Coupe Or Vert

[Big Ry]

I'm currently running a 09 V8VR SS, and to be fair, the SS is a crock of ste at slow speeds (great when on the move though).

To cut a long story short I just can't seem to get comfortable with slow speed maneuvering and especially reverse. It's a shame and I just hope the Vantage replacement comes with a paddle box as good as PDK.

Anyway, I'm toying with the idea of chopping it in for a manual, however I'm now thinking that I may go for a hardtop instead of the convertible. I think the coupe looks a lot prettier, plus I could "probably' get a newer coupe for my money, especially at this time of year.

Would appreciate any input on the hard vs soft top, and also SS vs manual.

[V12woollie]

Only you really know your preferences. I would say that there is ample evidence on here that a replacement of the clutch and flywheel will make the SS box perform as you would expect, and you'd save a lot of money compared to changing into another car.

[Big Ry]

V12woollie said:

Only you really know your preferences. I would say that there is ample evidence on here that a replacement of the clutch and flywheel will make the SS box perform as you would expect, and you'd save a lot of money compared to changing into another car.

Do you (or anybody else) on here have any idea of the cost involved in doing that sort of work though ?

I bought the car 'right' so to speak, so I don't think it would be too deadly to switch cars, but I do appreciate what you're saying.

[mikey k]

V12woollie said:

Only you really know your preferences. I would say that there is ample evidence on here that a replacement of the clutch and flywheel will make the SS box perform as you would expect, and you'd save a lot of money compared to changing into another car.

Ry you are right the coupe does look better but the whole experience in a roadster is more involving
There is no way I would go back to a coupe you just don't see, hear or smell as much.
It makes country blasts and Eurohoons so much more involving IME

Do lots of clutch learns now , keep doing one regularly, avoid creep mode and reversing too much
The BR upgrade will help but won't stop the creep and reverse issues.

[yeti]

V12woollie said:

Only you really know your preferences.

This ^^

Why ask a group of strangers what you want from a car?

But then why test drive a car, buy it and not like it? I guess that makes no sense either. Are you a real person?

[BravoV8V]

Now come on, old boy. Astons don't have 'verts'. They have Volantes or Roadsters.

[Big Ry]

yeti said:

This ^^

Why ask a group of strangers what you want from a car?

But then why test drive a car, buy it and not like it? I guess that makes no sense either. Are you a real person?

I think I've asked a valid question, I've asked people thoughts on both the SS vs manual and also the tin top vs soft.

Test drive or not, the half an hour or so I had in the car before buying it wasn't necessarily enough to learn every nuance and feature of it. Unless you're luck enough to be able to take all variants on extended 24 hour test drives, then it's still difficult.

I wasn't asking people what I should buy, I was trying to get opinions by people who own the variants.

[NealCS]

V12woollie said:

Only you really know your preferences. I would say that there is ample evidence on here that a replacement of the clutch and flywheel will make the SS box perform as you would expect, and you'd save a lot of money compared to changing into another car.

+1 it completely transformed my 07 v8 roadster - cost I think between £3k and £5k depending upon what else you get done with it. Certainly less than changing to another roadster.

Strongly agree hard-top is more beautiful but I love the top-down feel, noise and the (invariably positive) interaction I get with people in the roadster.

So I faced the same choices as you and chose to upgrade what I had. Might not be for you but I'm very very happy with that choice:

Full write up here if you're interested:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[LancsKid]

I also have a 2009 V8VR and agree entirely that the low speed problems together with reversing issues spoil the overall experience. Like you I am considering changing for either a manual or a 4.7 SS which I am lead to believe is better.

As to the question of coupe or roadster it would have to be roadster every time. Whilst the coupe is better looking 90% of the time on the rare occasions when the weather is right for open top motoring, the roadster is drop dead gorgeous. Couple that with the smile the noise of the roadster puts on your face with the roof down the roadster wins the day for me.

[LancsKid]

I also have a 2009 V8VR and agree entirely that the low speed problems together with reversing issues spoil the overall experience. Like you I am considering changing for either a manual or a 4.7 SS which I am lead to believe is better.

As to the question of coupe or roadster it would have to be roadster every time. Whilst the coupe is better looking 90% of the time on the rare occasions when the weather is right for open top motoring, the roadster is drop dead gorgeous. Couple that with the smile the noise of the roadster puts on your face with the roof down the roadster wins the day for me.

