Discussion
Minglar said:
I did mention elsewhere that I didn’t particularly like the shape and height of the gear lever, vis a vis the earlier cars. It looks like a lollipop! However, it will be interesting to read the reviews from those who have driven the manual, either journalists or, more importantly, customers. Ironically, having driven the current automatic version, I think the gearbox is one area which does not warrant much, if any, criticism. I think the manual take up will be be pretty small, and a manual Vantage is likely to be a rare sight imho. Could help the residuals though!
Agree, though I love the height of the stick in my 2007.Manual Vantage will be rare. Though popular on here, most people ordering a Vantage will want the auto. This might be the last Aston manual car?
shinjuku said:
If it were in a Fiesta, OK, fine.
Let's see the "old" cars:
Dunno. I could design better than the above? But, what do I know?
I agree, I am thankful it's there, mostly. That goes for the whole car, I suppose.
The earlier gearstick is hardly a design great, and the later one is pretty ugly. Also the positioning of the gear stick in the old car wasn't great either, as it always feels too far back and can be a bit awkward to use, hence why people bend them. Let's see the "old" cars:
Dunno. I could design better than the above? But, what do I know?
I agree, I am thankful it's there, mostly. That goes for the whole car, I suppose.
shinjuku said:
RichB said:
Looks like a gear stick, what's the problem with it? 
If it were in a Fiesta, OK, fine.Let's see the "old" cars:
Dunno. I could design better than the above? But, what do I know?
I agree, I am thankful it's there, mostly. That goes for the whole car, I suppose.
Never once have I felt that my V8`s gear lever is in a strange position, maybe I have freakishly well suited arms, but maybe others have freakishly ill-suited arms.
The previous incarnation of the Vantage has a better looking stick IMO, but at the end of the day I just care how it feels when I`m slicing it through the cheese.
The previous incarnation of the Vantage has a better looking stick IMO, but at the end of the day I just care how it feels when I`m slicing it through the cheese.
lukeharding said:
The earlier gearstick is hardly a design great, and the later one is pretty ugly. Also the positioning of the gear stick in the old car wasn't great either, as it always feels too far back and can be a bit awkward to use, hence why people bend them.
Position of the gear lever in the original Vantage is fine and you get used to it’s position immediately , it’s certainly not awkward to use in the slightest.Bend a gear lever ? , really?
Never heard of one being bent through normal use yet.
Buster73 said:
lukeharding said:
The earlier gearstick is hardly a design great, and the later one is pretty ugly. Also the positioning of the gear stick in the old car wasn't great either, as it always feels too far back and can be a bit awkward to use, hence why people bend them.
Position of the gear lever in the original Vantage is fine and you get used to it’s position immediately , it’s certainly not awkward to use in the slightest.Bend a gear lever ? , really?
Never heard of one being bent through normal use yet.
I’m one of the orangutans who found the previous Vantage’s gear lever position (literally) uncomfortably located. Too far back. Probably a coincidence, but ended up with an impinged shoulder. Chopped it in for a SportShift 2 and couldn’t be happier.
But, in principle, I do prefer manuals so would be keen to try the new manual Vantage. Don’t care about outright times. No relevance to the road.
Not seen much noise about it.
But, in principle, I do prefer manuals so would be keen to try the new manual Vantage. Don’t care about outright times. No relevance to the road.
Not seen much noise about it.
Buster73 said:
Position of the gear lever in the original Vantage is fine and you get used to it’s position immediately , it’s certainly not awkward to use in the slightest.
Bend a gear lever ? , really?
Never heard of one being bent through normal use yet.
I find it too far back - close to driver - compared to most other sports cars and yes, for me, it’s more awkward than it needs to be. I thought that was a generally accepted fact, obviously not...Bend a gear lever ? , really?
Never heard of one being bent through normal use yet.
Buster73 said:
Position of the gear lever in the original Vantage is fine and you get used to it’s position immediately , it’s certainly not awkward to use in the slightest.
Bend a gear lever ? , really?
Never heard of one being bent through normal use yet.
No not through normal use, people have actually removed them and bent them so that they are a bit more forward. Someone suggested it to me when I got my car as I noticed it. Maybe I just have abnormally long arms...Bend a gear lever ? , really?
Never heard of one being bent through normal use yet.
My point is, the old car isn't perfect just as the new one isn't.
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