Virage

[Dino550]

After a brief affair with a McLaren 12C (most unreliable and poorly built car I’ve owned in recent years) I’m looking for a replacement.

Never owned an Aston and fancy a sporting GT and another V12.

The Virage has caught my eye. Has anyone owned or driven one? Experiences? The drivetrain looks tried and tested. What about those carbon brakes - any issues?

Thanks

Dean

[Jon39]

I presume that you are talking about the 2011 Virage, not the earlier car of the same name.
At the time it was introduced, it was a model positioned between the DB9 and the DBS.
Slightly odd, because there was hardly any gap between those two models anyway.

Think Virage production ended in 2012 and for the 2013 Model Year the DB9 was revised.
There were minor changes to the DB9 bodywork by adapting design cues from the 2011 Virage, including enlarging the recessed headlight clusters with bi-xenon lights and LED daytime running strips, widening the front splitter, updating the grille and side heat extractors, updating the LED rear lights with clear lenses and integrating a new rear spoiler with the boot lid.

[Dino550]

Yes that’s the model I’m looking at. Had good reviews at the time, but interested in people’s experience of them.

Had my fingers burnt with the McLaren so want something more reliable and more useable. Also want a big naturally aspirated engine.

[AdamV12V]

Dino550 said:

Yes that’s the model I’m looking at. Had good reviews at the time, but interested in people’s experience of them.

Had my fingers burnt with the McLaren so want something more reliable and more useable. Also want a big naturally aspirated engine.

Well as Jon said above its basically a DB9 really, so read the reviews on those for experiences.

There's no reason to worry about any AM from that era, as had been said many times they are very reliable cars.

As for the CCB's, again no issues at all. Early compounds squealed a lot, but the compound was revised by the time the Virages were out so no such issues there. The brakes are really amazing, but just as with CCB's on any make of car, don't use any kind of cleaning agents on them, just simple soap and water, and they will last the lifetime of the car. Well unless you track it, which I expect with a Virage is not your intent anyway.

[4Q]

Although no direct experience of a Virage, having had the models either side of it (DB9 & DBS) I doubt you’d be disappointed. It was pretty much an evolution of the DB9 before they launched DB9.2.

[M1AGM]

Dino550 said:

Yes that’s the model I’m looking at. Had good reviews at the time, but interested in people’s experience of them.

Had my fingers burnt with the McLaren so want something more reliable and more useable. Also want a big naturally aspirated engine.

I have owned a MY14 DB9 for a few years now, imo a better option than a Virage which as noted earlier predated the DB9.2. I use it as much as I can for daily duties, road trips and a couple of not-so-serious trackday outings, it now has 41k miles on it. What I love about it is that it is the classic simple Aston understated lines/design, with a monster engine lurking underneath the ‘suit’.

I would recommend either AM warranty or have a good indy check over any potential purchase first. Mine has been very reliable and I intend it to have a permanent place in the garage.

The MY16+ cars were ‘GT’ cars with the haptic centre console and 540 bhp over 510. They also got some carbon bits and the one77 steering wheel. You can have the 30bhp added to a non GT car as a simple ecu throttle remap (AM will charge a small fortune to do it, indies can do it for not much (click of a mouse) if you are using them for servicing etc).

Surprisingly the last shape DB9s were produced in relatively low numbers, around 550 worldwide, with a few hundred in the UK. Much rarer than Vanquish and Vantage. The Virage is rarer still, but apart from the boot ‘Virage’ logo I cant see the point in choosing one over a late DB9.

Happy to help if I can, I’m based up in Yorkshire.

[V12Virage]

Two years into ownership now and I can tell you the Virage is an excellent car. The combination of the striking design and the V12 exhaust are fantastic, yet it is a car that is still understated. The interior is gorgeous and I would say is a step above even the DBS. In effect, you're looking at a DBS that is a little down in power (490hp in the Virage vs. 510 in the DBS), with the same CCBs and adaptive suspension, but with a nicer interior and - at least in my opinion - a better and more modern exterior design. And usually available at a signficant discount because the Virage doesn't have the same draw as the DBS, it not having appeared in the Bond films. Likely one of the better value propositions in the AM lineup.

As with most of the AMs, they are sensitive to battery voltage and can throw what look - at first glance - to be frightening fault codes if the battery is getting on in years, but those tend to be easily remedied.

The V12 is a tried and true design that had been around for quite a while by 2011-2012 and the problems associated with the earlier DB9s (you may read about the "dreaded engine tick" or the issue with oil starvation caused by the faulty diptstick markings) had been resolved by the time the Virage was produced. There is a concern with owners - and much discussion - of the threat of failure of the primary catalysts and ingestion into the engine due to the EGR system, but that risk can be mitigated by regular maintenance and use of an OBDII reader to monitor for any persistent misfires.

The Virage is not going to be the fastest car out there (though it is plenty fast) and is not going to handle like a track car, but it is an event every time you drive it.

Hope this helps. Happy to answer any questions you have!

Dave
Ottawa, ON

[4Q]

V12Virage said:

In effect, you're looking at a DBS that is a little down in power (490hp in the Virage vs. 510 in the DBS), with the same CCBs and adaptive suspension,

Yours is a lovely car Dave and I agree with much of what you said although the Virage is much closer to the later DB9 rather the DBS. You’re correct that they both have adaptive suspension but the DBS is lower and firmer in all settings, even the std setting is much firmer than a DB9. I’m not saying that’s a better thing for day to day use btw. Also the DBS is 100kg lighter than a Virage and DB9 due to carbon body panels and that definitely makes a big difference to the dynamics of the car as the weight saving is in the body, making it feel more nimble than it should for a car of this size. Sorry for the thread derail.

