Just bought a V8 Vantage...
Discussion
Few weeks back I traded in my 997 C2S for a V8 R8. In white.... few days later I realised the error of my ways and cancelled the deal, with the dealer joking that he'd get my deposit back eventually...
This weekend I collected this. I'm still in awe of the thing.
Not sure what exhaust is fitted - I'm told it's aftermarket - but it sounds insane, though still manageable on the motorway. Anyway, it's an 07, 18,500 miles, paddles, nav, Dension kit, front and rear cameras, etc.
Few things I'm still trying to get the hang of though:
1. the handbrake. Never seem to know if it's on or not, or how I actually operate the thing correctly
2. changing gear - I ran an SMG M3 years back and would lift a little before changes, but the little book for the Aston says not to?
3. hill-starts - can't work out how to engage crawl? Don't really want to leave it in 1st in case that's not the done thing
Finally, is there a replacement available for the separate key and key fob setup that combines them? Feels a bit retro having a fob!
This weekend I collected this. I'm still in awe of the thing.
Not sure what exhaust is fitted - I'm told it's aftermarket - but it sounds insane, though still manageable on the motorway. Anyway, it's an 07, 18,500 miles, paddles, nav, Dension kit, front and rear cameras, etc.
Few things I'm still trying to get the hang of though:
1. the handbrake. Never seem to know if it's on or not, or how I actually operate the thing correctly
2. changing gear - I ran an SMG M3 years back and would lift a little before changes, but the little book for the Aston says not to?
3. hill-starts - can't work out how to engage crawl? Don't really want to leave it in 1st in case that's not the done thing
Finally, is there a replacement available for the separate key and key fob setup that combines them? Feels a bit retro having a fob!
Windymiller said:
1. the handbrake. Never seem to know if it's on or not, or how I actually operate the thing correctly
2. changing gear - I ran an SMG M3 years back and would lift a little before changes, but the little book for the Aston says not to?
3. hill-starts - can't work out how to engage crawl? Don't really want to leave it in 1st in case that's not the done thing
Finally, is there a replacement available for the separate key and key fob setup that combines them? Feels a bit retro having a fob!
If the handbrake is on (at all) then you have a warning light on the dash (rev counter side)2. changing gear - I ran an SMG M3 years back and would lift a little before changes, but the little book for the Aston says not to?
3. hill-starts - can't work out how to engage crawl? Don't really want to leave it in 1st in case that's not the done thing
Finally, is there a replacement available for the separate key and key fob setup that combines them? Feels a bit retro having a fob!
I always lift on upshift. AM will say don't so they will sell more clutches. Do carry out the "learn" procedure regularly (I do it every cold start). With engine cold, switch on ignition, (make sure aircon is off), foot on brake, start engine & keep foot on brake for about 10 seconds (you will hear a click). Sometimes repeat once or even twice. Makes for smoother changes & less jerky take off.
Crawl isn't really for hill starts - if you are in traffic, if you lift off the brake you will hear the revs rise slightly & the car will move forward of its own accord - that's crawl. Saves on clutch wear. Do not use or rely of crawl for hill starts (the smell of burning clutch will alert you in time!) - I either use handbrake or left foot braking for that.
No combined key & fob unfortunately. You'll get used to it!!
Enjoy
Windymiller said:
Few weeks back I traded in my 997 C2S for a V8 R8. In white.... few days later I realised the error of my ways and cancelled the deal, with the dealer joking that he'd get my deposit back eventually...
This weekend I collected this. I'm still in awe of the thing.
Not sure what exhaust is fitted - I'm told it's aftermarket - but it sounds insane, though still manageable on the motorway. Anyway, it's an 07, 18,500 miles, paddles, nav, Dension kit, front and rear cameras, etc.
Few things I'm still trying to get the hang of though:
1. the handbrake. Never seem to know if it's on or not, or how I actually operate the thing correctly
2. changing gear - I ran an SMG M3 years back and would lift a little before changes, but the little book for the Aston says not to?
3. hill-starts - can't work out how to engage crawl? Don't really want to leave it in 1st in case that's not the done thing
Finally, is there a replacement available for the separate key and key fob setup that combines them? Feels a bit retro having a fob!
This weekend I collected this. I'm still in awe of the thing.
Not sure what exhaust is fitted - I'm told it's aftermarket - but it sounds insane, though still manageable on the motorway. Anyway, it's an 07, 18,500 miles, paddles, nav, Dension kit, front and rear cameras, etc.
