Hello,

Jumping over from the Bentley forum after a fulfilling relationship with a Continetal GT.

Been looking and testing many things as new daily drivers or a garage add, newer Continental, 2016 F-Type R, 2016 F-Type S MT, 1963 E Type, 1959 MGA Coupe, 2009 AM Vantage V8, 2016 AM Vantage GT which has been a worthwhile journey.

All that careful research and analysis and then the last car I jumped in just lit me up, and that was that. 2011 AM Vantage V12 Carbon Black.

I know you have seen them all before, but here's mine. Happy motoring.




Au revoir. Drive in and drive out.























Bully has a new home.

 

First drive of the new day I headed over to Driversource who were hosting the Ferrari owners club in their Vault (premium car storage).

They have looked after my car, and will this next one, as well as trading in classics, and storage. Ive had quite the automotive weekend.





Lotus





Muscle





Track car?





F














Whole lot of lovely











2013 Indy 500 winner.





Michael Schumachers F1 car, signed. Bought at auction $2.5mm. Now valued at $4-5mm.





Sneaked in





The Vault and FOC members





Porsche water bottle.











Trying the MGA Coupe








A barn find! Took out the newspapers out, dusted and brought out.





Fitted a tow bar (see below), and used it to move house. Stuck it in a barn.





Apparently the owner was stationed in Germany and a Bond fan.








Been in a barn since 1981

 

Congrats on the new acquisition! And that's quite the variety of expensive and desirable metal in your pics...

 

Great car(s)! I'm sure you will love it. The V12 was a little out of my range. Someone told me not to test drive the V12 or I'd buy it. I was tempted to drive one but resisted. I'm happy with my V8V, but I'm sure you will have loads of fun with your new beauty!

 

Great looking Vantage, congrats!

 

Thank you! The Vault is quite a place. This was a small sample.

It's a long time since I've driven a V8, but this one grabbed me by the throat and said 'Buy me, I dare you!'😈 Always up for a challenge. 😉

Apart from some whistley brakes and learning to change gear with the wrong hand we are getting on great. 😍😍

 

Congrats and welcome.

Beautiful v12. Love the color and transmission you chose.

How do you like your v12 so far, coming from Bentley?

 

[QUOTE=spyder997s;4399593]Congrats and welcome.

Beautiful v12. Love the color and transmission you chose.[quote]


Very different animals obviously. I needed 4 seats back then and tested the Maserati GT, DB9, and Continental back to back one afternoon.

I was persuaded by the salesman to try the GT when I really wasn't thinking about it, but I was really surprised at the ride quality, speed and the brakes. As a daily driver on Houston's roads it was the right answer.

This time round with one at college and the other driving I could get whatever, and was looking for a more engaging drive. I had Lotus years back and this is basically a grown up Lotus (engine wise), its raw, visceral, connected, purposeful, and champing at the bit all day long. Reminds me of riding a motorbike. It just plugged itself into my head in the same way.

I don't know if the nav works, the bluetooth phone, the sound system, or anything else, nor have I read the handbook. I've washed it, and then have just been driving it, and listening, and getting to know it. If that tells you anything.

I kinda like it.

 

Good choice! Looks like I could spend days at the vault, quite the collection of cars.

 

As others have said, gorgeous car great transmission choice very envious.
Ron

 

How are they at servicing modern Astons and just in general? Also, will they service your car if you don't store there?

 

Gorgeous V12 - congratulations! Thanks for sharing the pics of The Vault, quite an amazing display.

 

I asked that on Saturday actually, and they can handle the AM just fine except for some of the advanced electronics, such as related to paddle shifters for example.

I will be using them. They looked after my Bentley these last three years and were excellent. I don't store anything with them, so not a problem.

 

Very nice, matching blacks too! Having had two CGT's, a 2006 and then a 2012, I can understand why you'd want a different driving experience and I bet the V12V gives that.

I loved both my Bentleys but as perfect as they were I had the same feeling as you did - I needed a challenging drive instead of being wafted around (though at some considerable acceleration!).

I went to a V8VR but I should have looked at something like your V12V because that and everything else I tried was too slow. Ended up with the DB9 and while that is not spectacular it is very engaging in many more ways than I imagined.

You've found the right two automobiles to give you a different experience with each drive.

 

Thanks Ken, you got it one. It's nothing against the very accomplished 'B', just time for something different.