V12V / V12VS - Essential Options

[jimmybell]

Wondering what all your thoughts are on what options are pointless and what are essential from experience?

I've obviously got a copy of the definitive guide but i couldn't seem to find any change in available options on V12VS over V12V, so perhaps there are none? Thus the answer should be the same for both? Clue me in

Currently looking at acquiring either (coupes), probably leaning towards the V12VS but decision pending test drive, and finding a colour i love (diavolo/volcano/one of the deep burnt oranges would be ideal!) and then weighing up what options i *need* vs what is just nice to have.

Is there any way to bluetooth media stream on pre-2015 cars? plugging in seems a tad old fashioned, even my 2012 merc can do it

Thanks!

Edited by jimmybell on Wednesday 19th July 12:18

[jimmybell]

I know my own personal tastes - but not really that of the general aston-loving community. Are there popular colours / interiors that might affect resale?

Dick Lovett in Bristol have a lovely silver example but i'm not sold on the red interior - but perhaps thats just me!

[jimmybell]

Sounds like there's some value in getting some seat time in both the lightweights and the chunkier sports seats. Might not be able to drive in the lightweights but should be able to at least sit in them after driving in the sports ones.


I should say my bluetooth audio in C63 is actually pretty good - much better than what i had in BMW land. May also be being improved by the top end H&K system tho.

Dealers have suggested to me that greys/silvers are the favourite exterior colours (presumably everyone wants to be understated and pretend to be james bond) - is this really the case?

[jimmybell]

Ex Boy Racer said:

If OP is asking the question to gauge future value it's worth thinking about. If he just wants the best car for him, then what we think shouldn't matter!

it shouldn't matter - but sometimes you learn stuff that could be marmite to sellers and perhaps might matter more than i'd anticipated

Personally, i'd love a flugplatz blue V12VS but the bolder colours seem rarer on the used market atm. AFAIK new orders stopped too, right?

[jimmybell]

RobDown said:

jimmybell said:

AFAIK new orders stopped too, right?

Officially yes. There were 20 final slots released about 6 weeks ago. I think those are all gone albeit there was a rumour that a dealer had one a week or so ago (anyone remember which one).

So thsts it for v12 Vantages

.. for now. i read the new v12 from db11 is going to be in the vantage - hopefully in a more racey tune (i'd also read aston is aiming to differentiate the models further and give them more distinct sports/gt/supergt identities)

[jimmybell]

So to cut a long story short..

interesting colour
black wheels
lightweight bucket seats
not the cheap audio system.


not many of those around :< pricing seems a bit odd atm too - big jump between ~95k cars and ~125k cars for what seems like the addition of a new centre console and ami3.

[jimmybell]

V8V Pete said:

Shame you missed this (Madagaskar, Lightweights, B&O, carbon everything) but it's still out there somewhere ......

Indeed, madagascar and cinnabar are lovely. also like volcano + diavolo, even quite like yellow tang (theres one tang for sale i could entertain i guess)

[jimmybell]

RobDown said:

So the conclusion to this whole thread is that there are no essential options but that the OP should definitely spend some time in both LW and Sports seats to see which he prefers?

Indeed.

Have now had a short drive in both - actually think i prefer the buckets. I can see how on 12 hour legs they could get uncomfortable purely by being forced in an upright position, although simply rotating them back 'too far' would probably make longer trips more relaxing. You can wedge yourself into the non-buckets quite well with some well thought out seat adjustment but i did get the impression i was sat ON the sports seats, but very much IN the buckets. Personally didn't find the sitting-ON position that much more comfortable - the middle lower and middle back of the seats feel quite pronounced compared to the buckets. As some have said - i'm young, not too fat, and whilst comfort is nice - i'm buying it for the driving experience (for me at least), i *think* the buckets suit the rawness of the car.

Overall my first experience driving V12 + V12S SS back to back was great - both cars more raw than anticipated (which is great - a concern was they might be too soft), and the cars i drove were great examples of how the interior spec can influence the overall feel of the car. I can definitely see why people like the V12 manual, I can entirely see see why some people might not like SS3, and for me - i'd say its fine - it is a manual car, with paddles - drive it so and its great. I don't think there's really a better car - but they are clearly different and the subtleties would suit certain owners/use cases over others.

I think i've an idea now what i want, in terms of car and options.

So i guess my conclusion for 'essential options' - ie things i think should be standard on this car, or for my use i couldn't operate without:

Buckets, 700W Premium Audio, Glass buttons.

Desirables: Some amount of Carbon, and some alcantara.