Goodbye Vantage. Hello Vantage S
Discussion
I can't believe it was 4 years ago already when I picked up my 4.3 Vantage. Time flies when you are having fun. It's the longest I've owned a car.
I popped in to the local AM dealer for a wander about and made the mistake of saying yes to test driving a 4.7 S. I was in two minds about changing my car and at first I wasn't sure about the lack of manual gear box but the big smile on my face soon said otherwise. A few weeks later and she is mine.
I can't quite get over how different this car is. To most uninformed eyes, I've just changed my grey car for a black one, but it is a completely different animal. Whilst it mostly looks the same (though the small visual changes do bring it forward a lot) it is a very different car to drive. It is so much more brutal and responsive than the old car, has a lot more power and sounds even better, something I wasn't sure was possible. It's a great mix of familiarity and everything I loved about the old car but with all areas improved. I've only had her for two days and I can't stop grinning every time I hear the roar when you start up the engine and put your foot down.
Before:
After:
I popped in to the local AM dealer for a wander about and made the mistake of saying yes to test driving a 4.7 S. I was in two minds about changing my car and at first I wasn't sure about the lack of manual gear box but the big smile on my face soon said otherwise. A few weeks later and she is mine.
I can't quite get over how different this car is. To most uninformed eyes, I've just changed my grey car for a black one, but it is a completely different animal. Whilst it mostly looks the same (though the small visual changes do bring it forward a lot) it is a very different car to drive. It is so much more brutal and responsive than the old car, has a lot more power and sounds even better, something I wasn't sure was possible. It's a great mix of familiarity and everything I loved about the old car but with all areas improved. I've only had her for two days and I can't stop grinning every time I hear the roar when you start up the engine and put your foot down.
Before:
After:
Would be really interested to hear some more comparisons once you've started to live with the car. I almost made the same jump myself a month ago - a white V8S Roadster at the AM dealer in Cheltenham had me getting finance quotes. The man maths almost worked out but in the end I just wasn't ready to chop in the Exige as well, that together with the safe depreciation I have in my current V8 Manual Roadster......
What is the ride like? Much more harsh?
What is the ride like? Much more harsh?
I've owned it for 10 days now so probably enough time to judge things.
The ride is quite firm. I've always had sporty cars with tough suspension so never tend to notice this kind of thing but I certainly pay attention to bumpy roads now. It's the stiffest set-up of any car I've owned.
The gearbox is....interesting. I'm still not sure about it. A few times I've been cruising along in auto mode with it happily in 6th or 7th gear and with a slight press of the pedal it flips out, chucks itself into 2nd or 3rd and prepares for a race. I have to quickly change the paddle up a couple of gears to where I actually want it. The car is a thoroughbred racer and is always raring to go, which is fun but isn't necessarily a good thing when you doing the rush hour commute. I would have preferred a manual in hindsight but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
Overall though, it's easily the most entertaining car I have driven and I am lucky to own it. The sound is addictive (I haven't listened to any of my new CDs. I can't justify using the audio when the exhaust note is this good). It is very quick and power delivery is there throughout the range. From the limited time I've had to give it a blast, it has handled incredibly well. Plus it looks stunning.
A couple of questions to the other owners on here:
- the audio system says it has the option for an ipod. I have connected my iphone to the USB port in the armrest but it doesn't recognise it and no sound comes out. Is there a trick to this?
- the brakes squeal at an unacceptable level. Everytime I pull up there is a loud screech from them which is annoying me now. Is this normal?
The ride is quite firm. I've always had sporty cars with tough suspension so never tend to notice this kind of thing but I certainly pay attention to bumpy roads now. It's the stiffest set-up of any car I've owned.
The gearbox is....interesting. I'm still not sure about it. A few times I've been cruising along in auto mode with it happily in 6th or 7th gear and with a slight press of the pedal it flips out, chucks itself into 2nd or 3rd and prepares for a race. I have to quickly change the paddle up a couple of gears to where I actually want it. The car is a thoroughbred racer and is always raring to go, which is fun but isn't necessarily a good thing when you doing the rush hour commute. I would have preferred a manual in hindsight but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
Overall though, it's easily the most entertaining car I have driven and I am lucky to own it. The sound is addictive (I haven't listened to any of my new CDs. I can't justify using the audio when the exhaust note is this good). It is very quick and power delivery is there throughout the range. From the limited time I've had to give it a blast, it has handled incredibly well. Plus it looks stunning.
A couple of questions to the other owners on here:
- the audio system says it has the option for an ipod. I have connected my iphone to the USB port in the armrest but it doesn't recognise it and no sound comes out. Is there a trick to this?
- the brakes squeal at an unacceptable level. Everytime I pull up there is a loud screech from them which is annoying me now. Is this normal?
Dick Dastardly said:
- the audio system says it has the option for an ipod. I have connected my iphone to the USB port in the armrest but it doesn't recognise it and no sound comes out. Is there a trick to this?
- the brakes squeal at an unacceptable level. Everytime I pull up there is a loud screech from them which is annoying me now. Is this normal?
All I can suggest re. the iPOD is, check that your 'Mode' select button on the dash is set to 'iPod'- the brakes squeal at an unacceptable level. Everytime I pull up there is a loud screech from them which is annoying me now. Is this normal?
For your brakes, firstly try and use them really aggressively if it's safe to do so. Some over-exuberant use might cure your squeal. Otherwise, back to your local friendly dealer to have them checked over.
I used to have a V8VS. Brilliant well balanced car.
All I would say is stop using the gearbox in D mode. Use the paddles all the time and you'll soon get used to the gearbox and how it works best. If you haven't already, take fuse number 15 out of the fuse box under the cover in the right hand side of the boot. This leaves the exhaust valves open for an even better sound. Can always put it back in now and again.
My brakes squealed too. Occasional heavy use helped.
Have fun!
All I would say is stop using the gearbox in D mode. Use the paddles all the time and you'll soon get used to the gearbox and how it works best. If you haven't already, take fuse number 15 out of the fuse box under the cover in the right hand side of the boot. This leaves the exhaust valves open for an even better sound. Can always put it back in now and again.
My brakes squealed too. Occasional heavy use helped.
Have fun!
Beautiful Gar'!
Squeaky brakes common it seems I'm afraid. Local dealer failed to 'fix' mates Vantage as its probably a design issue. A lot of people are using Porterfield R4-S pads to get rid of dust and noise.
Always drive my Touchtronic III on the paddles - always in the right gear then.
Burghley? To meet her in the flesh? You must.
Squeaky brakes common it seems I'm afraid. Local dealer failed to 'fix' mates Vantage as its probably a design issue. A lot of people are using Porterfield R4-S pads to get rid of dust and noise.
Always drive my Touchtronic III on the paddles - always in the right gear then.
Burghley? To meet her in the flesh? You must.
rossyl said:
Dick - were the last three letters of your old car's number plate "CDE" if so, I almost bought your car from Park Lane Stratstone. It was in their window for a few days.
Not sure sorry, as the old car and new one both had a personal plate.It had about 43k miles if I remember correctly.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff