New Vantage?

[ArgieBargy]

bananarob said:

Hey Argiebargy, just wondered if you have taken delivery as yet? Mine goes onto the line week after next...

Hey bananarob

Afraid it's still at the detailer's getting PPF'd, etc. but will hopefully will pick it up next weekend!

Is yours a '59 Edition as well or one of the others specifications?

[ArgieBargy]

RichB said:

Seriously, we all know that the public's reaction to the Vantage (Gen 2) is mixed at best and generally people don't much like it. I'm not saying that as an "old foggie" which is what people get accused of on here when they say anything negative but with an AM owning son and Ferrari owning son-in-law and their friends with whom I chat about cars none of them particularly like the Vantage. It's just not a good looker.

You gotta love PH forums for classic posts like these!

Go on then, I'll bite back...

"We all know that the public's reaction to the Vantage (Gen 2) is mixed at best and generally people don't much like it." - So, that will be the definitive results of an imaginary poll conducted by no-one then!

Oh no, wait, that'll just be a load of old cobblers that you and a few others, write on some PH forums! From my experience out there in the real world, the public's reaction to the new Vantage is an overwhelmingly positive one.

"... with an AM owning son and Ferrari owning son-in-law and their friends with whom I chat about cars none of them particularly like the Vantage. It's just not a good looker." - In that case, with the expert opinions of an 'old fogey', 2 other guys AND their mates, you have surely arrived at the definitive conclusion!

Well, I think not...

I am getting really bored with hearing these same old crass comments being repeated ad nauseam. I completely understand anyone not liking the new Vantage design, but styling is a purely subjective matter and it is not a badly designed car just because some people around here don't like it.

Personally, I (and presumably the many other, delighted, new Vantage owners worldwide) love it's bold, confident styling and think that it wears the whole range of colours brilliantly well.

Love it or hate it, at least it has character and I will always take that over a weak, bland design.
Rant over. Cheers me dear!

[Speedraser]

This thread has been, and remains, titled "New Vantage?" It's about people's thoughts and impressions of the New Vantage. Pro. Con. In between. The notion that those who don't like it -- whether exterior, interior and/or where its engine comes from -- shouldn't say so is absurd. This is a forum -- it's about people's opinions. Are people seriously suggesting that those who disagree shouldn't be able to say so? That's a frightening proposition. I'm not a fan (but very glad they've done the manual 'box), I've said so, and I'll continue to say so -- on a thread about the car in general.

That said, the suggestion that when, for example, Argy gets his new car he should start a thread about it is exactly right. That would be a thread about HIS car, not about the New Vantage in general. I've never said I don't like the new car on a thread about someone's own New Vantage. That would simply be rude.

[Jon39]

ArgieBargy said:

You gotta love PH forums for classic posts like these!

Go on then, I'll bite back...

Rant over. Cheers me dear!

RichB is an AML (remember also the L) enthusiast.

Perhaps we should remember that the Gen 2 Vantage will be judged by the marketplace, not by our personal opinions.

[Buster73]

Jon39 said:

RichB is an AML (remember also the L) enthusiast.

Perhaps we should remember that the Gen 2 Vantage will be judged by the marketplace, not by our personal opinions.

Is being judged , not will.

[RobDown]

At what point does it become rude though? If this were a simple thread on New Vantage and people posted once “hmm, it’s not for me” then we’d all agree that’s fine. Maybe a follow up post to clarify something you’ve said.

But when you get into high single digit/low double digit posts of “I think it’s ugly”, usually after someone has posted pictures of their new pride & joy - at what point does it slip over into being actually just rude?

I’ve posted my thoughts on the car earlier on. I don’t feel the need to endlessly repeat it. I’m not so vain as to think anyone would care about my opinion so much that I would need to do so.

FWIW I now know a lot of people who have bought the new Vantage. Other than some with some build quality issues (they all do that sir) I’m delighted to say they’ve almost universally been blown away by the step forward in driving dynamics of the car. So will be looking forward to hearing Argy’s impressions

[ArgieBargy]

Buster73 said:

Jon39 said:

RichB is an AML (remember also the L) enthusiast.

