Should I go for a Vantage?
Discussion
nickv12 said:
You’ll be in great hands with HWM. They have great sales and post-sales service. (Being fair, the same applies to AM Bristol in my personal experience, and many have spoken highly of AM Notts. The only bad one I experienced was AM Cardiff, but that closed years ago.)
I would suggest visiting of phoning HWM and speak to Paul or others on the sales team there and set out what you’re looking for. They have an extensive database of customers and other sources. Of all the MD’s, their age range of cars covered is probably the widest, but stock of VH Vantages is probably generally lower at the moment (same at AM Bristol last week as DB11’s, new Vantages and DBS’s are now more plentiful secondhand). I think many more are holding on to their VH Vantages as they realise they can’t be replaced.
Options on VH Vantage - you need to consider these in advance…
Any of the V8 models (excluding the GT8) from 2012.25MY onwards can have either the Comfort or Sport passive suspension setups. Both were available on the non-S, S, SP10, N420, N430 and AMR models. These V8 models were not offered with adaptive suspension. It is possible to swap these setups out, but costly. Try each if unsure. Personally, Comfort is the one to go for in potholed UK. It’s still very good and allows you to make swifter progress as you’re not trying to avoid hedges and oncoming cars all the time. The Sport suspension on my second V8 was a mistake and I grew to regret it quickly.
The V12S only had adaptive dampers as standard. There was no passive option. In default mode it is closer to Comfort. I tried the button a couple of times and can’t see the point of changing on the road as body control is excellent as-is and it’s just the right side of being firm. I would happily have passive ones on my V12 if set to that one default level.
Gearboxes. The subject of most discussion. Started by lazy journalists who kept on thinking of the original SSI variant in early cars (up to around 2010?). The later SSII and SSIII are largely the same (double clutch plate aside) and both really good and engaging. Manuals are available (possibly more challenging with the 7 speed dogleg in the V12S) but check first you’re ok with the ergonomics. The manual stick location really hurt my shoulder after a year and it took several years to fully recover. Which is why I changed to SS and never looked back.
Tyres. If the originals, budget to get them all replaced with PS4S, Conti’s, etc. asap.
Each of the three audio systems (base, 700W Premium or 1,000 B&O) were available on the V8 models. It’s rare to see a base one on a later car and rare to see a B&O on a V8. I think the V12S only came with Premium or the B&O as a £5k option. You can tell a B&O system by the two theatrical rising tweeters at the extremes of the dashboard. Plus extra speakers against the transmission tunnel in the footwell and Bang & Olufsen written on the speaker grilles on the door. I’ve had one of each of the audio systems. Base is surprisingly good. Premium is surprisingly not much better but still good. B&O is absolutely, bloody incredible and worth the search!
Carbon lightweight seats are a popular option too. Asking Aston to change the normal ones over will set you back at least £15k, so again, if you want these, do your hunt beforehand. Rarer but not impossible to find on V8 and V12. I have never found the standard Sport seats to be supremely comfortable, but they are OK. Heated seats are not an option on the carbon versions, nor side airbags (hence why they weren’t offered in the USA.)
Cruise control was an option but can be retro fitted.
CarPlay only featured in the 2017 and 2018 model years and is excellent to have. But Aston Installations (based in Tewkesbury) can retro fit that along with cruise control.
Without doubt, and I don’t think anybody will argue this, regardless of the model of VH Vantage, before collection, get your AM dealer or specialist to do a secondary de-cat. Each came with 4 cats from the factory (apart from the final V12 AMR’s as I understand). The back two aren’t necessary for UK emissions laws/MOT. The difference is night and day. Not offensive but glorious.
The non-S V8 came with a different backbox to the S model. I had both and each de-cat’d. Controversial, maybe, but I much preferred the American style, but refined V8 burble of the non-S over the S’s backbox.
The V12 backbox is different again. And a very expensive titanium option as found on the GT12 and GT8 (ish). Now that one is VERY loud! It also needs a different rear valance from memory, so expensive. There’s that theme again
With the V12S, you can also get a power kit to increase BHP to 595. This came on the V12 AMR as standard, I think, and was a option to retrofit. (Surprise… that costs a fair bit too.) The noise improves again, but the 30 extra bhp is probably indistinguishable on the road.
With all this, my advise will be to really consider each of these options in advance and try them for yourself as they are quite personal. I would still recommend a MD is it’s your first (unlikely to be your last - it’s a very slippery slope). I wouldn’t even worry too much about whether it’s a V8 or V12 as they are both amazing. Just buy the best you can in your budget with the essential options you desire.
Good luck!
