Should I go for a Vantage?

[nickv12]

And then this GT12 says "hold my beer"...

[Longy00000]

At this rate we should be getting commission from McGurks for helping to show what can easily be achieved with the car they're selling.
I still think that GT12 could do with the Gulf logo / moniker added. It woukd just finish it off nicely

[LTP]

nickv12 said:

Interesting. Never really see the codes referred to unlike for Porkers with things like their “X51” engine upgrade. We just call it things like “Performance Pack”. Or “Ruinously Expensive”

Simply not that many standard options, relatively. But you sometimes come across very interesting cars which have been touched by the “Q” department. Also some very limited official runs, often instigated by dealers. The “Wings” series are the best known, but there are other specials.

One lovely set of V8’s which you very rarely see were built around 2017 from memory with a very subtle copper-like tinted leather interior (effectively an interesting brown) and classy dark blue paint. I don’t think it was a named series as such, just a batch with that unique leather for the year.

I may not have put that accurately. While all of the various colours and options will have codes within AML to allow the MRP and Bills of Materials to work, I don't think the codes are used with the customer specifying a car - I believe the written description is used.

As far as not many standard options goes, I've just had a quick scan down my list and I've come up with 13 what I've called "mechanical" options, where you're choosing a functional part, and 20 different "colour or materials" type choices that you'd have to make in specifying a Vantage of around 15MY (it's debatable whether some of the lines would be a "colour" or a "mechanical" item). These numbers do not include choosing between 'S' or non-'S', or coupe or Roadster - I'm talking choices to be made once you've decided what model you want. My list may not be exhaustive and I'm also not including Q, where the number of option lines may possibly not be larger, but the range of choice for each option would be.

Over time, some of the features that were options have become standardised (like powerfold mirrors, or cruise control) and this would have continued as the car got closer to replacement, as at runout AML were only building 'S' variants with most of the options included.

AML did introduce some "metallic" leather finishes at the same time as DB11 V8and Volante were launched - not sure if they're still in the range.

[nickv12]

Longy00000 said:

At this rate we should be getting commission from McGurks for helping to show what can easily be achieved with the car they're selling.
I still think that GT12 could do with the Gulf logo / moniker added. It woukd just finish it off nicely

It was interesting speaking to the owner who ordered it. At the time, it was a special official Gulf-licensed one-off car (then-CEO Dr Andy Palmer got involved). This is no sticker job. But then some further Gulf liveries left the factory not long after, albeit with slightly different paint contours. All as I understand/remember.

[nickv12]

LTP said:

I may not have put that accurately. While all of the various colours and options will have codes within AML to allow the MRP and Bills of Materials to work, I don't think the codes are used with the customer specifying a car - I believe the written description is used.

As far as not many standard options goes, I've just had a quick scan down my list and I've come up with 13 what I've called "mechanical" options, where you're choosing a functional part, and 20 different "colour or materials" type choices that you'd have to make in specifying a Vantage of around 15MY (it's debatable whether some of the lines would be a "colour" or a "mechanical" item). These numbers do not include choosing between 'S' or non-'S', or coupe or Roadster - I'm talking choices to be made once you've decided what model you want. My list may not be exhaustive and I'm also not including Q, where the number of option lines may possibly not be larger, but the range of choice for each option would be.

Over time, some of the features that were options have become standardised (like powerfold mirrors, or cruise control) and this would have continued as the car got closer to replacement, as at runout AML were only building 'S' variants with most of the options included.

AML did introduce some "metallic" leather finishes at the same time as DB11 V8and Volante were launched - not sure if they're still in the range.

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.

[alscar]

nickv12 said:

Jeeeeeeezuz! There’s a first for everything. I’m gonna print that off in 36pt text and see if my domestic manager concurs

Only if they are planning on buying a Vantage.

[anonymous-user]

nickv12 said:

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.

Endorse this. Mileage affects used prices in the same way it does Ferraris. But these are not garage queens and generally don’t like being left standing for long periods.

[Andy_M_]

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

[moktabe]

Andy_M_ said:

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 suppose it depends on folks plans for how they're going to use the car.

Personally planned on using mine so wasn't too hung up on mileages. The lower mileage V12S cars for sale had quite a mark up re prices, didn't really see the point in chasing a low mileage one when I planned on using it and wrecking its 'perceived' extra value so ended up buying one with iro 37000 miles on it.

One thing I was adamant on was a AM full service history and the car I found had that.

Turned out the car was first registered to Aston Martin Press Dept so ended up being highly specced, also no doubt highly used however, it must have had a good shakedown plus very well looked after

Edited by moktabe on Sunday 19th March 16:49