Sportshift (driving tips welcome)
Discussion
I'm picking up my V8 Vantage 4.7 Sportshift on Saturday. This is a new way of driving for me. I am familiar with "clutch learn" and the need to lift off the throttle slightly between shifts for smoother change, but any advice from seasoned users would be appreciated. Many thanks.
Cheers
Cheers
nickv8 said:
Permission to be controversial... 
Forget much of what you read and hear. I was paranoid when I changed from 4.7 V8V to 4.7V8VS SportShift in August. I made the change because I started to suffer from an "impinged" shoulder.
Years of unfavourable reviews over the gearbox... warnings about having to lift off... never use "D"... uncouth compared to a "proper" auto, etc.
Then I drove it properly. It's just brilliant! Never need to lift off (although I may do a little, unconsciously, in many circumstances). Swift and decisive gear changes. Much faster to operate than the slightly stubborn and heavy manual (although I admit it simply had "character"). Not grumpy on cold days.
The only thing I avoid is the "D". Not because it's rubbish. Far from it! It's just that I enjoy the fantastically tactile paddles and additional interaction it gives.
Oh - and the extra speedy flat shifting at the top of the rev range is life-affirming!
In my opinion (and I've been wrong many times in my life, admittedly), it simply makes the Vantage a better car. Having the paddles allows you to concentrate on the steering and braking, especially when pressing on.
If there are any criticisms with the previous Vantage overall, it's the relatively uncomfortable standard "Sport" seats (lightweights are rare in a V8 sadly) and the bad ergonomics of the stick in a manual.
I've never contemplated owning anything but a manual before, but the Sportshift is a revelation.
Just don't worry about it and enjoy!
PS - shoulder strangely reverted to normal in the weeks after Sportshift appeared on the drive. My young son says it was all an excuse to upgrade LOL!
This is the kind of post that I was hoping for! Many thanks.Forget much of what you read and hear. I was paranoid when I changed from 4.7 V8V to 4.7V8VS SportShift in August. I made the change because I started to suffer from an "impinged" shoulder.
Years of unfavourable reviews over the gearbox... warnings about having to lift off... never use "D"... uncouth compared to a "proper" auto, etc.
Then I drove it properly. It's just brilliant! Never need to lift off (although I may do a little, unconsciously, in many circumstances). Swift and decisive gear changes. Much faster to operate than the slightly stubborn and heavy manual (although I admit it simply had "character"). Not grumpy on cold days.
The only thing I avoid is the "D". Not because it's rubbish. Far from it! It's just that I enjoy the fantastically tactile paddles and additional interaction it gives.
Oh - and the extra speedy flat shifting at the top of the rev range is life-affirming!
In my opinion (and I've been wrong many times in my life, admittedly), it simply makes the Vantage a better car. Having the paddles allows you to concentrate on the steering and braking, especially when pressing on.
If there are any criticisms with the previous Vantage overall, it's the relatively uncomfortable standard "Sport" seats (lightweights are rare in a V8 sadly) and the bad ergonomics of the stick in a manual.
I've never contemplated owning anything but a manual before, but the Sportshift is a revelation.
Just don't worry about it and enjoy!
PS - shoulder strangely reverted to normal in the weeks after Sportshift appeared on the drive. My young son says it was all an excuse to upgrade LOL!
Vet Guru said:
After years of having Automatic cars like the Corvette C6 I changed to manual and hated it.
Again when looking for a Aston Martin V8s I had heard lots of chat about its not great and it’s a manual. So I went for the sportshift as I did not want a manual.
I love the car and it makes me smile all the time. I have done more miles in this car since owning it than I ever did in any Bentley Or Corvette, i say those two cars as I have had a few of both.
The AM is great and you will love it ??
Thanks. Makes me feel good seeing positive posts like this.Again when looking for a Aston Martin V8s I had heard lots of chat about its not great and it’s a manual. So I went for the sportshift as I did not want a manual.
I love the car and it makes me smile all the time. I have done more miles in this car since owning it than I ever did in any Bentley Or Corvette, i say those two cars as I have had a few of both.
The AM is great and you will love it ??
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