V12 Vantage S Coupe Manual or GT8?
Discussion
Question in the title - which would you choose? I’ve been offered a brand new V12 s manual coupe for £160k supposedly the last one in the UK - it has an AMR body kit but not the exhaust upgrade (nor does it have the lightweight seats unfortunately). This is awfully close to low mileage GT8 prices with a bit of light negotiation. So which would you choose? My feeling is that the gt8 would feel under powered - but oh so much more special..and the sound! My guess is that the gt8 would hold value slightly better as well. What do you think? Which would you go for? There’s an awful lot of gt8’s sat at dealers right now.
V12VSM owners will no doubt say the V12VSM and GT8 owners the GT8....
I'm in the camp of loving the former, and I turned down a GT8 slot, which I don't regret. I 100% love Kermit - who now has the AMR Aerokit, but not the AMR Powerkit, as per the spec of the car you have said about. The only fly in the ointment is the seats on the car you're looking at, which would be a deal breaker for me, but hey ho! If you go GT8 you could no doubt get lightweights, but maybe not at the price point?
As for which will hold its value better in the future, only a crystal ball or time will tell.
Just buy which turns you on the most - it may not be what the majority think, but that doesn't matter, and either way you can't lose - they are both EPIC cars!
I'm in the camp of loving the former, and I turned down a GT8 slot, which I don't regret. I 100% love Kermit - who now has the AMR Aerokit, but not the AMR Powerkit, as per the spec of the car you have said about. The only fly in the ointment is the seats on the car you're looking at, which would be a deal breaker for me, but hey ho! If you go GT8 you could no doubt get lightweights, but maybe not at the price point?
As for which will hold its value better in the future, only a crystal ball or time will tell.
Just buy which turns you on the most - it may not be what the majority think, but that doesn't matter, and either way you can't lose - they are both EPIC cars!
I have a V12VS SSIII. I’ve only seen one GT8 that I would even consider, understated (if you could call it that) dark red metallic and black. But I doubt I would swap mine for it. Not a massive fan of the wings etc. Re the V12VSM you mention, I wouldn’t buy one without lightweight seats. Re values, over the long term I think you’d be better in the GT8. I’m thinking the V12VS will bottom at 80k then creep back up to the 100k mark. I doubt the GT8 would ever drop below 150k. No idea of course! As mentioned, both are brilliant.
I have a V12VS manual AMR Roadster and a GT8
I've put one up for sale (@HWM) - it's the AMR
It's a fantastic car, far quicker in a straight line. Beautifully executed (the halo spec is much better in the flesh than I thought it would be).
But it just doesn't feel as special to me as my GT8. It's a very personal thing, nothing to do with future values. I just love the noise, the wings, the handling. The owners group has s excellent (we have a 21 car meet next weekend).
But I'd stress that it's a very personal thing. Test drive both. See which you prefer There are deals to be done out there!
Ps happy to do a deal on the AMR Roadster if you want one!
I've put one up for sale (@HWM) - it's the AMR
It's a fantastic car, far quicker in a straight line. Beautifully executed (the halo spec is much better in the flesh than I thought it would be).
But it just doesn't feel as special to me as my GT8. It's a very personal thing, nothing to do with future values. I just love the noise, the wings, the handling. The owners group has s excellent (we have a 21 car meet next weekend).
But I'd stress that it's a very personal thing. Test drive both. See which you prefer There are deals to be done out there!
Ps happy to do a deal on the AMR Roadster if you want one!
Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate it. V12 Vantage S Coupe is swinging it for me. I'm (unfortunately) not the kind of guy that can regularly go out and buy these kinds of cars. This will be my one very special car that I hope to keep for the foreseeable future.
Rob - thanks for that. Feel free to drop me a PM but I fear my face wasn't ever designed to be in a convertible, but maybe you can twist my arm.
I do have the option to swap out the comfy seats to have lightweight seats fitted to the V12 Vantage S - for the princely sum of £10k
This would push the price up to £170k which means I might as well go for the black one advertised, with full AMR kit (exhaust and all) at AM Cambridge.
Below is a pic of the car I'm considering:
Rob - thanks for that. Feel free to drop me a PM but I fear my face wasn't ever designed to be in a convertible, but maybe you can twist my arm.
I do have the option to swap out the comfy seats to have lightweight seats fitted to the V12 Vantage S - for the princely sum of £10k
This would push the price up to £170k which means I might as well go for the black one advertised, with full AMR kit (exhaust and all) at AM Cambridge.Below is a pic of the car I'm considering:
I too was in exactly the same position.
