbox. I really can’t see why the new breed of owner would want a manual. On that subject, they are going to have to move things to get a gear-lever in there. The ride is very very good. The car feels planted and handles very well. Mrs Minglar doesn’t like being a passenger in mine due to the harsh ride, so this is one area where the new car definitely hits the right spot. Mixed feelings on the interior. There’s more room for sure and the view out was better than I expected. When I sat in the car in May I couldn’t place the front at all, but some tinkering with the seats cures that, although it does feel like a slightly higher driving position. Didn’t like the dash very much. The central dial is small and it’s feels too much like a games console to me. I prefer the analogue dials on mine. There are a lot of buttons in the centre and it’s very clear to see the link to Mercedes in this respect, particularly with all the stalks on the left hand side of the steering column. The media/nav screen is fine but it would be nice if it can be hidden. It can’t, so there is no point dwelling. Rear view mirror looked pretty cheap compared to mine too. Overall the shape is growing on me. It looks good from the back and the light bar works really well. As we see more on the road I suspect the older cars could look a little dated (or classic, depending on your viewpoint!) Gloss black trim works well. Still not totally sold on the front of the car, but it does look aggressive, and is much better with a number plate fitted. Colour wise, I think the car looks better in darker shades. Black (my favourite) would be interesting to see in the flesh. It’s been noted before, and it’s the same with the DB11, but it’s very wide! I understand this is due to the aluminium construction in a similar vein to the AMG GT and F-Type, but for me this is a real stumbling block. My garage is relatively narrow and it was a right palaver getting it in. The car is 3 inches wider over the rear, but the main problem is the mirrors. 5 inches wider when they are open. It’s a problem with a garage which is only 7ft 6 inches wide! I guess the cost to change for me would be £60/70k assuming a decent spec car comes in around £140k. Man maths isn’t a problem, but I’m not sure at the moment. So to sum up, I was very impressed and pleasantly surprised. But it feels a bit too modern for me and I think I still prefer the looks and feeling of my current car. The new one hasn’t tugged my heart strings and made me yearn to get one in the same way the V12V did. So for now staying put, but certainly not ruling one out in the future. It’s the future of Aston Martin and there will be many first time owners who will be delighted with their purchase and rightly so. It’s a very good car.
Best Regards
Minglar
It’s quick. I would say comparable to my V12V and the power is easily accessible. The engine has plenty of torque and the mid range pull is impressive. Didn’t really experience any turbo lag either. I stayed away from Track Mode, for both suspension, and throttle settings, but the noise wasn’t too bad in comparison to my car. In Sport+ it burbles on the overrun, but all in all I don’t think it’s as good a noise as from the NA engine. No complains on the gearbox. I really can’t see why the new breed of owner would want a manual. On that subject, they are going to have to move things to get a gear-lever in there. The ride is very very good. The car feels planted and handles very well. Mrs Minglar doesn’t like being a passenger in mine due to the harsh ride, so this is one area where the new car definitely hits the right spot. Mixed feelings on the interior. There’s more room for sure and the view out was better than I expected. When I sat in the car in May I couldn’t place the front at all, but some tinkering with the seats cures that, although it does feel like a slightly higher driving position. Didn’t like the dash very much. The central dial is small and it’s feels too much like a games console to me. I prefer the analogue dials on mine. There are a lot of buttons in the centre and it’s very clear to see the link to Mercedes in this respect, particularly with all the stalks on the left hand side of the steering column. The media/nav screen is fine but it would be nice if it can be hidden. It can’t, so there is no point dwelling. Rear view mirror looked pretty cheap compared to mine too. Overall the shape is growing on me. It looks good from the back and the light bar works really well. As we see more on the road I suspect the older cars could look a little dated (or classic, depending on your viewpoint!) Gloss black trim works well. Still not totally sold on the front of the car, but it does look aggressive, and is much better with a number plate fitted. Colour wise, I think the car looks better in darker shades. Black (my favourite) would be interesting to see in the flesh. It’s been noted before, and it’s the same with the DB11, but it’s very wide! I understand this is due to the aluminium construction in a similar vein to the AMG GT and F-Type, but for me this is a real stumbling block. My garage is relatively narrow and it was a right palaver getting it in. The car is 3 inches wider over the rear, but the main problem is the mirrors. 5 inches wider when they are open. It’s a problem with a garage which is only 7ft 6 inches wide! I guess the cost to change for me would be £60/70k assuming a decent spec car comes in around £140k. Man maths isn’t a problem, but I’m not sure at the moment. So to sum up, I was very impressed and pleasantly surprised. But it feels a bit too modern for me and I think I still prefer the looks and feeling of my current car. The new one hasn’t tugged my heart strings and made me yearn to get one in the same way the V12V did. So for now staying put, but certainly not ruling one out in the future. It’s the future of Aston Martin and there will be many first time owners who will be delighted with their purchase and rightly so. It’s a very good car.
