Early V12 Vanquish buying advice

Early V12 Vanquish buying advice

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W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Thursday 4th July
quotequote all
I’m considering an early V12 Vanquish for a bit of weekend fun. I want something that feels special, I have been considering a nearly new Morgan Plus Four but then this one caught my eye.

I don’t know much about them but the car I’m interested in has low owners, had a huge amount of money spent on it in the last few years and is a very clean car according to the Main Dealer.

Anything I should be aware of? I’ll probably only do 1k-2k miles a year. How ruinous should I expect?

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Thursday 4th July
quotequote all
Thanks. I have it in writing that the under panels have been removed and it was checked. Also extensive history confirming subframes were stripped and treated less than a year ago by a well regarded specialist. It’s had plugs, coils, radiator replaced, a full refurb of the air con and heating system, new brake system reservoir, serviced very recently. New tyres 2k miles ago.

Definitely need to see it!

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Thursday 4th July
quotequote all
Having gone through the paperwork, it turns out a lot of work has been done by V12 Vanquish including the subframe work and last service. I’m guessing that bodes well??

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Friday 5th July
quotequote all
ds666 said:
Agent57 said:
ds666 said:
And it is a thing of beauty !
Always liked those Vauxhall Corsas. biggrin
Quite - don't know how it sneaked in ...
Photo bombed by a Corsa!

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Saturday 6th July
quotequote all
I test drove the car today. A bit disappointed by the paintwork on one side but I know the dealer will get that done as they’ve done work for me in the past and it’s been first class. I really liked the interior which is so much nicer in the flesh and doesn’t look anywhere near as dated as photos suggest.

The boot, wings and rear bumper don’t line up very well and I wonder if it’s had a small shunt at the back. I’m interested to know if panel alignment and gaps is a common issue on these? Also some small areas of bubbling paint that won’t get done.

It drove very smoothly and sounded incredible on start up. I found the dished steering wheel very odd - can’t remember driving a car where the steering dishes away from the driver.

One thing I found very odd is the driver side A pillar - hugely intrusive not only of vision but physically into the drivers space (I’m 6’-1”) which I’m not sure I’ll be able to get used to, it made me feel like I was right on the outside edge of the car and that there’s loads of room between driver and passenger.

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Saturday 6th July
quotequote all
I think it slopes more towards the centre of the car plus the steering wheel isn’t that adjustable on the reach or rake so driving position for me is further forward for me compared to other cars and therefore I’m nearer the A pillar.

It’s definitely very different to the DB11 I had.

Edited by W12GT on Saturday 6th July 15:05

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Saturday 6th July
quotequote all
Quick question - should the grille be chrome on the Vanquish? I noticed this was painted silver…

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Sunday 7th July
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Steering wheel - the rim sits back from the hub..




Panel gap differences - look like boot lid alignment on drivers side and the passenger rear bumper sits proud as though a bracket has broken.




W12GT

Original Poster:

3,610 posts

224 months

Sunday 7th July
quotequote all
David mentioned it had some paint done and certainly inferred it wasn’t to a standard he’d be happy with, he didn’t mention the gaps.

It has set the alarm bells ringing tbh as given the larg sums the last owner spent on it, I’m wondering if it had been neglected before he purchased it.

Apparently he has 3 Vanquishes and this was the lesser of the 3 hence moving it on.