Perhaps we should remember that the Gen 2 Vantage will be judged by the marketplace, not by our personal opinions.

Is being judged , not will.

Agreed, the market will always decide. Although, the sales volumes of any vehicle are decided by a myriad of different factors, not just one. I think AM's somewhat optimistic pricing for a supposed volume model won't do it any favours, particularly in the current, uncertain economic climate and one in which there is already a surplus of great, more affordable, cars to choose from.

[RL17]

RobDown said:

At what point does it become rude though? If this were a simple thread on New Vantage and people posted once “hmm, it’s not for me” then we’d all agree that’s fine. Maybe a follow up post to clarify something you’ve said.

But when you get into high single digit/low double digit posts of “I think it’s ugly”, usually after someone has posted pictures of their new pride & joy - at what point does it slip over into being actually just rude?

I’ve posted my thoughts on the car earlier on. I don’t feel the need to endlessly repeat it. I’m not so vain as to think anyone would care about my opinion so much that I would need to do so.

FWIW I now know a lot of people who have bought the new Vantage. Other than some with some build quality issues (they all do that sir) I’m delighted to say they’ve almost universally been blown away by the step forward in driving dynamics of the car. So will be looking forward to hearing Argy’s impressions

If your referring to my post Rob then I commented on the 2 most distinguishable parts of a manual car based on video reviews and photos - love the rest of the car and said AML could (and should) do better for a rare manual car in todays market with a retro racing inspired 7 gear box from previous V12 and could be an easy fix (fairly sure Vantage GTE, GT3 & 4 cars have used paddles for years).

On review it's not just a few vloggers, as can now see posts on here in early October and Top Gear review says you'll need to order the slimmer version from Q. Bodywork/size etc may look different in the flesh and in different lights but can see clearly from reviews for such interior items.

So not endlessly repeating my views. And not posted in response to pride and joy photos which came later and looks great (whilst poster admitting gear stick not a work of art and pedals might not look so good on LHD models!)

[ArgieBargy]

RobDown said:

At what point does it become rude though? If this were a simple thread on New Vantage and people posted once “hmm, it’s not for me” then we’d all agree that’s fine. Maybe a follow up post to clarify something you’ve said.

But when you get into high single digit/low double digit posts of “I think it’s ugly”, usually after someone has posted pictures of their new pride & joy - at what point does it slip over into being actually just rude?

I’ve posted my thoughts on the car earlier on. I don’t feel the need to endlessly repeat it. I’m not so vain as to think anyone would care about my opinion so much that I would need to do so.

FWIW I now know a lot of people who have bought the new Vantage. Other than some with some build quality issues (they all do that sir) I’m delighted to say they’ve almost universally been blown away by the step forward in driving dynamics of the car. So will be looking forward to hearing Argy’s impressions

Hey Rob

I'm sure we all agree that the whole reason for the forum is to air one's opinions and, inevitably, with freedom of speech comes a degree of offence.

Personally, I'm genuinely not fussed by any other individual's thoughts but I'm also happy to challenge anyone who appears to state their opinion either as fact or the combined wisdom of the general population.

Now, if only AM would drop the list price of the new Vantage by c. £40k and offer owners the no-cost option of a traditional grill, then this would be a very dull forum, wouldn't it?!

[8Speed]

Good-looking car or not?
Purely subjective.
I reckon most modern Ferraris are rather a mess stylistically but that's only my personal view & doesn't affect the way they drive.
Basically I love the new Vantage design (but would rather the aerodynamic addenda were a little less obtrusive on a road car).
I'd have one (manual) in a flash if I could afford it at the current time & congratulations to all those who've got their hands on one.

[Mr.Tremlini]

ArgieBargy said:

RL17 said:

Mr.Tremlini said:

I don`t hate the new gear knob per se, but when you consider what they have managed in the past it does look a bit like it`s not a push to imagine it`s been lifted from a Honda or Hyundai, and that`s not what you want for 150K. Cynic that I am, I imagine a Carbon, Alloy, Titanium or Moon Dust version in the spec list before too long...

