Please explain the (old) Vanquish to me

[Charvet]

Dear fellow PH members,

I am well aware of the fact that the 2001-2007 Vanquish has a loyal fanbase here.

First of all, everyone describes it as "raw", "brutish" etc. But - I mean, doesnt it have MORE OR LESS the same V12 6.0l engine that was introduced in the DB7 Vantage?

If I understand it correctly, the Vanquish borrows a lot of interior components from the XJ40/X300 Jag range. I am struggling to understand the aesthetic appeal of THIS:

https://used.astonmartin.com/Content/Managed/Image...

The "silver" parts dont help at all. This interior does not say "hand built", it screams "parts bin". A XK8 of the same vintage looks much more timeless and not like a barry boy's stereo.

http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/47639325.jpg

Then the boxy shape of the rear wings and wheelarches - the boxiness even flows into the door panels.

Yes, it was "hand-built" - but by whom? While hand finish can be very nice when it comes to interior details, I would not mind some precision and reliability in certain other parts of a car.

QUESTIONS:

1. What makes this model more cherished/special than a DB9 (whose design is much more coherent and timeless)?

2. Is it a Marmite thing? Something like foie gras, oysters, Cuban cigars, Sauternes, Trumper's Spanish Leather Cologne - stuff that tastes/smell repugnant but is loved by proper "Gentlemen" (=powerfully built directors with no chin but a monocle and a boutoniere)?

3. Is the Vanquish the Camargue of the AM model range (actually that would be the Virage coupe, even worse)? Something only the real connaisseurs "get", the unwashed masses (including myself) dont??

4. Is it just because of James Bond???

Again - this is not to bad-mouth this car which is beloved by many. I just would like to understand if there is something I dont see.

Your

Charvet

Edited by Charvet on Saturday 21st June 12:15

[michael gould]

A DB5 isn't as good a car as a DB9 but you try finding a decent one for less than £200k

The Vanquish was made in relatively low numbers and is considered by many to be the last of the vintage "proper" Astons.

They are also money pits if you don't know what your buying

[avinalarf]

You could try posting this question on the AMOC Forum, several owners on there.
It is a fabulous looking car,and the last of the old style "muscle" cars,you either get it or you don't.
It can be a money pit but purchased with care and looked after by a specialist it becomes a more sensible proposition.
Never going to be a "cheap "car to run and maintain.

[Charvet]

Yes but "low numbers" means that not many people ordered one.

So why does that make it a good car?

[Neil1300r]

Last of the hand built NP Astons
DB7 were massed produced in comparison
First of the VH type architecture - yes I know it's not strictly VH.
More aggressive looking than any Gaydon Aston
Made in small numbers
Look at the interior of a 2007 Vanquish S.

You either get them or you don't. But prices rising, should have bought one 2 years ago

[avinalarf]

Charvet said:

Yes but "low numbers" means that not many people ordered one.

So why does that make it a good car?

Guy,with respect,this is all very subjective.
Why not go out into the garden with a bottle of vino,chill out and forget it.

[Neil1300r]

Charvet said:

Yes but "low numbers" means that not many people ordered one.

So why does that make it a good car?

Not many people had £200k to spend on a car at the beginning of the century!
if it was made in numbers it would be in DB7 pricing band for early cars.
Its a bit like asking why a DB5 is >£600k!!

[avinalarf]

Neil1300r said:

Not many people had £200k to spend on a car at the beginning of the century!
if it was made in numbers it would be in DB7 pricing band for early cars.
Its a bit like asking why a DB5 is >£600k!!

Not really Neil.
The cost of a full restoration for a DB5 is say £350K plus original cost of donor car ,so that's say £500K already.
I agree that the early noughties was an unfortunate time to bring out an expensive Supercar .
However,as I said to Guy,it's horses for courses.

[Charvet]

2. Is it a Marmite thing? Something like foie gras, oysters, Cuban cigars, Sauternes, Trumper's Spanish Leather Cologne - stuff that tastes/smell repugnant but is loved by proper "Gentlemen" (=powerfully built directors with no chin but a monocle and a boutoniere)?

3. Is the Vanquish the Camargue of the AM model range (actually that would be the Virage coupe, even worse)? Something only the real connaisseurs "get", the unwashed masses (including myself) dont??

4. Is it just because of James Bond???

[V8LM]

Many things make to Vanquish special to many:

it's a Newport Pagnell car so probably the newest that many dyed-in-the-wool Aston Martin fans would consider.

It has a hand-built character to it. See above.

Not many were built (due to the way they were built). See above.

The 'box' back end to which you refer gives it a muscular stance unparalleled by the Gaydon cars.

And for those that see cars as an investment, they are appreciating in value.

[avinalarf]

Charvet said:

2. Is it a Marmite thing? Something like foie gras, oysters, Cuban cigars, Sauternes, Trumper's Spanish Leather Cologne - stuff that tastes/smell repugnant but is loved by proper "Gentlemen" (=powerfully built directors with no chin but a monocle and a boutoniere)?

3. Is the Vanquish the Camargue of the AM model range (actually that would be the Virage coupe, even worse)? Something only the real connaisseurs "get", the unwashed masses (including myself) dont??

4. Is it just because of James Bond???

"Izzit cos Ise black" ?

Edited by avinalarf on Saturday 21st June 15:17

[hornbaek]

The design is timeless and pretty much epitomieses everything which is Aston Martin. "Beauty, Power Soul". It was let down by its gearbox, the Ford parts bin interior, 6 months service intervals and relative price at the time. An Ultimate Vanquish S is still a beautiful car and will remain one for times to come.

[Charvet]

Interesting. I am beginning to see the light :-)

So, a DB9 would be more like an off-the-rack mass-production car compared to the Vanquish?

Personally, I believe that the DB9's styling (in its original form, not the DBS boy racer look) is "timeless" and extremely well proportioned (unlike the Vantage V8 which is "square" like a baby bulldog).

[hornbaek]

The DB9 marked the move from Newport Pagnell to Gaydon and is as such the beginning of a new era a bit like the previous move from Feltham to Newport Pagnell (DB2 to DB4). The Fisker and Ian Callum designed DB9 takes a lot of design clues from the Vanquish but in a more elegant (less muscle car) shape. The DB9 will always be a beautiful car.

[derektrimblitz]

I've had mine for 9 years. It's fantastic. Took it out last night. It's a car that I can scare myself in.. big smiles

[Beardog]

Charvet said:

Interesting. I am beginning to see the light :-)

So, a DB9 would be more like an off-the-rack mass-production car compared to the Vanquish?

Personally, I believe that the DB9's styling (in its original form, not the DBS boy racer look) is "timeless" and extremely well proportioned (unlike the Vantage V8 which is "square" like a baby bulldog).

Couldn't agree more.

[williamp]

The question would be better if you were asking to explain the new Vanquish

[whoami]

williamp said:

The question would be better if you were asking to explain the new Vanquish

A much tougher proposition.

[DB4DM]

In 1974 I looked at buying a DB5 for £900, now that would have been a money pit as a daily driver but of course no one then knew that in 40 years it would be worth £250K as a barn find. My perception of the NP Vanquish is that it has a raw edginess to it, not so obvious in the new one. If I had the free cash I'd have one, to use not to put away...

[Charvet]

So, this "raw edginess" - what makes the Vanquish more "edgy" and "raw" compared to the more or less similarly powered DB7 Vantage V12?