V12V Roadster?

[martinvantage]

Just driven the coupe and its fantastic. Can only endorse others previous reports. Its expensive, but I sense that there may be deals to be done. Question for me is will the soft top arrive, if so when and will it damage coupe residuals? Anyone with experience of those corsa tyres in the wet?
Thoughts?

[Tacitus]

I haven't had any issues driving my car in the wet so far, and I have done so with reasonable speed on several occasions. However I am conscious of what other people have said about this, so I am being careful. I am more worried about when the roads start to freeze, to see how these tires perform.

As far as a roadster version of this car goes here is the only link to it I have seen:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/109051219320/aston-mar...

However I thought Aston Martin weren't going to put it into production. So who knows??

[n66wbs]

Tacitus said:

I haven't had any issues driving my car in the wet so far, and I have done so with reasonable speed on several occasions. However I am conscious of what other people have said about this, so I am being careful. I am more worried about when the roads start to freeze, to see how these tires perform.

As far as a roadster version of this car goes here is the only link to it I have seen:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/109051219320/aston-mar...

However I thought Aston Martin weren't going to put it into production. So who knows??

Looking at the wheels this car has - which are the standard 19"s - it can't have the ceramic brakes as fitted to the V12, they don't fit on these wheels, so may be a body-kitted car?

Good luck with the tyres, they recommend you change them below 7C to winter ones...

[clorenzen]

Just took delivery of my V12 Vantage. What a fantastic car. Did some 100 miles this afternoon in the Surrey Hills and it is absolutely awesome. Extremely quick with lots of torque in every gear and feels as if it is moulded out of one single piece of aluminum with no squeaks or movements. Where my DB9 tended to understeer the V12 Vantage corners on rails. It quite likes to get the tail out especially on bumpy corners but the steering is so direct that it is easy and very fun to control. This is a drivers car par excellence. Can't wait to explore it a bit further tomorrow. Will post some pics as well.

Edited by clorenzen on Saturday 3rd October 22:39

[Tacitus]

clorenzen said:

Just took delivery of my V12 Vantage. What a fantastic car. Did some 100 miles this afternoon in the Surrey Hills and it is absolutely awesome. Extremely quick with lots of torque in every gear and feels as if it is moulded out of one single piece of aluminum with no squeaks or movements. Where my DB9 tended to understeer the V12 Vantage corners on rails. It quite likes to get the tail out especially on bumpy corners but the steering is so direct that it is easy and very fun to control. This is a drivers car par excellence. Can't wait to explore it a bit further tomorrow. Will post some pics as well.

Not sure about deals to be done. Managed to get some bits and pieces thrown in but

Congratulations!! It is indeed a special car. Enjoy. It would seem these cars are starting to sell now - I suspect Aston Martin will not have a problem shifting all 1000 of these. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your car. I took mine to Oulton Park today to watch the racing and parked it up. People practically mobbed the car, at one point there must have been about 19 or so people standing there looking at it. I ended up having to lift the hood to show people the engine. You will definitely get noticed.

[clorenzen]

I agree Tacitus. The car is spectacular. The dealer told me that he had taken a DBS in exchange for a V12 Vantage last week. That really tells the story of how good this car is. I think this will be an all time great - certainly a keeper. Enjoy your sunday!. I will take a trip to Goodwood breakfast meeting tomorrow very early - weather permitting.

[bogie]

congrats

ive only had 30mins in one as a passenger and that was enough to put it to the top of my "must have" list for sure ....its like everything in my Vantage, dialled up to 10 ...awesome car

[XXXAngelXXX]

Tacitus said:

As far as a roadster version of this car goes here is the only link to it I have seen:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/109051219320/aston-mar...

i got another pic of this car which is showing the license plate and its a 4.7l V8 (according to DVLA) with a body kit



PS: btw congrats on the V12V - Clorenzen - its a fantastic car !!

Edited by XXXAngelXXX on Sunday 4th October 07:14

[Tacitus]

XXXAngelXXX said:

Tacitus said:

As far as a roadster version of this car goes here is the only link to it I have seen:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/109051219320/aston-mar...

i got another pic of this car which is showing the license plate and its a 4.7l V8 (according to DVLA) with a body kit



PS: btw congrats on the V12V - Clorenzen - its a fantastic car !!

Edited by XXXAngelXXX on Sunday 4th October 07:14

I know, it is definitely a V8 body, but I think they are testing the V12 for some reason in this car - or at least I think that is what I read somewheres.

[Wantanewnoble]

Tacitus said:

clorenzen said:

Just took delivery of my V12 Vantage. What a fantastic car. Did some 100 miles this afternoon in the Surrey Hills and it is absolutely awesome. Extremely quick with lots of torque in every gear and feels as if it is moulded out of one single piece of aluminum with no squeaks or movements. Where my DB9 tended to understeer the V12 Vantage corners on rails. It quite likes to get the tail out especially on bumpy corners but the steering is so direct that it is easy and very fun to control. This is a drivers car par excellence. Can't wait to explore it a bit further tomorrow. Will post some pics as well.