Have seen worse gear knobs occasionally - but the gear knob and the pedals don't fit in with rest of car. 18 year old TT runaround in pouring rain today has much better gear knob and pedals.

Mainly use 3rd & 4th in V8V (rarely 5th and very rarely 6th in UK) - dogleg box good for tracks with hairpins (on dry tracks )

Sorry to contradict the naysayers, but has anyone else actually seen the production gear stick & pedals of the customer Vantage AMR's in the flesh or are these comments just coming from a few YouTube videos and the reviews of LHD cars? I saw mine yesterday at the dealer and was really pleased with the gearshift. Admittedly, it's no work of art but it looks good, feels great and has a nice action. Pedal layout and clutch feel are also spot on.

This Vantage is a car that really needs to be appreciated in the flesh rather than on a screen.

Can't wait to take delivery now and offend other AM PHer's with how ugly it is, apparently...

No contradiction necessary, as by your own admission, the gear knob is no work of art, which is basically what I`m saying. No, I have not sat in a Vantage AMR, and I am referring to it`s appearance as witnessed on YouTube videos. That it feels great and has a nice action is terrific, and the look of the knob would not prevent me from owning one.

As people often say that purchasing an Aston is matter of the heart and not the head, the brand will invariably draw comments on both sides of the spectrum due to this impassioned philosophy. Personally I like the new Vantage, both in looks and having driven it, and have said so many times, in the same way that many people have to repeat that they don`t like it, find it ugly, MX-5 etc etc, ad nauseam, as is there right to do so. I find it boring and somewhat lacking in imagination to repeat the same st over and over, in a typically troll-like manner, but suspect many do it just for the rise they get from others, which would allow any psychologist to define the character type.

Your AMR looks fantastic Argy, and despite it`s gear knob I`d have one quite happily.

[RichB]

ArgieBargy said:

Oh no, wait, that'll just be a load of old cobblers that you and a few others, write on some PH forums! From my experience out there in the real world, the public's reaction to the new Vantage is an overwhelmingly positive one.

"... with an AM owning son and Ferrari owning son-in-law and their friends with whom I chat about cars none of them particularly like the Vantage. It's just not a good looker." - In that case, with the expert opinions of an 'old fogey', 2 other guys AND their mates, you have surely arrived at the definitive conclusion!

I go on loads of car events, Aston related and non-Aston related, motorsport events and mixed drives like the Teddy Bear Run etc. with my ears wide open but if you don't want to hear, then good luck to you, let's all agree it's a rip roaring success and people are snapping them up. Meanwhile I'm yet to see one on the open road. I did see a few at the AMOC concours in Wormsley Park earlier this year and I said at the time (on here) that the cobalt blue one looked good, but hey ho...

Thank you for putting me in my place by explaining that my "couple of mates" (more likely a few hundred across diverse places like the GRRC, TVRCC, AMOC plus others), are not qualified to comment on the looks of the new Vantage ... Oh and while I'm at it; yes I do think that petrolheads in their mid-thirties and loads of their petrolhead friends, several of whom who drive comparable cars; Astons, Porsches, McLarens are a real-life yardstick of public opinion on Aston's new 2 seat sports coupe but no doubt you'll say I'm wrong. Adios

[RichB]

RobDown said:

At what point does it become rude though?

Hopefully Rob, you will agree I am never rude. I have not commented on the New Vantage for many months so certainly not ad-infinitum. There was a post earlier this weekend that I thought I would add to but you and Argie have reinforced my thoughts that my previous position of DIY (Don't Involve Yourself) is best. I'll not say another word about the Vantage. Now then, are you policing the DBX thread too?

[RobDown]

RichB said:

Hopefully Rob, you will agree I am never rude. I have not commented on the New Vantage for many months so certainly not ad-infinitum. There was a post earlier this weekend that I thought I would add to but you and Argie have reinforced my thoughts that my previous position of DIY (Don't Involve Yourself) is best. I'll not say another word about the Vantage. Now then, are you policing the DBX thread too?

No of course not Rich - I know you’re politeness itself. How could someone from Ealing not be?

