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kbf1981
Original Poster
1,561 posts
69 months
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Hi guys, I've never owned an Aston before and I'm considering swapping my present 997 GTS Cab for one of the V12V's.
I run the 911 and an LP550 at the mo, and alternate them as "daily's"....can the V12V be used daily? Is it nice and reliable? What tends to be the general public reaction to them? I've had people key some of my Porsche before, but the Lambo everyone seems to love and .....although I'd never park it anywhere dodgy, I expect from time to time I may park the Aston in places that aren't ideal as it's a bit more subtle.
Does anyone use their daily? What are the pro's / con's? Off to drive one in a couple weeks. Still not sure about swapping, think part of it is I'm a bit bored and they sound mega!
Also, got a letter of intent down for a 991 Turbo so....if I did get it, I'd only probably have it a year. What do people think are depreciation prospects over that time? They seem to hit £95k retail or so on the second hand market and stick there. Is that just due to rarity?
Lastly, why are the miles on Aston's so low? No one seems to have done over 5k on one! I've put 3k on my LP in 4 months lol!
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George H
10,226 posts
33 months
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I wouldn't fancy parking it in, shall we say, less than desirable areas, or if I did I'd be panicking constantly! If you're worried about your car getting damaged then I'd get something like a Golf R32, discreet, comfortable and good performance. Keep the Lambo for nice sunny days when you don't have to park in a rough area 
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Grant3
2,816 posts
124 months
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Aston is probably THE best loved car brand in the UK, so most people are very positive as it is perceived as "our own" British supercar. So it is rare to get your car damaged by someone in green eyed mode! BUT as George says I wouldn't want to leave a 100k car in an undesirable area, his may be a good call with the run around to go with the Lambo! No problems with daily driving.... but if you put on the miles it will affect re-sale, Aston's retain best value with low mileage... just like Lambo's do. V12V's are still depreciating, but less than the rest of the range, for two reasons IMO - their very specialist hardcore "bit of a beast" image has captured the driving enthusiast's imagination - and the fact that there aren't that many around. They will hold their value even better "IF" Aston do stick to 1000 car build - best ask Phil about that, he's on the ball with his register. Be sure to have the ceramic brakes properly checked in addition to the usual other checks, Premium audio and lightweight seats are useful to have included on the usual extras list. Best of luck and love the Lambo by the way 
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lady topaz
3,659 posts
123 months
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 Hi, daily V12V driver here. Only missed a very few snowy days in the last two winters. I use it for work commuting and am lucky to have my own parking space which has security as well. I never tire of driving it, every day is a joy. Di
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Basher
994 posts
153 months
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Seem to get a good reaction to it as its British tbh.... i got a lot of hassle in my Lambo which is why i sold and swapped into a DBS - mind you that got keyes at Tescos (but could have been a trolley in all fairness) ... V12V gets a lot of attention as it looks meaty, sounds awesome and is fairly rare.... seen lots of V8V near me but not a single other V12V yet..... I bought a carbon black ltd edition one ..which i might be selling very soon as new car on order has jumped up the list.... but ill find it hard to aprt with as its jsut damn superb....
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kbf1981
Original Poster
1,561 posts
69 months
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lady topaz said: Hi, daily V12V driver here. Only missed a very few snowy days in the last two winters. I use it for work commuting and am lucky to have my own parking space which has security as well. I never tire of driving it, every day is a joy. Di How do you find it in the wet with the P-Zero's? The Porsche isn't bad in the wet / terrible in the snow... but I live 4 miles from work so not a big deal. In terms of something normal for daily...I've no kids yet so I figure why not drive around in some completely mad things day to day until I need the space lol! I considered getting a hot hatch but you spend most of your time in it, and I'd prefer to spend that time in something crazy. I go to Asda / drive throughs in the Lambo lol.
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lady topaz
3,659 posts
123 months
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kbf1981 said: How do you find it in the wet with the P-Zero's? The Porsche isn't bad in the wet / terrible in the snow... but I live 4 miles from work so not a big deal.
In terms of something normal for daily...I've no kids yet so I figure why not drive around in some completely mad things day to day until I need the space lol! I considered getting a hot hatch but you spend most of your time in it, and I'd prefer to spend that time in something crazy. I go to Asda / drive throughs in the Lambo lol. Drove 800 miles a few weeks back to and from Wales in torrential rain. No drama's at all. I do tend to be more respecrtful in snow though. Di
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kbf1981
Original Poster
1,561 posts
69 months
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lady topaz said: kbf1981 said: How do you find it in the wet with the P-Zero's? The Porsche isn't bad in the wet / terrible in the snow... but I live 4 miles from work so not a big deal.
In terms of something normal for daily...I've no kids yet so I figure why not drive around in some completely mad things day to day until I need the space lol! I considered getting a hot hatch but you spend most of your time in it, and I'd prefer to spend that time in something crazy. I go to Asda / drive throughs in the Lambo lol. Drove 800 miles a few weeks back to and from Wales in torrential rain. No drama's at all. I do tend to be more respecrtful in snow though. Di I heard you have to sign something when you buy them from the dealer that says "I won't drive it in the wet"...or something, because of the tyres? Is that accurate or was he bigging it up a bit? You're ok on insurance with P-Zero Corsa's in the wet aren't you, or is that a Q to ask my insurer?
