Vantage V12....Talk to me!

[Luke640d]

Hi All,

Well the time has come for me to look at buying an Aston Martin (wanted for years) and found a V12 Vantage Carbon Black Edition (I believe 1 of 200 made).

Has anyone got one? Is there anything I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!

[V8 Animal]

What a V12V?

[Charliesum]

Yes please....
Nothing else to say

[Charliesum]

Yes please....
Nothing else to say

[Jon39]

Luke640d said:

Hi All,

Well the time has come for me to look at buying an Aston Martin (wanted for years) and found a V12 Vantage Carbon Black Edition (I believe 1 of 200 made).

Has anyone got one? Is there anything I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!

I must not make the obvious joke answer to;
200 made - has anyone got one?

As a V8 owner, the V12 is so tempting.
You often see warning comments here such as, 'if you drive, you will buy'.
It appears that this Vantage will be the last ever V12 Aston Martin with a manual gearbox, and therefore set to become quite a special model.

If it has clearly been treasured by the previous owner(s), you should have a wonderful sports car.

[Luke640d]

Thanks all

I was considering a V8 but I can't help thinking you only do it once, get a V12.

This car is a '12 plate with 4k on the clock!

[Simon T]

If you drive it you'll buy it

[f328nvl]

I got my V12 Roadster at the weekend, as mentioned elsewhere. V12 & Manual is brilliant. Technology inside is just adequate.

Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 20th November 21:31

[V8V Man]

Luke640d said:

Hi All,

Well the time has come for me to look at buying an Aston Martin (wanted for years) and found a V12 Vantage Carbon Black Edition (I believe 1 of 200 made).

Has anyone got one? Is there anything I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!

As many have said drive a V12 and you'll want one, I did at the launch back in 2009 and earlier this year with the V12S and ever since I have been seeking one!

I've just (Sept) replaced my 2006 V8 with a 2011 V12 Carbon Black. I believe that some 1200 V12 coupes were made and the original 2011 Carbon Black was build one per dealership! Mine was bought from a main dealer and therefore has a full AM warranty so hopefully covered for issues.

I understand that earlier V12's had a clutch issue which was sorted under warranty, given the one you are looking at has on,y 4K miles can't think of any major to look out for! Lots has been written about the P Zero Corsa's but generally be sensible and get them warmed up first. They also like to drink a drop of Mobil's finest, so keep an eye on that.

Never was a big fan of black Vantage's but the V12 Carbon Black just looks right especially with those additions of carbon fibre.

Just go do it - life's too short!

[Luke640d]

V8V Man said:

As many have said drive a V12 and you'll want one, I did at the launch back in 2009 and earlier this year with the V12S and ever since I have been seeking one!

I've just (Sept) replaced my 2006 V8 with a 2011 V12 Carbon Black. I believe that some 1200 V12 coupes were made and the original 2011 Carbon Black was build one per dealership! Mine was bought from a main dealer and therefore has a full AM warranty so hopefully covered for issues.

I understand that earlier V12's had a clutch issue which was sorted under warranty, given the one you are looking at has on,y 4K miles can't think of any major to look out for! Lots has been written about the P Zero Corsa's but generally be sensible and get them warmed up first. They also like to drink a drop of Mobil's finest, so keep an eye on that.

Never was a big fan of black Vantage's but the V12 Carbon Black just looks right especially with those additions of carbon fibre.

Just go do it - life's too short!

Thank you for your advice, very informative!

I read earlier that clutches can last 40 - 50k - is this true?

[Luke640d]

Insurance quote of £612.99

10k per annum (8k personal 2k business), legal cover, protected NCDs, windscreen cover and £300 excess.

[V8V Pete]

Luke640d said:

Thanks all

I was considering a V8 but I can't help thinking you only do it once, get a V12.

This car is a '12 plate with 4k on the clock!

Luke. I am one of those V8V drivers who, having test driven a V12V (twice), now have to make the step up to a V12. I feel I should own my V8 for at least 2 years so that's 9 months, 27 days and counting! If you're only going to do it once then I'd definitely go for the V12.

