RE: Aston Martin Vanquish manual: Driven
Discussion
Armen said:
hondansx said:
Otherwise, the car is automotive art and i imagine will be big money in the future, thanks to it's sheer presence (current Vanquish is pathetic in comparison) and the roots to Aston's labour-intensive tradition which is obviously lost somewhat today. To be fair, looking in the classifieds there are one's at decent money considering a couple of Ultimate editions sold for £200k last year.
I do agree at 100% !Concerning the gearbox, I know a 2002 Vanquish owner who bought it new and didn't have a single problem with the gearbox.
The only thing to note is that the original Vanquish clutch would run 20 000 miles maximum but since 2004, when replacing the clutch, Aston puts the S clutch which is more resistant.
My friend has done over 30 000 miles with the S clutch and it doesn't show any kind of wear, still perfect.
As such, if i return to the fold, it will be a manual only!
As you said, the one to get is a late Vanquish S with the DB9 dash. The bargain option is a Vanquish with the 'Works' dynamic pack, which was effectively the same suspension, steering and wheels as the S (and aero bits if you liked), but with the standard engine.
steveirl said:
I own a Vanquish, it is a rather nice drive, very old school, and feels very special. I still think it is one of the most beautiful looking, and sounding cars ever made. The paddle shift suits the nature of the car, and once you don't treat it as a conventional automatic, it is good to use, especially when downshifting.
I do like the idea of the manual conversion though, and a few weeks ago contacted Aston Works to enquire on the cost. Here, Pistonheads is slightly out of date, as the cost is just over 16k plus VAT!
Pre 2005 cars require a dashboard upgrade which increases the costs a little. I do like the idea of the manual conversion though, and a few weeks ago contacted Aston Works to enquire on the cost. Here, Pistonheads is slightly out of date, as the cost is just over 16k plus VAT!
hondansx said:
Ours needed a new 'box after about 20,000 miles i think. I think it could have been repaired easily enough, but being under warranty it was shipped to Germany and a replacement sent back. After which, the car developed an electronic fault which meant the car refused to change gear...
As such, if i return to the fold, it will be a manual only!
As you said, the one to get is a late Vanquish S with the DB9 dash. The bargain option is a Vanquish with the 'Works' dynamic pack, which was effectively the same suspension, steering and wheels as the S (and aero bits if you liked), but with the standard engine.
Apparently you've had the clutch sensor problem after the gearbox replacement, right ?As such, if i return to the fold, it will be a manual only!
As you said, the one to get is a late Vanquish S with the DB9 dash. The bargain option is a Vanquish with the 'Works' dynamic pack, which was effectively the same suspension, steering and wheels as the S (and aero bits if you liked), but with the standard engine.
You must be talking about the Sport Dynamic Pack which was available in 2004.
Besides the modifications you've mentioned, the car received the bigger brakes of the (future) Vanquish S revealed several months ago at Paris Motorshow.
The wheels were different than the classical Vanquish but were not the ones of the S.
There is one thing missing in the article... THE SOUND. Much more impressive than all the new Aston's as the DBS, V12 Vantage... and even the "Vanquish" 2013 (which doesn't deserve the name Vanquish at all...)
For sure, now it is the best moment to get a Vanquish/S !
The original interior is certainly a bit old-fashionned today (still has its charm though !).
For people who don't know it, here is the interior which appeared for the 2006/2007 Vanquish S :
Edited by Armen on Tuesday 20th May 17:31
I always thought these were a bit sh*t, they looked 'weird' (to my eyes anyway) and that awful flappy paddle gearbox meant they got it so so so wrong.
However, looking at this black car, with the black wheels, and black interior....it just looks so damn good. The best looking Vanquish I've ever seen.
However, looking at this black car, with the black wheels, and black interior....it just looks so damn good. The best looking Vanquish I've ever seen.
And relax.....hondansx said:
Pre 2005 cars require a dashboard upgrade which increases the costs a little.
Yes, I realise that, the center panel is modified to a slimmer profile, to allow room for the gearlever throw, like the later cars, and covered in matching leather, but the cost is still very high, given the relative simplicity of the conversion. I am not ruling it out for the future however. I do prefer manual shift cars.
Armen is also right about the sound, there are few better sounding cars on the road.
P4ROT said:
I thought there was a Vanquish "final" edition with a manual shifter?
The 50 last Vanquish S built in June/July 2007 were the "Ultimate Edition".There was no mechanical change at all, only a different exterior color called "Ultimate Black", white stitching in the interior, and black door handles.
They were all in 2+2 configuration. But with the same gearbox than the S. The Vanquish/S never left Newport Pagnell with a stick, AM proposed the conversion later.
It's interesting that the Ultimate commands such a premium given you don't get anything over a 'normal' one.
Also worth noting that the Vanquish does shrink around you (the Lotus effect?) and the light-ish steering belie the car's weight. With the long first gear you can drift it quite easily
Also worth noting that the Vanquish does shrink around you (the Lotus effect?) and the light-ish steering belie the car's weight. With the long first gear you can drift it quite easily
hondansx said:
It's interesting that the Ultimate commands such a premium given you don't get anything over a 'normal' one.
Also worth noting that the Vanquish does shrink around you (the Lotus effect?) and the light-ish steering belie the car's weight. With the long first gear you can drift it quite easily
I agree! Although I must admit, I didn't try the drifting... Also worth noting that the Vanquish does shrink around you (the Lotus effect?) and the light-ish steering belie the car's weight. With the long first gear you can drift it quite easily
hondansx said:
It's interesting that the Ultimate commands such a premium given you don't get anything over a 'normal' one.
Also worth noting that the Vanquish does shrink around you (the Lotus effect?) and the light-ish steering belie the car's weight. With the long first gear you can drift it quite easily
There is one for sale in the UK at £175,000. As you said, some of them have been sold at £200k.Also worth noting that the Vanquish does shrink around you (the Lotus effect?) and the light-ish steering belie the car's weight. With the long first gear you can drift it quite easily
A nice 2006/2007 Vanquish S would ask £120,000 minimum. And I guess £90,000 is the minimum for a good Vanquish S 2005 model year with the old dashboard.
Concerning the "classical" Vanquish of 460 bhp, £70,000 seems to be the minimum for a perfect example. For sure it is possible to find cheaper cars, but the service history, the condition must be checked.
And of course, the price also depends on the mileage, but I think these cars need to be driven. I wouldn't be afraid of buying a Vanquish with high mileage, as long as the clutch has been replaced and coil packs/spark plugs as well.
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