How do you drive your Aston?
Discussion
Potential abuse might be heading my way for this topic, but I have finally bought my dream car - a V8 Vantage. I am a little bit excited, collecting it tomorrow.
So having dreamt about this moment since I was about 7 years old and abused many friends for being uber protective over their special cars, I am now faced with a problem.
The test drive and subsequent purchase made me realise:
1. This is a f***k load of money that took me a long time to earn.
2. It is quite a bit wider than the normal run of the mill German motorway basher I drive everyday.
3. Any sort of repair etc will be mighty expensive.
4. Driving a 4WD saloon with bags of grip and electronic aids is NOT be the same - it will require respect.
As an example: I don't think twice about charging down a country lane with overgrown hedges bashing into my wing mirrors at 45 mph in the motorway muncher - I would in the V8.
So my question is - how do you guys drive your Aston?
80% of potential or are there guys out there who really push it all the time and b*llocks to the consequences on value, repairs etc?
So having dreamt about this moment since I was about 7 years old and abused many friends for being uber protective over their special cars, I am now faced with a problem.
The test drive and subsequent purchase made me realise:
1. This is a f***k load of money that took me a long time to earn.
2. It is quite a bit wider than the normal run of the mill German motorway basher I drive everyday.
3. Any sort of repair etc will be mighty expensive.
4. Driving a 4WD saloon with bags of grip and electronic aids is NOT be the same - it will require respect.
As an example: I don't think twice about charging down a country lane with overgrown hedges bashing into my wing mirrors at 45 mph in the motorway muncher - I would in the V8.
So my question is - how do you guys drive your Aston?
80% of potential or are there guys out there who really push it all the time and b*llocks to the consequences on value, repairs etc?
Very understandable question.
I drove it very carefully at first. But am getting quicker and look for more interesting drives.
You will get used to the car and naturally you will want to dive it faster and across enjoyable roads over time. So don't sweat it. Take it as it comes. You don't have to drive it like a maniac to enjoy it. Just do what you want to do
"Driving an Aston is like making love to a beautiful woman...etc etc" as Swiss Tony would say.
I drove it very carefully at first. But am getting quicker and look for more interesting drives.
You will get used to the car and naturally you will want to dive it faster and across enjoyable roads over time. So don't sweat it. Take it as it comes. You don't have to drive it like a maniac to enjoy it. Just do what you want to do
"Driving an Aston is like making love to a beautiful woman...etc etc" as Swiss Tony would say.
Like this thread, hope to pick mine up on Thursday
I've had plenty of experience with powerful rear wheel drive cars, including quite a light, 500bhp RX7 that I used in the British Drift Championship for one season. However the back stepping out can still catch me out with less than desirable consequences! So just how volatile is the back end on these? Does the TC keep it in check? Or can you still over do it on the exit of a roundabout for example? And when they do go how easy to control are they?
I've had plenty of experience with powerful rear wheel drive cars, including quite a light, 500bhp RX7 that I used in the British Drift Championship for one season. However the back stepping out can still catch me out with less than desirable consequences! So just how volatile is the back end on these? Does the TC keep it in check? Or can you still over do it on the exit of a roundabout for example? And when they do go how easy to control are they?
the first 2-3 weeks i treated it with caution like driving a very delegate fragile spacecraft,
and soon you realise that you spent all that money for a reason and that is to enjoy it ... within reason of course.
Treat it like any other sports car i say. Some things you can't avoid like clutch, tyre and brakes wear.
And if you allow time for engine to warm up ... then you can't really damage it. Solid Build.
and soon you realise that you spent all that money for a reason and that is to enjoy it ... within reason of course.
Treat it like any other sports car i say. Some things you can't avoid like clutch, tyre and brakes wear.
And if you allow time for engine to warm up ... then you can't really damage it. Solid Build.
marknash99 said:
Like this thread, hope to pick mine up on Thursday
I've had plenty of experience with powerful rear wheel drive cars, including quite a light, 500bhp RX7 that I used in the British Drift Championship for one season. However the back stepping out can still catch me out with less than desirable consequences! So just how volatile is the back end on these? Does the TC keep it in check? Or can you still over do it on the exit of a roundabout for example? And when they do go how easy to control are they?
I've had plenty of experience with powerful rear wheel drive cars, including quite a light, 500bhp RX7 that I used in the British Drift Championship for one season. However the back stepping out can still catch me out with less than desirable consequences! So just how volatile is the back end on these? Does the TC keep it in check? Or can you still over do it on the exit of a roundabout for example? And when they do go how easy to control are they?
