Buying a Vantage = Big Mistake!
Discussion
I’ve just realised that I made a big mistake buying a Vantage!
A few months ago, when I retired, I managed to fulfil a long held dream of mine and bought an Aston Martin (4.7 Vantage Sportshift with Sports Pack). I absolutely love driving it and it has everything that I wanted; Tungsten with Obsidian and Piano Black, Sports Pack, Sportshift, Cruise, Power Mirrors, SatNav with 2018 maps, Memory seats, Low miles (33k), Timeless warranty, flawless interior, paint and body, etc.
However...
My wife has just confessed that she finds the car uncomfortable and on journeys of more than just a few miles her neck and back start to ache.
Before getting the car we had planned on travelling throughout the UK and Europe in it. This won’t be possible in this car, as I don’t plan to travel on my own!
What am I to do? Probably swap for a DB9 (without Sports Pack) – which is no bad thing as I also love this model, but it will probably prove to be a costly move and this wasn’t budgeted for.
Lesson to be learned; If your dream car is going to be enjoyed by your partner, take him or her with you on the test drive to ensure that he/she will enjoy the experience also (unless the car is for your use only).
A few months ago, when I retired, I managed to fulfil a long held dream of mine and bought an Aston Martin (4.7 Vantage Sportshift with Sports Pack). I absolutely love driving it and it has everything that I wanted; Tungsten with Obsidian and Piano Black, Sports Pack, Sportshift, Cruise, Power Mirrors, SatNav with 2018 maps, Memory seats, Low miles (33k), Timeless warranty, flawless interior, paint and body, etc.
However...
My wife has just confessed that she finds the car uncomfortable and on journeys of more than just a few miles her neck and back start to ache.
Before getting the car we had planned on travelling throughout the UK and Europe in it. This won’t be possible in this car, as I don’t plan to travel on my own!
What am I to do? Probably swap for a DB9 (without Sports Pack) – which is no bad thing as I also love this model, but it will probably prove to be a costly move and this wasn’t budgeted for.
Lesson to be learned; If your dream car is going to be enjoyed by your partner, take him or her with you on the test drive to ensure that he/she will enjoy the experience also (unless the car is for your use only).
Mine is an identical spec to the OP, except for the Sports Pack - and it is a very comfortable long distance tourer that the wife and I have taken all over Europe. Can anything be done re changing the seats (which I assume are different) for 'standard' - hope you resolve this and get to enjoy the car. Dave
I have this with my other half. She complains all the time that i drive it "jerkily"!!! But maybe because its a Sportshift and Sports Pack fitted its a harder ride and the changes maybe not all smooth. Do you lift off slightly during gear changes to "smooth" it out?
I would swap models until you get one that likes the seats and driving style!!!!
I would swap models until you get one that likes the seats and driving style!!!!
Sorry to read that your wife is finding the ride uncomfortable.
My own 4.7 does not have Sportspack. Even so, on some bumpy resurfaces the ride is very harsh and firm, but otherwise there is no problem. I have never driven a Sportspack Vantage, but I don‘t think I would want harder suspension than I have now, unless it was to be a track car.
You have the beautiful car which you have dreamed of, so my suggestion is just to deal with the aspect that is causing difficulties. Have the springs and dampers changed, to give you softer suspension.
Very much cheaper than P/x cars.
I know who I would talk to about this.
Good luck.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Sunday 24th February 11:01
zafod said:
I’ve just realised that I made a big mistake buying a Vantage!
What am I to do? Probably swap for a DB9 (without Sports Pack) – which is no bad thing as I also love this model, but it will probably prove to be a costly move and this wasn’t budgeted for.
Is swapping the wife out for a newer model an option? What am I to do? Probably swap for a DB9 (without Sports Pack) – which is no bad thing as I also love this model, but it will probably prove to be a costly move and this wasn’t budgeted for.
Mind you probably equally costly?
Before changing the car for a very similar car it could be the fact the legs straight out in front due to the low seating position that is causing her the discomfort.
I would try sending her to yoga classes to do some stretching because the pain could be coming from tight hamstrings or somewhere else in the body!
Good luck because neck and back pain is horrible and I find car seats can aggravate the problem greatly.
P.S. I am not a doctor but am going through similar at the moment.
I would try sending her to yoga classes to do some stretching because the pain could be coming from tight hamstrings or somewhere else in the body!
Good luck because neck and back pain is horrible and I find car seats can aggravate the problem greatly.
P.S. I am not a doctor but am going through similar at the moment.
Size of individual is important here but I suspect you could have a seat insert made to fit the existing seat cushion, back and headrest.
Although I am sure Works would be able to help, you could try a good trimmer and see if they have any suggestions.
Worth an investigation and a lot cheaper then changing the car.
As others have suggested softer springs and damper settings will also help.
Good luck.
Although I am sure Works would be able to help, you could try a good trimmer and see if they have any suggestions.
