V12 Vantage Vs V8 Vantage (4.3)
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
Happy New Year and thank you in advance for any responses!
3-4 years ago I owned a 4.3 V8 Vantage manual and even though I thought it was a dream come true, I had to move it on quite quickly for two reasons:
1. Trying to reverse the car was just comically bad (felt like the same ratio as second gear, impossible to not burn clutch, average stalls of 1.5 for every reverse park attempt).
2. Headlights - on dipped beam at night, they were so bad (lighting up so little of the road) that there were downright dangerous at anything above 50mph.
I am now thinking about a V12 vantage (another dream come true, potentially...) either the early manual or a sportshift. However, I would be very sad if either of the above isuses were present so I was hoping anyone here who has already owned both could let me know!?
I also open to any other thoughts or considerations that are recommened!
Cheers,
SE
Happy New Year and thank you in advance for any responses!
3-4 years ago I owned a 4.3 V8 Vantage manual and even though I thought it was a dream come true, I had to move it on quite quickly for two reasons:
1. Trying to reverse the car was just comically bad (felt like the same ratio as second gear, impossible to not burn clutch, average stalls of 1.5 for every reverse park attempt).
2. Headlights - on dipped beam at night, they were so bad (lighting up so little of the road) that there were downright dangerous at anything above 50mph.
I am now thinking about a V12 vantage (another dream come true, potentially...) either the early manual or a sportshift. However, I would be very sad if either of the above isuses were present so I was hoping anyone here who has already owned both could let me know!?
I also open to any other thoughts or considerations that are recommened!
Cheers,
SE
Lights will be same. Same units. Were your 4.3 halogen? Mine are HID and are fine. The V12 will be HID as I believe only the earliest 4.3 cane with a halogen option.
V12 SS will be SS3. Much lower ratio reverse and 7 speed box. Also twin plate clutch. Far more robust.
If you aren't a manual purist, just go for the V12S SS. It's a far better resolved car than the earlier manual, it is later, will therefore be newer, less aged, will have more spec (ie adjustable dampers) and is often cheaper to boot as so many potential buyers believe all the nonsense written about Sportshift.
There's never been a better time to buy. Remeber to post pics and make so many of us V8 owners jealous.
V12 SS will be SS3. Much lower ratio reverse and 7 speed box. Also twin plate clutch. Far more robust.
If you aren't a manual purist, just go for the V12S SS. It's a far better resolved car than the earlier manual, it is later, will therefore be newer, less aged, will have more spec (ie adjustable dampers) and is often cheaper to boot as so many potential buyers believe all the nonsense written about Sportshift.
There's never been a better time to buy. Remeber to post pics and make so many of us V8 owners jealous.
Lights will be same. Same units. Were your 4.3 halogen? Mine are HID and are fine. The V12 will be HID as I believe only the earliest 4.3 cane with a halogen option.
V12 SS will be SS3. Much lower ratio reverse and 7 speed box. Also twin plate clutch. Far more robust.
If you aren't a manual purist, just go for the V12S SS. It's a far better resolved car than the earlier manual, it is later, will therefore be newer, less aged, will have more spec (ie adjustable dampers) and is often cheaper to boot as so many potential buyers believe all the nonsense written about Sportshift.
There's never been a better time to buy. Remeber to post pics and make so many of us V8 owners jealous.
V12 SS will be SS3. Much lower ratio reverse and 7 speed box. Also twin plate clutch. Far more robust.
If you aren't a manual purist, just go for the V12S SS. It's a far better resolved car than the earlier manual, it is later, will therefore be newer, less aged, will have more spec (ie adjustable dampers) and is often cheaper to boot as so many potential buyers believe all the nonsense written about Sportshift.
There's never been a better time to buy. Remeber to post pics and make so many of us V8 owners jealous.
2009 V12 (manual) owner, and I often joke the one weak spot is reversing. I reverse uphill into my garage and it requires more right foot than I'd like to prevent a stall. Definitely smells clutchy!
A reverse parallel park uphill is tricky, but you get used to it. I now just regard it as a quirk.
Don't drive it much at night, but never noticed the headlight issue when I have.
A reverse parallel park uphill is tricky, but you get used to it. I now just regard it as a quirk.
Don't drive it much at night, but never noticed the headlight issue when I have.
I own both actually: V8 4,3 and V12S, both Sportshifts. Lights: as mentionned... old V8 is pretty weak, V12 is adequate. Clutch: in the V8 I have the Twin clutch built in which makes the car totally different to drive=reverse is no problem at all. But the cars are different to drive. The smoothness of the V12 is fantastic. Which I prefer? = both have their own flair. The old V8 is a roadster and drives more "rooty"... while the V12 is a glider as also a biest. Intresting that the consumption is nearly the same for both, same roadstrips, same drivestyle. Estonishing.
camel_landy said:
Whilst easy & cheap, I believe it'd also be an MOT fail... Though happy to be corrected.
M
I think it's legally grey with some methods of replacement. If you fit something like an LED H4 into a reflector designed for a halogen H4 then it's a slam dunk MOT failure.M
truncated to eliminate unwarranted wibble
Edited by LTP on Friday 9th January 10:43
i've had both.
Twin plate clutch transforms the car in a V8
V12 - yes reverse is still a bit naff but nothing major. Then again, i don't have a need to reverse all that often aside pulling the car out of the garage which is flat anyhow.
Headlights in the V12 are notably better from the halogen ones i had in the V8.
yes the v8 was poor for that but wouldn't put me off having another.
Twin plate clutch transforms the car in a V8
V12 - yes reverse is still a bit naff but nothing major. Then again, i don't have a need to reverse all that often aside pulling the car out of the garage which is flat anyhow.
Headlights in the V12 are notably better from the halogen ones i had in the V8.
yes the v8 was poor for that but wouldn't put me off having another.
I've had 4.3, 4.7 and V12, all manuals (6 speed for V12).
The reverse on the V8s is a joke, nothing like turning up to a car meet with a smell of burnt clutch to make you look like the world's most incompetent driver.
I really haven't noticed the same on the V12, albeit I don't reverse up hills very often. The car has so much more torque it'll happily tickle along on a bit of clutch bite to get it going. I can't recall ever smelling burnt clutch from it.
Can't comment on headlights as I don't think it ever annoyed me on the 4.3. The V12s seem fine. Obviously they're not going to be as good as modern nuke-blast spec LEDs.
For driving, the 4.7 was the best overall package in my opinion. The ride wasn't too hard but well controlled (my 4.3 was all over the shop), weight balance seemed good. It was a car you could get in and use anytime.
If you want an "event" the V12 is on another level. Starting the engine is worth the price of entry alone. Shame the ride is so brutal.
The reverse on the V8s is a joke, nothing like turning up to a car meet with a smell of burnt clutch to make you look like the world's most incompetent driver.
I really haven't noticed the same on the V12, albeit I don't reverse up hills very often. The car has so much more torque it'll happily tickle along on a bit of clutch bite to get it going. I can't recall ever smelling burnt clutch from it.
Can't comment on headlights as I don't think it ever annoyed me on the 4.3. The V12s seem fine. Obviously they're not going to be as good as modern nuke-blast spec LEDs.
For driving, the 4.7 was the best overall package in my opinion. The ride wasn't too hard but well controlled (my 4.3 was all over the shop), weight balance seemed good. It was a car you could get in and use anytime.
If you want an "event" the V12 is on another level. Starting the engine is worth the price of entry alone. Shame the ride is so brutal.
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