When I ordered my Aero 8 three years ago I wondered about having the automatic gearbox. It had rave reviews at the time, and still does, but having had 3 traditional Plus 8s in the past (only one at a time I should add) I just felt that a manual box was the only way to stay in touch with a sports car. I took delivery of my manual Aero 8 and loved it but I kept coming across reviews of the BMW ZF 6 speed auto box, by people who clearly knew what they were talking about, which were packed with superlatives. I also read that c.80% of Aeromax/Aero 8/Aero SS cars were built with auto gear boxes. Had I made the wrong decision?
When I decided last year to sell my Aero 8 and order the new Plus 8 the gearbox question reared its challenging head. So I test drove an SS with an auto box and it was indeed the best automatic box I have ever experienced - but it was still an automatic. And having driven it I also felt that the new Plus 8 was an outright sports car and should have a manual box. So that's what I ordered.
My build start date was week 19 (w/c 7 May) so I rang last week to see how the build was going. "Not started" I was told. Evidently because they have run out of manual "tubs" as most people are ordering manual boxes.
So, change the exterior and people (so far) seem to prefer the manual box over the auto. Seems to have caught the factory by surprise and shows how difficult it is to anticipate customer preference. Quite a puzzle.
I gather my build will start on Wednesday so that'll be good!
David
