Discussion
AlexT said:
ripley500 said:
Mmmm... mines having a new diff fitted after 800 miles!
Hey Ripley, thanks for the update. What were the symptoms? Who manufactures the diff? In any case, that's not very good.Looking forward to getting it back as the car was certainly growing on me - the more and harder it’s driven the better it gets
Thanks for the info Ripley. I am sure they will get it sorted for you. Every single one of the new Vantage reviews that I've seen have been overwhelmingly positive. I'm not into social media but it appears to have its fans on Instagram by the looks of it. The only thing that remains is its longer term mechanical reliability but with tried and tested AMG/ZF drivetrain components I'm sure that will also be positive.
DB9VolanteDriver said:
Not exactly a glowing report was it. 
Oooh baby. DB11 wheels and in my favourite Aston colour - Cinnabar Orange:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Just needs quad exhaust and the steel side vents, but both are available as dealer-fit. Come on numbers!!!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Just needs quad exhaust and the steel side vents, but both are available as dealer-fit. Come on numbers!!!
Interesting how the world turns. The US mag Car and Driver have done a comparo between the new Vantage, an AMG GT-C and the new GT3. The Porsche with iis 6 sp manual and naturally aspirated motor is now the traditionalist (and rated tops), the Merc is the stately beauty, and Aston the brash hooligan with looks not for everyone.
I finally had a chance to test drive the new Vantage last week; thank you to Matthew & George at AM Bristol. The current demo is black (not sure if it was Storm or Onyx, I was in too much of a rush to jump in and drive it), with yellow calipers - subtle and classy I thought. Much of how it drives has been covered up above, but in the brief half an hour I had in it, some ramblings...
The chassis balance is superb - it feels agile, on its toes and responsive. I'd expected that to some degree, but the steering feel's very good for an electro-mechanical system. The brakes have better feel than the DB11, but there's still that dead spot where it feels a bit like a switch - the pedal feel on the old Vantage was perfectly judged (it's one thing I prefer on the old car).
The engine and gearbox upsets some purists, but relative to my previous Vantage (2012.25 SSII) it feels like an updated version of the drive train, with none of the weird quirks and foibles - it makes the right noises, particularly in sport+ and track mode, but the exhaust pops on the overrun might become tiring after a while; overall it makes a great noise and pulls like a train from low down. As a drive train partnership, the 4.0 V8 and ZF8 is excellent for just getting on with the job of driving briskly. There's little in the way of turbo lag and the throttle response is great. I worried there wouldn't be any theatre or drama (on the back of a quick blast in the Vanquish, de-catted V12's tug on the heart strings), but truthfully - it just felt different, not better or worse. It's difficult to describe, but it sits somewhere between the raw theatre of the last gen cars, and the digital, ruthless efficiency of Porshe's latest non GT offerings - a happy medium, for me anyway.
The infotainment is a step up, but although it's similar to the DB11, I found the latter is easier to navigate. Possibly because I'm more used to that arrangement of buttons. I was just happy the sat nav compass wasn't spinning around in circles like it does on my Vanquish...
The biggest surprise for me was how usable it was, not just in performance terms, but everyday driving. In sport mode, it can behave as sedately as you could hope for in a 195mph supersports car. ~30mpg and I'm told, 420 miles on a tank; my old Golf R couldn't muster that. It makes it a viable option for a daily, and something my current situation requires as the Vanquish isn't getting much use and it's a little anti-social on the noise side on start-up (going to work early in the morning upsets the neighbours, and the effective quiet start on the new cars is a genius move IMO).
In summary - I liked the look of the new Vantage back at the confidential (over a year ago, how time flies). Having driven it...
The chassis balance is superb - it feels agile, on its toes and responsive. I'd expected that to some degree, but the steering feel's very good for an electro-mechanical system. The brakes have better feel than the DB11, but there's still that dead spot where it feels a bit like a switch - the pedal feel on the old Vantage was perfectly judged (it's one thing I prefer on the old car).
The engine and gearbox upsets some purists, but relative to my previous Vantage (2012.25 SSII) it feels like an updated version of the drive train, with none of the weird quirks and foibles - it makes the right noises, particularly in sport+ and track mode, but the exhaust pops on the overrun might become tiring after a while; overall it makes a great noise and pulls like a train from low down. As a drive train partnership, the 4.0 V8 and ZF8 is excellent for just getting on with the job of driving briskly. There's little in the way of turbo lag and the throttle response is great. I worried there wouldn't be any theatre or drama (on the back of a quick blast in the Vanquish, de-catted V12's tug on the heart strings), but truthfully - it just felt different, not better or worse. It's difficult to describe, but it sits somewhere between the raw theatre of the last gen cars, and the digital, ruthless efficiency of Porshe's latest non GT offerings - a happy medium, for me anyway.
