V8 or V12 Vantage?
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm thinking seriously of jumping into Aston Martin ownership with either a V8 or V12 Vantage S Roadster. (2016+)
Initially focused on a V8 but wondering if, after time, i'll keep wondering if i should have gone V12.
I've recently driven a V8 (non S) and a V12S back-to-back. Night and day i thought, but wondered how much better a V8S would have been.
Does anyone have a particularly well sorted V8S which they would never change for a V12? If so, why?
Has anyone gone from V8 to V12 and regretted it for any reason?
Thanks in advance...
Linkin
I'm thinking seriously of jumping into Aston Martin ownership with either a V8 or V12 Vantage S Roadster. (2016+)
Initially focused on a V8 but wondering if, after time, i'll keep wondering if i should have gone V12.
I've recently driven a V8 (non S) and a V12S back-to-back. Night and day i thought, but wondered how much better a V8S would have been.
Does anyone have a particularly well sorted V8S which they would never change for a V12? If so, why?
Has anyone gone from V8 to V12 and regretted it for any reason?
Thanks in advance...
Linkin
I don’t recall anyone on here ever expressing any regrets after moving from V8 to V12. There is an argument that V8 cars handle a little better as there is less weight at the front, but if you are thinking of V12S that car will have the three way adjustable damper system which is supposed to make a big difference to both ride and handling. Personally, I would say if your budget allows, just go straight for V12S. If you go for either V8 model, imho you may end up forever wondering...what if? There have been many comments on here that once you’ve driven V12, there is no going back. Good luck with your search. A rather nice dilemma to have.
Best Regards
Minglar
Best Regards
Minglar
Thanks ReformedPistonhead
I tried the V8V first and followed it with the V12V.
The start-up noise alone made me think V8? what V8? but i have read that a V8V with some exhaust tweaks can also sound wonderful.... hence my questions.
There must be a V8S owner out there somewhere who has hit the sweet-spot....... or not?
I tried the V8V first and followed it with the V12V.
The start-up noise alone made me think V8? what V8? but i have read that a V8V with some exhaust tweaks can also sound wonderful.... hence my questions.
There must be a V8S owner out there somewhere who has hit the sweet-spot....... or not?
I went 2014 V8 non-S 2014 > 2016 V8S > 2018 V12 AMR (effectively an S with default power kit).
Post 2012.25 MY update, effectively no difference between any V8 model (excluding GT8). You won’t notice the +10bhp. They only sound a little different due to the exhausts.
With the V8, your only key mechanical choices are:
Seats are very much down to personal opinion. Never owned CF seats, but they are more comfortable (bizarrely) but don’t have side airbags or offer easy access to rear shelf.
Three levels of audio option; 180W, 700W and 1,000 “B&O”. I’ve owned each and each is a step up. B&O is stunning.
But then there’s the V12S. As if it’s a completely different car. Arguably not as agile, but completely gets under your skin. Not much more to service. 30% thirstier. Bigger rubber to replace.
IMHO, the 3 stage suspension is pointless as you keep it in softest which is probably closest to Comfort in non-adaptive V8 cars.
I fear the carbon ceramic brakes needing replacement as/when. The metal stoppers on a V8 are perfect.
As always, buy the best example you can, but try as many as possible first. Unlikely, though - I just kept falling for the first I tried until I got lucky with the V12, at which point I knew exactly what I wanted.
Good luck!
Edit: regardless, have a secondary cat removal done without hesitation on any of these. An AM main dealer will do this without warranty issues or MOT questions. Plenty of third options too.
Post 2012.25 MY update, effectively no difference between any V8 model (excluding GT8). You won’t notice the +10bhp. They only sound a little different due to the exhausts.
With the V8, your only key mechanical choices are:
- Sports or Comfort suspension
- Manual or SportShift II
- Sports or Carbon seats
Seats are very much down to personal opinion. Never owned CF seats, but they are more comfortable (bizarrely) but don’t have side airbags or offer easy access to rear shelf.
Three levels of audio option; 180W, 700W and 1,000 “B&O”. I’ve owned each and each is a step up. B&O is stunning.
But then there’s the V12S. As if it’s a completely different car. Arguably not as agile, but completely gets under your skin. Not much more to service. 30% thirstier. Bigger rubber to replace.
IMHO, the 3 stage suspension is pointless as you keep it in softest which is probably closest to Comfort in non-adaptive V8 cars.
I fear the carbon ceramic brakes needing replacement as/when. The metal stoppers on a V8 are perfect.
As always, buy the best example you can, but try as many as possible first. Unlikely, though - I just kept falling for the first I tried until I got lucky with the V12, at which point I knew exactly what I wanted.
