Hunting a Vantage V8S - Manual v Auto

[Simon-a15p8]

Hi Guys,

UK based. Thought I’d treat myself to an AM after 6 years in a 6 series Gran Coupe. I thought I’d ask those in the know a few questions as I’m looking for a bit of a steer.

I’m pretty set on the V8S coupe but open to the roadster. I’d prefer the 6 speed manual but having looked for one I think these are pretty rare? How different is the driving experience with the Sportshift II box? I hear it’s a bit jerky.

Also what would the must haves be as far as spec goes? Budget in the region of £60k which should get me close to a 2015 low mileage.

Thanks everyone.

[AdamV12V]

The manual and sportshift are quite different. Sportshift is an automated manual, not an automatic so needs to be driven more like a manual, feathering the throttle for gear changes. Id suggest you try one to see if its your thing or not.

Must haves 3 really - lightweight cf seats (not the sports seats which are supposed to be comfort but in reality are anything but), premium audio (or b&o) - std is terrible, premium and b&o are great, and a colour combo to your liking!

Good luck in your search

[LTP]

AdamV12V said:

The manual and sportshift are quite different. Sportshift is an automated manual, not an automatic so needs to be driven more like a manual, feathering the throttle for gear changes. Id suggest you try one to see if its your thing or not.

Must haves 3 really - lightweight cf seats (not the sports seats which are supposed to be comfort but in reality are anything but), premium audio (or b&o) - std is terrible, premium and b&o are great, and a colour combo to your liking!

Good luck in your search

I completely disagree with the lightweight seats comment and I find my Sports seats perfectly comfortable for a long run, whereas I couldn’t fit lightweights. It all depends on your build and driving position - I’m 6’ 4”, nearly 14 stone with very long legs and a wide pelvis. I do agree with Adam on the ICE - go for Premium if you want to listen to anything other than the exhaust note.

I drove both manuals and SportShift cars before I settled on my 2015 V8V SSII coupe and I’m happy with the choice. However, having come from driving autos (including short runs in other Astons) my first impression of a SS car was “Well I’m not buying one of those - they’re rubbish.” Yet here I am with one. Is it a perfect transmission? No, it is of its time, before PDK and ZF 8-speed boxes upped the ante. In “Drive” it is, frankly, appalling, so I always drive mine on the paddles and in Sport mode.

I suggest you drive both, but be aware that it’ll probably take you 20 minutes of driving and trying before you get the SSII to perform like it can. And they always require care and careful throttle modulation at car park speeds or you’ll get epic transmission shunt.

[ds666]

At that budget have you considered a v12 ?

[Buzz Killington]

ds666 said:

At that budget have you considered a v12 ?

Second that. I've driven both. While the handling is better on the V8 the sound and pull of the v12 wins on the smiles per mile scale.

[JJbing]

Buzz Killington said:

Second that. I've driven both. While the handling is better on the V8 the sound and pull of the v12 wins on the smiles per mile scale.

Third that. V12, it's in a different league.

There is a black V12 in Northallerton for £63k privately.

[Fatboymark]

I am looking for a similar car (roadster only) with the same budget, having driven a number pre lockdown the lightweight seats are a must for me. Is there any way to find out how many roadsters had the lightweight seats fitted?

[Simon-a15p8]

JJbing said:

Buzz Killington said:

Second that. I've driven both. While the handling is better on the V8 the sound and pull of the v12 wins on the smiles per mile scale.

Third that. V12, it's in a different league.

There is a black V12 in Northallerton for £63k privately.

In not sure I have the talent for a V12. If I was going that way I think I’d look at a Vanquish. What’s going on with the price of those, I’m really confused when seeing 2004 models the same price as 2014 ones. Any ideas?

[V8V Pete]

Simon-a15p8 said:

If I was going that way I think I’d look at a Vanquish. What’s going on with the price of those, I’m really confused when seeing 2004 models the same price as 2014 ones. Any ideas?

Completely different models/cars. Newport Pagnell Vanquish (steady/appreciating due to modern classic status) and Gaydon Vanquish (still depreciating).

[JJbing]

Simon-a15p8 said:

In not sure I have the talent for a V12. If I was going that way I think I’d look at a Vanquish. What’s going on with the price of those, I’m really confused when seeing 2004 models the same price as 2014 ones. Any ideas?

I've got a 2nd Gen Vanquish, epic car. I don't think they have too much depreciation left. It's a lot of car for the money. I can't see them ever dropping sub £60k, unless seriously leggy etc.

I'm sure if you drive within your limits the V12 manual is the one to go for, they're also appreciating.