In the end I opted for the V12s manual roadster. I then had the performance kit fitted.
I have never regretted the choice I made. And the performance kit is fantastic , just as loud as a GT12.
Also , as I like to get out and drive the car as much as I can , I felt that if I went for a GT8, I would always be worrying about the miles I was putting on .
The only negative side , which I think would be the case for either , is reliability.
If you can’t live with lots of minor niggly problems , and the odd major one ( recovery situation ), then maybe don’t consider either !!
I can currently live with those issues :-)
In the end I opted for the V12s manual roadster. I then had the performance kit fitted.
I have never regretted the choice I made. And the performance kit is fantastic , just as loud as a GT12.
Also , as I like to get out and drive the car as much as I can , I felt that if I went for a GT8, I would always be worrying about the miles I was putting on .
The only negative side , which I think would be the case for either , is reliability.
If you can’t live with lots of minor niggly problems , and the odd major one ( recovery situation ), then maybe don’t consider either !!
I can currently live with those issues :-)
VULCANT said:
Question in the title - which would you choose? I’ve been offered a brand new V12 s manual coupe for £160k supposedly the last one in the UK - it has an AMR body kit but not the exhaust upgrade (nor does it have the lightweight seats unfortunately). This is awfully close to low mileage GT8 prices with a bit of light negotiation. So which would you choose? My feeling is that the gt8 would feel under powered - but oh so much more special..and the sound! My guess is that the gt8 would hold value slightly better as well. What do you think? Which would you go for? There’s an awful lot of gt8’s sat at dealers right now.
The rear wing on the AMR kits really spoils the pure look of the V12VS.Edited by EL77 on Friday 20th July 08:28
Not sure either would be the wrong choice !
I have a V12S ( ss ) and a manual GT8 - the latter is driven occasionally ( 900 miles in its first year ) but every one of those miles is simply epic - its the noisest ( in a good way ) car I have heard and whilst undoubtedly it could handle another 50bhp at least Ive never thought its too under powered.
I would have thought you'd struggle to get one at the price point you mention but you never know -certainly theres been a few for sale for a while although a lot were specced to flip and if in ss they will no doubt continue to linger.
Long term I would say theres more price uplift potential in the GT8 simply as there are so few of them - UK has between 44 and 52 I think depending on who u believe.
That all said if the V12S had been available in manual when I bought mine 3 years ago then I would have bought that and so trying to decide which one now wouldnt be easy !
Good luck and have fun trying both.
I have a V12S ( ss ) and a manual GT8 - the latter is driven occasionally ( 900 miles in its first year ) but every one of those miles is simply epic - its the noisest ( in a good way ) car I have heard and whilst undoubtedly it could handle another 50bhp at least Ive never thought its too under powered.
I would have thought you'd struggle to get one at the price point you mention but you never know -certainly theres been a few for sale for a while although a lot were specced to flip and if in ss they will no doubt continue to linger.
Long term I would say theres more price uplift potential in the GT8 simply as there are so few of them - UK has between 44 and 52 I think depending on who u believe.
That all said if the V12S had been available in manual when I bought mine 3 years ago then I would have bought that and so trying to decide which one now wouldnt be easy !
Good luck and have fun trying both.
I have a V12SM and a GT8 Sportshift. The V12S is a daily driver and the GT8 mainly for track use and some special events.
Both with carbon fibre seats.
I love both and i hope i will never have to sell one of them. But if i had to choose, i would pick the V12SM. It is the more complete car and with the deleted sec.cats it also makes a beautiful sound to die for. The GT8 is just ridiculous awesome
If u have several other cars, i would go for the GT8, otherwise the V12SM
Good luck!
Both with carbon fibre seats.
I love both and i hope i will never have to sell one of them. But if i had to choose, i would pick the V12SM. It is the more complete car and with the deleted sec.cats it also makes a beautiful sound to die for. The GT8 is just ridiculous awesome
If u have several other cars, i would go for the GT8, otherwise the V12SM
Good luck!
GT8-V12SM said:
I have a V12SM and a GT8 Sportshift. The V12S is a daily driver and the GT8 mainly for track use and some special events.
Both with carbon fibre seats.
