Just wondering what your experiences have been with the sportshift vs 6 speed for the Vantage. The AM dealers seemed to deride the sportshift, as have others, yet the 6 speed seems to have its own issues as well (not smooth, grabby, etc).

Also, are there any model year differences in sportshift performance? Years to avoid?

 

I test drove the V8 with manual and SS and chose the SS. I drive mostly in the city and the SS transmission proves to be doing it's job. I barely use the auto mode even on the highway. The SS is maybe not the fastest on the market but I'm happy with it. You can also get the sound effects when upshifting / downshifting.

 

Taken from my post on another thread:

So to sum up. Sportshift is all right, but far from perfect. It does not like being at slight throttle. It cannot feather the clutch (which comes in handy on hills and stop-n-go traffic). If you've started off, have to almost stop again, and then set off again (say, backing out from a parking spot where you have to stop, check if anyone's coming, then accelerate slowly or if you've started from a stoplight but have to slow down almost to a stop immediately because of traffic, but then have to accelerate again); the computer doesn't know what to do with the clutch, either its out or its in, there's no in between. The clutch lets out all of a sudden, pops, car shudders, etc.

Once you've past second gear, its actually quite good. It all depends what you're going to be using the car for. I find the above annoying because I drive my car in traffic most of the time. With practice you can compensate with your throttle foot to make the shifting smoother, but it doesn't solve the problem, which gets annoying quickly.

Ultimately, it cannot mimic the nuance of a clutch pedal and human foot where you can apply variable pressure at the beginning of the pedal; or you can keep your foot on the clutch slightly for smoother shifts, etc. The throttle blips are fine at high speeds/higher rpms, but I feel like a tool when the throttle blips but I'm only going like 10mph. There's no need to blip the throttle when going that slow. It just doesn't sound natural. BTW, I have an '08 Sportshift as a daily driver.

I am presently considering a trade-in of my car for a manual. Yes the manual shifter isn't the best, but if the new cars' clutch is as light as the DBS I drove, then it would be fine for daily use. I'm hoping that the shift feel would get better with break-in.

 

I have had both and hated the Sports Shift. Its almost dangerous. When you back into traffic and hit the gas it doesnt go.

When you are crusiing its nice but starting is just awful (the first gear engagement)

I found the 6 speed to be smooth and much more enjoyable

 

To cut an often lead disussion short (test drove manual and SS MY 2009): I clearly prefer the manual over the SS. For me manual was always smooth and very enjoyable, whereas SS simply doesn't work properly and spoils the fun of driving such an elegant sports car. In addition to that: mind the extensive clutch wear of SS.

 

I couldn't agree more. I've often had the same thought. See below

I agree as well. To get to where I live there is long steep hill with plenty of curves. Unfortunately the road is pretty bad so you have to slow down to a crawl at several spots. The first time I took the hill in the Vantage, it was in auto mode. I was going up probably in 2nd gear, as I approached the pothole I slowed down to like 10mph. I was expecting the car to shift into 1st before I accelerated again. As soon as the car went over the pothole I accelerated, I thought it had shifted to 1st already, and the car just free revved to 4k till I took my foot of the gas. The car basically came to a stand still. The clutch just slipped like crazy. As the revs came back down it juddered and engaged with a sharp clunk! When I got up the hill and parked the car, there was the distinctive smell of burnt clutch. If there had been a car behind me as I went up the hill, he probably would have run into me as the car had forward movement and when it wouldn't/couldn't shift into first, I just sort of stalled on the hill.

On normal flat road surface if you're in 2nd gear and come to a stop light, the car will shift into 1st automatically as you come to a stop. It seems hills really screw up the car's software or something. My solution has been to just really slow down at the bottom of the hill, manually shift into first and just crawl up the hill in first.

 

I have the SS and I am quite satisfied with it. This is the first non-stick car I have had in a long time. I agree with the comments above that it is quirky but if you keep it out of auto mode I think it is really quite enjoyable. I am very happy with the SS as I drive in traffic once and awhile here in Chicago. The car does drive much better when driven more aggressively as noted above.

Adam

 

Has anyone w/ a SS tried the new software from RSC ? Not sure if it helps w/ some of the issues from above ...

HZ ... are you out there ... the Batman Spotlight is on ...

 

I spoke to Herschel about his software setup for the SS. If remember correctly, he mentioned it will speed up shift times, but won't really improve the 1st/2nd gear driving issues. I'm sure he'll chime in.

 

Are they going to have any SS sofeware upgrade since they upgrade the engine and suspension for the 09?

 

MY 2009 includes a software upgrade, which improved SS a little bit. But SS is still faaaaaaar away from what you might call good option. Let it be said again: a great lack of usability, go for the manual!

 

Let it also be noted, it is not easy to retrofit to earlier models, as much of the hardware for the sportshift has changed as well - lighter clutch/flywheel/etc

 

Have any of you who have had problems at slow speeds/hills tried the "comfort" mode? It creeps the car at about 4 mph without any pressure on the accelerator. I use it to park in my narrow garage and I wonder if it helps with the slow speed issues?

 

Comfort mode is a good addition, but it's actually eating your clutch. Beware.

 

That would be nice. The dwell time between pressing the accelerator and actual vehicle movement is almost intolerable. Faster shift times would be nice, as well.