New V12VS (manual) - Colour/Spec decisions
Discussion
Well I have spent a lot of time since I got the call a week ago saying I had only 7 days to finalise a spec debating what to do. Seems I probably have a little more time, but that hasn't stopped me constantly thinking about how this one is going to look.
Q has been an interesting experience so far, Q Paint is relatively sensibly priced, but some of the other items I have asked about are prohibitively expensive. I still have a couple of questions unanswered so my fingers are crossed these will also be reasonable, but my hopes are not high. There is sill some way to go before I have a spec agreed as it is quite a slow process getting some of the answers I want, and something like the still unclear price of the CF vents may yet sink the whole thing.
Interior will be an Alcantara/leather combo, most likely Pure Black if I can overcome the Obsidian Black only steering wheel issue! Need to ask Q, or look into post delivery dye options. I'm asking about a part alcantara dash too, as in the Sport Plus pack and or the GT8/12. Contrast stitch to complement external colour choice, or possibly a two tone upper or seat outer - really not decided yet. The more wild the outside colour, the more safe (i.e. black) the inside will be.
Paint colour is the first and biggest choice of course. Blacks and Silvers and Whites are all ruled out, as I my 3 Astons were Onyx, Meteorite and Morning Frost and I don't want anything similar to repeat. Yellows are out as the Cayman GT4 is Racing Yellow, and all 5 of the pre set Sport Plus combos are also ruled out as none float my boat. I want something wild and high contrast with the CF, ideally unique or very rare, but it's got to work on a V12VS too, that said I suspect my boundaries are much wider than most peoples.
The seriously considered shortlisted colours, but now discounted are:
(Note that the pictures of Montana and Kermit were taken by Q in less bright lighting compared to the picture I took of Cinnabar in the dealership).
All of the above would be with varying black decals and trim to enhance an aggressive look. Most likely the roof, tailgate and mirrors, but not the lipstick. There is one big problem, the decals all seem to have dropped off the price list and the dealer ordering system, so I am worried they now discontinued as a tactic to pushing people down the £6k Sport-Plus pack combos if you want decals. Dealer is asking as he isn't sure, but I will be royally miffed if these have gone and Q try to step in with pricing way in above of the old rrp, which was expensive enough already.
A couple of real life examples of each of the above:
Feedback welcome! My tin hat is on as I realise all 3 of these are marmite and quite likely not to the approval of most!
Q has been an interesting experience so far, Q Paint is relatively sensibly priced, but some of the other items I have asked about are prohibitively expensive. I still have a couple of questions unanswered so my fingers are crossed these will also be reasonable, but my hopes are not high. There is sill some way to go before I have a spec agreed as it is quite a slow process getting some of the answers I want, and something like the still unclear price of the CF vents may yet sink the whole thing.
Interior will be an Alcantara/leather combo, most likely Pure Black if I can overcome the Obsidian Black only steering wheel issue! Need to ask Q, or look into post delivery dye options. I'm asking about a part alcantara dash too, as in the Sport Plus pack and or the GT8/12. Contrast stitch to complement external colour choice, or possibly a two tone upper or seat outer - really not decided yet. The more wild the outside colour, the more safe (i.e. black) the inside will be.
Paint colour is the first and biggest choice of course. Blacks and Silvers and Whites are all ruled out, as I my 3 Astons were Onyx, Meteorite and Morning Frost and I don't want anything similar to repeat. Yellows are out as the Cayman GT4 is Racing Yellow, and all 5 of the pre set Sport Plus combos are also ruled out as none float my boat. I want something wild and high contrast with the CF, ideally unique or very rare, but it's got to work on a V12VS too, that said I suspect my boundaries are much wider than most peoples.
The seriously considered shortlisted colours, but now discounted are:
- Volcano Red - Very nice colour indeed, but Ive ruled it out as there are quite a few out there now, so not unique enough.
- Scintilla Silver - I know I said Silvers are out, but Scintilla is stunning. That said it didn't make the cut.
- Flame Orange - A stunning colour in sunlight/showroom but in overcast Uk weather the metallic detail vanishes and it looks like a dull flat red.
- Cobalt Blue - Cracking colour, but not wild or rare enough.
