Thoughts and musings on my first Aston Martin
Discussion
Hello All,
it’s been a week since I was lucky enough to achieve a lifelong dream and acquire my first Aston Martin – a lovely manual , 4.7 V8VR. Since then work and family commitments haven’t left me much time to indulge myself in the driving experience but I thought I’d share a few thoughts and musings that have occurred to me so far.
I expect some of them have already been discussed previously but I’ll jot them down here anyway and see what others might think.
1 – Door sills – were they originally a light violet colour, or is that something that has happened over time ? Also why would AM make a part of the car that is subject to scuffing and wear and tear out of a material that can’t be easily repaired ? Mine has a couple of scratches that the dealer said couldn’t be fixed. (I can only assume that a previous owner had some killer stilletos to cause such scratches – I know the first private owner was a lady !)
2 – Fuse 22 – on checking I found that a previous owner had thoughtfully removed it already and taped it to the top of the fuse box. So I’ve been enjoying full fat V8ness from the get go .. and very, very lovely it is too
3 – Reverse gear – I have driven a LOT of cars in my time and NEVER stalled when reversing. I think I’ve got the knack now but it’s taken a while ! – The configuration of my drive at home means that a tight three point turn is required when leaving – so I’m getting plenty of practise. I may look into getting a camera fitted to assist with reversing too. With the roof up I can’t see anything over my right shoulder so will probably follow up with James at Trackaphone.
4 – Little details – I love certain things that aren’t initially obvious – such as the fact that the inside of the door frame is encased in stitched leather that can only be seen when the door is opened and the little buttons on the back of the seats to fold them forward .. very snazzy. I’m sure others will become obvious as time goes by.
5 – Performance – As I said I haven’t had too much of a chance to enjoy the driving experience, other than a short blast up the A68 after picking the car up in Leeds. I have to say though, I love the acceleration in second and third gears – the noise is of course a major factor in this
6 - The boot (trunk) - It seems to me that there must be some space under the tonneau area that could have been used to make the boot just a little bigger .. or is it completely filled up with bracing etc ? The roof itself doesn't take up a lot of space and the tonneau arrea is quite shallow ... I'm just wondering whats actually under that space ?
Anyway, I think that’s enough for now …. I’d be interested in any other thoughts and musings you might have and will of course supply some photos when time (and the weather) allows.
it’s been a week since I was lucky enough to achieve a lifelong dream and acquire my first Aston Martin – a lovely manual , 4.7 V8VR. Since then work and family commitments haven’t left me much time to indulge myself in the driving experience but I thought I’d share a few thoughts and musings that have occurred to me so far.
I expect some of them have already been discussed previously but I’ll jot them down here anyway and see what others might think.
1 – Door sills – were they originally a light violet colour, or is that something that has happened over time ? Also why would AM make a part of the car that is subject to scuffing and wear and tear out of a material that can’t be easily repaired ? Mine has a couple of scratches that the dealer said couldn’t be fixed. (I can only assume that a previous owner had some killer stilletos to cause such scratches – I know the first private owner was a lady !)
2 – Fuse 22 – on checking I found that a previous owner had thoughtfully removed it already and taped it to the top of the fuse box. So I’ve been enjoying full fat V8ness from the get go .. and very, very lovely it is too
3 – Reverse gear – I have driven a LOT of cars in my time and NEVER stalled when reversing. I think I’ve got the knack now but it’s taken a while ! – The configuration of my drive at home means that a tight three point turn is required when leaving – so I’m getting plenty of practise. I may look into getting a camera fitted to assist with reversing too. With the roof up I can’t see anything over my right shoulder so will probably follow up with James at Trackaphone.
4 – Little details – I love certain things that aren’t initially obvious – such as the fact that the inside of the door frame is encased in stitched leather that can only be seen when the door is opened and the little buttons on the back of the seats to fold them forward .. very snazzy. I’m sure others will become obvious as time goes by.
5 – Performance – As I said I haven’t had too much of a chance to enjoy the driving experience, other than a short blast up the A68 after picking the car up in Leeds. I have to say though, I love the acceleration in second and third gears – the noise is of course a major factor in this
6 - The boot (trunk) - It seems to me that there must be some space under the tonneau area that could have been used to make the boot just a little bigger .. or is it completely filled up with bracing etc ? The roof itself doesn't take up a lot of space and the tonneau arrea is quite shallow ... I'm just wondering whats actually under that space ?
