Vanquish 6 speed or 8 speed - Opinions Please
Discussion
I often change gear for the noise it makes, so the idea of changing gears too often just doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps it's because I ride a mountain bike with so many gears it just seems normal to change gear every 3 or 4 seconds?
But, the 6 speed changes are sluggish and soft, the 8-speed changes are fast and can be a bit brutal, they feel great and get much more performance out of the car
But, the 6 speed changes are sluggish and soft, the 8-speed changes are fast and can be a bit brutal, they feel great and get much more performance out of the car
Elderton said:
Thank you. For the last few months I have literally agonised over buying either a DB9GT or DBS...both stunning cars but found it difficult to decide which to go for. Then saw the advert for the Appletree green Vanquish for less money and completely changed my mind. I hope I won’t be disappointed. 
That’s a lovely looking car.Would never do the 6-speed. I had a bunch of seat time in a 6-speed Rapide and Vanquish and an 8-speed several years ago when I was trying to decide. HUGE difference in shift speed and fun between the bunch, and the 6-speed felt sluggish before I even drove the 8-speed, and after driving the 8-speed the 6-speed was even more useless.
I have just bought a 6 speed Vanquish and my decision wasnt just based on price. I like the 6 speed rear better as it isnt all cluttered with pipes,
I like the front a bit more and I was very happy with my 6 speed db9.
I found most times I used 3 to 5 gears and only 6 on the freeway and thought why would I need another 2 gears.
0-60 a few tenths quicker , why worry, 187 mph compared to 201 who cares, I think the driving experience in the 6 speed is fantastic I have had mine for about a week and at no time have I wished for an extra 2 gears nor a louder exhaust.
just my 2c worth.
I like the front a bit more and I was very happy with my 6 speed db9.
I found most times I used 3 to 5 gears and only 6 on the freeway and thought why would I need another 2 gears.
0-60 a few tenths quicker , why worry, 187 mph compared to 201 who cares, I think the driving experience in the 6 speed is fantastic I have had mine for about a week and at no time have I wished for an extra 2 gears nor a louder exhaust.
just my 2c worth.
I guess the reality is you don’t miss what you haven’t had 
the 6 speed Vanquish is fabulous and certainly not lacking in pace, while also being available for less £’s 
But Aston have been very good at gradually evolving and improving all their models and from a driving enthusiasts point of view the 15MY + offers a sizeable step up in dynamic control and interaction. In addition to Touchtronic lll A.M. also introduced a new Bosch ECU [+3bhp/10Nm
] alongside revised steering, brake booster and DSC, the suspension was also reviewed with new dampers (15/35% f/r stiffer, alongside stiffer bushes) providing a more dynamic sporting set-up (plus those sexy new alloys and some equipment upgrades).
With the transmission It’s not just about the two extra gears (although this certainly helps keep the V12 in its power band) but rather the speed of response and gear-change, The ZF 6HP26 was launched in 2000/2001 and although Aston did a great job of evolving and enhancing the transmission the new 8-speed was launched 8 years later and further enhanced (with Aston specific transaxle location and control software) over the following years and technology marches on quickly.
Overall the 15MY Vanquish offers noticeably better performance driver interaction and control, although the ride quality is slightly harsher..... but many Vanquish owners simply don’t wish to push the car (or use the paddles preferring auto D )and the earlier cars are still awesome GT’s. I don’t think you would notice many shortcomings in isolation as Aston honed the 6 speed very well. For those considering a Vanquish test drive both and decide for yourself, I’d go 15MY+ but fully understand those that don’t and the £’s savings are tempting
PS - Astontony, I think you are thinking of the "S" when referring to styling changes
the 6 speed Vanquish is fabulous and certainly not lacking in pace, while also being available for less £’s But Aston have been very good at gradually evolving and improving all their models and from a driving enthusiasts point of view the 15MY + offers a sizeable step up in dynamic control and interaction. In addition to Touchtronic lll A.M. also introduced a new Bosch ECU [+3bhp/10Nm
] alongside revised steering, brake booster and DSC, the suspension was also reviewed with new dampers (15/35% f/r stiffer, alongside stiffer bushes) providing a more dynamic sporting set-up (plus those sexy new alloys and some equipment upgrades).With the transmission It’s not just about the two extra gears (although this certainly helps keep the V12 in its power band) but rather the speed of response and gear-change, The ZF 6HP26 was launched in 2000/2001 and although Aston did a great job of evolving and enhancing the transmission the new 8-speed was launched 8 years later and further enhanced (with Aston specific transaxle location and control software) over the following years and technology marches on quickly.
