The road to a V12 Manual Aston Martin
Discussion
My dream car was always a Series 2 Lotus Elise growing up. Literally obsessed. Reviews, videos, pictures, that was the car I was going to get at some point in my life. After finishing college, and spending some time in my industry, I broke off and started my own business in another industry. Two years later a 2 year old Evora S manual came on the market fully specd, 25% under market value and I'm my first choice in colour. It all worked out and at 25 driving that car was literally a dream come true. The experience was incredible, the only other vehicle I had owned was a pickup truck. Fast forward a year later, one summer morning on an unbanked corner at the bottom of a hill, with cold tires and two extra people in the car (+10% weight), the Evora slid off the road into the guardrail. Car was a write-off. No one was hurt, but dreams were shattered.
The significant other at the time didn't like the idea of the car to begin with, getting another car after the accident would have meant the end of things (which in retrospect probably would have been the right thing). Despite this, I knew I was a car guy, will always be a car guy and started my search for a replacement car; figure I'd sort out the significant other situation later.
As amazing as the Evora S was, I had my experience with the car and was given an opportunity to experience something different. My biggest criteria was getting a manual transmission. It is my opinion that the emotional experience of driving a Sportscar is more then just speed and raw numbers. The feel, the sound, the looks (both inside and out), are all a part of this emotion. Having a manual transmission is an essential part of this experience in my opinion, even if I'm sacrificing a few tenths of acceleration or limiting my options.
The usual contenders came to mind: 911, R8, Cayman S, V8 Vantage, F430, F360, Gallardo. The 911 and Cayman while great performers, I didn't like the idea of electric fly by wire steering on the new models. Older models were not that exotic and I really wasn't a fan of the older interior. Also, after having a V6 I wanted to experience the sound of something with more cylinders as well. The R8 V8 and V10 were exotic, but there was something off about the design. Looks great at first, but the more you look at it the less good it looks in my opinion. Exhaust sounded a bit muted and interior was run of the mill Audi. Also, preferred the responsiveness of a RWD over AWD. Same story with Gallardo. Not impressed with Gallardo interior or driving position either.
F360 would be a good choice, but it's a 17 year old car now. Performance wise it's a bit lacking as well. F360 CS too hardcore, wouldn't enjoy it unless on a spirited drive. F430 was a strong choice, it checked all the boxes. Dated interior though. Something about being stuck with a random five figure service made me uneasy though. Having the money or not, it seemed like a waste and its something always going to be looming over your head. You'd hear multiple owners swearing their F430 have been trouble free, then hear others with all kinds of horror stories.
V8 Vantage seemed like the right choice. Wonderful exhaust note, beautiful interior, and a striking ageless appearance. There have been a lot of improvements made to the V8 Vantage since it's inception, I quickly found myself desiring the latest models (N420, GT, S). I later I got the idea of owning a V12. The idea that big displacement V12s (especially manual) will be a thing of the past. And that sound, my God the sound. So that led me to the V12 Vantage and the DBS.
I would have taken either at the right price and in the right colour (black, maybe dark grey), but the DBS was my first choice. I liked the idea of adaptive suspension and a longer wheelbase for better high speed stability (at the cost of cornering speed). I heard the V12V rear-end could come out a bit easily under hard acceleration, I also liked the look of the DBS a bit more, but at this point we're just splitting hairs. I contacted Aston and exotic dealers across Canada to try and find a V12V or DBS that met my specs. Nothing. Even current owners didn't want to give up. Two weeks after breaking things off with the significant other and a year and a half since the accident, a low mileage black manual DBS hit the market at a good price. Two days later I met with the seller, did the necessary pre-purchase inspection and the rest is history. Seller was swamped with inquiries, and is still swamped with inquiries. Seems I wasn't the only one looking at DBS manuals.
I picked it up last week. Needs a detail and a new set of tires (8 years old -replacing with PSS). Haven't driven it too hard or anything due to the tires but first impressions are the car feels surprisingly responsive considering it is 3700 pounds! Feels very planted at speed. The engine has loads of torque, pulls hard in any gear. Startup and exhaust note is breathtaking, literally makes you weak in the knees. Gear change is smooth and solid. Rpms don't drop as fast as the Evora S when you press the clutch, heavier flywheel then the Evora I'm guessing. Makes it a bit easier to drive in any case. Adaptive suspension is amazing, literally transforms the car. On road mode the car is smooth and soaks up all the bumps in the road. In track mode everything stiffens right up. The car feels faster than it is (probably a good thing), I'm guessing due to the exhaust volume with Fuze 22 pulled.
I'm still in shock I actually own this beautiful piece of machinery. Hasnt really hit me yet. Between this and the V12V I'm not sure there is a better allround driving experience. It is unfortunate that most manufacturers have lost sight of this and have focused primarily on numbers. Maybe it's in response to customer demand. Maybe there's just few of us left that care more about how a car sounds over how much fuel it takes in. Few of us that prefer the small gratification of the perfect rev-match down-shift over the ease of use or slightly better times with paddles. Few of us that enjoys the analog speedometer and hydraulic steering over flashy digital displays and fly by wire.