If this is the car you are looking at http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

then it looks pretty perfect to me: CB, lightweight seats, Alcantara, Premium audio - doesn't get much better than that. Only thing I would say is that I think the price is a little over market rate at this time of year when they move quite slowly. Check out the current offerings from Main dealers http://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Results/?... and I would reckon if you can get the one your looking at for nearer £90K then you'll be a very happy man. If you leave it too long then I'll buy it!

[JACK6284]

I have a V12 Vantage in Carbon Black but not one of the limited editions. I had my V8 Vantage for two years and loved it. No problems with it during that time just normal servicing and two new rear tyres.

As other have said once you drive the V12 it is very likely that you will want one. For a car that is visually similar to the V8 it is quite different to drive. Steering is heavier and has more feel and the ride is firmer too. Traction can be an issue and spare boxer shorts are best kept in the small glove compartment. The gear shift is better although if you are vertically challenged you may find the leaver too far back. On the right road with a option to give it some beans it's easy to hit the rev limiter and the sound is intoxicating. Brakes are excellent and produce rapid deceleration which can catch out the following Audi that is (was) 6" from your carbon fibre rear valance.

I'm going to change the Corsa tyres to the option tyres and my local supplier will fit these with the correct(AM8) compound for £836.

My V12 is proving more economical than the V8 as I'm generally obtaining 20mpg and not 18mpg. My only issue so far was a failed tracker unit that stranded me at a "Supercar Saturday" meeting

[BigScotty]

Luke640d said:

Hi All,

Well the time has come for me to look at buying an Aston Martin (wanted for years) and found a V12 Vantage Carbon Black Edition (I believe 1 of 200 made).

Has anyone got one? Is there anything I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!

I have one of the 200.

Problems I've encountered:
Clutch was squealing when I pulled away sharply - clutch replaced
Squeaks from the dash - dealer fixed after a few visits.
Door rubbers were torn - dealer replaced.
Tracker issues - tracker needs their arse kicked, dealer was good.
A bit of paint fell off the boot lid - dealer had it repaired for me.

All of that pales into insignificance when I press the engine start.

I do think my dealer (Murrays in Edinburgh) have been excellent, and they've supported without quibble.

Even with all the problems, though, it's still been less troublesome than my previous car (997.1 gt3).

I bought mine in September '13. It was a '10 plate with 2250 miles on board. It's now passed 9k. I've done more miles in the past year, than I did in 3 years of GT3 ownership.

I wish it had adjustable, or adaptive suspension, for track work. And I'd love the new engine with the power boost. But I won't give up those 3 pedals.

I was, and still am, completely smitten by this silly wee car and it's engine. I hope I get to enjoy it as much next year.

[sukh_m]

I have one, just buy it you will not regret it

[L0TT0]

sukh_m said:

I have one, just buy it you will not regret it

Yes but you bought a very special one

[sukh_m]

L0TT0 said:

sukh_m said:

I have one, just buy it you will not regret it

Yes but you bought a very special one

Cockers hasn't driven it so you are correct

[cayman-black]

Agree with V8V Pete about the Hofmann car, very nice.
Jack what is the option tyre P Zeros? How many miles have you got out of the corsa,s?

[JACK6284]

cayman-black said:

Jack what is the option tyre P Zeros? How many miles have you got out of the corsa,s?

Yes,
Plain P Zeros (non-Corsa but AM8). My car is a "13" reg and has now done 6,600 miles but only around 1250 with me. I have around 4mm on the rears (DOT code is 4212 so not too old) but very limited grip with the traction control on and the "Sport" button off. Wheel spin in second and sometimes third gear well before the limiter. Tyres pressures have been checked and are correct.

Fortunately, I have had driver instruction in the past to assist in my car control but Darren Turner isn't always sitting next to me!

Edited by JACK6284 on Wednesday 19th November 12:02

[CraigV12V]

V8V Pete said:

then it looks pretty perfect to me: CB, lightweight seats, Alcantara, Premium audio - doesn't get much better than that. Only thing I would say is that I think the price is a little over market rate at this time of year when they move quite slowly. Check out the current offerings from Main dealers http://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Results/?... and I would reckon if you can get the one your looking at for nearer £90K then you'll be a very happy man. If you leave it too long then I'll buy it!

This car is mine so if you are interested please drop me a line with any questions. I am buying a new house and will in due course need the equity from the car otherwise she would still be in my garage waiting for the spring.