Lots of us love a V12 Aston Martin.....

Andy Marshall

Andy Marshall

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I went from GTS (with switchable Larinis at the back) to V12 Vantage S. Sounds-wise I'd say that the Vantage has the better top end, 'going for it' note, whereas the GTS was epic in the mid range tone.
The Vantage is much much quicker though, and highly 'chuckable' compared to the GTS.
In some ways I see Maserati as a sort of Italian Aston Martin (or vice versa) . Both brands are that little bit more classy than their more brash cousins. I'm also always struck by just how good the 4200 Spyder GT is when I take her out for a drive. One older Italian curvy topless mistress, and one posh totty speed nymphomaniac are enough to keep me satisfied these days!
(plus a Land Rover called Ralph for those days when it's not about making an entry!)
 
dickygrace

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
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Ryandoc said:
Aston are the one brand, considering that I need 4 seats and can’t afford a Aventador, that I feel calling me sometimes.

I think they make beautiful cars. GT ain’t going anywhere yet, BUT, when she eventually does I think it’ll be Aston that get a look in
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The only one with 4 seats is the ugly one. Vanquish rear seats are only for those with the misfortune of having no legs.
 
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ScottB

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Doctor Houx said:
Not really. They want £20k to do it and the manual shifter is awkwardly placed too close to the dashboard. The gearbox remains the same and just the hydraulic assistance and paddles are removed.

like Ferrari’s of the period, the hydraulic manual is basic and jerky, but slight lifting on upshifts and magnetic gear position sensors on post 2004 cars that can be retrofitted to all make it fine for most situations other than town driving in nose to tail traffic, as the clutch does not fully disengage until 1500 RPM so stop and starts burns clutches.

Most are collectors cars now doing little mileage, so the hydraulic gear change is original and most stick with that.
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it seems the
 
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ScottB

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Just to clarify a few points re the Vanquish gearbox as it seems the internet rumours are still doing the rounds.

I've owned my '03 Vanquish for 12 years. I do anywhere between 3-6k miles a year on average - I'm still on the original clutch that was done just before I bought the car. It has never been slow or jerky. I think if you learn how to drive an automated manual properly it is incredibly rewarding,. and in the case of the Vanquish perfectly fits its personality - IMO.

I had a manual 3200 prior to the Vanquish but would now never go back to a manual gearbox. I have spent most of the 12 years with it in London. = in stop/start traffic - with summer EU drives. Although I did take it with me back to New Zealand for a couple of years where I have a house on a steep drive - supposedly a no no but again I found if you look after the gearbox properly its not an issue.

So in short another vote for a V12 Aston - and don't be afraid of an automated manual :) Oh and I love my Quattroporte GTS as well...
 
Doctor Houx

Doctor Houx

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792
ScottB said:
Just to clarify a few points re the Vanquish gearbox as it seems the internet rumours are still doing the rounds.

I've owned my '03 Vanquish for 12 years. I do anywhere between 3-6k miles a year on average - I'm still on the original clutch that was done just before I bought the car. It has never been slow or jerky. I think if you learn how to drive an automated manual properly it is incredibly rewarding,. and in the case of the Vanquish perfectly fits its personality - IMO.

I had a manual 3200 prior to the Vanquish but would now never go back to a manual gearbox. I have spent most of the 12 years with it in London. = in stop/start traffic - with summer EU drives. Although I did take it with me back to New Zealand for a couple of years where I have a house on a steep drive - supposedly a no no but again I found if you look after the gearbox properly its not an issue.

So in short another vote for a V12 Aston - and don't be afraid of an automated manual :) Oh and I love my Quattroporte GTS as well...
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Hello Scott
If I understand correctly, in your 12 years of ownership you’ve covered between 40k to 60k miles completed in stop start traffic in London on the same clutch? If so, I know the lead Vanquish tech at NP (Vinni Ryan) very well and he would love to talk to you about how you have achieved this, as this is way beyond expectations under those conditions. You have my total respect and admiration for achieving this.
 
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ScottB

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Doctor Houx said:
Hello Scott
If I understand correctly, in your 12 years of ownership you’ve covered between 40k to 60k miles completed in stop start traffic in London on the same clutch? If so, I know the lead Vanquish tech at NP (Vinni Ryan) very well and he would love to talk to you about how you have achieved this, as this is way beyond expectations under those conditions. You have my total respect and admiration for achieving this.
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Yes correct. Do you own a Vanquish yourself? I don't think this is in any way beyond expectations. A mate of mine owns numerous Astons including virtually the same car as mine whose experience has been even better than myself re clutch life, Yes I know of Vinnie (note the e) but in practical terms I get specialist more practical advice from the people involved with the design of the drive train - a big thumbs up for Bamford Rose.

What is clear is that there has been poor advice from people that don't fully understand the Vanquish. But the positive is the V12 Aston love
 
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Doctor Houx

Doctor Houx

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792
ScottB said:
Yes correct. Do you own a Vanquish yourself? I don't think this is in any way beyond expectations. A mate of mine owns numerous Astons including virtually the same car as mine whose experience has been even better than myself re clutch life, Yes I know of Vinnie (note the e) but in practical terms I get specialist more practical advice from the people involved with the design of the drive train - a big thumbs up for Bamford Rose.

What is clear is that there has been poor advice from people that don't fully understand the Vanquish. But the positive is the V12 Aston love
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I was complimenting you on your experiences, not having a go, so lets not get into a p..ssing contest on here please. Yes, I've owned the ex AML Vanquish SDP Press Demo / S Development Mule (501381) since 2011 and taken it from well used hack to AMOC Concours-winning condition. I'll freely admit that these days its a pampered garage queen living in a Carcoon and doing about 300 miles a year to shows. Photo below is from a feature on it in Issue 20 of Vantage magazine.

I'll PM you, as I think your experience would be very helpful to a group I'm part of with a number of very highly regarded techs both in the US and UK who are working on solutions to a number of foibles with this model that are becoming common now the cars are 15-20 years old. You would be very welcome to join us.

71272
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,125
Shame they weren’t open today so just had to push our noses up against the window to see my perfect lottery win car. Don’t care that it’s silly money and there are faster cars for the money it’s all I really want in my garage….Ah well I can dream…8794887949
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

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Andyk said:
Shame they weren’t open today so just had to push our noses up against the window to see my perfect lottery win car. Don’t care that it’s silly money and there are faster cars for the money it’s all I really want in my garage….Ah well I can dream…View attachment 87948View attachment 87949
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The GT12 is wonderfully pointless car, Andy. I like them very much.
 
c4sman

c4sman

Member
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1,252
Always liked the Aston brand and got close buying to a Vantage V12 and V12S a few times but the ride and handling of my 911 GTS which would have to go for one of those is just too good to give up for the Aston, but they are wonderful things. More recently a Vanquish 2 vs the new GT was in the running for an addition but I had to have 4 useable seats and the GT is so unique in this space that it won the day (and even has more passenger room in the back than the 4 door Rapide). So no Aston for me yet….
 
dickygrace

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
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7,334
Goodfella said:
Very tempted by one of these.

However I’ve convinced myself that I’m keeping the Maserati until I “upgrade” to a Rolls Royce Wraith.

Granturismo’s are just so bloody hard to replace!
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They certainly are, and the Vanquish is half as practical for double the price.
 
D Walker

D Walker

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9,827
I’ve been looking at V8 vantage more and more recently.
I only need 2 seats, hopefully prices may drop next year. I’ll keep a watch until then.
 
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