Something for everyone under 30K.

[rockits]

Are you? Always thought you were shorter than that!

Is that 6ft with your Cuban Heels on?

I always get told that....I have to confess I haven't measured myself in 20 odd years and have had some back issues

I'll have a measure up at some point as I was bang on 6ft at 21 years old.

 

[hashluck]

As my Avatar shows, my brother had the Vantage for a few years and we would quite often swap cars for up to a week. I loved the AM and admit, felt a bit more special in it (as more people would stare). But I found it a tad claustrophobic and the gear stick in an awkward position. We both agreed performance wise they were very equal but if anything the 42 had the edge!! As said earlier by others a few faults occurred and the bills were eye watering!!...........So very similar cars, only big bro's was £38k for a car with 30k miles whilst mine was £15k (well less actually) on 50k miles..............Oh, they both make a fantastic noise!!

Sportshift is the way to go on the V8 (same as CC on GS/4200) despite what you may read. Manual Change really awkward. V12 different and worth the compromise to many.

 

[nigw]

Sportshift is the way to go on the V8 (same as CC on GS/4200) despite what you may read. Manual Change really awkward. V12 different and worth the compromise to many.

I don’t find a manual awkward at all! It’s a lovely box though the clutch is slightly heavy - can be remedied with a lightweight clutch. I tried to like the SS as the market rightly favours the manual, so SS cars are cheaper like for like - I had a long weekend with one, and two as courtesy cars...really couldn’t get on with them.

 

[Vampyrebat]

Sportshift is the way to go on the V8 (same as CC on GS/4200) despite what you may read. Manual Change really awkward. V12 different and worth the compromise to many.

As you say.............I have only heard bad things about that box, I remember JC slating on Top Gear saying it was 'clunky' and too slow!

 

[CatmanV2]

Are you? Always thought you were shorter than that!

So did I

C

 

[hashluck]

I don’t find a manual awkward at all! It’s a lovely box though the clutch is slightly heavy - can be remedied with a lightweight clutch. I tried to like the SS as the market rightly favours the manual, so SS cars are cheaper like for like - I had a long weekend with one, and two as courtesy cars...really couldn’t get on with them.

Indeed horses for courses and lightweight clutch transforms manual

 

[hashluck]

As you say.............I have only heard bad things about that box, I remember JC slating on Top Gear saying it was 'clunky' and too slow!

As with CC Maserati box you have to remember it is an Automated MANUAL - do not use Auto button. Driven properly it is a joy, but really needs Sportshift II or Sportsshift III iterations

 

[GeoffCapes]

I always get told that....I have to confess I haven't measured myself in 20 odd years and have had some back issues

I'll have a measure up at some point as I was bang on 6ft at 21 years old.

To be honest the fact that I have knackered (crushed) cartilidge in my knees suggests that I should definitely be shorter than my original 6ft 3".
Although I've not measured my height in years.

 

[dickygrace]

As with CC Maserati box you have to remember it is an Automated MANUAL - do not use Auto button. Driven properly it is a joy, but really needs Sportshift II or Sportsshift III iterations

Isn’t it a similar box, both Magneti Marelli aren’t they?

 

[philw696]

Isn’t it a similar box, both Magneti Marelli aren’t they?

It is just different Clutch set ups.

 

[Nayf]

There are two excellent reasons you’d choose a GS over a Vantage, and they’re right behind you when you’re in it.

If you don’t need those two seats it becomes a closer run thing.

I actually believe the 4.3 V8 is a better sports car than the 4.7; you have to

I forgot to add that I took a 4.3 AMV for some laps of Castle Coombe last summer and it was better, quicker and more fun than I expected (or remembered from earlier drives). Seem to recall that by the time I left I was thinking of getting one.

I suspect that with a budget of £35k I’d go for the AM, but with a budget of £25k it would be a GS.

I’d take a 2 seat Strad over either, but of course, they are a different price point.

You have to thrap the 4.3 for it to fully reveal its pleasures. Now I quite like that, but not everyone is of the same mind...

 

[Felonious Crud]

It's the wrong model to fit into a sub-£30k category* (in much the same way that Capes is the wrong model to fit into a car that's not a truck), but I love my V12 Vantage S. It sounds divine, goes every bit as fast as I'll ever need, and then a good bit more just to scare me. Overall it feels very well put together. It's had a few bizarre issues, but all have been addressed under warranty without hesitation. So far it feels no more expensive to maintain than my old GTS, and the insurance is cheaper. It certainly drives more like the sports car it is than the GT that the GTS was, but is still comfortable and works well as a GT.

*for now.

 

[philw696]

These were under 30K but not anymore.

 

[hashluck]

Isn’t it a similar box, both Magneti Marelli aren’t they?

Very similar but Graziano for Aston

 

[rockits]

I don't find the Vantage manual any issue. Again clutch a bit heavy but lighter then the Chimaera 500 beastie. Again resolved with uprated clutch giving lighter pedal I understood.

I would never have early Sportshift but later versions seem to be much better and very good. I just wanted a manual and I can't get that with a Maserati badge unless you go older 4200.

I don't need 4 seats either and always wanted and Aston so nothing else fitted the bill better than a 4.3 Vantage Manual.

If the GT S was smaller I would have had one by now but it is too big for what I wanted. The Vantage is a really nicely proportioned package.

 

[JonW]

Remind me - what’s the name of this forum again?

is it SportsAston? I don’t think so....

My personal view is that none of the current Maserati range are proper sports cars, and in all honesty probably aren’t trying to be... however, we tend to forget that and end up comparing them to things like a Vantage, or a Porker 911.

If I wanted a 2 seater Sports car, then a Vantage or a 911 would be obvious contenders... however, right now I need / value the flexibility of 4 seats, and I think the GS is a great all round package. I have to admit I still hanker after an MC-V, and am secretly hoping the market will crash so I can buy one for something more like 40k than 60k...

 

[alfatwo]

I would buy a vantage simply on its looks alone and could forgive any shortcomings

You must have magic mirror mate!

Dave

 

[alfatwo]

Next you lot will be excelling the attributes of the old Jag XJ8.. it beggars belief!

Dave

 

[Felonious Crud]

Remind me - what’s the name of this forum again?

is it SportsAston? I don’t think so....

My personal view is that none of the current Maserati range are proper sports cars, and in all honesty probably aren’t trying to be... however, we tend to forget that and end up comparing them to things like a Vantage, or a Porker 911.

If I wanted a 2 seater Sports car, then a Vantage or a 911 would be obvious contenders... however, right now I need / value the flexibility of 4 seats, and I think the GS is a great all round package. I have to admit I still hanker after an MC-V, and am secretly hoping the market will crash so I can buy one for something more like 40k than 60k...

It's not SportsCovid or SportsDayTrader either! At least an Aston is a car, and a sports one at that. It addresses half of the forum's name, which is a start.

Agree re the current Maserati range. I absolutely loved my GTS but wanted something smaller and especially wanted two seats. The Aston, for me, is spot on. If I wanted four seats I'd likely have followed your path, Jon, and gone to a GS from the GTS. Yours is a stunning car, beautiful spec. A decent GranCab would also have been extremely appealing. Hen's teeth, though, as far as I can tell.

 

[CatmanV2]

t's not SportsCovid or SportsDayTrader either!

Sportsswiveleyedconspiracyloons?

C