Aston Martin V12 Vantage S | Spotted
The greatest Aston of a generation, now available for £65k
Is the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S unfairly forgotten in Aston's history? Potentially. Because we all remember the original V12 Vantage, the realisation of that incredible RS Concept and the memorable Clarkson Top Gear vid. The limited edition cars, by their very nature, are often held in high regard, too: GT12, Zagato, V600 to name three. And now the new Vantage is up and running, with the manual gearbox coming to the UK soon and the Roadster not far behind, the previous V12 S is in danger of being forgotten. Which it shouldn't be.
On launch a few years back it was described as "a night and day step up from the previous V12 Vantage"; apparently there was a "leap" from V12 to V12 S, indicative of "just how much room for improvement there actually was." It was more powerful, significantly better to drive, arguably even better to look at and every inch the Vantage flagship to mark 100 years of Aston back in 2013.
But then came the manual V12 S, and the various valedictory specials, and the early Speedshift cars were discarded somewhat. Which means that cars like this Stratus White Vantage, showing just 17,000 miles, are available at £65,990. It's still possible to pay more money for an older V12 Vantage with more miles, which goes to show the value on offer here. Sure, the Speedshift automated manual is far from the greatest, but then neither Aston's six- or seven-speed manuals are particularly pleasant, so it's not like a prospective buyer is missing out on a great combination of gearbox and naturally aspirated engine. Oh alright, we'd rather have one of the V12 Vantage S manuals, too, but the cheapest one of those on PH at the moment is £125k. So basically twice as much.
Just think what the £65,000 - or the same as one of those new 4.0-litre 718s - is buying you here. One of the 21st century's prettiest cars, powered by one of its greatest engines, and with a chassis really able of exploiting it. The Vantage is still raved about for very good reason: naff interior and less-than-perfect transmissions aside, it was absolutely wonderful to drive.
Of course, it would be sensible to have a healthy contingency fund for running a 200mph Aston Martin, and to expect a little more depreciation as well. A V12 doesn't immediately save an Aston, unfortunately, as the residual values of the DB7 Vantage and DB9 can attest.
But the V12 Vantage S is a vastly better car than those two, as well as rarer. There simply isn't anything that offers the Vantage's range of abilities for this money: a contemporary GT3 will be sharper to drive, but cost at least £100,000; you could buy a 12-cylinder Continental GT for the same sort of money, but it'll feel like a ship by comparison; and could you really spend £65k on an F-Type SVR, knowing a V12 Aston is also available? Exactly. Hopefully the V12 S will get the recognition it deserves soon; until then, its underrated status could mean one or two canny purchases to be snapped up.
SPECIFICATION - ASTON MARTIN V12 VANTAGE S
Engine: 5,935cc, V12
Transmission: 7-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 573@6,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 457@5,750rpm
MPG: 19.2
CO2: 343g/km
Recorded mileage: 17,000
First registered: 2014
Price new: £138,000
Yours for: £65,990
If you want to showoff a new flashy car, get a new green/yellow Vantage.
If you want something more classic that will stand the test of time, get the older V12.
Is that Clarkson video about the best thing he's ever done? The car of course stays centre stage and the sound of it pounding through the hills still makes my spine tingle. But he says so much more when he says very little at all.
If you want to showoff a new flashy car, get a new green/yellow Vantage.
If you want something more classic that will stand the test of time, get the older V12.
The 4.0 GTS will be a fantastic car no doubt but it isn't comparable to a circa 2005 designed British brute of a car, when my house renovations are finished i wouldn't mind trading up to one of these, just need to do a bit more research in to the brakes and costs!
The interiors of this generation of Astons are absolutely superb. A high point in modern car design, and beautifully put together. .
I’m not sure it’s “vastly” better than a DB9 which has a proper auto box, but as I haven’t driven a Vantage I’ll reserve judgement.
