Discussion
Judging by the asking prices in the classifieds I'd say now was a good time to bite.
Most owners here would appear to be delighted with every aspect of their cars, except for the depreciation I guess. Some are narked by condensation in the headlights but I can't say it bothers me. I suppose the other negative for some would be the 'cup' tyres which need milder weather to perform properly but you do get extraordinary grip in the dry as compensation. Driving at this time of year will need a degree of awareness that the right foot is controlling a colossally torquey 6.0 V12. Sounds obvious but some seem to be surprised by the need for moderation when conditions aren't ideal.
They're not cheap to service but not as bad as some exotic marques. (Ist service is around £1k, 2nd I'm told is nearer £2k).
They are capable on the track but deep down really still a GT car at heart, like any Aston should be. Regular track work will rack-up large bills. There's little to seperate the V12Vantage from the DBS but the shorter wheelbase does offer a little more agility and the compact size makes it useable on a wider variety of roads than your usual wide-load supercar. Purely subjective of course, but I think the single, fixed suspension set up is actually slightly more satisfying than either of the DBS's choice of two. However I think the DBS is even better looking (if only slightly!) and completely understand anyone who went that route.
Overall there's an obvious sense of a small car housing a very big engine. It pulls like a train but, being a V12, does so with manners, being smooth all the way to the all-too-easy-to-hit cutout. There's more than a hint of musclecar about it but delicacy too with fast responsive steering and a slick manual gearchange, which was a big part of the appeal for me.
Suffice to say that a day doesn't go by that I don't dream about slotting the crystal glass key into my piano black dash and hearing the high-pitched starter motors stir the big V12 into glorious life. The rest of my day is spent dreaming of where to take it (usually smooth, wide Alpine passes with plenty of tunnels).
But there will always be faster cars out there for the money, Nissan GTR's and the like, so I think it's best appreciated by those who have a particular desire for the very rare combination of a V12 engine with a manual gearbox.
Most owners here would appear to be delighted with every aspect of their cars, except for the depreciation I guess. Some are narked by condensation in the headlights but I can't say it bothers me. I suppose the other negative for some would be the 'cup' tyres which need milder weather to perform properly but you do get extraordinary grip in the dry as compensation. Driving at this time of year will need a degree of awareness that the right foot is controlling a colossally torquey 6.0 V12. Sounds obvious but some seem to be surprised by the need for moderation when conditions aren't ideal.
They're not cheap to service but not as bad as some exotic marques. (Ist service is around £1k, 2nd I'm told is nearer £2k).
They are capable on the track but deep down really still a GT car at heart, like any Aston should be. Regular track work will rack-up large bills. There's little to seperate the V12Vantage from the DBS but the shorter wheelbase does offer a little more agility and the compact size makes it useable on a wider variety of roads than your usual wide-load supercar. Purely subjective of course, but I think the single, fixed suspension set up is actually slightly more satisfying than either of the DBS's choice of two. However I think the DBS is even better looking (if only slightly!) and completely understand anyone who went that route.
Overall there's an obvious sense of a small car housing a very big engine. It pulls like a train but, being a V12, does so with manners, being smooth all the way to the all-too-easy-to-hit cutout. There's more than a hint of musclecar about it but delicacy too with fast responsive steering and a slick manual gearchange, which was a big part of the appeal for me.
Suffice to say that a day doesn't go by that I don't dream about slotting the crystal glass key into my piano black dash and hearing the high-pitched starter motors stir the big V12 into glorious life. The rest of my day is spent dreaming of where to take it (usually smooth, wide Alpine passes with plenty of tunnels).
But there will always be faster cars out there for the money, Nissan GTR's and the like, so I think it's best appreciated by those who have a particular desire for the very rare combination of a V12 engine with a manual gearbox.
Had a DBS for a year last year and been out of the marque for 4 months so understand what you say about the power and smoothness of the engine. Depreciation has been shocking but environment doesn't help I suppose. Have to say I am pretty smitten with it and don't really want to go back to the DBS which was a fantastic car but always felt like a gt (which it should I suppose). This vantage just appeals as smaller and looks brutish
George H said:
Jockman said:
I could tell you a relevant story here but I'm too consumed with rage to even relate it to you 
Please do, it will be more use than the usually irrelevant ones you divert topics onto 
Go on JM, you know you want to!
steveatesh said:
George H said:
Jockman said:
I could tell you a relevant story here but I'm too consumed with rage to even relate it to you
Please do, it will be more use than the usually irrelevant ones you divert topics onto Go on JM, you know you want to!
I make no secret of my desire to 'upgrade' to a V12V or a DBS. The Dealer has my full spec, figures etc....
So, I ask you to look at the price of the cheapest DBS on the preowned site, then just take a guess at what price it was offered to me in one of those unbelievable offer moments by the same Dealer
The Pits said:
Judging by the asking prices in the classifieds I'd say now was a good time to bite.
Most owners here would appear to be delighted with every aspect of their cars, except for the depreciation I guess. Some are narked by condensation in the headlights but I can't say it bothers me. I suppose the other negative for some would be the 'cup' tyres which need milder weather to perform properly but you do get extraordinary grip in the dry as compensation. Driving at this time of year will need a degree of awareness that the right foot is controlling a colossally torquey 6.0 V12. Sounds obvious but some seem to be surprised by the need for moderation when conditions aren't ideal.
