Vanquish gen 1 owners reviews?
Discussion
Hi, I have been looking at gen 1 Vanquish’s they seem to have come down to early 30’s at the moment. Are there any owners on here who went from a DB7 into one of these? Did you find the Vanquish a step up that little bit more special at all? How did you get on with the automated manual coming from the fully automatic DB7. Price wise, do you think they have more to go?
Edited by g18 on Saturday 17th October 16:33
Edited by g18 on Saturday 17th October 16:34
Edited by g18 on Saturday 17th October 17:19
There’s no comparison between the two. The Vanq is WAY more special in every conceivable aspect. The DB7 is an antique by comparison (and it really is one). The Vantage and the Vanq may have sold side by side giving the impression that one was just a little bit newer, but nothing could be further from the truth. A 25 year old design vs an advanced aerospace type chassis.
If you’ve owned a manual transmission car in your lifetime, then you’ll have no problem using the paddles to deliver an engaging driving experience. If all you’re accustomed to is a typical automatic transmission equipped car, then you’ll are in for a rude awakening when driving a Vanq in ‘auto’ mode, and it’ll likely take you some time to learn proper paddle/throttle coordination to achieve acceptably smooth gearshifts in ‘manual’ mode. But the results of proper usage is a rewarding experience.
If you’ve owned a manual transmission car in your lifetime, then you’ll have no problem using the paddles to deliver an engaging driving experience. If all you’re accustomed to is a typical automatic transmission equipped car, then you’ll are in for a rude awakening when driving a Vanq in ‘auto’ mode, and it’ll likely take you some time to learn proper paddle/throttle coordination to achieve acceptably smooth gearshifts in ‘manual’ mode. But the results of proper usage is a rewarding experience.
What DB9 above said
Never use auto mode, it is pointless. The car is a manual. Change up is slight lift of the throttle, change, back on the gas. Exactly as you would in a normal manual
Sadly Clarkson did not do this because telly and he is a knob
They are very stiff and handle very well for a big GT. The VH chassis architecture is a world away from the DB7.
Like all these cars, deferred maintenance and lack of driving is the killer. A higher mileage one is a better prospect.
Check the history. Aside from Main Dealer, a very good sign is plenty of indie stamps, especially the likes of V12 Vanquish or Q up in Wales. These guys are THE Vanquish whisperers..
Cars around £30k will be less loved and earlier, non S. If you have seen one, contact David at V12, he may well know it.
£40k is a better non S and £50k plus gets you a decent S.
The S uses magnetic gear position sensors, which work well. The earlier non S used sensors made from cheese and forlorn hope. Your cheaper Vanqs have probably not had this upgrade, which is vital
Check clutch life. A main dealer or red trouser indie will charge you £6k for a new one. Join Aston Owners and ask on the forum ( or speak to them at the NEC next month), there are "alternatives".
As a car it is pure theatre. Sounds epic ( especially if you deactivate the exhaust flap -no fuse 22 here) and the S really handles
They tend not to sell well in auction. Private is better with e PPI and a chat around Aston Owners is much beter.
I would say that apart from a few tired examples, good ones are starting to tick back up in price.
Edit - we are both based in Shropshire. You are welcome to take a look at mine and run it around the block.
Never use auto mode, it is pointless. The car is a manual. Change up is slight lift of the throttle, change, back on the gas. Exactly as you would in a normal manual
Sadly Clarkson did not do this because telly and he is a knob
They are very stiff and handle very well for a big GT. The VH chassis architecture is a world away from the DB7.
Like all these cars, deferred maintenance and lack of driving is the killer. A higher mileage one is a better prospect.
Check the history. Aside from Main Dealer, a very good sign is plenty of indie stamps, especially the likes of V12 Vanquish or Q up in Wales. These guys are THE Vanquish whisperers..
Cars around £30k will be less loved and earlier, non S. If you have seen one, contact David at V12, he may well know it.
£40k is a better non S and £50k plus gets you a decent S.
The S uses magnetic gear position sensors, which work well. The earlier non S used sensors made from cheese and forlorn hope. Your cheaper Vanqs have probably not had this upgrade, which is vital
Check clutch life. A main dealer or red trouser indie will charge you £6k for a new one. Join Aston Owners and ask on the forum ( or speak to them at the NEC next month), there are "alternatives".
As a car it is pure theatre. Sounds epic ( especially if you deactivate the exhaust flap -no fuse 22 here) and the S really handles
They tend not to sell well in auction. Private is better with e PPI and a chat around Aston Owners is much beter.
I would say that apart from a few tired examples, good ones are starting to tick back up in price.
