Vanquish 6 or 8 speed?
Discussion
Dogtanyan said:
I'm looking at either at a 6 speed, 2013 at £80K or an 8 speed 2015 at £95K?
Which should I go for and why? Help with this high class problem appreciated!
In most respects, the 8 speed was the better car overall (gearbox is slightly better, though 7th and 8th are there purely for economy). The more noticeable change was in damping. The later cars handle a bit better, but whether it's £15k better - only you can decide. Which should I go for and why? Help with this high class problem appreciated!
There's really nothing wrong with the 6 speed car; it comes down to how you'll use it and how hard you drive it. The more you press on, the more you'd notice the improved chassis tweaks in the 2015 onwards cars. At a more sedate pace, the cars are quite similar (and interiors didn't really change like Vantage and DB9 did with later iterations), so visually they look identical bar for wheel designs changing.
A test drive in both cars would fill you in as to what they're about and what sets them apart.
Dogtanyan said:
I'm looking at either at a 6 speed, 2013 at £80K or an 8 speed 2015 at £95K?
Which should I go for and why? Help with this high class problem appreciated!
Having just gone through the same dilemma. I settled on a 2014 6 Speed from Aston Martin Leeds, so was more like £20k extra for me to get an 8 speed in a spec I liked from AM. Which should I go for and why? Help with this high class problem appreciated!
Edited by Dogtanyan on Thursday 22 April 08:06
I drove both and couldn't really tell the difference in speed. I got AM to delete the secondaries in with the price and my intention is to delete the primaries and get a tune so I guess that will negate any power differences between the two and save about £15k.
The main thing for me when looking at these cars was spec and condition. I think if you're wanting that much additional speed maybe a V12 Vantage S might be more suitable? I also drove one of those, but would be wasted on me, as I prefer the Vanquish looks and nature of a GT cruiser. I also need significant boot space for golf sticks!
Dogtanyan said:
Interesting, thanks, I suspect the additional speed would be wasted on me too! Any take on long term depreciation differences between the two?
The car I've bought has done 21k miles, I am intending on keeping it for 3/4 years maybe longer, depending on how long I can keep my F12 itch back. I am expecting the bottom of the Vanquish market to be £60k for rougher/leggy examples, with £65k being par for good spec normal mileages. I'll probably do 15k miles in that time, and have full body PPF which might help with resale.I don't see 8 speeds dropping lower than £70k?
Surely they're too special to drop below that, making old Gen 1 Vanquish and DBS's more expensive? Or maybe it's all man maths justifying a purchase
do it!!
It's a good question - and I think many asked why the uprated ZF gearbox hadn't been fitted at the launch of the Vanquish 2.
Both are fantastic - make no doubt about it and both are seriously quick. The slightly quicker 8Sp probably won't make a huge difference in speed but the 8sp gives a better standing start and personally i find the 8sp box more intuitive and far smoother and responsive.
The 8sp also had a new intelligent adaptive driver recognition software to better reflect your usual driving, and the bosch ECU, steering and stability control were all improved too. As part of this the dampers were uprated too and made stiffer, together with suspension bushes (circa 20%) so the newer car feels more planted and agile without a noticeable hit on the ride.
Doesn't sound like much perhaps but when combined I found the handling when pushed (with ADS) much better and gives greater confidence. Plus as a GT the 8sp box is useful for hauling huge distances with noticeably better mpg (if you care about that!).
I'm probably biased with an 8spd and the Vanquish 2 is a special car in any guise (the 'S' perhaps a little too much for my taste) but I did my homework and for the extra money I found the 8spd is a somewhat more rounded drivers GT.
Both are fantastic - make no doubt about it and both are seriously quick. The slightly quicker 8Sp probably won't make a huge difference in speed but the 8sp gives a better standing start and personally i find the 8sp box more intuitive and far smoother and responsive.
The 8sp also had a new intelligent adaptive driver recognition software to better reflect your usual driving, and the bosch ECU, steering and stability control were all improved too. As part of this the dampers were uprated too and made stiffer, together with suspension bushes (circa 20%) so the newer car feels more planted and agile without a noticeable hit on the ride.
