My 4.3 V8V vs V12V
Discussion
My V8V 4.3 and I went out for a play on and around the B4484 (fantastic road) with a friend of mine in a V12V. Unfortunately due to restrictions on insurance I could not drive the V12 but had a passenger ride, and spent time chasing and being chased. I actually don’t want to drive a V12V as I know I will fall in love (again) and I currently cannot find the necessary £££'s over my V8. On a bumpy B-road (that neither of us knew well) there is very very little to tell between the two cars, I am sure if my mate knew the road he would be able to shake me. He was able to brake much later into corner and carry much more speed, but was kept very busy by the hard suspension not soaking up the bumps like my softer car, I 'flowed' more down the road. He was much flatter through the corners and looked much more business like hooning down the road. I main problem I found was that my V8 is soo bloody loud that I could not hear the orgasmic noises coming from the V12. In the passenger seat the car felt very planted and massively quick, with such awesome brakes, you can really really lean on them time after time, and even though the surface was very iffy the braking line was very true. The car felt firm but not over so (like my mate 430 Scud), and the noise....what a noise, less ‘Panoz’ than the V8, but more ‘DBR9’, personally I do prefer Panoz. It did feel that as I know my V8V very well I was completely ringing its neck (in fact the last bit of my front pads disappeared) but the V12 was being driven well within the cars limits, it did feel that it could easily cope with whatever punishment a driver could give within the limits of decency (or the law). I am very sure on a track I would not see which way it went.
Inside I loved the seats, I am not a fan of the gear stick (very gobby) and being right hand drive the wedding rings of most of the drivers have scratched it into a bit of a state, but the rest (apart from the lovely carbon bits) was standard V8V, personally I quite liked the ECU. Outside she is stunning, the way the carbon on the front splitter pattern is a different way on either side the perfectly matched up in the middle really appeals to my inner anal nature. There is a real quality about the product, this was a hard driven 15,000 miler from Aston and it showed very low amounts of wear and tear inside and out (apart from gobby stick).
Outside the pub no-one noticed my V8, everyone was pouring over the V12, there was a band staying there (called Dakota) and I think if they make it big the lead singer is certainly going to make a purchase.
Then the big question after a pint, would I have one. It was an amazing car but not different enough over my V8 to justify the £££, also I would struggle to justify £40,000 over a 1 year old 4.7 Manual Roadster, which I think would be my choice at the moment.
Some pikkies
B4484:
Inside I loved the seats, I am not a fan of the gear stick (very gobby) and being right hand drive the wedding rings of most of the drivers have scratched it into a bit of a state, but the rest (apart from the lovely carbon bits) was standard V8V, personally I quite liked the ECU. Outside she is stunning, the way the carbon on the front splitter pattern is a different way on either side the perfectly matched up in the middle really appeals to my inner anal nature. There is a real quality about the product, this was a hard driven 15,000 miler from Aston and it showed very low amounts of wear and tear inside and out (apart from gobby stick).
Outside the pub no-one noticed my V8, everyone was pouring over the V12, there was a band staying there (called Dakota) and I think if they make it big the lead singer is certainly going to make a purchase.
Then the big question after a pint, would I have one. It was an amazing car but not different enough over my V8 to justify the £££, also I would struggle to justify £40,000 over a 1 year old 4.7 Manual Roadster, which I think would be my choice at the moment.
Some pikkies
B4484:
Ive been a pax in a V12V and to me it was like my car on steroids ...and better in all the ways that I wanted it to be
it is the ultimate Aston for me, but I cant justify nearly double the cash to change either
when I can pick up a 3 year old V12V ...well...that may be a different matter, I can fall in love all over again
it is the ultimate Aston for me, but I cant justify nearly double the cash to change either
when I can pick up a 3 year old V12V ...well...that may be a different matter, I can fall in love all over again
Superb place. Great write-up, sadlerj. Really good details and good to hear an objective side-by-side comparison. I suspect most people with a V8V have thought about the upgrade (cost excepted!). I feel slightly less desperate to upgrade as the look of the V12V - which I prefer to the standard V8V - is drawn quite heavily from the N400, which I have already. Just missing the V12 engine... :-)
Thanks again for the review
Thanks again for the review
Edited by Stratman1 on Thursday 1st October 14:04
Well I finally splashed out and bought the V12V and have been driving it for about two weeks on a daily basis (my only car). My initial thoughts of driving the car are - absolutely no regrets about spending the 140k+ I did on the car, and believe me when I say this is alot of money for me - I am not rich - just fulfilling a dream. I got a very, very good deal for my 06 V8 Vantage which softened the blow quite considerably - so deals can be made on this car. I bought this car in the Hammerhead Silver colour, which is so close to the V8 colour I had before. Initially when I parked my V8 next to this one, I thought it was prettier. I have to say now I have completely changed my view. Every time I walk up to the V12 parked up, I just think how gorgeous and intimidating it is. Its kind of like comparing a really fit good looking male athlete (V12), to a gorgeous female model (V8). Since I can't have sex with the car, I prefer the male version, if that makes any sense - and I am not gay. The front vents have really grown on me. Believe me when I say this car is getting way more attention than my V8 did, almost to a point where it gets slightly embarrassing.
