RE: Aston Martin V12 Vantage S: Review
Discussion
The manual's gone? Why on earth would you do that Aston?
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sale these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sale these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
Zod said:
Nothing wrong with it, apart from the fact that short people think the lever is in the wrong place. I find it very pleasant to use, even around town.
I'm 5ft 10inches, which whilst not tall isn't a qualification to be one of Snow White's companions, and didn't buy one precisely because the gear lever is in the wrong place (i.e. too far back). I do have short legs though, so that may be the issue. Plus the standard V12 is a bit too civilised, maybe this is the car for me, if I ever make any money again?PunterCam said:
The manual's gone? Why on earth would you do that Aston?
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
Before you jump on me I'm in no position to buy these superb sounding machines.
Maybe when I've worked my arse off to get up the ladder to be in be able to afford one of these. I'll be either A) knackered and don't won't to mess around with a clunky manual B) much older than I am now and want a easier time of driving a powerful supercar round my home town?
CooperS said:
PunterCam said:
The manual's gone? Why on earth would you do that Aston?
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
Before you jump on me I'm in no position to buy these superb sounding machines.
Maybe when I've worked my arse off to get up the ladder to be in be able to afford one of these. I'll be either A) knackered and don't won't to mess around with a clunky manual B) much older than I am now and want a easier time of driving a powerful supercar round my home town?
007 VXR said:
CooperS said:
PunterCam said:
The manual's gone? Why on earth would you do that Aston?
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
Before you jump on me I'm in no position to buy these superb sounding machines.
Maybe when I've worked my arse off to get up the ladder to be in be able to afford one of these. I'll be either A) knackered and don't won't to mess around with a clunky manual B) much older than I am now and want a easier time of driving a powerful supercar round my home town?
The dealers also reckon they have a market for them.
whoami said:
007 VXR said:
CooperS said:
PunterCam said:
The manual's gone? Why on earth would you do that Aston?
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
Before you jump on me I'm in no position to buy these superb sounding machines.
Maybe when I've worked my arse off to get up the ladder to be in be able to afford one of these. I'll be either A) knackered and don't won't to mess around with a clunky manual B) much older than I am now and want a easier time of driving a powerful supercar round my home town?
The dealers also reckon they have a market for them.
Looks like the manual market is now smaller than the auto, so was only ever going to go one way on the end
whoami said:
007 VXR said:
CooperS said:
PunterCam said:
The manual's gone? Why on earth would you do that Aston?
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
I don't know if I'll ever make enough money to afford a really nice, fast car, but even if I do there's hardly a sports car on sports car these days that has a manual gearbox (and when they do, they're not particularly good ones). I find it sad that I'm already looking at the list of the last greats. Nothing Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani (ok, did they ever?), Porsche, Aston, will ever make will have a manual gearbox.
The challenge of driving an exotic car, at any speed, has gone. Everything has to be easy and accessible, which naturally must make them shallower and less interesting.
This was the one Aston I always liked. The V8 always looked a bit fat half way up the waistline, but the V12 looked magnificent in the flesh - all carbon splitters, skirts and slightly tacky details - exciting! And a V12! And a manual gearbox (which may have been poor, I don't know, but at least it was trying!).
The end is in sight!
Before you jump on me I'm in no position to buy these superb sounding machines.
Maybe when I've worked my arse off to get up the ladder to be in be able to afford one of these. I'll be either A) knackered and don't won't to mess around with a clunky manual B) much older than I am now and want a easier time of driving a powerful supercar round my home town?
The dealers also reckon they have a market for them.
Just means that I will keep my manual V12V rather than change it to a V12S.
007 VXR said:
whoami said:
Indeed.
Just means that I will keep my manual V12V rather than change it to a V12S.
I love a good manual, but there is alot to be said for the new autos.Just means that I will keep my manual V12V rather than change it to a V12S.
Especially when pushing on hard.
However, and unfortunately, AM's ASM3 is old hat and in no way comparable to something like Porsche's PDK (or indeed pretty much any decent dual-clutch system).
whoami said:
007 VXR said:
whoami said:
Indeed.
Just means that I will keep my manual V12V rather than change it to a V12S.
I love a good manual, but there is alot to be said for the new autos.Just means that I will keep my manual V12V rather than change it to a V12S.
Especially when pushing on hard.
However, and unfortunately, AM's ASM3 is old hat and in no way comparable to something like Porsche's PDK (or indeed pretty much any decent dual-clutch system).
Just spent another weekend driving Yorkshire B roads. The manual gearbox adds to the pleasure, but the car as a whole is just wonderful. The spring rates are perfect for those roads. I was a bit worried about the tyres, but, even with heavy rain and lots of very deep, big puddles encountered in the dark last night, the car didn't put a foot wrong.
