Calling Lady Topaz (or anyone who went V8VR to V12V)
Discussion
ferdi p said:
I'm sure your the person to ask..
I currently have an N42OR & am thinking to change to a V12V
Do you miss top down motoring & does the extra punch & exclusivity make up for it...????
Hi FerdiI currently have an N42OR & am thinking to change to a V12V
Do you miss top down motoring & does the extra punch & exclusivity make up for it...????
I tried to find the thread where I had answered this in main before, but to no avail.
So in answer to your question....
I was so so happy with my 4.7 V8V, it was a keeper as far as I was concerned, until I drove the V12.
You enter another world. The V12V I find easier to drive, is more responsive, one of the last manual V12's you will possibly ever see. The sound is just awesome. The handling and power, sublime.
I came away drooling but it was out of my price range so it was just a dream.
When I got offered a deal I couldn't refuse, I had to then start really thinking.
I love the Roadster but that , so far!!! is not an option, and if you believe the hype, never going to be one, ( I am firmly of the belief there will be at one stage)
Then I got to thinking. Imho the Coupe is a better looking car compared to a roof up roadster. Roof off, another matter. Realistically in the Uk, unless you are very lucky are there that many days you can go topless?
We drove back from the V12 Vantage meet yesterday, and apart from feeling, like you say, a bit exclusive, even in a lovely weather situation I didnt miss the roof off driving brisquely down the M1 (between the bloody roadworks).
This is the 1st non convertible I have had for as long as I can remember, but unless a V12 Roadster comes out I wouldn't swap it for the world.
Drive the V12, you will then understand what I am saying.
I think the lack of roof down is a small price to pay for such a magnificent car.
Hope that helps
Di
I traded an N400 Roadster for the V12V and I made the right choice for me. I echo Di's view of the difference between cars. I come from a different backround though - the Roadster was my first convertible and have always believed that as a driving vehicle nothing beats a coupe with a roof. Whilst I loved the appearance with the roof down and enjoyed driving during the summer the flow of the lines of the coupe are so much better and the overall driving experience is improved. If you add the V12v power there is no competition. Unlike Di I would not go for a V12V roadster (if it ever appears).
Siy said:
Ferdi ... I am thinking of looking for a N420 Roadster...
For me I couldn't be without a convertible - but if you decide to make the move, let me know as may be interested in your N420.
The V12V is awesome - but I would still miss the roof down motoring on days like today!
My car is a Nov 2010 N420R Sportshift, storm black, lightweight seats, etc etc 114k list!!For me I couldn't be without a convertible - but if you decide to make the move, let me know as may be interested in your N420.
The V12V is awesome - but I would still miss the roof down motoring on days like today!
1300 miles, been told it would get 83k against a 106k V12V
Shmee said:
I drove back from the same meet as Lady Topaz, down the same stretch of M1 with roadworks, but I had my roof down 
I would have done too. But......... Floyd on the B&O, a bit of air con. Windows open through roadworks to hear the V12 grumbling and growling at being leashed. A chat with the other half over a glass of bubbly.... Whoops sorry, getting carried away.Seriously, it was a fine trip.
Hey Shmee, did you clock the number of people on the hard shoulder of the M1 being interviewed by unmarked bib's? Quite unnerving.We passed at least 4.
Di
Not sure if this is OT, but, after cleaning the blue beastie today I decided to remove, not fuse 22, but the rear luggage shelf. It uncannily folds in two and fits snuggly into the boot floor.
Why?
Well a quick drive round the block revealed more cabin noise from the exhaust - result! It really does make a difference. Has anyone else tried this?
Why?
Well a quick drive round the block revealed more cabin noise from the exhaust - result! It really does make a difference. Has anyone else tried this?
Mako V12V said:
Not sure if this is OT, but, after cleaning the blue beastie today I decided to remove, not fuse 22, but the rear luggage shelf. It uncannily folds in two and fits snuggly into the boot floor.
Why?
Well a quick drive round the block revealed more cabin noise from the exhaust - result! It really does make a difference. Has anyone else tried this?
Every Vantage test drive I've had has had this done by the dealer!Why?
Well a quick drive round the block revealed more cabin noise from the exhaust - result! It really does make a difference. Has anyone else tried this?
