Help v12 vantage or dbs?
Discussion
Greetings Aston forum . I usually hang out around the pork , Ferrari and the bike sections of ph .
I'm considering a big engined manual car . Porsche and Ferrari have gone the way of the paddle and I have always liked the look of the astons . I like the dbs and vantage v12 manuals ( also looking at 550/575 manual but really good ones in the right colour are almost impossible to find ). The car will not be used on track ( apart from the obligatory first "get to know each other" track day ). It will probably never tour far , I'm lucky enough for those bases to be covered . The car will be my daily driver when in the uk , and used for fun road driving , in all weathers ( with winter tyres when needed ) , the thing is looking at them they are both gorgeous and the spec seems very similar .
In short I'd like advice as to how the v12 vantage manual compares to the DBS manual . They both look glorious but how do they drive and how are they to live with ? One hears horror stories about Aston reliability , is this true ? What are the "must have" options and upgrades ?
I'm very interested in opinions of those in the know , I'm afraid to say I haven't really much experience of modern astons .
Thanks in advance for any help , wt.
I'm considering a big engined manual car . Porsche and Ferrari have gone the way of the paddle and I have always liked the look of the astons . I like the dbs and vantage v12 manuals ( also looking at 550/575 manual but really good ones in the right colour are almost impossible to find ). The car will not be used on track ( apart from the obligatory first "get to know each other" track day ). It will probably never tour far , I'm lucky enough for those bases to be covered . The car will be my daily driver when in the uk , and used for fun road driving , in all weathers ( with winter tyres when needed ) , the thing is looking at them they are both gorgeous and the spec seems very similar .
In short I'd like advice as to how the v12 vantage manual compares to the DBS manual . They both look glorious but how do they drive and how are they to live with ? One hears horror stories about Aston reliability , is this true ? What are the "must have" options and upgrades ?
I'm very interested in opinions of those in the know , I'm afraid to say I haven't really much experience of modern astons .
Thanks in advance for any help , wt.
Jibberingloon said:
Doom.... I am going to tell everyone about your possible defection away from Pork and Pasta!
No mr jibberingloon , no no no . I beseech thee ! Pork and old Ferrari's still own my heart and soul but they haven't any front engined manual cars in the line ups anymore . Im merely considering options , I'm not cheating ! I was pushed away ! ITS AN OPEN RELATIONSHIP!!!!!!
bogie said:
Ive only had 30 mins test drive in each one. Really tough decision, depending if you need the extra size/back seats really...easy for me, because a DBS sized car is too long for my garage, I have to have a V12 Vantage next when I upgrade the V8 
I suspect I should try to get time in them ,back to back is difficult though I've driven both for around a day. Both gorgeous. Both hit the manual, NA, noise to die for buttons.
Its mainly a size thing for me - the v12v is easier to manoeuvre around and feels more part of you. The handling on the v12v is a little better and possibly the turn in is sharper but that could just be tyre related.
The only other main difference - and I've driven two separate dbs' - it's difficult to get off the line without stalling the first few times for some reason - didn't have this problem with the v12v from the off.
However in the end I went pork turbo - better handling (IMHO),far safer in the wet, more practical and cheaper to maintain and insure for me. Also trust the OH to drive it
Its mainly a size thing for me - the v12v is easier to manoeuvre around and feels more part of you. The handling on the v12v is a little better and possibly the turn in is sharper but that could just be tyre related.
The only other main difference - and I've driven two separate dbs' - it's difficult to get off the line without stalling the first few times for some reason - didn't have this problem with the v12v from the off.
However in the end I went pork turbo - better handling (IMHO),far safer in the wet, more practical and cheaper to maintain and insure for me. Also trust the OH to drive it
tjlees said:
I've driven both for around a day. Both gorgeous. Both hit the manual, NA, noise to die for buttons.
Its mainly a size thing for me - the v12v is easier to manoeuvre around and feels more part of you. The handling on the v12v is a little better and possibly the turn in is sharper but that could just be tyre related.
The only other main difference - and I've driven two separate dbs' - it's difficult to get off the line without stalling the first few times for some reason - didn't have this problem with the v12v from the off.
However in the end I went pork turbo - better handling (IMHO),far safer in the wet, more practical and cheaper to maintain and insure for me. Also trust the OH to drive it
Very helpful , thank you .Its mainly a size thing for me - the v12v is easier to manoeuvre around and feels more part of you. The handling on the v12v is a little better and possibly the turn in is sharper but that could just be tyre related.
The only other main difference - and I've driven two separate dbs' - it's difficult to get off the line without stalling the first few times for some reason - didn't have this problem with the v12v from the off.
However in the end I went pork turbo - better handling (IMHO),far safer in the wet, more practical and cheaper to maintain and insure for me. Also trust the OH to drive it
What's this about the gearstick being too far back ?
Di you notice such a thing ?
They are both magnificent and there is no doubting that the DBS is a thing of shear beauty, whilst the V12V is perhaps more of the brute of the family.
Technically the cars are very similar, identical engine, brakes and basically the same chassis - but the V12V is more point and squirt sports car, and the DBS more refined GT cruiser but both are basically born of 90% the same blood.
Based on current choice of vehicles I would expect the V12V to appeal more to you, but you wont go too far wrong with either, so drive both and decide for yourself which suits your character and driving style the most.
At the end of the day they are both Astons which means they both ooze that specialness to own than few other cars deliver as well.
So, have fun, and report back here with your opinion.
Technically the cars are very similar, identical engine, brakes and basically the same chassis - but the V12V is more point and squirt sports car, and the DBS more refined GT cruiser but both are basically born of 90% the same blood.
Based on current choice of vehicles I would expect the V12V to appeal more to you, but you wont go too far wrong with either, so drive both and decide for yourself which suits your character and driving style the most.
At the end of the day they are both Astons which means they both ooze that specialness to own than few other cars deliver as well.
So, have fun, and report back here with your opinion.
I've had five modern day Aston Martins and apart from the odd minor niggle - and I mean minor - I've never had an issue. Gaydon built cars are pretty much bullet proof. Have a trawl through this forum, you won't be finding any "horror stories" on here.
For me, the DBS would make a better daily driver - I've had both albeit my DBS was auto. But a manual V12 is.epic. As others have said, drive both.
For me, the DBS would make a better daily driver - I've had both albeit my DBS was auto. But a manual V12 is.epic. As others have said, drive both.
As others have said, try both and decide which you prefer. However, my advice would be to make sure you try a V12V with the CF Lightweight bucket seats. Suit the character of the car perfectly. You feel much more part of the car. Not sure I've ever seen a DBS specced with the lightweight seats. Had a go in an 8-speed Vanquish with lightweights a couple of weeks ago - OMG how epic was that? How much are people offering for a quality kidney these days?!
Yup I have to agree on the lightweight seats really adding to the driving feedback/experience especially in a V12V. As said above, they are rare (but not impossible) to find in a DBS. A manual gearbox for that matter is also a rare find in a DBS and another huge plus to look for if you ask me, albeit slightly less rare in DBS than the seats.
Manual is the only option in a V12V (unless you are looking for a V12VS), and lightweight seats seem to be found in 30-40% of V12V I'd guess.
Manual is the only option in a V12V (unless you are looking for a V12VS), and lightweight seats seem to be found in 30-40% of V12V I'd guess.
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