They're not cheap to service but not as bad as some exotic marques. (Ist service is around £1k, 2nd I'm told is nearer £2k).
They are capable on the track but deep down really still a GT car at heart, like any Aston should be. Regular track work will rack-up large bills. There's little to seperate the V12Vantage from the DBS but the shorter wheelbase does offer a little more agility and the compact size makes it useable on a wider variety of roads than your usual wide-load supercar. Purely subjective of course, but I think the single, fixed suspension set up is actually slightly more satisfying than either of the DBS's choice of two. However I think the DBS is even better looking (if only slightly!) and completely understand anyone who went that route.
Overall there's an obvious sense of a small car housing a very big engine. It pulls like a train but, being a V12, does so with manners, being smooth all the way to the all-too-easy-to-hit cutout. There's more than a hint of musclecar about it but delicacy too with fast responsive steering and a slick manual gearchange, which was a big part of the appeal for me.
Suffice to say that a day doesn't go by that I don't dream about slotting the crystal glass key into my piano black dash and hearing the high-pitched starter motors stir the big V12 into glorious life. The rest of my day is spent dreaming of where to take it (usually smooth, wide Alpine passes with plenty of tunnels).
But there will always be faster cars out there for the money, Nissan GTR's and the like, so I think it's best appreciated by those who have a particular desire for the very rare combination of a V12 engine with a manual gearbox.
I picked mine up last week and have to say it is utterly superb given the prices they are available for - some hefty discounts to be had on unregistered stock as well but I still couldn't justify the depreciation gap to a very nearly new one.Most owners here would appear to be delighted with every aspect of their cars, except for the depreciation I guess. Some are narked by condensation in the headlights but I can't say it bothers me. I suppose the other negative for some would be the 'cup' tyres which need milder weather to perform properly but you do get extraordinary grip in the dry as compensation. Driving at this time of year will need a degree of awareness that the right foot is controlling a colossally torquey 6.0 V12. Sounds obvious but some seem to be surprised by the need for moderation when conditions aren't ideal.
They're not cheap to service but not as bad as some exotic marques. (Ist service is around £1k, 2nd I'm told is nearer £2k).
They are capable on the track but deep down really still a GT car at heart, like any Aston should be. Regular track work will rack-up large bills. There's little to seperate the V12Vantage from the DBS but the shorter wheelbase does offer a little more agility and the compact size makes it useable on a wider variety of roads than your usual wide-load supercar. Purely subjective of course, but I think the single, fixed suspension set up is actually slightly more satisfying than either of the DBS's choice of two. However I think the DBS is even better looking (if only slightly!) and completely understand anyone who went that route.
Overall there's an obvious sense of a small car housing a very big engine. It pulls like a train but, being a V12, does so with manners, being smooth all the way to the all-too-easy-to-hit cutout. There's more than a hint of musclecar about it but delicacy too with fast responsive steering and a slick manual gearchange, which was a big part of the appeal for me.
Suffice to say that a day doesn't go by that I don't dream about slotting the crystal glass key into my piano black dash and hearing the high-pitched starter motors stir the big V12 into glorious life. The rest of my day is spent dreaming of where to take it (usually smooth, wide Alpine passes with plenty of tunnels).
But there will always be faster cars out there for the money, Nissan GTR's and the like, so I think it's best appreciated by those who have a particular desire for the very rare combination of a V12 engine with a manual gearbox.
I went in to buy a DBS but they didn't have a manual one so test drove the auto-DBS and, being 6 foot 4, just couldn't get a comfortable driving position. Suggestion was to try the V12V to get an idea of the manual box and potentially it would be more fitting with the light-weight seats. I immidiately fell for it, felt so much more nimble and comfortable - ended up with a deposit on it very soon afterwards.
One of the most surprising things has been the general response from strangers - requests to blip the engine, thumbs up, letting me out of junctions and waving into gaps on the motorway - never got that in my Porsches or RS Audi's, bit disconcerting really.
As for the stereo discussion that seems to be raging elsewhere, I wouldn't spec B&O new given the price but it is damn good - best I've ever heard in a car.
Dry-biased tyres do worry me though, what all-conditions do people go for? Not thinking winter or snow&muds - just normal ones that work in the damp and cold...
Also note on the Aston Used site I think a lot of the cars still listed are actually sold, mine is still on there so quite a lag.
Cheers,
Phil
Jockman said:
Harry Hill eat your heart out !!
I make no secret of my desire to 'upgrade' to a V12V or a DBS. The Dealer has my full spec, figures etc....
So, I ask you to look at the price of the cheapest DBS on the preowned site, then just take a guess at what price it was offered to me in one of those unbelievable offer moments by the same Dealer
No real surprise if it is who I think it is I make no secret of my desire to 'upgrade' to a V12V or a DBS. The Dealer has my full spec, figures etc....
So, I ask you to look at the price of the cheapest DBS on the preowned site, then just take a guess at what price it was offered to me in one of those unbelievable offer moments by the same Dealer
They
Give Lloyd Newbury a call at Grange Exeter and give him the details, he will sort it for you.
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