As far as driving it goes - it is just magnitudes better than the V8 I drove - and believe me I am not putting down the V8 because it is a fantastic car - but Aston to me have really delivered something special here. When I first put my foot down, I was amazed and slightly scared on how quick I was up to 130mph with out even realizing it. It felt like I was doing 80 in the V8. The response can be so quick, you have to watch yourself. I have put it into sport mode only twice so far, because that does seriously scare me.
I find the car much easier to drive around town. In my V8 which was older, the clutch was very heavy (I think in the newer V8's its not such an issue), certainly in the V12 it is much lighter . The brakes are seriously good - you gain so much confidence from them and I have not heard one squeak from them, which used to drive me nuts with my V8. The interior cabin is just so beautiful to sit in, and the comfort level of the car is slightly harsher than the V8, but not in an uncomfortable way. I really love the cabin, which is what partially sold me on the car. After all every body else gets to see the beauty of the car from the outside, but I spend all my time on the inside - this is a reason why I just don't get on with the Ferrari's (beautiful from the outside, but so basic on the inside). I have only driven this car in the wet a couple of times, and so far its been ok - but I am nervous with it. So far, it is definitely a practical day to day car.
The noise is just awesome. When you first fire it up, you get a real thrill. But what I really love is the noise when you are in third gear and rather than braking you just take your foot off the throttle to come to a set of lights. The gurgling noise is just magic. I love listening to music, but so far I keep turning the system off so I can listen to these noises from the engine. I have to say, I rarely did this with my V8.
Last Saturday I spent a very enjoyable few hours at Stratstone, in Wilmslow - whom I bought my car from. They booked one of the instructors from their performance driving course down in Millbrook to come and spend an hour with me in my car, showing me what I can do with it - for free by the way.
The guy was an older grey haired ex-racing driver who had many, many years of experience. Very polite and quietly spoken, but what he had me doing with my car, was unreal. I don't think I even had a clue what this car can do until had me doing it. I am definitely signing up for the performance course.
The first revelation was how much torque the car has, to the point he said if you want to save lots of money on petrol, then when you are doing around 35-40mph just stick it straight into 6th gear (you hover between 1000-2000 revs). And you know what it, really feels like you are in 3rd. The engine doesn't strain at all and the ride is so smooth and relaxed. I am going to have to practice it because I am so used to staying in 3rd. I don't know about the later V8's but I certainly couldn't do this with mine (maybe it was possible but it never felt that way to me).
He had me driving at quite a pace to see what the car could do, going around very bendy country roads, and then doing emergency stops. Believe me when I say Oh My God!!! Then we went through a couple of tunnels (actually the one where Renaldo crashed his Ferrari) stuck it in 3rd, pressed the sport button, rolled down the windows, and put on some pace. I wish I could record that noise - I think I'd use it to wake me up in the mornings.
I walked away from this drive with one huge grin on my face, realising I didn't have a clue what this car could do when I bought it. His view of this car, by the way (and he drives for other marques besides Aston) is that it is probably now the best on the road. He thinks it will end up being a collectors item, it is that good. He didn't strike me as the kind of guy who says things just to please the customer either. I am sorry, but if you have driven this car for a couple of weeks, you could never go back to driving the V8, and that is not a shot at the V8, it just shows how special this car really is.
