Vanquish S to DB11 Volante?

[AstonZagato]

I have just sahken hands to sell my Vanquish S Ultimate Coupé. I absolutely loved it but I had become too precious about it - never going out if the roads were wet and worrying if I put miles on it. It was in danger of becoming a garage ornament.

The next car needs to be something I won't worry about. Something I could daily (well, in the spring/summer/autumn) and not really concern myself unduly about.

I also want a convertible.

My first thought was a 5.0 F-Type convertible. A lot of car for the money and I can drive it knowing it is not going to kill me on depreciation (relative to Aston depreciation).

I then thought I might look at DB9GT Volantes or even early Vanquish Volantes as they are five figure cars and I can deal with the depreciation on those, I think. However they are both rare -and I'm fussy on spec (like blues, greens, not so keen on black or silver, actively dislike whites - all personal taste and no offence meant). So the choice is pretty tiny.

I then noticed that DB11 Volantes have gone way down the depreciation curve and there are more of those around. When I did a short test drive in one at launch they were nice but more of a cruiser than my Vanquish - and I think I can probably live with that now. I am not a fan of the interior but I've become used to it.

Has anyone moves Vanquish to DB11 and what are your thoughts on the car?

[Grant3]

I’m not sure that any Aston Martin would be a car you aren’t precious about, they all get under your skin, but I empathise with your sentiments! Certainly from a price and uniqueness point of view the 11 is more every day than your Vanquish S, but still a lovely thing!

Funnily enough I have just moved into a Volante after enjoying some time on the dark side (in a V10 R8 Spyder - that V10 is simply awesome at 8700rpm - voice of the gods!). Aston do the ownership feel-good factor so well, they just feel special which ever model you choose, and you miss that in many other marques.

You are right that the Volante is more GT than your Vanquish S, the ride in “GT” is amazingly comfortable yet also with enough dynamic finesse to enjoy the twisty stuff before you switch to Sport/+. The V8 produces a wave of torque that warps the car down the road and offers similar outright performance to your S. But where as you are likely to wring out the S in each gear the Volante seems to only need 3rd gear to fly. Less dynamically engaging than your last steed - yes, but still an enjoyable steer. The only negative of note for me is tyre noise!

I agree that the Volante now offers great value (particularly compared to Vanquish S money!!), but prices seem to be firming up as spring arrives and the economy improves! If you want something more dynamic than your S don’t forget there is also the Vantage Roadster.

[MMarkM]

The DB11 was the car that put me off AM after many years and many different cars. At the time I had a Vanquish I was given a DB11 for a week, I took it back after 1 day, couldn't stand it. Since then other than my VanqS and the Rapide AMR there hasn't been an Aston I liked. I'll keep my Vanquish S forever more I think but I can't see me getting into a another AM over other brands unless something very different to the current line up comes along. I do regret letting my Rapide AMR go though!

I guess people new to Aston don't have a previous gen comparison/experience and I've got to say the Vantage and DB12 look great but just don't tick the boxes I'd want from an Aston. I've now fully fallen into the old "not the same as when I was a lad" group!

OP - may be worth exploring other brands, I was very very blinkered about only wanting an Aston until I drove some other brands

[Grant3]

MMarkM said:

The DB11 was the car that put me off AM after many years and many different cars. At the time I had a Vanquish I was given a DB11 for a week, I took it back after 1 day, couldn't stand it.

Interesting, I’m on my 6th Aston, (plenty of other brand experience as well) loved them all in different ways, each takes a little time to "tune-into", I’m not sure a few days is enough to settle into a new car!

Which DB11 (V12, V12AMR, V8, V8 Volante - each is different) and what spec’, what didn’t you like about it? 🙂

[Calinours]

HI OP - getting precious abut your car is something we can all relate to, but are you really sure letting it go is the right thing to do? “I love it so much I’m going to sell it”…??

Sure any DB11 is going to be more humdrum than a Vanq S. However, if you want something that you can daily and it simply has to be another Aston, and it has to be a more modern one, then any of the turbo cars will be a good choice.

This assumes you have the means and space to keep two though.

If there’s only space for one car, then in OP shoes I would also be looking at a DBSS Volante. More modern, just as striking and special, way quicker, arguably just as beautiful amazing VFM right now and will surely do the daily thing and maybe even use a tad less fuel. Don’t expect it (or pretty much any AM) to not get under your skin in the way your Vanquish has though.

Maybe still a bit pricey, likely to remain well above six figures but unlikely to depreciate. Plenty of blues and greens about as well.


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|https://thumbsnap.com/W6evPNjz[/url]

Edited by Calinours on Sunday 17th March 10:55

[AstonZagato]

Thanks for the replies.

The DBSS I think has a way to fall (and the Volantes are newer/rarer) so I think I'd fall into the trap of being precious once again to preserve value. The DB11 Volantes can be picked up in the low eighties now, so a massive drop from new.

[Grant3]

AstonZagato said:

Thanks for the replies.
The DBSS I think has a way to fall (and the Volantes are newer/rarer) so I think I'd fall into the trap of being precious once again to preserve value. The DB11 Volantes can be picked up in the low eighties now, so a massive drop from new.

With a bit of work you can find a low mileage high spec’ 2020 Volante for low 80’s, great value, but prices are firming for summer now!

Finding the right spec’ & colour for you is a little harder (I love black or magnetic)…. blue one here… no doubt you have seen it……. thoughts?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16211375

[MMarkM]

Grant3 said:

Interesting, I’m on my 6th Aston, (plenty of other brand experience as well) loved them all in different ways, each takes a little time to "tune-into", I’m not sure a few days is enough to settle into a new car!

Which DB11 (V12, V12AMR, V8, V8 Volante - each is different) and what spec’, what didn’t you like about it? ??

