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My New car! A 2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe 4.7 Sportshift II
Hi everyone!
This is my first thread, and I wanted to use it to introduce myself and share my newly purchased car. It's an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe, equipped with the 7-speed Sportshift II transmission. For those unfamiliar, this is a robotized manual gearbox (not automatic) with a clutch and fixed paddle shifters mounted on the steering column.
The engine is a 4.7-liter V8, producing 420 hp at 7,300 rpm and 470 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. This particular unit is from 2013, originally from Hamburg, Germany, and it was imported to Spain in 2020. Currently, the odometer reads 39,500 km.
The exterior is finished in a stunning "Meteorite Silver," while the interior features a unique "Deep Purple" leather upholstery. The wheels are 19-inch "V-Spoke Diamond Turned alloys" sourced from the Vantage S, with the central spokes painted in gloss black. Amazingly, the leather still smells brand new!
I have to admit, I had never seen an interior in Deep Purple before. Pictures do not do this color justice—it is absolutely stunning. I’m genuinely thrilled with this combination; it exudes elegance and beauty. Initially, I was hesitant about the interior color, as I had neither seen it in person nor in photos. However, after seeing it live, I can confidently say it is impressive, unique, and incredibly sophisticated.
The car comes very well-equipped: a navigation system, iPhone and Bluetooth integration, a 700W premium audio system, and countless other features. I don’t miss anything! Without a doubt, this is the best car I’ve ever owned. It’s the most luxurious and elegant vehicle I’ve had, with flawless craftsmanship. The interior still smells like premium leather, and there’s not a single plastic piece—everything is made from aluminum, titanium, leather, or Alcantara. It’s luxury in the truest sense of the word. Honestly, I’m blown away by the interior and its exquisite finish.
I’m completely in love with this car. It’s beautiful, elegant, classy, practical, sporty… I adore everything about it!
Initially, I was a bit nervous after reading many negative reviews about the Sportshift II transmission. But after driving the car, I can confidently say that the 7-speed Sportshift II is absolutely perfect for me! I wouldn’t trade it for a manual, not in a million years. I believe that starting in 2011 (with the Vantage S), significant improvements were made across the Vantage lineup, with the Sportshift II being one of the most noteworthy enhancements. The updated center console, subtle design tweaks to the bodywork, and other refinements are all excellent improvements.
Naturally, the first thing I did was remove fuse 15 and install the remote control system from "CCcharger." It’s a great device! I also installed a "Bovee1000" to manage my iPhone with Spotify, Waze, etc. I highly recommend both. Additionally, I purchased the official Aston Martin interior car cover—its quality is superb. I also added a battery disconnect switch, and I can confirm there are no issues when reconnecting the battery (just a quick reset for the windows and clock).
Driving Impressions
Where do I even begin? Wow! This car is unlike anything I’ve driven before—completely incomparable to either the Ferrari 348 GTB or the Honda S2000. Those cars belong to a different world, a different league. The Vantage surpasses them in every way: more performance, better sound, more luxurious, and far more refined.
The Vantage’s acceleration is astonishing—0-100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds! When you engage Sport mode, gear changes are lightning-fast, and downshifts are even more aggressive. The sound is pure heaven. I’ve also removed fuse 15 (it’s fuse 22 in earlier models), which allows me to activate or deactivate the exhaust bypass via the remote control. It’s a popular, reversible modification that’s easy to do. The resulting sound is deep, aggressive, and thrilling!
Of course, compared to the Ferrari and Honda, the Vantage is more refined and less raw. The S2000 and 348 offer a more mechanical, visceral experience. But the steering on the Vantage is perfect—precise and firm, even when stationary. The brakes are incredible, and the standard Bilstein suspension strikes an excellent balance between sportiness and comfort.
The transmission, which has received mixed reviews, is a standout feature for me. I suspect most of the criticism is directed at the earlier 6-speed Sportshift. This updated 7-speed Sportshift II is phenomenal. It’s quick (especially in Sport mode), and downshifts are particularly satisfying. You can also put it in automatic mode (“D”) for a more relaxed drive, but the real fun lies in using the paddle shifters. I’m thrilled with it.
Everyday Usability
This car is surprisingly practical for daily use—if you’re not constantly worried about other drivers! It’s comfortable, the trunk is spacious, and there’s even extra storage behind the seats. I have no complaints so far!
As for fuel consumption, in the city it’s about 20-25 liters per 100 km, but on a recent medium-long trip at legal speeds, I averaged around 9-10 liters per 100 km. So, it’s not unreasonable for what it is.
Final Thoughts
I’m still pinching myself—I can’t believe I own an Aston Martin! This car is everything I ever wanted: sporty, elegant, luxurious, and unique. I’m more than happy to answer any questions about it.
If the moderators feel this post belongs in a different thread, feel free to move it.
If anyone do not like to see so many pics, simply do not look them!!!
I thought the most pictures the best: At least, in my personal case, when I was looking for buying an AMV8 Vantage, I loved to find the most pictures as possible, just to be aware and informed about of all the details of the car. Specially about this interior color. I have never seen anyone like this before. Just try to find any other pictures in the web with this interior. I could not.