Finally I just want to say that besides having a car that is beautiful, has the prestige image, has a fantastic comfortable interior, and is practical on a day to day basis (all of which was there with the V8), with the V12V you get performance to die for, real craftsmanship, and the thing I have been taking for granted - fantastic customer service. The people at Stratstone have been absolutely superb - professional, friendly, knowledgeable and they bend over backwards to help you. Truly I feel like they have become my friends.
I know I am waxing lyrical about this car and Aston Martin, but I guess I am just trying to say that if you are like I was - hesitating to buy this car. Just go for it! I certainly have changed my view - I now think this car is worth the price they are asking for it - and I didn't think that would happen (you can see some of my earlier posts). And no I have no connection to Aston Martin or even the car trade, I am just a very happy customer.
As far as driving it goes - it is just magnitudes better than the V8 I drove - and believe me I am not putting down the V8 because it is a fantastic car - but Aston to me have really delivered something special here. When I first put my foot down, I was amazed and slightly scared on how quick I was up to 130mph with out even realizing it. It felt like I was doing 80 in the V8. The response can be so quick, you have to watch yourself. I have put it into sport mode only twice so far, because that does seriously scare me.
I find the car much easier to drive around town. In my V8 which was older, the clutch was very heavy (I think in the newer V8's its not such an issue), certainly in the V12 it is much lighter . The brakes are seriously good - you gain so much confidence from them and I have not heard one squeak from them, which used to drive me nuts with my V8. The interior cabin is just so beautiful to sit in, and the comfort level of the car is slightly harsher than the V8, but not in an uncomfortable way. I really love the cabin, which is what partially sold me on the car. After all every body else gets to see the beauty of the car from the outside, but I spend all my time on the inside - this is a reason why I just don't get on with the Ferrari's (beautiful from the outside, but so basic on the inside). I have only driven this car in the wet a couple of times, and so far its been ok - but I am nervous with it. So far, it is definitely a practical day to day car.
The noise is just awesome. When you first fire it up, you get a real thrill. But what I really love is the noise when you are in third gear and rather than braking you just take your foot off the throttle to come to a set of lights. The gurgling noise is just magic. I love listening to music, but so far I keep turning the system off so I can listen to these noises from the engine. I have to say, I rarely did this with my V8.
Last Saturday I spent a very enjoyable few hours at Stratstone, in Wilmslow - whom I bought my car from. They booked one of the instructors from their performance driving course down in Millbrook to come and spend an hour with me in my car, showing me what I can do with it - for free by the way.
The guy was an older grey haired ex-racing driver who had many, many years of experience. Very polite and quietly spoken, but what he had me doing with my car, was unreal. I don't think I even had a clue what this car can do until had me doing it. I am definitely signing up for the performance course.
The first revelation was how much torque the car has, to the point he said if you want to save lots of money on petrol, then when you are doing around 35-40mph just stick it straight into 6th gear (you hover between 1000-2000 revs). And you know what it, really feels like you are in 3rd. The engine doesn't strain at all and the ride is so smooth and relaxed. I am going to have to practice it because I am so used to staying in 3rd. I don't know about the later V8's but I certainly couldn't do this with mine (maybe it was possible but it never felt that way to me).
He had me driving at quite a pace to see what the car could do, going around very bendy country roads, and then doing emergency stops. Believe me when I say Oh My God!!! Then we went through a couple of tunnels (actually the one where Renaldo crashed his Ferrari) stuck it in 3rd, pressed the sport button, rolled down the windows, and put on some pace. I wish I could record that noise - I think I'd use it to wake me up in the mornings.
I walked away from this drive with one huge grin on my face, realising I didn't have a clue what this car could do when I bought it. His view of this car, by the way (and he drives for other marques besides Aston) is that it is probably now the best on the road. He thinks it will end up being a collectors item, it is that good. He didn't strike me as the kind of guy who says things just to please the customer either. I am sorry, but if you have driven this car for a couple of weeks, you could never go back to driving the V8, and that is not a shot at the V8, it just shows how special this car really is.
Finally I just want to say that besides having a car that is beautiful, has the prestige image, has a fantastic comfortable interior, and is practical on a day to day basis (all of which was there with the V8), with the V12V you get performance to die for, real craftsmanship, and the thing I have been taking for granted - fantastic customer service. The people at Stratstone have been absolutely superb - professional, friendly, knowledgeable and they bend over backwards to help you. Truly I feel like they have become my friends.