I have had both a DB9 and now a 7-speed manual V12S. The Vantage is in a different league if you want to drive it. Cruising along the DB9 was easier but it would not see where the Vantage went in spirited driving.
I cannot see myself ever selling mine.
Great to see the Clarkson video again. The Chris Harris review of the 7-speed is also worth watching.
Even the six speed original car is so much better to drive and enjoy than the Ferrari 550/575 and look how much they are, not to mention the Aston is one of the prettiest cars ever made.
Having owned my Carbon Black version since 2015 i can say its beautifully put together , high-grade materials everywhere and has given me zero problems.
I,m sure a GT4 will just be gone but this is not the point of these cars ,it feels special and sounds epic, i really do not push this car though as they do demand respect. I love them.
It's a V12 Aston, with an engine that is spellbinding in it's ability and fearsome in its roar. Every time I parked it up or drove through an Italian village folk pointed and smiled and applauded and encouraged me to 'make some noise'.
At one point, going over the Dolomites we overtook a dutch plate 3 series estate. The driver of that car then chased me all the way to the next rest stop, and pulled in behind me. The Dutch lady driving then approached me and asked if I wouldn't mind her taking a photo of her husband with the car. Of course, I agreed, and before lone there was actually a small crowd, all wanting photos, and all cooing over the Aston.
It's a car that seems to bring out genuine affection in people.
As for running costs? Well, fixed price services and an Aston Timeless warranty make it cheaper to run than my friends big Merc. Troubles? A chafed wire at the very beginning gave all sorts of silly warnings, but AM Nottingham eventually tracked it down and it's been faultless since.
Did I mention the brakes? Best carbon ceramic set up I've ever used. Good feel, progressive and powerful (as you would expect)
Steering? sublime and talkative
Gearbox? Once you learn how to drive an SS3 box, it really is very very good. OK, not PDK good, but good in a really satisfying way. I like the fact that it's an analogue car that requires some effort, and not a glorified playstation game with wheels
Interior? Speak as you find, but I love mine (I have the non haptic dash)
They will never build another car like this. A car that fits you like a glove but with enough space to go two weeks touring. A car that can handle an Alpine pass with greater ability and agility than I can exploit, but can also cruise comfortably, all day at 3 figure speeds whilst outside its 40 degrees C plus.
A car with a naturally aspirated V12, that surely contains some living DNA, because it just sounds ALIVE (and angry!). A car you have to learn to drive, but which rewards that effort with a sense of satisfaction and engagement that is so incredibly rare in today's cars.
In the near future, these prices will be seen as the bargains of the century, and you'll kick yourself for not snapping one up whilst you could. But I say, forget the investment potential - the bloody car is just worth having in its own right, if you have blood in your veins and petrol in your heart
And yes, that Top Gear film about it is glorious.
I might have gotten used to it, but the cost to change was £53k, and that's a BIG gamble to make that you'll grow to like something.
To be honest, the SS3 box isn't that bad either - it's a bit quirky and pulling away at uphill junctions and things like that takes a little bit of practice, but it is a car which is all about the event and character rather than ACTUALLY being the fastest thing in the world point to point. I've driven the current Vantage with the 8-speed auto and it all seemed a bit lacking in theatre, full bore shifts in the V12 are savage, in the new car the engine note changes and you might get a few faked pops and bangs from the exhaust.
I used to live in a block of flats with an underground car park. There was a chap who lived there and he had a V8V, but he had done some tasteful mods. It sounded absolutely awesome whenever he came or went into the car park. I imagine the V12 would be even better.
I know it heresy but a Porsche does all this so much better, if with somewhat a less characterful approach.
If you want one, buy one, but just make sure that after an hour you can still walk.
I know it heresy but a Porsche does all this so much better, if with somewhat a less characterful approach.
If you want one, buy one, but just make sure that after an hour you can still walk.
That being said, my friend couldn't get on with the normal seats and instead found comfort in the sports seats! (but he is 6ft 5 and built like the proverbial)
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