Overall the 15MY Vanquish offers noticeably better performance driver interaction and control, although the ride quality is slightly harsher..... but many Vanquish owners simply don’t wish to push the car (or use the paddles preferring auto D )and the earlier cars are still awesome GT’s. I don’t think you would notice many shortcomings in isolation as Aston honed the 6 speed very well. For those considering a Vanquish test drive both and decide for yourself, I’d go 15MY+ but fully understand those that don’t and the £’s savings are tempting
PS - Astontony, I think you are thinking of the "S" when referring to styling changes
Grant3 said:
I guess the reality is you don’t miss what you haven’t had the 6 speed Vanquish is fabulous and certainly not lacking in pace, while also being available for less £’s
But Aston have been very good at gradually evolving and improving all their models and from a driving enthusiasts point of view the 15MY + offers a sizeable step up in dynamic control and interaction. In addition to Touchtronic lll A.M. also introduced a new Bosch ECU [+3bhp/10Nm ] alongside revised steering, brake booster and DSC, the suspension was also reviewed with new dampers (15/35% f/r stiffer, alongside stiffer bushes) providing a more dynamic sporting set-up (plus those sexy new alloys and some equipment upgrades).
With the transmission It’s not just about the two extra gears (although this certainly helps keep the V12 in its power band) but rather the speed of response and gear-change, The ZF 6HP26 was launched in 2000/2001 and although Aston did a great job of evolving and enhancing the transmission the new 8-speed was launched 8 years later and further enhanced (with Aston specific transaxle location and control software) over the following years and technology marches on quickly.
Overall the 15MY Vanquish offers noticeably better performance driver interaction and control, although the ride quality is slightly harsher..... but many Vanquish owners simply don’t wish to push the car (or use the paddles preferring auto D )and the earlier cars are still awesome GT’s. I don’t think you would notice many shortcomings in isolation as Aston honed the 6 speed very well. For those considering a Vanquish test drive both and decide for yourself, I’d go 15MY+ but fully understand those that don’t and the £’s savings are tempting
PS - Astontony, I think you are thinking of the "S" when referring to styling changes
This totally. the 6 speed Vanquish is fabulous and certainly not lacking in pace, while also being available for less £’s But Aston have been very good at gradually evolving and improving all their models and from a driving enthusiasts point of view the 15MY + offers a sizeable step up in dynamic control and interaction. In addition to Touchtronic lll A.M. also introduced a new Bosch ECU [+3bhp/10Nm
] alongside revised steering, brake booster and DSC, the suspension was also reviewed with new dampers (15/35% f/r stiffer, alongside stiffer bushes) providing a more dynamic sporting set-up (plus those sexy new alloys and some equipment upgrades).With the transmission It’s not just about the two extra gears (although this certainly helps keep the V12 in its power band) but rather the speed of response and gear-change, The ZF 6HP26 was launched in 2000/2001 and although Aston did a great job of evolving and enhancing the transmission the new 8-speed was launched 8 years later and further enhanced (with Aston specific transaxle location and control software) over the following years and technology marches on quickly.