Worth an investigation and a lot cheaper then changing the car.
As others have suggested softer springs and damper settings will also help.
Good luck.
I too have a wife who complains about the harshness of the suspension.
I’ve told her there are three ways to fix the problem;
1: I leave her at home
Or
2: we replace the V8V with a newer model with switchable suspension.
Or
3: replace her.
She must be planning to put up with it as it looks like she’s planning a trip and has packed a bag.....
I’ve told her there are three ways to fix the problem;
1: I leave her at home
Or
2: we replace the V8V with a newer model with switchable suspension.
Or
3: replace her.
She must be planning to put up with it as it looks like she’s planning a trip and has packed a bag.....
rovcallum said:
I too have a wife who complains about the harshness of the suspension.
I’ve told her there are three ways to fix the problem;
1: I leave her at home
Or
2: we replace the V8V with a newer model with switchable suspension.
Or
3: replace her.
She must be planning to put up with it as it looks like she’s planning a trip and has packed a bag.....
I’ve told her there are three ways to fix the problem;
1: I leave her at home
Or
2: we replace the V8V with a newer model with switchable suspension.
Or
3: replace her.
She must be planning to put up with it as it looks like she’s planning a trip and has packed a bag.....
Oops - Packing a bag might be option 3.
Hope not.
OP - the sports suspension is likely the culprit, but the standard "sport" seats in the Vantage don't help.
The 2014 non-S V8 Vantage I originally owned had comfort suspension and it was the perfect blend for UK roads. Nothing sloppy about it, but it was compliant and perfectly direct.
Then I changed to a 2016 V8 Vantage S with Sports suspension. This was an option for all V8 coupes (S and non-S). I've heard the option was ticked for anything from 30% to 50% of original owners. I don't think it does it any favours in the UK. Harsh suspension often makes you hold back on B-roads and lesser. But I'm not concerned enough to change it.
I'm sure your AM dealer will give you a costly option to change the spec to Comfort. Specialists also offer a switchable upgrade as is found in V12S cars, which apparently gives the best of both worlds. Maybe as "cheap" as trading in for a DB9?
The standard sports seats are the second worst ergonomic feature of the Vantage (second only to the position of the manual stick - hence why mine is now a SportShift too). I've briefly sat in the lightweight (costly) options and they seemed much better for my (non-chiselled) shape. But they really are rare of V8 and V12 models as they were costly on the options list. Not even sure they could be spec'd for a DB9 due to the need for rear seat access?
The only thing that concerns me about lightweights is the deletion of side air bags. I know... I know... don't crash it in the first place, and all that. But when my young kid is in there, I won't be that happy if something happened even if there was the slightest chance the side air bags could have helped.
I don't know if anybody has managed to modify the standard sports seat's padding, or frame, to help?
Until then, keep tweeking that seat adjustment panel. I've got three seat positions set up and I tend to change between then if I start get get any aches.
The 2014 non-S V8 Vantage I originally owned had comfort suspension and it was the perfect blend for UK roads. Nothing sloppy about it, but it was compliant and perfectly direct.
Then I changed to a 2016 V8 Vantage S with Sports suspension. This was an option for all V8 coupes (S and non-S). I've heard the option was ticked for anything from 30% to 50% of original owners. I don't think it does it any favours in the UK. Harsh suspension often makes you hold back on B-roads and lesser. But I'm not concerned enough to change it.
I'm sure your AM dealer will give you a costly option to change the spec to Comfort. Specialists also offer a switchable upgrade as is found in V12S cars, which apparently gives the best of both worlds. Maybe as "cheap" as trading in for a DB9?
The standard sports seats are the second worst ergonomic feature of the Vantage (second only to the position of the manual stick - hence why mine is now a SportShift too). I've briefly sat in the lightweight (costly) options and they seemed much better for my (non-chiselled) shape. But they really are rare of V8 and V12 models as they were costly on the options list. Not even sure they could be spec'd for a DB9 due to the need for rear seat access?
The only thing that concerns me about lightweights is the deletion of side air bags. I know... I know... don't crash it in the first place, and all that. But when my young kid is in there, I won't be that happy if something happened even if there was the slightest chance the side air bags could have helped.
I don't know if anybody has managed to modify the standard sports seat's padding, or frame, to help?
Until then, keep tweeking that seat adjustment panel. I've got three seat positions set up and I tend to change between then if I start get get any aches.
nickv8 said:
Any idea on cost for this? I presume bushes and other suspension parts are the same and it's just the spring and damper rates that are different?
AM comfort spec is the way to go from test drives I had.Had switchable Bilstein put on mine but still didnt like them. Nearly changed to Mitchelin tyres which also help but how much to you need to keep spending?
Took a while to get seat adjustment sorted too. Add that to hard elbow door pad and badly placed manual stick position meant I didnt keep it.
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