V12V Spec

[GRBF430F1]

Looking for advice please guys on the do's and don't of buying a V12V

What spec and colours are favoured ?

Black looks good to me but said I would never own one privately due to showing scratches etc....

Whats special or Limited about the Carbon Edition ? Is the paint more resiliant ?

Any advice gratefully accepted as always.

I'm looking to be persuaded to buy but my main concerns are :

1. Car too heavy to be fun to drive
2. Reliability and running costs
3. Can look all too similar to a £30k V8 Vanatage

Can anyone persuade me ( in an unbiased way )differently ?

[mikey k]

GRBF430F1 said:

Can anyone persuade me ( in an unbiased way )differently ?

Realistically that is not going to happen in here

I'm sure some of the "proper" Vantage owners will be along shortly to warn you about test driving one of these

[yeti]

GRBF430F1 said:

1. Car too heavy to be fun to drive
2. Reliability and running costs
3. Can look all too similar to a £30k V8 Vanatage

1. It's a heavy, luxury car, no getting around it. But the brakes are mighty and fade free and the torque is huge. It's no Elise or GT3, but it hides its weight well.

2. Reliability is great. The odd dash rattle that can be fixed.

3. Looks similar to whom? Those who 'know' know the difference, those who don't, don't care. In the same vein, a GT3 looks like a 10 grand 996 in a lurid colour with a big wing. Except to 'those that know'

Take one out for a drive, on a dry day, with the windows down.

[v12woollie]

yeti said:

Take one out for a drive, on a dry day, with the windows down.

That'll do it

[erics]

Carbon edition is no more than a paint jobbie and dark claustrophobic interior.

Get carbon bucket seats.

Paint is beautifull but fragile.

Don't go test drive one unless you are prepared to buy. Because you will.
That's what happened to me. I was not expecting it to be this good.

[stimshady]

v12woollie said:

That'll do it

Yep! That'll definitely do it!

Re: the carbon black paint, not sure if the paint is any tougher, i believe it's a unique colour, but if you do a two bucket wash and keep it polished/detailed etc, then you shouldn't have to worry... every colour is susceptible to scratches though, remember seeing a lovely F430 in red with swirls all over it!

Personally i love the carbon black edition, don't find the interior to be claustrophobic at all, just quality everywhere. I don't believe the carbon black edition is limited edition, maybe special edition, but effectively is unique paint and most of the extras that Aston offered, so you get the 700W sound system (which is amazing), front parking sensors, carbon fibre side strips, bonnet vents & little 'carbon black' door sill plinths, piano black dash console too. And of course, the diamond turned semi-black alloys, which look stunning.

The V12 definitely stands apart from the V8, it has a lot more 'presence' on the road and really does turn a lot of heads...

Something i have noticed with the V12 is that the photo's, whoever's taken them, don't do the car justice - you really have to see on in the flesh(metal)...

[GRBF430F1]

All sounds very positive but my only test drive was 3 months ago on a cold and rainy day and I was very disappointed but TBH it was a fair reflection on the car.

Will it handle anything like my F430 and be as exciting ar is the weight making it more of a GT crusier ?

I want an exciting 3rd car for dry summer weekend use only in reality and as such it has to be something that wants me to move other cars out the way and get it out of the garage just to go for a random blast on some A and B roads for fun

[Cockernee]

GRBF430F1 said:

Looking for advice please guys on the do's and don't of buying a V12V

What spec and colours are favoured ?

Black looks good to me but said I would never own one privately due to showing scratches etc....

Whats special or Limited about the Carbon Edition ? Is the paint more resiliant ?

Any advice gratefully accepted as always.

I'm looking to be persuaded to buy but my main concerns are :

1. Car too heavy to be fun to drive
2. Reliability and running costs
3. Can look all too similar to a £30k V8 Vanatage

Can anyone persuade me ( in an unbiased way )differently ?

Where do we start? Can you afford one? If so, drive it, if not Or you will sell a leg to buy one

It is awesome to drive, it is reliable even when used on the odd trackday, getaways or if you fancy a good thrash. Not that I have ever done any of these Be prepared for an average of 14MPG and a service every year at around £1K - £1.2K.

Not if you park them side by side they don't The V12 has a more aggressive stance, carbon bonnet louvres and other carbon bits (tat for Georgio) that do set it apart.