Wow, thanks for that super write up. Does AM provide a list of option codes anywhere, they don't seem to be in the brochures that I have seen in PDF format. I would suggest visiting of phoning HWM and speak to Paul or others on the sales team there and set out what you’re looking for. They have an extensive database of customers and other sources. Of all the MD’s, their age range of cars covered is probably the widest, but stock of VH Vantages is probably generally lower at the moment (same at AM Bristol last week as DB11’s, new Vantages and DBS’s are now more plentiful secondhand). I think many more are holding on to their VH Vantages as they realise they can’t be replaced.
Options on VH Vantage - you need to consider these in advance…
Any of the V8 models (excluding the GT8) from 2012.25MY onwards can have either the Comfort or Sport passive suspension setups. Both were available on the non-S, S, SP10, N420, N430 and AMR models. These V8 models were not offered with adaptive suspension. It is possible to swap these setups out, but costly. Try each if unsure. Personally, Comfort is the one to go for in potholed UK. It’s still very good and allows you to make swifter progress as you’re not trying to avoid hedges and oncoming cars all the time. The Sport suspension on my second V8 was a mistake and I grew to regret it quickly.
The V12S only had adaptive dampers as standard. There was no passive option. In default mode it is closer to Comfort. I tried the button a couple of times and can’t see the point of changing on the road as body control is excellent as-is and it’s just the right side of being firm. I would happily have passive ones on my V12 if set to that one default level.
Gearboxes. The subject of most discussion. Started by lazy journalists who kept on thinking of the original SSI variant in early cars (up to around 2010?). The later SSII and SSIII are largely the same (double clutch plate aside) and both really good and engaging. Manuals are available (possibly more challenging with the 7 speed dogleg in the V12S) but check first you’re ok with the ergonomics. The manual stick location really hurt my shoulder after a year and it took several years to fully recover. Which is why I changed to SS and never looked back.
Tyres. If the originals, budget to get them all replaced with PS4S, Conti’s, etc. asap.
Each of the three audio systems (base, 700W Premium or 1,000 B&O) were available on the V8 models. It’s rare to see a base one on a later car and rare to see a B&O on a V8. I think the V12S only came with Premium or the B&O as a £5k option. You can tell a B&O system by the two theatrical rising tweeters at the extremes of the dashboard. Plus extra speakers against the transmission tunnel in the footwell and Bang & Olufsen written on the speaker grilles on the door. I’ve had one of each of the audio systems. Base is surprisingly good. Premium is surprisingly not much better but still good. B&O is absolutely, bloody incredible and worth the search!
Carbon lightweight seats are a popular option too. Asking Aston to change the normal ones over will set you back at least £15k, so again, if you want these, do your hunt beforehand. Rarer but not impossible to find on V8 and V12. I have never found the standard Sport seats to be supremely comfortable, but they are OK. Heated seats are not an option on the carbon versions, nor side airbags (hence why they weren’t offered in the USA.)
Cruise control was an option but can be retro fitted.
CarPlay only featured in the 2017 and 2018 model years and is excellent to have. But Aston Installations (based in Tewkesbury) can retro fit that along with cruise control.
Without doubt, and I don’t think anybody will argue this, regardless of the model of VH Vantage, before collection, get your AM dealer or specialist to do a secondary de-cat. Each came with 4 cats from the factory (apart from the final V12 AMR’s as I understand). The back two aren’t necessary for UK emissions laws/MOT. The difference is night and day. Not offensive but glorious.
The non-S V8 came with a different backbox to the S model. I had both and each de-cat’d. Controversial, maybe, but I much preferred the American style, but refined V8 burble of the non-S over the S’s backbox.
The V12 backbox is different again. And a very expensive titanium option as found on the GT12 and GT8 (ish). Now that one is VERY loud! It also needs a different rear valance from memory, so expensive. There’s that theme again
With the V12S, you can also get a power kit to increase BHP to 595. This came on the V12 AMR as standard, I think, and was a option to retrofit. (Surprise… that costs a fair bit too.) The noise improves again, but the 30 extra bhp is probably indistinguishable on the road.
With all this, my advise will be to really consider each of these options in advance and try them for yourself as they are quite personal. I would still recommend a MD is it’s your first (unlikely to be your last - it’s a very slippery slope). I wouldn’t even worry too much about whether it’s a V8 or V12 as they are both amazing. Just buy the best you can in your budget with the essential options you desire.
Good luck!
Thanks for the insight on HWM. I bought a new Alfa from them in 2010 and had it serviced by them until 2013 but not had any dealings with them since. I'll give them a call and see what they say around availability.
moktabe said:
Unlike most posters here I only have experience of driving one Aston Martin, my 16 plate V12 Vantage S.
In my eyes it looks like a work of art, just a beautiful thing to look at. It has the lightweight seats which are wonderfully comfortable, can easily spend a full day in them without any discomfort setting in.
Definitely an occasion to drive in any scenario, either in heavy traffic or moving on a bit, it's even an occasion to open the garage door and seeing it sat there.
If you go for one you will NOT be disappointed.