Overall the 15MY Vanquish offers noticeably better performance driver interaction and control, although the ride quality is slightly harsher..... but many Vanquish owners simply don’t wish to push the car (or use the paddles preferring auto D )and the earlier cars are still awesome GT’s. I don’t think you would notice many shortcomings in isolation as Aston honed the 6 speed very well. For those considering a Vanquish test drive both and decide for yourself, I’d go 15MY+ but fully understand those that don’t and the £’s savings are tempting
PS - Astontony, I think you are thinking of the "S" when referring to styling changes
Agreed +1
The 8 speed is a bit better but the 6 speeder is fine - if just 6 cogs impairs your fun and enjoyment then you are doing something wrong! There is always bigger and better but I had my 6 speeder for 6 years and, especially as I always drive it on the paddles, it was absolutely fine and was always in t6eh right gear! You felt the torque converter presence a bit more - slip if in too high a gear, and so it was touch less 'tight' - but it blipped nicely on the way down and was a tad smoother on full throttle upshifts than the sometime fierce 8.
But yes, of course, the 8 is of course a bit better overall - that 8th speed is even quite an overdrive and good for 30mpg on the motorway! But the 6 is absolutely fine too - and you can get one from a breakers yard Jeep if it breaks!
The 8 speed is a bit better but the 6 speeder is fine - if just 6 cogs impairs your fun and enjoyment then you are doing something wrong! There is always bigger and better but I had my 6 speeder for 6 years and, especially as I always drive it on the paddles, it was absolutely fine and was always in t6eh right gear! You felt the torque converter presence a bit more - slip if in too high a gear, and so it was touch less 'tight' - but it blipped nicely on the way down and was a tad smoother on full throttle upshifts than the sometime fierce 8.
But yes, of course, the 8 is of course a bit better overall - that 8th speed is even quite an overdrive and good for 30mpg on the motorway! But the 6 is absolutely fine too - and you can get one from a breakers yard Jeep if it breaks!
Good questions and answers here.
I drove both and without even hesitation jumped into a 2015 8Spd Vanquish. It is the next evolution of that gearbox so technically is much, much better and is a thing of beauty compared to SSII I had in my Vantage S. I also did the Aston car experience day out, and found pushing the Vanquish hard with the uprated quickfire 8Spd gearbox a wonderful thing.
Mike at Bamford Rose interestingly preferred the 6Spd as more of an analogue and viceral driving experience and thats a fair point. As a sporting GT I like the option and economy of 8Spd on longer journeys and have had some pretty useful MPG as a result out of the V12.
At the end of the day, new Vanquish is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Don't wait for the gearbox to find the right car, but if its in an 8Spd and the price is right then all the better!
I drove both and without even hesitation jumped into a 2015 8Spd Vanquish. It is the next evolution of that gearbox so technically is much, much better and is a thing of beauty compared to SSII I had in my Vantage S. I also did the Aston car experience day out, and found pushing the Vanquish hard with the uprated quickfire 8Spd gearbox a wonderful thing.
Mike at Bamford Rose interestingly preferred the 6Spd as more of an analogue and viceral driving experience and thats a fair point. As a sporting GT I like the option and economy of 8Spd on longer journeys and have had some pretty useful MPG as a result out of the V12.
At the end of the day, new Vanquish is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Don't wait for the gearbox to find the right car, but if its in an 8Spd and the price is right then all the better!
Elderton said:
I didn’t wait to find an eight speed simply because this is the only coupe made in this colour and it’s a six speed. I’m not loosing sleep over it!
DAVIDOXE said:
Elderton said:
Simply stunning in that colour, congratulations!Your absolutely right. This was the very same car. It sold for £85,000 in late 2018 at AM Bristol. They confirmed it was the only coupe made in that colour. It may not be for everyone but when I saw it advertised as an AML Launch/Press car last month my mind was made up. It appeared at Kensington Gardens Centenary Celebrations and inside the Dorchester hotel in London’s Mayfair all during 2013. It’s registered September 2012.
Elderton said:
Your absolutely right. This was the very same car. It sold for £85,000 in late 2018 at AM Bristol. They confirmed it was the only coupe made in that colour. It may not be for everyone but when I saw it advertised as an AML Launch/Press car last month my mind was made up. It appeared at Kensington Gardens Centenary Celebrations and inside the Dorchester hotel in London’s Mayfair all during 2013. It’s registered September 2012.
Thanks for confirming. It is a lovely thing and all makes sense as most of AM Bristol launch stock came from AM directly (including my own car). Gaydon plate a give away as well. Grant3 said:
I guess the reality is you don’t miss what you haven’t had the 6 speed Vanquish is fabulous and certainly not lacking in pace, while also being available for less £’s
But Aston have been very good at gradually evolving and improving all their models and from a driving enthusiasts point of view the 15MY + offers a sizeable step up in dynamic control and interaction. In addition to Touchtronic lll A.M. also introduced a new Bosch ECU [+3bhp/10Nm ] alongside revised steering, brake booster and DSC, the suspension was also reviewed with new dampers (15/35% f/r stiffer, alongside stiffer bushes) providing a more dynamic sporting set-up (plus those sexy new alloys and some equipment upgrades).
With the transmission It’s not just about the two extra gears (although this certainly helps keep the V12 in its power band) but rather the speed of response and gear-change, The ZF 6HP26 was launched in 2000/2001 and although Aston did a great job of evolving and enhancing the transmission the new 8-speed was launched 8 years later and further enhanced (with Aston specific transaxle location and control software) over the following years and technology marches on quickly.
Overall the 15MY Vanquish offers noticeably better performance driver interaction and control, although the ride quality is slightly harsher..... but many Vanquish owners simply don’t wish to push the car (or use the paddles preferring auto D )and the earlier cars are still awesome GT’s. I don’t think you would notice many shortcomings in isolation as Aston honed the 6 speed very well. For those considering a Vanquish test drive both and decide for yourself, I’d go 15MY+ but fully understand those that don’t and the £’s savings are tempting
PS - Astontony, I think you are thinking of the "S" when referring to styling changes
Yes you are right Grant, I was thinking S. Took mine to the racetrack on wednesday with the local Aston Club. Queensland raceway, we all had a ball. Mine didnt skip a beat and I was impressed with ride handling brakes and acceleration as I havent driven in anger until then. the 6 speed Vanquish is fabulous and certainly not lacking in pace, while also being available for less £’s But Aston have been very good at gradually evolving and improving all their models and from a driving enthusiasts point of view the 15MY + offers a sizeable step up in dynamic control and interaction. In addition to Touchtronic lll A.M. also introduced a new Bosch ECU [+3bhp/10Nm
] alongside revised steering, brake booster and DSC, the suspension was also reviewed with new dampers (15/35% f/r stiffer, alongside stiffer bushes) providing a more dynamic sporting set-up (plus those sexy new alloys and some equipment upgrades).With the transmission It’s not just about the two extra gears (although this certainly helps keep the V12 in its power band) but rather the speed of response and gear-change, The ZF 6HP26 was launched in 2000/2001 and although Aston did a great job of evolving and enhancing the transmission the new 8-speed was launched 8 years later and further enhanced (with Aston specific transaxle location and control software) over the following years and technology marches on quickly.
Overall the 15MY Vanquish offers noticeably better performance driver interaction and control, although the ride quality is slightly harsher..... but many Vanquish owners simply don’t wish to push the car (or use the paddles preferring auto D )and the earlier cars are still awesome GT’s. I don’t think you would notice many shortcomings in isolation as Aston honed the 6 speed very well. For those considering a Vanquish test drive both and decide for yourself, I’d go 15MY+ but fully understand those that don’t and the £’s savings are tempting
PS - Astontony, I think you are thinking of the "S" when referring to styling changes
Love the looks of the car.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff