Just purchased my 2006 Aston Vantage with 27K miles about 2 months ago. Honestly, don't think there is a cooler car on the road!

Before I purchased the car, I had it inspected by an Aston dealer. 3 out of 4 of the struts were leaking oil, although apparently it wasn't anything the prior owner ever noticed. No leaks on the ground and he didn't notice anything driving it. Had it checked out by an independent guy when I bought the car, and he didn't think it was a big deal to replace - at least, for now.

Also, the rear tires were replaced by the prior owner right before he sold it to me. The two fronts are still usable, but on their last leg.

Here's my question: I've noticed that when driving the Aston that it tend to be a bit squirrelly - meaning, it will easily jolt to the right or left side of the road, if I go over any small bumps or cracks in the road. If I lift my hands off the steering wheel, it will stay straight until it finds the smallest imperfection in the road, and then it veers sharply one direction.

My other car is an S2000, and that thing will always stay straight and is unaffected by imperfections in the road.

Have any of you noticed the problem? Think it's related to the struts, the tires, alignment, or is that just the way the car drives?

Appreciate any advice!

 

In my experience this is down to a) the tire and b) the road. What your tire is doing is grabbing a groove in the road and following it, and taking your car with it. I haven't had any big issues with this on my Michelin PSS, though every now and then it will happen. Perhaps it's because your fronts are so worn as you say?

 

You also need to have a four wheel alignment done. Also factory recommended pressures 33 frt 36 rear.

 

wide wheels and or grippy tires tend to follow grooves in the road. I run 275 tires on my daily driver and every time I drive over construction zone its a nightmare specially under braking. Have to constantly fight the car to keep it in lane.

 

If you've had an S2000 you will know how important tyre quality, pressure and 4 wheel geometry is
The Aston is just like a bigger version of the S2000
I love them both and also have one of each
BTW adding a bit more front castor often helps with the effect you describe

 

And here I thought I was the only one with both!

 

I drive my 2008 Vantage on the country roads of South Africa (unlikely to see any cops) These roads are pretty bumpy and irregular and the car does move around at speed.You need to DRIVE the Aston and thats part of the fun.If I want to sit back and relax I would use one of my Audis which are very forgiving on the same roads.

 

So the Aston/S2000 club appears large . I've had 2 s2000's and still race one.

I find my aston to be slightly more prone to front bump stear than the s2000, and the generally wider tires more prone to tram lining (following the groves). Also realize the aston tires are slightly lower profile, which generally means less forgiving of both issues.

As others have suggested, first double check pressures. More importantly, are the worn out fronts different tires from the rears? The wear and compound differences can cause some issues.

If it were me (not trying to spend your money);
1. Get some good tires all around, I have michelin pilot super sports and I'm very happy
2. If your dampners are leaking, they can be causing poor reactions to the bump steer issue. You could have more spring involvement with not enough dampening. Without seeing them, it's hard to say if they're ok. You might consider having them rebuilt, or getting new. OR spring for a sport pack suspension upgrade (since its your money and not mine)
3. Make sure to get a full alignment done. Not to argue with others, but toe helps tracking, castor helps steering feel. In any case, make sure it's within factory specs.

I find that the aston feels different from the S2000, but certainly not worse. Just like a bit heavier, slightly slower to respond vehicle, with more comfort and power

 

I run falken 453 on my vantage not bad price wise against the better brands but considering she is not a garage queen its the correct Tyre for me (im an enthusiastic driver-no posing down here in Cape Town) 245 front 285 rear.

The steering thing seems normal also its refereed to in Grants book, so as other guys have said its the set up on those models that make it follow road surfaces dont worry to much, it was fixed in the 2009 model?

One thing i find surprising is no one on this forum has mentioned the lose airbag rattle? i found this in mine when going over ruff surfaces (coble and so on) in steering wheel

I fixed it by getting two small plastic inserts from Aston martin bits- UK that simply fit over the two bolts at the back of the steering wheel, took 5 mins to fix and makes the car feel more Mercedes like now cost less than 3 dollars

Enjoy your car and remember to drive it not just look at it

 

The crew gets larger, as I used to have a Berlina Black AP1!

I think if there were things I liked about the S2000 more than the Vantage it would be the steering ratio could be quicker in the Vantage, though the tiny steering wheel on the S2K could make it just feel faster anyways. Oh, and I don't think I've ever driven a manual car with a more amazing feeling shift. The ****, the throw, the feel... damn if Honda didn't get the feel of throwing that car around the gears JUST right. Other than that, the Vantage is better in nearly every way, but that doesn't mean the S wasn't a super fun car to drive. But the V8 torque definitely wins... though 9k rpm did sound nice with my high flow cats and Fujitsubo exhaust Might even make one a track car at some point in a few years... was just really such a fun car. And since I had it in the early 2000's no one knew what the heck it was! People would ask at gas stations and get flabbergasted when I said it was a Honda. People still ask about the Aston when I'm filling up but their reactions are different when they find out what it is

 

Yes, the 2009 model fixed this. I believe different bushings and different geometry. My test drive was on a 2008 model, and I noted that the front end was quite "skittish". The tracking was very poor. It's a non issue in the later models though.

 

Aston fixed the steering speed on MY12.25 cars, my V8VS turns in as quickly as my S2000

I think that deserves a picture of my 5th S2000 = Jaffa

 

Mikey;

Thats my favorite s2000 color, but every time i see one it makes me mad. We cant get that color here in the US, unless we hijack one from canada, eh

Borderline thread jack, my current track toy

 

I apologize for an earlier post regarding these little cars (it was in bad taste) the mods removed my comments and advised me to offer condolences to those who have to drive them...

Now seeing a picture of one having never seen one in real, can you enthusiasts please explain what is so inspiring about it?...im asking why dont i have one? why am i not enlightened to the marvels of this machine...no seriously
The way i see it its a bit like a jonway scooter? cool to ride as long as you keep your helmet on? so know one recognizes you

You guys all have AM's and yet are raving about this key ring of a car? Im thinking if Im at the lights in my Range Rover sport and this thing is next to me i wont even know....and dont bother to go there ....the rangi will kill it robot to robot and top end i know its quicker than a 4.7 Vantage ... i know

only kidding boys just trying to wind some sensitive boys up

 

S2000s are great driver's cars. They handle very well and a lot of people race them. Miatas are similar in that regard - great handling cars that are great to race. Neither car has the power of a V8, but they're a great vehicle for the track. There are also a lot of amateur races people can drive them in. Plus you don't have the huge expenses of a full-blown race car. You get all the fun of racing at a fraction of the price.