New Vantage Owner, First Impressions
#17
01-16-2016, 10:09 AM
Congrats, it sounds like you're really smitten 
__________________
Stuart Dickinson
Managing Director
Velocity Automotive Performance Limited
206 Maple Avenue
Oliver, BC
Canada V2A 4W6
Office: (1)250-485-5126
www.velocityap.com
Stuart Dickinson
Managing Director
Velocity Automotive Performance Limited
206 Maple Avenue
Oliver, BC
Canada V2A 4W6
Office: (1)250-485-5126
www.velocityap.com
#18
01-16-2016, 10:22 AM
Not sure what you mean. I have a 2007 Vantage and it connected to my iPhone via Bluetooth without a problem.
#19
01-16-2016, 01:39 PM
Ron
#25
01-17-2016, 09:35 AM
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Issaquah, WA
Posts: 986
Rep Power: 59 
Wow, what a great color combo. You and I have a similar backstory. I had a 2005 ELISE that I ordered new ( I gave it to my daughter for a collage graduation present). I also had a 2011 Evora that I also ordered new. I loved both of my Lotus's, the Evora I sold after 5 1/2 years of ownership.
In August of 2014 I bought a 2007 Vantage coupe with a stick. It had only 2800 miles from new. I purchased it from my Lotus, Ford, Aston Martin dealer. I Had told them for quite a while if they ever got a used Vantage coupe with the stick to let me know and I would look at it. It is Merlot with black and cherry leather interior.
After I bought my Vantage, I added the Power Pack, Aston Martin sport exhaust and 2009 split spoke 19" wheels. As others have stated, going with Aston Martin performance upgrade parts can be expensive. But it's allowed me to maintain the use of my extended warranty which I just extended for another year and have the peace of mind knowing it was engineered for my car.
Over the summer while up in Monterey, I was able to drive the new Aston Martin Vantage GT with a stick. Overall the car was better in every respect than my car. It is quicker and has more powerful breaks better handling sharper steering response and upgraded interior. Is it worth the extra $40-$60,000 for me to purchase the new GT? That's up for debate for the time being I'll stick with what I have. I have over 5600 miles on my Vantage at this point.
I also added an iPod upgrade, it was not the Aston Martin system as I had mine installed before it came out, it's a worthwhile upgrade to do.
So fare it has been very reliable with the exception of a new rear shock under warranty, seat heater recall, and the fuel fill door recall.
I've driven the car up to Monterey once Phoenix once for a driving school and my wife and I are just about ready to go to Monterey for our anniversary in February in the Aston Martin once more. It is a great car.
Ron
In August of 2014 I bought a 2007 Vantage coupe with a stick. It had only 2800 miles from new. I purchased it from my Lotus, Ford, Aston Martin dealer. I Had told them for quite a while if they ever got a used Vantage coupe with the stick to let me know and I would look at it. It is Merlot with black and cherry leather interior.
After I bought my Vantage, I added the Power Pack, Aston Martin sport exhaust and 2009 split spoke 19" wheels. As others have stated, going with Aston Martin performance upgrade parts can be expensive. But it's allowed me to maintain the use of my extended warranty which I just extended for another year and have the peace of mind knowing it was engineered for my car.
Over the summer while up in Monterey, I was able to drive the new Aston Martin Vantage GT with a stick. Overall the car was better in every respect than my car. It is quicker and has more powerful breaks better handling sharper steering response and upgraded interior. Is it worth the extra $40-$60,000 for me to purchase the new GT? That's up for debate for the time being I'll stick with what I have. I have over 5600 miles on my Vantage at this point.
I also added an iPod upgrade, it was not the Aston Martin system as I had mine installed before it came out, it's a worthwhile upgrade to do.
So fare it has been very reliable with the exception of a new rear shock under warranty, seat heater recall, and the fuel fill door recall.
I've driven the car up to Monterey once Phoenix once for a driving school and my wife and I are just about ready to go to Monterey for our anniversary in February in the Aston Martin once more. It is a great car.
Ron
#26
01-17-2016, 09:36 AM
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Issaquah, WA
Posts: 986
Rep Power: 59
At over $1200, I'm not sure I'm going to get the return on that investment.
#28
01-17-2016, 10:35 PM
It can seem silly, but with Aston Martins there are many colors that are very close. Using generic terms means you're being inaccurate. Often it's no big deal, but we all know how varied photos and displays can be. Without knowing the actual color's name, it can be hard to tell (in a photo) the difference between Truffle, Sandstorm, and Wheat, but in person they really are meaningfully different.
I for one very much like that Aston produces so many subtly different colors (interior and exterior). They are all beautiful in their own way and on the interior, certain combinations (like yours) are just brilliant.
Great to see your interior. Seems more of the older Vantages were spec'd with two color interiors. And for Gaydon era Aston Martins, they just seem to look better that way.
I for one very much like that Aston produces so many subtly different colors (interior and exterior). They are all beautiful in their own way and on the interior, certain combinations (like yours) are just brilliant.
Great to see your interior. Seems more of the older Vantages were spec'd with two color interiors. And for Gaydon era Aston Martins, they just seem to look better that way.
#30
01-18-2016, 02:59 PM
To drastically improve ride quality and suspension performance/smoothness just get 2-piece brake rotors from Brembo. They will also improve the acceleration and braking significantly.
If you want better steering feedback, get 15mm spacers front & rear (or better yet upgrade wheels to get much lighter wheels with the correct offset and knock out 2 birds with one stone).
For More power just get the Eurocharged ECU, it's another 30-40hp easy and you will have no complaints about the power anymore.
Doesn't take much to get these cars close to perfect.
Congrats on the new toy!
If you want better steering feedback, get 15mm spacers front & rear (or better yet upgrade wheels to get much lighter wheels with the correct offset and knock out 2 birds with one stone).
For More power just get the Eurocharged ECU, it's another 30-40hp easy and you will have no complaints about the power anymore.
Doesn't take much to get these cars close to perfect.
Congrats on the new toy!