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Rex Racer
340 posts
23 months
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IMO, the Corsas are more an issue in the cold than the wet. When the temperatures drop you need to be careful with the throttle as the grip really drops off. However, if you keep this in mind, you'll be fine even in lower temperatures.
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PieterA
161 posts
29 months
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If you treat the engine/weight/swb-config with respect and leave the Sport button (and its much sharper throttle respons) off, you should be fine.
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Adam2S
1,070 posts
46 months
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I use mine every day of the year as a daily driver and I have no issues at all - other than as mentioned you need to be gentle with the right foot in the winter months due to the Corsa tyres. I had two 997 C2S's before and the reaction from the public is noticably better all round with my V12V. Grant3 said: Be sure to have the ceramic brakes properly checked in addition to the usual other checks, Premium audio and lightweight seats are useful to have included on the usual extras list. Grant - Premium Audio is std on V12V, B&O is an option, but I would agree lightweight seats are wonderful (if your bum fits in them!), I wouldnt buy another Aston without them now.
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Jockman
7,055 posts
29 months
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Adam2S said: Grant - Premium Audio is std on V12V, B&O is an option, but I would agree lightweight seats are wonderful (if your bum fits in them!), I wouldnt buy another Aston without them now. Adam - 160W stereo was standard with the original V12Vs, with Premium as an option. Only in 2010 did B&O become the option
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Adam2S
1,070 posts
46 months
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Jockman said: Adam2S said: Grant - Premium Audio is std on V12V, B&O is an option, but I would agree lightweight seats are wonderful (if your bum fits in them!), I wouldnt buy another Aston without them now. Adam - 160W stereo was standard with the original V12Vs, with Premium as an option. Only in 2010 did B&O become the option Ahhh - fair enough, I stand corrected. Mine is a 2010, hence my perception that it was standard! Cheers
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Colesie
83 posts
26 months
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The car itself is solid and I'm sure would cope with daily use perfectly well. I would agree that it is probably the least likely car of this type to suffer from vandalism but I'm certainly careful where I leave it. Traction is not great in the cold or wet but not too bad in my experience unless you try to press on a little too much. The miles will affect resale value but I guess anyone who worries that much about depreciation would be foolish to buy a £100k+ car of any kind as a daily driver! Even so, I suspect it will suffer less depreciation than it's Italian cousins. All depends on your priorities, a 911 Turbo will be faster, have better traction in all conditions and probably be cheaper to run (my C4S certainly was, the V12 is a thirsty beast). A V12V will be significantly less common, almost universally agreed to be better looking, sound A LOT better, attract smiles instead of scowls and hand gestures and women will think you have larger gentleman's vegetables than a Porsche driver - FACT
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lady topaz
3,659 posts
123 months
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kbf1981 said: I heard you have to sign something when you buy them from the dealer that says "I won't drive it in the wet"...or something, because of the tyres? Is that accurate or was he bigging it up a bit?
You're ok on insurance with P-Zero Corsa's in the wet aren't you, or is that a Q to ask my insurer? Personally I have never heard such twaddle and would think twice buying a performance car from a dealer who said I can't drive it in the wet. Seeing as all our original V12V's came with Corsa's I believe( could be wrong) I also cannot see why any insurance co would put such restriction on. Either a) your dealer is an arse b) get an informed insurer c) you are winding us up. d) someone will come along and say what you have been told, but passed me by is fact. Di
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Grant3
2,816 posts
124 months
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Adam2S said: Ahhh - fair enough, I stand corrected. Mine is a 2010, hence my perception that it was standard! Cheers Hi Adam, The V12V still comes with 160W as standard now , but I agree it does "feel" like the Premium should be included - nav, cruise etc is standard though! Back to the tyres, if I was buying a car today I'd want it on the recently approved P-Zero's, only since the end of May have my Corsa's started to perform as expected when pressing in, in this weather they are awesome, stickier than a sticky thing with added sticky  , also fine in the wet (but watch out for aquaplaning in heavy rain if worn!) - when the weather gets colder they are crap!
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lady topaz
3,659 posts
123 months
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Just want to add having driven Tuscans for five years, the V12V is a pussy cat. The TVR is fantastic but the demon under the bonnet is intent on killing you.
I get no such fears from my Aston in almost any conditions. Hopefully Johng39 will be along soon to support my words.
The Aston gets positive response wherever you go, except from Tony Hall who calls my baby a 'thug'. I take that as a compliment.
It is a wonderful car to drive and own. One of those things everyone should do once in their life.
Di
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Guycord
427 posts
42 months
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...oh and to add....better to get the louvres painted-up as well.
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Mako V12V
2,399 posts
83 months
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I have only found two V12V's so far with the standard 160w audio system. The other two options are roughly 60% 700w and 40% B&O.
Btw I bought a brand new 997GT3 as a keeper but the Aston ruined that (in a good way) because they made the utterly superb and beastly brute of a car in the V12V. After 3 years with the GT3 it wasn't a difficult decision to get the Aston as it is truly sublime!!
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silverspeed
859 posts
99 months
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Phil what's the split on lightweight versus sports seats? Back on topic just buy one you won't regret it one bit!
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