Vanquish gen 1 owners reviews?
Discussion
Hi, I have been looking at gen 1 Vanquish’s they seem to have come down to early 30’s at the moment. Are there any owners on here who went from a DB7 into one of these? Did you find the Vanquish a step up that little bit more special at all? How did you get on with the automated manual coming from the fully automatic DB7. Price wise, do you think they have more to go?
Edited by g18 on Saturday 17th October 16:33
Edited by g18 on Saturday 17th October 16:34
Edited by g18 on Saturday 17th October 17:19
There’s no comparison between the two. The Vanq is WAY more special in every conceivable aspect. The DB7 is an antique by comparison (and it really is one). The Vantage and the Vanq may have sold side by side giving the impression that one was just a little bit newer, but nothing could be further from the truth. A 25 year old design vs an advanced aerospace type chassis.
If you’ve owned a manual transmission car in your lifetime, then you’ll have no problem using the paddles to deliver an engaging driving experience. If all you’re accustomed to is a typical automatic transmission equipped car, then you’ll are in for a rude awakening when driving a Vanq in ‘auto’ mode, and it’ll likely take you some time to learn proper paddle/throttle coordination to achieve acceptably smooth gearshifts in ‘manual’ mode. But the results of proper usage is a rewarding experience.
If you’ve owned a manual transmission car in your lifetime, then you’ll have no problem using the paddles to deliver an engaging driving experience. If all you’re accustomed to is a typical automatic transmission equipped car, then you’ll are in for a rude awakening when driving a Vanq in ‘auto’ mode, and it’ll likely take you some time to learn proper paddle/throttle coordination to achieve acceptably smooth gearshifts in ‘manual’ mode. But the results of proper usage is a rewarding experience.
What DB9 above said
Never use auto mode, it is pointless. The car is a manual. Change up is slight lift of the throttle, change, back on the gas. Exactly as you would in a normal manual
Sadly Clarkson did not do this because telly and he is a knob
They are very stiff and handle very well for a big GT. The VH chassis architecture is a world away from the DB7.
Like all these cars, deferred maintenance and lack of driving is the killer. A higher mileage one is a better prospect.
Check the history. Aside from Main Dealer, a very good sign is plenty of indie stamps, especially the likes of V12 Vanquish or Q up in Wales. These guys are THE Vanquish whisperers..
Cars around £30k will be less loved and earlier, non S. If you have seen one, contact David at V12, he may well know it.
£40k is a better non S and £50k plus gets you a decent S.
The S uses magnetic gear position sensors, which work well. The earlier non S used sensors made from cheese and forlorn hope. Your cheaper Vanqs have probably not had this upgrade, which is vital
Check clutch life. A main dealer or red trouser indie will charge you £6k for a new one. Join Aston Owners and ask on the forum ( or speak to them at the NEC next month), there are "alternatives".
As a car it is pure theatre. Sounds epic ( especially if you deactivate the exhaust flap -no fuse 22 here) and the S really handles
They tend not to sell well in auction. Private is better with e PPI and a chat around Aston Owners is much beter.
I would say that apart from a few tired examples, good ones are starting to tick back up in price.
Edit - we are both based in Shropshire. You are welcome to take a look at mine and run it around the block.
Never use auto mode, it is pointless. The car is a manual. Change up is slight lift of the throttle, change, back on the gas. Exactly as you would in a normal manual
Sadly Clarkson did not do this because telly and he is a knob
They are very stiff and handle very well for a big GT. The VH chassis architecture is a world away from the DB7.
Like all these cars, deferred maintenance and lack of driving is the killer. A higher mileage one is a better prospect.
Check the history. Aside from Main Dealer, a very good sign is plenty of indie stamps, especially the likes of V12 Vanquish or Q up in Wales. These guys are THE Vanquish whisperers..
Cars around £30k will be less loved and earlier, non S. If you have seen one, contact David at V12, he may well know it.
£40k is a better non S and £50k plus gets you a decent S.
The S uses magnetic gear position sensors, which work well. The earlier non S used sensors made from cheese and forlorn hope. Your cheaper Vanqs have probably not had this upgrade, which is vital
Check clutch life. A main dealer or red trouser indie will charge you £6k for a new one. Join Aston Owners and ask on the forum ( or speak to them at the NEC next month), there are "alternatives".
As a car it is pure theatre. Sounds epic ( especially if you deactivate the exhaust flap -no fuse 22 here) and the S really handles
They tend not to sell well in auction. Private is better with e PPI and a chat around Aston Owners is much beter.
I would say that apart from a few tired examples, good ones are starting to tick back up in price.
Edit - we are both based in Shropshire. You are welcome to take a look at mine and run it around the block.
Edited by Castrol for a knave on Saturday 17th October 20:49
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