Vantage test drive today
Discussion
As above
My first drive in any Aston....a 4.3 2007my
I was surprised how brittle the ride quality was. In particular I could feel a little bit of an edge through the steering over bad surfaces
Also the gear change improved as the car warmed up but I felt it was a bit obstructive getting back into first when at junctions??
Otherwise a nice car that reminded me of my TVR T350. Well as I remember it. It was 11 years ago!
My first drive in any Aston....a 4.3 2007my
I was surprised how brittle the ride quality was. In particular I could feel a little bit of an edge through the steering over bad surfaces
Also the gear change improved as the car warmed up but I felt it was a bit obstructive getting back into first when at junctions??
Otherwise a nice car that reminded me of my TVR T350. Well as I remember it. It was 11 years ago!
Summer tyres or old tyres which have gone a bit hard can cause the tram-lining feeling.
The gearbox is notchy when cold, first to second especially, but also going back into first at the traffic lights, so all sounds pretty normal.
They ain't perfect, but nothing is, it's all part of the character of the car, and I love mine :-)
The gearbox is notchy when cold, first to second especially, but also going back into first at the traffic lights, so all sounds pretty normal.
They ain't perfect, but nothing is, it's all part of the character of the car, and I love mine :-)
Ask if it had the sports suspension fitted......could also be tyre or pressure related. I find mine very tyre pressure sensitive for a big car. In my old Lotus Elise you could tell if the pressures were out a few psi and I find similar in the Vantage.
The gearbox on my first 4.3 was very notchy until it had the oil changed to the later spec and a small mod, which was a service item in the first couple of years, around 2007/8.
My current 4.7 is still notchy 1st to 2nd when cold regardless, but its not a big deal, its only for the first 5 mins on a cold morning, perhaps the first 2-3 gear shifts then its all fine.
The gearbox on my first 4.3 was very notchy until it had the oil changed to the later spec and a small mod, which was a service item in the first couple of years, around 2007/8.
My current 4.7 is still notchy 1st to 2nd when cold regardless, but its not a big deal, its only for the first 5 mins on a cold morning, perhaps the first 2-3 gear shifts then its all fine.
Early cars in particular can be notchy 1st to 2nd when cold, as others have said (there was a dealer fix, but not all had it done), but you're talking about going back into 1st, which as far as I'm aware shouldn't be an issue.
My first (2006) Vantage also sometimes gave quite a harsh feedback through the steering wheel - dealer said it was common, but I haven't had it on either of my subsequent Vantages.
Sounds like you need toi drive another one so that you have something to compare to....
My first (2006) Vantage also sometimes gave quite a harsh feedback through the steering wheel - dealer said it was common, but I haven't had it on either of my subsequent Vantages.
Sounds like you need toi drive another one so that you have something to compare to....
I bought a Vantage about 4 weeks ago. 2006MY, 19k miles.
Test drive was similar to your experience in terms of gearbox. Was a bit notchy when cold but soon got better. The clutch is pretty worn on the one I bought. Not slipping but bites high and I'm sure this doesn't help with the gear changes.
Ride quality on mine is great. It has the Sportspack suspension but is not harsh at all. I've been told the tyres fitted will be helping a lot - they at Pilot Sport 4Ss.
How many miles did the car you drove have on it? Maybe the suspension is a little worn if it's high miles?
Test drive was similar to your experience in terms of gearbox. Was a bit notchy when cold but soon got better. The clutch is pretty worn on the one I bought. Not slipping but bites high and I'm sure this doesn't help with the gear changes.
Ride quality on mine is great. It has the Sportspack suspension but is not harsh at all. I've been told the tyres fitted will be helping a lot - they at Pilot Sport 4Ss.
How many miles did the car you drove have on it? Maybe the suspension is a little worn if it's high miles?
Can’t comment on the state of suspension other than to say it has a full AM history and looks to have been well treated.
I did have to drive it round town on poor roads too.
The clutch did bite quite high. However the clutch was replaced at 35k miles in 2013. Car now on 50k miles so I assume can’t be worn out yet??
I did have to drive it round town on poor roads too.
The clutch did bite quite high. However the clutch was replaced at 35k miles in 2013. Car now on 50k miles so I assume can’t be worn out yet??
Specialist that looked over mine before I bought said it was worn but not slipping. Only done 19k. I have heard of them going after 15k but I guess that can't be that common, but it seems like it's possible. Will depend on how it's been driven and whether it's a done loads of stop start or lots of long motorway journeys I suppose.
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