Anyway, I think that’s enough for now …. I’d be interested in any other thoughts and musings you might have and will of course supply some photos when time (and the weather) allows.
Composer62 said:
Hello All,
3 – Reverse gear – I have driven a LOT of cars in my time and NEVER stalled when reversing. I think I’ve got the knack now but it’s taken a while ! – The configuration of my drive at home means that a tight three point turn is required when leaving – so I’m getting plenty of practise. I may look into getting a camera fitted to assist with reversing too. With the roof up I can’t see anything over my right shoulder so will probably follow up with James at Trackaphone.
Congrats on the new member to your family! 3 – Reverse gear – I have driven a LOT of cars in my time and NEVER stalled when reversing. I think I’ve got the knack now but it’s taken a while ! – The configuration of my drive at home means that a tight three point turn is required when leaving – so I’m getting plenty of practise. I may look into getting a camera fitted to assist with reversing too. With the roof up I can’t see anything over my right shoulder so will probably follow up with James at Trackaphone.
Glad you wrote that first about stalling. Same here - rarely stall cars but in the first week, I must have stalled the Vantage about 10 times (especially when reversing). Was embarrassing on a few occasions...
I finally worked out it's due to the amazing engine noise. It simply sounds like you're revving more than you are. Therefore by normal car standards, with the level of noise when you're only tickling the V8, you'd shoot back at 100mph. But in the Vantage, you have to rev it harder than feels natural, but in reality you're still well under 2k RPM.
Now that my head is adjusted, I'm fine.
Not felt the need for a reversing camera (although the sensors are welcome) as it's a compact car in reality. Just looks wider which is amusing down country lanes when oncoming traffic dives in the hedges for you
Glad that you are enjoying your Vantage. Even after several years of oiwnership, every drive remains a special occasion.
Have you experienced any compliments from strangers yet, or immediately been let out of a side turning?
Aston Martins certainly possess something special and unique.
I expect you already know, but we need to be careful reversing especially up a slope, because the reverse gear ratio is very high, so clutch slip wear is all too easy.
Whether the first owner wore stilettos I don't think was ever established, and neither did we find out if she actually sits in the House of Lords. -
Did you look for any of her posts? Here are some links from 2009 at the time she bought your car. I think she came to AM from TVR, but since the V12V, seems to have changed cars quite frequently. Not my system, but it is of course just what the motor industry likes.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Reverse is closer to 2nd gear than it is to 1st, which is why so many people have an issue with it and why it stalls so easily. No idea why, but it's way taller gearing than what it should be.
The large shelf inside trunk/boot is the gas tank. If you pull back the carpet, you'll be looking at the access port for the tank itself.
The large shelf inside trunk/boot is the gas tank. If you pull back the carpet, you'll be looking at the access port for the tank itself.
Composer62 said:
1 – Door sills – were they originally a light violet colour, or is that something that has happened over time ? Also why would AM make a part of the car that is subject to scuffing and wear and tear out of a material that can’t be easily repaired ? Mine has a couple of scratches that the dealer said couldn’t be fixed. (I can only assume that a previous owner had some killer stilletos to cause such scratches – I know the first private owner was a lady !)
There is a thread on here somewhere about refinishing the sill covers with black, sticky vinyl. I've just done this and it worked a treat. Mine were starting to get a few scratches on the soft anodising so the vinyl will offer protection as well as look better, i.e. black.Congrats on the new car
One of the available sill colours does look a little violet in certain light. They are cheap enough to be replaced if you really damage them or they are already scratched from the previous owner...anywhere from £90 each http://www.astonmartinbits.com/search?search=door+... The sills were one of the few wear points on the Roadster I bought last year, I think the previous owner may have worn steel tipped shoes.
Reversing just needs practice, there is an anti stall mechanism to help you save the clutch but you need to trust it and be really smooth on the clutch. With practice you can reverse up steep inclines with no throttle, just clutch control...going uphill in reverse at quite a few mph just on tickover is a strange experience at first.
One of the available sill colours does look a little violet in certain light. They are cheap enough to be replaced if you really damage them or they are already scratched from the previous owner...anywhere from £90 each http://www.astonmartinbits.com/search?search=door+... The sills were one of the few wear points on the Roadster I bought last year, I think the previous owner may have worn steel tipped shoes.
