Vanquish 6 speed or 8 speed - Opinions Please
Discussion
Ok, let me know your opinions.
I'm pretty much settled on buying a new (2012+) Vanquish. Now I've only driven the 6 speed auto box version, and having spent way too much time on Youtube watching reviews. The "experts" say the car is transformed with the later 8 speed box.
I'm also a little bit obsessed with not losing too much money on it as I've used the Man Maths calculator the justify the purchase. It is a long term purchase by the way, not a buy it and get bored 911.
I've canvased a few opinions already and obviously its a fantastic car in any form, can the 8 speed box really make that much difference, (I've only driven the 6 speed)?
I know I need to just buy one and get on with it!
At the moment there is probably about £10k to £20k price difference.
Yours, a ruminating potential Aston owner.
I'm pretty much settled on buying a new (2012+) Vanquish. Now I've only driven the 6 speed auto box version, and having spent way too much time on Youtube watching reviews. The "experts" say the car is transformed with the later 8 speed box.
I'm also a little bit obsessed with not losing too much money on it as I've used the Man Maths calculator the justify the purchase. It is a long term purchase by the way, not a buy it and get bored 911.
I've canvased a few opinions already and obviously its a fantastic car in any form, can the 8 speed box really make that much difference, (I've only driven the 6 speed)?
I know I need to just buy one and get on with it!
At the moment there is probably about £10k to £20k price difference.
Yours, a ruminating potential Aston owner.
FWIW, go 8 speed. You mention £10k difference but most of that could be accounted for by the car being slightly newer, regardless of the improved driving experience the later box offers.
I've not driven either, but if I was looking at über wafters then it'd be the later car for minimal extra outlay or me.
I've not driven either, but if I was looking at über wafters then it'd be the later car for minimal extra outlay or me.
I've always thought that paddles on an automatic are a gimmick. You try them a few times and then quickly lose interest and just leave it in auto. And occasionally you use them to impress a passenger. Paddles on an F1 type trans? Absolutely needed since auto mode is so poor, but not the case with a true torque converter trans.
So, if you drive as most do with a Vmk2, in auto, you'll never miss the 8-speed, and if you do use the paddles, you'll spend too much time clicking up and down through the plethora of gears. All IMO, of course.
So, if you drive as most do with a Vmk2, in auto, you'll never miss the 8-speed, and if you do use the paddles, you'll spend too much time clicking up and down through the plethora of gears. All IMO, of course.
Having driven both, the eight speed is the better car. You really need to test drive one. Not only that it has the Bosch engine management system which is also much better, more advanced and more reliable than the previous Visteon system. The eight speed transforms the driving, accelerated quicker, and has a higher top speed, making the six speed feel slow.
yellow_tang said:
Having driven both, the eight speed is the better car. You really need to test drive one. Not only that it has the Bosch engine management system which is also much better, more advanced and more reliable than the previous Visteon system. The eight speed transforms the driving, accelerated quicker, and has a higher top speed, making the six speed feel slow.
Agree with the above. You will recap the price difference (if not more) the day you sell it. The 8 speed box is the one the Vanquish should have had in the first place. The old one is clunky and slow. The 8 speed is a smoother ride in full auto and a faster shift on the paddles but if you enjoyed the 6 speed when you drove it then save the 10k.
I'm biased though as I own and am considering selling my 6 speed (if you're interested you can email me by clicking my Pistonheads profile) but I came from a PDK 911 and enjoy the Vanquish box regardless.
I'm biased though as I own and am considering selling my 6 speed (if you're interested you can email me by clicking my Pistonheads profile) but I came from a PDK 911 and enjoy the Vanquish box regardless.
I drove the 6 and 8 speed and actually preferred the 6. I do use the paddles pretty much all the time, and in the 8-speed found myself constantly changing. The 6-speed is much more conducive to paddle-shifting, if that's what you're into.
Anyway, I bought a 6-speed, Morning Frost and Chancellor Red, and I'm having a ball.
