How high, b-roads and Astons...

[murph7355]

I currently have that feeling you get when about to change cars, staring at a couple of definite options and doing man maths all the time...am looking at Granturismos and have a few questions for the cognoscenti.

• How high is the car at its highest point? The space I have for one in the garage is underneath a 4 post hydraulic lift (with a TVR Griffith on it). From a bit of Googling I'm seeing the car should be under 136cm high, which would give me 2-3cm clearance....but I know from experience that this isn't always at the highest point or a real world measure.
• Related-ish, but where's the radio aerial? Am assuming in the front or rear screen?
• How are they on b-roads? I appreciate they're heavy cars, but am wondering what the handling's like as half of my daily commute is on great b-roads. I know I need to try one, but that's a little tricky as the nearest dealer is a good 20 miles away and doesn't really have any cars I'm that keen on. Absolute handling prowess isn't paramount, but it can't be a shambles...
• Has anyone come from an Aston Martin V8 Vantage? My current "summer daily" and a car I've owned for 8.5yrs and 55k happy miles. Am wondering if anyone has made a similar move and what their thoughts are...
• To perhaps help with the handling question, does anyone have experience of Audi RS4s (B7 model)? Am not expecting them to be the same (!), but I have a lot of experience of these too, so comparisons might help.

Hopefully going to see some cars in the next couple of weeks if I can squeeze some time between work and family....any insights appreciated

 

[c4sman]

Can help with a couple of things

There is no radio aerial as I think it's built into one of the screens

Handling is fun and entertaining for such a big heavy car. Compared to the RS4 however which I have only had short seat time in a mates Avante, I think the Audi felt lighter on its feet. GT does exactly what it's name suggests, at its heart it's a characterful cruiser that can lift its skirt up and run with the best without falling apart (but would prefer you didn't do that too often). If you are looking for a sports car and don't need rear seats, there could be better options, but I don't think many will have the feel good factor of the GT.

 

[murph7355]

Thanks for the reply.

Rear seats aren't essential but I've started to realise that with 2 young kids it will help get more use out of the Aston's replacement...I also still have 2 other 2 seaters for absolute thrills.

 

[StuartW]

The clearance issue will depend on the suspension set up as some are lower than others plus in the second hand market, you will find that have changed their springs so are lower than standard so you would be best off going along with a tape measure

I echo what c4sman says above about the handling and feel good factor too, they really are a delight. Enjoy the searching & keep us posted

 

[murph7355]

Thanks Stuart. Will do.

 

[c4sman]

Thanks for the reply.

Rear seats aren't essential but I've started to realise that with 2 young kids it will help get more use out of the Aston's replacement...I also still have 2 other 2 seaters for absolute thrills.

Sounds to me as if the GT is for you. Having the extra seats opens up a whole new world of enjoyment without having to leave the family behind. I have found it difficult to use the car less rather than more which means you get much more value out owning it versus more focussed 2 seaters or 2+2s that are not as practical as a GT. Plus when you press the sport button you can have buckets of fun cruising below the speed limits or pushing hard above them. What's not to like!