Anyone NOT like the V12 Vantage?
Discussion
A strange request perhaps but I'm teetering on the edge of taking the plunge and in the interests of balance I wouldn't mind hearing from some of those who decided against one and why.
I've had the pleasure of a DBS's company for a whole day but I haven't driven the V12 Vantage. I can only imagine it can only be even more to my liking but even with some of the pre christmas bargains out there it's still a lot of money to put on a car I haven't driven! Also, it's not the best time of year for any meaningful test drive either.
I've had the pleasure of a DBS's company for a whole day but I haven't driven the V12 Vantage. I can only imagine it can only be even more to my liking but even with some of the pre christmas bargains out there it's still a lot of money to put on a car I haven't driven! Also, it's not the best time of year for any meaningful test drive either.
I test drove one and decided against one im afraid 
....until I can afford it
when they are 3 years old and the price of a V8 I will have enough saved up in my car fund to trade my V8 in for one ....I cant wait
...so go for it if you can get the right deal that suits your financial circumstance
....until I can afford it
when they are 3 years old and the price of a V8 I will have enough saved up in my car fund to trade my V8 in for one ....I cant wait
...so go for it if you can get the right deal that suits your financial circumstance
There are plenty for sale with less than 2000 miles on them. I'd be interested to know why.
I'm looking at one that was traded in against a porsche speedster. the mind boggles why anyone in their right mind would want to do that? Or is there something I don't know about the V12 Vantage.
Surely it's just the DBS power, torque, and sound effects in a more agile, responsive chassis? I'd expect a more polished set up than either of the DBS's two options and more feelsome steering too. And a much more acute sense of 'big engine in small car' syndrome?
I'm looking at one that was traded in against a porsche speedster. the mind boggles why anyone in their right mind would want to do that? Or is there something I don't know about the V12 Vantage.
Surely it's just the DBS power, torque, and sound effects in a more agile, responsive chassis? I'd expect a more polished set up than either of the DBS's two options and more feelsome steering too. And a much more acute sense of 'big engine in small car' syndrome?
I think you will find a few for sale are ex demo cars ...
theres nothing "wrong" with it, although I do think a lot of people dont "get" them and maybe think they are like an Aston kind of "RS" as in GT3RS, but they are not that extreme and certainly more useable IMO
...its just like a V8 Vantage wound up to 11 on the dial IMO anyway and Id sooner have one over anything German or Italian at the price
theres nothing "wrong" with it, although I do think a lot of people dont "get" them and maybe think they are like an Aston kind of "RS" as in GT3RS, but they are not that extreme and certainly more useable IMO
...its just like a V8 Vantage wound up to 11 on the dial IMO anyway and Id sooner have one over anything German or Italian at the price
Test drove one briefly.
Lots more urge than the std car. Doesn't feel any heavier so the handling etc is familiar to V8 owners. Possibly a bit more pointy at the front even. Brakes and seats are very good.
But...I'm personally not convinced it's worth the premium over a 4.3 or 4.7 (YMMV of course). As mentioned, it has a lot more poke. But I wonder just how often you'd really get to use it day to day.
The sound's different, but not better IMO. I dislike the std wheels (a lot) and am not a big fan of the sill extensions either (on any V8). Or the lower front grille carbon bits (the rear carbon's OK, but still a bit clumsy). And I hate the gear knob (While I'm at it, the latest graphics on the dash are not an improvement. Nor are MY10 onward wing mirrors).
If it were available with a paddle shift I'd probably overlook most/all the aesthetic bits I dislike. But I'm still not sure it would stop me looking very closely at a bunch of other options at similar amounts (new and used), simply because it's not *that* different to my current car - which is in no way a bad thing at all. But with a price to change that must be 60k or more? Nah.
As and when I change, will see what they're selling for. But suspect I'll be having a close look at cars like the DBS, the 599, the 430 Scuderia and a number of other things. Yes, they'll possibly need perhaps another 20k-30k or so to buy. But they'll be suitably different and in some areas a huge step up, so will warrant it.
Lots more urge than the std car. Doesn't feel any heavier so the handling etc is familiar to V8 owners. Possibly a bit more pointy at the front even. Brakes and seats are very good.
But...I'm personally not convinced it's worth the premium over a 4.3 or 4.7 (YMMV of course). As mentioned, it has a lot more poke. But I wonder just how often you'd really get to use it day to day.
The sound's different, but not better IMO. I dislike the std wheels (a lot) and am not a big fan of the sill extensions either (on any V8). Or the lower front grille carbon bits (the rear carbon's OK, but still a bit clumsy). And I hate the gear knob
(While I'm at it, the latest graphics on the dash are not an improvement. Nor are MY10 onward wing mirrors).If it were available with a paddle shift I'd probably overlook most/all the aesthetic bits I dislike. But I'm still not sure it would stop me looking very closely at a bunch of other options at similar amounts (new and used), simply because it's not *that* different to my current car - which is in no way a bad thing at all. But with a price to change that must be 60k or more? Nah.