- Viridian Green – Love the idea of green, and it seems quite rare, but not sure this is the right green for me.
- China Grey – I like it, but probably not wild enough.
- Montana Orange, now renamed Cayucus Orange. – This colour is available in both satin and gloss finishes, but it’s gloss which I have shortlisted. Both me and my mrs love this colour and it ticks all the boxes. I’ve seen it in real life on the one V12 Zagato produced in this, and it was stunning although I only found out at the weekend it was actually the same colour, after lots of confusion over the name change. A very rare but not unique colour for V12VS.
- Kermit Green – OK a really wild one and totally marmite I accept, but I love that GT12 picture which was posted a couple of weeks ago. Awaiting a sample early next week before making a decision, but I have pricing from Q and it’s the same price as any other “previous AML colour”. I have to be honest and admit that my mrs hates it, but I'm hoping the sample will win both of us over! As far as I know this would be unique for a V12VS, in fact the GT12 below is just about the only pic I can find.
- Cinnabar Orange – Probably the safest option on my shortlist and has the benefit of being just a “contemporary colour”, so this will be quite a bit cheaper than the other two. Only problem is the mrs isn’t half as convinced as I am about it. I think the problem is that the dealer has a Vanquish Volante in the showroom in this colour and it looks quite different on that car, and its put her off it. A rare colour for V12VS.
(Note that the pictures of Montana and Kermit were taken by Q in less bright lighting compared to the picture I took of Cinnabar in the dealership).
All of the above would be with varying black decals and trim to enhance an aggressive look. Most likely the roof, tailgate and mirrors, but not the lipstick. There is one big problem, the decals all seem to have dropped off the price list and the dealer ordering system, so I am worried they now discontinued as a tactic to pushing people down the £6k Sport-Plus pack combos if you want decals. Dealer is asking as he isn't sure, but I will be royally miffed if these have gone and Q try to step in with pricing way in above of the old rrp, which was expensive enough already.
A couple of real life examples of each of the above:
Feedback welcome! My tin hat is on as I realise all 3 of these are marmite and quite likely not to the approval of most!
Interesting and quick feedback so far guys, thanks!
There are two slight issues with Cinnabar: first is that in less than ideal light it does look somewhat brown and lets face it up north in the UK we don't have a great deal of sunshine! Second is the somewhat bigger hurdle that my my good lady is far from convinced about it - hence posting on here to gauge public opinion. I wasn't expecting such unilateral support for Cinnabar.
Here are a few other pics of Cinnabar where it doesn't look quite as good as the sunny pic above.
There are two slight issues with Cinnabar: first is that in less than ideal light it does look somewhat brown and lets face it up north in the UK we don't have a great deal of sunshine! Second is the somewhat bigger hurdle that my my good lady is far from convinced about it - hence posting on here to gauge public opinion. I wasn't expecting such unilateral support for Cinnabar.
Here are a few other pics of Cinnabar where it doesn't look quite as good as the sunny pic above.
Deffo black rims, and yes the CF vents are a must for me too. Black roof, tailgate and mirrors too. Max black contrast.
Viridian and Volcano both ruled out - see the comments on first post.
Diavolo is also nice, I've seen it in the flesh too, but like Volcano we have ruled it out.
Pretty much decided that it's going to be one of the three above - the question is which one!
Viridian and Volcano both ruled out - see the comments on first post.
Diavolo is also nice, I've seen it in the flesh too, but like Volcano we have ruled it out.
Pretty much decided that it's going to be one of the three above - the question is which one!
Edited by AdamV12V on Wednesday 13th April 21:09
OK here are a couple more pics and videos from the Pro-Montanna club (i.e. my mrs - its her clear favourite out of the three and interestingly has the least votes from you all so far!). We both had the pleasure of viewing the V12 Zagato in the final video link when it was delivered by Leeds and we fell in love with the colour there and then.
V12 Vantage in the USA
V12 Vantage at AM Works
V12 Zagato in Singapore
V12 Vantage in the USA
V12 Vantage at AM Works
V12 Zagato in Singapore
cayman-black said:
Well it gets my vote too. I like your first picture of the cinnibar , but in the others it looks brown or dull to me. I think it will be a colour like Madagascar orange sometimes it looks great other times no. Every body loved that so much so that one V12V was up for sale for over a year in that colour.
