V8V to V12 Vanq?
Discussion
Hi all
Currently have a manual N400 roadster in lightning. Thoroughly enjoyed the car but having had it for over 10 years and it becoming a bit more of an (impractical) daily driver thinking of moving it on.
I have recently bought a blue manual 355 so feel I have that small V8 manual box ticked.
I think I really want a V12 and really enjoyed having a convertible. I am now very tempted by an 8spd Vanquish Volante. These have really slipped under the radar for me and the more I look at them the more I like them (although I do think the rear 3/4 is ever so slightly awkward - kind of feel the sweep down should have been a sweep up but I’m no car designer…).
So has anyone done the move from V8V to vanquish and what were the thoughts?
I have young children (under 8 and sleight girls) so hoping can squeeze them in for the odd short trip which helps with practicality.
My only disappointment is that I really do not want a black interior (find it quite boring and not special) and would rather stay away from silvers and blacks. However the vast majority of cars seem to be this. Is that because I have only recently started looking or are other specs rare as hens teeth? I think they look stunning as red/blue/green with cream/tan interiors but have only seen them on google as opposed to for sale. Such a shame more don’t appear to have specced like this rather than “safely” for resale.
I definitely want the BO sound system (most seem to have it) and am tempted by the One Seven Seven wheel. AMiIII not a dealbreaker as I know it can be obtained. Any other important options? They all seem to be specced similarly aside from those.
Would love to hear thoughts!
Currently have a manual N400 roadster in lightning. Thoroughly enjoyed the car but having had it for over 10 years and it becoming a bit more of an (impractical) daily driver thinking of moving it on.
I have recently bought a blue manual 355 so feel I have that small V8 manual box ticked.
I think I really want a V12 and really enjoyed having a convertible. I am now very tempted by an 8spd Vanquish Volante. These have really slipped under the radar for me and the more I look at them the more I like them (although I do think the rear 3/4 is ever so slightly awkward - kind of feel the sweep down should have been a sweep up but I’m no car designer…).
So has anyone done the move from V8V to vanquish and what were the thoughts?
I have young children (under 8 and sleight girls) so hoping can squeeze them in for the odd short trip which helps with practicality.
My only disappointment is that I really do not want a black interior (find it quite boring and not special) and would rather stay away from silvers and blacks. However the vast majority of cars seem to be this. Is that because I have only recently started looking or are other specs rare as hens teeth? I think they look stunning as red/blue/green with cream/tan interiors but have only seen them on google as opposed to for sale. Such a shame more don’t appear to have specced like this rather than “safely” for resale.
I definitely want the BO sound system (most seem to have it) and am tempted by the One Seven Seven wheel. AMiIII not a dealbreaker as I know it can be obtained. Any other important options? They all seem to be specced similarly aside from those.
Would love to hear thoughts!
B&O was standard on the Vanquish, the One-77 steering wheel was an option, but for me should naturally come with this car. I am not very fond of the seat cooling as it does not look very nice, however most cars in Switzerland are equipped with it, don´t know about the UK. It also seems that cream/beige interiors are not aging very well, perhaps due to lack of proper maintenance. Badging on the headrests of the front seats and in the back was also an option, looks somehow weird if it is missing.
I had a V8V for around four years, followed by a gap of around five years before purchasing a Vanquish. I loved the V8V but the Vanquish does feel like another level (as it probably should). I find the Vanquish much more comfortable to sit in and drive, although the Vantage was a manual so I feel like the ease of use that comes with an auto may be contributing towards that.
I've had various branded audio systems is cars over the years (Bose, Burmester, Harman Kardon, Meridian etc) and the B&O put them all to shame in my humble and admittedly non-audiophile opinion.
Regarding use of the back seats, when I am in my normal driving position there is literally no legroom in the back whatsoever. Similarly my wife has found that the front passenger legroom is barely adequate even with the seat fully back and again leaving no room for the rear passengers. I suspect similar to V8V that there is a false floor on the passengers side to house electronics that eats some room. I'm not saying it would be impossible to accommodate two adults and two kids, but it would be a less than optimal experience.
I've had various branded audio systems is cars over the years (Bose, Burmester, Harman Kardon, Meridian etc) and the B&O put them all to shame in my humble and admittedly non-audiophile opinion.
Regarding use of the back seats, when I am in my normal driving position there is literally no legroom in the back whatsoever. Similarly my wife has found that the front passenger legroom is barely adequate even with the seat fully back and again leaving no room for the rear passengers. I suspect similar to V8V that there is a false floor on the passengers side to house electronics that eats some room. I'm not saying it would be impossible to accommodate two adults and two kids, but it would be a less than optimal experience.
In 2016 I swapped a 2014 Vantage V8S Sportshift for a Vanquish 8-Speed. No regrets but it took some time to find the right Vanquish for me.
As posted below, many cars have cooled seats and these have a perforated seat base which is invariably very slab like and not very attractive or Aston looking. Cars without this option may have more interesting seat designs though, again as posted below, they will nearly always be black or beige/cream not wearing that well.
I was extremely lucky to find a Vanquish with lightweight seats (with a mandatory 2+0 configuration but again as posted below the rear seats are useless anyway). The lightweight seat option was not available for the Volante so the OP will need to hold out for a colour combination and design that works for them.
Only other thing to note is going from a Vantage, whether Sportshift or Manual to a Vanquish is that perhaps obvious to state, the Vantage is more sports and the Vanquish more GT. I do sometimes miss the raw, visceral experience of the Vantage but I am lucky to have other cars to help with that. I would have another Vantage in a heartbeat but the Vanquish is the better and more modern car really in every respect. Oh, and it has haunches1
B+O was standard, one-77 steering wheel optional but more often than not fitted. AMi III upgrade is expensive but worth every penny, Delete secondary cats on a non-S car (at an AM dealer). Other than that, an original owner could have spent a lot on trim and wheels etc. but this is personal taste. Good luck in your search.
As posted below, many cars have cooled seats and these have a perforated seat base which is invariably very slab like and not very attractive or Aston looking. Cars without this option may have more interesting seat designs though, again as posted below, they will nearly always be black or beige/cream not wearing that well.
I was extremely lucky to find a Vanquish with lightweight seats (with a mandatory 2+0 configuration but again as posted below the rear seats are useless anyway). The lightweight seat option was not available for the Volante so the OP will need to hold out for a colour combination and design that works for them.
Only other thing to note is going from a Vantage, whether Sportshift or Manual to a Vanquish is that perhaps obvious to state, the Vantage is more sports and the Vanquish more GT. I do sometimes miss the raw, visceral experience of the Vantage but I am lucky to have other cars to help with that. I would have another Vantage in a heartbeat but the Vanquish is the better and more modern car really in every respect. Oh, and it has haunches1
B+O was standard, one-77 steering wheel optional but more often than not fitted. AMi III upgrade is expensive but worth every penny, Delete secondary cats on a non-S car (at an AM dealer). Other than that, an original owner could have spent a lot on trim and wheels etc. but this is personal taste. Good luck in your search.
Edited by hashluck on Saturday 15th April 09:48
Many have gone the same route, often with some sort of gap, and there are lots of posts and threads in the AM section on upgrading to a Vanquish, and all variants on the theme such as V8V to Vanq etc, just use google if you want to have a dig. The last one will still be pretty prominent, I think it was started by a chap who used to have an early V8V as you do, and was thinking of either Vanquish or DB11.
You have 3 basic flavours of modern Vanquish, and they got progressively a little better and higher specced as one replaced the other. 6 speed, then 8 speed then S. The S is very much top of the pile, and is holding its value the best, but many would say it’s not worth the considerable extra money over the non S 8 speed. Even the 6 speed has its devotees, some like having fewer ratios. All are well specced as they were the top of the range cars. You will pay a litre more for a Volante. From spec perspective, you mention the hifi, the infotainment and the steering wheel, also look at wheel options, extra carbon bits like the waterfall and mirrors, sidestrakes and paddles, upgraded leather with the stitching and headliner, and stuff like jewellery packs.
Remember, the Vanquishes were the last cars produced using an architecture that goes back to the 2004 DB9, so don’t expect much of the modern tech you might now see in family runarounds to feature. Being a little bit hamstrung with the fundamentals, AML went for things like carbon fibre everywhere, super luxury stitched quilted leather everywhere, polished aluminium petrol caps etc. You’re going to have to forget notions of keyless entry etc, but many people somehow love the fact it’s different.
You have 3 basic flavours of modern Vanquish, and they got progressively a little better and higher specced as one replaced the other. 6 speed, then 8 speed then S. The S is very much top of the pile, and is holding its value the best, but many would say it’s not worth the considerable extra money over the non S 8 speed. Even the 6 speed has its devotees, some like having fewer ratios. All are well specced as they were the top of the range cars. You will pay a litre more for a Volante. From spec perspective, you mention the hifi, the infotainment and the steering wheel, also look at wheel options, extra carbon bits like the waterfall and mirrors, sidestrakes and paddles, upgraded leather with the stitching and headliner, and stuff like jewellery packs.