Not sure about deals to be done. Managed to get some bits and pieces thrown in but

Congratulations!! It is indeed a special car. Enjoy. It would seem these cars are starting to sell now - I suspect Aston Martin will not have a problem shifting all 1000 of these. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your car. I took mine to Oulton Park today to watch the racing and parked it up. People practically mobbed the car, at one point there must have been about 19 or so people standing there looking at it. I ended up having to lift the hood to show people the engine. You will definitely get noticed.

It's great to see this car starting to move. I was told on Friday that the past month has been the best in two years for this particular AM dealer across the entire Aston range. Discounts are going to be tough to obtain for those have waited/are waiting although trade-ins are firming up. My car is due by the end of November. What spec did you guys go for. You can never be sure but this car has all the makings of a classic if any modern car is going to. Congrats on choosing a fantastic car.

[Wantanewnoble]

I have been led to believe that there are no plans for a roadster or anything other than the current manual coupe. There is a current trend for soft tops to be produced (except the Porsche GT3/GT3RS models) but the V12V should remain as intended IMO - it suits the car.

Anyone know how the tyres compare to the GT3's including tread depth ? I found the GT3 to occasionally not disperse water very quickly and a need to be wary. Awesome in the dry (as was the V12V when I test drove it).

[Tacitus]

Wantanewnoble said:

It's great to see this car starting to move. I was told on Friday that the past month has been the best in two years for this particular AM dealer across the entire Aston range. Discounts are going to be tough to obtain for those have waited/are waiting although trade-ins are firming up. My car is due by the end of November. What spec did you guys go for. You can never be sure but this car has all the makings of a classic if any modern car is going to. Congrats on choosing a fantastic car.

Yes that is pretty much what I have heard - that sales of this car are indeed moving. From my point of view it would be good if they sell the whole 1000 target. It will just make the value of our cars hold up - so long as Aston Martin don't start to produce more than promised - and I have it on good advice that they intend to stick to their promise.

As far as the spec on my car goes I opted for everything except for the B&O system, and the garage opener. I will be really curious to hear how the B&O system compares to the Premium system I opted for. I couldn't justify the £3k plus price for it - I may regret that decision if I ever hear the B&O. Mind you I feel guilty every time I turn the music on - because I feel the need to just listen to that beautiful engine noise. What spec have you gone for ??? I bet you are like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for your car to come!

On another note, I am in discussion with the company that makes the leather saddleware for the back of the V8 / DBS. For some reason they make it for the V8 for the top shelf in the boot of the car, which seems absolutely pointless to me. If you are going to spend several thousand pounds on leather ware, you want people to be able to see it - not squirreled away in the boot. I have asked them whether they can do it for the rear shelf in the cabin of the V12V - which is what they do for the DBS. I am still waiting to hear back from them - they were quite busy in prep for the Frankfurt show when I spoke to them.

[Wantanewnoble]

Tacitus said:

Wantanewnoble said:

It's great to see this car starting to move. I was told on Friday that the past month has been the best in two years for this particular AM dealer across the entire Aston range. Discounts are going to be tough to obtain for those have waited/are waiting although trade-ins are firming up. My car is due by the end of November. What spec did you guys go for. You can never be sure but this car has all the makings of a classic if any modern car is going to. Congrats on choosing a fantastic car.

Yes that is pretty much what I have heard - that sales of this car are indeed moving. From my point of view it would be good if they sell the whole 1000 target. It will just make the value of our cars hold up - so long as Aston Martin don't start to produce more than promised - and I have it on good advice that they intend to stick to their promise.

As far as the spec on my car goes I opted for everything except for the B&O system, and the garage opener. I will be really curious to hear how the B&O system compares to the Premium system I opted for. I couldn't justify the £3k plus price for it - I may regret that decision if I ever hear the B&O. Mind you I feel guilty every time I turn the music on - because I feel the need to just listen to that beautiful engine noise. What spec have you gone for ??? I bet you are like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for your car to come!

On another note, I am in discussion with the company that makes the leather saddleware for the back of the V8 / DBS. For some reason they make it for the V8 for the top shelf in the boot of the car, which seems absolutely pointless to me. If you are going to spend several thousand pounds on leather ware, you want people to be able to see it - not squirreled away in the boot. I have asked them whether they can do it for the rear shelf in the cabin of the V12V - which is what they do for the DBS. I am still waiting to hear back from them - they were quite busy in prep for the Frankfurt show when I spoke to them.

I too have gone for most things - including light weight carbon/kevlar seats, leather & alcantara, light weight carpets, front parking sensors, piano black etc. etc. and also left out the garage opener. I have gone for the B&O and silver sill plates to pick up the silver in the door speakers. Cat on a hot tin roof is about right especially as I give up my N400 Roadster early (tomorrow) as part of the deal. The land rover won't quite cut it for the next 8 weeks. Still it will make the arrival that little bit more special.

