RE: Tell me I'm wrong: Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Discussion
I absolutely agree with you! I believe that Aston Martin fail completely with their cars on everything other than styling ( still not as beautiful as it could be and they all look the same) and noise! Other than that its like a plush Mondeo with more power and and rear drive config! I wish Aston would just quit and start making spitfires or something truly British!
Jonaire said:
I absolutely agree with you! I believe that Aston Martin fail completely with their cars on everything other than styling ( still not as beautiful as it could be and they all look the same) and noise! Other than that its like a plush Mondeo with more power and and rear drive config! I wish Aston would just quit and start making spitfires or something truly British!
Good troll, nicely done...I totally agree with this article. I have a V8 Vantage, and I drove the V12 expecting it to be loads better. I came away saying that it was too much power for the chassis and I was laughed at. I felt it was not as much fun to drive as the V8.
I have driven cars with more power that are much more fun (458 - awesome and feels like a small, light car in comparison), but the Aston just felt like it had the wrong engine installed. It was awkward to change gear, the clutch was heavy, and the brakes were too wooden, which all add/subtract away from the way a car drives. The traction control light will wear out just driving it normally, and you get the feeling that if you turned it off, you would be parting company with the road fairly swiftly.
It's a shame, as on paper, it seems like it would be a real hoot.
I have driven cars with more power that are much more fun (458 - awesome and feels like a small, light car in comparison), but the Aston just felt like it had the wrong engine installed. It was awkward to change gear, the clutch was heavy, and the brakes were too wooden, which all add/subtract away from the way a car drives. The traction control light will wear out just driving it normally, and you get the feeling that if you turned it off, you would be parting company with the road fairly swiftly.
It's a shame, as on paper, it seems like it would be a real hoot.
In some ways this is representative of what is wrong with modern day driving standards. There is far too much reliance on electronic aids, and people often switch off and drive with the assumption that driver aids will get them out of trouble - when clearly it won't, as demonstrated by this article.
Also the article mentions that the Original V8 was not wanting for anything in terms of pace. Whilst I've never driven one, I'm fairly sure I've read numerous times that the V8 Vantage doesn't have the speed it deserves for the noise it makes.
Also the article mentions that the Original V8 was not wanting for anything in terms of pace. Whilst I've never driven one, I'm fairly sure I've read numerous times that the V8 Vantage doesn't have the speed it deserves for the noise it makes.
topless_mx5 said:
Also the article mentions that the Original V8 was not wanting for anything in terms of pace. Whilst I've never driven one, I'm fairly sure I've read numerous times that the V8 Vantage doesn't have the speed it deserves for the noise it makes.
Possibly a comment aimed at the original 4.3 rather than the current 4.7 cos it needs a few revs to really get it going, having said that, it's all relative, they're all bl**dy quick.JTRacelogic said:
I totally agree with this article. I have a V8 Vantage, and I drove the V12 expecting it to be loads better. I came away saying that it was too much power for the chassis and I was laughed at. I felt it was not as much fun to drive as the V8.
I have driven cars with more power that are much more fun (458 - awesome and feels like a small, light car in comparison), but the Aston just felt like it had the wrong engine installed. It was awkward to change gear, the clutch was heavy, and the brakes were too wooden, which all add/subtract away from the way a car drives. The traction control light will wear out just driving it normally, and you get the feeling that if you turned it off, you would be parting company with the road fairly swiftly.
It's a shame, as on paper, it seems like it would be a real hoot.
You must have driven a paricularly poor example (or you're another Troll)... the gear change in a V12 is totally different to the V8.. The V8 has its own character... But the V12 clutch/gearbox combination is lighter and faster through the gears... I have driven cars with more power that are much more fun (458 - awesome and feels like a small, light car in comparison), but the Aston just felt like it had the wrong engine installed. It was awkward to change gear, the clutch was heavy, and the brakes were too wooden, which all add/subtract away from the way a car drives. The traction control light will wear out just driving it normally, and you get the feeling that if you turned it off, you would be parting company with the road fairly swiftly.
It's a shame, as on paper, it seems like it would be a real hoot.
