V12 Vantage: purchase advice

[Brakke]

Gents,

First of all, happy new year and may all your car wishes come true!

To the matter at hand:
Ive been in discussion with an AM-dealer regarding the purhcase of a V12 Vantage.
Currently own a V8 4.3 and the car has been brilliant.
Almost 14K kms and no issues so far, zero. Just regular maintenance.
I have been researching V12 Vantages, and want to lay my hands on one before the good ones disappear in mainland Europe.
Im not strange to V12s, I own also a 550 Maranello.

Few questions I hope some of you might be able to help with:
- Are there any specific elements worth double-checking when purchasing a V12 Vantage?
- Is the roadster worth the extra $$$? Im a sucker for REAL limited cars that represent something unique. V12, manual, rag top. Big chance that they wont make em like this.
- Is it worth paying extra for the AM warranty? I did it with the Vantage, now im feeling these cars are solid and if maintained properly, are bullet proof. Just not sure about electric gremlins etc on the V12 models which can end up costing a lot to fix if they pop up?

Any advice is appreciated from people going vrom V8V to V12V and have had issues or maintenance carried out on costs. Or people that have owned other V12 cars and also won the V12V
Looking for purchase before birthday in Feb, so not a lot of time left

[t0s]

Hi - I just went that route. Check out my post and others' response in this thread. Good luck - and have them work up your PX value rather than sales price - let's keep those values up.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[cayman-black]

Hi Brakke, if i where you i would get myself over to Kroymans quick as they have two stunning V12V.
More than we have available here. Good Luck.

[CSK1]

Kroymans AM is where I bought my V12VSR from. Eduard, the sales guy, is great to deal with. He took a very long time to deliver the car explaining the finest detail of the car before handing over the keys. Very professional and worthy of the AM dealer network. They have two stunning V12 Vantages, one with delivery kilometres or thereabout, the other with a few thousand KMS, both as new.
They're quite open to reasonable negotiation also.
I'd certainly recommend them.
Happy hunting!

[roughrider]

CSK1 said:

Kroymans AM is where I bought my V12VSR from. Eduard, the sales guy, is great to deal with. He took a very long time to deliver the car explaining the finest detail of the car before handing over the keys. Very professional and worthy of the AM dealer network. They have two stunning V12 Vantages, one with delivery kilometres or thereabout, the other with a few thousand KMS, both as new.
They're quite open to reasonable negotiation also.
I'd certainly recommend them.
Happy hunting!

Seconded,,,awesome dealership, and Eduard is the best!!

[mb1]

Apart from the usual buy-used advice, on a V12V, I would recommend checking clutch wear and that it had the uprated clutch fitted.
You may also want to check front splitter for any damages.
I would advise taking the AM warranty but that's more of a personal choice.

[GT Two]

mb1 said:

Apart from the usual buy-used advice, on a V12V, I would recommend checking clutch wear and that it had the uprated clutch fitted.
You may also want to check front splitter for any damages.
I would advise taking the AM warranty but that's more of a personal choice.

Was the uprated clutch a recall item?

[mb1]

GT Two said:

Was the uprated clutch a recall item?

Not a recall but a warranty item.
They used to ask for proof that the clutch was noisy as well from stand still before agreeing to change.

[Brakke]

Thank you all for the comments.

Kroymans:
Unfortunately they are not an option due to their spec. I would like to have B&O sound system or the light weight seats. These have neither. I am willing to give up on 1 of my requirements, but both is going to be heart-breaking (ah what first world problems we face).
Also 1 of those cars has so low miles, which has 2 downsides:
- It makes it relatively pricey.
- Im afraid it might make me hesitant to drive it.

Mind you, I have no bad experiences with them, so would have loved to buy locally, but it doesnt seem they have what I want.

Regarding technical compontents:
- So check the front splitter, makes sense. Heard about them often enough.
- Clutch rattle and sound. Is there a specific bulletin message or number made for this which I can quote to the dealer.

Last remaining question:
Carbon Ceramic brakes.... anything particular to look for there?

[Brakke]

t0s said:

Hi - I just went that route. Check out my post and others' response in this thread. Good luck - and have them work up your PX value rather than sales price - let's keep those values up.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Hi

Cheers for that. Good read.
Im not doing PX. Pure cash purchase, so hopefully that will help in the price.

[V8V Pete]

Brakke said:

I would like to have B&O sound system or the light weight seats. I am willing to give up on 1 of my requirements, but both is going to be heart-breaking

B&O nice but no more than that. Lightweight seats, for me, make the car and are THE deal breaker.

Brakke said:

Last remaining question:
Carbon Ceramic brakes.... anything particular to look for there?

They are dissolved by acidic wheel cleaner and cost many thousands of pounds/euros to replace so condition of these is crucially important. If the surface of the disc is rough and not shiny and the centre of the disc is grey/milky rather than black then insist they are replaced or walk away.

