Hi guys -- so I just bought an 08 Vantage Sportshift in Meteorite Silver. High mileage (70k) but in good shape and I got a very good price. Partial service records, clean Carfax, and I had a full PPI conducted before I bought it. Aside from a few minor issues, car has a clean bill of health. I'm confident the vehicle was well cared-for in general. PPI showed 60% life on the clutch and 55% on the brakes.

Anyway I have a few questions about the car and it's operation.

Cosmetically, the side-view mirror stems are a little tatty. Is replacement the only option or can these be reconditioned?

As for driving the car, my biggest concern is preserving the clutch. Are there any tricks for this? I know to keep the setting out of Comfort Mode always and to never reverse uphill. But what about crawl mode? Does that place undue wear on the clutch? I have to say it's a convenient feature in traffic. And when driving normally is manual mode better than auto-drive, or does it not matter? Any other tips?

Only mechanical issue the PPI turned up was the trans oil cooler had a small dent in the top of it, so it will require replacement. I was told the car was ok to drive because there are no leaks and the transmission is functioning normally, but I was wondering if I should cease driving the car entirely until I can get a service appointment (currently a three week wait).

One other thing that's driving a little crazy is a small plastic-sounding rattle in my center console. Nothing is obviously loose anywhere. It's pretty annoying but I assume I'm going to need to have an interior shop open it up and sort it out. It's also missing the forward underbody shield, but that's easy enough to replace.

Otherwise it's all good. Car runs and drives great, sounds great, everything is very tight and snappy, so overall I'm happy. But any advice in general would be greatly appreciated.

 

On the sportshift, the best thing is to manually shift (at least manually upshift) modulating the gas between shift as if a manual. The computer downshifts OK. After starting the car wait about 10 seconds before putting the car in gear so it can do the 'clutch-kiss' procedure. Later cars gave a light to show it's complete - I believe the 2008 does not. Reverse up a hill supposedly is a clutch killer. On the 4.3 engines, the power band is in the upper end range. My 2007 I got used to driving in that range, the 4.7 not so much. Otherwise enjoy!

 

Do you mean the mirror inside the side view mirror shakes or the whole side view mirror shakes? The replacement is the whole unit from what my local dealer says...

 

I believe he means the aluminum is corroded, so paint is coming off.

 

No nothing shakes. The side view mirror stems are just a little faded and the rubberized coating is cracking in a few places. I’m just curious if these stems can be refinished or if they just need to replaced entirely.

 

I have the same color. Good looking car. Most important thing is to drive the car whenever you can and to have fun. That’s my advice.

 

Refinish. Bit of a job.