Best Regards
Minglar
Minglar said:
So to sum up, I was very impressed and pleasantly surprised. But it feels a bit too modern for me and I think I still prefer the looks and feeling of my current car. The new one hasn’t tugged my heart strings and made me yearn to get one in the same way the V12V did. So for now staying put, but certainly not ruling one out in the future. It’s the future of Aston Martin and there will be many first time owners who will be delighted with their purchase and rightly so. It’s a very good car.
Thank you for sharing your driving experience with us Richard.
A pattern is certainly apparent, whereby existing owners of the 'classic' Vantage love everything about their cars very much, and although the new model is clearly technically superior in many ways, there does seem to be a widespread reluctance to trade-in for the new model.
When the original car (concept) was unveiled in 2003, there was immediately a huge demand to want one, and a lengthy waiting list developed. Even before being able to see actual cars, it looked good from every angle in photographs. With the new model there have been comments about don't look from a low position, particular colours help, it looks better in the flesh, and even that a front number plate makes the front view look better.
AML clearly knew that a follow up act to the original design would be very difficult, and they did decide upon a much more radical and fashionable approach, both for the exterior and interior.
They must have known that a change of philosophy from the long tradition of understated elegance, to fashionable predator, would make some existing owners want to keep their cars.
I hope that it all works out well, and that many customers who are new to the marque, make up for the apparent reluctance of existing owners to 'trade-up'. We will know by this time next year. It will be important from a business perspective, because obviously the 'lowest' price model in the range, will usually be the core biggest seller. We only know about the opinions on this forum, but presumably that might be a representative sample within AML's biggest market.
I know what you mean you mention that the new Vantage seems to really date the outgoing version. I noticed that when I went to view the new model which was parked right next to an AMR Vantage. I did prefer the old Vantage grille though and especially that of the Vanquish that was there. Now the Vanquish still looks current even next to the DB11 (apart from maybe the rather large headlights). I would have been swayed to a Vanquish years ago except they are so long - I'm after a 2 seater. If only AM worked their magic, removed the rather vestigial rear seats and shorted it slightly!
I think the significantly higher price of the new Vantage is a big stumbling block for some to upgrade. Are they getting value? Perhaps this is why AM are insistent on bringing a cheaper manual as their 'value' offering into the range and at the same time appeasing fans. I agree with Minglar. The engine delivery suits the auto very well.
On colour choice, I am really leaning to Lightning Silver plus the graphite pack (gloss black gives too much contrast). Just shows the design so well in silver in every lighting condition. Looks so clean & avant-garde. Having had black cars and silver cars next to each other in the stable - silver are by far easier to maintain. However I admit that I am curious about Magnetic Silver.
Anyway interesting comment about the rear vision mirror. It's one of the new fancy 'edgeless' ones from the DB11 - I thought it looked great.
I think the significantly higher price of the new Vantage is a big stumbling block for some to upgrade. Are they getting value? Perhaps this is why AM are insistent on bringing a cheaper manual as their 'value' offering into the range and at the same time appeasing fans. I agree with Minglar. The engine delivery suits the auto very well.
On colour choice, I am really leaning to Lightning Silver plus the graphite pack (gloss black gives too much contrast). Just shows the design so well in silver in every lighting condition. Looks so clean & avant-garde. Having had black cars and silver cars next to each other in the stable - silver are by far easier to maintain. However I admit that I am curious about Magnetic Silver.
Anyway interesting comment about the rear vision mirror. It's one of the new fancy 'edgeless' ones from the DB11 - I thought it looked great.
AstonV said:
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