V8S and V12
Wow Penguin your write up makes me want to put a bomb in my DB and run out and get a v12v
!!!
Breeze you need to drive both cars and see which one fits you best, nothing any of say can replace that.
I personally prefer the DB chassis, I like the shape and dimensions and love a sport GT feel of an Aston, it's exactly how an Aston should feel. I also love the Aston v12, it's an epic engine, smooth silky torque, a sound that is second to none, and a soul that stirs the driver's soul! That said if I were to get a Vantage it would be the v12 every day of the week and twice on Sunday!
!!! Breeze you need to drive both cars and see which one fits you best, nothing any of say can replace that.
I personally prefer the DB chassis, I like the shape and dimensions and love a sport GT feel of an Aston, it's exactly how an Aston should feel. I also love the Aston v12, it's an epic engine, smooth silky torque, a sound that is second to none, and a soul that stirs the driver's soul! That said if I were to get a Vantage it would be the v12 every day of the week and twice on Sunday!
I have owned a 4.7 AMV8 and it was a great car. Just LOVED it. To be honest I still think about this car.
But...
I purchased a V12 Vantage and it is a better car in almost every way. To be sure it is a different car than the V8. At least it feels different and has a very different character.
The steering is nice an sharp, the ride is firm and far better for it. The whole car has a much more eager feel to it, like a dog pulling on the leash. This is the most purposeful Aston I have ever driven. Perhaps it is/has a wider track.
The car has an amazing level of polish. I like the vents, but I hav a carbon edition and it works as a unit. For me this car IS the Danial Craig BOND, personified as a car. Suave and full of class, but there is menace just under the surface. It is really only the appearance of reserve, underneath is mayhem just willing to be unleashed.
Posh appearance, brawlers soul.
Push the loud pedal, and release the thunder. No car sounds this good. Honestly, this is the epic. And frankly epic is the nature of the car. I also have an Audi R8 and I have tracked it and the Aston.
The Audi is by far the faster car. It ensures you are efficient, fast, it makes you a hero. The Audi is about control a and that's great for the track.
The Aston is about experience. This is a car that wants you to be epic and it will let you put yourself in harms way to achieve that. The Aston is wilder, more visceral and frankly the better Road Car.
Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing track car, but its not a track weapon, nor is it a GT car like most Astons.
The V12 is a unique experience that is soon not going to be available. Get one while you can, it really has no peers.
But...
I purchased a V12 Vantage and it is a better car in almost every way. To be sure it is a different car than the V8. At least it feels different and has a very different character.
The steering is nice an sharp, the ride is firm and far better for it. The whole car has a much more eager feel to it, like a dog pulling on the leash. This is the most purposeful Aston I have ever driven. Perhaps it is/has a wider track.
The car has an amazing level of polish. I like the vents, but I hav a carbon edition and it works as a unit. For me this car IS the Danial Craig BOND, personified as a car. Suave and full of class, but there is menace just under the surface. It is really only the appearance of reserve, underneath is mayhem just willing to be unleashed.
Posh appearance, brawlers soul.
Push the loud pedal, and release the thunder. No car sounds this good. Honestly, this is the epic. And frankly epic is the nature of the car. I also have an Audi R8 and I have tracked it and the Aston.
The Audi is by far the faster car. It ensures you are efficient, fast, it makes you a hero. The Audi is about control a and that's great for the track.
The Aston is about experience. This is a car that wants you to be epic and it will let you put yourself in harms way to achieve that. The Aston is wilder, more visceral and frankly the better Road Car.
Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing track car, but its not a track weapon, nor is it a GT car like most Astons.
The V12 is a unique experience that is soon not going to be available. Get one while you can, it really has no peers.
If you still crave a manual transmission you have not driven enough manuals long enough and you obviously have never properly raced cars. It's a dinosaur technology destined to go the way of the dodo bird. I support all manufacturers decisions to get rid of it. It's time everyone's minders change with the times...
The world is no longer flat
Well, except for the DBS....
Lol, nicely said!