Few things I'm still trying to get the hang of though:
1. the handbrake. Never seem to know if it's on or not, or how I actually operate the thing correctly
2. changing gear - I ran an SMG M3 years back and would lift a little before changes, but the little book for the Aston says not to?
3. hill-starts - can't work out how to engage crawl? Don't really want to leave it in 1st in case that's not the done thing
Finally, is there a replacement available for the separate key and key fob setup that combines them? Feels a bit retro having a fob!
nice to see you saw the error of your waysYou picked the perfect weather for a roadster, just had a blast down to the office in mine through the Shropshire hills
The exhaust is not going to give you any power only noise
Handbrake is a bit of an art, lift it, then press the button lift it again then drop it to the floor
ASM1 needs regular clutch learns, combined with a slight lift it is a lot better (avoid comfort and creep mode)
Hill starts on ASM1 are a bit of a pain as it has no hill hold, best way I found was to rev it past creep mode and hold it on the handbrake (once you've got the hang of it
Have a look at hte thread on replacing the Volvo fob with a jaguar!
Congrats and welcome! I too went from a C2S to V8V (in a roundabout fashion). No comparison!
R8 was the other car on my short list of two but fortunately I made the right choice first time round!
Having owned an XJS I find the handbrake fine. If it's "floppy" and you can lift it easily with one finger the handbrake is on. If it's stiff like a "normal" handbrake when you go to lift it, it's off. Failing that there's always the warning light on the dash ...
R8 was the other car on my short list of two but fortunately I made the right choice first time round!
Having owned an XJS I find the handbrake fine. If it's "floppy" and you can lift it easily with one finger the handbrake is on. If it's stiff like a "normal" handbrake when you go to lift it, it's off. Failing that there's always the warning light on the dash ...
Cheers guys! I collected her from Harrogate and drove home through the Yorkshire dales with the roof off until it went dark! I'm truly in awe of the thing! The C2S always felt like it needed driving hard, but this doesn't and I like that.
What's the learning process for? The clutch bite point, or so it knows my driving style? One thing I was surprised by was no options to change the shift-speed, unless it's in the nav somewhere?
Oh, and what's hte?
What's the learning process for? The clutch bite point, or so it knows my driving style? One thing I was surprised by was no options to change the shift-speed, unless it's in the nav somewhere?
Oh, and what's hte?
_drmw said:
Windymiller said:
What's the learning process for? The clutch bite point,
Exactly that Who (if a dealer) did you get it from if you don't mind me asking? (got mine in Harrogate too)
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Few more questions...
1. The tracker tag thing. My insurance co doesn't require a tracker and it's expired. I assume I can leave this out of the car and it will still start, etc?
2. Volume on the steering wheel. Is that really just for the phone, and not the stereo?!!
3. I only have one remote fob - where can I get duplicates other than AM?
Since collecting her on Saturday I've put 500 miles on her and it's only Tuesday evening! Damn sun!!!
1. The tracker tag thing. My insurance co doesn't require a tracker and it's expired. I assume I can leave this out of the car and it will still start, etc?
2. Volume on the steering wheel. Is that really just for the phone, and not the stereo?!!
3. I only have one remote fob - where can I get duplicates other than AM?
Since collecting her on Saturday I've put 500 miles on her and it's only Tuesday evening! Damn sun!!!
Answers...
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Try AstonMartinBits or EBay for a fob. Or alternatively...
Take a look at this thread...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Maybe buy a Jag Fob (£40) and see whether Aston Martin can programme it.
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Try AstonMartinBits or EBay for a fob. Or alternatively...
Take a look at this thread...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Maybe buy a Jag Fob (£40) and see whether Aston Martin can programme it.
Well I've owned her for 2 weeks now and added a fair few miles - last weekend I was in Anglesey taking in some interesting roads, and I ended the weekend at the Evo Triangle...
Last time I was there, a few months back, I was in this...
Hard to compare the two really as they're such different cars - the AM's definitely more of a GT. I tried pushing it as I'd pushed my 911, but it didn't feel right. The sound is immense though - so glad I've got this car with the current weather we're having in the north west!
Anyway, few things have popped up.
First was when I was partaking in some spirited driving. I misjudged a corner, and almost pushed the brake pedal through the floor. After peeling myself off the windscreen, the car seemed to have gone into some sort of limp mode, telling me to take it to the dealer. I pulled over, turned her off, ate a salad (as you do) then started her up again and all was well. Drove gently home and not a problem! That was a week ago. Should I be concerned? Do I need to get a code-read? Thinking maybe the severity of my braking triggered something, possibly to do with oil surge?