[clorenzen]

Took the car to the Surrey Hills on Saturday and then down to Goodwood for the Sunday Breakfast meet where it created a stir. It is a fabulous machine. All the things which were still at bit on the "development" or "to be improved" stage on the db9 are completely sorted on the V12V. The suspension and damping is first class - on par with my Porsche turbo. The power delivery is completely linear in all gears which is much better than the turbo which comes in two phases - with or without turbo boost. The db9 tended to understeer into corners and felt a bit wobbly - not the V12V which corners on rails. The steering is direct and quite meaty which I like and the clutch and gears are better than the first months in the Porsche. Did not stall a single time - mainly because the torque bails you out if you release the clutch too early. This is the best sports car that I have driven. It feels much more responsive and direct than my partners 599 which only starts to impress once you are twice over the legal speed limit. The V12 is nice, small and somewhat understated in the process. A true masterpiece and a happy owner.

I pretty much ticked all the boxes except the B&O stereo. Despite being a dane my national pride does not extend to spending 4 grand on a car stereo. I have not listened to the stereo since I got the car yesterday anyway so nothing missed. Color is Hammerhead which I guess is yours as well Tacitus?.

Edited by clorenzen on Sunday 4th October 20:40

Edited by clorenzen on Sunday 4th October 20:52

Edited by clorenzen on Sunday 4th October 20:53

[Tacitus]

clorenzen said:

Took the car to the Surrey Hills on Saturday and then down to Goodwood for the Sunday Breakfast meet where it created a stir. It is a fabulous machine. All the things which were still at bit on the "development" or "to be improved" stage on the db9 are completely sorted on the V12V. The suspension and damping is first class - on par with my Porsche turbo. The power delivery is completely linear in all gears which is much better than the turbo which comes in two phases - with or without turbo boost. The db9 tended to understeer into corners and felt a bit wobbly - not the V12V which corners on rails. The steering is direct and quite meaty which I like and the clutch and gears are better than the first months in the Porsche. Did not stall a single time - mainly because the torque bails you out if you release the clutch too early. This is the best sports car that I have driven. It feels much more responsive and direct than my partners 599 which only starts to impress once you are twice over the legal speed limit. The V12 is nice, small and somewhat understated in the process. A true masterpiece and a happy owner.

I pretty much ticked all the boxes except the B&O stereo. Despite being a dane my national pride does not extend to spending 4 grand on a car stereo. I have not listened to the stereo since I got the car yesterday anyway so nothing missed. Color is Hammerhead which I guess is yours as well Tacitus?.

Yes, I opted for the Hammerhead silver because it was pretty darn close to the color I had on my V8. Great review, it sounds like you really have experience with performance cars, and that you personally rate this car so highly is impressive. The one thing I am really discovering with this car is that I definitely need to go on the performance driving course that Aston run at Millbrook. There is so much power in this car that it scares me sometimes, and I am have quickly realised that I need to improve my driving skills. Not because it doesn't save you from stupid mistakes, but because it is so special, you just want to be able to handle the performance properly. Oh but it is so much fun!! What was the Goodwood Breakfast thing like - were there lots of Masarati's there (my second favorite car)???

[clorenzen]

Goodwood was busy and there were loads of Maseratis and much other exotica as the weather was brilliant. IMO Maserati only cracked the real sportscar code with the Gran Sport and the Quattroporte which are great looking cars. They had the Gran Sports Cabrio there which - albeit quite large - looked good. Never driven one but if I were in the market for a family saloon the Quattroporte is much nicer than the Panamera.

[Tacitus]

Wantanewnoble said:

I too have gone for most things - including light weight carbon/kevlar seats, leather & alcantara, light weight carpets, front parking sensors, piano black etc. etc. and also left out the garage opener. I have gone for the B&O and silver sill plates to pick up the silver in the door speakers. Cat on a hot tin roof is about right especially as I give up my N400 Roadster early (tomorrow) as part of the deal. The land rover won't quite cut it for the next 8 weeks. Still it will make the arrival that little bit more special.

You have my sympathy. I remember before I got mine, I went on holiday for a week - sitting by the side of a pool (which I am not good at, at the best of times). All I could think about the whole time was getting back to pick up my car. It was a very long week - and probably very frustrating for my partner, because all she heard me do the whole holiday was talk about the car. Hopefully you can stay busy enough so that time flys by. Before I decided to buy the car, I must of watched the Top Gear episode of the V12V about three times a day (maybe it will help you too) - I was well and truly smitten.

[Tacitus]

clorenzen said:

Goodwood was busy and there were loads of Maseratis and much other exotica as the weather was brilliant. IMO Maserati only cracked the real sportscar code with the Gran Sport and the Quattroporte which are great looking cars. They had the Gran Sports Cabrio there which - albeit quite large - looked good. Never driven one but if I were in the market for a family saloon the Quattroporte is much nicer than the Panamera.

I know, Maserati's are notorious for being unreliable, but there is something beautiful about them all the same. Hopefully one day they will put it all together. Biased as I am, I love the picture of your car - it's fantastic, wonderful, wonderful wonderful - now where have I seen one like that before ???

[n66wbs]

Out of interest - what is the verdict on the lightweight seats? Are they a must have item??

[clorenzen]

Absolutely yes. They are an integral part of the car and one of the areas where they clawed back some of the excess weight coming from the V12 engine.