As and when I change, will see what they're selling for. But suspect I'll be having a close look at cars like the DBS, the 599, the 430 Scuderia and a number of other things. Yes, they'll possibly need perhaps another 20k-30k or so to buy. But they'll be suitably different and in some areas a huge step up, so will warrant it.
If I were buying new again and I hadn't already bought a Vantage then it would be the V12 without question. Whilst I agree with several things Murph has mentioned above, I disagree on the issue of sound.....imho, no v8 can match it (let's keep it a Tubi-free thread Murph 
)
This is not really addressing the OP question but the conundrum V8 owners have is, as Murph suggests, handing over £60k plus to sit behind the wheel of another, albeit faster, Vantage. To some that will make sense but for me, probably because medium term ownership brings a certain level of familiarity and acceptance of the shape, I'd take the DBS.
)This is not really addressing the OP question but the conundrum V8 owners have is, as Murph suggests, handing over £60k plus to sit behind the wheel of another, albeit faster, Vantage. To some that will make sense but for me, probably because medium term ownership brings a certain level of familiarity and acceptance of the shape, I'd take the DBS.
Steve*B said:
...no v8 can match it (let's keep it a Tubi-free thread Murph )....
But you said "no V8" )....
Just looked at OP's garage. None of my post is especially relevant to his dilemma, except to give the "other view"
I reckon the V12V would be a natural "next car"
Edited to add, just avoid a blue interior.Edited by Murph7355 on Sunday 5th December 23:31
So is the Tuscan staying or going? and I thought you lot over the water were sinking and needed bailing out?
I'm keeping my eyes open, as the Vanquish has been thrown in to the toy box with the rest due to friend buying a very similar one.
It1s a v12 thing that attracts me, The v12v is a tasty looking contender but its the the soft hour glass curves that I'd change if anything. I prefer the lumpy Sumo stance of the Vanquish ,
Just cant seem to find my next toy.I like the old Diablo but it would not be practical for me and just end up in the box with the others.
Usualy I'm an impulse buyer,from the heart, see something I like and just buy it. If I have to think about it or ask others I don't really want it.
Go see the v12v press the Go button and then judge for yourself,
spend your own cash, don't let us decide for you.
The other thing you may want to look at is the depreation costs if you dont see your new babe wait because there only going to get cheaper.
The Vanquish has been a total joy and pleasure to own
there are only a few bad reports about Aston ownership, but hey coming from tvr youll be allright with a few quirks.
Try one
I Might go to 3 wheels and try to buy my mates Tiger Moth again.
I'm keeping my eyes open, as the Vanquish has been thrown in to the toy box with the rest due to friend buying a very similar one.
It1s a v12 thing that attracts me, The v12v is a tasty looking contender but its the the soft hour glass curves that I'd change if anything. I prefer the lumpy Sumo stance of the Vanquish ,
Just cant seem to find my next toy.I like the old Diablo but it would not be practical for me and just end up in the box with the others.
Usualy I'm an impulse buyer,from the heart, see something I like and just buy it. If I have to think about it or ask others I don't really want it.
Go see the v12v press the Go button and then judge for yourself,
spend your own cash, don't let us decide for you.The other thing you may want to look at is the depreation costs if you dont see your new babe wait because there only going to get cheaper.
The Vanquish has been a total joy and pleasure to own
there are only a few bad reports about Aston ownership, but hey coming from tvr youll be allright with a few quirks.
Try one
I Might go to 3 wheels and try to buy my mates Tiger Moth again.
Edited by froggie on Monday 6th December 02:35
Edited by froggie on Monday 6th December 06:20
Steve*B said:
If I were buying new again and I hadn't already bought a Vantage then it would be the V12 without question. Whilst I agree with several things Murph has mentioned above, I disagree on the issue of sound.....imho, no v8 can match it (let's keep it a Tubi-free thread Murph )
This is not really addressing the OP question but the conundrum V8 owners have is, as Murph suggests, handing over £60k plus to sit behind the wheel of another, albeit faster, Vantage. To some that will make sense but for me, probably because medium term ownership brings a certain level of familiarity and acceptance of the shape, I'd take the DBS.
When I had a factory tour the chap made a point of telling us that the V12 Vantage shares 80% of it's Powertrain with the DBS, as well as interior fittings. I suppose this means that most of what you get ends up being in the feel of the car rather than where you sit as the customer. )This is not really addressing the OP question but the conundrum V8 owners have is, as Murph suggests, handing over £60k plus to sit behind the wheel of another, albeit faster, Vantage. To some that will make sense but for me, probably because medium term ownership brings a certain level of familiarity and acceptance of the shape, I'd take the DBS.
