Help needed 2014 V8 Vantage
Discussion
I drove a mint 2014 V8 Vantage today with a view to buying it. Loved it apart from the Sportshift transmission which was great in manual mode but very jerky in auto, especially in the lower gears and on kick down. I’m told this is a characteristic of the transmission. Is that right? It’s the Sportshift II and the car was v low mileage (5k). I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
Have you ruled out a manual Vantage? Unfortunately non twin clutch autos are dire IMO. A twin clutch auto is mega swift in changing gear - faster than a manual. I'am sure there are many who love their SS auto but personally I don't like that delay in changing gear. Think you need to test drive a manual & then make that choice.
Sportshift is a manual gearbox with automated clutch. You should use it in manual. If you're looking for an automatic gearbox, you'll have to look at a DB9 which has a torque converter auto which you can use in D mode.
You have to learn to drive a Sportshift, slightly release the throttle on each gear change, never use D and you'll be fine.
You have to learn to drive a Sportshift, slightly release the throttle on each gear change, never use D and you'll be fine.
I’m starting to wonder if I bought a Bentley in drag! 
Driving in D is perfectly smooth. Prefer using paddles, but I don’t feel I have to make excuses for the automatic D mode; it shifts nice and smoothly. Not as silky smooth as a slushmatic, but no head banging impressions between cogs. Perhaps a sage nod...
It’s an SSII on a ‘16 V8VS with nearly 17k miles on the clock. Perhaps regular use helps? Perhaps the first owner had a twin plate clutch swapped in on the sly?
OP - have you tried another SSII example to make a comparison? Could be simply level of expectations or I’m c
p at stiring a manual stick?
Driving in D is perfectly smooth. Prefer using paddles, but I don’t feel I have to make excuses for the automatic D mode; it shifts nice and smoothly. Not as silky smooth as a slushmatic, but no head banging impressions between cogs. Perhaps a sage nod...
It’s an SSII on a ‘16 V8VS with nearly 17k miles on the clock. Perhaps regular use helps? Perhaps the first owner had a twin plate clutch swapped in on the sly?
OP - have you tried another SSII example to make a comparison? Could be simply level of expectations or I’m c
p at stiring a manual stick?Trying another SSII is a good shout, I drove LOTS before I picked mine out, and each one seemed completely different to me.
I love my SS, and even D has its place. Traffic jams moving at precisely 8.5mph seem to be the only thing my car hates.
If nothing else, it’s fun to answer “do you drive an automatic or manual?” with “it’s... complicated...”
I love my SS, and even D has its place. Traffic jams moving at precisely 8.5mph seem to be the only thing my car hates.
If nothing else, it’s fun to answer “do you drive an automatic or manual?” with “it’s... complicated...”
Trying another SSII is a good shout, I drove LOTS before I picked mine out, and each one seemed completely different to me.
I love my SS, and even D has its place. Traffic jams moving at precisely 8.5mph seem to be the only thing my car hates.
If nothing else, it’s fun to answer “do you drive an automatic or manual?” with “it’s... complicated...”
I love my SS, and even D has its place. Traffic jams moving at precisely 8.5mph seem to be the only thing my car hates.
If nothing else, it’s fun to answer “do you drive an automatic or manual?” with “it’s... complicated...”
GameofCars said:
Have you ruled out a manual Vantage? Unfortunately non twin clutch autos are dire IMO. A twin clutch auto is mega swift in changing gear - faster than a manual. I'am sure there are many who love their SS auto but personally I don't like that delay in changing gear. Think you need to test drive a manual & then make that choice.
it is not an auto I have a 08 DB9 Automatic - I often come across threads about gearboxes. I know mine is a different gearbox to the later ones and the ones in the later Vantage but I have to say that as a long time manual gearbox lover I have been changed around by this car. I drive it in both modes depending on the road and conditions.
Sure I know it's not quick or anything - but it suits the car somehow. To those that are in the know.... is the gearbox in the vantage that different?