I know it’s tongue in cheek, but I’m genuinely not trying to police the forums. I’m not a moderator. But at the same time I’ll stand by everything I’ve said before. I value the wit, wisdom and enthusiasm for Aston Martin this forum brings. It’s an invaluable source of help for owners - just google anything like “Aston Martin window not working” (they all do that sir) and it will bring up threads on PH.

My worry is that owners of the new cars are driven off the forum by a barrage of negative comments by the same old people. Much in the same way that the AMOC forum has become barren for Gaydon-era owners. And that would be a massive shame

See you soon Mr B- I still haven’t seen your Lagonda!

[bananarob]

ArgieBargy said:

Hey bananarob

Afraid it's still at the detailer's getting PPF'd, etc. but will hopefully will pick it up next weekend!

Is yours a '59 Edition as well or one of the others specifications?

It is indeed and can't wait. Look forward to hearing your experiences on it arrives. Feel free to pm me.

Funnily enough (and quite apt to the tone of this thread), I wasn't keen on new vantage looks having had it unveiling to me at a confidential event approx 2 years ago. I said id never buy one. that continued until the day before the 59 was revealed. Within 24 hours of that Tuesday I had placed a deposit. Its amazing how opinions can change.

[RichB]

RobDown said:

See you soon Mr B- I still haven’t seen your Lagonda!

Look forward to it Rob, I'll be in at it at Prescott and Chateau Impney next year.

[good grief]

RobDown said:

No of course not Rich - I know you’re politeness itself. How could someone from Ealing not be?

I know it’s tongue in cheek, but I’m genuinely not trying to police the forums. I’m not a moderator. But at the same time I’ll stand by everything I’ve said before. I value the wit, wisdom and enthusiasm for Aston Martin this forum brings. It’s an invaluable source of help for owners - just google anything like “Aston Martin window not working” (they all do that sir) and it will bring up threads on PH.

My worry is that owners of the new cars are driven off the forum by a barrage of negative comments by the same old people. Much in the same way that the AMOC forum has become barren for Gaydon-era owners. And that would be a massive shame

See you soon Mr B- I still haven’t seen your Lagonda!

Very neatly put, this forum I believe is for like minded Aston owners, who are quite entitled to air their views, but it has got rather personal of late. As one of the owners of a new Vantage it has been disappointing to be constantly told that I have purchased one of the ugliest cars ever made by Aston, compounded by the fact it’s powered by a German engine!
I shall reiterate I am delighted with it, but due to the ongoing negatively I for one will be leaving this thread and probably the forum.

[Octavarium]

good grief said:

Very neatly put, this forum I believe is for like minded Aston owners, who are quite entitled to air their views, but it has got rather personal of late. As one of the owners of a new Vantage it has been disappointing to be constantly told that I have purchased one of the ugliest cars ever made by Aston, compounded by the fact it’s powered by a German engine!
I shall reiterate I am delighted with it, but due to the ongoing negatively I for one will be leaving this thread and probably the forum.

I can't disagree with you there. The repeated antipathy displayed towards new Vantage and DB11 with AMG engines is not particularly pleasant on occasion.

Please don't go though. There are a good number of us who like these new cars. I guess that perhaps we just don't like to air our views about them too often for the reasons quoted earlier.

[bananarob]

Yeah don’t go, just rise above it. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but to drone on about it for 2 years is just ridiculous. Suggests something deeper rooted. Get a fking life.

[anonymous-user]

good grief said:

Very neatly put, this forum I believe is for like minded Aston owners, who are quite entitled to air their views, but it has got rather personal of late. As one of the owners of a new Vantage it has been disappointing to be constantly told that I have purchased one of the ugliest cars ever made by Aston, compounded by the fact it’s powered by a German engine!
I shall reiterate I am delighted with it, but due to the ongoing negatively I for one will be leaving this thread and probably the forum.

I do think this particular thread should be left to new owners and the like to discuss their cars, not the overall issues with AML relating to ‘less than forecast’ sales of the new vantage

As for leaving ph.... So what what I or anyone else thinks about your car? IDGAF what people think about my car, if they dont like it they are entitled to say so, I love it and that’s what matters.