It looks great, it sounds great and it is just the biggest grin to drive. In a V8V you work hard to keep the engine on the boil, a V12V is on the boil from tickover.

In fairness if you need convincing, you have not driven one.

[GRBF430F1]

Cockernee said:

Where do we start? Can you afford one? If so, drive it, if not Or you will sell a leg to buy one

It is awesome to drive, it is reliable even when used on the odd trackday, getaways or if you fancy a good thrash. Not that I have ever done any of these Be prepared for an average of 14MPG and a service every year at around £1K - £1.2K.

Not if you park them side by side they don't The V12 has a more aggressive stance, carbon bonnet louvres and other carbon bits (tat for Georgio) that do set it apart.

It looks great, it sounds great and it is just the biggest grin to drive. In a V8V you work hard to keep the engine on the boil, a V12V is on the boil from tickover.

In fairness if you need convincing, you have not driven one.

Problem is I did drive one but in the wet and TBH it was scary. Cold corsa tyres in the rain are not ideal and as such I was disappointed.
You are correct I do need to drive one again but in the dry to be convinced

[Jon39]

GRBF430F1 said:

1. Car too heavy to be fun to drive
3. Can look all too similar to a £30k V8 Vanatage

Will it handle anything like my F430 and be as exciting

I think you asked your questions, just at the right time.
Aston Martin have announced a car, that might meet your requirements.

The V12 VANTAGE S.

Exciting? - 205 mph, 0-60 mph less than 4 seconds, and Adaptive Dampers.
Looks too similar to a V8V? - Not with the 'S' agressive appearance.

[Cockernee]

GRBF430F1 said:

Problem is I did drive one but in the wet and TBH it was scary. Cold corsa tyres in the rain are not ideal and as such I was disappointed.
You are correct I do need to drive one again but in the dry to be convinced

Aha, scary indeed Drive one in the dry and you will get the full benefit

[v12woollie]

GRBF430F1 said:

Problem is I did drive one but in the wet and TBH it was scary. Cold corsa tyres in the rain are not ideal and as such I was disappointed.
You are correct I do need to drive one again but in the dry to be convinced

Compared to my old V8V the V12V is a massive step up in how the performance is delivered. They are both quick cars but the massive torque of the V12 really lifts the whole driving experience. By way of example, on the JLC tour drive I was stirring the gearbox continually to keep the revs up and to keep pace with the V12s in the pack. It was tiring and the engine rarely went below 4,500 RPM, so in some tight bends I was in second or even first gear and revving to near the redline to get maximum power out of the bends. Out on a run yesterday, I was still trying to run the new V12V in so I kept the revs below 4,500 RPM. Even into tight corners, in third gear at 2,500-3,000 RPM , and mashing the pedal on the exit the car just drives forward like an express train. So much more torque and so much easier to drive fast. The Lord only knows what it will be like when I am keeping the revs around 4,500 RPM into corners and then taking it up to 6,800 RPM on the exit for the next shift up.

I should add my apologies to Tony H who was behind me for a lot of the drive and being held up by me trying to take it easy

So what of the Corsas. Well, as is generally known, when they are cold or when the road is wet they are not the best tyre out there. Of course you can drive the car but you can't drive in any spirited fashion as they have insufficient high speed grip. But use them on a day like Sunday, temp 18-20 degrees and dry roads and the grip is phenomenal, way more than the Potenzas on my V8V. They just stick. That said, I saw the traction light a couple of times as the power of the V12 coming out of roundabouts or where there were loose stones on the road was too much for the Corsas. Not as bad as Tony in his V12V with the P Zeros - he said he saw the light more than I did. For me, I'll keep the Corsas and get some winter tyres as I don't want to give up the Corsa roadholding.

I resolutely did not drive a V12V until I knew I wanted to do a deal. I didn't want to drive it and then get back into myV8V and feel it wasn't enough. Of course, the V8V is a tremendous car and is more than enough for any UK road and I would not really have felt disappointed if I had not gone for the V12V and kept it. But the V12V is a step up in driving fun and once you experience it you really want it

As said above, pick a day this week when it is warm, get a few miles on the Corsas to get them sticky and then chuck the Vantage around some bends. You will grin from ear to ear - promise!