That orange with the aston plate is stunning, that green looks nice as well!
Yeah I must admit the memory of how long that Madagascar Orange took to sell is in my mind too.That orange with the aston plate is stunning, that green looks nice as well!
As you say Madagascar and Cinnabar are similar, in fact I'd say Cinnabar is just a darker/browner shade of the same colour. That said I much prefer it side by side.
Cayucos/Montana is the only one that both of us really like equally, but it's interesting to see that its had the least votes by people on here so far, your post accepted of course!
In fact I dug up a thread earlier where George said that Montana was stunning, so we must be onto something if even he likes it.
cayman-black said:
Also as you might remember Adam that KX60LUY was first sold back in 2011 where it sold quick , it came back for sale last year and again sold quickly.
Carbon Black model in Orange.
Hmm, I didn't recall that KX60LUY (Montana) selling quickly twice over actually, so that is very interesting to know - many thanks. Carbon Black model in Orange.
Edited by cayman-black on Wednesday 13th April 21:24
I'll be honest and say I'm just about joint favourite on all three, but the Mrs whilst stopping short of an all out veto on Cinnabar and Kermit, is somewhat lacking praise for either compared to her rather boundless enthusiasm for Montana, well that and Scintilla Silver!
Not even sure why I'm posting this, as I have now ruled it out on the basis it is Silver at the end of the day, but here you go:
Scintilla Silver
bentley01 said:
I thought the colour of the DB11 at JCT was stunning.
Yes it was stunning. That was Magnetic Silver, a new colour this coming model year (MY17) so available to me. It's got the same flake content as Scintilla but it's a darker (similar to the shade Meteorite Silver is)Magnetic Silver
Anyway all silvers are a no-go!
RobDown said:
Erm, if your missus likes then first one and not the other two, then the decision is already made isn't it? Especially as reading between the lines I get the sense that its also your favourite. So go for it, you don't need crowd approval, especially from us lot!
Maybe your household is different to mine, but there would be no end of trouble here if I bought a car that SWMBO didn't like (why I'm not allowed to buy an original 1970s DBS or V8)
Lol, well it probably is a bit of a one horse race for her, but I'm not forgetting the power of public opinion when it comes to resale so I am genuinely interested to know what people think! However if resale was that high on my list I guess I'd be going black/silver. In fairness my Mrs is actually pretty good on these things and has said, "well it's your car so do what you really want", but it would be good to end up with some brownie points too... Maybe your household is different to mine, but there would be no end of trouble here if I bought a car that SWMBO didn't like (why I'm not allowed to buy an original 1970s DBS or V8)
Truth be known Kermit is probably my marginal favourite if I had to pick just one with no negative consequences, but it is so wild I'm not sure I actually have the cahoonas to go through with ordering it. A case of head holding heart back, and pretty sure I'd be very happy with either of the other two anyway.
Big Ry said:
This one thread has really opened my mind to something other than the "normal" colours.
Glad to hear it, Ry 7 years ago when I bought the first V8V in Onyx Black I wanted to play it very safe, and then again a year later with my Meteorite V12V. Two years after that my opinion had changed quite a bit and I regretted not buying a wilder colour on the V12V and at the time Morning Frost White was on my radar, when the right car just fell into place. Never for one moment have I regretted buying that car, and it had a fairly wild interior too, mixed Chancellor Red alcantara and Obsidian Black leather.
Latest purchase is a Racing Yellow Cayman GT4 and again no regrets on the colour, albeit I'm not as in love with the car itself as I thought I would be - it's just not an Aston you know...
I'm now a total convert for even wilder colours, although my mrs just says its something called "a mid life crisis", whatever one of those is!
jarodw said:
This in fact looks absolutely awesome on a V12:
I believe that colour is Amethyst Red, there was a V12VR sold earlier this year in that colour. Again not sure it always looks quite as good as it does in bright showroom lights / sunlight.http://www.bramley.com/carsales/details/Aston-Mart...
Edited by AdamV12V on Thursday 14th April 08:58
Big Ry said:
AMDBSNick said:
Now here if you fancy a viewing. It was the owner of Bramley's own car
https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...
