opinions please

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akita1

Original Poster:

487 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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Gentlemen hello I am hopefully going to realise a long term dream and after many years of saving and going without I am about to treat myself to a retirement gift a 2010 4.7 vantage with sportshift gearbox I would appreciate your comments regarding this type of box and any pros and cons Many thanks Bill.

johnnyBv8

2,417 posts

190 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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I'm not a fan, but I prefer manuals in all my cars. You really need to test drive and see if you like it. Enjoy the search....!

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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Welcome Bill.

Be very careful before choosing a Sportshift 1 Vantage. Some owners love the Sportshift, but many buyers only want a manual - it really is a Marmite opinion.

Expect you already know that both versions have the same gearbox and are single clutch, but one has computer controlled gear shifting. I have never driven a Sportshift (I enjoy everything about the end stages of old school driving), but from comments on here, Sportshift boxes can be slightly awkward and jerky when in slow traffic, or when manouvreing. You might love it, but be sure to drive both types to be certain. Main dealers are used to this request.

Manuals have quite a heavy clutch pedal, but is a clutch is required, many choose to replace with an optional twin plate clutch where the pedal is very light.

The Sportshift has gradually been improved through three versions, and ended up being a seven speed box on the V12S.







Gday2

219 posts

122 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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Hi Bill,

I have a 2009 V8 Vantage wit Sportshift, no problems at all, she has 65.000 km on the clock with the original clutch. I am not carrying her, spirited driving most of the time. I never use the "D"-button - D stands for DO NOT TOUCH, paddle shift always.
That's my experience.
Go for it and enjoy her, like I do.

Cheers

Christian

bogie

16,342 posts

271 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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Im not a fan of the sportshift, I prefer manual too.

Otherwise the 4.7 Vantage is a fine vehicle, I love mine smile

...if you can stretch to a late 2012 car it came with lots of the "S" spec as standard from then on...bigger brakes, wheels etc and sports suspension on the roadster

dwell

74 posts

82 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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Five years ago I did the same, a 2011 v8Vantage with sportshift (which despite all the negative comments I read at the time, I love) 5 years and 30,000 miles later I’ve driven around Europe in it and enjoyed every mile - no regrets, do it!!

CMYK

19 posts

71 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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Could not get on with sports shift after a manual v8 vantage. Bought a 2016 S but traded it after one year. Test both and decide but do take both out before deciding IMO.

akita1

Original Poster:

487 posts

199 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies everyone I guess what I really want to know is what it drives like in full auto mode as I have spent the last 38 years torturing my left leg driving a HGV !

IanV12VSRs

2,749 posts

154 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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There are not many people who like SS in Drive mode. Not sure why you would want to use it that way when you can just use the paddles and have far more fun. Best thing to do is drive one and make your own mind up. If you want a full auto then DB9 with its auto box may be the better solution.

dwell

74 posts

82 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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akita1 said:
Thanks for the replies everyone I guess what I really want to know is what it drives like in full auto mode as I have spent the last 38 years torturing my left leg driving a HGV !
It’s not a ‘full auto’ it’s an automated manual with two pedals so left leg can rest easy. In D, as said above it will do all changes for you - and is not very good at it - I switched to S (sport) after one week and have never ever since used D. In S you do all the changes via the paddles, it does take a little getting used to but (IMHO) is well worth the effort and for me adds to the experience. Good luck, Dave

RobbW

32 posts

80 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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I bought a 2009 sportshift. I could have bought a manual but I found a SS car first that was truly like new.

Early manual cars 05-08 had a fairly heavy clutch with a top heavy catchpoint. They aren’t my cup of tea all things considered.

09 has a lightened flywheel and more torque with other improvements that sold me on the SS from there forward.

Just like the Ferrari F1 cars - the SS has the same gearbox as the manual. You still have to use the right foot properly. You just don’t use the left. You use the paddles instead of a gear lever. Same function. Just like a manual, you still should lift the gas when shifting to keep it smooth and not wear out the clutch.

The car very nicely downshifts for you so you don’t heel and toe.

One nice thing about the SS is that you can keep both hands on the wheel and focus on your driving line. Sometimes when going fast (especially on a track there than be a lot to manage and view all happening very quickly. The SS is a very nice helping hand to let you focus on other items. I don’t feel like less of a driver.

My Ferrari’s have manual stick shifts.

The SS is not an auto box. People that have trouble and don’t like the SS can’t drive a manual well in the first place.

If you need an auto - just go directly to a DB9 and enjoy.

Don’t use the D button or comfort button on the SS ULunless you enjoy replacing clutches regularly.

Robb

Grant3

3,635 posts

254 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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Stretch your budget a tad to a 12.25MY+ (or earlier S) if you want Sportshift as it was upgraded to the much improved 7 speed Sportshift II, there was also enhanced steering, handling, brakes and exterior design etc. smile
Sportshift is definitely a marmite option but if you give yourself time to get used to it and only use the paddles (like a manual) then it is fine. Basically the benefits are much faster changes in hypershift, fabulous rev matching blips on downchanges and you find yourself using the gears far more than in a manual as it’s so easy. The downside is it can be a bit quirky and jerky (!) and place higher demands on the clutch - but most of the jerks go when you get used to it wink

macdeb

8,492 posts

254 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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I stretched myself for an '09 4.7 vantage and the best I could find. (I was previously looking at 4.3's) It's a Sport Shift and I like it. 1st to 2nd can be bit jerky on occasion but then again owners of manual cars have complained about the heavy shift from 1st to 2nd too. I don't find it a problem in slow moving traffic if driven right. There are some cool features to it, one is the automatic 'blip' on downshifts. Also, it will still do the blip if you're pulling up to a junction and let it change down by itself (still in Sport mode). Then there is the 'hypershift' when pressing on a bit which is over a certain revs with 90% throttle applied it changes up very quickly, bit like a motorbike and no jerks. I think the SS can be heavier on clutches depending on previous owners use of 'C' or 'D' both of which I never use. I'd have either again.

Incognegro

1,560 posts

132 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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I will be picking up my 4.3 v8v at the end of this week. I only wanted the SS as coming from the TVR fold I want to master something else and firing through the cogs (or trying to) is my new challenge while staying smart. Was going to to for an Audi R8 but fell in love with the vantage.

Test drives I have no issues with car in either Sport or comfort. Full auto or not new clutch being put on car worst case I upgrade to a twin plate.

Just drive and see how you feel... oh and enjoy it.

South tdf

1,518 posts

194 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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As you will see from above there are pretty much 2 camps on the Sportshift debate. I went Sportshift due to a back injury a few years ago as I can sometimes have issues with pressing the clutch. S/S works well for me as it is a second car but I am conscious of using it in stop start traffic due to the clutch wear. If you are ever over West Sussex / Hampshire you are free to have a look over mine.

akita1

Original Poster:

487 posts

199 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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Well chaps thanks for the input but I have found a mint 4.3 v8 2006 model with 21000 miles and balance of Aston Martin warranty so manual it is.

akita1

Original Poster:

487 posts

199 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
quotequote all
Well chaps thanks for the input but I have found a mint 4.3 v8 2006 model with 21000 miles and balance of Aston Martin warranty so manual it is.

dwell

74 posts

82 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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Excellent, enjoy every mile 😊

RSbandit

2,590 posts

131 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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Akita congrats on finding the right car , wishing you health to drive ...collecting a V12S next week with Sportshift 3 , thought it was a fine gearbox on an extended test drive when used correctly( paddles only no D mode) , for me a full manual day to day would be a pain