Aston Martin V12 Vantage s

[M5essex]

hi All,

I have only had my M5 for 6 months, but for some reason i've got an itch to get out of the car. don't get me wrong, I love the M5 for it's speed, comfort, refinement etc. but it has never had that 'penis fizz' factor for me, if you know what I mean...

so recently I have been looking at a new Aston Martin V 12 Vantage s. some pics below. sorry for the bad iphone pictures

the car sounds absolutely epic.

it is beautiful inside and out. very easy to drive. the paddle shifts are nothing like the DCT as its only single clutch.

oh, did I mention it sounds amazing.....

yes it's quick, but not blisteringly quick.

has anyone ever driven one and have any thoughts. either words of encouragement or perhaps try and talk me out of doing this?

ive also tested the McLaren 12c. as this is the same price. way better gear box, but a totally different experience all together.

any comments welcome.

[clar]

Dun buy it or I will curse u! LOL. I love that car to bits, but couldn't stand the gearbox and that's the only thing I dun like abt the car. If u can get beyond that, i wish u many blissful miles with that beautiful animal

[Aapparition90]

If you wait there is a chance aston will bring the zf 8 speed across the range as they did with vanquish and rapide. it has some nice nifty features. Personally i would like them to use the getrag dct with their amg partnership.

[clar]

Originally Posted by 328ihp

If you wait there is a chance aston will bring the zf 8 speed across the range as they did with vanquish and rapide. it has some nice nifty features. Personally i would like them to use the getrag dct with their amg partnership.

I think Aston is done with the current generation Vantage. The new generation is likely to get some gearbox technology from AMG. AMG isn't exactly known for their DCT. They lack a well run-in range of cars with their DCT to refine their software. Might take a while more for their DCT to mature.

[Dionysus]

Depends on what ownership experience you're after. Vantage will receive a lot more attention than M5, especially from non-enthusiasts, but, IMO, then M5 doesn't look out of place in your first pic above.

I personally couldn't live without BMW RTTI & I prefer DCT, HUD, etc, but then my car is for business use where the unassuming nature of the M5 has it's benefits.

If, as Clar says above, you could live with the gearbox, etc. and the attention isn't a concern, go with the Vantage if the deal suites you. Yes grass is always greener applies, but so does life is short.

Condition dependant, in your shoes, I'd be more tempted by 12C over Vantage though. Have you test driven both?

And you can fix M5 sound if your prepared to go full retard with RPi, etc...

[Schnell_1]

12C > Vantage V12S. The only items luring you to the Aston are the nameplate and V12 engine, everything else about the car (design, tech, components) is dated. Aston is wholeheartedly focusing on future models with synergistic technology from MB, so like others have aforementioned in this thread, wait a few years until you procure your Aston - it'll be a much better product.

[Northern X5M]

I've been looking at the Vantage S here too. All the reviews say the gearbox is awful, unless the rawness of it appeals to you. I have not drove one yet, I was thinking of test driving one in the spring. But with a sticker price of about $260K here in Canada there is so much more out there. The exterior styling of the Aston appeals to me way more than the 12C. Tough call. The car is definitely lacking in some areas, which I think can be over looked for most every day driving pleasures.

[SocalBM]

Numbers, speed, blah blah. What makes you SMILE the most? What is the most fun? The rest doesn't matter mate. Have fun.

[Tanin]

I spent time in an '11 Vantage 6MT and feel in love with the vehicle. As mentioned the current transmission is lacking and IMO some of the cockpit ergonomics are off. Regardless, looks and sounds beautiful!!

Do they still have the sapphire key fob?

[Hoopumpers]

Originally Posted by Tanin

looks and sounds beautiful!!

This. I miss my Aston for these 2 qualities, but nothing else. Wouldn't buy again.

[M5essex]

thanks for all your comments. I agree with most of them...

I have decided to leave the deal and walk away.. I just don't think I would be happy with the single clutch box, the running costs, only 2 seats and run as a daily drive.

instead I have bought a brand new Porsche turbo s

pics below. I pick it up on Friday

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by M5essex

instead I have bought a brand new Porsche turbo s

Wise choice over the Aston. I don't know what you mean by 'penis fizz', but I'd think the Porsche will have it!