Sure I know it's not quick or anything - but it suits the car somehow. To those that are in the know.... is the gearbox in the vantage that different?
nickv8 said:
I’m starting to wonder if I bought a Bentley in drag!
Driving in D is perfectly smooth. Prefer using paddles, but I don’t feel I have to make excuses for the automatic D mode; it shifts nice and smoothly. Not as silky smooth as a slushmatic, but no head banging impressions between cogs. Perhaps a sage nod...
It’s an SSII on a ‘16 V8VS with nearly 17k miles on the clock. Perhaps regular use helps? Perhaps the first owner had a twin plate clutch swapped in on the sly?
OP - have you tried another SSII example to make a comparison? Could be simply level of expectations or I’m cp at stiring a manual stick?
This was not smooth at all in D. Grant Neal's book specifically recommends checking how the car reacts to light throttle when pulling away etc.. The changes were jerky and it reacted poorly in kick down. I hear all the comments about treating it as a manual and not using D. There are times though when it's easier just to use it as an auto (like when the wife's driving Driving in D is perfectly smooth. Prefer using paddles, but I don’t feel I have to make excuses for the automatic D mode; it shifts nice and smoothly. Not as silky smooth as a slushmatic, but no head banging impressions between cogs. Perhaps a sage nod...
It’s an SSII on a ‘16 V8VS with nearly 17k miles on the clock. Perhaps regular use helps? Perhaps the first owner had a twin plate clutch swapped in on the sly?
OP - have you tried another SSII example to make a comparison? Could be simply level of expectations or I’m c
p at stiring a manual stick?). I use the paddles most of the time in the F-Type but sitting in traffic on the commute it's nicer sometimes just to stick it in Drive.I could go for a manual (although a little harder to find this side of the pond) but my wife can't drive one so it would rule out her ever driving the car.
One week of ownership under my belt (with SS III) so obviously I am an expert...
As others have said, D is an automated manual, not an auto. To me D feels a bit like there is an invisible co-driver who is changing gears for me and operating a manual clutch. Like some weird dual control car. Not as smooth as an auto, but smoother than a manual. Neither one nor the other really.
Even in urban traffic I already find myself using D-paddle mode. D-non paddle mode shifts through the gears far too quickly for my liking, leaving me in 4 when I'd only just be thinking about moving into 3, and so enduring three shifts instead of one.
As others have said, D is an automated manual, not an auto. To me D feels a bit like there is an invisible co-driver who is changing gears for me and operating a manual clutch. Like some weird dual control car. Not as smooth as an auto, but smoother than a manual. Neither one nor the other really.
Even in urban traffic I already find myself using D-paddle mode. D-non paddle mode shifts through the gears far too quickly for my liking, leaving me in 4 when I'd only just be thinking about moving into 3, and so enduring three shifts instead of one.
unrepentant said:
This was not smooth at all in D. Grant Neal's book specifically recommends checking how the car reacts to light throttle when pulling away etc.. The changes were jerky and it reacted poorly in kick down. I hear all the comments about treating it as a manual and not using D. There are times though when it's easier just to use it as an auto (like when the wife's driving ). I use the paddles most of the time in the F-Type but sitting in traffic on the commute it's nicer sometimes just to stick it in Drive.
I could go for a manual (although a little harder to find this side of the pond) but my wife can't drive one so it would rule out her ever driving the car.
If this is the case, then with the greatest respect the Vantage simply isn't for you. You need to be looking for a Touchtronic automatic ala DB9, Vanquish, Virage etc.). I use the paddles most of the time in the F-Type but sitting in traffic on the commute it's nicer sometimes just to stick it in Drive.I could go for a manual (although a little harder to find this side of the pond) but my wife can't drive one so it would rule out her ever driving the car.
Having read more about it and having spoken to a friend who had a SS I understand it better now. I think I can live with it and have put an offer in on the car.
The steering was also heavier than I am used too, especially at low speed, but I understand that is also a characteristic of the car?
The steering was also heavier than I am used too, especially at low speed, but I understand that is also a characteristic of the car?
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff