A year with the least desirable spec V12VS. Stick or twist?
Discussion
OP - you are in possession of your peak Aston Martin. The journalists got lazy and once the first few slated their experience with the original single clutch ‘boxes in both the Mk1 Vanquish and early VH cars, plus F1 ‘box Ferraris on that era, they copied and pasted for years.
Why do we like manuals? Because we all invested time to learn it many years ago and it remains something to always improve technique in. Sound familiar? That’s the same (to a moderately lesser degree) with the SportShift ‘boxes. Engaging, interesting, sometimes challenging, never boring. Isn’t that why we bought these cars?
That it also offers a £50k price cut… what’s not to like?
Seats aren’t too hard to change (for a cost) but you’ll lose your side airbags. The lightweights are strangely more comfortable and look great, so you pays your money and makes your choice
I had 2x V8 Vantages (1 manual - the ergonomics of the stick didn’t work for me), then a 2016 Boxster S (n/a) before the V12 AMR. The Boxster was boring for 95% of the time and offered 5% of the feel good factor of any Aston. I have zero intention of ever selling this Vantage. Every control seems to be engineered to make me smile.
Why do we like manuals? Because we all invested time to learn it many years ago and it remains something to always improve technique in. Sound familiar? That’s the same (to a moderately lesser degree) with the SportShift ‘boxes. Engaging, interesting, sometimes challenging, never boring. Isn’t that why we bought these cars?
That it also offers a £50k price cut… what’s not to like?
Seats aren’t too hard to change (for a cost) but you’ll lose your side airbags. The lightweights are strangely more comfortable and look great, so you pays your money and makes your choice
I had 2x V8 Vantages (1 manual - the ergonomics of the stick didn’t work for me), then a 2016 Boxster S (n/a) before the V12 AMR. The Boxster was boring for 95% of the time and offered 5% of the feel good factor of any Aston. I have zero intention of ever selling this Vantage. Every control seems to be engineered to make me smile.
CSK1 said:
LooneyTunes said:
Fwiw, I have SS3 in the Vanquish S. I don’t understand the negativity towards that gearbox. I also have a 7spd manual in a V12VS.
Gaydon Vanquish isn’t SS3, it’s a ZF torque converter automatic gearbox as opposed to the automated manual clutch of the SS3. I also went with the SS3 gearbox and sports seats, buying one in January as per one of the other posters. Have also put on about 1k miles so far.
No regrets with either gearbox or seats! Gear box is lovely and it's the first 'auto' I've had where I don't miss a manual gearstick. That's vs previous 981 GTS, where the PDK was so brainless to use it sent me to sleep....
No regrets with either gearbox or seats! Gear box is lovely and it's the first 'auto' I've had where I don't miss a manual gearstick. That's vs previous 981 GTS, where the PDK was so brainless to use it sent me to sleep....
PHFS said:
alscar said:
Keep the V12, have the Windows down , feel happy.
It is amazing with the windows down. Dare I say, it can get to loud, especially under bridges or tunnels. Will sound like a different car and save you money and regret.
AdamV12V said:
Finally if you're looking at £50k to swap then I assume you've spotted the V12VSM for £110k, which is undoubtably a bargain, so I assume you've been offered around £60k for the V12VS. Its a big step up to double the investment, but it would be a much later car too and that brings a lot of improvements too as AM constantly tinkered and improved things year on year. The infotainment in AMi III and revised waterfall is the most obvious improvement, so you may derive some value from those too. That said, that Flugplatz car seems to have stuck around for a long time despite being a manual and having lightweight seats, so I suspect the condition may be something to inspect carefully. Mileage is slightly high for what it is, but nothing to be worried about really as long as the condition is good.
WIth £50k spare budget, Id say keep the V12VS, buy a boxster as well, likely realise it isn't what you hoped for, sell it and feel reassured you made the right choice keeping the V12VS after all!
I keep looking at that Flugplatz car which originally iirc was on sale at £129,950. WIth £50k spare budget, Id say keep the V12VS, buy a boxster as well, likely realise it isn't what you hoped for, sell it and feel reassured you made the right choice keeping the V12VS after all!
I went from a V12S to a 991 GTS. Glad I had the Aston for the experience, glad I have the Porsche because it does not break down and the gearbox works. Comment on gearbox is related to reliability, not SS3, which I found easy enough to calibrate once the car was warm.