So it's really a short wheelbase DBS then, cool. a la Quattro Sport.
Froggie you can rest assured that I won't base my decision on what people post here but it's helpful to glean more information about the car from people who have experienced it.
My problem with the V12V is that, for the list price I think it should be lighter and faster than the DBS. However I can understand that Aston Martin might not want to upstage their flagship model, especially with a cheaper car. It's perhaps already brave of them to offer the same weight and performance for less money. But when it comes to parting with my own money the DBS is already too much of a stretch for me, as is the V12Vantage at list price. For me to consider parting with £140k on a car it would have to be closer to my idea of perfect.
As previously stated a V12V worth £140k (to me) would rev to 7500, preferably 8000, have nearer 550 bhp and have different, preferably even lighter, wheels and no electric seats. I'm quite partial to an all alcantara interior too.
However the standard car is worth around £100k to me. £40k off list for a very low mileage example is very tempting.
The spec might fall just short of my dream spec but it still has the key ingredients for me - a V12, manual gearbox, stunning interior (and exterior) and it's British.
Froggie you can rest assured that I won't base my decision on what people post here but it's helpful to glean more information about the car from people who have experienced it.
My problem with the V12V is that, for the list price I think it should be lighter and faster than the DBS. However I can understand that Aston Martin might not want to upstage their flagship model, especially with a cheaper car. It's perhaps already brave of them to offer the same weight and performance for less money. But when it comes to parting with my own money the DBS is already too much of a stretch for me, as is the V12Vantage at list price. For me to consider parting with £140k on a car it would have to be closer to my idea of perfect.
As previously stated a V12V worth £140k (to me) would rev to 7500, preferably 8000, have nearer 550 bhp and have different, preferably even lighter, wheels and no electric seats. I'm quite partial to an all alcantara interior too.
However the standard car is worth around £100k to me. £40k off list for a very low mileage example is very tempting.
The spec might fall just short of my dream spec but it still has the key ingredients for me - a V12, manual gearbox, stunning interior (and exterior) and it's British.
The Pits said:
So it's really a short wheelbase DBS then, cool. a la Quattro Sport.
Froggie you can rest assured that I won't base my decision on what people post here but it's helpful to glean more information about the car from people who have experienced it.
My problem with the V12V is that, for the list price I think it should be lighter and faster than the DBS. However I can understand that Aston Martin might not want to upstage their flagship model, especially with a cheaper car. It's perhaps already brave of them to offer the same weight and performance for less money. But when it comes to parting with my own money the DBS is already too much of a stretch for me, as is the V12Vantage at list price. For me to consider parting with £140k on a car it would have to be closer to my idea of perfect.
As previously stated a V12V worth £140k (to me) would rev to 7500, preferably 8000, have nearer 550 bhp and have different, preferably even lighter, wheels and no electric seats. I'm quite partial to an all alcantara interior too.
However the standard car is worth around £100k to me. £40k off list for a very low mileage example is very tempting.
The spec might fall just short of my dream spec but it still has the key ingredients for me - a V12, manual gearbox, stunning interior (and exterior) and it's British.
Good viewpoint. Bearing in mind the few options offered on the V12 Vantage how much would you actually change from a dealer stock version? After all, lightweight seats can be added later if you wanted - a paintshop can change the colour, parking sensors can probably be added. The only things that can't be changed are the sound system (not very easily) and the leather (at least not easily)Froggie you can rest assured that I won't base my decision on what people post here but it's helpful to glean more information about the car from people who have experienced it.
My problem with the V12V is that, for the list price I think it should be lighter and faster than the DBS. However I can understand that Aston Martin might not want to upstage their flagship model, especially with a cheaper car. It's perhaps already brave of them to offer the same weight and performance for less money. But when it comes to parting with my own money the DBS is already too much of a stretch for me, as is the V12Vantage at list price. For me to consider parting with £140k on a car it would have to be closer to my idea of perfect.
As previously stated a V12V worth £140k (to me) would rev to 7500, preferably 8000, have nearer 550 bhp and have different, preferably even lighter, wheels and no electric seats. I'm quite partial to an all alcantara interior too.
However the standard car is worth around £100k to me. £40k off list for a very low mileage example is very tempting.
The spec might fall just short of my dream spec but it still has the key ingredients for me - a V12, manual gearbox, stunning interior (and exterior) and it's British.
https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...
