Considering V12V

[GT Two]

Hi,

I am going to test drive a couple of V12 Vantage manuals and have a couple of questions.

How should the clutch bite point be? is it easy to tell if worn? and is the used car warranty fairly comprehensive?

Also if anyone is considering selling please let me know!

Thanks!

[wokkadriver]

GT Two said:

Hi,

I am going to test drive a couple of V12 Vantage manuals and have a couple of questions.

How should the clutch bite point be? is it easy to tell if worn? and is the used car warranty fairly comprehensive?

Also if anyone is considering selling please let me know!

Thanks!

Clutch is relatively light with a high bite point, which makes pulling away and gear changes a little agricultural until you get used to it. I don't believe there is an easy way to check its wear.

The AM approved warranty is pretty good, and most main dealers (in my experience) seem to have a good relationship with the insurer that provides the warranty regarding claims. As usual, 'wear and tear' items aren't covered. I had the devil of a job to try and get a formal guide to the warranty, but managed to track down an older .pdf I can send to you - PM me if you would like a copy.


Outside that, magnificent cars. More useable space than a DB9/S, so bizarrely makes for a better GT. I found handling to be taught and altogether more rewarding than the DBS, although the S is a stunning car to behold!

Enjoy the experience and best of luck!

[GT Two]

wokkadriver said:

GT Two said:

Hi,

I am going to test drive a couple of V12 Vantage manuals and have a couple of questions.

How should the clutch bite point be? is it easy to tell if worn? and is the used car warranty fairly comprehensive?

Also if anyone is considering selling please let me know!

Thanks!

Clutch is relatively light with a high bite point, which makes pulling away and gear changes a little agricultural until you get used to it. I don't believe there is an easy way to check its wear.

The AM approved warranty is pretty good, and most main dealers (in my experience) seem to have a good relationship with the insurer that provides the warranty regarding claims. As usual, 'wear and tear' items aren't covered. I had the devil of a job to try and get a formal guide to the warranty, but managed to track down an older .pdf I can send to you - PM me if you would like a copy.


Outside that, magnificent cars. More useable space than a DB9/S, so bizarrely makes for a better GT. I found handling to be taught and altogether more rewarding than the DBS, although the S is a stunning car to behold!

Enjoy the experience and best of luck!

Thanks, very helpful!

I was going to look at the car at Targa Florio as I like silver, but found out today that the warranty is not transferrable so am going to stick to main dealer or private sale.

[krisdelta]

Whilst there were a few replacements of faulty clutches to my knowledge on the V12V, the V12 clutch is twin plate and far harder wearing than the V8 item.

If you've got a car with a few miles under the belt (or indeed still under warranty) I'd not worry too much unless it's been used for drag racing Take a look at the thread on the red V12V, there is some great advice in there over the carbon brake discs, which could be a point of interest and concern.

Happy shopping, you cannot be disappointed with such a great car

[wokkadriver]

GT Two said:

Thanks, very helpful!

I was going to look at the car at Targa Florio as I like silver, but found out today that the warranty is not transferrable so am going to stick to main dealer or private sale.

It's a very nice looking car - shame about the warranty, although perhaps a bargaining tool? Mine is lightning silver, really 'pops' in the sunshine. Has elements of gold, blue and silver in it so very striking. I also really like that the bonnet vents stand out so well against lighter coloured paints. If you do get it from a main dealer, it is worth pressing them to replace the dash buttons with the later glass ones - a relatively simple upgrade and really finishes the interior nicely!

CCM Brakes are probably the biggest cause of worry - excellent, but they are fairly eye watering to replace. One top tip I was given was to run your finger across the disc, and it should feel very smooth. That and a good torch to look at the edge of the pads in the calliper to determine the thickness is probably as good as you are likely to get.

[V8V Pete]

GT Two said:

I was going to look at the car at Targa Florio as I like silver, but found out today that the warranty is not transferrable so am going to stick to main dealer or private sale.

That car has been on at Targa Florio for a good while and presumably hasn't sold because it is (still) overpriced. Therefore, if you like it, there may be a deal to be done. BTW it is Titanium silver not Lightning but still very silver rather than grey if that is what you want. Don't be put off by the lack of warranty as you can put a year's warranty on it through a main dealer if they do their 140 point check. You will get this for "free" if you buy through a main dealer so it simply lowers the price you should pay by about £2000. It is also due a service so that's another £1000. Given that a 2010 V12V would normally be closer to £80K than £85K then I would be offering them about £78K if they're not servicing or warrantying the car. Given that there is currently a June 2013 registered car with 14,000 miles currently available for £87K I would have thought that would be about right. Good luck with your search, they are wonderful cars.

[GT Two]

Thanks all, really helpful!

I had put an offer in of 82k on the Silver car but that was when I thought the warranty was transferrable.

I have had some experience of Carbon brakes on Porsche and Ferrari so will look carefully here, Im guessing as its a wear and tear item the warranty will not cover?

was trying to get into a car for the weekend but I don't think its going to happen, the dealers won't budge at all on price so far.

[V8V Pete]

GT Two said:

Thanks all, really helpful!

I had put an offer in of 82k on the Silver car but that was when I thought the warranty was transferrable.

I have had some experience of Carbon brakes on Porsche and Ferrari so will look carefully here, Im guessing as its a wear and tear item the warranty will not cover?

was trying to get into a car for the weekend but I don't think its going to happen, the dealers won't budge at all on price so far.

Some of the main dealers (particularly Stratstone) won't move on price at all whatever you say. However, that doesn't mean you can't get "extras" within the price they want for the car. You will also get further on things that cost them less than they would charge you if you wanted it on a car you already own. Top of the list is the glass switches. Look so much better than the black plastic ones, cost hundreds of pounds usually, I didn't pay a penny for them in my recent purchase. Full geometry check and adjustment. New tyres if borderline. You may even get 2 years extended warranty out of them if the car's been hanging around a while etc. etc. Whatever you do, don't pay them to put a paint sealant on. Get Paddy to do it properly for less cash than they want.

It's only Wednesday, you still could be in that beauty by the weekend.

[wokkadriver]

V8V Pete said:

Some of the main dealers (particularly Stratstone) won't move on price at all whatever you say. However, that doesn't mean you can't get "extras" within the price they want for the car. You will also get further on things that cost them less than they would charge you if you wanted it on a car you already own. Top of the list is the glass switches. Look so much better than the black plastic ones, cost hundreds of pounds usually, I didn't pay a penny for them in my recent purchase. Full geometry check and adjustment. New tyres if borderline. You may even get 2 years extended warranty out of them if the car's been hanging around a while etc. etc. Whatever you do, don't pay them to put a paint sealant on. Get Paddy to do it properly for less cash than they want.

It's only Wednesday, you still could be in that beauty by the weekend.

Quite so - sadly this time of year (notwithstanding the summer hols) is a good time for dealers. Prices and deals tend to be more flexible in Q3 / Q4.

If you are flexible on your spec sheet, there are a number of examples for sale on
https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Results/...

But if you have your heart set on a silver one, you might have to wait / bite the bullet.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll love it!

[GT Two]

Thanks for the tips!

I would consider black or white cars also. Something bright might be nice but these colours seem to be on the V12V S.

Fingers crossed!

[cayman-black]

GT Two said:

Thanks all, really helpful!

I had put an offer in of 82k on the Silver car but that was when I thought the warranty was transferrable.

I have had some experience of Carbon brakes on Porsche and Ferrari so will look carefully here, Im guessing as its a wear and tear item the warranty will not cover?

was trying to get into a car for the weekend but I don't think its going to happen, the dealers won't budge at all on price so far.

I would have said that is the right price for this car. All 10mdl cars if good are now over £80k.
Pete £78k

[DAVIDOXE]

I have a Lightning V12V with lightweights and B & O its an amazing car you will not be dissapointed.
Have just had new tyres and gone for the Pirelli AM8s rather than the Corsas which IMHO makes it an all weather car rather than just a hot day one.
As has been said main dealers dont seem to be very flexible on price but you can get extras, the best i could do was an extra years warranty.
Enjoy the hunt.

[V8V Pete]

cayman-black said:

GT Two said:

Thanks all, really helpful!

I had put an offer in of 82k on the Silver car but that was when I thought the warranty was transferrable.

I have had some experience of Carbon brakes on Porsche and Ferrari so will look carefully here, Im guessing as its a wear and tear item the warranty will not cover?

was trying to get into a car for the weekend but I don't think its going to happen, the dealers won't budge at all on price so far.

I would have said that is the right price for this car. All 10mdl cars if good are now over £80k.
Pete £78k

Well £78K + £2K warranty + £1K service = £81K so we're all singing from the same sheet really.

[V8V Pete]

GT Two said:

Thanks for the tips!

I would consider black or white cars also. Something bright might be nice but these colours seem to be on the V12V S.

Fingers crossed!

Well, if you would consider black then I saw the Carbon Black at Derby on Saturday and it's a stunner. Very nice condition and good spec with lightweight seats. Doesn't get much better than that.

[Jockman]

When recently buying the DBS I got the impression that the lighter the silver the longer it took to sell the car on.

Strange

[cayman-black]

V8V Pete said:

Well, if you would consider black then I saw the Carbon Black at Derby on Saturday and it's a stunner. Very nice condition and good spec with lightweight seats. Doesn't get much better than that.

Agree with Pete on the CB . imo its the best buy at this momment.

[GT Two]

Thanks both, the carbon black one does look nice.

Is the centre section of the rear light removable? some are carbon and others painted.

[wokkadriver]

GT Two said:

Thanks both, the carbon black one does look nice.

Is the centre section of the rear light removable? some are carbon and others painted.

Yes, it's a cover. Some prefer painted, some change it out to a CF one.

[GT Two]

Thanks for all the replies here.

Bit the bullet today. Will post some pics when I collect!

[krisdelta]

Which spec / colour did you go for? Will be hilarious fun to drive