REPLACEMENT FOR THE 458

Ewan

Ewan

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6,801
I’m really struggling with Aston interiors these days. Their strange stitching patterns on the seats, and that glossy grey/black stuff that looks like chip board. Plus loads of Merc tech stuff they don’t need. What’s wrong with something more basic, elegant and timeless? The DB9 interior was very stylish, and while I accept the new cars need to be updated from that, in many ways I think the newer interiors look cheaper and too fussy. Shame, as I was keen to buy one until I got inside.
 
iainw

iainw

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3,386
Ewan said:
I’m really struggling with Aston interiors these days. Their strange stitching patterns on the seats, and that glossy grey/black stuff that looks like chip board. Plus loads of Merc tech stuff they don’t need. What’s wrong with something more basic, elegant and timeless? The DB9 interior was very stylish, and while I accept the new cars need to be updated from that, in many ways I think the newer interiors look cheaper and too fussy. Shame, as I was keen to buy one until I got inside.
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It was the interior / quality and tech of my DB11 that tipped me over the edge to buy it ironically. I love the vanquish look and sound but the interior was just too dated and although felt ‘solid’ nothing really worked. Mine is packed with carbon, leather and contrast stitching, black pack (Matt black metal paddles etc) , leather roof liner and full tech pack with 360 degree camera and a ludicrous stereo. I got the steering wheel trimmed with alcantara and matching contrast stich at the main dealers for £500 and it just finished it off. It seems from a different century to the vanquish / DB9 etc to me. Re: V12 vs V8 scaf- Every online review and in my experience of driving both - the V8 is the better car. Handles better and is more sporty. For wafting as a grand tourer the V12 is fine. But for pops crackles and bangs driving around the countryside the V8 is a hoot. Actually feels faster than it is and I can’t use 50% of the power. Mainly because I am not a great driver- and risk averse!
 
Ewan

Ewan

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6,801
I have 360 degree/view cameras on my Rangie. Utterly pointless, even on such a big car, and alongside lots of the other tech it has, I’ve not used it even once. Talking of the Vanquish, it’s lovely on the outside. But then you look at the seats and you see that ghastly pattern on the seat edges. What were they thinking?
 
Oneball

Oneball

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Messages
11,106
Ewan said:
I have 360 degree/view cameras on my Rangie. Utterly pointless, even on such a big car, and alongside lots of the other tech it has, I’ve not used it even once. Talking of the Vanquish, it’s lovely on the outside. But then you look at the seats and you see that ghastly pattern on the seat edges. What were they thinking?
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They were thinking what’s the target market....footballers.
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,120
Well I think it's lovely inside and I can't stand football.....and yoi don't have to have pattern seats. Choice of no pattern or two different types of pattern.
 
hashluck

hashluck

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1,521
Vanquish fitted with the cooled seat option cannot have any stitching design on the central ventilated bits and the seats can look quite slabby as a result. Some of the quilted options are tasteful others less so, like with so many other high-end cars money does not always buy taste. The later Vanquish S had a different quilting option again some of which I agree can be a bit lairy. Best for me are non-cooled seats with a little mix of alcantara on the bolsters. Better yet if you can track one down, get one with lightweight seats tastefully trimmed (but they only made 9 with these and all are uniquely trimmed and again it is a matter of taste). Here is mine and the interior is the reason I purchased this particular car
55862
 
Ewan

Ewan

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Messages
6,801
I'd love a Vanquish. That would be my Aston of choice. But I'd need to find one with relatively plain seats, maybe with some alcantara, preferably with no quilting. But if I had to retrim the seat bolsters (for example) it wouldn't be the end of the World or too expensive in the grand scheme.
 
