V12VS - Three Years On. Stick or Twist?
Discussion
When I bought the V12VS, I genuinely thought I’d keep it for a year. Yet here we are, three years later, and as always happens on holiday, I’ve found myself browsing PH and Auto Trader…
The funny thing is, I don’t actually want to change it.
Every time I drive it, it just feels right. Since buying it I’ve added CarPlay, factory red seat belts, and had the geometry set up for fast road driving. It genuinely feels like the perfect weekend and pure focus car.
The only itch I’ve really wanted to scratch has been a Cayman GT4. Lately though, I’ve found myself looking more at the 718 Spyder. It would certainly be a contrast to the Aston, although the manual gearing looks incredibly long. Doesn’t second gear run to around 80 mph?
One thing that still amazes me is how engaging the SportShift III is. I know it’s easy to criticise automated manuals, but I absolutely love it. Having recently driven a 2021 DBS, it wasn’t surprising that it felt like a conventional automatic, but it also felt a lot less involving.
So the question is, where would you actually go from here?
Realistically, it would need to be close to a like for like cash swap. It’s now done around 25,000 miles, with about 10,000 of those added during my ownership. I think I’d probably be looking at near £60k on a PX if I was lucky. A Spyder is still comfortably above that, which is probably the biggest reason not to change. I could add a bit more if something was really worth it, but I’m genuinely struggling to think of anything else that offers this sort of experience for the money.
I’ve also let the extended warranty expire. Touch wood, it just hasn’t justified the cost.
For the first time, I think I’ll be servicing it with an independent rather than the main dealer. The dealer has been good, but I suspect an Aston specialist will give it a more thorough mechanical inspection and perhaps a bit more care.
Is there anything preventative I should be thinking about on a 2014 car? I saw someone having the rear subframe ice blasted and protected. Mine has always lived in a garage, both with me and, judging by its condition, with the previous owner too, so it’s still in fantastic shape.
Maybe that’s the conclusion. Perhaps the V12 Vantage S is simply one of the best value driver’s cars you can buy today.
So… stick or twist? And if twist, what would you buy for around this sort of money?
The funny thing is, I don’t actually want to change it.
Every time I drive it, it just feels right. Since buying it I’ve added CarPlay, factory red seat belts, and had the geometry set up for fast road driving. It genuinely feels like the perfect weekend and pure focus car.
The only itch I’ve really wanted to scratch has been a Cayman GT4. Lately though, I’ve found myself looking more at the 718 Spyder. It would certainly be a contrast to the Aston, although the manual gearing looks incredibly long. Doesn’t second gear run to around 80 mph?
One thing that still amazes me is how engaging the SportShift III is. I know it’s easy to criticise automated manuals, but I absolutely love it. Having recently driven a 2021 DBS, it wasn’t surprising that it felt like a conventional automatic, but it also felt a lot less involving.
So the question is, where would you actually go from here?
Realistically, it would need to be close to a like for like cash swap. It’s now done around 25,000 miles, with about 10,000 of those added during my ownership. I think I’d probably be looking at near £60k on a PX if I was lucky. A Spyder is still comfortably above that, which is probably the biggest reason not to change. I could add a bit more if something was really worth it, but I’m genuinely struggling to think of anything else that offers this sort of experience for the money.
I’ve also let the extended warranty expire. Touch wood, it just hasn’t justified the cost.
For the first time, I think I’ll be servicing it with an independent rather than the main dealer. The dealer has been good, but I suspect an Aston specialist will give it a more thorough mechanical inspection and perhaps a bit more care.
Is there anything preventative I should be thinking about on a 2014 car? I saw someone having the rear subframe ice blasted and protected. Mine has always lived in a garage, both with me and, judging by its condition, with the previous owner too, so it’s still in fantastic shape.
Maybe that’s the conclusion. Perhaps the V12 Vantage S is simply one of the best value driver’s cars you can buy today.