[CSK1]

Funnily enough I was also looking for a manual V12 Vantage to begin with and ended up with a V12VSR.
For me lightweight seats were a must and B&O a big bonus.
In mainland Europe, cars specced with lightweight seats are a hard find, coupled with B&O, even rarer. I don't like alcantara seats, lots of lightweights are specced in. I didn't want black, silver or one of the darker shades of grey would have been acceptable but a rare and special colour would have been preferable. So for me finding the right car was impossible. Bumped on a Mako blue roadster with B&O and lightweights and immediately thought that's my car, ideal spec, ideal colour. Not manual but Sportshift is enjoyable if used as a manual.
Anyway, I think it will be hard for you to find the car in the exact spec and colour you want. There are a few for sale in Switzerland with lightweight seats and B&O, check the Swiss version of Autoscout.
You need to be careful with carbon ceramic brakes, have them weighed, they don't like wheel cleaning products sprayed on them. Check PH threads about this. I would buy within the AM dealer network with a warranty extension to be on the safe side. If buying privately, have the car inspected by an AM dealer prior to purchase and ask for an AM warranty.

[Brakke]

thanks guys.

Will put the CCM brakes on the checklist.
Car will be purchased from a dealer, at this price point im not taking the risk of a private sale unless its well beneath market price.

Regarding specs: I think finding a Roadster with lightweight seats is going to be next to impossible. Color wise, I really dont care to be honest haha as long as it aint yellow im good to roll. So that at least opens up the choices.

Im currently talking with the dealer regarding this car:
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=...

Only thing is missing is the LW seats, but as said, the chances of that.....
Thanks for the tip will check out the Swiss cars (really like this one: www.autoscout24.ch/3358963). I guess the price is not bad after paying for 10% import and 21% Vat...

Somehow my interests floating towards a roadster more and more.

Thanks again for the help, will let it all simmer a bit and will keep you posted on the outcome.

[CSK1]

I was looking for a coupé to start with which in my opinion looks nicer than the roadster but a roadster is really fun... and rarer.
Red one looks fab, not many roadsters had lightweight seats and I think I'd favour lightweight seats over B&O as they suit the car really well, I find them comfortable too. B&O is nice to have but honestly I rarely switch the sound system on whereas the seats get used all the time! :-)
Swiss car looks really nice but private seller. This wouldn't turn me off as you can always get the car inspected by an AM dealer and purchase a warranty which is valid throughout the official dealer network internationally. Also the Swiss have a reputation of being meticulous!
This one has lightweights and B&O, mileage a bit on the high side but better have a car that has been well maintained and driven regularly than a garage queen.

http://m.mobile.de/auto-inserat/aston-martin-v12-v...

Edited by CSK1 on Saturday 2nd January 14:22

[Brakke]

True,

Its a nice spec, but too high miles. Ill consider anythhing from 10k-25k. Spec is good, although i think like your V12, I would prefer a non-grey/back solor.

Lots to think about!

[IanV12VR]

Brakke said:

thanks guys.

Will put the CCM brakes on the checklist.
Car will be purchased from a dealer, at this price point im not taking the risk of a private sale unless its well beneath market price.

Regarding specs: I think finding a Roadster with lightweight seats is going to be next to impossible. Color wise, I really dont care to be honest haha as long as it aint yellow im good to roll. So that at least opens up the choices.

Im currently talking with the dealer regarding this car:
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=...


Somehow my interests floating towards a roadster more and more.

Thanks again for the help, will let it all simmer a bit and will keep you posted on the outcome.

For some reason the majority of V12VR's appear to have sportseats whereas the S seem to have lightweights. Personally the leightweights really suit the S and but not sure they would the manual.

As for choosing between the coupe and the roadster whilst the coupe probably wins on looks there is nothing compares to being in the roadster when pressing on. The noise is just awesome.

Part of the reason for the price differential between the two versions is that people buying coupes received quite substantial discounts whereas the purchasers of the roadsters seldom did (in the UK anyway). I think the limited nature of the roadster will always maintain that differential.

The one you are looking at looks tremendous. Having seen Silverspeeds V12VR in Volcano Red it looks fantastic and if you can get the deal you want you will NOT regret it. Good hunting.

[GT Two]

Why wouldn't the lightweight seats suit the Manual?

Surely the lightweight bucket seats would suit a coupe more? and heated leather seats to a roadster. Hence lest roadsters with buckets.

Lightweight bucket seats are more usually found in track inspired cars, mainly coupes.

[CSK1]

The V12 Vantage is a very focused driver's car be it in Roadster or coupe form so I can't see why the lightweight seats wouldn't be advisable in a roadster. They hold your body much better during a spirited drive on a windy road or a track day which the roadster, although not a track car perse (which neither the coupe is!), certainly is capable of.
You seem to imply the roadster version of the V12 Vantage is just good enough to cruise in with heated comfort seats. That is nonsense.
Lightweight or comfort seats, it is down to personal preference and body shape. Nothing to do with the car being a coupe or roadster.
And I don't miss the heated seats in mine. I just turn the heating on.
Edited to add that the Vantage was conceived from the start to have a roadster version, torsional rigidity of the roadster is excellent.

Edited by CSK1 on Saturday 2nd January 17:48

[GT Two]

CSK1 said:

They hold your body much better during a spirited drive on a windy road or a track day which the roadster, although not a track car perse

Edited by CSK1 on Saturday 2nd January 17:48

I wouldn't want the roof down on a windy road!

[CSK1]

I very rarely drive with the roof up on any kind of road.
Ah, well that is why there's a whole range from which to choose to suit everybody.