Would love a DB11 v12, but not coming back to the fold, sadly.
I am getting to be an old man, so it is probably a Turbo S next for me!
Would love a DB11 v12, but not coming back to the fold, sadly.
I am getting to be an old man, so it is probably a Turbo S next for me!
Stuart70 said:
I went from a V12S to a 991 GTS. Glad I had the Aston for the experience, glad I have the Porsche because it does not break down and the gearbox works. Comment on gearbox is related to reliability, not SS3, which I found easy enough to calibrate once the car was warm.
Would love a DB11 v12, but not coming back to the fold, sadly.
I am getting to be an old man, so it is probably a Turbo S next for me!
The much derided ‘old merc’ electrical architecture actually means far less electrical ‘gremlins’ than the n/a or VH gen cars. Would love a DB11 v12, but not coming back to the fold, sadly.
I am getting to be an old man, so it is probably a Turbo S next for me!
I have a V12 DB11, had it 5yrs. It’s been pretty much completely reliable. I’ve also had a VH V8 Vantage for 8years. The older car is more ‘flaky’ and has often needed a bit of patience. The newer car just works.
Interestingly, this doesn’t mean I love the DB11 more or the older Vantage less. They are just completely different propositions, same as a 911 and an Aston.
If a smooth ownership proposition and reliability is your thing, maybe not rule out the later AM?
DB11 and V12VS are very different beasts.
I had an extensive test drive in the DB11 V12 when it was released and I found it too much of a GT and not enough of a sportscar. Tested the then new Vanquish S immediately after and preferred it over the DB11.
But eventually, I was glad to get back in my V12 Vantage S Roadster.
V12 Vantage S is a wild animal you have to tame which is part of the fun, DB11 is a very tamed animal. Great for long distance cruising but as a fun car you’ll miss your current car.
I had an extensive test drive in the DB11 V12 when it was released and I found it too much of a GT and not enough of a sportscar. Tested the then new Vanquish S immediately after and preferred it over the DB11.
But eventually, I was glad to get back in my V12 Vantage S Roadster.
V12 Vantage S is a wild animal you have to tame which is part of the fun, DB11 is a very tamed animal. Great for long distance cruising but as a fun car you’ll miss your current car.
Come back after a few days, and great posts and conversations!
Few points:
Glad a lot of you think it's amazing spec. This was my point at the end of my post. it's a very under rated spec that does need to be mastered.
Interesting point of view, that this car is actually a £50k cheaper bargain.
I do still yearn for a manual, but this is the next best thing. But I also did tire of my manual sometimes, and this is where SS3 is better!
the V12 is so visceral and all-encompassing, almost no other car is very going to live up to that. hence the idea of a Boxster S, jut to enjoy roof-down motoring. But it would probably be a disappointment and I would rather have a GT4 manual. But I think I do want to keep this car.
I could change for lightweight seats, but love the look and feel of heated sports seats and do like the idea of the extra airbag.
The Flugplatz Blue manual does now seem good value. But this blue does not seem to be a loved colour and the blue cars hang around for a long time. Indeed, I do not think I like it enough and would not want it.
I did buy this car as the least-worst depreciation option. So far, I think that is still true for this car thankfully, even with the miles I am putting on!
Thanks for all the comments!
Few points:
Glad a lot of you think it's amazing spec. This was my point at the end of my post. it's a very under rated spec that does need to be mastered.
Interesting point of view, that this car is actually a £50k cheaper bargain.
I do still yearn for a manual, but this is the next best thing. But I also did tire of my manual sometimes, and this is where SS3 is better!
the V12 is so visceral and all-encompassing, almost no other car is very going to live up to that. hence the idea of a Boxster S, jut to enjoy roof-down motoring. But it would probably be a disappointment and I would rather have a GT4 manual. But I think I do want to keep this car.
I could change for lightweight seats, but love the look and feel of heated sports seats and do like the idea of the extra airbag.
The Flugplatz Blue manual does now seem good value. But this blue does not seem to be a loved colour and the blue cars hang around for a long time. Indeed, I do not think I like it enough and would not want it.
I did buy this car as the least-worst depreciation option. So far, I think that is still true for this car thankfully, even with the miles I am putting on!
Thanks for all the comments!
Edited by PHFS on Friday 31st May 15:23
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