Doesn't sound like much perhaps but when combined I found the handling when pushed (with ADS) much better and gives greater confidence. Plus as a GT the 8sp box is useful for hauling huge distances with noticeably better mpg (if you care about that!).
I'm probably biased with an 8spd and the Vanquish 2 is a special car in any guise (the 'S' perhaps a little too much for my taste) but I did my homework and for the extra money I found the 8spd is a somewhat more rounded drivers GT.
SHIFTY said:
I totally agree with moreover.
I had a similar dilemma, was it worth an additional £40K for a Vanquish S compared to a non Vanquish S and it was not.
As said earlier buy on condition and if possible get an independent inspection done and then you will have no worries and get driving.
The thing is, none of these (6/8/S/Ultimate) are bad cars... but they’re cars you don’t really buy with your head. I had a similar dilemma, was it worth an additional £40K for a Vanquish S compared to a non Vanquish S and it was not.
As said earlier buy on condition and if possible get an independent inspection done and then you will have no worries and get driving.
I felt I’d be constantly yearning for the S if I’d “only” bought a 6 or 8, yet the ultimate didn’t really do anything for me.
Assuming good condition, buy the one you really want or wait for more money in the bank/depreciation. The place you don’t want to be is buying a compromise you don’t really want and then either not enjoying it or incurring the additional costs to put things right in your head.
Just a bit more food for thought,
I bought one of the last 6 speeds as 190mph compared to 201 mph was not a concern, mpg didn't really worry me either,nor did the 8 speed as I never feel that more gears are needed I drive manually 90% of the time as no matter how intuitive auto boxes can be I enjoy the choices.
0-60 differences between the 8 and 6 speed are minute and I doubt if you can notice the difference.
Handling is excellent and I havent pushed mine to the limits yet as I chicken out first before the 10/10ths arrives. I also prefer the 2 pipe rear rather than the quad of the "s", just looks simpler and as they are towards the center just perfect.
I was more concerned with piano black and carbon fibre extras and the seat colouring. I settled on a Black metallic with black seats highlighted with tan saddle sides and corners, Carbon roof ,Tan stitched leather head lining, 10 spoke allows in dark metallic grey. All the bits I like.
Very happy with my choice , i have ppf'd her and the sills internally as well, have the one 77 steering wheel which is great especially on tight twisty roads.
I would like to drive an "s" to compare however here they are some$80000 more expensive and IMO not worth the coin yet. maybe after some more depreciation.
I bought one of the last 6 speeds as 190mph compared to 201 mph was not a concern, mpg didn't really worry me either,nor did the 8 speed as I never feel that more gears are needed I drive manually 90% of the time as no matter how intuitive auto boxes can be I enjoy the choices.
0-60 differences between the 8 and 6 speed are minute and I doubt if you can notice the difference.
Handling is excellent and I havent pushed mine to the limits yet as I chicken out first before the 10/10ths arrives. I also prefer the 2 pipe rear rather than the quad of the "s", just looks simpler and as they are towards the center just perfect.
I was more concerned with piano black and carbon fibre extras and the seat colouring. I settled on a Black metallic with black seats highlighted with tan saddle sides and corners, Carbon roof ,Tan stitched leather head lining, 10 spoke allows in dark metallic grey. All the bits I like.
Very happy with my choice , i have ppf'd her and the sills internally as well, have the one 77 steering wheel which is great especially on tight twisty roads.
I would like to drive an "s" to compare however here they are some$80000 more expensive and IMO not worth the coin yet. maybe after some more depreciation.
Astontony said:
Just a bit more food for thought,
I bought one of the last 6 speeds as 190mph compared to 201 mph was not a concern, mpg didn't really worry me either,nor did the 8 speed as I never feel that more gears are needed I drive manually 90% of the time as no matter how intuitive auto boxes can be I enjoy the choices.
0-60 differences between the 8 and 6 speed are minute and I doubt if you can notice the difference.