LuS1fer said:
Dagnut said:
My take on this car was, if they were going to jam a 520bhp V12 in they should of went the whole hog and stripped it out...carbon fibre everything...full race spec suspension...balls to the wall...they could of charged a huge premium for it and it would of sold..Vantage RS style.
As it is, its not a whole lot quicker than a DBS...how much better is it than a DBS?
Even as someone interested in cars, Astons have long since blurred into one model for me - they all look jolly nice but much the same and have either a V8 or a V12. As it is, its not a whole lot quicker than a DBS...how much better is it than a DBS?
Vantagefan said:
CatalystV12V said:
I own a V12 and before that a V8 (4.3)... Both are fantastic cars...
I use the V12 far more than I did the V8... it's more involving, more power.. better transmission, handling is superb, it feels really light on its feet... Yes it will bite you in the ar*e if you're silly, but knowing that you need to treat it with respect adds to the excitement and sense of occasion...
I'm not a skilled driver, but I'm gradually learning where the limits are and that learning process is great fun. It's a bit like mountain bikng (another passion), you need to push your limits slowly to avoid stacking in to a tree.. or ending up in the hedge..
I love it!!
I agree. A couple of factors that could have led to this review being a bit wishy washy.I use the V12 far more than I did the V8... it's more involving, more power.. better transmission, handling is superb, it feels really light on its feet... Yes it will bite you in the ar*e if you're silly, but knowing that you need to treat it with respect adds to the excitement and sense of occasion...
I'm not a skilled driver, but I'm gradually learning where the limits are and that learning process is great fun. It's a bit like mountain bikng (another passion), you need to push your limits slowly to avoid stacking in to a tree.. or ending up in the hedge..
I love it!!
1. Give a chap a car he's not used to driving that is very powerful in the worst possible conditions.
2. Give him only a day to test it to its extremes to give a decent view on the car.
3. Factor in it's not his car so the sense of responsibility is diminished, as is the understanding of its capabilities and limitations.
I've driven the V12V a few times and each time it teaches me something knew and I have to adapt to it. It is very different to the V8 Vantage or V8 Vantage S. It almost needs to be treated like a Vanquish!
Yes it's challenging, yes there are other cars of similar power that are easier to drive but no this doesn't make it a bad car. Once you get to spend more time in the car, on its good days and bad (and yours!) then you see that this unpredictability is its charm.
Maybe we could get an owner's review to summarise a few years driving experience rather than a day or two?
The writer is being paid (I assume) to test cars and write here. He is a professional motoring journo.
Therefore re your points.
1.So what, he should revell in the conditions.
2.He should be capable of 'learning' the car in hours, not days.
3.He's supposedly a pro - so should not be effected in this way.
I repeat. My view is that anyone in his position should be a highly skilled driver. Otherwise their views are meaningless..................
If I may use the analogy, is this not a bit like moaning that your girlfriend is too good looking and too good in bed, but likes to be adventurous which can be a bit intimidating so you'd rather have her demure calmer older sister who is well, a bit more predictable, does the job well enough anyway, and makes a nicer cup of tea?
I drove a friends briefly last year - its supremely wonderful as a machine but is brutal in its delivery - reminded me more of a sports bike than a car in the ferocity of its acceleration, made my 997C2S gen2 feel pedestrian - so yes he's right in many ways but by god its a hell of a beast and I would put one in the garage at the drop of a hat...if I had the dosh...
Pugsey said:
I think you are being to 'understanding'.
The writer is being paid (I assume) to test cars and write here. He is a professional motoring journo.
Therefore re your points.
1.So what, he should revell in the conditions.
2.He should be capable of 'learning' the car in hours, not days.
3.He's supposedly a pro - so should not be effected in this way.
I repeat. My view is that anyone in his position should be a highly skilled driver. Otherwise their views are meaningless..................
Yes, but being a "pro" doesn't make you immune from crashing, nor does it force you to like a car that sounds awesome on paper - suspect most car journos have been caught out by cars (and been suitably embarrassed) at some point. IIRC EVO had a feature on this recently-ish and most of them had a war story or two to tell.The writer is being paid (I assume) to test cars and write here. He is a professional motoring journo.