The V12 does sound louder than war on the overrun already :-)
I have always enjoyed driving my Mrs Boxster S (when she lets me!!!) but in honesty have always felt that a chop top wasn't hardcore enough for me... then along came the Vantage Roadster and I was sold.... two years of roof down driving were an absolute blast, but the V12 called and I have now been back in the tin top for 6 months... here is my summary of the VV12, hope it helps.....
+
The VV12 is a much more hardcore drivers car than the Roadster or standard Vantage, you feel much more "hard-wired" into the driving experience. It sits rock solid on the road with virtually zero body roll, pitch or float and the more direct steering and chunky wheel allow you to "think" the car into a bend and it corners like it is on rails!
The gear change is also slicker than my previous V8's and I love the feel of the chunky lever, but the real centre piece of the car is the 510 bhp V12
Frankly this awesome torque rich engine transforms the Vantage into something of a Supercar, as you use full throttle through to red line the engine doesn't create acceleration rather it seems to grab hold of the car and "hurl" it up the road, it lunges forward ripping chunks out the tarmac, the G-forces are addictive, adrenalin pumping and unrelenting at all speeds.
In summary this a snorting rabid beast of a car, that excites and intimidates at the same time, the combination of its stunning pace and cornering ability alongside the higher levels of driver feedback elevate it Porsche 997 GT3 levels of interaction....
-
It does struggle with traction on a bumpy road so can be rather a handful, and the ride can also be a little wearing on that same surface, if you want to cruise! Mine is only returning 11.7 mpg
and the tyres are crap in cold weather!
Being honest I do miss the roof down aspect of the Roadster, sun on face, wind in hair and incredibly loud V8 exhaust note without a tin-top to interfere, you can also have more fun in the Roadster at lower speed as the V12 just keeps egging you on!
Ultimately each is a superb car and has their own benefits, but they are also very different, you won't gain the adrenalin pumping driving highs of the V12 in the Roadster, but then again you won't enjoy being buffeted by the elements with an ear full of V8 in the VV12... as ever you pay your money
+
The VV12 is a much more hardcore drivers car than the Roadster or standard Vantage, you feel much more "hard-wired" into the driving experience. It sits rock solid on the road with virtually zero body roll, pitch or float and the more direct steering and chunky wheel allow you to "think" the car into a bend and it corners like it is on rails!
The gear change is also slicker than my previous V8's and I love the feel of the chunky lever, but the real centre piece of the car is the 510 bhp V12
Frankly this awesome torque rich engine transforms the Vantage into something of a Supercar, as you use full throttle through to red line the engine doesn't create acceleration rather it seems to grab hold of the car and "hurl" it up the road, it lunges forward ripping chunks out the tarmac, the G-forces are addictive, adrenalin pumping and unrelenting at all speeds.In summary this a snorting rabid beast of a car, that excites and intimidates at the same time, the combination of its stunning pace and cornering ability alongside the higher levels of driver feedback elevate it Porsche 997 GT3 levels of interaction....
-
It does struggle with traction on a bumpy road so can be rather a handful, and the ride can also be a little wearing on that same surface, if you want to cruise! Mine is only returning 11.7 mpg
and the tyres are crap in cold weather!Being honest I do miss the roof down aspect of the Roadster, sun on face, wind in hair and incredibly loud V8 exhaust note without a tin-top to interfere, you can also have more fun in the Roadster at lower speed as the V12 just keeps egging you on!
Ultimately each is a superb car and has their own benefits, but they are also very different, you won't gain the adrenalin pumping driving highs of the V12 in the Roadster, but then again you won't enjoy being buffeted by the elements with an ear full of V8 in the VV12... as ever you pay your money
Mako V12V said:
Not sure if this is OT, but, after cleaning the blue beastie today I decided to remove, not fuse 22, but the rear luggage shelf. It uncannily folds in two and fits snuggly into the boot floor.
Why? Well a quick drive round the block revealed more cabin noise from the exhaust - result! It really does make a difference. Has anyone else tried this?
Yup, I do this... works a treat Why? Well a quick drive round the block revealed more cabin noise from the exhaust - result! It really does make a difference. Has anyone else tried this?