Second one is to do with the flappy-paddle box. Now and again, when changing from 3rd to 4th as I'm just pootling along, '4' will pop up on the display for a split second, and the transmission will disengage, then go straight back into 3rd. I've not been doing the 'learning' thing at all, so I'll do that from now on, but should I be concerned? I had a nightmare with my E46 M3 SMG box doing something similar a few years back.
Thirdly, what I thought were mats - they have edging trim around them! - is actually the carpet! Tried lifting them and they're bonded to come foam pads. Interesting... So, where can I get decent matts from? Every set of ebay mats I've had has been pants!
Absolutely loving this car though, other than looking after the leather - it's everywhere!!! Takes forever to clean and treat!
Last time I was there, a few months back, I was in this...
Hard to compare the two really as they're such different cars - the AM's definitely more of a GT. I tried pushing it as I'd pushed my 911, but it didn't feel right. The sound is immense though - so glad I've got this car with the current weather we're having in the north west!
Anyway, few things have popped up.
First was when I was partaking in some spirited driving. I misjudged a corner, and almost pushed the brake pedal through the floor. After peeling myself off the windscreen, the car seemed to have gone into some sort of limp mode, telling me to take it to the dealer. I pulled over, turned her off, ate a salad (as you do) then started her up again and all was well. Drove gently home and not a problem! That was a week ago. Should I be concerned? Do I need to get a code-read? Thinking maybe the severity of my braking triggered something, possibly to do with oil surge?
Second one is to do with the flappy-paddle box. Now and again, when changing from 3rd to 4th as I'm just pootling along, '4' will pop up on the display for a split second, and the transmission will disengage, then go straight back into 3rd. I've not been doing the 'learning' thing at all, so I'll do that from now on, but should I be concerned? I had a nightmare with my E46 M3 SMG box doing something similar a few years back.
Thirdly, what I thought were mats - they have edging trim around them! - is actually the carpet! Tried lifting them and they're bonded to come foam pads. Interesting... So, where can I get decent matts from? Every set of ebay mats I've had has been pants!
Absolutely loving this car though, other than looking after the leather - it's everywhere!!! Takes forever to clean and treat!
Windymiller said:
Well I've owned her for 2 weeks now and added a fair few miles - last weekend I was in Anglesey taking in some interesting roads, and I ended the weekend at the Evo Triangle...
Last time I was there, a few months back, I was in this...
Hard to compare the two really as they're such different cars - the AM's definitely more of a GT. I tried pushing it as I'd pushed my 911, but it didn't feel right. The sound is immense though - so glad I've got this car with the current weather we're having in the north west!
Not sure why it's hard to compard a 911 to an AMV8 Last time I was there, a few months back, I was in this...
Hard to compare the two really as they're such different cars - the AM's definitely more of a GT. I tried pushing it as I'd pushed my 911, but it didn't feel right. The sound is immense though - so glad I've got this car with the current weather we're having in the north west!
Well I could compare them, but it's like comparing an apple to an orange.
But as you asked... the 911 handling is perfect. It grips more, handles compressions and camber-changes perfectly, and always does what you ask of it. You feel connected, and you want to push harder. The V8V felt out of its depth on the same roads - the suspension is too soft and slow to react so when the road drops away suddenly, you're left with an instant 'floaty' feeling. It just doesn't inspire confidence like the 911 did, and runs out of grip a lot sooner, especially when powering out of corners. With the engine being at opposite ends in each, they're remarkably different.
I felt that my 911 wanted to be pushed harder and grabbed by the scruff of the neck, whereas the V8V is more of a cruiser. A bloody fast cruiser though!
My 911 had the exact same Bridgestone tyres as the V8V, and was a 3.8 C2S manual with SportsChrono.
But as you asked... the 911 handling is perfect. It grips more, handles compressions and camber-changes perfectly, and always does what you ask of it. You feel connected, and you want to push harder. The V8V felt out of its depth on the same roads - the suspension is too soft and slow to react so when the road drops away suddenly, you're left with an instant 'floaty' feeling. It just doesn't inspire confidence like the 911 did, and runs out of grip a lot sooner, especially when powering out of corners. With the engine being at opposite ends in each, they're remarkably different.
I felt that my 911 wanted to be pushed harder and grabbed by the scruff of the neck, whereas the V8V is more of a cruiser. A bloody fast cruiser though!
My 911 had the exact same Bridgestone tyres as the V8V, and was a 3.8 C2S manual with SportsChrono.
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