I was told by factory reps that the V12V suspension was a "track mode" suspension. So stiffer that the Vantage "sport" suspension. I can definitely tell that it's stiffer the the "normal" suspension that I had in my previous V8V. Even so, I don't think it is to harsh for the street.

Henry

 

Couple of things worth noting.

1) I think it is worth distinguishing between the V12V and the V12V S in terms of "value." I don't think the "S" will hold its long term value in the way that the 2011 - 2012 V12V will (and yes, full disclosure, I own a 2011 V12V).

2) There was a long (and interesting) thread on V12V values a few months back. Here was my contribution: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ml#post4199594 Lot of folks had some good insights and smart points to make.

3) Ultimately, however, I still believe it will be a LONG time (10 or 20 years) before these cars go up significantly in value. I think of all the current-ish Astons, the V12V is depreciating less than other Astons but not by large margin.

4) Buy a car because you LOVE it, not because it might go up in value. Exotic car values are an incredibly fickle and fleeting market requiring some serious long term commitment. Life is too short to not enjoy just driving an Aston!

5) Oh . . . and I don't think the ride is too harsh. I went from a V8V to a V12V and I didn't think it was a big difference in ride quality (though a big difference in other ways!). Or you can do what I did: drive a Lotus Elise for 5 years and then get an Aston. You will never complain about a stiff suspension again!

 

V12V has a larger trunk, and more cabin space... The Vantage platform is, imho, superior.
Not to mention wheel base, which imho is still a bit long even in the Vantage.
I'd never get a DBs/9, just too big.

 

Agree, and I only repeat this because I am on my 3rd Aston and they drop like rocks in the first year. So if you can buy any Aston in the sweet spot, it's usually after 2-3 years to let it depreciate. DBS' now can be had in the $125-130k range. Not sure if the V12V's are this low yet, probably so. So I went from V8V (3 months) to DBS (1 year) to V12VS (current now 10 months). I will preface this by saying I absolutely love my V12VS in every way. It is my DD, and I've also taken it to the track where it's performance was absolutely stellar out of the box. There is Nothing this car can't do - it has every personality you can think of. Smooth easy comfort to drive to work, transforming to razor sharp nimbleness when carving canyons - so properly balanced. It is one of the best handling cars I've ever driven, close to my Lotus (unfair because the Lotus is so light and thus so nimble), and better handling than my 16M and more predictable than my CGT. For the one year I did own my Casino Royale DBS, I did enjoy it. But the handling is no where near the Vantage. It's a GT cruiser and I felt it was slightly underpowered with the 510 hp. The DBS felt like it was "pulling," whereas my V12VS feels like it is "pushing" (likely due to the 565 hp and increased torque as well). The DBS is elegant and gorgeous, while the V12VS is sporty and aggressive in style. Two completely different personalities. In summary, one has sporty flair with phenomenal handling, while the other has elegant soirée with a cruising attitude. You choose.

 

Excellent post thank you
Just put me off buying a VH1 platform car or a 16M though

 

Wow, all the comments about how fun the V12V is to drive completely confuse me. I test drove a V12V against a V8 and thought they were night and day different. The V8 corners like a dream. The V12 plows through everything. Maybe I had a bad example, but it's probably the non-mid mounted chunk of aluminum hanging over the front axel.

 

No they all do that
Consequences of the extra weight and it being higher and further forward than the V8

 

LOL gimme a break. You make it sound as if the V12V understeers like an Audi.

Having owned both I will agree the V8V is slightly better balanced, but this is difficult to appreciate on the road. This 'advantage' is more than cancelled out by the crap OEM RE050's on the V8 and the Corsas on the V12. I found turn in on the V12 better than on the V8 despite the negligible weight distribution difference (49/51 vs. 51/49 IIRC), probably due to the faster steering rack (at least, if we are comparing older V8's) and the better tires. The V12VS feels even better, probably due to the altered rack over the original V12.

 

I'm biased as I own a V12V. First off, if you are worried about depreciation, just buy a V12V instead of the S. You get a six speed and you avoid the first year depreciation.

The two cars share mechanics, but they are not the same. The V12V is roughly the same size as a Cayman (172.5" long vs 172"; 73" wide vs 70.9", 48/49" tall vs 51" tall), with a big *** motor, 510 hp and rwd. It is a completely different proposition to the DBS.

I prefer the V12 for those reasons (I also LOVE the way the Cayman R drives). Size matters.

 

V12V or DBS....seriously cannot go wrong with either. I would go DBS personally I like a little bigger GT style of it. Plus I have the GT2 and F430 for canyon corner carving and the M3 CSL race car for serious track duty and instructing students. If I were to trade in my DB9 6speed manual it would be for a DBS I would most likely think...but who knows. I love the DB9 so much too! :-)

 

funny after starting this thread 3 yrs ago I am back in the same boat... I never bought either car back then but now today I am going to buy one and again can't decide, debating a sub 5k mile v12v or a sub 5k mile dibs convert stick and still can't decide....

 

Assuming money is the same, it's all personal preference. My budget is a *bit* smaller and in two years I'd like to get an '07-08 DB9 or '07-08 V8V, and despite my penchant for small, lightweight coupes and roadsters I think I want the big-body GT DB9; it's just proportioned so well and oozes elegance. The Vantage is a great looking car make no mistake; I just don't feel that it has the same presence on the road due to its smaller dimensions. It's the same reason I went with the 911 over the Cayman. Something about the nameplate and the heritage, too. That's not to say the Vantage hasn't started its own successful nameplate, it just hasn't been around as long as the DB series.

I'm sure neither one will leave you sore after a long drive, neither will disappoint on the racetrack, and neither will offer you any shortage of attention or compliments. Now you might even try the 2015 DB9 as it's received some significant refinements.

In short, drive them both and decide; good luck!

 

V8V makes a great daily driver. fun and sporty car that can be had for less than 50 grand. the v12v is a big step up and like the DBS I think both of those are going for approaching the 100K mark still a bargain for them. The Vantage name has been around for a while, in the 70's they are brute cars with more presence than anything ...the Oscar India being one of my favs. Ohhh that color! I remember being a kid in the mid 80's like 7 years old and seeing one and thinking OMG I love that!!!

 

Holy thread bump Batman !
Here in late 2016 the prices of the two are near equal.
AM is phasing out manual trannys in the 12 cyl cars and the DB11 is coming out.
This may drop the price of DBSs OR the fad for manual transmissions might make them climb.
Does anyone know the production numbers of manual DBSs vs manual V12Vs ?
Being beer budget champaign taste (always think resale down the road) I have to know

 

I doubt the DBS will depreciate. The manuals already cost more than the auto and there aren't that many manual transmission out there. Look what happened to the F430s. But AM isn't Ferrari so who knows.