opinions please
Discussion
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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, DaveI 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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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