Musings - 2017 V8VS manual
Discussion
It is early summer in New Zealand, and I'm plotting possible road trips over the next few months. I'm also receiving taps on the shoulder about possible time to change. What to do ?
I have posted previously about purchasing my V8VS from AM Nottingham in late December 2019 - with just 2,500 miles on the clock since build in late 2017, and in perfect (essentially unused) condition. Had to be one of the last built, and a rare manual, of one of the most thoroughly sorted VH platforms. The car was immediately delivered to Bamford Rose for the full conversion, sight unseen.
Thus, my first introduction was half a world away at BR, after a long haul from Auckland to London via a locked down Hong Kong airport - little did we know. After meeting Mike and Adrian, and catching up on the conversion, Adrian offered to take me around the Bamford loop in the car - just completed on the day of my arrival. Some introduction - that epic blast alone was worth the airfare. I put a further 600 miles on her in the UK - a visit to the Mach loop, and around lovely Welsh roads so reminiscent of our New Zealand B roads - and then shipped her back to New Zealand into the enforced pandemic lock down.
Here I am almost 4 years later. I now have 34,500 kms on the car - thoroughly sorted in every way. The BR conversion has been faultless and adds so much to the enjoyment of the vehicle each and every drive - I love the short-shift manual, the transformation of the lightweight flywheel and twin-plate clutch, the wonderfully clear responsiveness and balance of the chassis, the OEM brakes and steering being perfect, with BR-fettled 480-ish hp seeming to be just enough, and an exhaust note that is, shall we say, purposeful.
At 4 years I've been thinking about what next - I've been looked hard at Vanquish 2, as well as AMR V12 DB11, and cast an covetous eye over the DB12. After all, I'm now 70 years of age (how did that happen ?) and AM are suggesting it might be time to change ...
I don't track my cars. I enjoy bringing them to the best state possible, usually with thoroughly sorted targeted mods to change some little thing, and I thoroughly enjoy my sports touring (seems the best way to describe it). I love getting in amongst our wonderful alpine roads in the deep south of the country - always virtually deserted, well engineered roads and miles from anyone - Wanaka to Haast, Tekapo to Aorangi, through the Central Otago back country, Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs, up the west coast to Nelson.
The V8VS sings in this space - up on her toes, and communicates wonderfully. The car feels beautifully run in, incredibly tactile, and is about as bespoke as can be achieved in this day and age for sensible money. I had to have AMiIII with OEM Apple CarPlay, yet I rarely use it for anything other than navigation.
So what do I want from my next sports car ? I've been inundated with the latest and greatest from AM and others. My musings are at an end, and I have come to a landing - I want exactly what I have. Change for change's sake? I don't think so. Will accumulating miles lower resale value? I simply don't care. Do I want more power ? Adequate seems fine.
So there we have it - I'm in my happy place, and searching out near-new half a world away 4 years ago, and then investing in a full-house BR upgrade, has (according to my man-maths) clearly saved me a fortune. I'm enjoying the car today even more than that first visceral blast around the Bamford loop with Adrian.
Roll on summer - the road awaits.
I have posted previously about purchasing my V8VS from AM Nottingham in late December 2019 - with just 2,500 miles on the clock since build in late 2017, and in perfect (essentially unused) condition. Had to be one of the last built, and a rare manual, of one of the most thoroughly sorted VH platforms. The car was immediately delivered to Bamford Rose for the full conversion, sight unseen.
Thus, my first introduction was half a world away at BR, after a long haul from Auckland to London via a locked down Hong Kong airport - little did we know. After meeting Mike and Adrian, and catching up on the conversion, Adrian offered to take me around the Bamford loop in the car - just completed on the day of my arrival. Some introduction - that epic blast alone was worth the airfare. I put a further 600 miles on her in the UK - a visit to the Mach loop, and around lovely Welsh roads so reminiscent of our New Zealand B roads - and then shipped her back to New Zealand into the enforced pandemic lock down.
Here I am almost 4 years later. I now have 34,500 kms on the car - thoroughly sorted in every way. The BR conversion has been faultless and adds so much to the enjoyment of the vehicle each and every drive - I love the short-shift manual, the transformation of the lightweight flywheel and twin-plate clutch, the wonderfully clear responsiveness and balance of the chassis, the OEM brakes and steering being perfect, with BR-fettled 480-ish hp seeming to be just enough, and an exhaust note that is, shall we say, purposeful.
At 4 years I've been thinking about what next - I've been looked hard at Vanquish 2, as well as AMR V12 DB11, and cast an covetous eye over the DB12. After all, I'm now 70 years of age (how did that happen ?) and AM are suggesting it might be time to change ...
I don't track my cars. I enjoy bringing them to the best state possible, usually with thoroughly sorted targeted mods to change some little thing, and I thoroughly enjoy my sports touring (seems the best way to describe it). I love getting in amongst our wonderful alpine roads in the deep south of the country - always virtually deserted, well engineered roads and miles from anyone - Wanaka to Haast, Tekapo to Aorangi, through the Central Otago back country, Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs, up the west coast to Nelson.