So… stick or twist? And if twist, what would you buy for around this sort of money?
PHFS said:
When I bought the V12VS, I genuinely thought I'd keep it for a year.
Yet here we are, three years later, and as always happens on holiday, I've found myself browsing PH and Auto Trader.
PRECIS;
The funny thing is, I don t actually want to change it.
Every time I drive it, it just feels right.
It genuinely feels like the perfect weekend and pure focus car.
So the question is, where would you actually go from here?
Perhaps the V12 Vantage S is simply one of the best value driver s cars you can buy today.
So stick or twist?
Yet here we are, three years later, and as always happens on holiday, I've found myself browsing PH and Auto Trader.
PRECIS;
The funny thing is, I don t actually want to change it.
Every time I drive it, it just feels right.
It genuinely feels like the perfect weekend and pure focus car.
So the question is, where would you actually go from here?
Perhaps the V12 Vantage S is simply one of the best value driver s cars you can buy today.
So stick or twist?
I think you are in love with your V12VS.
Perhaps you could adopt my system.
I have now owned my V8V for 14 years.
The last daily driver provided reliable use for 22 years, before joing my collection.
There are now two cars in the collection, which are old enough to only require £100 insurance, free road tax and no MoTs.
I may have a disease, but overall it results in quite cheap motoring.
Continue to enjoy your V12VS and forget Porsche Caymans. Good cars, but I always see some on every long journey.
1st world problems eh. 
IMO - The GT4 itch is worth scratching, which is precisely what I've done. I swapped from a DB9 to the GT4 for a number of reasons.
1 - Back problems meant my partner couldn't get comfortable in the DB9 (she can't get comfortable in the V12V or Vanquish either). She sat in the GT4 18way sports seats and was instantly comfortable.
2 - There was no 'theatre'... It was a fantastic GT for the long drives but there was no excitement. I've got a TVR Cerbera too and when given the choice, we'd end up taking the Cerbera on the road trips, rather than the DB9.
3 - I hated the auto gearbox in the DB9.
I quite enjoyed pushing the DB9, being the Volante it didn't have the rear ARB, it handled like a blancmange but I like to enjoy cars for what they are. The GT4 is very precise and clinical, where as the Cerbera simply wants to rip your face off the whole time, though very rewarding.
The other thing worth noting about the GT4 is that the interior is well put together and not a FoMoCo parts bin. It's actually very practical, with proper buttons and dials. The seats make the biggest difference to the GT4 and the PDK makes the car a good all-rounder. That said... I will have another Aston in my life at some point. Probably a V12V or a Vanquish but have a house move to get out of the way first.
Coming back to your original question though; it'll depend on what you want to use it for as you're the one who has to live with it. Personally, I'd probably stick with the V12VS but take a couple of GT4s for a spin to see what you think...
GT4s make good dailies... Just sayin...
M
IMO - The GT4 itch is worth scratching, which is precisely what I've done. I swapped from a DB9 to the GT4 for a number of reasons.
1 - Back problems meant my partner couldn't get comfortable in the DB9 (she can't get comfortable in the V12V or Vanquish either). She sat in the GT4 18way sports seats and was instantly comfortable.
2 - There was no 'theatre'... It was a fantastic GT for the long drives but there was no excitement. I've got a TVR Cerbera too and when given the choice, we'd end up taking the Cerbera on the road trips, rather than the DB9.
3 - I hated the auto gearbox in the DB9.
I quite enjoyed pushing the DB9, being the Volante it didn't have the rear ARB, it handled like a blancmange but I like to enjoy cars for what they are. The GT4 is very precise and clinical, where as the Cerbera simply wants to rip your face off the whole time, though very rewarding.
The other thing worth noting about the GT4 is that the interior is well put together and not a FoMoCo parts bin. It's actually very practical, with proper buttons and dials. The seats make the biggest difference to the GT4 and the PDK makes the car a good all-rounder. That said... I will have another Aston in my life at some point. Probably a V12V or a Vanquish but have a house move to get out of the way first.
