V12 Vantage roadster
Discussion
I am looking for a bit of advice if possible.
Tested a V12Vantage S Roadster and loved it completely apart from the gearbox. I'm now about to try a Vantage V12 roadster manual; one of the limited editions from 2012/13.
My questions are:
The older car is quite expensive compared to a V12S - the new car is really not that much more expensive. I'm told that this is because it's a cult car and therefore holds its value. Is this true, do you think, and what's your opinion going forward/
Secondly, is the newer car better in any major way? Yes, I know it's a bit faster/more powerful and has adaptive this and that, but is the drive markedly different? Are there any substantial changes that I should know about?
I am going to own one of these soon; just after wisdom as to which is best for me.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Tested a V12Vantage S Roadster and loved it completely apart from the gearbox. I'm now about to try a Vantage V12 roadster manual; one of the limited editions from 2012/13.
My questions are:
The older car is quite expensive compared to a V12S - the new car is really not that much more expensive. I'm told that this is because it's a cult car and therefore holds its value. Is this true, do you think, and what's your opinion going forward/
Secondly, is the newer car better in any major way? Yes, I know it's a bit faster/more powerful and has adaptive this and that, but is the drive markedly different? Are there any substantial changes that I should know about?
I am going to own one of these soon; just after wisdom as to which is best for me.
Thanks for any help you can give.
I am lucky enough to have both. So, a few thoughts.
Mikey is right about the limited production aspect to it. There were 101 made of the manual V12VR and it is thought there are around 35/40 in the UK. That has a big impact on used prices and is why they are likely to keep them higher than the S version. Many of those who bought see it as the last of a line - V12, manual and a roadster. It is the car I dreamed that Aston would produce. Discounts were not available when they were offered and whilst the premium was around £15k over the coupe version in reality it was a lot more because of the discounts available on that model. Many of those bought to keep for the long term so not that many come onto the market.
Unusually, there are 5/6 available at the moment with the prices being sought between 118/175k. Not a good time to be selling but a good time to buy. Mileage seems to be crucial on pricing but my view is that they need to be driven. Ours has 17k miles and done some great trips.
Now to the S. I actually like the gearbox but never use "D" and drive as a manual. I think that because every dealer had a couple of them when they were launched it accounts for how many of them a currently available. It has not moved on greatly from the first version. I find the suspension quite supple, better so than the coupe, and have only used the sports setting on the S on the smooth roads abroad.
It is definitely faster because you change gear much more quickly than in the manual because your hands stay on the wheel but is that needed? - not really the manual is quite fast enough.
Which one do I like best? I don't have a favourite and love driving them both. It looks the same but they have quite different characters. The only thing I would change on the manual version is that, given my time again, I would probably have specced lightweight seats because they suit it so much better but that is very much personal choice.
There are a few to chose from and my advice would be to drive both. I know Grange Exeter have one of each at the moment so you could get to drive them back to back - but remember drive the S as a pure manual with a slight lift of the accelerator as you flick the paddle. Any questions just PM me.
Have fun - and let us know which one you go for. A picture of our two - couldn't resist
Mikey is right about the limited production aspect to it. There were 101 made of the manual V12VR and it is thought there are around 35/40 in the UK. That has a big impact on used prices and is why they are likely to keep them higher than the S version. Many of those who bought see it as the last of a line - V12, manual and a roadster. It is the car I dreamed that Aston would produce. Discounts were not available when they were offered and whilst the premium was around £15k over the coupe version in reality it was a lot more because of the discounts available on that model. Many of those bought to keep for the long term so not that many come onto the market.
Unusually, there are 5/6 available at the moment with the prices being sought between 118/175k. Not a good time to be selling but a good time to buy. Mileage seems to be crucial on pricing but my view is that they need to be driven. Ours has 17k miles and done some great trips.
Now to the S. I actually like the gearbox but never use "D" and drive as a manual. I think that because every dealer had a couple of them when they were launched it accounts for how many of them a currently available. It has not moved on greatly from the first version. I find the suspension quite supple, better so than the coupe, and have only used the sports setting on the S on the smooth roads abroad.
It is definitely faster because you change gear much more quickly than in the manual because your hands stay on the wheel but is that needed? - not really the manual is quite fast enough.
Which one do I like best? I don't have a favourite and love driving them both. It looks the same but they have quite different characters. The only thing I would change on the manual version is that, given my time again, I would probably have specced lightweight seats because they suit it so much better but that is very much personal choice.
There are a few to chose from and my advice would be to drive both. I know Grange Exeter have one of each at the moment so you could get to drive them back to back - but remember drive the S as a pure manual with a slight lift of the accelerator as you flick the paddle. Any questions just PM me.
Have fun - and let us know which one you go for. A picture of our two - couldn't resist
Thanks for the thoughts. Useful to consider. And lovely cars you have there Ian!
Maybe it's my age, but I like the looks of the earlier car - cleaner and a bit more classy.
I guess the message is that the early car is more expensive relatively for a reason, and that will be reflected should I ever sell.
I will be putting miles on mine - I had a 458 before and hated the prevailing wisdom that driving them was wrong... What's the point in having if you don't use?