The V8VS sings in this space - up on her toes, and communicates wonderfully. The car feels beautifully run in, incredibly tactile, and is about as bespoke as can be achieved in this day and age for sensible money. I had to have AMiIII with OEM Apple CarPlay, yet I rarely use it for anything other than navigation.
So what do I want from my next sports car ? I've been inundated with the latest and greatest from AM and others. My musings are at an end, and I have come to a landing - I want exactly what I have. Change for change's sake? I don't think so. Will accumulating miles lower resale value? I simply don't care. Do I want more power ? Adequate seems fine.
So there we have it - I'm in my happy place, and searching out near-new half a world away 4 years ago, and then investing in a full-house BR upgrade, has (according to my man-maths) clearly saved me a fortune. I'm enjoying the car today even more than that first visceral blast around the Bamford loop with Adrian.
Roll on summer - the road awaits.
Thank you for posting, Gareth (Welsh ancestry perhaps?).
I am in a similar situation to you, owning a 4.7 fitted with BR mods.
Exactly the same conclusion, a keeper.
Beautiful cars, with old school characteristics (manual, naturally aspirated, mildly restricted exhaust) the like of which is no longer built.
I wonder how many VH Vantages there are in New Zealand ?
Continue to enjoy your Vantage in NZ. It is Aston winter hibernation time here and also a prolonged wet weather period. My job today, to overinflate the tyres.
Gareth, as I sit in a motorhome in Okarito, half way between Hokitika and Haast, rain pattering purposefully on the roof, I wish I had my VH Vantage to put down these roads, rather than a Fiat Ducato. That`s not entirely true, as the trip has been good and serving it`s purpose well as a family holiday, (as a Tui warbles outside), but several times since crossing the Strait I`ve been on sections of road where I wished I could have parked, walked over to my Vantage and attacked that particular stretch of B-road.
Sure, there`s other pieces where I have wondered how compliant it would have been, as uneven road surfacing certainly seems to be an art form here, but these sparsely driven southern roads just speak Vantage to me. Central Otago is a visual stage and gripping that familiar leather steering wheel as the sun sinks low, brushing the hills with that special, warm light, what a dream.
I think you certainly have the sweet spot car-wise. As an owner of a BR & VE tweaked 4.3, there`s nothing that really appeals enough to drag me away, the most tempting thing would be what you are driving, the final iteration of this fine VH line. Enjoy it, you`ve got the car and the location.
Sure, there`s other pieces where I have wondered how compliant it would have been, as uneven road surfacing certainly seems to be an art form here, but these sparsely driven southern roads just speak Vantage to me. Central Otago is a visual stage and gripping that familiar leather steering wheel as the sun sinks low, brushing the hills with that special, warm light, what a dream.
I think you certainly have the sweet spot car-wise. As an owner of a BR & VE tweaked 4.3, there`s nothing that really appeals enough to drag me away, the most tempting thing would be what you are driving, the final iteration of this fine VH line. Enjoy it, you`ve got the car and the location.
Thanks team, pleased to see it hit a chord
Dewi, yes Welsh antecedents three generations ago, from Welshpool originally, on my father's side.
Not sure how many VH Vantages in New Zealand, but there's a fair selection of early 4.3 and 4.7 Vantage, a few DB7, DB9 and DB11s always on the market. The brand offers strong factory sales and after-market support, with outstanding brand service and spares through the dedicated AM Auckland dealership, and it would appear as though a major service centre about to be opened in Christchurch.
Dean, wet days in a camper in Okarito, oh dear ! If you manage to find your way to Auckland, please do make contact - I've read your posts from afar, and I'd be pleased to meet if you find yourself in these parts.
Dewi, yes Welsh antecedents three generations ago, from Welshpool originally, on my father's side.
Not sure how many VH Vantages in New Zealand, but there's a fair selection of early 4.3 and 4.7 Vantage, a few DB7, DB9 and DB11s always on the market. The brand offers strong factory sales and after-market support, with outstanding brand service and spares through the dedicated AM Auckland dealership, and it would appear as though a major service centre about to be opened in Christchurch.
Dean, wet days in a camper in Okarito, oh dear ! If you manage to find your way to Auckland, please do make contact - I've read your posts from afar, and I'd be pleased to meet if you find yourself in these parts.
Hi Gareth, I think you've nailed it, for most of us the VH Vantage is enough car, (especially in the enhanced guise.) The Auckland AM boys have shoulder tapped me too but there's nothing I want to change into. Most of the newer stuff doesn't appeal, they are all too much. I'm sure in some parts of the world they are probably fine but in NZ I think they are too big, too loud, too flash, too fast and too much. I love owning and driving nice cars, but most of the time I just want to slip on by and I really don't want to look like a t
t.
VH Vantages in NZ, there's quite a few but not many 4.7 manuals.
I did a stunning 'sports touring' drive last week. A scenic route return trip down from Northland to Wellington but the stand out was Napier to Hamilton via Gentle Annie, the west side of Lake Taupo and up the Waikato river by the Whakamaru dam. It was all very lightly trafficked but especially the first couple of hours were I hardly saw a sole. Epic roads, some tight and twisty, others open and flowing. Only a couple of small sections of road works, the perennial rash of NZ roads.