Coming back to your original question though; it'll depend on what you want to use it for as you're the one who has to live with it. Personally, I'd probably stick with the V12VS but take a couple of GT4s for a spin to see what you think...
GT4s make good dailies... Just sayin...
M
I'm kinda in the same boat with my 2016 V12VS Roadster. Had it a couple of years and I cant think of anything I would like to change it for.
It has a main dealer service every year as specialists are too far away to make it worthwhile. Its cheap to insure and depreciation is glacial at 10 years old.
I was fortunate to find a low mileage car that had been really well maintained with much preventative stuff already done. It had PPF from new outside and inside on the piano black parts. It has had the ASM pipes on the Sportshift box upgraded which might be worth an inspection on your car. They are not so expensive if they need doing, but could be really inconvenient if they leak and leave you stranded with a malfunctioning gearbox.
It has a main dealer service every year as specialists are too far away to make it worthwhile. Its cheap to insure and depreciation is glacial at 10 years old.
I was fortunate to find a low mileage car that had been really well maintained with much preventative stuff already done. It had PPF from new outside and inside on the piano black parts. It has had the ASM pipes on the Sportshift box upgraded which might be worth an inspection on your car. They are not so expensive if they need doing, but could be really inconvenient if they leak and leave you stranded with a malfunctioning gearbox.
With a £60k trade in, you're deep into Ferrari territory.
F430 is a superb car, the last analogue(ish) Ferrari probably. F1 Spider or coupe for a few quid more than your car.
California - terrible reputation that turns out to be an excellent drive, most have come around. Original reviewers loved it when launched. Looks have aged well I think.
360 Modena - you'd get a great one with a gated manual box should you wish it
Italian stablemate; the Grancabrio or Granturismo you could get with that money would be superb...
I have had 2 x 911s (Targa Tip and Cabrio Man), Boxster S and we still have the family bus Cayenne S. All feel well engineered but all astonishingly expensive when they go wrong and ultimately, there was no 'specialness' to the drive no matter how fast / competent it was.
I did the same as you but around £40k - there was absolutely nothing else on the menu for me (manual convertible).
F430 is a superb car, the last analogue(ish) Ferrari probably. F1 Spider or coupe for a few quid more than your car.
California - terrible reputation that turns out to be an excellent drive, most have come around. Original reviewers loved it when launched. Looks have aged well I think.
360 Modena - you'd get a great one with a gated manual box should you wish it
Italian stablemate; the Grancabrio or Granturismo you could get with that money would be superb...
I have had 2 x 911s (Targa Tip and Cabrio Man), Boxster S and we still have the family bus Cayenne S. All feel well engineered but all astonishingly expensive when they go wrong and ultimately, there was no 'specialness' to the drive no matter how fast / competent it was.
I did the same as you but around £40k - there was absolutely nothing else on the menu for me (manual convertible).
I''m fortunate to have a TVR alongside my V12V among other stuff.
Every car offers a different experience. My advice would be to go and try them and see what you like. GT4's are lovely. The Ferrari route would be more of an 'event' every time you drive it. Although, mileage sensitive and not as practical. Same would go for a Gallardo or similar.
I've not found anything which gives me the experience the Aston does for comparable money. It's one of the best looking cars IMO and is fantastic to drive, relatively stable in value and doesn't cost a fortune to maintain unless you're unlucky.
Every car offers a different experience. My advice would be to go and try them and see what you like. GT4's are lovely. The Ferrari route would be more of an 'event' every time you drive it. Although, mileage sensitive and not as practical. Same would go for a Gallardo or similar.
I've not found anything which gives me the experience the Aston does for comparable money. It's one of the best looking cars IMO and is fantastic to drive, relatively stable in value and doesn't cost a fortune to maintain unless you're unlucky.
