Early V12 Vanquish buying advice
Discussion
I’m considering an early V12 Vanquish for a bit of weekend fun. I want something that feels special, I have been considering a nearly new Morgan Plus Four but then this one caught my eye.
I don’t know much about them but the car I’m interested in has low owners, had a huge amount of money spent on it in the last few years and is a very clean car according to the Main Dealer.
Anything I should be aware of? I’ll probably only do 1k-2k miles a year. How ruinous should I expect?
I don’t know much about them but the car I’m interested in has low owners, had a huge amount of money spent on it in the last few years and is a very clean car according to the Main Dealer.
Anything I should be aware of? I’ll probably only do 1k-2k miles a year. How ruinous should I expect?
Don't trust a main dealer inspection. They don't even remove the belly plates.
Get an independent inspection by the well known names. @David Such V12Vanquish.com is by far the best for this. He's also aware of a V12 Vanquish S Manual currently for sale at 23k miles in good condition.
Don't believe all the scare stories. Most have never driven one let alone have experience of owning one.
Most parts are available for much lower prices than than AML charge via other OEM catalogues, such as Jaguar, Ford, Volvo and even some parts are Land Rover.
Other parts are now being locally made with better materials than original buy a group of Vanquish Owners. This includes exhausts, brakes, coolant pipes, under panels, PTEC repairs, Radiators, fuel pump systems. The list goes on. AML dealers are even buying some of this stuff now as they can't supply it themselves.
My advice is join www.astonowners.com for a wealth of support and knowledge. They have a large group of Vanquish owners who meet up every year and support each other. Plus a lively whatsapp group chat with about 50 members.
Get an independent inspection by the well known names. @David Such V12Vanquish.com is by far the best for this. He's also aware of a V12 Vanquish S Manual currently for sale at 23k miles in good condition.
Don't believe all the scare stories. Most have never driven one let alone have experience of owning one.
Most parts are available for much lower prices than than AML charge via other OEM catalogues, such as Jaguar, Ford, Volvo and even some parts are Land Rover.
Other parts are now being locally made with better materials than original buy a group of Vanquish Owners. This includes exhausts, brakes, coolant pipes, under panels, PTEC repairs, Radiators, fuel pump systems. The list goes on. AML dealers are even buying some of this stuff now as they can't supply it themselves.
My advice is join www.astonowners.com for a wealth of support and knowledge. They have a large group of Vanquish owners who meet up every year and support each other. Plus a lively whatsapp group chat with about 50 members.
Thanks. I have it in writing that the under panels have been removed and it was checked. Also extensive history confirming subframes were stripped and treated less than a year ago by a well regarded specialist. It’s had plugs, coils, radiator replaced, a full refurb of the air con and heating system, new brake system reservoir, serviced very recently. New tyres 2k miles ago.
Definitely need to see it!
Definitely need to see it!
W12GT said:
Thanks. I have it in writing that the under panels have been removed and it was checked. Also extensive history confirming subframes were stripped and treated less than a year ago by a well regarded specialist. It’s had plugs, coils, radiator replaced, a full refurb of the air con and heating system, new brake system reservoir, serviced very recently. New tyres 2k miles ago.
Definitely need to see it!
Sounds great, if the price is right. Welcome along. Definitely need to see it!
But get all that confirmed by someone else. Most "failed coils" have never failed. We have checked hundreds of failed coils. The number of fails is in single digits. Most misfires are down to failed PCV harness valves and hoses. Guess what, AML have zero stock.
W12GT said:
Thanks. I have it in writing that the under panels have been removed and it was checked. Also extensive history confirming subframes were stripped and treated less than a year ago by a well regarded specialist. It’s had plugs, coils, radiator replaced, a full refurb of the air con and heating system, new brake system reservoir, serviced very recently. New tyres 2k miles ago.
Definitely need to see it!
Great cars - they do need looking after and keeping on a battery charger when not in use . Good support on parts that have alternatives (ie are Jaguar / Ford and cheaper as such ). But one of the interesting things for me is I’ve never met an owner who isn’t good fun . Definitely need to see it!
As Steve says , people like David Such may even know the car .
W12GT said:
Having gone through the paperwork, it turns out a lot of work has been done by V12 Vanquish including the subframe work and last service. I’m guessing that bodes well??
It's certainly a plus, but doesn't mean the car is perfect as David only correct what he is paid to correct. But the car does sound loved. 
I test drove the car today. A bit disappointed by the paintwork on one side but I know the dealer will get that done as they’ve done work for me in the past and it’s been first class. I really liked the interior which is so much nicer in the flesh and doesn’t look anywhere near as dated as photos suggest.
