I love her....I do. Don't I?
Discussion
I've had my V12 for about a year now and we've enjoyed almost 4000 happy miles together. It's a truly beautiful machine and she attracts loads of admiring glances and envious comments wherever we go. I'm totally smitten and just love her to bits.
Recently, I've replaced my daily drive and the family bus with a new BMW 435 and new Range Rover Sport. I've been blown away by just how good both cars are and are such a march on from their predecessors. I'm sure that anyone looking at all-new models right now will agree that things seem to have moved on with the latest generation of motors coming onto the market.
So yesterday, a 200 mile round trip to Norwich started brilliantly. I took the Aston and we both enjoyed getting a lick on as we enjoyed the open roads on a lovely early spring morning. But then, on the way home, a particularly horrible part of the A11 generated deafening road noise inside the cabin, and trying to comminuicate with the office by the phone connection was just impossible. With the road noise came back jarring discomfort as the car fussed around trying to find some smooth Tarmac and I found myself asking myself: why didn't I bring the range rover. Yes, I feel guilty. I hate myself for suggesting such a thing, but I say this out of genuine fear: Is Aston Martin going to be left behind if they don't hurry and get the Mercedes deal done to inject some modern manufacturing techniques into the mix? Of course, I realise that my A11 experience had much to do with suspension set up, etc, but it did highlight the gulf that's starting to open between certain manufacturers. The fit and finish and use of materials in the new cars is fantastic and the updated technology that both have is amazing. Everything from intuitive sat nav to just how light they both feel make my Aston which is barely a year old feel a little dated.
I'm lucky enough to also own a very late DB7 but I can't beleive it's a 2003 car. It honestly feels more late 80's, early 90's and that's because it is! Now I don't mind this because it feels retro and classic before it's time, but I'm not so sure if Aston Martin can keep pulling off the same trick. Much has been said recently about the new Jag and whilst it can't match the Aston for sheer desirability, looks and exclusivity there are lots of punters out there that won't appreciate these qualities and take their hard earned elsewhere.
Recently, I've replaced my daily drive and the family bus with a new BMW 435 and new Range Rover Sport. I've been blown away by just how good both cars are and are such a march on from their predecessors. I'm sure that anyone looking at all-new models right now will agree that things seem to have moved on with the latest generation of motors coming onto the market.
So yesterday, a 200 mile round trip to Norwich started brilliantly. I took the Aston and we both enjoyed getting a lick on as we enjoyed the open roads on a lovely early spring morning. But then, on the way home, a particularly horrible part of the A11 generated deafening road noise inside the cabin, and trying to comminuicate with the office by the phone connection was just impossible. With the road noise came back jarring discomfort as the car fussed around trying to find some smooth Tarmac and I found myself asking myself: why didn't I bring the range rover. Yes, I feel guilty. I hate myself for suggesting such a thing, but I say this out of genuine fear: Is Aston Martin going to be left behind if they don't hurry and get the Mercedes deal done to inject some modern manufacturing techniques into the mix? Of course, I realise that my A11 experience had much to do with suspension set up, etc, but it did highlight the gulf that's starting to open between certain manufacturers. The fit and finish and use of materials in the new cars is fantastic and the updated technology that both have is amazing. Everything from intuitive sat nav to just how light they both feel make my Aston which is barely a year old feel a little dated.
I'm lucky enough to also own a very late DB7 but I can't beleive it's a 2003 car. It honestly feels more late 80's, early 90's and that's because it is! Now I don't mind this because it feels retro and classic before it's time, but I'm not so sure if Aston Martin can keep pulling off the same trick. Much has been said recently about the new Jag and whilst it can't match the Aston for sheer desirability, looks and exclusivity there are lots of punters out there that won't appreciate these qualities and take their hard earned elsewhere.
A couple of thoughts occurred to me whilst reading your description.
1. You refer to two cars that I assume have only recently been introduced. The Vantage is now an 11 years old design (2003 Detroit Motor Show).
2. I presume the V12V has, what we humble V8V folk call Sportspack (ie. the hard suspension). So, that would provide the handling sought by sports car owners, but not the comfort of the two cars that you have mentioned.
Just a thought.
I've a 640d as well as a v8vs and there are days when I think how great the bmw is why would I ever want to drive the aston. Then I go out for a blast in the aston, it's personality, the fact that the asm gearbox isn't leading edge etc etc and I'm reminded why I still love the aston. The wife had a z4 and I went out in that with the top down at the weekend and it was fun but it's not the aston.
Arguably the only thing the aston does better than any other car is make you feel special.
Arguably the only thing the aston does better than any other car is make you feel special.
KarlFranz said:
AMDBSNick said:
Greg you simply picked the wrong car for today's trip. Do you honestly think a 458 or MP4 would have faired any better 
Considering that several reviews have stated that the MP4 has lower NVH than a Rolls Royce Phantom, I do think it would have fared better. 
I regularly drive my wife's 981 Boxster with pdk box, and my sons BMW 325 m sports, which is fully loaded. Both of these cars are lovely to drive the BMW in particular with lots of new technology and very smooth ride. However, neither feel like the Vantage does or come anywhere close. I'd rather be in the vantage by a country mile.
I regularly drive my wife's 981 Boxster with pdk box, and my sons BMW 325 m sports, which is fully loaded. Both of these cars are lovely to drive the BMW in particular with lots of new technology and very smooth ride. However, neither feel like the Vantage does or come anywhere close. I'd rather be in the vantage by a country mile.
Henry M said:
I was told that the V12 Vantage suspension is not a "sport mode" suspension but a "track mode" suspension by Aston Martin performance driving instructors.
Henry
whatever mode it is, it is a lot nicer to ride in my v12v than it was in all gt3's I had, ditto my 964rs, ditto my 996 turbo S with x73 (or whatever it was called) suspension pack.Henry
I had many many many sportscars over the years and the v12v is pretty judged for an analogue car.
I am talking on the point of view of using it on the road.
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