It’s a quandary I’m sure many of us have faced. Personally I’d be tempted to stick. GT4 is no doubt a good car, but the reviews I’ve read all say it’s a bit dull to drive which is somewhat surprising, and as you said the gearing does it no favours. I think Spyder is a fine looking thing, but the car has the same gearing issues, in addition to a fiddly roof. All V12 Vantage variants are great cars imho, and there aren’t many for sale at all at the moment. I occasionally think about what I could replace mine with, but if I did sell it I suspect I would regret doing so fairly soon afterwards. BRM.
AC92 said:
I've not found anything which gives me the experience the Aston does for comparable money.
When I acquired my DB9 Volante in 2009'ish, for the same sort of money I could have had a 355 / 360 Spider manual (too 'old'/ didn't like the looks), 550/575 Maranello (no convertible), Gallardo Spyder (knew a knob who had one) or a plethora of special 911s.
But the combo of V12, manual, open car and experience was unbeatable.
Now all of those cars have rocketed in value but the Aston hasn't. And so there is even less special stuff out there for comparable money.
Keep it.
There is nothing today, and there will never again be anything like it.
No one is going to make a naturally aspirated V12 coupe with a relatively compact chassis and hydraulic assisted steering going forward (I'm excluding unobtainable hypercars).
For as long as I can remember I eagerly kept up on all the latest performance car releases and stats. That is until the last 7 or 8 years, when I just lost interest in almost everything the market had to offer. Post-COVID, the absurd pricing has just pushed me even further away, ironically when I can most afford to indulge in any non-hypercar I might desire. But I don't desire. Everything is heavy, oversized, burdened with useless, depreciating, quickly outdated and irritating tech that no one asked for, blighted with electric assisted steering, turbochargers, godawful touchscreens and capacitive buttons, and increasingly, hybrid powertrains. A lot of it doesn't even look that good, probably due to a combination of ever more restrictive government regulations and lack of designer inspiration. And very little of it sounds good any more.
Yes, there are some great cars still out there, the Porsche GT3 and GT4 models among them. But I can't get over the pricing, and as you pointed out, the gearing is a serious issue, substantially interfering with your ability to enjoy those high-revving engines on a public road. This is not an issue with the V12VS' gearing (yes, I know it doesn't rev like a GT3/4).
And with almost every manufacturer, even the high end marques, there are subtle and more often not so subtle degradations in material quality, inside and out.
As a final comment, take a step back and just look at your car. Does it still make you grin when you do that? Mine still does, 12 years later.
There is nothing today, and there will never again be anything like it.
No one is going to make a naturally aspirated V12 coupe with a relatively compact chassis and hydraulic assisted steering going forward (I'm excluding unobtainable hypercars).
For as long as I can remember I eagerly kept up on all the latest performance car releases and stats. That is until the last 7 or 8 years, when I just lost interest in almost everything the market had to offer. Post-COVID, the absurd pricing has just pushed me even further away, ironically when I can most afford to indulge in any non-hypercar I might desire. But I don't desire. Everything is heavy, oversized, burdened with useless, depreciating, quickly outdated and irritating tech that no one asked for, blighted with electric assisted steering, turbochargers, godawful touchscreens and capacitive buttons, and increasingly, hybrid powertrains. A lot of it doesn't even look that good, probably due to a combination of ever more restrictive government regulations and lack of designer inspiration. And very little of it sounds good any more.
Yes, there are some great cars still out there, the Porsche GT3 and GT4 models among them. But I can't get over the pricing, and as you pointed out, the gearing is a serious issue, substantially interfering with your ability to enjoy those high-revving engines on a public road. This is not an issue with the V12VS' gearing (yes, I know it doesn't rev like a GT3/4).
And with almost every manufacturer, even the high end marques, there are subtle and more often not so subtle degradations in material quality, inside and out.
As a final comment, take a step back and just look at your car. Does it still make you grin when you do that? Mine still does, 12 years later.
yeti said:
And that's where we are in 2026.