[oilit]

Met a guy a few weeks ago who has one and uses it as a daily, his only expense in i think 2 years was a set of carbon ceramic discs as previous owner had used wheel cleaner which had attacked the discs (dont know why you would do that - but that is just unlucky) But he was a huge fan.

[V12Virage]

Not at all. I agree completely. The DBS is certainly a sportier package, particularly in light of the weight savings. As noted above, the Virage is more in line with the DB9.2 that it essentially became, though the latter has the advantage of the more powerful engine with variable cam timing and, in the later cars, the upgraded centre stack.

I can always identify the Aston Martin fans when I'm at car meets as, other than owners, they're the ones who can explain the differences between the 2012 DB9, DBS and Virage, whereas everyone else thinks they are virtually indistinguishable.

[leman600]

I looked at Virages a few years back and they are very attractive sporting the newer styling front and rear compared to the same year DB9.
They are also few in numbers and look great value.
I got a carbon black DB9 at that time purely on basis of particular cars and availablity but would have happily had the right Virage.
I have carbon brakes on my current car and they are awesome in use and seem to be lasting very well. They are expensive to replace but used as intended should last many many miles. There is a company that resurfaces the discs at 25% of the cost of replacement.
All AM cars of that era look beautiful. Virage one of the best.

[JonnyCJ]

I think Bamford Rose did a video 6 months or so back which rated the Virage highly.

[Dino550]

Thanks for the useful information.

I had heard about the cat/engine ingestion issue on early DB9s but assumed this was now sorted in later engines. Carbon brake replacement was a concern but if they can be refreshed at a much lower cost than new replacement, I’m happy with that.

I’m familiar with the ZF gearbox (owned a Maserati GTS and Jag XFR) and I think it is a good unit. Of course it’s not as quick as some others, but it was fine in my other cars and suspect it will suit the Virage.

Aside from reliability, the big disappointment for me with my McLaren was the muted turbo engine. I really want a thumping n/a engine and it looks like the Aston V12 will keep me smiling. My previous cars (Maser, SL63 (6.2 engine) and 550M) all had very special engines and I miss that.

Plus I’ve never owned an Aston and think I should give them a go! I test drove a DB11 recently and was very impressed, but it was the wrong colour, price etc. I also think the Virage looks good value and of course is n/a.

Now to drive one…..

[Ale_72]

Dino550 said:

I’m familiar with the ZF gearbox (owned a Maserati GTS and Jag XFR) and I think it is a good unit. Of course it’s not as quick as some others, but it was fine in my other cars and suspect it will suit the Virage.

Just consider that, as far as I remember, the Virage only mounted the ZF 6HP as auto gearbox. If on the GTS and XFR you have the ZF 8HP you could be disappointed with the AM unit. Drive it. More than once.

[Dino550]

Both of mine had the 6 speed box, although the Mazer’s had Michelotto software upgrade so was quicker than normal. You are right; I need to drive it extensively.

[Ale_72]

Dino550 said:

Both of mine had the 6 speed box, although the Mazer’s had Michelotto software upgrade so was quicker than normal. You are right; I need to drive it extensively.

I have the ZF 6HP on my Morgan Aero Supersports. It fits the car. Not sure if I'd enjoy that on an Aston. Again... nothing bad with it. It'a matter of taste and expectations. Surprisingly I enjoy more the auto/manual 7 speed on my vantage s, that is miserable in auto but ok when you understand how to use it as manual (but I'd never ever want that on the morgan).

[EVR]

Ah, I was considering a 12C for a possible acquisition in some time. Why it has been such a let down?

[Dino550]

Where do I start! They are poorly built and unreliable IMO. You'll get owners telling you their car never was perfect etc. Mine needed an extensive gearbox rebuild (circa £12k) plus oil and gearbox coolers (latter probably from damage from gearbox being previously removed (total bill - £15k). Additionally the car had circa £4k spent on it previous year (lots of stuff including water pump). Various warning lights are normal but usually go out after ignition cycle. TPMS warning was very common. All on a 13k mileage car. When you join the UK owners forum (you can only join if you own one) you realise that McLarens have lots of issues. Bodywork corrosion is common. There are very few independents (Thorney are very good). I'm just not willing to entertain a car so unreliable. They have a devoted following, and when mine was working its performance was something else. 0 - 125 mph in 8 seconds. They just aren't for me. It's a shame because they look fantastic and go like nothing else.

[EVR]

Dino550 said:

Where do I start! They are poorly built and unreliable IMO. You'll get owners telling you their car never was perfect etc. Mine needed an extensive gearbox rebuild (circa £12k) plus oil and gearbox coolers (latter probably from damage from gearbox being previously removed (total bill - £15k). Additionally the car had circa £4k spent on it previous year (lots of stuff including water pump). Various warning lights are normal but usually go out after ignition cycle. TPMS warning was very common. All on a 13k mileage car. When you join the UK owners forum (you can only join if you own one) you realise that McLarens have lots of issues. Bodywork corrosion is common. There are very few independents (Thorney are very good). I'm just not willing to entertain a car so unreliable. They have a devoted following, and when mine was working its performance was something else. 0 - 125 mph in 8 seconds. They just aren't for me. It's a shame because they look fantastic and go like nothing else.

Thanks for taking the time to type this out, sounds really awful. I should also note that I live in Milan, so independents here are non-existing...

Anyway, congrats on the Virage!

[Dino550]

I really wanted to love mine but it was just too much aggro in the end. Everyone loves McLarens though… every time I stopped people wanted to talk about it and take pics.

I’m looking forward to driving a lovely Virage with a big V12