I am a passionate advocate of open air driving. Convertibles aren't as cool as hard tops in the eyes of bye standers and you can hear their derogatory remarks too! However I don't care. The vision, the sounds and smells add a real dimension to enjoying a good road. For a road trip abroad, you get a panoramic view of the scenery that makes a huge difference. A huge advantage of a convertible is a that you can enjoy driving them slowly, which means more enjoyment more of the time. Much as admire the Exige, it's a maximum attack sort of car whereas the Elise is fun driving fast and slow and that's why I've gone down that route. Having a removable roof has pretty much become an essential requirement for me.
However I also recently bought a V12 Vantage which is honestly a life affirming experience to drive. People talk about peak experiences in life, well you get one every time you drive a V12 Vantage. It's incredible and unique.
My love for convertibles made me consider the N420 roadster as an alternative but I adore V12s and have never owned one before whereas I merely like V8's and the extra four cylinders proved irresistable in the end.
In theory the V12 Vantage roadster would be my perfect car. However, I do think you can have a convertible that's too fast, and such a thing if it ever happens (I also reckon it will) might be one of them. 190mph wind in the hair is a touch too much!
However I also recently bought a V12 Vantage which is honestly a life affirming experience to drive. People talk about peak experiences in life, well you get one every time you drive a V12 Vantage. It's incredible and unique.
My love for convertibles made me consider the N420 roadster as an alternative but I adore V12s and have never owned one before whereas I merely like V8's and the extra four cylinders proved irresistable in the end.
In theory the V12 Vantage roadster would be my perfect car. However, I do think you can have a convertible that's too fast, and such a thing if it ever happens (I also reckon it will) might be one of them. 190mph wind in the hair is a touch too much!
As per pits' remarks, I am also a massive fan of open cars. Sold my wonderful modifed 4200GT recently, as good a car as it was, it was a coupe and I hadn't driven it for 6 months by the start of this year! I drove the DB7 Volante in preference even though it was inferior in every way (except perhaps the sense of occasion!).
I do wonder why people who want the 'theoretical' Vantage V12 Roadster don't want a used DBS Volante - are they really that different to drive?
Balance, weight, power, braking, noise all seem very close and the roof comes off! Also the option of manual or TT. I know the DBS is vastly more expensive new, but plenty about used for V12V money...
Or do the V12V owners want/need a newer car for finace-type purposes? Or is it the looks - 2 camps there for prefering the short aggressive stance of the Vantage Vs the longer elegant look of the DB9/S.
Genuine questions!
I have a manual Volante DB9 and will change for the right manual DBS Volante when they come down a bit. But right now I couldn't have a better car for the money! I get the roof off, the manual box and the V12 combined! QuickSilver SuperSports exhaust, race cats, DMS remap & geo and H&R springs will make it pretty formidible... Almost a poor man's DBS if you will
I'd love a punt in a V12V, but no matter how good to drive it was, I am sure that when the sun came out I would get in an open car instead.
I do wonder why people who want the 'theoretical' Vantage V12 Roadster don't want a used DBS Volante - are they really that different to drive?
Balance, weight, power, braking, noise all seem very close and the roof comes off! Also the option of manual or TT. I know the DBS is vastly more expensive new, but plenty about used for V12V money...
Or do the V12V owners want/need a newer car for finace-type purposes? Or is it the looks - 2 camps there for prefering the short aggressive stance of the Vantage Vs the longer elegant look of the DB9/S.
Genuine questions!
I have a manual Volante DB9 and will change for the right manual DBS Volante when they come down a bit. But right now I couldn't have a better car for the money! I get the roof off, the manual box and the V12 combined! QuickSilver SuperSports exhaust, race cats, DMS remap & geo and H&R springs will make it pretty formidible... Almost a poor man's DBS if you will
I'd love a punt in a V12V, but no matter how good to drive it was, I am sure that when the sun came out I would get in an open car instead.
Edited by yeti on Wednesday 20th April 22:16
yeti said:
I do wonder why people who want the 'theoretical' Vantage V12 Roadster don't want a used DBS Volante - are they really that different to drive?
Good point I think it is an awesome car, but although the DBS is fabulous, it is more GT than hardcore drivers car... plus you try and find a manual they are all TT2's removing another layer of interaction between man and machine!! Also the VV12 is awesome value compared to the DBS when you look at real prices rather than retail! Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff