Looking at a 2005 Vanquish S. Anyone owned one? Thoughts? Anything to watch out for? Thanks in advance!
If doing a PPI with the bottom trays removed, make sure the two bolts holding the shift actuation solenoid to the top of the transmission are nice 'n tight. One bolt fell out on a buddy's S. If the other vibrated out, I think you would be calling for a flat-bed.
No personal experience but this thread is well worth reading http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/british/309061-vanquish-owners.html
The transmission was the weakest part on the Vanquish, if I understood correctly. The Vanquish S transmission was supposed to address all the issues. And they were more to do with feel and lag, rather than quality. Am I wrong? I test drove a Vanquish when they came out. Didn't care for the transmission delays but it was a tight car that held the road very well for its weight. The engine was creamy and spectacular.
correct not a quality issue just a lag feel. It feels the same lag in shifts as Maserati's and early 360s with paddles, but took more of a press beating for the same fault (which they didn't) which I attribute more to BBCs Top Gear. A magnetic sensor and software upgrade can address the lag in non-S versions (2002-04), but I have not personally done it. The slight lag is most noticeable when trying to drive it as an automatic vs with paddles, but only rises to the level of minor annoyance for me like it is for most 360 owners I have talked to and who chose to have it addressed with software. Too much talk by non owners trying to parrot what they've heard rather than experienced when they talk about these rare cars, like someone talking XJ220 issues when they've never even seen, let alone driven one.
I think the Vanquish is one of the most beautiful cars made in the last 20 years. I have a neighbor with one and he has had it 3 years with nothing but scheduled maintenance. He AND hiswife love the car. Prices are hardening
Nice video of both the old and new car. Keep in mind that later S cars had an updated dash resembling the DB9 switch gear, the model being driven that the reviewer faults the dash as being dated is a 02 or early 03 car with "S" wheels. Video: Meet the ancestor - Aston Martin Vanquish Car Video | Autocar
At current prices the S in particular is an extremely great buy,a lot of a terrific exotic for the $$. With pretty low miles for under $100k in many cases,they will go up......
Zack, If you want detailed answers join us on the Aston Martin Owners Club website (Aston Martin Owners Club) on subforum: Vanquish You'll find routine buyer, common repair issue discussions (transmission isnt one of them), new owner checklists, and most common questions already answered regarding the cars from real owners. It's a UK website and the group is small and tends to be overly biased IMO, so balance what's read/said by understanding the cult following of some of the owners (I see the same bias with my fellow 512/Testarossa owners).
Also, sherrillt, always nice to be proven correct. When I test-drove it, the transmission lag, though noticeable, was not a deal breaker. The gorgeous downshifts and blips and the overall package and experience more than made up for it. I just had a pushy salesperson, and that was a turn-off. Had he bothered to make me ask myself if it was the right car for me at that time, the answer would have been a resounding yes and I would have written a check without hesitation--it's always the right time for gorgeous Astons. Like ARTNNYC (Jerome), I love the styling--athletic, pretty, with a hard edge. Thanks for the positive vote, Jerome, makes me feel a lot better. BTW, I have been hearing rumours of the signature grille being changed to resemble the Focus. Is that really going to happen. I think they are hideous, and Astons will lose their appeal significantly for me if they do that.
Great bargains indeed. Relative to other cars in the class that MSRP'd for $230k+ the only better bargain I see is the 2005-06 CL65 AMG in my opinion.
Hi Zack, sorry, I am a bit late - I have a 06 Vanq S and I have some information about purchasing a Vanquish. If you are still interested, just PM me your email, please. Well, the transmission is no problem, if you understand how it works and how to handle! I like Jeremy Clarkson, but what he said about the Vanq transmission was just b*s*. cheers Bjoern