When I acquired my DB9 Volante in 2009'ish, for the same sort of money I could have had a 355 / 360 Spider manual (too 'old'/ didn't like the looks), 550/575 Maranello (no convertible), Gallardo Spyder (knew a knob who had one) or a plethora of special 911s.
But the combo of V12, manual, open car and experience was unbeatable.
Now all of those cars have rocketed in value but the Aston hasn't. And so there is even less special stuff out there for comparable money.
Agree completely. I've been fortunate to end up with a Manual 360 in the garage as part of the current fleet (and I do love every occasion it's used). I see the values in America etc all rocketing but the UK still remains much the same. I can't help but feel there's a shift in people who are buying these cars. Too many people speculating and treating them as 'investments'. Supply is low - there's next to no manual v12's available at present. It's increasingly hard to buy good examples of VH platform Astons which have been cherished with the right maintenance. When I acquired my DB9 Volante in 2009'ish, for the same sort of money I could have had a 355 / 360 Spider manual (too 'old'/ didn't like the looks), 550/575 Maranello (no convertible), Gallardo Spyder (knew a knob who had one) or a plethora of special 911s.
But the combo of V12, manual, open car and experience was unbeatable.
Now all of those cars have rocketed in value but the Aston hasn't. And so there is even less special stuff out there for comparable money.
For me, I contemplated buying stuff which was more expensive. I also had a test with all of the current Aston line up. Great cars but personally, I still prefer VH platform cars. I opted to buy the best examples I could and run a couple of cars which give me different experiences as I was uncomfortable having lots tied in one car, and I get the added bonus of different cars for different occasions.
However, my advice to the OP would be to go and test drive a GT4 if it's something you genuinely fancy. There's so much nonsense posted on forums and what works for me may be someone else's nightmare. However, I do think it's hard to beat the package the Astons offer at their current values.
Unpopular question: what about an R8 V10? Open gate manual, amazing shape and supercar drama with a screamer of an engine. And enough practicality to tour Europe for two weeks (wife's shoe habit dependant).
I went from V8 R8 to Porsche 981 GTS to V8 Vantage and I still think the R8 was the biggest event to drive.
But in your position....I'd probably stick with the V12!
I went from V8 R8 to Porsche 981 GTS to V8 Vantage and I still think the R8 was the biggest event to drive.
But in your position....I'd probably stick with the V12!
About camel-landy’s comment: An early DB9 Volante is an entirely different driving experience from a V12VS. While the DB9 provides plenty of “theatre” in general, from a driving thrills perspective, a V12VS is entirely different and is extremely exciting IMO. Also, let’s just say I disagree about the cars’ interiors... That said:
I seriously considered a GT4 a few years ago. It is, no surprise, all about the drive, and it’s a truly wonderful thing to drive fast. The handling is just fantastic, the intake howl is great and the manual gearbox is superb (even though the gearing is long). It’s definitely worth driving one (or a Boxster Spyder of course) to see what you think. Me? I bought a V12VS. For me, the V12VS’s desirability is on a completely different level – and it’s also absolutely fantastic to drive. Different, certainly, but genuinely superb. Great as the GT4’s flat-6 is (and it is great), for me, the Aston’s V12 is magnificent in a way that only a V12 can be. The GT4 has the best EPAS I’ve ever experienced, but it’s not even close to providing the feel and feedback of the Aston’s hydraulic rack. My first gearbox choice will always be a manual, but the SS III is great in its own right. I’m really enjoying it, and it’s so much more involving than a DCT or true automatic. Ultimately, though, the biggest difference of all was this: The GT4 was only truly special when driving it fast. In stark contrast, the V12VS is always an event, always special, whether driving it very fast, quite slowly, or anywhere in between.
I seriously considered a GT4 a few years ago. It is, no surprise, all about the drive, and it’s a truly wonderful thing to drive fast. The handling is just fantastic, the intake howl is great and the manual gearbox is superb (even though the gearing is long). It’s definitely worth driving one (or a Boxster Spyder of course) to see what you think. Me? I bought a V12VS. For me, the V12VS’s desirability is on a completely different level – and it’s also absolutely fantastic to drive. Different, certainly, but genuinely superb. Great as the GT4’s flat-6 is (and it is great), for me, the Aston’s V12 is magnificent in a way that only a V12 can be. The GT4 has the best EPAS I’ve ever experienced, but it’s not even close to providing the feel and feedback of the Aston’s hydraulic rack. My first gearbox choice will always be a manual, but the SS III is great in its own right. I’m really enjoying it, and it’s so much more involving than a DCT or true automatic. Ultimately, though, the biggest difference of all was this: The GT4 was only truly special when driving it fast. In stark contrast, the V12VS is always an event, always special, whether driving it very fast, quite slowly, or anywhere in between.
Speedraser said:
About camel-landy s comment: An early DB9 Volante is an entirely different driving experience from a V12VS. While the DB9 provides plenty of theatre in general, from a driving thrills perspective, a V12VS is entirely different and is extremely exciting IMO. Also, let s just say I disagree about the cars interiors... That said:
I seriously considered a GT4 a few years ago. It is, no surprise, all about the drive, and it s a truly wonderful thing to drive fast. The handling is just fantastic, the intake howl is great and the manual gearbox is superb (even though the gearing is long). It s definitely worth driving one (or a Boxster Spyder of course) to see what you think. Me? I bought a V12VS. For me, the V12VS s desirability is on a completely different level and it s also absolutely fantastic to drive. Different, certainly, but genuinely superb. Great as the GT4 s flat-6 is (and it is great), for me, the Aston s V12 is magnificent in a way that only a V12 can be. The GT4 has the best EPAS I ve ever experienced, but it s not even close to providing the feel and feedback of the Aston s hydraulic rack. My first gearbox choice will always be a manual, but the SS III is great in its own right. I m really enjoying it, and it s so much more involving than a DCT or true automatic. Ultimately, though, the biggest difference of all was this: The GT4 was only truly special when driving it fast. In stark contrast, the V12VS is always an event, always special, whether driving it very fast, quite slowly, or anywhere in between.
A VH Vantage (especially a V12) is special even when it's parked. There's not many cars you can say that about.I seriously considered a GT4 a few years ago. It is, no surprise, all about the drive, and it s a truly wonderful thing to drive fast. The handling is just fantastic, the intake howl is great and the manual gearbox is superb (even though the gearing is long). It s definitely worth driving one (or a Boxster Spyder of course) to see what you think. Me? I bought a V12VS. For me, the V12VS s desirability is on a completely different level and it s also absolutely fantastic to drive. Different, certainly, but genuinely superb. Great as the GT4 s flat-6 is (and it is great), for me, the Aston s V12 is magnificent in a way that only a V12 can be. The GT4 has the best EPAS I ve ever experienced, but it s not even close to providing the feel and feedback of the Aston s hydraulic rack. My first gearbox choice will always be a manual, but the SS III is great in its own right. I m really enjoying it, and it s so much more involving than a DCT or true automatic. Ultimately, though, the biggest difference of all was this: The GT4 was only truly special when driving it fast. In stark contrast, the V12VS is always an event, always special, whether driving it very fast, quite slowly, or anywhere in between.
Speedraser said:
About camel-landy s comment...
We'll agree to disagree on 'some' of the interior comments but despite what I've said, the Aston interiors are still a special place to be. Both cars are still very comfortable when in traffic, popping to the shops and neither car need to be driven hard to be enjoyed (even the Cerbera). If it wasn't for my partners back problems, I'd be looking at either a V12V or Vanquish on the driveway right now (the sacrifices we make eh?).V12V or GT4, both cars are special, so it comes down to what your requirements are. My requirements meant I've ended up with a GT4 but either way, whatever you have, just make sure you get out there and drive it. Cars don't like to be kept as 'Garage Queens'.
