Flugplatz or not to Flugplatz?

[CraigV12V]

Having owned a V8V 4.3 (cute but too slow) and then a V12V (brilliant, but had to be sold for deposit on house) I am in market again for a V12V but this time it needs to be a Roadster. Have to have the S with more poke or hope for a manual one day.

I test drove this cheeky looking chappy today; http://is.gd/CUgUhm Definitely felt the extras horses.

My first concern was the Sportshift III. Pistonheaders seem to be fine with it but motor journalists seem to hate it.

Whilst I have not driven a porker with a pdk to make a comparison with journalist's favourite box; compared to a manual V12V the S III is frankly an improvement. It simply changes gear as or about as quick as I might and its really very compliant. Sure playing with the Terminators knob is cool, but its not the easiest of boxes (crunched gears more than once in V12V) and the gear stick is a bit too close for the even gears and we all know about second gear when cold.

So a V12VSR it is.

Now as for the colour. Grey's and blacks are fine but this is not a business car for me or a daily driver, its something to howl around Europe in with the lid down. I think the colour reflects this "fun" aspect.

But whilst I love the colour, will I get clobbered on trade in/sale? It's been up for sale for a while, even though V12V stocks seem to be dwindling which kind of indicates I will have to take a larger than usual hit down the road unless I find someone as daft as I am.

So can I ask for opinions on the colour?

[CraigV12V]

So what do we think about the asking price of circa £130k?

[CraigV12V]

Flugplatz said:

I may be a little bit biased but I think its a colour that could attract a premium and certainly never a penny less any other colour.

If it wasn't for Flugplatz I would still be in the GT3.
It was in fact seeing the car you have driven just out of the corner of my eye as I drove past the dealership that sparked my interest. (I had a Riviera blue 997 Turbo cab 6 years ago).
I couldn't strike a deal with them (although Martin in sales was fantastic) but found mine a few days later.

It's sensational and the gearbox is superb.

I'm south Ches/North staffs so if you fancy a ride I can show you the car and the gearbox in real use

Edited by Flugplatz on Saturday 13th February 20:12

Can we have a chat offline? Email if you don't mind [e-mail]

[CraigV12V]

Went out for a sedate drive with Flugplatz yesterday and completely sold on Sportshift.

So deposit paid and picking up the twin Aston to Flugplatz's on Monday.

Photos obviously will follow.

[CraigV12V]

northernmedia said:

Flugplatz said:

northernmedia said:

followed a lovely controllable over steer slide
Great car.

Traction fully off?
Traction set to track?
Traction on?

Fully on.
No doubt down to the Corsas.
Takes a little courage to give it a touch more throttle than you would normally but it will slide very nicely.
Roundabouts are a good place to practice ( you didn't hear that from me ).
Course the rears will need replacing soon, although I'm hoping they'll last until after a track day at croft in June!

Had any 'moments' in yours?

Seems Flugplatz maybe German for Hooner. Looking forward to joining the fold.

[CraigV12V]

northernmedia said:

Fully on.
No doubt down to the Corsas.
Takes a little courage to give it a touch more throttle than you would normally but it will slide very nicely.
Roundabouts are a good place to practice ( you didn't hear that from me ).
Course the rears will need replacing soon, although I'm hoping they'll last until after a track day at croft in June!

Had any 'moments' in yours?

Seems Flugplatz maybe German for Hooner. Looking forward to joining the fold.

[CraigV12V]

So I got it on Monday. Those of my friends and family who didn't like the colour soon changed their minds when they saw it in the flesh.

As a die hard gear stick fan, I have to say; I'm a convert - Sportshift is simply a better tool for this kind of car and the role it will play in my life.

Here is the obligatory picture from outside the dealership in Wilmslow;

[CraigV12V]

Ed50 said:

Yes congratulations indeed Craig.

Will you be able to attend Burghley this time as it would be great to have you along in the new beast.

You can't beat a bit of added colour.

Congratulations again on a stunning motor car…...

Haven't booked summer hols yet which tend to be early July. But I think Flugplatz is going and if the other couple of same coloured V12V's are going to, it would make for a great picture to have them all together.

[CraigV12V]

Flugplatz said:

Great that its all worked out Craig and you're enjoying it

I'll let you know when our next trip to the triangle is

Ive been out all day playing tunes with the paddles while tanning in the February sun with the roof down.

Over 3 months now and my love for the car is getting more and more intense every day.
I've been at the 3 month point with some pretty awesome Supercars in the past and found myself back in the classifieds looking at alternatives. This is the first car ive ever thought I may own for many years.

I may treat her to a flat bottom carbon/alcantara steering wheel ive spotted on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ASTON-MARTIN-V12-VANQUIS...

Its shown in leather but they will do it in Alcantara.

Looks the mutts but wouldn't it be cheaper to get the existing wheel clad in alcantara?

I was going for some mods I might consider some Bamford Rose tweaks for performance but probably after the AM warranty has expired.

Looking forward to seeing the two cars together soon.