I know I am waxing lyrical about this car and Aston Martin, but I guess I am just trying to say that if you are like I was - hesitating to buy this car. Just go for it! I certainly have changed my view - I now think this car is worth the price they are asking for it - and I didn't think that would happen (you can see some of my earlier posts). And no I have no connection to Aston Martin or even the car trade, I am just a very happy customer.
Not surprised you're happy, sounds amazing!
I saw my first one at Silverstone at the start of the FIA GT Championships and had a quick chat to AM's Technical Director (or some such) who had driven it from the Nurburgring to Northamptonshire! I believe his words were along the lines of, "It's magic".
Hopefully will see your car Cheshire way at some point making the gurgling noise...
I saw my first one at Silverstone at the start of the FIA GT Championships and had a quick chat to AM's Technical Director (or some such) who had driven it from the Nurburgring to Northamptonshire! I believe his words were along the lines of, "It's magic".
Hopefully will see your car Cheshire way at some point making the gurgling noise...
There is nothing like a positive view when you are on the way to making a commitment yourself. Two good, hugely enthusiatic reviews. The GT3RS idea is now ditched and I am off to replace the N400 with an order for the V12V this afternoon. I too intend to use as an (almost) daily drive (maybe the Land Rover during the harshest winter days). One final decision (the lightweight sport seats and the B&O are settled) is the colour - I'll know by close of play.
Wantanewnoble said:
There is nothing like a positive view when you are on the way to making a commitment yourself. Two good, hugely enthusiatic reviews. The GT3RS idea is now ditched and I am off to replace the N400 with an order for the V12V this afternoon. I too intend to use as an (almost) daily drive (maybe the Land Rover during the harshest winter days). One final decision (the lightweight sport seats and the B&O are settled) is the colour - I'll know by close of play.
I think you are definitely making the right move to go for the V12V. The GT3RS is a great performance car, but I wouldn't want to use it as an every day car, and it doesn't offer near the same overall package that the Aston does. One suggestion I would make for your new car, which I wish I had done quicker, is to get it detailed at the dealer before you pick it up. A good detail brings out the colour really well and protects the car for quite a few months. There is a thread on here about detailing if you want to look at it. I have now had my car detailed, and it looks fantastic. Having spent the money I have on this car, there will be no more car washes for me - I have now taught myself how to wash and care for the car properly - not a chore though - just another pleasure.
Also while I am making suggestions. I was offered chip and scratch insurance at the dealer. But because I have a friend who deals in performance cars, and he is connected with a good paint shop, I thought I could just sort any issues out privately. Anyways about a week ago I was moving onto a slip road coming off a motorway, and passed a large truck. To my horrow a bolt or something metal fell off the truck and landed straight onto my roof, scratching the hell out of it. I was absolutely gutted because it isn't something that is easily fixed - in fact it needs a total roof respray and will need the front windscreen removed to do it. This isn't something a private paint shop would take on lightly, and the one I wanted didn't want to do it, especially with this car. Never mind the warranty issues. Since the excess on my insurance is pretty high, this was going to cost me a fortune to put right. So I wish now I had taken up this chip insurance. I have now gone ahead and done so, but it obviously can't be used for this issue - so it is going to cost me to put it right.
Lucky for me, Stratstone have come to the rescue (which is why I think Aston Martins customer service is so brilliant), and bent over backwards to do it at the best price possible, so luckily I will not come out of this too badly burnt. But hopefully my lesson, might help prevent somebody else from making the same mistake.
Anyways let me know what you end up with - colour and options. Best of luck.
LongLiveTazio said:
A bit OT but I've had dealings with Stratstone BMW and they were fantastic.
Perhaps, but I am an American, and I expect good customer service. My own view is that we don't recognise and encourage it enough in Britain, and we should. Stratstone have been brilliant so far - as I would expect from an Aston Martin dealer, however I have run into some bad car dealers in my time, who once they take your money, don't give a damn. Great customer service is one of Aston Martin key differentiators in my mind.Tacitus said:
LongLiveTazio said:
A bit OT but I've had dealings with Stratstone BMW and they were fantastic.
Perhaps, but I am an American, and I expect good customer service. My own view is that we don't recognise and encourage it enough in Britain, and we should. Stratstone have been brilliant so far - as I would expect from an Aston Martin dealer, however I have run into some bad car dealers in my time, who once they take your money, don't give a damn. Great customer service is one of Aston Martin key differentiators in my mind.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff