F12 or DB11

Author
Discussion

Tonsils

Original Poster:

46 posts

205 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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I currently have a 2013 F12, amazing piece of kit. A dilemma.......
In my view the F12 has no direct comparison. That said, and having been a Maserati/Ferrari driver for many years, I read the various reviews on the DB11. All very complimentary and I test drove one today with a view to changing. An impressive piece of kit, quick and toys galore but imo that ZF box tries too hard. On manual change up, artificially aggressive and ironically less smooth than the DC box in the F12. Engine note, a tad contrived, in my view. Steering good, but the F12 far more precise and faster, albeit "nervous" until you get used to it. Seats good and loads of adjustment but no better than the racing chairs (manual adjust) in my F12. I suspect depreciation will be ugly on the DB11 whereas the F12 is going the other way. On the plus for the DB11, it's beautiful, easy to drive, has benefitted from Merc electronics, and has a quality feel, plus it is an Aston. Change or not? Any and all views welcome.

johnnyreggae

2,930 posts

159 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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Is it a direct comparison ?

Much has moved on since your F12 was new and maybe that is also reflected in the 812 (which I accept costs more than the DB11 and is probably less readily available)

RamboLambo

4,843 posts

169 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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No comparison - the F12 is way better.
TBH I think the DB11 is fugly, like a cut n shut

Frrair

1,365 posts

133 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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It I had the same decision I would keep the F12.


Yipper

5,964 posts

89 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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Yes, the DB11 is one of the ugliest cars ever made in the history of the automobile. Tested one a few weeks ago and simply couldn't believe how such a design could have been signed off by the Aston Board. The rear end is just hideous. Keep the F12, which is a beautiful car to look at, listen to, and drive. Only V12 stepup from there is an Aventador S or SV.

Pioneer

1,309 posts

130 months

Sunday 4th June 2017
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Keep it. Madness to change to the DB11

NickyB666

16 posts

115 months

Sunday 4th June 2017
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Agreed, F12 is a beast, DB11 is soft in comparison, but depends on what you want out of your GT car……

Camlet

1,132 posts

148 months

Sunday 4th June 2017
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My mate has a Vanquish. He was lent a DB11 by his dealer. He moaned to me about the loss of Aston-ness, the Mercedes influence on the interior and what he felt to be the driving experience (whatever that meant). Net, he was deeply unmoved by the DB11.

The F12 plays in a completely different league, and demolishes the DB11 in all areas, including looks, but the KO are the respective V12 engines. Day and night across all dimensions.

A final problem for me, open the bonnet of the DB11. You'll see huge lumps of metal strapped across the top of the engine to strengthen the body. Open the bonnet of an F12 (indeed go back several V12 generations) and all you see is the engine. Says it all.

rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Sunday 4th June 2017
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Yipper said:
Yes, the DB11 is one of the ugliest cars ever made in the history of the automobile. Tested one a few weeks ago and simply couldn't believe how such a design could have been signed off by the Aston Board. The rear end is just hideous. Keep the F12, which is a beautiful car to look at, listen to, and drive. Only V12 stepup from there is an Aventador S or SV.
What did it drive like? I've heard some reports and would like to compare them to yours

MarkM3Evoplus

804 posts

199 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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I wouldn't say the DB11 is ugly, just not as nice as the DB9 it replaced or an F12.

F12 is more a supercar than GT, so horses for course, but if it was me, I would keep the F12.

Edin430

940 posts

203 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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The DB11 is pig ugly. I actually laughed when I saw the thread title.

HTH

hornbaek

3,670 posts

234 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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I have driven both and the DB11 is no match for the F12 in any compartment. Whilst the DB11 is nice and also quite quick it is not a sportscar. The F12 can be driven like a GT car but is a sports car at heart. It is much more brutal in its power delivery, offers more practical space with its hatchback and has a non-turbo V12 in the front. The DB11's design is not to everybody's taste and will (probably) not age well whereas the F12 has already entered itself into history books of being one of the great Ferraris. (I even think it is prettier than the Superfast). No contest - F12.

JW82

135 posts

107 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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Another vote for the F12.

It's an older car but trumps the DB11 in pretty much every area. It's also far better looking! They appear to be holding in value quite well - which the DB11 most likely will not.

Kyodo

727 posts

123 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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F12 all the way.

Tonsils

Original Poster:

46 posts

205 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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Thanks all for the observations. I had decided to keep the F12 but the well considered comments confirmed it was the right choice, and its just occurred to me to look at a later model year!

GTS440

211 posts

194 months

Friday 9th June 2017
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Looks aside, It's easy to think that the F12b is now old hat and newer (DB11) is better but the F12 was so far ahead of the competition at launch that it still competes. You only have to look at residual values to see what a good car it is. Early cars are still well over £200k and later cars close to list, even with the imminent arrival of the 812 which will be an awesome car but a bit marmite looks wise in my opinion. That goes against what traditionally happens when a new V12 Ferrari is launched.

I popped into my Aston dealer to have a look at the DB11 but just from the front and rear of the car look like two different designs. Just not pretty enough or special enough looking for me. Also depreciation likely to be pretty horrendous compared to your F12 which i would say was a keeper and almost guaranteed future classic. :-)


seawise

2,144 posts

205 months

Friday 9th June 2017
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I have just completed a roadtrip to the Swiss alps and back in my F12 and can not think of a car i'd rather do over 2000 miles mixed between alpine passes and dull motorway miles over a few days. And then there is the way it looks, how it sounds, how it makes you feel. Not to mention the level of post sale care and contact one gets with Ferrari. The F12 simply is the finest, most complete GT/sports car I've had the pleasure to drive. That engine is just mind blowing....

Edited by seawise on Friday 9th June 22:06

Peter78

22 posts

86 months

Sunday 11th June 2017
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I look after a few F12 Berlinetta's and one has the new GTC4 Lusso.
Personally the F12 is an amazing piece of machinery and that engine is amazing.
'I smile every time i drive it' one client says to me.
That about sums it up.
For me Aston have lost their way a little.

jakesmith

9,461 posts

170 months

Wednesday 14th June 2017
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In my dream world F12 is my dream car. DB11 is quite awkward looking and boring.
In the real world, F12 is a much better financial proposition
Total non-decision for me

Beni997

390 posts

110 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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Without doubt keep the F12.

For me it's the best looking car on the road and as soon as prices drop below the 200k mark for a decent mileage/colour F12 I will be pulling the plug and trading my California T in for one. I have even bought the number plate ready for it.

To me all Astons have been very pretty things but this one well isn't.