iainw

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
hashluck said:
Vanquish fitted with the cooled seat option cannot have any stitching design on the central ventilated bits and the seats can look quite slabby as a result. Some of the quilted options are tasteful others less so, like with so many other high-end cars money does not always buy taste. The later Vanquish S had a different quilting option again some of which I agree can be a bit lairy. Best for me are non-cooled seats with a little mix of alcantara on the bolsters. Better yet if you can track one down, get one with lightweight seats tastefully trimmed (but they only made 9 with these and all are uniquely trimmed and again it is a matter of taste). Here is mine and the interior is the reason I purchased this particular car
View attachment 55862
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Love those seats. They make it look and feel a lot more sporty. I was close to getting a vanquish from AM bristol. But my wife and daughter vetoed it due to space in the back. I had a sulk at the time. Stunning looking and sounding
 
iainw

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
Ewan said:
I'd love a Vanquish. That would be my Aston of choice. But I'd need to find one with relatively plain seats, maybe with some alcantara, preferably with no quilting. But if I had to retrim the seat bolsters (for example) it wouldn't be the end of the World or too expensive in the grand scheme.
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There are loads on sale with Plain seats. They seem to be cheaper. The one I wanted (apparently Christian horners) - had loads of alcantara and really made a difference.
 
hashluck

hashluck

Member
Messages
1,521
iainw said:
Love those seats. They make it look and feel a lot more sporty. I was close to getting a vanquish from AM bristol. But my wife and daughter vetoed it due to space in the back. I had a sulk at the time. Stunning looking and sounding
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I remember well how close you came and the ex CH car was a nice one. Still, the DB11 is a lovely place to be. You can't have the lightweight option if you do ever get a Vanquish then as that is 2+0 only, bit like the Stradale with buckets.
 
Ewan

Ewan

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Messages
6,801
My next car will either be a 2 seat Strad or a Vanquish. I hadn’t even realised they did a 2+0 version of the Vanquish. Best I do a bit of research.
 
iainw

iainw

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Messages
3,386
Ewan said:
My next car will either be a 2 seat Strad or a Vanquish. I hadn’t even realised they did a 2+0 version of the Vanquish. Best I do a bit of research.
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I didn’t either! Next test drives will definitely include a Vanquish S convertible. Hopefully the noise of the engine will drown out the complaints of the family
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,120
hashluck said:
Vanquish fitted with the cooled seat option cannot have any stitching design on the central ventilated bits and the seats can look quite slabby as a result. Some of the quilted options are tasteful others less so, like with so many other high-end cars money does not always buy taste. The later Vanquish S had a different quilting option again some of which I agree can be a bit lairy. Best for me are non-cooled seats with a little mix of alcantara on the bolsters. Better yet if you can track one down, get one with lightweight seats tastefully trimmed (but they only made 9 with these and all are uniquely trimmed and again it is a matter of taste). Here is mine and the interior is the reason I purchased this particular car
View attachment 55862
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Love those carbon back seats and the pattern. As you say they are very rare in a Vanquish. Lovely.
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,120
iainw said:
I didn’t either! Next test drives will definitely include a Vanquish S convertible. Hopefully the noise of the engine will drown out the complaints of the family
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Old DBS and the Vanquish could be had as a two seater and if you ticked the carbon back seats then I believe it could only be had as a two seater.
 
hashluck

hashluck

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Messages
1,521
Andyk said:
Old DBS and the Vanquish could be had as a two seater and if you ticked the carbon back seats then I believe it could only be had as a two seater.
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Correct and with the carbon seats you also lose the heated seats which means you get a unique centre console and have no electric lumbar support so you get a unique seat switch pack. Also they were not available on the Volante (though you could still spec the 2+0 option on Volante with the standard sports seats). Confused? Just know the 2+0 configuration on Vanquish is very rare to find (but more practical and useful for just storage) and the Lightweight Seat option rarer still and Coupe only (as far as I know only 9 cars were built with carbon buckets in both 6-speed and 8-speed variants and none in the S or Ultimate variants for which I have also never seen a 2+0 version).

Seat Type:
Standard Sports (*) 2+0 or 2+2 configuration
Lightweight (1,6,7,8) 2+0 only

(*)Standard
(1.) Not available on Volante.
(6.) Not available in all markets.
(7.) Not available with 2+2 seating.
(8.) Does not include side airbag and seat heating feature, no ventilated seat option.

There is supposed to be an Easy Entry button to aid access to the rear storage area when lightweights are fitted but Aston never bothered to fit it :(
 
Andyk

Andyk

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Messages
61,120
It's a stunning car Hashluck. Just had a gander at Dick Lovett Aston Martin in Bristol and fell in love with a 2010 V8 Vantage in Lightening silver, 13k on the clock, carbon buckets and sport pack.........Those carbon seats just add another level of desire for me.
 
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