The boot, wings and rear bumper don’t line up very well and I wonder if it’s had a small shunt at the back. I’m interested to know if panel alignment and gaps is a common issue on these? Also some small areas of bubbling paint that won’t get done.
It drove very smoothly and sounded incredible on start up. I found the dished steering wheel very odd - can’t remember driving a car where the steering dishes away from the driver.
One thing I found very odd is the driver side A pillar - hugely intrusive not only of vision but physically into the drivers space (I’m 6’-1”) which I’m not sure I’ll be able to get used to, it made me feel like I was right on the outside edge of the car and that there’s loads of room between driver and passenger.
The boot, wings and rear bumper don’t line up very well and I wonder if it’s had a small shunt at the back. I’m interested to know if panel alignment and gaps is a common issue on these? Also some small areas of bubbling paint that won’t get done.
It drove very smoothly and sounded incredible on start up. I found the dished steering wheel very odd - can’t remember driving a car where the steering dishes away from the driver.
One thing I found very odd is the driver side A pillar - hugely intrusive not only of vision but physically into the drivers space (I’m 6’-1”) which I’m not sure I’ll be able to get used to, it made me feel like I was right on the outside edge of the car and that there’s loads of room between driver and passenger.
W12GT said:
The boot, wings and rear bumper don’t line up very well and I wonder if it’s had a small shunt at the back. I’m interested to know if panel alignment and gaps is a common issue on these?
One thing I found very odd is the driver side A pillar - hugely intrusive not only of vision but physically into the drivers space ...
One thing I found very odd is the driver side A pillar - hugely intrusive not only of vision but physically into the drivers space ...
I have minimal knowledge about the original Vanquish, but I have heard a cheeky saying about some of the Newport Pagnell cars;
If the panel gaps are perfect, then the car is a restoration.
'All the exterior body panels were constructed from aluminium, with each individual panel hand tailored to the central structure.'
Your A piller comment reminded me of the Mercedes-Benz EQS battery car. The designers seemed to have been so obsessed with aerodynamic efficiency, with the result that it can be difficult for taller front occupants to enter and exit the car. Tall rear occupants face restricted headroom. The traditional S Class sells in greater numbers.
Does the Vanquish A piller slope more than the Vantage or DB9?
I think it slopes more towards the centre of the car plus the steering wheel isn’t that adjustable on the reach or rake so driving position for me is further forward for me compared to other cars and therefore I’m nearer the A pillar.
It’s definitely very different to the DB11 I had.
It’s definitely very different to the DB11 I had.
Edited by W12GT on Saturday 6th July 15:05
W12GT said:
I test drove the car today. A bit disappointed by the paintwork on one side but I know the dealer will get that done as they’ve done work for me in the past and it’s been first class. I really liked the interior which is so much nicer in the flesh and doesn’t look anywhere near as dated as photos suggest.
The boot, wings and rear bumper don’t line up very well and I wonder if it’s had a small shunt at the back. I’m interested to know if panel alignment and gaps is a common issue on these? Also some small areas of bubbling paint that won’t get done.
It drove very smoothly and sounded incredible on start up. I found the dished steering wheel very odd - can’t remember driving a car where the steering dishes away from the driver.
One thing I found very odd is the driver side A pillar - hugely intrusive not only of vision but physically into the drivers space (I’m 6’-1”) which I’m not sure I’ll be able to get used to, it made me feel like I was right on the outside edge of the car and that there’s loads of room between driver and passenger.
Did you take any pics of the panel gaps ?The boot, wings and rear bumper don’t line up very well and I wonder if it’s had a small shunt at the back. I’m interested to know if panel alignment and gaps is a common issue on these? Also some small areas of bubbling paint that won’t get done.
It drove very smoothly and sounded incredible on start up. I found the dished steering wheel very odd - can’t remember driving a car where the steering dishes away from the driver.
One thing I found very odd is the driver side A pillar - hugely intrusive not only of vision but physically into the drivers space (I’m 6’-1”) which I’m not sure I’ll be able to get used to, it made me feel like I was right on the outside edge of the car and that there’s loads of room between driver and passenger.
Regarding the steering wheel - never noticed anything strange about mine wrt dishing , strange .
The Vanq A pillar is huge (cross section wise) because the entire front screen surround is CF. It’s light, it’s strong, but it ain’t small.
Front grill is silver painted, not chrome plated.
Panel gaps are perfect on mine, and should be since they were all hand fettled to close tolerance.
Steering wheel is flat as compared to most, but not convex surely.
Front grill is silver painted, not chrome plated.
Panel gaps are perfect on mine, and should be since they were all hand fettled to close tolerance.
Steering wheel is flat as compared to most, but not convex surely.
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