Discussion
I find it a very close call and not sure which I'd go for.
DBS pros:
slightly less expensive at the moment
tiny back seats available
slightly better looking? (undecided on this one)
V12V pros:
less of them?
better handling? certainly more responsive
better on a track vs not quite as good on the motorway
slightly less likely to depreciate as much?
how do you lot out there call it?
DBS pros:
slightly less expensive at the moment
tiny back seats available
slightly better looking? (undecided on this one)
V12V pros:
less of them?
better handling? certainly more responsive
better on a track vs not quite as good on the motorway
slightly less likely to depreciate as much?
how do you lot out there call it?
but i have to admit that the V12V is hmm lets say sharper to drive 
Yes I saw that thanks but the film would have been equally good and made just as much sense with a DBS in it.
However did you notice how many times clarkson hit the limiter? I've said it before and I'll say it again I'd already have one of these AMV12s in my garage if they were allowed to rev even a little bit higher. I had hoped the Vantage would be the one AM let off the leash (the prototype had 600bhp) and that for me would have clinched the deal. I've never had a V12 engined car but I have always wanted one. No V8 or V10 comes close. While the AMV12 demonstrates the extraordinary torque a big V12 can produce probably better than any other V12, the high rev scream is and always has been for me the most enjoyable part. The DB9 does the impressive torque thing very well (virtually the same torque as the DBS) and that's probably right for the DB9. The DBS and especially the V12 Vantage (aston's most hardcore sports car) deserve a bit more. Heck 7400 would probably be enough. There's just this feeling of the rev limiter cutting in just as it's really getting fun that's getting in the way for me. Sounds like it got in clarkson's way quite a lot too.
The classic demonstration of the testarossa's flat 12 was to pull away in top gear. I always felt 'so what'. It was all about how it sounded near the redline. In the case of the TR it was too focused on the bottom end. Ferrari's F1 V12's were what I wanted aspired to, not a tug boat engine.
I think the DBS has the edge on looks but the Vantage is still a very handsome thing. I enjoyed the company of a DBS for a day earlier in the year. It's a wonderful car. Savagely fast. Far cooler than any Ferrari or Porsche. But I suspect I would enjoy the sharper drive of the V12V more.
However did you notice how many times clarkson hit the limiter? I've said it before and I'll say it again I'd already have one of these AMV12s in my garage if they were allowed to rev even a little bit higher. I had hoped the Vantage would be the one AM let off the leash (the prototype had 600bhp) and that for me would have clinched the deal. I've never had a V12 engined car but I have always wanted one. No V8 or V10 comes close. While the AMV12 demonstrates the extraordinary torque a big V12 can produce probably better than any other V12, the high rev scream is and always has been for me the most enjoyable part. The DB9 does the impressive torque thing very well (virtually the same torque as the DBS) and that's probably right for the DB9. The DBS and especially the V12 Vantage (aston's most hardcore sports car) deserve a bit more. Heck 7400 would probably be enough. There's just this feeling of the rev limiter cutting in just as it's really getting fun that's getting in the way for me. Sounds like it got in clarkson's way quite a lot too.
The classic demonstration of the testarossa's flat 12 was to pull away in top gear. I always felt 'so what'. It was all about how it sounded near the redline. In the case of the TR it was too focused on the bottom end. Ferrari's F1 V12's were what I wanted aspired to, not a tug boat engine.
I think the DBS has the edge on looks but the Vantage is still a very handsome thing. I enjoyed the company of a DBS for a day earlier in the year. It's a wonderful car. Savagely fast. Far cooler than any Ferrari or Porsche. But I suspect I would enjoy the sharper drive of the V12V more.
I've been asking myself the same question, and have driven both. It's a tough call. My conclusion though is the DBS wins, for the road anyways.
The V12V I find too hard, it's track-grade stuff, yet it still tries to be a luxury GT / sportscar for the road too. The DBS has the most amazingly compliant adaptive Bilstein suspension system and in the real world I find it better. On the road all other differences are too marginal really I believe.
I also think the DBS is the best looking of all the modern Astons!
The V12V I find too hard, it's track-grade stuff, yet it still tries to be a luxury GT / sportscar for the road too. The DBS has the most amazingly compliant adaptive Bilstein suspension system and in the real world I find it better. On the road all other differences are too marginal really I believe.
I also think the DBS is the best looking of all the modern Astons!
jus said:
I've been asking myself the same question, and have driven both. It's a tough call. My conclusion though is the DBS wins, for the road anyways.
The V12V I find too hard, it's track-grade stuff, yet it still tries to be a luxury GT / sportscar for the road too. The DBS has the most amazingly compliant adaptive Bilstein suspension system and in the real world I find it better. On the road all other differences are too marginal really I believe.
I also think the DBS is the best looking of all the modern Astons!
I think I'm probably with you on this.The V12V I find too hard, it's track-grade stuff, yet it still tries to be a luxury GT / sportscar for the road too. The DBS has the most amazingly compliant adaptive Bilstein suspension system and in the real world I find it better. On the road all other differences are too marginal really I believe.
I also think the DBS is the best looking of all the modern Astons!
It's such a close call I can't help wondering that Aston should have done a bit more to distinguish them.