Reversing just needs practice, there is an anti stall mechanism to help you save the clutch but you need to trust it and be really smooth on the clutch. With practice you can reverse up steep inclines with no throttle, just clutch control...going uphill in reverse at quite a few mph just on tickover is a strange experience at first.
rovcallum said:
Composer62 said:
1 – Door sills – were they originally a light violet colour, or is that something that has happened over time ? Also why would AM make a part of the car that is subject to scuffing and wear and tear out of a material that can’t be easily repaired ? Mine has a couple of scratches that the dealer said couldn’t be fixed. (I can only assume that a previous owner had some killer stilletos to cause such scratches – I know the first private owner was a lady !)
There is a thread on here somewhere about refinishing the sill covers with black, sticky vinyl. I've just done this and it worked a treat. Mine were starting to get a few scratches on the soft anodising so the vinyl will offer protection as well as look better, i.e. black.Dewi 1 said:
Have you experienced any compliments from strangers yet, or immediately been let out of a side turning?
Aston Martins certainly possess something special and unique.
... Yes indeed I have ! .. Funnily enough that never happened when I was in my BMW !
Thanks also for the very interesting links to the earlier life of my car - you certainly are the font of all wisdom
Aston Martins certainly possess something special and unique.
... Yes indeed I have ! .. Funnily enough that never happened when I was in my BMW !
Thanks also for the very interesting links to the earlier life of my car - you certainly are the font of all wisdom
james-witton said:
Congratulations and welcome to the club. Have you stopped grinning yet?
I hope you enjoy it as much as we all seem to.
You said you were coming up the A68, do you live up in the NE anywhere?
Have fun
James
Not really stopped grinning and feel a wonderful sense of occasion every time I sit in it. It's a great feeling.I hope you enjoy it as much as we all seem to.
You said you were coming up the A68, do you live up in the NE anywhere?
Have fun
James
I actually live near Edinburgh ..so not too far away.
rovcallum said:
There is a thread on here somewhere about refinishing the sill covers with black, sticky vinyl. I've just done this and it worked a treat. Mine were starting to get a few scratches on the soft anodising so the vinyl will offer protection as well as look better, i.e. black.
Thanks Callum,I'll check that out. Could be a good solution for mine too.
As per thread title.
Had my 2007 Coupe a couple of months now, out of a C4s cab which i still have so comparisons are with this. I'm at Le Mans so first long "bonding" trip away in Aston.
Drop dead gorgeous, 4.3 N400+ so fast enough, fab brand, nice noise, good handling, comfortable seats on a long run, its had switch enhancements, carbon pack etc so very nice inside.
Disappointments - sat nav is total waste of time so using TomTom, gearbox stiff when cold, high reverse, all these expected. High clutch bite point and poor feel will be sorted with new type clutch at BR when needed. Low revs engine smoothness/pick up poor in crawling traffic a little frustrating, more to do with accelerator setup than engine i suspect. Steering heavy and dead at low speed, think newer v12s are lighter, may look at getting something done about this. On a practical note lack of cubby/glove box and general useful spaces for stuff on a trip is very poor, cup holders almost a waste of time which spoils a day to day enjoyment a little.
Summary vs 911 (as of this point in our relationship), lacks every day practicality and the fun chuckable character, its a super model but not as good in the kitchen!
DW
Had my 2007 Coupe a couple of months now, out of a C4s cab which i still have so comparisons are with this. I'm at Le Mans so first long "bonding" trip away in Aston.
Drop dead gorgeous, 4.3 N400+ so fast enough, fab brand, nice noise, good handling, comfortable seats on a long run, its had switch enhancements, carbon pack etc so very nice inside.
Disappointments - sat nav is total waste of time so using TomTom, gearbox stiff when cold, high reverse, all these expected. High clutch bite point and poor feel will be sorted with new type clutch at BR when needed. Low revs engine smoothness/pick up poor in crawling traffic a little frustrating, more to do with accelerator setup than engine i suspect. Steering heavy and dead at low speed, think newer v12s are lighter, may look at getting something done about this. On a practical note lack of cubby/glove box and general useful spaces for stuff on a trip is very poor, cup holders almost a waste of time which spoils a day to day enjoyment a little.
Summary vs 911 (as of this point in our relationship), lacks every day practicality and the fun chuckable character, its a super model but not as good in the kitchen!
DW
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