hi, I wanted to get some answers concerning this car. I'm looking to buy an 08-09 vantage and I test drove my first one yesterday and I must say it did not meet my expectations at all. I'm not sure if it was just this one or all and that's why I need your help. I test drove an 09 V8V w/29k. is this the norm for these cars?
complaints:
1. even in comfort mode the suspension was super rough. I felt every pebble in the road.
2. cabin noise was extremely loud. not the good loud from the engine but the bad loud from crackling, creeks. sounded like very panel had a screw loose.

 

See i was actually thinking maybe the one drove was just beat up. But yes i am in dallas (grand prairie actually) and that would be cool if we could do that.

 

It could be the tires... Replace with Pilot Super Sports and the ride is considerably better... I've had 3 vantages... Not any had bad interior noises... Could be a neglected and beat up car.

 

I was thinking the same thing, that it was just beat up. So you have had 3, what are your thoughts on daily driving?

 

I have a 2007 Vantage that I bought used in August 2014 with 2800 miles. It had the Aston Martin 1 year preowned warranty, that I have just extended for an addional year. I bought the car from my local dealer. I now have 8000 miles on my Vantage, it is not my DD ( I have 4 other cars). Under the 1 year warranty that the car came with, I have had one rear shock and both door struts replaced. That is it, all in all it has been a great car. No squeaks no rattles, just a well built car. My car does not have the sports suspension, so the ride quality is smoother than my 2015 Performance Pack V 8 GT Mustang that is my DD. My advice is spend as much as you can on the best car you can find.
Ron

 

Thanks Ron. Great info. I will follow my first instinct and find another to compare to.

 

One other point that I would like to make, it has been said on many previous posts and threads. And that is if you're so inclined I believe the manual transmission is much more rewarding way to extract the most from these wonderful cars.
Ron

 

I haven't driven the manual but judging by how the Auto felt i am inclined to agree with you!

 

Maybe post a link to the for sale listing. The car could have aftermarket springs, sports pack suspension, 20" wheels with odd tires, or maybe just worn out shocks. Lots of possible variables.

All that said, I like my car but have always felt the design to be over sprung/under damped.

 

My first Vantage was a 2007 6 speed I bought new and drove it in two years 25,000 miles, absolutely no issues. My next one was a 2009 Sportshift but with 31,000 miles. I also had it 2 years, zero issues in 13,000 miles. Now I have a 2015 GT... Specifically desiring a sport shift over the manual, because I feel if you drive the sport shift like it is supposed to be driven it's extremely involving and much easier to drive in Minneapolis Minnesota traffic. The 2009 sport shift is much different than the 2015 sport shift in the way it operates, however, both have their strengths. 2015 GT has a much the first suspension than my first two. It is much stiffer, however, the seats seem to be much better padded. I had the seats redone in my 2009 to add more padding, which made a tremendous difference in the comfort.

 

Seems clear that the one you drove has some abnormal issues.

Also, the "comfort" mode has no effect on the suspension/ride quality. It's only a transmission and throttle change.
You need to do some homework on any car you drive and consider. With the VIN, you can get the original build sheet. This will tell you if the car has the base or sport suspension (option in some years, no option in others). It will also tell you things you might not think to look for during the fun of a test drive: audio system, power mirrors, sport-pack, wheels, etc.

Manual vs SportShift is a personal opinion. You have to like the SS or you will forever dislike it.
But the rattles and squeaks suggest a car that's been through something bad. There are usually a few Vantages available in any region, try a few before you decide. These are not Camrys. The ride will always be stiff, it's a sports/GT car. The technology is dated (but functional). They have less power than lots of other sporty cars with lower price tags.

You get a Vantage because you want a Vantage. They are good cars. They are fun cars. I've had no regrets with either of the two I've owned ('08 manual, '12 V8-S). And I can't wait for tomorrow when I get to take my S on a 5 hour road trip up north.

 

Keep looking. My '07 with 36,000 miles still feels like it was assembled last week.

 

I've seen both ends of the squeak/rattle conundrum. When I first bought my 2011 V8 it had a few rattles at 5400 miles. I brought it in for rattles 3 times after in the first year. Then I switched to Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (245 front, 285 rear) and haven't had a problem since. Changing tires makes a BIG difference.
My only other suggestion has to do with options, I spent 5 months searching for a grey manual with sat nav, sat radio, cruise control and 20 spoke diamond wheels. After 21,000 miles I couldn't be happier! :-)