Interestingly, mine doesn't have the cranking oil-circulation procedure (foot planted on the throttle on start-up), so presume it has the Bosch management system, which is odd.
moveover said:
I drove the 6 and 8 speed and actually preferred the 6. I do use the paddles pretty much all the time, and in the 8-speed found myself constantly changing. The 6-speed is much more conducive to paddle-shifting, if that's what you're into.
Anyway, I bought a 6-speed, Morning Frost and Chancellor Red, and I'm having a ball.
Interestingly, mine doesn't have the cranking oil-circulation procedure (foot planted on the throttle on start-up), so presume it has the Bosch management system, which is odd.
Lovely spec, some pictures please?Anyway, I bought a 6-speed, Morning Frost and Chancellor Red, and I'm having a ball.
Interestingly, mine doesn't have the cranking oil-circulation procedure (foot planted on the throttle on start-up), so presume it has the Bosch management system, which is odd.
moveover said:
I drove the 6 and 8 speed and actually preferred the 6. I do use the paddles pretty much all the time, and in the 8-speed found myself constantly changing. The 6-speed is much more conducive to paddle-shifting, if that's what you're into.
Agreed, the range of 3rd and 4th give it a manual feel, you can sit in one gear and make it sing through mulitple corners. The 8 speed seems more Lamborghini in temperament, getting up into the higher revs sooner.Drove both the 8-speed and 6-speed Vqs (Volante) and it is indeed a huge difference, more than you would expect only from paper. As a Manual driver I would consider buying the 8-speed (but ignore the 6-speed) when it concerns involvement, responsiveness, etc., maybe that says it all. And for the extra money: don't worry, that will come back for the most part when trading it in in a few years (and if not, then it still is worth the premium).
What year did the 8 speed come in? I'm mulling over a Vanquish to replace my LP-560 as a more refined daily.
As for my take on the OP's question, I'd go 8 speed for the simple reason (as I've not driven either yet) that it would bother me that there is a more advanced version around if I bought the 6 speed. But that's just me...
As for my take on the OP's question, I'd go 8 speed for the simple reason (as I've not driven either yet) that it would bother me that there is a more advanced version around if I bought the 6 speed. But that's just me...
Gameface said:
What year did the 8 speed come in? I'm mulling over a Vanquish to replace my LP-560 as a more refined daily.
As for my take on the OP's question, I'd go 8 speed for the simple reason (as I've not driven either yet) that it would bother me that there is a more advanced version around if I bought the 6 speed. But that's just me...
2014 MY I beleiveAs for my take on the OP's question, I'd go 8 speed for the simple reason (as I've not driven either yet) that it would bother me that there is a more advanced version around if I bought the 6 speed. But that's just me...
I've owned two Vanquish (Volante and S Ultimate coupe). Both were 8 speed. Prior to that, I owned a 6sp DBS coupe.
I drive 100% of the time on paddles. Always have done, always will do.
I'd still go 8 speed.
The Bosch engine management is one clear reason. The gearbox seems faster to change. It also seems better for the throttle blips on the downchanges (if that's your bag).
There are too many gears though. In the 6sp, a double tap on the down shifter was always right for that squirt of acceleration to overtake. A triple tap seems a bit risky/slow. There is a "powershift" feature (pull and hold the downshift and it will select the lowest available gear). It's great but sometimes, this is a little too dramatic - particularly as the S has an exhaust that rattles windows several miles away.
I drive 100% of the time on paddles. Always have done, always will do.
I'd still go 8 speed.
The Bosch engine management is one clear reason. The gearbox seems faster to change. It also seems better for the throttle blips on the downchanges (if that's your bag).
There are too many gears though. In the 6sp, a double tap on the down shifter was always right for that squirt of acceleration to overtake. A triple tap seems a bit risky/slow. There is a "powershift" feature (pull and hold the downshift and it will select the lowest available gear). It's great but sometimes, this is a little too dramatic - particularly as the S has an exhaust that rattles windows several miles away.
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