Not a bad list of options for the price IMHO.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the V12 Vantage other than being an understated supercar. The DBS is much more "in your face" - still beautiful but not very low key. The V12 Vantage is just that. It is also slightly more practical than the DBS with shorter overhang, better boot and which was a surprise for me, bit more space for the 6+ ft driver. Go and drive it and then decide.
PS: More horsepower than the 520 on tap is pointless as you cannot get all that power down on the road anyway. This car has power in abundance which makes a thrilling acceleration in any gear.
PS: More horsepower than the 520 on tap is pointless as you cannot get all that power down on the road anyway. This car has power in abundance which makes a thrilling acceleration in any gear.
clorenzen said:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the V12 Vantage other than being an understated supercar. The DBS is much more "in your face" - still beautiful but not very low key. The V12 Vantage is just that. It is also slightly more practical than the DBS with shorter overhang, better boot and which was a surprise for me, bit more space for the 6+ ft driver. Go and drive it and then decide.
PS: More horsepower than the 520 on tap is pointless as you cannot get all that power down on the road anyway. This car has power in abundance which makes a thrilling acceleration in any gear.
+1 spot on..! PS: More horsepower than the 520 on tap is pointless as you cannot get all that power down on the road anyway. This car has power in abundance which makes a thrilling acceleration in any gear.
I have to say it's a surprise to me that there are such good deals to be had on the V12. I mean, they are struggling to command a premium over the 4.7 V8 at the moment. The DBS prices by contrast have definitely firmed up.
I keep forgetting the obvious fact but I can only imagine that it's because the majority of people who buy expensive cars do so to show off. As such there's no question a DBS is better for showing off in than a V12V, which to the untrained eye is 'just' another V8 Vantage. To the average Joe it probably says no more than '£80k' whereas the DBS says 'big money', so I guess you don't get much of a return on your £140k if you're into showing off.
I thought the UK had a traditional fondness for 'drivers cars'. I think the UK was the 2nd biggest market for the Lancia Integrale outside Germany. I only mention it because it was only available in LHD, quite a testament to this country's passion for cars. It was a similar story to the original Audi Quattro, initially only available in LHD.
For me the relative understatement of the Vantage is a huge bonus and ultimately makes the car more useable.
I keep forgetting the obvious fact but I can only imagine that it's because the majority of people who buy expensive cars do so to show off. As such there's no question a DBS is better for showing off in than a V12V, which to the untrained eye is 'just' another V8 Vantage. To the average Joe it probably says no more than '£80k' whereas the DBS says 'big money', so I guess you don't get much of a return on your £140k if you're into showing off.
I thought the UK had a traditional fondness for 'drivers cars'. I think the UK was the 2nd biggest market for the Lancia Integrale outside Germany. I only mention it because it was only available in LHD, quite a testament to this country's passion for cars. It was a similar story to the original Audi Quattro, initially only available in LHD.
For me the relative understatement of the Vantage is a huge bonus and ultimately makes the car more useable.
Firstly, I love the idea of a V12V, and hopefully will get one at some point (maybe when they do a V12VR - like half the rest of this forum ) but every so often I look at one (or a picture of one) and can't help but think that it's not as beautiful as the V8. Obviously it's a very personal thing but I'm not convinced by the extra vents in the bonnet (for example), althought I DO like the V12V alloys... for want of a better way of putting it, it doesn't look as "classy" to me - it's slightly more in-your-face, and part of the reason I like Astons is that they don't scream look-at-me as much as a ferrari etc.
Very subjective, so not much help of course but it does answer your original question! Oh and my view on this changes almost daily!
) but every so often I look at one (or a picture of one) and can't help but think that it's not as beautiful as the V8. Obviously it's a very personal thing but I'm not convinced by the extra vents in the bonnet (for example), althought I DO like the V12V alloys... for want of a better way of putting it, it doesn't look as "classy" to me - it's slightly more in-your-face, and part of the reason I like Astons is that they don't scream look-at-me as much as a ferrari etc. Very subjective, so not much help of course but it does answer your original question! Oh and my view on this changes almost daily!
Edited by Montezooma on Monday 6th December 14:29
Nothing wrong at all with the V12V - the only reason there is alot of them around at the moment is the time of year. It is a much more hardcore focused car than the DBS and with the semislick Corsa tyres on it is hardly the car to drive in the snow. I know its silly but right now people are buying 4x4 jeeps and land rovers, and summer sports cars are stuck on the shelves and thus its a damn good time to buy! Just wait until late spring - I reckon the prices will firm up big time then.
Get it bought and stop worrying about whats wrong and focus on whats right about it... There is lots of things people can say about "Whats right about a V12V!"
Good luck
Get it bought and stop worrying about whats wrong and focus on whats right about it... There is lots of things people can say about "Whats right about a V12V!"
Good luck
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