I love both and i hope i will never have to sell one of them. But if i had to choose, i would pick the V12SM. It is the more complete car and with the deleted sec.cats it also makes a beautiful sound to die for. The GT8 is just ridiculous awesome
If u have several other cars, i would go for the GT8, otherwise the V12SM
Good luck!
Beautiful cars, what color is your GT8?Both with carbon fibre seats.
I love both and i hope i will never have to sell one of them. But if i had to choose, i would pick the V12SM. It is the more complete car and with the deleted sec.cats it also makes a beautiful sound to die for. The GT8 is just ridiculous awesome
If u have several other cars, i would go for the GT8, otherwise the V12SM
Good luck!
GT8-V12SM said:
I have a V12SM and a GT8 Sportshift. The V12S is a daily driver and the GT8 mainly for track use and some special events.
Both with carbon fibre seats.
I love both and i hope i will never have to sell one of them. But if i had to choose, i would pick the V12SM. It is the more complete car and with the deleted sec.cats it also makes a beautiful sound to die for. The GT8 is just ridiculous awesome
If u have several other cars, i would go for the GT8, otherwise the V12SM
Good luck!
Any interest in joining the GT8 Whatsapp Group? We've already got one other GT8 in Germany, albeit he's over here next week for the big get together. Pm if it's of interestBoth with carbon fibre seats.
I love both and i hope i will never have to sell one of them. But if i had to choose, i would pick the V12SM. It is the more complete car and with the deleted sec.cats it also makes a beautiful sound to die for. The GT8 is just ridiculous awesome
If u have several other cars, i would go for the GT8, otherwise the V12SM
Good luck!
Rob
I can share my views after testing a V12S at Millbrook and in further test drives (Sportshift and Manuals), owning a manual GT8 and another manual 4.7 V8.
If you prefer sheer power get the V12, if you like, e.g., B-road driving opt for the GT8. Both sound epic (V12 sound is sweet, GT8's is pure/raw and "unfiltered"). GT8 offers more drama visually (Cabin and outside).
Cornering (entry and mid corner grip) on the GT8 is sublime. V12 requires greater steering input to get fastly into corners and you feel the weight transfer much more towards mid-corner.
Re. GT8: dynamically there is big difference even with a V8 4.7 Sports Pack. You feel the lower mass, stiffer suspension set up (but not harsh at all). Only thing that feels the same is the manual gearbox. GT8 feels way more special thoughout.
None of the cars are "under-powered" in a UK's B-road context. Surely they can handle way more power.
If you prefer sheer power get the V12, if you like, e.g., B-road driving opt for the GT8. Both sound epic (V12 sound is sweet, GT8's is pure/raw and "unfiltered"). GT8 offers more drama visually (Cabin and outside).
Cornering (entry and mid corner grip) on the GT8 is sublime. V12 requires greater steering input to get fastly into corners and you feel the weight transfer much more towards mid-corner.
Re. GT8: dynamically there is big difference even with a V8 4.7 Sports Pack. You feel the lower mass, stiffer suspension set up (but not harsh at all). Only thing that feels the same is the manual gearbox. GT8 feels way more special thoughout.
None of the cars are "under-powered" in a UK's B-road context. Surely they can handle way more power.
Thank you for all your replies. I’ve decided that a V12s Manual is the likely way forward for me. Now it’s a case of finding the perfect one.
As this is really my one and likely only ever purchase such as this (wife permission has been granted!) and I guess in my mind a kind of reward for years of hard work - I really don’t want to compromise.
Please feel free to get in touch if you are aware of an owner (or you are one) considering parting with one. There are only around 4 or so manual V12S advertised and 2 have the AMR kit added which I’m struggling to convince myself that I like. The only must have is sports seats and preferably a sexy paint colour such as the below. Thanks in advance. P.S does anyone know what the colour of the car below is called? Can be seen in this vid: https://youtu.be/y9_NdeKSzUU
As this is really my one and likely only ever purchase such as this (wife permission has been granted!) and I guess in my mind a kind of reward for years of hard work - I really don’t want to compromise.
Please feel free to get in touch if you are aware of an owner (or you are one) considering parting with one. There are only around 4 or so manual V12S advertised and 2 have the AMR kit added which I’m struggling to convince myself that I like. The only must have is sports seats and preferably a sexy paint colour such as the below. Thanks in advance. P.S does anyone know what the colour of the car below is called? Can be seen in this vid: https://youtu.be/y9_NdeKSzUU
Edited by VULCANT on Friday 31st August 21:37
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