It's not, having owned and driven almost every exotic manual transmission ever, I have officially gotten over it. I want paddled from here on out, and the vantage S has the best of all the astons.
If you still crave a manual transmission you have not driven enough manuals long enough and you obviously have never properly raced cars. It's a dinosaur technology destined to go the way of the dodo bird. I support all manufacturers decisions to get rid of it. It's time everyone's minders change with the times...
The world is no longer flat
If you still crave a manual transmission you have not driven enough manuals long enough and you obviously have never properly raced cars. It's a dinosaur technology destined to go the way of the dodo bird. I support all manufacturers decisions to get rid of it. It's time everyone's minders change with the times...
The world is no longer flat
In the case of the e-gear murc, at slower traffic speeds, the shifting is so abrupt & jerky it's as though the computer is shifting like a novice driver.
But this is only my humble opinion, and I'm ancient at 46 years old compared to alot of the young bucks on this forum!
@scotblack
It's more like the beautiful girl in the little black dress, that is not wearing any panties.
@XJRSOwner
I have not driven the DBS, so it may be very similar. Those that have believe it is different. For me the small packaging is the key.
I have driven all manner of paddle shifts, I even had the DSG system when it first came out. I love that system too. It's not one or the other for me. It's what is right for the car. In a McLaren I loved the paddle, but the V12 Vantage has a different character.
The performance of a car, the way it drives for me must also be consistent with its character. Most of the worlds great cars aren't great at everything, they are great at being themselves.
It's more like the beautiful girl in the little black dress, that is not wearing any panties.
@XJRSOwner
I have not driven the DBS, so it may be very similar. Those that have believe it is different. For me the small packaging is the key.
I have driven all manner of paddle shifts, I even had the DSG system when it first came out. I love that system too. It's not one or the other for me. It's what is right for the car. In a McLaren I loved the paddle, but the V12 Vantage has a different character.
The performance of a car, the way it drives for me must also be consistent with its character. Most of the worlds great cars aren't great at everything, they are great at being themselves.
Very well said sir! I think this is true of anything or anyone.
If you still crave a manual transmission you have not driven enough manuals long enough and you obviously have never properly raced cars. It's a dinosaur technology destined to go the way of the dodo bird. I support all manufacturers decisions to get rid of it. It's time everyone's minders change with the times...
I haven't driven enough manuals long enough? Seriously?
I've driven manuals for roughly 30 years and close to a million miles. I've driven all sorts of paddle 'boxes, including V8VS, PDK, the 12C's, and many others. Some were bad. Some were extremely good. None was much fun.Regarding the "properly raced cars" comment: paddles are very good on a track, but track driving and road driving are VERY different. I find a true manual far more enjoyable, satisfying AND simply better to use on the road than any paddle system.
You can have your paddles, but please don't advocate for the demise of the manual. Do you have something against letting the buyer have the choice?
^^^What he said. I've driven manuals all my driving years too and have driven several paddle-shift cars. While I like a good automated manual transmission, it's not as engaging as a manual and isn't as satisfying as when you "get it right" with the manual (e.g., perfect rev-matched downshift, etc.). Yes, a good automated manual transmission will be faster around the track but unless you're buying the car to set slightly better lap times, this doesn't matter.
My Aston Vantage : Manual Transmission. It's my fun car.
My BMW 135i: Dual Clutch Automatic. It's my commuter
I have the best of both worlds. Humpin' that clutch in stop and go traffic is not a lot of fun, and taking an automatic to the track is a bore.
My BMW 135i: Dual Clutch Automatic. It's my commuter
I have the best of both worlds. Humpin' that clutch in stop and go traffic is not a lot of fun, and taking an automatic to the track is a bore.
I agree. Let me choose, don't try to make my decision for me,
007Vantage: Drive what you like but don't presume to tell everyone else what is best for them. The dual clutch in my 458 is perfect for that car. The six speed in my race car is perfect for it and the six speed in my V12 is the only transmission I would ever want in that car. No one transmission is best for all cars and situations.




