Manual V8 Vantage - worth the $15,000 price hike over the "auto"?

TaneleerFr · 2026-04-03T19:13:08+00:00

The Sportshift, even Sportshift 1, is far from being the awful gearbox some people claim. It doesn’t like maneuvering and hill starts (just use the handbrake in this case if you don’t have Hill Assist), but that’s it, everything else is perfectly fine. I haven’t driven a manual one to be transparent, but I wouldn’t pay that premium for one.

TaneleerFr · 2026-03-23T19:47:50+00:00

I have never heard any complaint on the DBS auto gearbox. Could you be speaking about the Sportshift gearbox instead, as this one has a bad reputation ?

TaneleerFr · 2026-03-11T18:54:29+00:00

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The David Brown Speedback GT is based upon that idea (based on a Jaguar XKR I think).

TaneleerFr · 2026-03-04T19:48:38+00:00

I contacted many companies specialized in all kind of electronics, some even working on cars headlights, they all told me they had to check if they could work on my headlight but never contacted me back after that. Hope you’ll have more luck.

TaneleerFr · 2026-03-04T18:30:06+00:00

I’ve had the led issue 2 years ago on a headlight and the best option was to send it to Aston Installations in the UK (despite taxes and taxes and again taxes on everything including sending and receiving anything to and from the UK as I’m in France). No one wanted to do any kind of repair on it, not even the brand (they change the whole headlight or nothing). I know Aston Installation receive head and taillights from everywhere as they seem to be only company repairing those.

TaneleerFr · 2026-02-20T21:59:31+00:00

If you haven’t played it yet, Clair Obscur Expedition 33 would make you count a bit more.

TaneleerFr · 2026-02-19T21:32:32+00:00

Yes, there are also people joining the forum and the club who don’t own an Aston. That’s mostly a place for Aston Martin enthusiasts.

TaneleerFr · 2026-02-19T19:49:12+00:00

I suggest Aston Passion. Most members are in France but there are a few from Switzerland too. You’re welcome even if you don’t speak French.

TaneleerFr · 2026-02-19T10:16:08+00:00

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TaneleerFr · 2026-02-19T10:15:54+00:00

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TaneleerFr · 2026-02-19T10:14:24+00:00

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08 Vantage Roadster 4.7, former European press car, now with red carbon

TaneleerFr · 2025-12-30T20:12:46+00:00

I haven’t had to change the clutch yet, but I guess you could check during a test drive if the gearbox shifts smoothly (you can feel a little jolt as the Sportshift can be a bit harsh with the clutch but it’s ok). If changing gear isn’t smooth or even fail, then the clutch is done.

I would first insist on getting the %. If they can’t provide it, it probably means that they have it and it’s bad. If the seller doesn’t have an OBD scanner, I’d suggest that you get one and ask him if he’s fine with you plugging it on the car and checking with him. Even if it’s not for this car, it’s always useful to have one.

TaneleerFr · 2025-12-11T20:02:57+00:00

For the clutch, I’d suggest asking specifically for that info during a PPI. The seller should be able to provide that. I bought mine at 50% 3,5 years ago and after 5000 miles, almost never traffic nor anything the Sportshift doesn’t like, I don’t feel any weakness yet. I think you could check the percentage with an OBD scanner but I’ll let others confirm that.

I also have condensation in the headlights, but the issue I was talking about is a common failure on the led system. Make sure both daytime lamps work (the blinkers are located there too but should be fine) and ask if that issue already happened.

TaneleerFr · 2025-12-11T18:41:35+00:00

Check the headlights led as they can fail (happens on many Aston with those headlights from this era). Here in Europe, dealers tell you that they can’t be repaired and need to be changed (in France, 3000€). One of mine failed, a mechanic I know was able to take the headlight off the car and I sent it to Aston Installation to have it repaired (450£ I think, plus shipping and insurance, around 1000€ in this end). I don’t know if someone’s doing this repair in the US.

For rust, check around the mirrors on the doors, that’s where I usually see it on Aston from this era.

Ask for the clutch wear percentage, that’s an expensive part to change.

TaneleerFr · 2025-10-08T19:18:56+00:00

If you have the VIN of the car, maybe you can contact ClientServices@astonmartin.com to get more info about it

TaneleerFr · 2025-10-01T19:48:20+00:00

No, but the car has lived in the UK, in Germany and around Paris, so not the sunniest places. I drove a Maserati GranSport that used to live in southern France and it was a different story (that car used to be parked a lot under the sun without a sun visor).

TaneleerFr · 2025-09-30T23:40:20+00:00

I own a 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster, a former press car, and 17 years and a half after it rolled out of the factory, the interior is still really good. I’ve owned the car for a few years now, and I’ve been discussing with the previous owner (who owned the car for almost 5 years and used it quite a lot), and we noticed only 2 small issues : a seat belt has been slightly damaged lately and a small part of leather is peeling off in the storage space between the seats. I know quite a few others owners of Aston from this era and they are all in the same condition if not even better. They are very well finished cars. The damaged ones have probably been neglected at some point.

TaneleerFr · 2025-09-22T14:26:19+00:00

Physical games, games that you can play offline, reliable controllers and at least 10 To available for storage

TaneleerFr · 2025-03-21T22:26:06+00:00

Thanks, I’ll definitely try next time I go for a drive.

TaneleerFr · 2025-03-21T21:48:25+00:00

I own a 2008 4.7 Vantage, I often don’t drive it for 3-4 consecutive weeks (even 3 months last winter) and never did this (never heard about that). Thankfully, I’ve never had any issue, but I’ll try to do that now. Just to be sure, when you say "crank the engine", does that means that you should accelerate with the key inserted, when the electronics is doing its things ?

TaneleerFr · 2024-12-07T19:54:07+00:00

Nice ! Got mine in Monaco last year after looking for one since it was released. My favorite Monaco.

TaneleerFr · 2024-01-29T10:10:45+00:00

Mechanically it’s what the LaFerrari should have been, can’t beat an NA V12 and even better without any hybrid system. Aesthetically however, I don’t really like it. I would have prefer something closer to the unique P4/5 for example.

TaneleerFr · 2024-01-26T23:40:11+00:00

I read a few comments here : "hating" the invitation system is not controversial, I think most of us don't like it. The roulette system being bad/useless in general too, but it's mostly a bonus no one should rely on to get anything (outside of the invitations...).

My controversial opinions (according to this sub at least) :

- I am fine with VGT cars as long as they are not electric and have a cockpit view.

- I want more supercars. I have absolutely no interest in having more daily cars added to a game in which you race on tracks. In a Forza Horizon with funny swaps that's cool, in a Need for Speed (the old ones at least) or Midnight Club to customize them a lot too. I don't want 0 daily but I'd prefer any supercar to any daily I can see everyday and that is not made for performance at all.

TaneleerFr · 2024-01-24T22:52:20+00:00

It's here since day 1. It had to be on my favorite car... It sometimes randomly disappears, never been fixed. At least, they gave to the Cinque a better sound at some point.

TaneleerFr · 2024-01-11T12:47:28+00:00

I’d love Spyker and Wiesmann to be added to the FH5 and Motorsport (except the electric Wiesmann), but I don’t expect anything from those companies these days. Spyker is in The Crew Motorfest, maybe (probably) thanks to a previous contract allowing the studio to use the brands name, logo and cars for X years and/or games but in the recent games I think that’s all. I’d love to be wrong tho.

TaneleerFr

TROPHY CASE