In another thread I posted about a couple things I didn't like about my 13 V8 Vantage and it got me thinking about the simple things they got wrong. Mind you, I love most everything about it. But what do you wish they did differently? Here are mine. The switch gear, although some of it is lovely, everything attached to the steering wheel is parts bin trash. The seat controls are cheap and bulky. The manual shifter is in an awkward position. Moving from first to second particularly. I wish the seats held up better than they do. The SatNav. I never use it and would prefer it wasn't there at all. The jack points are minuscule. I'm always concerned I'm missing them, going back and forth with my Quickjack positioning. Speaking of lifting the car, I wish it was easier to work on. They put very little thought into making life easy for a mechanic. Air filters anyone? I was spoiled by Porsche in that regard. Those things are basically Lego's.

 

Agree on the Sat Nav. The steering wheel switches don't bother me. For me the manual shifter is in exactly the correct position. Note that especially on the earlier cars the gearbox did not like the 1-2 shift until it warms up. Agree the seats could do with more padding and slightly higher bolsters. Problem with the jack points is that they are somewhat covered by the body panels. Love / Hate with the location of the air filters. However, their placement allows the engine bay to look spectacular. Finally, no manufacture makes vehicles easy for the mechanics anymore. Your Porsche might be easy to change the air filters, however my Macan required the engine removal to fix a leaking timing chain cover.

 

minor cosmetic things:

#1 for sure, the ford transit side markers. tbh having of any side marker at all is a mistake. LED built in the side strake like vanquish or in the side mirror would be the only acceptable option.

#2 front parking sensor bubble fangs.

#3. US market specific, the inclusion of the front bumper lights.

 

I'd agree with the the stalks on the steering wheel/column being not as great as they could be. I go between that being not that big of a problem and a big miss. My biggest ones are -

1. The seats. They're comfortable enough but completely lack the lateral support I need in spirited driving. Especially shocking when a mid 2010-s G Class has better bolsters. A re-trimmed set of Recaro pole positions from Valiant Ecosse is high on my future parts list.

2. The post-facelift rear bumper. Vantage rear bumpers peaked at the pre-facelift rear bumper with the carbon diffuser. The post-facelift rear bumper was a big step backwards from my point of view, especially if it doesn't have the carbon package and the black area is all plastic. Personally I think rear bumpers are Aston's biggest weak point in design as of late and it started with the post-facelift VH platform Vantage. I'd very much consider putting a pre-facelift rear bumper with carbon diffuser on my 2016 even though it would be inaccurate for the car.

3. The arm rest in later models is not my favorite either. I liked the early year, non-opening, lower sitting armrest/center console piece. I'd just about kill for the center console setup in the V600 though.

 

I forgot about the rear bumper on the later designs of the Vantage. IMHO the earlier bumper and exhaust exits look so much better.

 

Agreed 110%. Thanks EMBEMD

 

I'm in the minority, I prefer refreshed front and rear bumpers (but agree they need carbon diffuser) but I prefer original side skirts (well I actually prefer v12 skirts).

 

I love mine just the way it is

 

I agree. It's flawed, as most things are. But the sheer beauty of the body lines, the materials it's made from, the bark of a cold start, the response (and sound) of the naturally aspirated engine, the feedback through the hydraulic steering, brake feel, all of that forgives minor shortcomings. And it's probably the last generation of Aston Martin that you can work on in your own garage.

 

I totally agree with YVR and MRCW, love my Vantage with all its flaws

 

Amen….

 

If we did not love them, we would not own them. (smile)

 

When I had a Porsche 991 911 you had to take off the rear bumper to change the air filters. Great German engineering.Ha Ha. The best was a ‘69 Camaro I had, one wing nut and you are done. I loved everything about the V8 Vantage cars I have had. I think I liked them as much as the ‘16 Vanquish I now have.

 

All flaws encountered, I agree to disagree. Yes there are many of, I wish the switchgear was compliant and the seats are mediocre. Across the board regardless, I don't think I'd change anything. Except maybe the Navigation door deleted.

 

Yup- I hate that goofy Nav door. Somehow or another I was able to stop it from opening up (very slowly and not 100% open) every time I start the car. So, THAT's a win!