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by Used2be

Wise choice over the Aston. I don't know what you mean by 'penis fizz', but I'd think the Porsche will have it!

haha, you cant really define penis fizz, but you're right. the Porker has it

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by M5essex

thanks for all your comments. I agree with most of them...

I have decided to leave the deal and walk away.. I just don't think I would be happy with the single clutch box, the running costs, only 2 seats and run as a daily drive.

instead I have bought a brand new Porsche turbo s

pics below. I pick it up on Friday

Well done, another Turbo S owner here. I did enjoy mine, while I had it.

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Well done, another Turbo S owner here. I did enjoy mine, while I had it.

how long did you own one Vic and what did you buy to replace it? Fezza or Jag?
anything I should look out for or is it pretty indestructible and reliable?

how does it compare to the 458 and Jag for power delivery and theatre/fun?

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by M5essex

how long did you own one Vic and what did you buy to replace it? Fezza or Jag?
anything I should look out for or is it pretty indestructible and reliable?

how does it compare to the 458 and Jag for power delivery and theatre/fun?

I had it from Jan to Sept of this year (you can find my posts on it as I think I was the first of the bunch here with a Turbo S).

I have had 4 Turbos and all are relatively bulletproof and you can drive them daily and not have that "exotic" worry that a Ferrari or others might bring. I ended up getting a solid deal on the 458 and moved out of the Pcar in Sept. I only had 2k miles on it and really wasnt using it too much even though I had exhaust and tune work done it.

Its a different but great car compared to the Jag and the 458. Its quicker from a dig and faster from a roll than both but the Ferrari and the Jag sound much better (stock vs stock and even modded Turbo vs stock Jag). The Turbo is an everyday great sports/gt cruiser. I just always wanted a 458 so I did it. The sound of the 458 is incredible (I have a capristo with no cats so its very F1 sounding versus other Capristos with cats). I probably have an extra 40 hp with the Ferrari due to the mods but I wouldnt know since I got the car with the mods. The Jag is amazing, for price point, performance, and sound, its incredible. Its not better than the P car but its a great daily drive and/or optional 2nd, 3rd, or 4th car LOL. The Jag is tuned and has just the best stock note Ive ever heard- it spits out daggers up and down the rpm range and is worth the 108k sticker (this was mine).

Bottom line, if the 458 wasnt exactly as I wanted then I would still have my guards red 991 TT-S.

[Schnell_1]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Well done, another Turbo S owner here. I did enjoy mine, while I had it.

Is it currently sitting at Newport Auto Center? There is one there in Guards Red with 2K miles but it doesn't appear to be setup/modded like "your" cars.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by M5essex

instead I have bought a brand new Porsche turbo s

Excellent choice & good time of year to get out of the M5. Loving the red on white + carbon; enjoy!

I'm sure @Vic55 previously posted a video of 50+ consecutive launches in a 991 TS, which should say something about reliability.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Schnell_1

Is it currently sitting at Newport Auto Center? There is one there in Guards Red with 2K miles but it doesn't appear to be setup/modded like "your" cars.

Interesting but I didn't sell my car to that store. There were a few Guards Red Launch cars out in late Dec and early Jan.

[wrsbmw]

Originally Posted by M5essex

instead I have bought a brand new Porsche turbo s

pics below. I pick it up on Friday

Good choice and you got the red and black interior like my wife's Cayenne Turbo S, it's really a great combo. I am loving my 991tts and it gets tons of notice without being over the top. The car is fast, it feels great to drive and if you get an exhaust, you will love the sound. My M5 has been in the shop almost two weeks and I haven't noticed except when I back out because I don't have to back around it. See which one you think sounds better

[clar]

M5 sounded better at least by the video

[wrsbmw]

Originally Posted by clar

M5 sounded better at least by the video

Yeah I think in the video it does. The thing is that when you put the Porsche in sport or sport plus and use manual shift, the burbles and pops when decelerating, downshifting or upshifting under acceleration are unmatched by the m5 which doesn't do any of that.

At about 18 seconds into this video you can hear the pops. Course you have a Ferrari which is famous for sound but the new tts owner should get himself an exhaust asap.