M
bogie said:
I'm kinda in the same boat with my 2016 V12VS Roadster. Had it a couple of years and I cant think of anything I would like to change it for.
It has a main dealer service every year as specialists are too far away to make it worthwhile. Its cheap to insure and depreciation is glacial at 10 years old.
I was fortunate to find a low mileage car that had been really well maintained with much preventative stuff already done. It had PPF from new outside and inside on the piano black parts. It has had the ASM pipes on the Sportshift box upgraded which might be worth an inspection on your car. They are not so expensive if they need doing, but could be really inconvenient if they leak and leave you stranded with a malfunctioning gearbox.
Good point ont he ASM pipes. I did have them replaced within 3 months of having the car, under the Ext warranty. Will ask the Indy to check on the service. It has a main dealer service every year as specialists are too far away to make it worthwhile. Its cheap to insure and depreciation is glacial at 10 years old.
I was fortunate to find a low mileage car that had been really well maintained with much preventative stuff already done. It had PPF from new outside and inside on the piano black parts. It has had the ASM pipes on the Sportshift box upgraded which might be worth an inspection on your car. They are not so expensive if they need doing, but could be really inconvenient if they leak and leave you stranded with a malfunctioning gearbox.
yeti said:
With a £60k trade in, you're deep into Ferrari territory.
F430 is a superb car, the last analogue(ish) Ferrari probably. F1 Spider or coupe for a few quid more than your car.
California - terrible reputation that turns out to be an excellent drive, most have come around. Original reviewers loved it when launched. Looks have aged well I think.
360 Modena - you'd get a great one with a gated manual box should you wish it
Italian stablemate; the Grancabrio or Granturismo you could get with that money would be superb...
I have had 2 x 911s (Targa Tip and Cabrio Man), Boxster S and we still have the family bus Cayenne S. All feel well engineered but all astonishingly expensive when they go wrong and ultimately, there was no 'specialness' to the drive no matter how fast / competent it was.
I did the same as you but around £40k - there was absolutely nothing else on the menu for me (manual convertible).
Some great suggestions here, so had a good browse. My pick would be the F430, but the cost to service and maintain the F430 looks very scary as does the tech, would still like carplay, even for my weekend car. The Cali, nope doesn't give me any fizz. F430 is a superb car, the last analogue(ish) Ferrari probably. F1 Spider or coupe for a few quid more than your car.
California - terrible reputation that turns out to be an excellent drive, most have come around. Original reviewers loved it when launched. Looks have aged well I think.
360 Modena - you'd get a great one with a gated manual box should you wish it
Italian stablemate; the Grancabrio or Granturismo you could get with that money would be superb...
I have had 2 x 911s (Targa Tip and Cabrio Man), Boxster S and we still have the family bus Cayenne S. All feel well engineered but all astonishingly expensive when they go wrong and ultimately, there was no 'specialness' to the drive no matter how fast / competent it was.
I did the same as you but around £40k - there was absolutely nothing else on the menu for me (manual convertible).
Masers' do nothing for me either.
Agree on the 911.
yeti said:
And that's where we are in 2026.
When I acquired my DB9 Volante in 2009'ish, for the same sort of money I could have had a 355 / 360 Spider manual (too 'old'/ didn't like the looks), 550/575 Maranello (no convertible), Gallardo Spyder (knew a knob who had one) or a plethora of special 911s.
But the combo of V12, manual, open car and experience was unbeatable.
Now all of those cars have rocketed in value but the Aston hasn't. And so there is even less special stuff out there for comparable money.
I wonder why the values of the V12 Vantage are so low, when others have gone up? Does make it a bargain. When I acquired my DB9 Volante in 2009'ish, for the same sort of money I could have had a 355 / 360 Spider manual (too 'old'/ didn't like the looks), 550/575 Maranello (no convertible), Gallardo Spyder (knew a knob who had one) or a plethora of special 911s.
