V12 Vantage Reviews MY 22
Discussion
Jon39 said:
AdamV12V said:
There was a bit of tongue in cheek with that line about them all being sold 
I also don't believe for one minute that there are 333 confirmed signed up customers and I fully agree with your suspicions about the future. Anyway production is starting now, I know of one chap who has a build date in June, so we should see cars on the road very soon. How long will I take for the first flipped car to appear I wonder? With builds happening so quickly I suspect by late autumn we will see if our hypothesis on values is true or not. True owners to keep won't care of course, as a car only has a value if you sell it.
I also don't believe for one minute that there are 333 confirmed signed up customers and I fully agree with your suspicions about the future. Anyway production is starting now, I know of one chap who has a build date in June, so we should see cars on the road very soon. How long will I take for the first flipped car to appear I wonder? With builds happening so quickly I suspect by late autumn we will see if our hypothesis on values is true or not. True owners to keep won't care of course, as a car only has a value if you sell it.I just cannot understand this.
On the announcement day, AML were saying all sold.
Imagine an interested prospecrive buyer is excited by the launch, but then hears they are too late, therefore forgets the whole idea.
If they do not have 333 signed customers, then what kind of marketing is that?
Losing customers at the outset.
Honest people quite rightly would believe an AML statement.
Do AML think the lost prospective buyers are for no reason, still going visit a dealer? They might, but probably not an Aston Martin dealer.
All most odd. Is there something obvious that I have overlooked ?
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/new-aston-marti...
LTP said:
I do wonder whether the issues over the seats reflect the build of the driver - Catchpole, who likes them, is skinny like an F1 driver whereas Sutcliffe, who doesn't so much, seems a little more "well upholstered".
As for the harshness of the ride that some pick up on. If only Aston Martin had a chassis tuning wizard, someone used to making a car ride and handle without resorting to rock hard suspension. You know - someone like Matt Becker....oh, wait.
Fully agree about the personal aspect to feeling comfortable in the seats. I didn’t sit in the example the other night, but the carbon seats really looked the part!As for the harshness of the ride that some pick up on. If only Aston Martin had a chassis tuning wizard, someone used to making a car ride and handle without resorting to rock hard suspension. You know - someone like Matt Becker....oh, wait.
As for the chassis. ALL cars seem to be too harshly sprung nowadays. Witness Harry Metcalf’s review of the latest GT3. That car seems to be much harsher than the latest V12, but very few reviewers have as little to lose in speaking completely freely?
Whereas I don’t doubt Becker’s skills and abilities, I would avoid hero status employees. It’s ignoring the fact they are only as good as the extensive team around them. Aston still knows how to make excellent GT cars, but they will also get their orders on what to produce. Perhaps the originator of the V12 suspension setup order is no longer the king pin at Gaydon?
BenAstonV12 said:
Interesting, definitely some very different takes on the new V12.
"That’s because the 2023 V12 Vantage is destined to be a classic Aston Martin. There won’t be another small Aston with a V12 under the bonnet, and the engine itself is unlikely to stay in production beyond 2026 or 2027."
https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/2022-aston-mar...
Some of the criticism from some car journalists seems to be a version of, "This isn't the old V12 Vantage that I was expecting it to be therefore I don't like it". Yeah, of course it isn't! I think Aston Martin suffers more than most car manufacturers from nostalgia for some golden era that limits people's ability to see and appreciate any new/modern cars as anything other than failed breaks with the past (always imagined as if those previous cars weren't themselves criticized at the time of their release too).
100% this - and I’m very biased."That’s because the 2023 V12 Vantage is destined to be a classic Aston Martin. There won’t be another small Aston with a V12 under the bonnet, and the engine itself is unlikely to stay in production beyond 2026 or 2027."
https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/2022-aston-mar...
Some of the criticism from some car journalists seems to be a version of, "This isn't the old V12 Vantage that I was expecting it to be therefore I don't like it". Yeah, of course it isn't! I think Aston Martin suffers more than most car manufacturers from nostalgia for some golden era that limits people's ability to see and appreciate any new/modern cars as anything other than failed breaks with the past (always imagined as if those previous cars weren't themselves criticized at the time of their release too).
The new V12 makes the previous look as old as it is. And I’m even more biased in this comparison…!
And before anybody says the previous is much more beautiful, I suggest it’s all in the eye of the beholder. The new one is stunning in real life with much more (angry) presence.
nickv12 said:
Fully agree about the personal aspect to feeling comfortable in the seats. I didn’t sit in the example the other night, but the carbon seats really looked the part!
As for the chassis. ALL cars seem to be too harshly sprung nowadays. Witness Harry Metcalf’s review of the latest GT3. That car seems to be much harsher than the latest V12, but very few reviewers have as little to lose in speaking completely freely?