In my eyes it looks like a work of art, just a beautiful thing to look at. It has the lightweight seats which are wonderfully comfortable, can easily spend a full day in them without any discomfort setting in.
Definitely an occasion to drive in any scenario, either in heavy traffic or moving on a bit, it's even an occasion to open the garage door and seeing it sat there.
If you go for one you will NOT be disappointed.
DBA086 said:
I was in a similar position - I have had a raft of BMWs (1M, M2, M3, M4 and Z3 M Coupe, alongside the M5 Touring family bus). I originally started looking at M2 Comps, early E92 M3s (again) and 997s as they seemed to be the only cars that ticked all boxes - comfortable, 4 manual and 4 seats), but struggled to find something special in my budget - despite doubling from £25k to 50k.
The manual criteria limited was quite limiting, which then lead me to reconsider whether 4 seats was required. With that removed, I then dithered between another Z3 M Coupe (with the later engine) or a cayman R. I would have been happy with the Z3 but the ones in budget were all slightly ratty, and the clean ones were too good to park on the street. The Cayman was excellent, but the prospect of a 4.0 GTS or early GT4 for not much more makes the R look poor value.
Coincidently the specialist selling the Cayman also had a V12 Vantage on the floor which was outside of budget, but after a few discussions the price seemed flexible which meant I could take it home after a few weeks.
Each drive is an experience and the car is much more special than anything else I’ve run. Truthfully a V8 would be all that I need, but they rarely have the carbon buckets and alcantara wheel that makes the V12 so special. I have also removed the ridiculous metal gear knob - the alcantara one has improved the shift to no end.
I have been surprised with the service costs (c.£1k for the latest, and about that for the car’s life judging by the invoices) and impressed by the level of service (HWM) and aftermarket support (AM installations have done a few things as well).
Thanks both, very re-assuring. The manual criteria limited was quite limiting, which then lead me to reconsider whether 4 seats was required. With that removed, I then dithered between another Z3 M Coupe (with the later engine) or a cayman R. I would have been happy with the Z3 but the ones in budget were all slightly ratty, and the clean ones were too good to park on the street. The Cayman was excellent, but the prospect of a 4.0 GTS or early GT4 for not much more makes the R look poor value.
Coincidently the specialist selling the Cayman also had a V12 Vantage on the floor which was outside of budget, but after a few discussions the price seemed flexible which meant I could take it home after a few weeks.
Each drive is an experience and the car is much more special than anything else I’ve run. Truthfully a V8 would be all that I need, but they rarely have the carbon buckets and alcantara wheel that makes the V12 so special. I have also removed the ridiculous metal gear knob - the alcantara one has improved the shift to no end.
I have been surprised with the service costs (c.£1k for the latest, and about that for the car’s life judging by the invoices) and impressed by the level of service (HWM) and aftermarket support (AM installations have done a few things as well).
Once again, this thread is a welcome relief from my previous Porsche threads ... thanks all for the helpful comments.
nickv12 said:
I can't argue with any of that 
I have the original spec sheet for mine and not a code in sight. But internally there must have been many codes.
All this talk made me open Autotrader again. I spent the best part of 6 years regularly (daily) searching the classifieds, even when I only just bought my first and second V8's. Since buying my current one 18 months ago, I never looked at AT in anger. Says a lot. But I was curious to see what's out there now and managed to find one of the 16 Q/Stratstone V8S' for sale:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303095...
But you can get easily find many lovely late VH V8's for just over £50k if you don't mind mileage. And that's something for the OP; don't be scares of "leggy" examples. "Leggy" in AM terms to too many is anything into 5 digits on the odometer. But these cars only get better with use. The ones which have only done hundreds of miles are a year are the ones I'd be wary of. And there's the added benefit of higher mileage ones (30k+) already being discounted nicely to reflect that.
Thanks for that ... I was wondering about mileages. Most seem to do well less than equivalent Porsches/Jags but probably more than equivalent exotics (Ferrari, McL). As you say, I do feel wary about cars that have done only a few hundred miles every year I have the original spec sheet for mine and not a code in sight. But internally there must have been many codes.
All this talk made me open Autotrader again. I spent the best part of 6 years regularly (daily) searching the classifieds, even when I only just bought my first and second V8's. Since buying my current one 18 months ago, I never looked at AT in anger. Says a lot. But I was curious to see what's out there now and managed to find one of the 16 Q/Stratstone V8S' for sale:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303095...
But you can get easily find many lovely late VH V8's for just over £50k if you don't mind mileage. And that's something for the OP; don't be scares of "leggy" examples. "Leggy" in AM terms to too many is anything into 5 digits on the odometer. But these cars only get better with use. The ones which have only done hundreds of miles are a year are the ones I'd be wary of. And there's the added benefit of higher mileage ones (30k+) already being discounted nicely to reflect that.
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