Remember, the Vanquishes were the last cars produced using an architecture that goes back to the 2004 DB9, so don’t expect much of the modern tech you might now see in family runarounds to feature. Being a little bit hamstrung with the fundamentals, AML went for things like carbon fibre everywhere, super luxury stitched quilted leather everywhere, polished aluminium petrol caps etc. You’re going to have to forget notions of keyless entry etc, but many people somehow love the fact it’s different.
Had my Vanquish Volante for over 3 years sold it last year back to an AM dealer, tried a BMW Z4 in the interim and now back with a Vantage V12 Roadster.
I had been looking for a number of months for a Vanquish S in any colour apart from black (all of my cars over the last 10 years were black) I was on a few AM dealers waiting lists in the end I gave up a bought a Vantage V12 AMR Roadster in Zaffre Blue.
Do I regret not having purchased another Vanquish no, never used the back seats once in the Vanquish as others have stated they are near unusable for passengers.
The reason for my post is do not forget that Vantages have the V12, they are a smaller car in size width wise and length wise, can be had in manual as well as semi automatic, the only bit I miss is the Touchtronic gearbox in the Vanquish fantastic as an auto or using the paddles.
I had been looking for a number of months for a Vanquish S in any colour apart from black (all of my cars over the last 10 years were black) I was on a few AM dealers waiting lists in the end I gave up a bought a Vantage V12 AMR Roadster in Zaffre Blue.
Do I regret not having purchased another Vanquish no, never used the back seats once in the Vanquish as others have stated they are near unusable for passengers.
The reason for my post is do not forget that Vantages have the V12, they are a smaller car in size width wise and length wise, can be had in manual as well as semi automatic, the only bit I miss is the Touchtronic gearbox in the Vanquish fantastic as an auto or using the paddles.
Notsureaboutthat said:
My only disappointment is that I really do not want a black interior (find it quite boring and not special) and would rather stay away from silvers and blacks. However the vast majority of cars seem to be this. Is that because I have only recently started looking or are other specs rare as hens teeth? I think they look stunning as red/blue/green with cream/tan interiors but have only seen them on google as opposed to for sale. Such a shame more don’t appear to have specced like this rather than “safely” for resale.
The only reason I own this car is because it is not in "resale" colours. Ultramarine Black (blue really) over cream. My kids fitted in the back until age 8 ish.Cream is rare but if you can be patient one will turn up.
Good luck, they are awesome cars and IMHO, undervalued.
After two Black Vantages, second one an S, i wanted something with a softer ride. I also didn't want Black again.
The Vanquish is perfect, feels like a quiet luxury car when pottering around, and makes a glorious sound and feels exciting enough for me when booted.
I wasn't looking for white, but when i saw this in the flesh it looked amazing to me. Its a personal thing so i would look at colours in the flesh to get a better idea.
Morning Frost/Baltic Blue.
The Vanquish is perfect, feels like a quiet luxury car when pottering around, and makes a glorious sound and feels exciting enough for me when booted.
I wasn't looking for white, but when i saw this in the flesh it looked amazing to me. Its a personal thing so i would look at colours in the flesh to get a better idea.
Morning Frost/Baltic Blue.
Tyndall said:
Off topic but can I ask for recommendations for looking after light interiors?
Whats the problem with your light coloured interior? I have Kestrel tan leather and it is unmarked and no matter what jeans I wear it never seems to rub off on the leather.My daily driver has cream leather and is easily marked by jeans etc.
Amazes me how the Aston Leather seems impervious to the same wear and tear that the other car cant handle. Obviously down to the treatment of the leather at Bridge of Weir I guess.
BiggaJ said:
Tyndall said:
Off topic but can I ask for recommendations for looking after light interiors?
Whats the problem with your light coloured interior? I have Kestrel tan leather and it is unmarked and no matter what jeans I wear it never seems to rub off on the leather.My daily driver has cream leather and is easily marked by jeans etc.
Amazes me how the Aston Leather seems impervious to the same wear and tear that the other car cant handle. Obviously down to the treatment of the leather at Bridge of Weir I guess.
Tyndall said:
BiggaJ said:
Tyndall said:
Off topic but can I ask for recommendations for looking after light interiors?
Whats the problem with your light coloured interior? I have Kestrel tan leather and it is unmarked and no matter what jeans I wear it never seems to rub off on the leather.My daily driver has cream leather and is easily marked by jeans etc.
Amazes me how the Aston Leather seems impervious to the same wear and tear that the other car cant handle. Obviously down to the treatment of the leather at Bridge of Weir I guess.
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