[V8V Pete]

If you find a manual Vantage S with Lightweight Seats (and Premium Audio) then snap it up because they are rare and wonderful. I found mine 6 years ago and still have it because (with a few enhancements) it is perfect for me. It doesn't have all the latest tech and won't drive itself but demands to be driven in a way most current stuff doesn't. If that's what you're after then you'll like it. Quite different to your 6 series, though, but I'm sure you know that already.

[Simon-a15p8]

None of those available presently are manuals let alone with the lightweight seats. I’d have thought the seats would be more popular if the standard sports ones aren’t comfortable.

[phumy]

Standard seats and lightweight seats are both comfortable, however the lightweights are better looking and more desirable too.

[bogie]

I find the standards sports seats fine, I like to be able to adjust the back from time to time and the heaters get used often for roof down drives when its not so warm.

I dont prefer the lightweight seats. Guess it depends on what you are going to be doing with the car, for track days they may be better to work with harnesses.

Manuals are rare, manual roadsters even more rare. I have a manual 2012 Roadster in tungsten silver (not a special edition or S) they made less than 10 of them in 2012.

You need to drive the Sportshift to see if its for you, I only tried the original back in 2007 and have had 2 manual Vantages since then.

[Minglar]

The subject of seats is always a popular topic of discussion on this forum. The lightweights suit some people but not everyone. The only way to really find out is to have a fairly long drive in both if you can. I tried them a few times but I just couldn’t get on with them at all. Maybe it’s because I’m a lard arse, I don’t know. It felt very uncomfortable for me whilst changing gear, and I couldn’t get my left shoulder in the right position at all. They do look rather good though, but the standard sports seat are perfectly adequate imho. As mentioned elsewhere, it seems that the supply of decent used manuals is drying up a bit, and lightweights aren’t very common either. As you probably know, SSII is not a traditional auto so you have to use the box like a manual, and use the paddles. As for the other criteria, I’ve only ever had the premium sound system and I think it’s great. I don’t think the B&O option is particularly common on the V8 cars, and I would avoid the standard set up if you can. Colour, only you can decide. Personally, I’ve always liked black cars, but they are tough to keep clean, and many think it’s a boring choice. Pick what colour and interior combo you like and don’t worry about what anyone else says! Good luck with your search.

Best Regards

Minglar

[squirdan]

question to ask yourself is how much will you use it and how important is a more recent car?

the late 15 on with the nicer carbon waterfall dash and other stuff is really nice and the satnav , display etc is less disappointing (still not exactly great) None will have the gadgets or general user friendliness of the beemer but it all works pretty well. You might be a cash buyer but if not you can generally get PCP on something 5 years old, meaning the man maths supports a more expensive newer car

I found a 16 reg N430 and love it.

the manual adds to the analogue 2nd car / special experience , but would maybe be annoying if I used it more (heavy clutch). That said, its absolutely fine and I feel it suits the car (beefy engine, slightly old school feel)

the LWT seats are great for me (92kg and 6ft 1) and far more comfortable than for example the Recaros I had in a 996 GT3

IMHO these cars are appreciating a bit now and like any similar car [unless it never had a manual option eg M3 CSL] the more rare the spec, the better for residuals. So that would be manual, lightweight seats and maybe a limited numbers special edition (N430, SP10 etc)

[LTP]

Another consideration with lightweight seats is you don’t get seat heaters or adjustable lumbar and there’s no side airbags. Maybe not a deal-breaker for those intent on lightweights.

Edited by LTP on Tuesday 6th April 16:04

[Jon39]

squirdan said:

...... the manual adds to the analogue 2nd car / special experience , but would maybe be annoying if I used it more (heavy clutch).

Go on, treat yourself to a twinplate clutch. You must have a reason for deserving a treat.
Pedal lightness then matches an everyday car.

[bogie]

I found the later OE clutch to be as light as a regular car or maybe that was just as a direct comparison to the worn 2006 clutch that it replaced

I dont find my 2012 Roadster clutch particularly heavy....it was replaced OE a couple of years ago

[Dewi 2]

bogie said:

I found the later OE clutch to be as light as a regular car or maybe that was just as a direct comparison to the worn 2006 clutch that it replaced

I dont find my 2012 Roadster clutch particularly heavy....it was replaced OE a couple of years ago

When I first drove my 2009 V8V, I thought the clutch pedal was quite heavy, but just assumed that was necessary to handle the power.
Soon forgot all about it and the pedal weight was perfectly acceptable to me. However, after a twin plate was fitted, the pedal lightness was remarkably better.