[mikey k]

Our roadster only has the roof up if it is really pissing down, purely to prevent the "waterfall" actually becoming a waterfall
The uk is actually very good weather for roadsters not too hot and not as wet as you might think
BTW there is not much difference between a 4.3 and 4.7 on an ASM1 box
The big change came with ASM2

[J12MOC]

What on earth is a 'vert'??

[BravoV8V]

J12MOC said:

What on earth is a 'vert'??

It's a Max Power word for 'car without a roof'. Originates from convertible, apparently.

[SeanCW]

Could be worse - 'Cabrio or Coupe' !!!!

[James1927]

I'm waiting on my Manual V8VSR to pop out of the factory any minute and I've never driven a manual roadster. What I did drive was an SS Coupe - so unimpressed. I remember thinking how disappointed I would have been if I'd paid an extra £5k for a gearbox I would have wanted to rip out of the car the same day I bought it!

I bought the roadster for the pure joy of open top driving as I've had various previous experiences in different marques. I see coupe's say once/twice a month in my local area and a roadster once a year if I'm lucky. Roadster always looks cooler and if you needed any more persuasion just watch this guy...who wouldn't want to feel "giddy" and like a "superhero" ...also love the "..I like the sound of the V8 better than the V12" comment....uh-oh!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9blvPdgYew

Also confirmation for the choice of transmission which I found quite amusing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJp7tqRyJAI

Yes yes, I've trawled YouTube for every single AM video since it was founded on February 14 2005!

[Laser Sag]

James1927 said:

I'm waiting on my Manual V8VSR to pop out of the factory any minute and I've never driven a manual roadster. What I did drive was an SS Coupe - so unimpressed. I remember thinking how disappointed I would have been if I'd paid an extra £5k for a gearbox I would have wanted to rip out of the car the same day I bought it!

I bought the roadster for the pure joy of open top driving as I've had various previous experiences in different marques. I see coupe's say once/twice a month in my local area and a roadster once a year if I'm lucky. Roadster always looks cooler and if you needed any more persuasion just watch this guy...who wouldn't want to feel "giddy" and like a "superhero" ...also love the "..I like the sound of the V8 better than the V12" comment....uh-oh!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9blvPdgYew

Also confirmation for the choice of transmission which I found quite amusing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJp7tqRyJAI

Yes yes, I've trawled YouTube for every single AM video since it was founded on February 14 2005!

Good luck with your new Vantage hope it is one of the good ones.
Interesting how different people view things, having owned several TVR roadsters and coupes (are TVRs roadsters or convertibles?)I found that we very rarely had the top down and as such the better looks of the coupe along with the increased luggage space will always win out for us.
Gearbox wise I felt the SS offered a good mix its not a DSG box like in my daily runner so you do have to interact with it to get the best out of it. The manuals I tried all felt like they were stirring a box of very thick treacle and weren't very pleasant to use at all.
It's all horses for courses at the end of the day, I just feel very lucky to be in a position where I can worry about what will work best as a second car. For most their choice is what boring eurobox diesel will work as their only car.

[Glendower]

This was my exact problem, I too had a SS Vantage 08 and the gear change was diabolical, to such an extent that 2 different Deakerships failed to fix the "Diesel transit shudder" when ever I started up...got so frustrated I upgraded to a manual ...great trade in from Grange against a new car...I then gave the car to BR and they changed the clutch, flywheel..( plus quite a few other bits GT 4 manifold. Sports exhaust etcs) and I now frighten the locals with both the noise and performance I have under my right foot....the car is great to drive and with the hood down driving is a pleasure........go for it, you won't be disappointed...

[Chris355]

I would never go back to a coupe, but it's a personal thing. For me the noise, the wind (with windows down), the sun above just can not be matched. I found the coupe a little dull. I agree when the roof is up, the coupe is better looking, but I rarely have the roof up so not really a problem.

I REALLY wanted a manual, but ended up buying a SS. I do the clutch learn every time and I change as per instructions of dealer. The change is clean and smooth. Car never judders on moving off. At speed it is brilliant. I have been completely converted to the point that I actually wouldn't buy a manual vantage now. I absolutely love it. However, I totally accept it is a personal thing.

[George29]

Convertible any day of the week. Look better than the coupe with the roof down, plus nothing beats topless motoring. And you get nothing obscuring that noise

[LordBretSinclair]

George29 said:

Convertible any day of the week. Look better than the coupe with the roof down, plus nothing beats topless motoring. And you get nothing obscuring that noise

Oh bugger, I'm agreeing with George again !!!