Edit - we are both based in Shropshire. You are welcome to take a look at mine and run it around the block.
Edited by Castrol for a knave on Saturday 17th October 20:49
I've never driven a DB7, let alone owned one, so I can't give you that comparison.
But I did dive into Mk1 Vanquish ownership myself back in June - a 2006 Vanquish S. I come from the later VH platform Vantage, still owning a V12 Vantage AMR. Both cars have automated manuals, known as AMS is the Vanquish and SportShift in the Vantage. And I love these 'boxes. Very interactive and they really suit the car.
The biggest surprise is how good the 'box in the Vanquish S. Yes... like everyone it seems, I was introduced to it via Clarkson in a period TopGear. To treated it like it was a conventional auto, which it's far from.
If you are on Facebook, I've been posting about my experiences: https://www.facebook.com/nickveeamr
I have also written an article that I think will appear in the next AMOC Quarterley magazine. I'm due to write a follow-up of my experiences and differences with the later Vantage.
All I can advise, as with any car, don't buy the cheapest you can find. These cars can be much more expensive to fix than the more common and "volume" VH era cars. But if you buy well, it's an amazing machine. Get it checked out by a specialist like David Such: https://v12vanquish.com/
But I did dive into Mk1 Vanquish ownership myself back in June - a 2006 Vanquish S. I come from the later VH platform Vantage, still owning a V12 Vantage AMR. Both cars have automated manuals, known as AMS is the Vanquish and SportShift in the Vantage. And I love these 'boxes. Very interactive and they really suit the car.
The biggest surprise is how good the 'box in the Vanquish S. Yes... like everyone it seems, I was introduced to it via Clarkson in a period TopGear. To treated it like it was a conventional auto, which it's far from.
If you are on Facebook, I've been posting about my experiences: https://www.facebook.com/nickveeamr
I have also written an article that I think will appear in the next AMOC Quarterley magazine. I'm due to write a follow-up of my experiences and differences with the later Vantage.
All I can advise, as with any car, don't buy the cheapest you can find. These cars can be much more expensive to fix than the more common and "volume" VH era cars. But if you buy well, it's an amazing machine. Get it checked out by a specialist like David Such: https://v12vanquish.com/
I would suggest that any new owner watch the You Tube put out by HWM and the AM Heritage Trust entitled 'Driving the V12 Vanquish with Les Goble'. Goble is an ex-factory man and was active when the Vanquish was current.
I am a happy NP Vanquish owner having owned my 2007 for over 10 years. I also have a 2016 Vantage V12SM. Very different machines - GT versus edgy sports car. A few years ago I thought about getting Works to do the manual conversion on the Vanquish but in the end decided I preferred the paddle shift. Mine has been pretty reliable - two minor issues with the transmission over the 10 year period.
I am a happy NP Vanquish owner having owned my 2007 for over 10 years. I also have a 2016 Vantage V12SM. Very different machines - GT versus edgy sports car. A few years ago I thought about getting Works to do the manual conversion on the Vanquish but in the end decided I preferred the paddle shift. Mine has been pretty reliable - two minor issues with the transmission over the 10 year period.
OLDBENZ said:
I would suggest that any new owner watch the You Tube put out by HWM and the AM Heritage Trust entitled 'Driving the V12 Vanquish with Les Goble'. Goble is an ex-factory man and was active when the Vanquish was current.
Yep - an excellent video. Here's the link:https://youtu.be/ddBo1_gVuc4
OLDBENZ said:
I am a happy NP Vanquish owner having owned my 2007 for over 10 years. I also have a 2016 Vantage V12SM. Very different machines - GT versus edgy sports car. A few years ago I thought about getting Works to do the manual conversion on the Vanquish but in the end decided I preferred the paddle shift. Mine has been pretty reliable - two minor issues with the transmission over the 10 year period.
We have an extremely similar Aston duo! I love the Vanquish, but admit the Vantage remains my "forever" car. Which would you pick if you had to, and why?For me, the Vantage offers 90% of the GT-ness, but it has that split personality and can make the hairs stand to attention on the back of your neck.
My Vantage is a SportShift, so the ASM 'box in the Vanquish was not a surprise. What was a surprise was how close it is to the Vantage's in operation. It's a really good setup. I don't think the manual stick position would work for me. But I do recommend getting CarPlay in your Vanquish if you haven't already done so. For me, it transforms its usability and allows me to go exploring more readily
nickv12 said:
We have an extremely similar Aston duo! I love the Vanquish, but admit the Vantage remains my "forever" car. Which would you pick if you had to, and why?