I have driven an S and loved it, so I'll test a manual and decide then.
Once again, thanks!
Maybe it's my age, but I like the looks of the earlier car - cleaner and a bit more classy.
I guess the message is that the early car is more expensive relatively for a reason, and that will be reflected should I ever sell.
I will be putting miles on mine - I had a 458 before and hated the prevailing wisdom that driving them was wrong... What's the point in having if you don't use?
I have driven an S and loved it, so I'll test a manual and decide then.
Once again, thanks!
Well, I remember asking just the same question before I bought mine.
I had read all the reviews, seen all the videos and came to the conclusion that I wanted the manual car since all reviewers said how crappy the Sportshift gearbox was. Thing is: all those journalists were using the Sportshift like an auto and when you actually drive the car yourself and take some time to understand the gearbox, drive it as you would a manual, like Ian said, with a slight lift of the accelerator when shifting, it is actually the right gearbox for the car.
As for future value, who knows? They won't be making cars like these in ten years time, future models will have a V8 AMG engine and the V12 will be downsized to 5.3L and turbocharged.
Manual is a rare car and I hope they are ending production of the V12 Vantage soon which will keep prices up.
As you said there isn't much difference in price between S and non S. I thought the S was better resolved so went for that.
I had read all the reviews, seen all the videos and came to the conclusion that I wanted the manual car since all reviewers said how crappy the Sportshift gearbox was. Thing is: all those journalists were using the Sportshift like an auto and when you actually drive the car yourself and take some time to understand the gearbox, drive it as you would a manual, like Ian said, with a slight lift of the accelerator when shifting, it is actually the right gearbox for the car.
As for future value, who knows? They won't be making cars like these in ten years time, future models will have a V8 AMG engine and the V12 will be downsized to 5.3L and turbocharged.
Manual is a rare car and I hope they are ending production of the V12 Vantage soon which will keep prices up.
As you said there isn't much difference in price between S and non S. I thought the S was better resolved so went for that.
cayman-black said:
I bet any money Ian will say the manual! If not he is lying.
Now, now. You are quite right. If I had to choose it would be the manual version. When we bought it the thinking was we would keep it forever - and that hasn't changed.
That is not to say it is the better car just that it has a specialness that the S cannot replicate. Very fortunately for us it is not a choice we have to make
IanV12VR said:
cayman-black said:
I bet any money Ian will say the manual! If not he is lying.
Now, now. You are quite right. If I had to choose it would be the manual version. When we bought it the thinking was we would keep it forever - and that hasn't changed.
That is not to say it is the better car just that it has a specialness that the S cannot replicate. Very fortunately for us it is not a choice we have to make
Ive not driven a V12V manual coupé or roadster as coming from a 991 GT3 it was the extra ability and focus of the "S" that brought me back into AM ownership.
I love the gearbox and enjoy the involvement and challenge it presents.
After 2 weeks I am still learning how to get the best out it in different situations but most days its pretty much spot on. The GT3 is much more efficient but has none of the charm of the AM box.
I think the gearbox suits the car and the application perfectly.
I just put it straight into Sport and use the paddles along with a push on the damper setting and its wonderful.
When i hit 30 and 40 zones or cruising on the motorway i just hit cruise and press D.
Daily commuting in D could drive you mad however i have found myself naturally doing something with the accelerator that makes it pretty smooth at low speeds but i still end up in manual. I just see D as a nice extra to have should i want to use it.
I don't know what bits of the one77 are in the exhaust but it is an amazing sound and rolling from 20 MPH to zero its chirping and popping and burbley and yes, lovely
I love the gearbox and enjoy the involvement and challenge it presents.
After 2 weeks I am still learning how to get the best out it in different situations but most days its pretty much spot on. The GT3 is much more efficient but has none of the charm of the AM box.
I think the gearbox suits the car and the application perfectly.
I just put it straight into Sport and use the paddles along with a push on the damper setting and its wonderful.
When i hit 30 and 40 zones or cruising on the motorway i just hit cruise and press D.
Daily commuting in D could drive you mad however i have found myself naturally doing something with the accelerator that makes it pretty smooth at low speeds but i still end up in manual. I just see D as a nice extra to have should i want to use it.
I don't know what bits of the one77 are in the exhaust but it is an amazing sound and rolling from 20 MPH to zero its chirping and popping and burbley and yes, lovely
Edited by Flugplatz on Friday 27th November 18:00
Who ever you are dealing with, Lloyd or Jamie, they are both great guys. I have bought four cars from Lloyd - say hello from me when you pick it up.
You have got a lot of car for your money when you compare it with other V12VR's that are available. Never really understood their pricing policy on these and felt they price them too low. Your gain undoubtedly.
Azurite is a fabulous colour. Given what the weather has been like not sure if you have seen it with the sun on it but it just transforms it. Enjoy.
You have got a lot of car for your money when you compare it with other V12VR's that are available. Never really understood their pricing policy on these and felt they price them too low. Your gain undoubtedly.
Azurite is a fabulous colour. Given what the weather has been like not sure if you have seen it with the sun on it but it just transforms it. Enjoy.
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