ETA: the S would have added extra power and torque throughout. I'd have kept the suspension in track mode for much of the time. The gearbox would have been fine (I've always found complaints about single clutch automated manuals to be exaggerated), but the manual adds to the experience.
ETA: the S would have added extra power and torque throughout. I'd have kept the suspension in track mode for much of the time. The gearbox would have been fine (I've always found complaints about single clutch automated manuals to be exaggerated), but the manual adds to the experience.
Edited by Zod on Sunday 20th October 22:43
PunterCam said:
The manual's gone? Why on earth would you do that Aston?
Sadly it seems that there aren't enough people with the money to buy nice cars who choose manuals.Happily, the V12S is too expensive for me. That leaves me contemplating a 2 year old V12V as an alternative to a new Cayman S (also manual). I haven't driven one but have spent some time in a V8V; my feeling was that it was not quite as satisfying to drive as a 997, but much more special to sit in and to look at as you walk up to it.
I would see the V12S as a competitor for a 991 turbo, with the single clutch gearbox the weakest point of the Aston, and for me a deal-breaker. It is not the same sort of car as a GT3.
Hey guys I thought I should bring it up as no one seems to at least mention it
I think that you could bring your new V12VS straight to Aston Martin Works
And they should be able to convert it to manual, as they do that for original Vanquish
Now the cost and time it would take is another matter entirely.... but as V12 Vantage is (was
) my ultimate dream car, I'd find a lot of comfort that V12VS could be brought to my dream spec for real 
What do you think?
I think that you could bring your new V12VS straight to Aston Martin Works
And they should be able to convert it to manual, as they do that for original Vanquish
Now the cost and time it would take is another matter entirely.... but as V12 Vantage is (was
) my ultimate dream car, I'd find a lot of comfort that V12VS could be brought to my dream spec for real What do you think?
Californian said:
Hey guys I thought I should bring it up as no one seems to at least mention it
I think that you could bring your new V12VS straight to Aston Martin Works
And they should be able to convert it to manual, as they do that for original Vanquish
Now the cost and time it would take is another matter entirely.... but as V12 Vantage is (was) my ultimate dream car, I'd find a lot of comfort that V12VS could be brought to my dream spec for real
What do you think?
Interesting. They clearly realise the first-gen SMG in the Vanquish was simply rubbish - hence offering the manual conversion - but would they be allowed to do it to a current production car? I have a feeling Gaydon might say no.I think that you could bring your new V12VS straight to Aston Martin Works
And they should be able to convert it to manual, as they do that for original Vanquish
Now the cost and time it would take is another matter entirely.... but as V12 Vantage is (was
) my ultimate dream car, I'd find a lot of comfort that V12VS could be brought to my dream spec for real What do you think?
RoverP6B said:
Californian said:
Hey guys I thought I should bring it up as no one seems to at least mention it
I think that you could bring your new V12VS straight to Aston Martin Works
And they should be able to convert it to manual, as they do that for original Vanquish
Now the cost and time it would take is another matter entirely.... but as V12 Vantage is (was) my ultimate dream car, I'd find a lot of comfort that V12VS could be brought to my dream spec for real
What do you think?
Interesting. They clearly realise the first-gen SMG in the Vanquish was simply rubbish - hence offering the manual conversion - but would they be allowed to do it to a current production car? I have a feeling Gaydon might say no.I think that you could bring your new V12VS straight to Aston Martin Works
And they should be able to convert it to manual, as they do that for original Vanquish
Now the cost and time it would take is another matter entirely.... but as V12 Vantage is (was
) my ultimate dream car, I'd find a lot of comfort that V12VS could be brought to my dream spec for real What do you think?
I'd have thought a tweaked V12V would be a better option?
Edited by mikey k on Saturday 26th October 17:05
RoverP6B said:
Interesting. They clearly realise the first-gen SMG in the Vanquish was simply rubbish - hence offering the manual conversion - but would they be allowed to do it to a current production car? I have a feeling Gaydon might say no.
Well is seems they (Newport Pagnell mind you) adopt a philosophy: "it's your car, we can't have any say in what you might want to do to it", "as long as it's safe and it's legal" GM of Aston Martin Works (Keeping the Legacy Alive) says at about 3:10At 4:57 and at 5:37 he casually shows 80's V8 & 90's SC V8 Vantage having RHD->LHD and 4sp->6sp auto conversions. All of this is fully Aston Martin certified (at 12:05 he equally casually talks about DB3S having completely new body done!!!)
I highly recommend this video by /DRIVE channel, I've watched it few times already
So I don't think they would be minding a little frivolity of having your car converted to what "it" had before
Edited by Californian on Sunday 27th October 04:45
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