I was in the UK in September, I went and saw BR Mike, I'm interested in his upgrades. Particularly the switchable shocks and manifolds & cats solution. Unfortunately he looked a bit flustered as JayEmm on cars had just turned up. I was hoping to get a show and tell of his work but it didn't happen. My car is an earlier 4.7 manual, it has a twin plate clutch/lightweight fly wheel and a few other upgrades. (Vantage S anti roll bars, upgraded brakes etc.)
Gareth, I would love to catch up and check out your car when we can make it happen. Particularly interested in feeling the difference the shocks make and hearing the exhaust set up.
Dean, same invitation up North. If you are visiting Northland and have time to catch up, give me a shout.
t. VH Vantages in NZ, there's quite a few but not many 4.7 manuals.
I did a stunning 'sports touring' drive last week. A scenic route return trip down from Northland to Wellington but the stand out was Napier to Hamilton via Gentle Annie, the west side of Lake Taupo and up the Waikato river by the Whakamaru dam. It was all very lightly trafficked but especially the first couple of hours were I hardly saw a sole. Epic roads, some tight and twisty, others open and flowing. Only a couple of small sections of road works, the perennial rash of NZ roads.
I was in the UK in September, I went and saw BR Mike, I'm interested in his upgrades. Particularly the switchable shocks and manifolds & cats solution. Unfortunately he looked a bit flustered as JayEmm on cars had just turned up. I was hoping to get a show and tell of his work but it didn't happen. My car is an earlier 4.7 manual, it has a twin plate clutch/lightweight fly wheel and a few other upgrades. (Vantage S anti roll bars, upgraded brakes etc.)
Gareth, I would love to catch up and check out your car when we can make it happen. Particularly interested in feeling the difference the shocks make and hearing the exhaust set up.
Dean, same invitation up North. If you are visiting Northland and have time to catch up, give me a shout.
hi Andy, I know the western bypass around Lake Taupo as that's my go-to route running south - always deserted and the road flows, but watch the farmer's utes - but I've yet to do the Taihape-Napier run - something I'll do over summer.
I'm in Cockle Bay in Auckland and the coffee is always on - would be wonderful to catch up. That said, I know the far north well (my wife hails from Ruakaka but we met in Chiswick), and definitely no hardship to spear north. Not sure how we do direct messaging on Pistonheads - can someone advise?
I'm in Cockle Bay in Auckland and the coffee is always on - would be wonderful to catch up. That said, I know the far north well (my wife hails from Ruakaka but we met in Chiswick), and definitely no hardship to spear north. Not sure how we do direct messaging on Pistonheads - can someone advise?
Nice post. I agree with you.
One anecdote. I also have one of the very last ones made, actually the 8th last. I was at the Aston Sydney service clinic and a chap in a new Vantage turned up. We were talking and I asked him how he liked it. He said, I had the older model before. My new one is just a car. A very very nice car though. But yours is an event. Don’t ever sell it.
I won’t.
One anecdote. I also have one of the very last ones made, actually the 8th last. I was at the Aston Sydney service clinic and a chap in a new Vantage turned up. We were talking and I asked him how he liked it. He said, I had the older model before. My new one is just a car. A very very nice car though. But yours is an event. Don’t ever sell it.
I won’t.
Seakingsam said:
Dean, wet days in a camper in Okarito, oh dear ! If you manage to find your way to Auckland, please do make contact - I've read your posts from afar, and I'd be pleased to meet if you find yourself in these parts.
Absolutely poured overnight, lovely in the morning... well a bit windy, and sandflies, but I`ll take it! I was in Auckland for 10 days, but lots of commitments before heading southwards about three weeks ago. I will be back, but only to overnight before flying out to Switzerland on Dec 30.
Bizarrely, I will be back on Jan 24th... Long story short, NZ job in Nov got postponed until end of Jan, decided to keep the existing flights and do the seven week holiday and come back for 5 days for the shoot. Good for mileage anyway!
I will send you a PM.
drac said:
Dean, same invitation up North. If you are visiting Northland and have time to catch up, give me a shout.
No Northland this time around unfortunately. That Gentle Annie is a rugged old piece of country, with a couple of gems mixed in. As a Hawkes Bay boy I troubled that road a few times in an RX2. I guess there`s been a bit of work done on it in the intervening 35 years...
Dean, aah, the “joys” of work-required long distance air travel ! Those days are past now, but I do remember a day trip Auckland - London - Auckland - well, in one afternoon, dinner, hotel, out the next day at noon. It became normalised - in LHR by 3 pm, London hotel, early dinner for short meeting, but head had to be on a pillow by 7pm or I’d be face-down in the linguini!
Do let me know when you are back in NZ, and we will meet up
Do let me know when you are back in NZ, and we will meet up
NickXX said:
I remember seeing it up on the ramps when I had the first upgrades done on mine at BR - it looked absolutely mint. Mike seemed very proud to be part of your story!
Thanks Nick, you saw her before I did ! I remain grateful to Mike and team pushing the full project through so quickly, which fortuitously meant I got the car on the water heading south before lockdown. Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff