Fully paid up member at last
Discussion
Well yesterday is what I'm calling my V day, the day I picked up my new car. I was originally hoping to collect her a couple of weeks ago, however it was going to be touch and go if she would be ready before I went offshore again, so as not to rush things and ensure the car was correctly prepped I decided to wait.
So cue yesterday morning when I jumped on a train down to Wilmslow to collect her.
Well after my trip back up to Scotland here are my initial thoughts.
She's an absolute stunner to look at, In fact she's currently parked outside the window and I must admit to keep stealing a glance, unlike my other cars the interior feels a special place to be(not sure if this is normal but I actually went out and sat in her this morning for a listen to the radio and my morning coffee)
Speed wise I'm not sure yet, I've not really pushed her but from a bit of a blast on some of the back roads it feels like you've really got to rev upto the point the shift lights come on before changing up too get the most out of her, a bit more experimentation required. The throttle and brake peddles are a little to far apart for me which makes it difficult to blip the throttle on down shifts, again more practice probably required.
On the way back up the motorway with the cruise set I was seeing and average of 25 to the gallon, I'm not sure how the previous owner drove her but the trip was showing 11 to the gallon
From the outside she sounds fantastic however maybe a little muted from the inside. I did read that removing the interior parcel shelf helps so ill be doing that latter.
I'm not sure how to explain this one and I'm not calling here a lardy or anything but there's something that makes her feel a bit heavier than what I'm used to, however the brakes are fantastic and when heading into a bend easily bleed off the speed.
So was the year or so saving worth the wait, that will be a definite yes, all in all I'm a very happy boy, it's almost like I've found a new love of my life, She fits in nicely between my Scooby and Fezza, somehow I think I'll be driving her a lot.
Now for the thanks part. I purchased my car from Stratstone Aston Martin of Wilmslow and I would like to say they have been great, especially Phil Kneller who ensured the whole presses went smoothly and answered all my endless questions. As my car was a main dealer car it also came with the Aston Martin warranty, know I now that its been said that some dealers my scrimp on the 140 point check, but I'm currently looking at the invoice the workshop presented the sales section for all the work that was carried out prior to sale and all I can say is I'm sure that my car must have been gone over with a fine tooth comb, I suspect everything that was required and maybe even more has been carried out, so I would like to give a
to Stratstone's
Current jobs to be done.
Remove front number plate plinth
Fit exhaust valve remote switch
Future mods.
A visit to Bamford rose.
Finally here's the obligatory picture
So cue yesterday morning when I jumped on a train down to Wilmslow to collect her.
Well after my trip back up to Scotland here are my initial thoughts.
She's an absolute stunner to look at, In fact she's currently parked outside the window and I must admit to keep stealing a glance, unlike my other cars the interior feels a special place to be(not sure if this is normal but I actually went out and sat in her this morning for a listen to the radio and my morning coffee)
Speed wise I'm not sure yet, I've not really pushed her but from a bit of a blast on some of the back roads it feels like you've really got to rev upto the point the shift lights come on before changing up too get the most out of her, a bit more experimentation required. The throttle and brake peddles are a little to far apart for me which makes it difficult to blip the throttle on down shifts, again more practice probably required.
On the way back up the motorway with the cruise set I was seeing and average of 25 to the gallon, I'm not sure how the previous owner drove her but the trip was showing 11 to the gallon
From the outside she sounds fantastic however maybe a little muted from the inside. I did read that removing the interior parcel shelf helps so ill be doing that latter.
I'm not sure how to explain this one and I'm not calling here a lardy or anything but there's something that makes her feel a bit heavier than what I'm used to, however the brakes are fantastic and when heading into a bend easily bleed off the speed.
So was the year or so saving worth the wait, that will be a definite yes, all in all I'm a very happy boy, it's almost like I've found a new love of my life, She fits in nicely between my Scooby and Fezza, somehow I think I'll be driving her a lot.
Now for the thanks part. I purchased my car from Stratstone Aston Martin of Wilmslow and I would like to say they have been great, especially Phil Kneller who ensured the whole presses went smoothly and answered all my endless questions. As my car was a main dealer car it also came with the Aston Martin warranty, know I now that its been said that some dealers my scrimp on the 140 point check, but I'm currently looking at the invoice the workshop presented the sales section for all the work that was carried out prior to sale and all I can say is I'm sure that my car must have been gone over with a fine tooth comb, I suspect everything that was required and maybe even more has been carried out, so I would like to give a
to Stratstone'sCurrent jobs to be done.
Remove front number plate plinth
Fit exhaust valve remote switch
Future mods.
A visit to Bamford rose.
Finally here's the obligatory picture
Edited by davidexige on Friday 3rd May 13:41
Edited by davidexige on Friday 3rd May 13:51
Edited by davidexige on Friday 3rd May 16:33
meant to be going on a run with the Ferrari club on Sunday if this keeps up I'll be leaving the Spider at home and taking a rather nice alternative.
davidexige said:
It's the 4.3, in the end I decided I couldn't wait any longer, however after a good nosy round a V12 Vantage that they also had I can already see where the next kitchen fund is going towards. Few years yet though.
It sounds like we are on a similar path.My next major spend on the car is going to be with BR. That should see some fairly startling improvements with the performance and ride.
But then after a couple more years, a V12V will be beckoning. Until then though, I'm pretty happy with a 4.3.
bogie said:
congrats ...have fun
and yes, you need to drive it like a 4 pot Honda to get the most out of the V8 ...but it is deceivingly quicker than it feels as the power delivery is quite linear..
This! Thrash it like you stole it, its the way to get the best out of the 4.3. Pacel shelf out does help. You don't need a remote fuse switch, if you already think its too quiet, just throw Fuse22 away. Yes it is a bit lardy but the amount of grip is surprising.and yes, you need to drive it like a 4 pot Honda to get the most out of the V8 ...but it is deceivingly quicker than it feels as the power delivery is quite linear..
Just sit in the car and not go anywhere - never done that
Welcome to the club
Congratulations on the car and on your list of things to do. A very sensible list.
Maybe you can join in on the next drives that we do - Molly & Rob's Welsh Weekend run is next I think, in mid-July. You can then drive in front of or behind some nice BR fettled cars, some MTFU V12Vs (well at least one anyway if it is cold or wet ) and some other lovely Astons, including the training bra V8s. You will be surprised at how well any of the V8 cars can keep up with the pace. There is definitely loads more grip that you probably think on a 4.3 Vantage and it is nice to sometimes give it the full beans, if only for the sound 
Maybe you can join in on the next drives that we do - Molly & Rob's Welsh Weekend run is next I think, in mid-July. You can then drive in front of or behind some nice BR fettled cars, some MTFU V12Vs (well at least one anyway if it is cold or wet
) and some other lovely Astons, including the training bra V8s. You will be surprised at how well any of the V8 cars can keep up with the pace. There is definitely loads more grip that you probably think on a 4.3 Vantage and it is nice to sometimes give it the full beans, if only for the sound [quote=davidexige](not sure if this is normal but I actually went out and sat in her this morning for a listen to the radio and my morning coffee)
Just be a little careful doing this without the engine running. Can run down the battery quickly and lead to a few issues. Just so you know.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Nice Car
Just be a little careful doing this without the engine running. Can run down the battery quickly and lead to a few issues.
Just so you know.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Nice Car
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff