DBS or Vanquish to replace DB11
Discussion
I’m considering a change because whilst I absolutely love my V12 DB11 I’m just not sure of the colour (Midnight Blue plus I’m struggling with garage space atm due to ongoing works. Another aspect is the amount of use - due to having a few cars I don’t do many miles and therefore I’m thinking I can have something a little bit different than the DB11. One potential benefit to this is more stable values.
I’m therefore considering a DBS circa 2010/11 or a Vanquish 2013ish; I have found two cars I am interested in - both at main dealers.
Owners experiences welcome….
I’m therefore considering a DBS circa 2010/11 or a Vanquish 2013ish; I have found two cars I am interested in - both at main dealers.
Owners experiences welcome….
I don't think you can go past the gen 2 Vanquish.
I toyed with both like you and went for the Vanquish due mainly to performance, looks and carbon fibre plus boot space. Love the car and am now looking to go to a vanq. s as I love the body lines and usability.
I have done 40000kl in 3 years. only repairs being usual services, 2 engine mounts, a arm bushes, new dash waterfall (second hand) due to some minor cracks near the infotainment hatch. all in all not bad for 3 years and she is not used much in city traffic, generally long runs.
I toyed with both like you and went for the Vanquish due mainly to performance, looks and carbon fibre plus boot space. Love the car and am now looking to go to a vanq. s as I love the body lines and usability.
I have done 40000kl in 3 years. only repairs being usual services, 2 engine mounts, a arm bushes, new dash waterfall (second hand) due to some minor cracks near the infotainment hatch. all in all not bad for 3 years and she is not used much in city traffic, generally long runs.
W12GT said:
I’m considering a change because whilst I absolutely love my V12 DB11 I’m just not sure of the colour (Midnight Blue plus I’m struggling with garage space atm due to ongoing works. Another aspect is the amount of use - due to having a few cars I don’t do many miles and therefore I’m thinking I can have something a little bit different than the DB11. One potential benefit to this is more stable values.
I’m therefore considering a DBS circa 2010/11 or a Vanquish 2013ish; I have found two cars I am interested in - both at main dealers.
Owners experiences welcome….
mine was a 2010/2011 Dec 31st 2010 DBS quantum Silver 20k from main dealership with extended warranty I’m therefore considering a DBS circa 2010/11 or a Vanquish 2013ish; I have found two cars I am interested in - both at main dealers.
Owners experiences welcome….
I parked in local Lidl and came back to find a sinister Alfa parked next to me
most memorable trip was taking the family to Bruges on a chocolate run
Always loved the DBS ironically its also my initials , Some recommendations / the sat Nav screen is circa Volvo , so book the car in with
Aston installations and get the 360 camera package with Apple car play , it will transform the experience & make it easier to park.
I had two sets of Wheels one fitted with Summer the other Winter tyres always used Pirelli Sottozeros ( I have my winter wheel set for sale )
I would recommend investing in a set of jacking pads ( also have a set for sale ) /
I would remove the wheels myself prior to cleaning to ensure the CCB never got wheel cleaner on them. also used to spray ACF-50 around any exposed parts for anti rust protection,
I had the secondary cats removed to improve the sound , the car already had the exhaust bi pass fitted.
The one option I would have had fitted for £5k would have been the Bamford rose exhaust manifolds they transform the performance and sound of the car and eliminate the potential for the cats to break up and get sucked into the engine which is a known issue on V12s .
The only other issue is make sure the oil level is absolutely on top of the mark , its a known fault that if the oil level drops to the low level , you are in danger of starving the engine of oil . If the oil light comes on its already too late.
These cars need to be driven , mine was used almost daily , winter and summer ,I had an Aston car cover which worked well I think i covered 20k miles during my ownership , it was serviced at the main dealer ./ I would recommend the flying technician from WHM , used the warranty to replace the rear lights ( water ingress) . they also came out to fix stuck throttle bodies and that was about it . Apart from a flat battery .
Would have loved to have kept her but with the kids growing up , they simply wouldn't fit in the back/
Edited by Purosangue on Wednesday 11th October 01:42
Astontony said:
I don't think you can go past the gen 2 Vanquish.
I toyed with both like you and went for the Vanquish due mainly to performance, looks and carbon fibre plus boot space. Love the car and am now looking to go to a vanq. s as I love the body lines and usability.
I have done 40000kl in 3 years. only repairs being usual services, 2 engine mounts, a arm bushes, new dash waterfall (second hand) due to some minor cracks near the infotainment hatch. all in all not bad for 3 years and she is not used much in city traffic, generally long runs.
The Vanq is absolutely the best of the two, I just prefer the looks of the DBS. If going for a Vanq then the later versions of the generation with the improved gearbox is probably the way to go.I toyed with both like you and went for the Vanquish due mainly to performance, looks and carbon fibre plus boot space. Love the car and am now looking to go to a vanq. s as I love the body lines and usability.
I have done 40000kl in 3 years. only repairs being usual services, 2 engine mounts, a arm bushes, new dash waterfall (second hand) due to some minor cracks near the infotainment hatch. all in all not bad for 3 years and she is not used much in city traffic, generally long runs.
Having gone from a DB11 to a Gen 2 Vanquish last year, after now getting rid of both, I actually find myself missing the DB11 more . Weirdly I had an ultramarine car with silver roof and never totally gelled with that colour either.
A lot depends on how you use the car. I found that the DB11 offers a more contemporary and usable motoring experience if you are driving it regularly, whereas the Vanquish is a very different experience, far better sound overall with more visual appeal, but also with a potential for larger bills in some respects. Personally, there was always the worry of damaging the carbon body or issues with the carbon brakes (probably overblown, but a consideration when the car is depreciated to current levels and repairs could be a third of the cars value) Also I found it to be slightly more sluggish for day to driving situations in comparison to the turbo'd V12 in the DB11.
Definitely worth having a good think about how you will actually use the car and drive all the options before deciding. As I am sure you know, you will take a bath on the DB11 so worth considering if it makes sense from that perspective also.
A lot depends on how you use the car. I found that the DB11 offers a more contemporary and usable motoring experience if you are driving it regularly, whereas the Vanquish is a very different experience, far better sound overall with more visual appeal, but also with a potential for larger bills in some respects. Personally, there was always the worry of damaging the carbon body or issues with the carbon brakes (probably overblown, but a consideration when the car is depreciated to current levels and repairs could be a third of the cars value) Also I found it to be slightly more sluggish for day to driving situations in comparison to the turbo'd V12 in the DB11.
Definitely worth having a good think about how you will actually use the car and drive all the options before deciding. As I am sure you know, you will take a bath on the DB11 so worth considering if it makes sense from that perspective also.
Have a long test drive if both first, if you can. You are considering going back to, fundamentally a 10-15yr older architecture and much older cars and it will be very evident. Unless you spend much more of your time looking at your car as opposed to driving it you might regret this. Driving what you might have lusted after a decade or two ago after becoming accustomed to newer and far more modern machinery can very often be a major disappointment.
After 2 years in a DB11 V12 with the AMR update I hankered after a much sexier Vanq S. I found the best 3000 mile 2018 example I could (actually a slightly newer car than my DB11) and test drove it. Yes it was a lovely car, much sexier and I much preferred the interior, but the far more modern DB11, with that ride and the near effortless thrust from that turbo engine for me was not something to step away from for the seemingly rougher and more breathless (by comparison) Vanq S.
If all you want to do is look at it, polish it, and have the odd run out to a show or country pub for others to admire the looks and noise, then of the two you mention my choice would be the latest Vanquish I could find.
After 2 years in a DB11 V12 with the AMR update I hankered after a much sexier Vanq S. I found the best 3000 mile 2018 example I could (actually a slightly newer car than my DB11) and test drove it. Yes it was a lovely car, much sexier and I much preferred the interior, but the far more modern DB11, with that ride and the near effortless thrust from that turbo engine for me was not something to step away from for the seemingly rougher and more breathless (by comparison) Vanq S.
If all you want to do is look at it, polish it, and have the odd run out to a show or country pub for others to admire the looks and noise, then of the two you mention my choice would be the latest Vanquish I could find.