For me, the Vantage offers 90% of the GT-ness, but it has that split personality and can make the hairs stand to attention on the back of your neck.
My Vantage is a SportShift, so the ASM 'box in the Vanquish was not a surprise. What was a surprise was how close it is to the Vantage's in operation. It's a really good setup. I don't think the manual stick position would work for me. But I do recommend getting CarPlay in your Vanquish if you haven't already done so. For me, it transforms its usability and allows me to go exploring more readily
If you close your eyes, Les sounds like Danny from Withnail and I. Maybe he has a Camberwell Carrot in the boot For me, the Vantage offers 90% of the GT-ness, but it has that split personality and can make the hairs stand to attention on the back of your neck.
My Vantage is a SportShift, so the ASM 'box in the Vanquish was not a surprise. What was a surprise was how close it is to the Vantage's in operation. It's a really good setup. I don't think the manual stick position would work for me. But I do recommend getting CarPlay in your Vanquish if you haven't already done so. For me, it transforms its usability and allows me to go exploring more readily
nickv12 said:
We have an extremely similar Aston duo! I love the Vanquish, but admit the Vantage remains my "forever" car. Which would you pick if you had to, and why?
For me, the Vantage offers 90% of the GT-ness, but it has that split personality and can make the hairs stand to attention on the back of your neck.
It would have to be the Vantage - it was a unique offering as a production V12 in that class/size of sports car in the modern era. It was the manual gearbox that was the specific attraction for me but I am sure I would I have loved a sportshift. I do like its compact size - almost 2 1/2 inches narrower than the Vanquish. I did an excellent organised road trip in it in Spain and Portugal earlier this year. That was a lot of hours behind the wheel on perfect driving roads and gave an opportunity to extend the car in a way I had not done previously. When I am asked about the Vantage I think about that trip. That said, I did a great trip in the Vanquish in 2024 down to the South of France and back through Italy, Switzerland and Germany before cutting back into France. When I got back to the UK that was the best car ever. Maybe the answer to your question depends on which I have most recently done a decent trip in. Life's not too shabby if you are lucky enough to have either.For me, the Vantage offers 90% of the GT-ness, but it has that split personality and can make the hairs stand to attention on the back of your neck.
Seem to be bottoming out like the auction values in the low 30s.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610146...
Would prefer an S tho I think?
Bamford Rose wisely suggest a slush fund if running one, perhaps a Vantage is the safer option?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610146...
Would prefer an S tho I think?
Bamford Rose wisely suggest a slush fund if running one, perhaps a Vantage is the safer option?
OLDBENZ said:
It would have to be the Vantage - it was a unique offering as a production V12 in that class/size of sports car in the modern era. It was the manual gearbox that was the specific attraction for me but I am sure I would I have loved a sportshift. I do like its compact size - almost 2 1/2 inches narrower than the Vanquish. I did an excellent organised road trip in it in Spain and Portugal earlier this year. That was a lot of hours behind the wheel on perfect driving roads and gave an opportunity to extend the car in a way I had not done previously. When I am asked about the Vantage I think about that trip. That said, I did a great trip in the Vanquish in 2024 down to the South of France and back through Italy, Switzerland and Germany before cutting back into France. When I got back to the UK that was the best car ever. Maybe the answer to your question depends on which I have most recently done a decent trip in. Life's not too shabby if you are lucky enough to have either.
Brilliant answer 
Ricoh said:
Seem to be bottoming out like the auction values in the low 30s.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610146...
Would prefer an S tho I think?
Bamford Rose wisely suggest a slush fund if running one, perhaps a Vantage is the safer option?
The cheap ones will remain cheap. It's linked to your point about the slush fund needed. I mentally keep 2x as much to one side to maintain the Vanquish compared to the V12 Vantage.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610146...
Would prefer an S tho I think?
Bamford Rose wisely suggest a slush fund if running one, perhaps a Vantage is the safer option?
When you see the bare chassis and the carbon fibre used (front impact structure, tunnel and A pillars) you quickly realise this is not a normal small volume production car like the VH platform.
If not maintained properly, I would dread to think the bills you could encounter. The top ones are around £100k from dealers and I think this is justifiable. It's one hell of a car.
I would not only go for an S, but a late dash model where a CarPlay/Android Auto satnav touch screen can be installed. So that's late 2005 cars onwards. It's another premium, but transforms usability. Plus, as with all Astons, they keep developing and improving models in production. So you get the most resolved cars.
Ultimately, though, if you're new to Astons, a VH Vantage is cheaper to run and generally "safer". However, the V12 lump can be expensive in any car, so you're not completely out of the woods
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