Whereas I don’t doubt Becker’s skills and abilities, I would avoid hero status employees. It’s ignoring the fact they are only as good as the extensive team around them. Aston still knows how to make excellent GT cars, but they will also get their orders on what to produce. Perhaps the originator of the V12 suspension setup order is no longer the king pin at Gaydon?
I tried the carbon seat at Gaydon in March before speccing it and it seemed fine. Sat in the red car last night and albeit low, it was still good. Can only conclude that Sutcliffe is now a tubster.As for the chassis. ALL cars seem to be too harshly sprung nowadays. Witness Harry Metcalf’s review of the latest GT3. That car seems to be much harsher than the latest V12, but very few reviewers have as little to lose in speaking completely freely?
Whereas I don’t doubt Becker’s skills and abilities, I would avoid hero status employees. It’s ignoring the fact they are only as good as the extensive team around them. Aston still knows how to make excellent GT cars, but they will also get their orders on what to produce. Perhaps the originator of the V12 suspension setup order is no longer the king pin at Gaydon?
The reviews are a bit weird, seems like some of the hacks wanted it to be son of GT12 but its not. AM built a car weighing 1.8t with an auto box and Michelin PS4S tyres (no other choice) as an all round drivers car for the road. No Cup tyre option, no cage, no harnesses but still a few fools think its supposed to be track car! Catchpole has always been the smartest amongst them and gets it.
Edited by GT3ZZZ on Friday 13th May 22:06
Dewi 2 said:
nickv12 said:
And before anybody says the previous is much more beautiful, the new one is stunning in real life with much more (angry) presence.
I notice Steve Waddingham was in attendance.
Why were the VH Vantages on show?
Is the blue car a V600 ?
Edited by Dewi 2 on Friday 13th May 22:51
The older cars were there to show the V12V timeline.
Original prototype, original six speed V12V, Nicks yellow V12VS, V600, and both new V12V press cars (red and silver).
If you use some of the social media platforms, there are some posts from people who attended the event.
From what I’ve read it looked like a special evening.
Well done AM.
Best Regards
Minglar
Edited by Minglar on Saturday 14th May 10:05
Having watched every review only one person finds the ride harsh. I think he may have piles. He does tend to wince a bit. Look closely.
The other observations, lack of noise, feel, and a gain in weight are observations made about every single modern car. Those days are gone. Then again reviewers of the previous model in later years all complained that the VH vantage felt old. Then went on to say that it felt joyously analog and how they will miss it. Argh.
Long story short, reviewers have to pad out their reviews and appear “balanced”.
In the right spec I think the V12 vantage is a lovely car. But I’m at a time in life where cars are more about emotion. I don’t I will buy another new car regardless of brand unless it is for the wife’s commute.
The other observations, lack of noise, feel, and a gain in weight are observations made about every single modern car. Those days are gone. Then again reviewers of the previous model in later years all complained that the VH vantage felt old. Then went on to say that it felt joyously analog and how they will miss it. Argh.
Long story short, reviewers have to pad out their reviews and appear “balanced”.
In the right spec I think the V12 vantage is a lovely car. But I’m at a time in life where cars are more about emotion. I don’t I will buy another new car regardless of brand unless it is for the wife’s commute.
Must admit, gotta love the V600 “Dreadnaught” Vantages. This one was kindly on loan from HWM, where I once saw three next to each other.
They make absolutely zero financial sense. And then you see one up close and soak in the details. Wow!
If I had a spare million, I’d convert one to SportShift to rile 90% of PH’ers
They make absolutely zero financial sense. And then you see one up close and soak in the details. Wow!
If I had a spare million, I’d convert one to SportShift to rile 90% of PH’ers
nickv12 said:
Must admit, gotta love the V600 “Dreadnaught” Vantages. This one was kindly on loan from HWM, where I once saw three next to each other.
They make absolutely zero financial sense. And then you see one up close and soak in the details. Wow!
If I had a spare million, I’d convert one to SportShift to rile 90% of PH’ers
Lol. Only 90% Nick? I reckon it could be a bit higher than that! They make absolutely zero financial sense. And then you see one up close and soak in the details. Wow!
If I had a spare million, I’d convert one to SportShift to rile 90% of PH’ers
Your car looked very nice indeed amongst such exalted company.
Not tempted to trade it in for new V12? Assuming you can get one of course. ;-)
Best Regards
Minglar
nickv12 said:
Must admit, gotta love the V600 “Dreadnaught” Vantages. This one was kindly on loan from HWM, where I once saw three next to each other.
They make absolutely zero financial sense. And then you see one up close and soak in the details. Wow!