Didn't Bramley want something like £180k for that ? I've seen this actual car at Works just over a year ago and it did look good to be fair.https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~...
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-spottedykyw...
I didn't know it was up with JCT and havn't seen it in either the showroom or in with the used stock, but maybe that because the colour doesn't stand out on a cloudy day! Either way, purple isn't for me.
alscar said:
Adam ,in addition to the comments here I would add my tuppence that I think the answer also depends on whether you are using it daily and how else you spec it.I got China on my V12S with yellow calipers and interior yellow seat and door stripes ( with black interior ) and whilst not wild does stand out - but the colour was considered by some a brave choice.I spent considerable time on colours ( mine is a daily ) and definitely wanted the carbon to stand out but agree with you totally that unless you can get the bonnet vents you will lose something in translation.
My Porsche GT3 is painted in Riviera Blue ( little bit like Flugplatz ) but wouldnt want to drive that daily.
The colour is also model dependent perhaps and what works on a spoilered GT12 ( or 8) may not work as well.
That all said as Ry said there are some amazing colours shown - personally I love the Viridian but also like the Aston Racing Green which looked fabulous on a V12S at works - but ultimately your car and you have to love / live with your choice.
Just checked back on the pics that you posted of your car when you first bought it and it is quite similar to one of the Sport-Plus combos, indeed the one they are using in most of the press material. I wonder if your car was the inspiration for it's inclusion?My Porsche GT3 is painted in Riviera Blue ( little bit like Flugplatz ) but wouldnt want to drive that daily.
The colour is also model dependent perhaps and what works on a spoilered GT12 ( or 8) may not work as well.
That all said as Ry said there are some amazing colours shown - personally I love the Viridian but also like the Aston Racing Green which looked fabulous on a V12S at works - but ultimately your car and you have to love / live with your choice.
I must admit its the only one of the 5 pre-set combos I keep re-considering and the part alcantara dash is very much on my wish list. I've asked and AM marketing wont allow any variance from the 5 std colour options, to protect the Sport-Plus pack, so it's rather a case of take it or leave it on the whole pack. This combo is very nice though.
cayman-black said:
AdamV12V said:
Just checked back on the pics that you posted of your car when you first bought it and it is quite similar to one of the Sport-Plus combos, indeed the one they are using in most of the press material. I wonder if your car was the inspiration for it's inclusion?
I must admit its the only one of the 5 pre-set combos I keep re-considering and the part alcantara dash is very much on my wish list. I've asked and AM marketing wont allow any variance from the 5 std colour options, to protect the Sport-Plus pack, so it's rather a case of take it or leave it on the whole pack. This combo is very nice though.
I love Montana, but this would be my choice , this car just looks the DBs. I love it.I must admit its the only one of the 5 pre-set combos I keep re-considering and the part alcantara dash is very much on my wish list. I've asked and AM marketing wont allow any variance from the 5 std colour options, to protect the Sport-Plus pack, so it's rather a case of take it or leave it on the whole pack. This combo is very nice though.
Also I really loved the way the roof and tailgate decal both enhanced the lines on the car, blending the windscreen and rear glass, and the rear lights. Enhanced the beauty of the lines but this combo looses that again as these decals are absent.
Just found this - a Vanquish in Montana (Cayucos) Orange at the 2013 Dubai Motorshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAaLoaMir0U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAaLoaMir0U
cayman-black said:
Hmm does look good. I like the china but with plenty of yellow, the more the better!
Oh and black satin wheels, they are not graphite in the pictures are they?
Yup, the Sport-Plus Pack (regardless of which of the 5 colours) comes with Graphite 10 spoke lightweight wheels. In Satin Black these cost £3795 on their own, so go some considerable way to justify the £5995 cost of the Sport-Plus pack, leaving just £2200 for all the other bits n bats.Oh and black satin wheels, they are not graphite in the pictures are they?
Here is the official pic of the wheels - look very similar to the colour of my GT4 wheels which Porsche describe as Platinum. This is one of the problems I have with the pack - I prefer black wheels for a higher contrast, but in fairness they work well with the 5 combos.