The infotainment is a step up, but although it's similar to the DB11, I found the latter is easier to navigate. Possibly because I'm more used to that arrangement of buttons. I was just happy the sat nav compass wasn't spinning around in circles like it does on my Vanquish...
The biggest surprise for me was how usable it was, not just in performance terms, but everyday driving. In sport mode, it can behave as sedately as you could hope for in a 195mph supersports car. ~30mpg and I'm told, 420 miles on a tank; my old Golf R couldn't muster that. It makes it a viable option for a daily, and something my current situation requires as the Vanquish isn't getting much use and it's a little anti-social on the noise side on start-up (going to work early in the morning upsets the neighbours, and the effective quiet start on the new cars is a genius move IMO).
In summary - I liked the look of the new Vantage back at the confidential (over a year ago, how time flies). Having driven it...
This guy actually bought one and modified it (slightly). He has experience with many sports cars/exotics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GraWLDhQ4VQ
Looks like he's onto a winner!
Looks like he's onto a winner!
So the Smoking Tire has done a second take on their Vantage review. Apparently the rather negative review they gave was due to a 'pre-production' vehicle according to AM. Interesting that they supplied an unsorted, pre-production car in that particular blue (I thought they were only Tungsten/Lime Essence/White) for review. Anyway, AM obviously didn't like the review so supplied a new car. Which still had issues!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRL46iu319k
NB: He mentions that the QUAD exhaust option is aesthetic only. I specifically asked my dealer if the quad was an actual sports exhaust or just for looks as it was suspicously inexpensive - he confirmed a couple of months ago that it was indeed different and louder with a different tone???? Anyone know the real answer to this??
Although funnily enough the reviewer didn't show the panel gaps on the new car, he did appear more positive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRL46iu319k
NB: He mentions that the QUAD exhaust option is aesthetic only. I specifically asked my dealer if the quad was an actual sports exhaust or just for looks as it was suspicously inexpensive - he confirmed a couple of months ago that it was indeed different and louder with a different tone???? Anyone know the real answer to this??
Although funnily enough the reviewer didn't show the panel gaps on the new car, he did appear more positive.
Edited by AlexT on Tuesday 20th November 05:58
AlexT said:
NB: He mentions that the QUAD exhaust option is aesthetic only. I specifically asked my dealer if the quad was an actual sports exhaust or just for looks as it was suspicously inexpensive - he confirmed a couple of months ago that it was indeed different and louder with a different tone???? Anyone know the real answer to this??
The quad pipes are a decent chunk louder, but perhaps not obvious without back-to-back listening against a stock system. It certainly helps the aesthetics, but it has quantifiable changes in noise (the stock system sounds pretty good anyway IMO). There's a few more exhaust crackles on the overrun also, which some appreciate.I’ll be able to report on the difference between the standard and quads shortly. Picking up the wife’s new Vantage on Friday with stock exhausts. The quads have a manufacturing issue (paint flaking off) and so aren’t likely to be available until end of the year / early next. I got a good deal on the quads which were available at a launch price. It will be great to get used to the standard noise over a few weeks to then, hopefully, get a wow! moment after the quads are fitted.
I've never seen any of Dray's video's before - but I'm impressed. Comes across pretty well.
Interesting to hear that it was the Merc connection that made it "easier for him" to make the decision to purchase. As well as those that might be put off by this new Merc tie up - it's obviously having an opposite effect in attracting new eyes to the brand. Good to hear.
Does anyone know what the current waiting time is for the new cars to be delivered? Thinking of getting an order in before Christmas,
Interesting to hear that it was the Merc connection that made it "easier for him" to make the decision to purchase. As well as those that might be put off by this new Merc tie up - it's obviously having an opposite effect in attracting new eyes to the brand. Good to hear.
Does anyone know what the current waiting time is for the new cars to be delivered? Thinking of getting an order in before Christmas,
woodsypedia said:
Does anyone know what the current waiting time is for the new cars to be delivered? Thinking of getting an order in before Christmas,
Dealers could confirm it, but my understanding was an order placed today would see a possible delivery around Feb / March 2019 (depending on Q options).
AlexT said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm very glad it's not just aesthetic then.
Agree with the exhaust tip design. The new facelifted R8 demonstrates what current buyers want I think. My favoured tip style would be the Vanquish S - a design that's agressive yet very smart.
Agree with the exhaust tip design. The new facelifted R8 demonstrates what current buyers want I think. My favoured tip style would be the Vanquish S - a design that's agressive yet very smart.
cayman-black said:
Aston Martin should take a look at the R8 on PHs front page to see how the exhaust exits should be, ridiculous those standard exhaust exits.
You see it just shows that we're all different, because I think the rear end and specifically the rear bumper of the facelifted R8 is absolutely hideous. 
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