But the combo of V12, manual, open car and experience was unbeatable.
Now all of those cars have rocketed in value but the Aston hasn't. And so there is even less special stuff out there for comparable money.
quench said:
Keep it.
There is nothing today, and there will never again be anything like it.
No one is going to make a naturally aspirated V12 coupe with a relatively compact chassis and hydraulic assisted steering going forward (I'm excluding unobtainable hypercars).
For as long as I can remember I eagerly kept up on all the latest performance car releases and stats. That is until the last 7 or 8 years, when I just lost interest in almost everything the market had to offer. Post-COVID, the absurd pricing has just pushed me even further away, ironically when I can most afford to indulge in any non-hypercar I might desire. But I don't desire. Everything is heavy, oversized, burdened with useless, depreciating, quickly outdated and irritating tech that no one asked for, blighted with electric assisted steering, turbochargers, godawful touchscreens and capacitive buttons, and increasingly, hybrid powertrains. A lot of it doesn't even look that good, probably due to a combination of ever more restrictive government regulations and lack of designer inspiration. And very little of it sounds good any more.
Yes, there are some great cars still out there, the Porsche GT3 and GT4 models among them. But I can't get over the pricing, and as you pointed out, the gearing is a serious issue, substantially interfering with your ability to enjoy those high-revving engines on a public road. This is not an issue with the V12VS' gearing (yes, I know it doesn't rev like a GT3/4).
And with almost every manufacturer, even the high end marques, there are subtle and more often not so subtle degradations in material quality, inside and out.
As a final comment, take a step back and just look at your car. Does it still make you grin when you do that? Mine still does, 12 years later.
yes, I grin massively when I look back at it. Even as you say, when driving it gently, the sound is intoxicating and all encompassing. There is nothing today, and there will never again be anything like it.
No one is going to make a naturally aspirated V12 coupe with a relatively compact chassis and hydraulic assisted steering going forward (I'm excluding unobtainable hypercars).
For as long as I can remember I eagerly kept up on all the latest performance car releases and stats. That is until the last 7 or 8 years, when I just lost interest in almost everything the market had to offer. Post-COVID, the absurd pricing has just pushed me even further away, ironically when I can most afford to indulge in any non-hypercar I might desire. But I don't desire. Everything is heavy, oversized, burdened with useless, depreciating, quickly outdated and irritating tech that no one asked for, blighted with electric assisted steering, turbochargers, godawful touchscreens and capacitive buttons, and increasingly, hybrid powertrains. A lot of it doesn't even look that good, probably due to a combination of ever more restrictive government regulations and lack of designer inspiration. And very little of it sounds good any more.
Yes, there are some great cars still out there, the Porsche GT3 and GT4 models among them. But I can't get over the pricing, and as you pointed out, the gearing is a serious issue, substantially interfering with your ability to enjoy those high-revving engines on a public road. This is not an issue with the V12VS' gearing (yes, I know it doesn't rev like a GT3/4).
And with almost every manufacturer, even the high end marques, there are subtle and more often not so subtle degradations in material quality, inside and out.
As a final comment, take a step back and just look at your car. Does it still make you grin when you do that? Mine still does, 12 years later.
Thanks for all the comments and points.
Coincidentally, saw a GT4 parked, and it did look a bit plain without all the carbon mine has. Sounds like it’s a fun drive, maybe more so when going 10/10th. I do need to drive, but think I have managed to kick that itch down the road more for now.
Not a fan of the R8, I have owned a few Audis and it would have to have a Lambo badge if I went that way and a V10. But again, that is a different level of cost.
Coincidentally, saw a GT4 parked, and it did look a bit plain without all the carbon mine has. Sounds like it’s a fun drive, maybe more so when going 10/10th. I do need to drive, but think I have managed to kick that itch down the road more for now.
Not a fan of the R8, I have owned a few Audis and it would have to have a Lambo badge if I went that way and a V10. But again, that is a different level of cost.
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