I think I'm going to be ordering a new V12 Vantage at the end of the month or the beginning of November. I have the Car Spec'd out as follows:

Exterior: Magma Red
Interior: Leather - Sahara Tan (No Alcantara)
Headliner: Light Tan
Carpets: Sahara Tan (Can I order a second set of sahara mats?)
Steering wheel: Full Leather, Obsidian Black
Fascia Trim: Piano Black (full console)
Heated Seats
Fine Stitching
Satellite Radio
700W Premium Sound System
Bright Finish Grille
Front Parking Sensors

The only two things I'm on the fence about are the carpets (should I do Obsidian?) and the B&O system. I am an audiophile, but honestly do not know if it's worth an extra $7K for the B&O, especially since it probably won't matter at resale.

BTW, here is a V12V in Magma - a little color never hurt anyone









Interior would be along the lines of this DBS:

 

I would get a darker carpet. If not Obsidian, there is a dark burgundy that they use. I have black and some custom mats because I am weary of light carpets getting dirty or turning a different color over time. Plus, the sahara will really pop with a dark carpet.

 

The color combo looks beautiful George. I'd recommend coarse stitching in contrasting color though. I think most Astons come that way and the bold threads give the car a very sporting look.

 

Amazing color choices Dr. G.....I too think the black carpets would break up the interior quite well though....Magma red is HOT!

 

I love the magna red. I have the the sandstorm interior, but was also interested in the Sahara Sand, but wish I had a contrasting carpet (balck), and if I could get the carpet for a reasonable price would retrofit them. One it to think about, athough I do not think it looks a good having a black dash greatly reduce the reflection. I am not sure which way I would go if had the choice now. On the stereo; I have always upgraded my stereo with an aftermarket but have no desire or need with the premium stereo. I have heard the BO it looks fantastic but many have "said" the improvement is marginal

 

great selection

 

Black carpet and black door inserts. You can never go wrong with black and tan.

 

As to the Stereo, your best bet is to listen to both and decide if it's worth the extra $$. The dealer must have at least one car with the B&O system on the lot. Personally, I love the Premium sound in my Vantage, but I haven't had a chance to listen to the B&O system. Given your declaration as an audiophile, you might consider going cheap on the audio, and having a custom system installed instead.

I love the color scheme, and I agree with the comments on adding the black carpets. They will hide more crud and the contrast will look great.

Man, looking at those pix reminds me that I need to get new door sills for my car. I love how the accentuate the body between the wheel wells.

 

Jay, where did you get your mats?

Millsjq, I do have some reservations about the sahara reflecting off the windshield, but also have a pair of Maui Jim's to take care of that.

I will definitely spec the black carpets.

I have seen the center console with piano black on the upper portion and also with it coming completely down to the area where the storage tray is. How do I spec it so it covers everything?

Also, do I need the battery conditioner?

 

Regarding the battery conditioner, get one of these as they work perfectly for a lot less $$. I have one for my vantage and love it.

http://smartercharger.com/

 

The Mats are from TheVantageCollection. Call Nicholas, he will mock you up whatever you want and it's great quality. I even have a huge set of wings on the platform behind the seats. I think the piano wood all the way down is a new thing. I have it on top where the nav is but it wasn't an option to go all the way down when I ordered mine. I think it will look great though.

 

Quick question - how much movement should I expect on the price of an ordered car? The dealership was offering me a little over 10% off the DBS they had on the floor. They told me because it was the end of the quarter and they had met their sales quota there was bonus money given to the dealership by AM and they pass it on to customers.

It looks like I'll be sitting at around $195k MSRP based on the edmunds calculator, but I can't be sure that is 2012 pricing (the base price of the 2011 and 2012 were the same on Edmunds).

 

1) Consider a 2-tone wheel since you are planning a monotone leather spec. Blk/ST wheel will look good.

2) The piano fascia is the worst offender for glare, not so much the leather color.

3) Just order full piano console in addition to the fascia

4) What about door cappings? If you are going with PF in the center area, why not PF cappings? It'll break up the side color like the console breaks up the center color. You'll end up with black DC/tan/black carpet/tan/black center console/tan/black carpet/tan/black DC across the driver/passenger compartment. Alternatively, instead of the door cappings, you could do what was suggested about using black leather door inserts. Kinda does the ssame thing.

5) How about black seat inserts?

You really should go on the AM configurator to see all the choices you have. If you are going to order from new, then make sure you get your money's worth by having a truly bespoke car. That's what Astons are all about.

 

Between the B&O and the Premium, if you listen to both you will hear a large difference!!..besides the nice looking components motorized coming out of the dash(which sound amazing), I know on pre 2009 the premium you don't even get rear speaker and some do, only a sub behind the drivers seat(LHD)..only real woofer speaker on the (pre-2009 on some systems) premium are in the doors, versus on the B&O you get in the doors and in the rear 1/4's.. it still has the grills to simulate speakers, but there is nothing behind the grills..I'm not sure if there was any changes for the V12V, possible there is 1/4 speakers on both options, B&O and Premium...if your an audio junky you will prefer the B&O..test both like ppl have said, best bet it to bring your own CD and test the same song, to see for yourself and compare

 

You must be confusing it with the standard 160W system which has no center channel or rear 1/4 speakers so the speaker grills are empty.

All systems have one sub behind the driver. The Premium Audio adds 700W amp, Dolby surround, better 2-way speakers to the doors, two more 2-way speakers under the 1/4 windows, a mid-bass center speaker and a better twin coil 8-inch sub.

In the BO system, the door speakers are only mids because the tweeters move to the dash. It also adds two woofers to the footwells along the center console.

Although the Premium lacks the woofers in the footwells, I doubt anyone would say the system does not put out enough bass.