I think the very first thing that put me off was the noise, or lack of it, to be expected in turbo car of course, I imagine OP going from a VanqS to a turbo era will also be unhappy. My next issue was the interior, everything just felt so much closer to me and in my face claustrophobic and I didn't like the single dial. To be fair the Vanq and DB range are a different level but I think anyone going from a n/a V12 to something with turbos is going to get be dissapointed. Each to their own ofcourse, if I were the OP I'd be looking for a Vanq Volante

[Grant3]

MMarkM said:

I think the very first thing that put me off was the noise, or lack of it, to be expected in turbo car of course, I imagine OP going from a VanqS to a turbo era will also be unhappy. My next issue was the interior, everything just felt so much closer to me and in my face claustrophobic and I didn't like the single dial. To be fair the Vanq and DB range are a different level but I think anyone going from a n/a V12 to something with turbos is going to get be dissapointed. Each to their own ofcourse, if I were the OP I'd be looking for a Vanq Volante

I do agree that Aston’s naturally aspirated V12 is simply fabulous, a bellowing snorting beast. But conversely A.M. have packaged the turbos very well and the car’s still sound very good! With Vanquish and DB11 we are talking GT car’s here and the new engines bring a much higher level of low and mid-range punch to the party, making them feel even more effortlessly ballistic, befitting their GT status (also with improved fuel economy!). I’m not saying the 11’s engine is better than the Vanquish’s superb V12, just that they have different strengths, that you need time to adapt to and tune into!

As ever we each have different opinions and requirements, I love both cars, but I wouldn’t dismiss an 11 after one day, each model varies dynamically (V8, V12, AMR the V8, coupe/Volante) and you can tune the interior and exterior to suit classic or contemporary tastes. It does need a few choice options to lift the interior and the exterior and I think we all miss the original jewel like aluminium dials from the last gen’ cars!

I think getting back into another Vanquish would be more of the same for AZ, and it would be less special than his "Ultimate", a change is as good as a rest and a DB11 Volante would add a new experience while retaining that Aston feelgood factor and a big chunk of extra cash in the bank

As ever there is no wrong decision it’s down to individual taste and requirements.

[AstonZagato]

Grant3 said:

With a bit of work you can find a low mileage high spec’ 2020 Volante for low 80’s, great value, but prices are firming for summer now!

Finding the right spec’ & colour for you is a little harder (I love black or magnetic)…. blue one here… no doubt you have seen it……. thoughts?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16211375

I've always thought that Cobalt was a just a touch 'sudden' for my tastes - I prefer Ming or some of the darker colours. Also the black interior is a bit unadventurous considering what one could have. That said, it might be better in the flesh - but it\s a loooong way away from me.

[Grant3]

AstonZagato said:

I've always thought that Cobalt was a just a touch 'sudden' for my tastes - I prefer Ming or some of the darker colours. Also the black interior is a bit unadventurous considering what one could have. That said, it might be better in the flesh - but it\s a loooong way away from me.

I agree about Cobalt, but it’s funny how we each have such different tastes and that brings out a myriad of Aston finishes, each making the 11 look completely different! The challenge is finding one with a spec’ to suit inside and out.

But looking is half the pleasure, enjoy the process AZ

PS- if you do find a suitable car up in Grange Scotland, you can always talk to Matt at Grange Brentwood, a top chap who can access group details.

[LTP]

Grant3 said:

I agree about Cobalt, but it’s funny how we each have such different tastes and that brings out a myriad of Aston finishes, each making the 11 look completely different! The challenge is finding one with a spec’ to suit inside and out.

But looking is half the pleasure, enjoy the process AZ

PS- if you do find a suitable car up in Grange Scotland, you can always talk to Matt at Grange Brentwood, a top chap who can access group details.

I love Cobalt. I had my first Mini painted Chrysler "Electric Blue", which looks pretty close, so it would be a sort of "alpha and omega". I passed on a Cobalt Vantage S because I didn't like the yellow calipers and matching yellow contrast stitching on the Obsidian Black leather interior - at the time I thought those were a step too far, but I still almost regret that decision

[AstonZagato]

LTP said:

Grant3 said:

I agree about Cobalt, but it’s funny how we each have such different tastes and that brings out a myriad of Aston finishes, each making the 11 look completely different! The challenge is finding one with a spec’ to suit inside and out.

But looking is half the pleasure, enjoy the process AZ

PS- if you do find a suitable car up in Grange Scotland, you can always talk to Matt at Grange Brentwood, a top chap who can access group details.

I love Cobalt. I had my first Mini painted Chrysler "Electric Blue", which looks pretty close, so it would be a sort of "alpha and omega". I passed on a Cobalt Vantage S because I didn't like the yellow calipers and matching yellow contrast stitching on the Obsidian Black leather interior - at the time I thought those were a step too far, but I still almost regret that decision

If I were closer I’d go take a look to see if I could get on with it.

[Grant3]

Was this beastie your Ultimate AZ?
Edited to add…. just read the original post and your Vanquish was a Coupe! Duh so I can answer my own question!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15560409

Edited by Grant3 on Monday 25th March 10:08

[cayman-black]

Grant3 said:

Was this beastie your Ultimate AZ?
Edited to add…. just read the original post and your Vanquish was a Coupe! Duh so I can answer my own question!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15560409

Edited by Grant3 on Monday 25th March 10:08

That would be a beauty if it was a coupe.

[AstonZagato]

Grant3 said:

Was this beastie your Ultimate AZ?
Edited to add…. just read the original post and your Vanquish was a Coupe! Duh so I can answer my own question!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15560409

Edited by Grant3 on Monday 25th March 10:08

As you say, not mine. I like that colour but it's a wrap.