Handling is excellent and I havent pushed mine to the limits yet as I chicken out first before the 10/10ths arrives. I also prefer the 2 pipe rear rather than the quad of the "s", just looks simpler and as they are towards the center just perfect.
I was more concerned with piano black and carbon fibre extras and the seat colouring. I settled on a Black metallic with black seats highlighted with tan saddle sides and corners, Carbon roof ,Tan stitched leather head lining, 10 spoke allows in dark metallic grey. All the bits I like.
Very happy with my choice , i have ppf'd her and the sills internally as well, have the one 77 steering wheel which is great especially on tight twisty roads.
I would like to drive an "s" to compare however here they are some$80000 more expensive and IMO not worth the coin yet. maybe after some more depreciation.
Incredibly jealous of your black number plate. I have to have a white monstrosity on the front of mine. Nice car too!I bought one of the last 6 speeds as 190mph compared to 201 mph was not a concern, mpg didn't really worry me either,nor did the 8 speed as I never feel that more gears are needed I drive manually 90% of the time as no matter how intuitive auto boxes can be I enjoy the choices.
0-60 differences between the 8 and 6 speed are minute and I doubt if you can notice the difference.
Handling is excellent and I havent pushed mine to the limits yet as I chicken out first before the 10/10ths arrives. I also prefer the 2 pipe rear rather than the quad of the "s", just looks simpler and as they are towards the center just perfect.
I was more concerned with piano black and carbon fibre extras and the seat colouring. I settled on a Black metallic with black seats highlighted with tan saddle sides and corners, Carbon roof ,Tan stitched leather head lining, 10 spoke allows in dark metallic grey. All the bits I like.
Very happy with my choice , i have ppf'd her and the sills internally as well, have the one 77 steering wheel which is great especially on tight twisty roads.
I would like to drive an "s" to compare however here they are some$80000 more expensive and IMO not worth the coin yet. maybe after some more depreciation.
Dogtanyan said:
I'm going to test a DB11 whilst I'm at Aston Martin tomorrow. Any view on the DB11 V12 vs Vanquish?
8 out of 10 will tell you the Vanquish is better I expect. It all depends on what you want from the car; the Vanquish is generally viewed the more attractive both exterior and interior wise, and sound better (N/A vs turbocharged, it's not surprising, but IMO the AE31 V12 isn't that far behind on noise, it's still special). So the DB11 loses 3 rounds there. The V8 DB11 is a different prospect, it handles better but hasn't got the firepower or the soundtrack of the V12 (and of course, it's not a 'real' Aston engine).There's more tech in the DB11, more toys and it's just a bit more modern. The steering is lighter, the brake pedal feel isn't quite as linear, but it's got a great chassis under it and is plenty quick enough as a GT. The early V12 is the equivalent of a DB9 in terms of where it's pitched, as an all round GT with decent pace. The AMR sits in a middle ground between say a Vanquish and Vanquish S - a bit more dynamic ability, a smidge more power and an enhanced exhaust note. Of the DB11 range, it would be the one to go for as the chassis dynamics are closer to the DBSS (if dynamics are important).
I've owned both, and I enjoy the DB11 more than I did the Vanquish, but I'm very much in the minority. It comes down to your priorities - unfortunately the current crop of Astons majored in attributes that are less important to most, and failed in delivering the attributes that mattered the most.
Dogtanyan said:
Interesting thanks. I'm trying Vanquish 6 speed and 8 speed and DB11 V12 and V8 tomorrow, so by 4pm I should have a good feel for the driving differences.
Sounds like a fun day out. FWIW, think about how long you plan on keeping the car for. My personal view is that the traditional cluster and small (folding) screen of the Vanquish will age better than the digital kit in the DB11.
LooneyTunes said:
Sounds like a fun day out.
FWIW, think about how long you plan on keeping the car for. My personal view is that the traditional cluster and small (folding) screen of the Vanquish will age better than the digital kit in the DB11.
Yes, the way the sat nav folds away in the older model seems even better now than it did. FWIW, think about how long you plan on keeping the car for. My personal view is that the traditional cluster and small (folding) screen of the Vanquish will age better than the digital kit in the DB11.
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