I'm trying to get prices on the std wheels in gloss black (possibly just take the foc wheels and get the dealer to paint if AM charge too much), and the gloss black Zagato wheels. Oddly Q have said they need to look into the technical feasibility on the V12 Zag wheels which is interesting given the cars are mechanically identical and the wheels are an identical size too!
Edited by AdamV12V on Thursday 14th April 22:24
Chamboy said:
Big Ry said:
Have you not asked the dealer if they can also gloss the roof and tailgate now that's not a factory option ?
I think any dealer will sort with their body shop - Mine arranged the tailgate panel to be painted to to match the already contrasted roof - they did a perfect job and the price was less than the factory option (about £400). Same applies for wheels and caliper colours/finishes. I find the lightweight wheel satin black finish shows up e.g. road dust very easily so the gloss graphite of the Pack wheels is IMO both visually and practically more desirable.Edited by Big Ry on Friday 15th April 07:18
I have to say that I'm struggling a bit on the Sport Pack vs. my preferred colours as well - which is a shame. For a personal spec where you are effectively paying a premium (in the form of less discount as against a dealer spec'd stock car) , I think we're all looking for no or minimum compromise - personally I really like and want the Alcantara interior, but as for colours (I already have a China Grey S) nothing floats my boat - Skyfall possibly, but there are more attractive Silvers IMO (am liking Magnetic a lot per the DB11).
This has been holding me back from pressing the button - that and a slightly sour taste on the price and cutdown spec/options. Still on the fence at the mo.- We'll see...
Andy
Anyway the paint moulds for Montana and Kermit have just arrived so I'm popping in over lunch to photograph them next to Cinnabar and been told I can take them both home to help decide!
Good news is the CF bonnet vents are relatively affordable at £1995 to reinstate.
Edited by AdamV12V on Friday 15th April 10:17
northernmedia said:
Just get the roof and tail wrapped in gloss black?
Probably get both done for £300.
Yeah, Im certainly considering that too. Just worried if it will look gloss/lacquered enough to be of equal quality to the rest of the paint and also thinking its a bit cheapskate thing to do on a brand new car of this value. On the plus side it gives me or a future buyer the option to remove later to change the look again so...Probably get both done for £300.
Flugplatz said:
Montana is the way to go
Kermit goes too far and cinnabar not far enough.
Must admit that's probably where I am in my mind right now. Scaring myself with Kermit, and the fact that prob the majority here favour Cinnabar makes me think its too safe! Kermit goes too far and cinnabar not far enough.
Soon the moulds will tell all!
OK I have pictures of all 3 colours together, with Jet Black at the top to show contrast roof / tailgate decal colour.
No word on the cost of factory decals as yet, but I might just be getting close on a final combo now - Cayucos still winning. The only problem is the suggested California Poppy stitch isn't really as orange as I wanted.
No word on the cost of factory decals as yet, but I might just be getting close on a final combo now - Cayucos still winning. The only problem is the suggested California Poppy stitch isn't really as orange as I wanted.
Gloss black wheels are not a std offering so Im asking Q for prices on the std wheels and Zagato wheels both in Gloss. Getting the dealer to paint them for sensible money is the backup plan. The satin black lightweights are very nice indeed, but are £3795 and I think perhaps overdone now on V12VS, so I am thinking the other two will be more unique.
The full spectrum of Calipers below. The top one is the free anodised, the others are the factory £995 options.
Big Ry said:
Cinnabar.....because if you don't then I well might 
Yeah, that would be a result indeed, I get Montana and you get Cinnabar - so both bases covered! - Do it!!! Big Ry said:
I personally think matching calipers are taking it too far. The orange and CF alone is enough I think.
If it were me I'd leave the annodised calipers as is (or get then retro sprayed black) and leave it there.
I agree matching calipers are too much. I'm thinking of going with the free anodised calipers as it will match the internal colour scheme I have in mind (A mix of Pure Black leather, pure black Alcantara seat inners, dash and roof outer, with obsidian (ie anodised equivalent) seat/door inserts, steering wheel, gear gaiter and roof inner.If it were me I'd leave the annodised calipers as is (or get then retro sprayed black) and leave it there.
The full spectrum of Calipers below. The top one is the free anodised, the others are the factory £995 options.
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