When enough power is applied to break rear end grip, all that happens is a slight lurch sideways, and immediately the electronic wizardry takes control and keeps the car straight.
With your experience of drifting, you might perhaps feel ESP On is just for softies.
I have always fancied having a burn-out, but knowing that replacement clutches are £3,000 has always put me off.
Hopefully you will be able to demonstrate drifting your Aston Martin, at one of Bob's trackdays. -
Enjoy your new car.
The rear on the v8 vantage is quite stable but the v12 engines can bite you.
Some on here drive with TC off at all times but you should keep it on until you get a feel for the car. Again no it is not sensitive.
Insurance is there for mistakes but it cannot replace humans. Drive to your ability and increase incrementally.
Never let Cockernee in your car. Never go on a run out with Mikey or Lotto. If you see the reg V12 NMT in your mirror get out the way......quickly.
If you would like any tuition just shout out
Some on here drive with TC off at all times but you should keep it on until you get a feel for the car. Again no it is not sensitive.
Insurance is there for mistakes but it cannot replace humans. Drive to your ability and increase incrementally.
Never let Cockernee in your car. Never go on a run out with Mikey or Lotto. If you see the reg V12 NMT in your mirror get out the way......quickly.
If you would like any tuition just shout out
So they can do this well then?...........
https://youtu.be/feh_I7tmkrE
(any excuse to post that link up )
https://youtu.be/feh_I7tmkrE
(any excuse to post that link up
)Jockman said:
The rear on the v8 vantage is quite stable but the v12 engines can bite you.
Some on here drive with TC off at all times but you should keep it on until you get a feel for the car. Again no it is not sensitive.
Never let Cockernee in your car.
Oi, I resemble that remark Some on here drive with TC off at all times but you should keep it on until you get a feel for the car. Again no it is not sensitive.
Never let Cockernee in your car.
Get back to your budgie smugglers around the pool 
Depends what mood im in and where I am in this country or abroad. I have done track days in it, I have done airfield days, I have maxxed it out a few times legally abroad and on runways. I do like to use the performance, I always like to see what a new car/bike can do when i get it, but I do so somewhere safe
...Its new to you and you want to take care of it which is natural...mine is covered in stone chips after 8 years of fun so far
For Mark - the traction control will let you have a bit of wheelspin and the rear end will step out a bit if provoked, but it gets reigned in. With the TC off its quite an easy car to catch, certainly compared to mid engined cars.
...Its new to you and you want to take care of it which is natural...mine is covered in stone chips after 8 years of fun so far
For Mark - the traction control will let you have a bit of wheelspin and the rear end will step out a bit if provoked, but it gets reigned in. With the TC off its quite an easy car to catch, certainly compared to mid engined cars.
You can drive with the traction control off or in its half way setting (probably just the newer cars that have that). It cuts down on the nanny rear brakes chipping in to control the back end and wearing out the pads plus it gives you a bit more fun but still with a bit of a safety net.
As for driving.. well its there to be enjoyed so drive it how you enjoy driving. I do, there are faster than me, but I'm blessed with half decent roads and have the opportunity to have a bit of fun. Its not a big moment that worries me as insurance would deal with that (assuming life and limb are intact), its the stone chips etc but having needed a new windscreen due to a stone when doing only 40mph on a main road, that type of thing is in the lap of the gods.
As for driving.. well its there to be enjoyed so drive it how you enjoy driving. I do, there are faster than me, but I'm blessed with half decent roads and have the opportunity to have a bit of fun. Its not a big moment that worries me as insurance would deal with that (assuming life and limb are intact), its the stone chips etc but having needed a new windscreen due to a stone when doing only 40mph on a main road, that type of thing is in the lap of the gods.
Interesting topic for me as I picked up my DB9 10 days ago & find I'm driving it far more sedately than any of my previous cars.
Part of this is due to being careful in my dream car but also a big part is it feels just too civilised to drive like a loon.
Don't get me wrong I've had a few hairy moments but compared to how I drove any of my TVR's or Porsche I'm definitely more sensible.
Part of this is due to being careful in my dream car but also a big part is it feels just too civilised to drive like a loon.
Don't get me wrong I've had a few hairy moments but compared to how I drove any of my TVR's or Porsche I'm definitely more sensible.
marknash99 said:
So they can do this well then?...........
https://youtu.be/feh_I7tmkrE
(any excuse to post that link up )
https://youtu.be/feh_I7tmkrE
(any excuse to post that link up
)Yes, it appears that they can.
Here is the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=197Ad2HY65I
I wonder who owns KX08 VJD now.
That car does not appear to have beeen used on the road for some time.
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