Edited by v12woollie on Monday 3rd June 15:45

[sukh_m]

v12woollie said:

Compared to my old V8V the V12V is a massive step up in how the performance is delivered. They are both quick cars but the massive torque of the V12 really lifts the whole driving experience. By way of example, on the JLC tour drive I was stirring the gearbox continually to keep the revs up and to keep pace with the V12s in the pack. It was tiring and the engine rarely went below 4,500 RPM, so in some tight bends I was in second or even first gear and revving to near the redline to get maximum power out of the bends. Out on a run yesterday, I was still trying to run the new V12V in so I kept the revs below 4,500 RPM. Even into tight corners, in third gear at 2,500-3,000 RPM , and mashing the pedal on the exit the car just drives forward like an express train. So much more torque and so much easier to drive fast. The Lord only knows what it will be like when I am keeping the revs around 4,500 RPM into corners and then taking it up to 6,800 RPM on the exit for the next shift up.

I should add my apologies to Tony H who was behind me for a lot of the drive and being held up by me trying to take it easy

So what of the Corsas. Well, as is generally known, when they are cold or when the road is wet they are not the best tyre out there. Of course you can drive the car but you can't drive in any spirited fashion as they have insufficient high speed grip. But use them on a day like Sunday, temp 18-20 degrees and dry roads and the grip is phenomenal, way more than the Potenzas on my V8V. They just stick. That said, I saw the traction light a couple of times as the power of the V12 coming out of roundabouts or where there were loose stones on the road was too much for the Corsas. Not as bad as Tony in his V12V with the P Zeros - he said he saw the light more than I did. For me, I'll keep the Corsas and get some winter tyres as I don't want to give up the Corsa roadholding.

I resolutely did not drive a V12V until I knew I wanted to do a deal. I didn't want to drive it and then get back into myV8V and feel it wasn't enough. Of course, the V8V is a tremendous car and is more than enough for any UK road and I would not really have felt disappointed if I had not gone for the V12V and kept it. But the V12V is a step up in driving fun and once you experience it you really want it

As said above, pick a day this week when it is warm, get a few miles on the Corsas to get them sticky and then chuck the Vantage around some bends. You will grin from ear to ear - promise!

Edited by v12woollie on Monday 3rd June 15:45

Nice little write up there Simon, we all know it's a phenomenal car and that's exactly why I wont drive one until I can buy

[yeti]

GRBF430F1 said:

Will it handle anything like my F430 and be as exciting ar is the weight making it more of a GT crusier ?

It'll be exciting yes, but won't handle like a mid-engined, high-output V8 that's half a ton lighter, no...

As you say, it has better GT credentials; and this is no bad thing. The thing you'll notice the most is the torque, and it becomes addictive and enjoyable. And the manual box is a joy to use. A very nice foil to a 430, it would be an almost ideal pairing as they are polar opposites

[v12woollie]

Oh forgot one thing. The V12V is a lot more sensitive to the road, probably due to the different suspension to my old standard 4.3 V8V. So you feel the road more through the steering wheel, and the car is much more sensitive to undulating and uneven roads.

But the Sport button makes up for that

[Tony V12V]

v12woollie said:

Simon said lots of good stuff

Edited by v12woollie on Monday 3rd June 15:45

Just to add that whilst I was seeing my TC light more on P Zero's than I have with Corsa's on, at no point do I feel that they are going to let go. Still got loads of grip but have added confidence is anything less than an ideal day. On my way back from Millbrook (did I mention Millbrook ) last week it was raining all the way home with a lot of standing water and the grip level and therefore confidence in the Zero's was much better than my Corsa'a ever were in such st conditions. IMHO of course

[Zod]

yeti said:

GRBF430F1 said:

Will it handle anything like my F430 and be as exciting ar is the weight making it more of a GT crusier ?

It'll be exciting yes, but won't handle like a mid-engined, high-output V8 that's half a ton lighter, no...

"Half a ton"?

If there's an F430 weighing less than 1200 kg, I think I'll chop in my V12V for it tomorrow.

[yeti]

Zod said:

"Half a ton"?
If there's an F430 weighing less than 1200 kg, I think I'll chop in my V12V for it tomorrow.

OK, 210kg according to Wikipedia

Thought that Fezza was lighter and Vantage was lardier.

[cayman-black]

I notice Zod is very sensitive about weights!

[Zod]

cayman-black said:

I notice Zod is very sensitive about weights!

Ex-CSL owner. The V12V isn't really that lardy, but I do hope they'll find a way to drop the next Vantage's weight below 1500kg. 400 bhp/tonne would be nice.