My New V12 S Manual Roadster

My New V12 S Manual Roadster

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Discussion

Andys1000

Original Poster:

164 posts

125 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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I'm so excited , I put down my deposit on this beauty today.

I've read a fair amount on PH about Vantage V12V and Vantage V12S on the forum and before I put down my cash, I drove a Vantage V12S Manual Coupe Sports pack, then a Vantage V12 Manual roadster then lastly the Vantage V12S Roadster and wanted to share with those unsure which to buy, some insight.

This is just my personal opinion so don't shoot me down, but the coupe and roadster Vantage V12 S drive much the same - the 7 speed gearshift is fabulous, I'm kinda oldskool - I love manuals that make you work for it - that make you feel connected to the action, and the 7 speed does just that - its incredibly tactile, yes you can miss a few shifts early on, but that's half the fun, learning to use it and engaging with it. The throw is nice and short and if you've seen Chris Harris video on you tube, I agree he is clearly a bit simian as it was perfectly placed for me. The clutch is nicely weighted and the pedals are perfectly spaced to heel and toe if you are not using AM Shift.

The steering is very nicely weighted and the suspension is well judged - if you've driven something like a Ferrari 550 you will know what I mean. Supple enough to soak up the bumps - even in sport mode, but flat enough to get the power down. It rained on both occasions I drove the S and the roads were very wet. The traction control is essential in wet condition as the torque can easily overwhelm the
tyres, but in a very good way. Its easy to gather the car up and to fire it down the road although caution around corners is a good idea particularly as I was driving Hrowens car! The car moves around a fair amount and tells you exactly what's going on. I loved it

It was a fabulous Sunny day The Vantage V12 Roadster 6 speed was very different. I have been lead to believe that the V12V would be the monster a difficult blood pumping car with a great gearchange. It could not in my humble opinion bee further from the truth. Lets start with the gearshift which although positive was incredibly light at times I was not sure it would have been out of place in a hatchback. The clutch was very light with no feel. The suspension was quite similar. The delivery of power was fast, but not explosive - as the V12S had been.

As you can probably tell I couldn't stand the V12V - the upgrade to the car has in my very humble opinion transformed it into one of the most exciting cars I have ever driven (yes I've had Ferraris, porsches, maseratis about 120 cars in all truth be told)
I drove the V12V in-between the 2 S cars and could not believe the difference - so much so, that I insisted on driving the V12S again to make sure I hadn't dreamed it. They are totally different cars.

If you are considering the purchase of a V12S - I wouldn't hesitate you will know where the money has gone when you drive it and as you can tell I did not hesitate -
Harris is right - Instant Classic...

PS Sorry to all V12V owners- I know you probably love you cars, but it just wasn't for me

cayman-black

12,625 posts

215 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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Congratulations looks lovely. You are only the second person i have ever heard say they do not like the original 6 speed V12V.

woodsypedia

870 posts

152 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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Great purchase Andy - and thanks for taking the time to write the review. Really great read.

I was only able to play with a V12S manual for a short while at Goodwood, so didn't really get a sense of how it behaves on the road, but I do know what you mean. I have the original V12V. The S was definitely a bit more compliant. The new suspension transforms the car, but I personally felt the gearbox was a bit of a let down (again - personal feeling).

Really hope you enjoy the new purchase and congratulations again.

Cheers

Chris.

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

154 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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Congratulations - is that Tungsten? What colour interior and do you have lightweights?

I must echo Paul's comments in that I have never known someone to say they couldn't stand the V12VR - you make the performance differential between the two sound like night and day which I do not see when I am driving mine.

Ex Boy Racer

1,151 posts

191 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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Have to agree with OP. I loved my V12 Vantage but my V12S manual is night and day a better drive.

I, too, like the gearbox. It certainly is a 'man's' box but I love the romance of the dogleg. Also, as mentioned, it can be heel and toed quite easily, which was a massive problem with the original for me.

having said that, and against all my expectations, the AMShift is on most of the time!

RobDown

3,803 posts

127 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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Congratulations on the new car!!

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

154 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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Ex Boy Racer said:
having said that, and against all my expectations, the AMShift is on most of the time!
Bob, does that mean you have got your new one??

mikey k

13,011 posts

215 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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OP good work
I did a similar test last week and got the same impressions

Ex Boy Racer

1,151 posts

191 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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IanV12VR said:
Ex Boy Racer said:
having said that, and against all my expectations, the AMShift is on most of the time!
Bob, does that mean you have got your new one??
I sure have!

Already put 500 miles onto it!

Andys1000

Original Poster:

164 posts

125 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
IanV12VR said:
Congratulations - is that Tungsten? What colour interior and do you have lightweights?

I must echo Paul's comments in that I have never known someone to say they couldn't stand the V12VR - you make the performance differential between the two sound like night and day which I do not see when I am driving mine.
Hi Ian

the colour is Magnetic Silver in these pics its a bit lacklustre, in sunlight it looks like silver flecks have been put into the mix - it really sparkles.

If you haven't driven the S - it was really night and day to me - the acceleration less so, but the controls were surprisingly different. The controls on the V12V were very light(apart from the steering) - particularly the pedals and gearbox had no resistance - rather than the V12S which the gearbox has resistance and needs mastering, the pedals are much heavier and give you a sense of mechanical activation whereas the V12V was very light - clutch travel very long and easy to ride due to the length of bite and needed no pressure, it also had little mechanical feel, in the V12S you have to think about the pressure to activate the clutch and then think about how and where to push the gear-lever, you have to constantly consider what gear you are in, and what gear you are looking to be in - this really adds to the experience and elevated the experience of driving for me. I love being connected to the whole experience and the V12S just did it for me -

I had a lightweight e-type last year an a Lotus Elan, a Ferrari 550 (which I loved, and am not afraid to say it out loud, ovs when my wife is not around....) and the only thing that I have found that is close is a Porsche 964 with a lot of Singer tweeks

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

154 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
Ex Boy Racer said:
IanV12VR said:
Ex Boy Racer said:
having said that, and against all my expectations, the AMShift is on most of the time!
Bob, does that mean you have got your new one??
I sure have!

Already put 500 miles onto it!
You know the rules Bob - pictures or it didn't happen smile You could even start a new thread!!!

Andys1000

Original Poster:

164 posts

125 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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I forgot got to add, it has sports seats and Caithness black interior with chilli red stitching and alcantara steering wheel, the calipers are being changed to black - its a bit too in your face for me currently

C997

529 posts

165 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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Andys1000 said:
They are totally different cars.
That about sums it up. The order for mine was finalised today and hopefully signed off on Monday. Now the long wait until July....


Andys1000

Original Poster:

164 posts

125 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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C997 said:
That about sums it up. The order for mine was finalised today and hopefully signed off on Monday. Now the long wait until July....
What did you go for?

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

154 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
Andys1000 said:
I forgot got to add, it has sports seats and Caithness black interior with chilli red stitching and alcantara steering wheel, the calipers are being changed to black - its a bit too in your face for me currently
Andy, Magnetic Silver - is that a DB11 colour? That's the thing with some Aston colours they look much better in real life than in photos. Think changing the calipers to black is a great idea. Have fun!!!!

bentley01

1,002 posts

135 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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Not sure what was wrong with the v12 Vantage you drove but there is no way I could ever describe the steering or the gearbox as light in mine. The gearbox has to be one of the best features of the car imo. Congrats on the new car it looks great.

Andys1000

Original Poster:

164 posts

125 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
IanV12VR said:
Andy, Magnetic Silver - is that a DB11 colour? That's the thing with some Aston colours they look much better in real life than in photos. Think changing the calipers to black is a great idea. Have fun!!!!
Thanks Ian,

its apparently a Q colour for the DB11, and like many colours sunlight makes a large difference to how they look, many new Aston Martin colours appear to come alive in sun light and can appear quite understated without it.

Andys1000

Original Poster:

164 posts

125 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
bentley01 said:
Not sure what was wrong with the v12 Vantage you drove but there is no way I could ever describe the steering or the gearbox as light in mine. The gearbox has to be one of the best features of the car imo. Congrats on the new car it looks great.
Hi Bentley01, thanks for your comments, maybe its just me, not sure, maybe the one I drove was set up differently, Aston has had a reputation for that in the past. The one I drove had 2000 miles and is on sale currently at hrowen in Pangbourne - not saying its a bad car, but it did not really connect with me. I thought they would feel similar, but they didn't - not trying to offend but we all like different things and have different driving goals. The V12S Roadster hits a sweet spot for me. Last manual V12 Convertible on the market, last Aston Martin designed and built V12, Last Aston Martin non-turbo car. Proper small sports car with large engine making it easy to thread down average b road. Feels like a race car for the road. Can tour, can be used day to day, Interior good including Satnav and carplay.

To me this adds up to a really unique proposition - Goodwood Monday, the Connaught in Mayfair Tuesday, Epernay and Reims Wednesday, Green Hell (Nurburgring) Thursday, Col du Turini Friday and Monaco for the weekend. For this kind of 'punishment' I cannot think of a finer car

Edited by Andys1000 on Friday 3rd March 22:26

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

154 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
Not just the new colours Andy. Our V12VR is Tungsten, a long standing Aston colour, but very different in different lights.

Here's one of ours on an event at Newport Pagnell.



Andys1000

Original Poster:

164 posts

125 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
IanV12VR said:
Not just the new colours Andy. Our V12VR is Tungsten, a long standing Aston colour, but very different in different lights.

Here's one of ours on an event at Newport Pagnell.


Ian I am new to Aston Martin, so had no idea, but in the flesh the colour is epic, don't think I 've ever seen a grey colour that reflect sunlight quite like it.

your car look great, but think it would look vastly better in the flesh....