The significant other at the time didn't like the idea of the car to begin with, getting another car after the accident would have meant the end of things (which in retrospect probably would have been the right thing). Despite this, I knew I was a car guy, will always be a car guy and started my search for a replacement car; figure I'd sort out the significant other situation later.
As amazing as the Evora S was, I had my experience with the car and was given an opportunity to experience something different. My biggest criteria was getting a manual transmission. It is my opinion that the emotional experience of driving a Sportscar is more then just speed and raw numbers. The feel, the sound, the looks (both inside and out), are all a part of this emotion. Having a manual transmission is an essential part of this experience in my opinion, even if I'm sacrificing a few tenths of acceleration or limiting my options.
The usual contenders came to mind: 911, R8, Cayman S, V8 Vantage, F430, F360, Gallardo. The 911 and Cayman while great performers, I didn't like the idea of electric fly by wire steering on the new models. Older models were not that exotic and I really wasn't a fan of the older interior. Also, after having a V6 I wanted to experience the sound of something with more cylinders as well. The R8 V8 and V10 were exotic, but there was something off about the design. Looks great at first, but the more you look at it the less good it looks in my opinion. Exhaust sounded a bit muted and interior was run of the mill Audi. Also, preferred the responsiveness of a RWD over AWD. Same story with Gallardo. Not impressed with Gallardo interior or driving position either.
F360 would be a good choice, but it's a 17 year old car now. Performance wise it's a bit lacking as well. F360 CS too hardcore, wouldn't enjoy it unless on a spirited drive. F430 was a strong choice, it checked all the boxes. Dated interior though. Something about being stuck with a random five figure service made me uneasy though. Having the money or not, it seemed like a waste and its something always going to be looming over your head. You'd hear multiple owners swearing their F430 have been trouble free, then hear others with all kinds of horror stories.
V8 Vantage seemed like the right choice. Wonderful exhaust note, beautiful interior, and a striking ageless appearance. There have been a lot of improvements made to the V8 Vantage since it's inception, I quickly found myself desiring the latest models (N420, GT, S). I later I got the idea of owning a V12. The idea that big displacement V12s (especially manual) will be a thing of the past. And that sound, my God the sound. So that led me to the V12 Vantage and the DBS.
I would have taken either at the right price and in the right colour (black, maybe dark grey), but the DBS was my first choice. I liked the idea of adaptive suspension and a longer wheelbase for better high speed stability (at the cost of cornering speed). I heard the V12V rear-end could come out a bit easily under hard acceleration, I also liked the look of the DBS a bit more, but at this point we're just splitting hairs. I contacted Aston and exotic dealers across Canada to try and find a V12V or DBS that met my specs. Nothing. Even current owners didn't want to give up. Two weeks after breaking things off with the significant other and a year and a half since the accident, a low mileage black manual DBS hit the market at a good price. Two days later I met with the seller, did the necessary pre-purchase inspection and the rest is history. Seller was swamped with inquiries, and is still swamped with inquiries. Seems I wasn't the only one looking at DBS manuals.
I picked it up last week. Needs a detail and a new set of tires (8 years old -replacing with PSS). Haven't driven it too hard or anything due to the tires but first impressions are the car feels surprisingly responsive considering it is 3700 pounds! Feels very planted at speed. The engine has loads of torque, pulls hard in any gear. Startup and exhaust note is breathtaking, literally makes you weak in the knees. Gear change is smooth and solid. Rpms don't drop as fast as the Evora S when you press the clutch, heavier flywheel then the Evora I'm guessing. Makes it a bit easier to drive in any case. Adaptive suspension is amazing, literally transforms the car. On road mode the car is smooth and soaks up all the bumps in the road. In track mode everything stiffens right up. The car feels faster than it is (probably a good thing), I'm guessing due to the exhaust volume with Fuze 22 pulled.
I'm still in shock I actually own this beautiful piece of machinery. Hasnt really hit me yet. Between this and the V12V I'm not sure there is a better allround driving experience. It is unfortunate that most manufacturers have lost sight of this and have focused primarily on numbers. Maybe it's in response to customer demand. Maybe there's just few of us left that care more about how a car sounds over how much fuel it takes in. Few of us that prefer the small gratification of the perfect rev-match down-shift over the ease of use or slightly better times with paddles. Few of us that enjoys the analog speedometer and hydraulic steering over flashy digital displays and fly by wire.
Edited by nickorette on Sunday 8th May 00:56
Edited by nickorette on Sunday 8th May 00:58
Driving update: I've really been enjoying the GT aspects this car provides, I can't say I've ever experienced this before. Cruising at high speeds is like nothing, very composed, very smooth, not a care in the world. Almost relaxing. However when I want to rip up a back road, the power and sound is there to make it an adrenaline inducing experience.
There is so much torque in this engine -and usable torque as well. Makes driving around even under 4000 rpms quite quick. The soundtrack is glorious, even in the low RPM's.
The car gets plenty of compliments, wherever I go. Everyone loves it and comments on the beauty. I sometimes forget I'm driving the car I am
There is so much torque in this engine -and usable torque as well. Makes driving around even under 4000 rpms quite quick. The soundtrack is glorious, even in the low RPM's.
The car gets plenty of compliments, wherever I go. Everyone loves it and comments on the beauty. I sometimes forget I'm driving the car I am
Edited by nickorette on Wednesday 6th July 00:37
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