2nd car suggestions for a Vantage driver?
Discussion
Perhaps this is slightly OT, as it's not Aston related... I'm looking for another car to complement the V8 Vantage. Currently this is my only car, I could do with something I care about less (so I can go to Tesco) and with more practicality. Possibly with the odd track day in mind. Warm/hot hatch territory. What does the discerning Aston driver have as their runabout?
The tl;dr bit: The best car I ever had was a Leon Mk 1 Cupra, which after 10 years of faithful service got p/x'd for a BMW M135i auto, the most disappointing car I've ever owned. I didn't like the driving modes and they way they changed the throttle response, and I didn't like the way the throttle pedal only worked properly in neutral and park. In Drive, there was a delay / filter software thing added, that over 8 months of ownership, drove me nuts every single day. The current crop of Leons and presumably all VAGs have something similar going on here, I did take a current Leon Cupra 280 DSG for a short test drive and didn't really like it, steering way too light and the throttle seemed numb and dead, strange jerk when lifting off too. I'm guessing the Golfs will be the same. Should I try a manual?
My problem is, I drive a Vantage every day, and jumping into a 'normal' car just feels so alien now I don't get anything out of a test drive.
I know I'm not going to get anything that drives like a Vantage, I'd just like something that minimises the re-learning experience when I switch over, and drives like a real car, rather than a Playstation. I'd happily go for a used car, I'd take my Leon back if I could find it
So what should I look at? I like manuals, but a good flappy paddle would also suit (I really did like the ZF 8HP box on the M135i.) Thankyou
The tl;dr bit: The best car I ever had was a Leon Mk 1 Cupra, which after 10 years of faithful service got p/x'd for a BMW M135i auto, the most disappointing car I've ever owned. I didn't like the driving modes and they way they changed the throttle response, and I didn't like the way the throttle pedal only worked properly in neutral and park. In Drive, there was a delay / filter software thing added, that over 8 months of ownership, drove me nuts every single day. The current crop of Leons and presumably all VAGs have something similar going on here, I did take a current Leon Cupra 280 DSG for a short test drive and didn't really like it, steering way too light and the throttle seemed numb and dead, strange jerk when lifting off too. I'm guessing the Golfs will be the same. Should I try a manual?
My problem is, I drive a Vantage every day, and jumping into a 'normal' car just feels so alien now I don't get anything out of a test drive.
I know I'm not going to get anything that drives like a Vantage, I'd just like something that minimises the re-learning experience when I switch over, and drives like a real car, rather than a Playstation. I'd happily go for a used car, I'd take my Leon back if I could find it
So what should I look at? I like manuals, but a good flappy paddle would also suit (I really did like the ZF 8HP box on the M135i.) Thankyou
£3k-£30k, new or used, hot hatch ish, image irrelevant. Golf R/GTI and Suzuki Swift are on my radar.
I have been to Tesco in the Vantage, but only late at night. The one near me is like a war zone during the daytime. I'd be worried about it getting doored or trollied.
It also has an image problem, sometimes I want to be a bit more incognito, say I'm meeting a new client or want to leave it parked in a side street and not attract attention?
I have been to Tesco in the Vantage, but only late at night. The one near me is like a war zone during the daytime. I'd be worried about it getting doored or trollied.
It also has an image problem, sometimes I want to be a bit more incognito, say I'm meeting a new client or want to leave it parked in a side street and not attract attention?
Just goto the supermarket at 9:30am on a Sunday morning (when they do that browse only thing) then you will avoid all the hassle of the carpark. I cant believe it will be like a war zone at that time.
I understand if you thing you might give a bad impression to clients, but I guess it rather depends on what you do? I have never once had a client say a bad thing about my car, in fact if anything I get praise as and when they do mention it, which is quite infrequent really.
Are you a debt collector perhaps?
I understand if you thing you might give a bad impression to clients, but I guess it rather depends on what you do? I have never once had a client say a bad thing about my car, in fact if anything I get praise as and when they do mention it, which is quite infrequent really.
Are you a debt collector perhaps?
AdamV12V said:
...I understand if you thing you might give a bad impression to clients, but I guess it rather depends on what you do? I have never once had a client say a bad thing about my car, in fact if anything I get praise as and when they do mention it, which is quite infrequent really.
Are you a debt collector perhaps?
I will quote fixed price for some work, or charge by the hour. I'm sure my clients will like the car, I just don't want to give the impression I'm overcharging!Are you a debt collector perhaps?
[quote=
p/x'd for a BMW M135i auto, the most disappointing car I've ever owned. I
[/quote]
I'm really surprised by this - I bought a new M135 to go alongside my V12V and I find the M135 a fabulous car - great handling, fast and superb gearbox. As a measure of how good I find it, I regularly take the M135 out instead of the Aston.
p/x'd for a BMW M135i auto, the most disappointing car I've ever owned. I
[/quote]
I'm really surprised by this - I bought a new M135 to go alongside my V12V and I find the M135 a fabulous car - great handling, fast and superb gearbox. As a measure of how good I find it, I regularly take the M135 out instead of the Aston.
ripley500 said:
[quote=
p/x'd for a BMW M135i auto, the most disappointing car I've ever owned. I
I'm really surprised by this - I bought a new M135 to go alongside my V12V and I find the M135 a fabulous car - great handling, fast and superb gearbox. As a measure of how good I find it, I regularly take the M135 out instead of the Aston.p/x'd for a BMW M135i auto, the most disappointing car I've ever owned. I
though mine in a manualI like its stealth look on clients car parks
I run a B7 Audi RS4 outside of summer (used to use my V8V all year round until I moved to the countryside where we've had proper snow and ice a few times).
It's an awesome car.
If you wanted something newer, I'd look at a B8 S4 and get MRC to take a look at it - as and when it's time for the RS4 to move on, that will likely be my next port of call for a winter daily.
It's an awesome car.
If you wanted something newer, I'd look at a B8 S4 and get MRC to take a look at it - as and when it's time for the RS4 to move on, that will likely be my next port of call for a winter daily.
I havnt been to a supermarket in years, although I have used the Vantage for such things when I had it as my main car for a year or so
Surely the 2nd car choice depends on where you live, drive (commute), whether you pay own fuel and if theres any other preferences
Im rural, a few inches of snow and cant get to end of the road, so a 4x4 is required. I need 4 seats + luggage space for work use. Im on a fuel card and enjoying V8 Range Rovers whilst I can, no doubt they will be banned in 10 years. Before the need for ground clearance I had 4 wheel drive cars, S4, RS6
I think a good sensible partner to a sports car would be 4 wheel drive diesel estate, something with a bit of go in it, 3.0 Audi A4 or A6.
Surely the 2nd car choice depends on where you live, drive (commute), whether you pay own fuel and if theres any other preferences
Im rural, a few inches of snow and cant get to end of the road, so a 4x4 is required. I need 4 seats + luggage space for work use. Im on a fuel card and enjoying V8 Range Rovers whilst I can, no doubt they will be banned in 10 years. Before the need for ground clearance I had 4 wheel drive cars, S4, RS6
I think a good sensible partner to a sports car would be 4 wheel drive diesel estate, something with a bit of go in it, 3.0 Audi A4 or A6.
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