Edited by The Pits on Friday 20th November 12:31
The V12V is a great drive but the proportions and styling work better on the DBS I suggest. Only trouble is that that I suspect the V12V may hold its value better ( providing a soft top doesn't follow in the Spring). I suspect I will end up upgrading to a 2+2 DBS also and then begging V12V owners for a quick spin
the V12V might have the edge as the 'drivers car' but the DBS is the better car:
- much more breadth, can do hard and soft
- great adaptive suspension
- with carbon bonnet, boot, door surrounds it's only 15kg heavier yet wider, longer and bigger. Spec lightweight seats and they're the same weight
- with the longer wheelbase you can swing her round every corner on the wet - hilarious fun
- better looking, more mature, sleeker
- bonnet vents actually look integrated, resolved and attractive
- has almost everything as standard
- have WS fit a switchable exhaust bypass and you have racer and quiet GT all in one
I've had mine 12 mths and it's by far the best all rounder I've owned - I still drive around with a daft grin - it's that good
Not taking anything away from the V12V - I'd have that over nearly every other motor - just think the DBS is the better option unless you spend more time at a track...
Good luck!
- much more breadth, can do hard and soft
- great adaptive suspension
- with carbon bonnet, boot, door surrounds it's only 15kg heavier yet wider, longer and bigger. Spec lightweight seats and they're the same weight
- with the longer wheelbase you can swing her round every corner on the wet - hilarious fun
- better looking, more mature, sleeker
- bonnet vents actually look integrated, resolved and attractive
- has almost everything as standard
- have WS fit a switchable exhaust bypass and you have racer and quiet GT all in one
I've had mine 12 mths and it's by far the best all rounder I've owned - I still drive around with a daft grin - it's that good
Not taking anything away from the V12V - I'd have that over nearly every other motor - just think the DBS is the better option unless you spend more time at a track...
Good luck!
Edited by polar8 on Friday 20th November 15:43
I had the same decision to be made between them both, and I don't think it is an easy decision - they are both fantastic cars. However for me the V12V has a more immediate response in terms of performance - that was what decided me when I drove them both back to back. As far as ride comfort goes, I have put over 2300 miles on my V12V and I think the ride comfort is actually quite good, not a problem for every day use. It is not quite as soft as the V8V I drove for 2 years, but it is certainly comfortable enough.
In some ways the DBS is more classically beautiful and the V12V more muscular. However I do like the smaller body shell of the Vantage, which I think is far more practical for everyday driving - i.e. parking in smaller spaces. I have met several people who think the V12V is actually a better looking car, including my partner. I actually think the DBS convertable is breathtaking in beauty. So it really is down to opinion here.
The other thing that decided me is the way the DBS value is starting to fall. I have seen several reviews where they think the DBS is just an enhanced DB9 and not really value for money. This is an opinion of course, and not one I would share (e.g. on Top Gear the other day Clarkson claimed the DBS as one of the best cars in the world). But it does add to the aura surrounding this car, and makes me worry for its future value. Everything I have seen about the V12V has been positive, and I am more confident that it is going to hold its value. In the latest Octane, they have selected the V12V as the car of the decade.
At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference, and I don't really think you can make a bad decision here. They are both incredible cars - performance, looks, interior elegance, and status. Very few cars match them in this combination - if any. So as they say - choose your poison.
In some ways the DBS is more classically beautiful and the V12V more muscular. However I do like the smaller body shell of the Vantage, which I think is far more practical for everyday driving - i.e. parking in smaller spaces. I have met several people who think the V12V is actually a better looking car, including my partner. I actually think the DBS convertable is breathtaking in beauty. So it really is down to opinion here.
The other thing that decided me is the way the DBS value is starting to fall. I have seen several reviews where they think the DBS is just an enhanced DB9 and not really value for money. This is an opinion of course, and not one I would share (e.g. on Top Gear the other day Clarkson claimed the DBS as one of the best cars in the world). But it does add to the aura surrounding this car, and makes me worry for its future value. Everything I have seen about the V12V has been positive, and I am more confident that it is going to hold its value. In the latest Octane, they have selected the V12V as the car of the decade.
At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference, and I don't really think you can make a bad decision here. They are both incredible cars - performance, looks, interior elegance, and status. Very few cars match them in this combination - if any. So as they say - choose your poison.
V12 Vantage because:
- More responsive and a real sports car.
- Small car big engine - just what the doctor ordered.
- For tall people (I'm 6"2) there is more room in the V12 Vantage.
- The hatch opening makes the boot more useable
- More understated than the DBS
...but again these are all marginal points. Both cars a great but I just never considered the DBS having had a DB9 for 4 years and found the DB9 having a more classic shape. Find the DBS Volante the prettiest car of all though.
- More responsive and a real sports car.
- Small car big engine - just what the doctor ordered.
- For tall people (I'm 6"2) there is more room in the V12 Vantage.
- The hatch opening makes the boot more useable
- More understated than the DBS
...but again these are all marginal points. Both cars a great but I just never considered the DBS having had a DB9 for 4 years and found the DB9 having a more classic shape. Find the DBS Volante the prettiest car of all though.
Edited by clorenzen on Saturday 21st November 21:53
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