Good luck!
Edit: regardless, have a secondary cat removal done without hesitation on any of these. An AM main dealer will do this without warranty issues or MOT questions. Plenty of third options too.
Edited by nickv12 on Friday 26th August 18:19
Linkin said:
There must be a V8VS owner out there somewhere, who has hit the sweet-spot.......
Yes there is. Pete is an occasional poster here.
I think after his first Vantage, did consider the V12V, but as he enjoys a few track days, decided a V8VS would be best for him. Probably down to front end weight differences and also the ceramic brakes, which might suffer with circuit use.
The horses have been upped, together with some other improvements. A great car. Might now be a keeper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWc7dP4Pegs
I have a friend who argued til he was blue in the face that the V8 was better than the V12. His V8 was essentially the same as a S through his modifications - and then he drove a V12VSR. It now proudly sits in his garage and we will soon be off to Spain to have some fun in the mountains.
I have never has a V8S but had 2 V8’s and 3 V12V roadsters and nothing beats the sound of an open top V12 under load. No question in my view - but I am totally biased
I have never has a V8S but had 2 V8’s and 3 V12V roadsters and nothing beats the sound of an open top V12 under load. No question in my view - but I am totally biased
ReformedPistonhead said:
I have a V12VSM 2018.
It is under extended Timeless warranty which I think is around £1,400 a year. Servicing £800.
No other costs than fuel and tyres.
And no real depreciation.
Will never sell it the V12 howl conquers all.
The extended warranty from AM on a V12 Vantage S is around £2.3k per year to re-new.It is under extended Timeless warranty which I think is around £1,400 a year. Servicing £800.
No other costs than fuel and tyres.
And no real depreciation.
Will never sell it the V12 howl conquers all.
phumy said:
The extended warranty from AM on a V12 Vantage S is around £2.3k per year to re-new.
That's alarming if they think £2,300 worth of things may go wrong every year above general wear and tear.And you need the car inspected and serviced first and they still think stuff will go wrong.
Agent57 said:
phumy said:
The extended warranty from AM on a V12 Vantage S is around £2.3k per year to re-new.
That's alarming if they think £2,300 worth of things may go wrong every year above general wear and tear.And you need the car inspected and serviced first and they still think stuff will go wrong.
The cost might be set, by what customers are willing to pay.
Based on the warranty price that you state, I am so far £25,000 better off, by never buying a warranty.
Agent57 said:
phumy said:
The extended warranty from AM on a V12 Vantage S is around £2.3k per year to re-new.
That's alarming if they think £2,300 worth of things may go wrong every year above general wear and tear.And you need the car inspected and serviced first and they still think stuff will go wrong.
And bear in mind that we know that the most likely time for the sale of one of these policies as from a MD timeless sale and we know the checks done at this point are super light touch and rely on the warranty to sort it out - which means that all those claims are loaded into the premium calculations.
I'd be surprised that if on average over a long period of ownership that its much more than £1000 p/a to self insure, but that cost will increase for sure with age as corrosion and perishing begin to feature into maintenance costs. Less of a problem in cars under say 10-15yrs of course.
Edited by AdamV12V on Saturday 27th August 10:28
Agent57 said:
AdamV12V said:
on average the costs WILL be less than this each year.
Agreed, hence why I wonder why people pay. Particularly those that can afford an Aston and assume they have not leveraged every penny just to buy / finance it.
More seriously, I got a two year timeless included in my purchase price, which made it good value as part of the package overall. Decision next year as to whether to extend the warranty. I suspect that I will take the risk.
Agent57 said:
AdamV12V said:
on average the costs WILL be less than this each year.
Agreed, hence why I wonder why people pay. Particularly those that can afford an Aston and assume they have not leveraged every penny just to buy / finance it.I read somewhere that 40% of the average Brit's have less than one month's living costs in savings. I think Ive always had more than one month in savings since my first job.
With this kind of living day to day, you basically have to take out insurance as you are screwed otherwise if something goes wrong. The catch is of course that its the flittering away of money on lots of little things such as non essential insurance that means you have nothing left each month to save. Still thats the way of the world. The fact PCP deals exist and are so popular substantially supports this approach to buying cars.
Well for me it is because they literally fix everything and anything as part of the timeless (AMWorks) and if the engine or gearbox lunch themselves it would be a massive outlay.
The car is owned outright and I plan to never sell.
I suppose I could just self insure so to speak but it is nice not to worry.
Each to their own I guess.
The car is owned outright and I plan to never sell.
I suppose I could just self insure so to speak but it is nice not to worry.
Each to their own I guess.
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