I think it is axiomatic that the newer car will depreciate, but in the long term, it is never a bad idea to buy an Aston, any Aston. As to what to buy, I expect that there is no wrong answer - all of those options are great. The architecture is older, I would be inclined to go with the Vanquish which is a little more modern. I do however think that you may miss the DB11.
I was fortunate enough to own a 2011 DBS and a 2015 Vanquish at the beginning of this year, so can give you a direct comparison. The DBS replaced a 2009 V12 Vantage and felt a step up in general build quality. To me the DBS is the best looking car of the VH era and was in excellent condition, but the 6 speed Touchtronic gearbox felt lethargic and slow steering rack spoiled the driving pleasure and left me wanting the engagement of the Vantage. Then the opportunity to buy a Skyfall silver, 8 speed Vanquish arose and once I’d driven it, I’m afraid the DBS, however gorgeous, had to go.
I haven’t driven a DB11 as they’ve never caught my eye ( and couldn’t live with that bloody awful interior that’s not as special as my lads A class) but can compare the Vanquish to my AMG GT-R as as modern turbo engine car. I find the Vanquish as engaging, dynamic and rewarding, only on public roads, not being timed on a track, but still feeling and looking special, like only an Aston can.
Clearly car choice is subjective, but for me an Aston is more than how fast it theoretically goes or if it’ll dictate text messages from CarPlay!
Good luck with your search OP.
Thanks all for the valuable input. I went to collect my DB11 from service today and tried a Vanquish they have in stock for size. Lovely car but my kids can’t fit in the back so that’s a shame.
On a positive note we saw a newish DBS and I’ve decided that’s almost certainly going to be the next step as it is the same size inside as mine but with a little more wow factor. Alternatively in I can find another DB11 in silver that’s comparatively priced then I may consider that option.
On a positive note we saw a newish DBS and I’ve decided that’s almost certainly going to be the next step as it is the same size inside as mine but with a little more wow factor. Alternatively in I can find another DB11 in silver that’s comparatively priced then I may consider that option.
W12GT said:
Thanks all for the valuable input. I went to collect my DB11 from service today and tried a Vanquish they have in stock for size. Lovely car but my kids can’t fit in the back so that’s a shame.
On a positive note we saw a newish DBS and I’ve decided that’s almost certainly going to be the next step as it is the same size inside as mine but with a little more wow factor. Alternatively in I can find another DB11 in silver that’s comparatively priced then I may consider that option.
In your OP you stated that you had identified cars at dealers you were interested in, and stated they were the Bond DBS and the later Vanquish Now you state that you have sat in a Vanquish (presumably for the first time) and find it has insufficient rear space, which you will definitely also conclude if you were to sit in a DBS (assuming it is a 2+2..)On a positive note we saw a newish DBS and I’ve decided that’s almost certainly going to be the next step as it is the same size inside as mine but with a little more wow factor. Alternatively in I can find another DB11 in silver that’s comparatively priced then I may consider that option.
Reading your first and last posts it seems it’s just the colour of your DB11 you are not happy with, and now say you are interested in a DBSS, or maybe a DB11 of a different colour.
Many would ask why you bought your current car in the first place ?
In any case it seems that you need to do more research, actually sit in a few more cars, actually test drive a version of anything you consider may be of interest and get it a bit clearer in your head what you are actually interested in.
Simply changing your car for another similar, if done via a dealer will cost you up to £10,000. Why not spend a fraction of that on a quality wrap, or a bit more on a professional respray?
Calinours said:
Simply changing your car for another similar, if done via a dealer will cost you up to £10,000. Why not spend a fraction of that on a quality wrap, or a bit more on a professional respray?
Either of those is likely to have a significant negative impact on the value of the car? If he’s after a silver one, he’s hardly hunting for a needle in a haystack…LooneyTunes said:
Calinours said:
Simply changing your car for another similar, if done via a dealer will cost you up to £10,000. Why not spend a fraction of that on a quality wrap, or a bit more on a professional respray?
Either of those is likely to have a significant negative impact on the value of the car? If he’s after a silver one, he’s hardly hunting for a needle in a haystack…I’ve been keeping a close eye on V8 and V12 DB11 prices for a few years. Even ignoring the pandemic effects on values throughout 2021 and 2022, V12 depreciation has slowed very considerably.
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