If I had a spare million, I’d convert one to SportShift to rile 90% of PH’ers
Nice having your car representing a milestone in the V12 Vantage timeline during the night.They make absolutely zero financial sense. And then you see one up close and soak in the details. Wow!
If I had a spare million, I’d convert one to SportShift to rile 90% of PH’ers
How did that happened? They just called you up one morning asking for your car back for one evening?
Minglar said:
Lol. Only 90% Nick? I reckon it could be a bit higher than that!
Your car looked very nice indeed amongst such exalted company.
Not tempted to trade it in for new V12? Assuming you can get one of course. ;-)
Best Regards
Minglar
LOL! Thanks. Must get my irritant levels right Your car looked very nice indeed amongst such exalted company.
Not tempted to trade it in for new V12? Assuming you can get one of course. ;-)
Best Regards
Minglar
I couldn’t afford the new one. It’s not a car I’d say “no” to, but I’ve found the perfect car for me. Not looking to start a collection.
And this is not some scribbling to say the old is better than the new. Design is subjective, and if spec’d in a certain way, I think the new V12 can be extremely elegant at the expense of aggression (but I can see why many are going for GT12 vibes).
I love the previous-gen Vantage as it’s a simpler car from relatively simpler times. I work in IT, but I don’t care for too much tech in a car. The latest Astons are thankfully minimal on tech, but so many modern cars are multiple iPads on wheels.
The previous one is also a small car. It’s why I didn’t go for the Vanquish S, to really stub out arguments that it’s all about how pretty a car may be. A narrower car fits down tight country lanes better, which suits me.
My reasons (beyond not having endless £££ to spare on a car, all things being relative) to not upgrade are things that Aston simply can’t avoid, realistically. New cars NEED more tech to be remotely competitive for the majority. They are all bigger for various good and bad reasons. They nearly all have turbos and filters as the government dictates it. Etc.
I think the new V12 is genuinely stunning. It will make for a wonderful car to own. And I salute all those who took the plunge.
EVR said:
Nice having your car representing a milestone in the V12 Vantage timeline during the night.
How did that happened? They just called you up one morning asking for your car back for one evening?
The ultimate product recall? How did that happened? They just called you up one morning asking for your car back for one evening?
Still not quite sure. But sure glad it somehow happened. Once in a lifetime.
PS - when the configurator was made available, I gave it a stab based on obvious inspiration. Results were posted here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbLXXOdKiCN/
Must admit, I think Aston have missed one trick with the launch cars; both are spec’d in largely the same way. I’d personally have shown one GT12-like example with wing, carbon on display, etc., and another in subtle spec like I tried. This V12 can easily be made to suit both camps.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbLXXOdKiCN/
Must admit, I think Aston have missed one trick with the launch cars; both are spec’d in largely the same way. I’d personally have shown one GT12-like example with wing, carbon on display, etc., and another in subtle spec like I tried. This V12 can easily be made to suit both camps.
Might have a positive incoming opinion from none other than Harry Metcalfe…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdoPJFDLhPi/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdoPJFDLhPi/
Really not sure where this new car fits in the scheme of things. My V12V manual is still in my garage as the "original" last manual V12, but is rarely driven. My Mac is so much better to drive on the road, and my Atom is so much better to drive on track. And either will run rings around this new one from the looks of things too.
12pack said:
Really not sure where this new car fits in the scheme of things. My V12V manual is still in my garage as the "original" last manual V12, but is rarely driven. My Mac is so much better to drive on the road, and my Atom is so much better to drive on track. And either will run rings around this new one from the looks of things too.
Which Mac do you have? I had a V12VS and a 600LT until recently too, interested to hear a bit more.GT3ZZZ said:
Which Mac do you have? I had a V12VS and a 600LT until recently too, interested to hear a bit more.
Closest comparison by a "professional" ....
https://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-harris-drives...
12pack said:
650 spider. Amazing how much better it puts the power down compared to the V12V. The driving position, steering, lightweight carbon chassis and the top end - oof. And it actually sounds better in the cabin with the top or backlight down than the V12V, though its no match for the V12's symphony outside.
Closest comparison by a "professional" ....
https://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-harris-drives...
Interesting Closest comparison by a "professional" ....
https://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-harris-drives...
I had a 2013 12C Spider from new and with hindsight it was probably my favourite Mac having had some more recently. The rear drop light was fantastic as you say. I loved my 600LT Spider too until the door hinges cracked and I started looking for corrosion every time I cleaned it. Both now gone.The V12 VS was an experience too, engaging and visceral with the 7 speed dog leg but dated all round as a super sports car versus anything recent from Pork, Mac, Fez or Lambo. Now gone too.
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