Therefore re your points.
1.So what, he should revell in the conditions.
2.He should be capable of 'learning' the car in hours, not days.
3.He's supposedly a pro - so should not be effected in this way.
I repeat. My view is that anyone in his position should be a highly skilled driver. Otherwise their views are meaningless..................
I'm not just mindlessly defending though - more detail on the "badly-timed electrical error" would be good - seems very strange, other than being a classic from The Big Book of Driving Excuses (Road Tester Edition).
As for not liking the car, well, I like it (a lot) and would love to have a go in one. Good to have owners' input on this thread too.
Pugsey said:
Vantagefan said:
CatalystV12V said:
I own a V12 and before that a V8 (4.3)... Both are fantastic cars...
I use the V12 far more than I did the V8... it's more involving, more power.. better transmission, handling is superb, it feels really light on its feet... Yes it will bite you in the ar*e if you're silly, but knowing that you need to treat it with respect adds to the excitement and sense of occasion...
I'm not a skilled driver, but I'm gradually learning where the limits are and that learning process is great fun. It's a bit like mountain bikng (another passion), you need to push your limits slowly to avoid stacking in to a tree.. or ending up in the hedge..
I love it!!
I agree. A couple of factors that could have led to this review being a bit wishy washy.I use the V12 far more than I did the V8... it's more involving, more power.. better transmission, handling is superb, it feels really light on its feet... Yes it will bite you in the ar*e if you're silly, but knowing that you need to treat it with respect adds to the excitement and sense of occasion...
I'm not a skilled driver, but I'm gradually learning where the limits are and that learning process is great fun. It's a bit like mountain bikng (another passion), you need to push your limits slowly to avoid stacking in to a tree.. or ending up in the hedge..
I love it!!
1. Give a chap a car he's not used to driving that is very powerful in the worst possible conditions.
2. Give him only a day to test it to its extremes to give a decent view on the car.
3. Factor in it's not his car so the sense of responsibility is diminished, as is the understanding of its capabilities and limitations.
I've driven the V12V a few times and each time it teaches me something knew and I have to adapt to it. It is very different to the V8 Vantage or V8 Vantage S. It almost needs to be treated like a Vanquish!
Yes it's challenging, yes there are other cars of similar power that are easier to drive but no this doesn't make it a bad car. Once you get to spend more time in the car, on its good days and bad (and yours!) then you see that this unpredictability is its charm.
Maybe we could get an owner's review to summarise a few years driving experience rather than a day or two?
The writer is being paid (I assume) to test cars and write here. He is a professional motoring journo.
Therefore re your points.
1.So what, he should revell in the conditions.
2.He should be capable of 'learning' the car in hours, not days.
3.He's supposedly a pro - so should not be effected in this way.
I repeat. My view is that anyone in his position should be a highly skilled driver. Otherwise their views are meaningless..................
OTOH, me managing not to verve a car off the road does not mean I'm a good driver, non?
I have had mine for 3 years (almost) and 10k miles and have never had a twitchy moment in it so I don't know were people go wrong with these cars other than trying to defy the laws of physics and adhesion when it is cold or damp. I recognised very quickly when I took delivery in November 2009 that the tyres are not for cold and damp surfaces so have used a set of winter tyres instead - problem solved.
I also drive a 997 GT3 RS 4.0 so I would claim that I have an adequate benchmark as to how a driver's car should feel and despite the fact that the Aston is a completely different animal than the GT3 it is by no means a lesser driving experience - just different. For me the combination of a 6.0 litre V12 with a manual (and very well functioning) gearbox is ideal and the car is a keeper for that reason. There aren't just any other cars around today that offer that a blend of brutal delivery with understated elegant looks.
I also drive a 997 GT3 RS 4.0 so I would claim that I have an adequate benchmark as to how a driver's car should feel and despite the fact that the Aston is a completely different animal than the GT3 it is by no means a lesser driving experience - just different. For me the combination of a 6.0 litre V12 with a manual (and very well functioning) gearbox is ideal and the car is a keeper for that reason. There aren't just any other cars around today that offer that a blend of brutal delivery with understated elegant looks.
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