Automotive

Brought my car in for service today and got a V12 Vantage as courtesy car. What a pleasant surprise!! The most obvious difference from the V8 is the bonnet vents And the big rear spoiler The center console is basically the same as V8 Vented carbon ceramic...  

Nice touch of class by Aston to lend the V12 as a service car. I am almost certain that they are tempting you to upgrade. Next thing you know they will be offering you real favorable financing for the purchase of a new car. Best regards, George

was it's a conspiracy to tempt me too.

This is the case, quite a clever form of marketing. Moreover, I'm actually SHOCKED to see that they lend out loaner car w/ manual transmission, in US of A???

if I know how to drive a manual before showing me the car. After two days of driving, it reminded me how fun it was to drive a stick shift and what a pain in the axx it was in stop and go traffic jam.

in USA who can manage a stick, you have my respect mate!

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Smart dealers always use the next better model as loaners. Great sales technique. Lucky you ! Dean.

The sales kept emailing me for 3 weeks and finally got me into the dealer and bought the V8, and now a taste of the V12. They are definitely counting on me to get something new later.

I think I like the clean lines of the V8 bonnet better. Enjoy the ride. JerryW

Did you end up getting a new car? I feel like you were shopping for a new daily driver not too long ago! I hope you are doing well! Happy New Year! Cheers, Daos

It has been a while. Hope all is well and you are enjoying the new year. I did purchase a new car but my wife wants it, so the search continues. JerryW

Of course, based on the cars discussed regularly here I don't think any PuristS are waiting with bated breath to see whether I choose the new Ford Explorer or Honda Pilot. LOL! Cheers, Daos

The line of V8 looks more sophisticated, the V12 is more aggressive and almost like it doesn't belong to the road. It should be run on track.

...not tempted to trade the current car? It sounds like it was a fun loaner for the day, but you weren't completely sold. At least you have your own Bond girl, as evidenced in the first picture! Cheers, Daos

but not really tempted, since I only recently got the V8. That and I don't have the kind of cash sitting around for the V12.

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The V8 Vantage Roadster is my new favorite car at the moment S

I test drove a V8 roadster. Sitting in there, it's almost impossible to tell it's a convertible. Very quiet too.

...If I didnt live in Denmark, taxes are 205% on top of the car you pay for it.. :-( Well, back on my small engine V6 Best Hans

All I can say is "WOW!"

---all I can say is S*** happens... Best Hans

cheers PAt

Don't think I can afford this kind of car living anywhere else.

Why haven't we met up for a drive? The current Aston models are very nice, and strike a nice balance between a driver's car and a transportation tool. Sometimes, a little too nice...but of course, for proper context, this is coming from someone whose E39 ... 

We haven't met up for a drive because I rarely travel to the west side of the town (LA.) To answer you question of "hard to contain," it's both. The power was felt almost instantly. Very hard to keep it from going fast. Every time I stepped on the gas (ha... 

about the balance issue, but I I find the Boxter/Caymen, even the R, a little underpowered. You just don't have enough hp and torque on tap to do as much with your right foot as you might like...The E92 doesn't have this problem (well, torque is a little ... 

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I'm going to have to buy a super exotic to get some quality time with you huh, Sensei? LOL! Happy New Year, and hope all is well. 2012 is going to be a good one methinks -- year of the dragon (Like me!), RO 40th anniversary...should be fun! Cheers, Daos

Seriously, I wish I was in one place long enough to... :-( A great year of the dragon to you, Daos. TM

Now if only that was in Midnight blue! Stephen

There was a blue V8 Vantage S in the showroom.

Any photos of it? STephen

Very nice sten! IMO the air intakes on the hood are a little too aggressive looking in relation to the rest of the car, but still beautiful. Regards, ED-209

the vent looked very aggressive.

Did you get any pastries at 85C while you were at Diamond Jamboree in Irvine? Still remember that place from my college days. Definitely so good that you may just break the "no eating in the car rule" and eat in the V12 Vantage! I've driven the Vantage V8... 

but still no eating in the car. I have the 4.7 V8 with sport shift. It drives very similar to the M3 with SMG. The down shift time is a little quicker comparing to my E46. The biggest different is lower end torque. The M3 just doesn't have much of it. But... 

Thank you for your impressions. Haven't driven the 4.7 liter, but I did find the 4.3 liter to be very tame and one would probably call it underpowered. Saw an incredible Vantage before that had an "absinthe green" interior with "lemon yellow" stitching an... 

...the circumstances under which 350+hp on public roads would be considered tame or underpowered?

When it's hauling around a lot of weight? Or when the throttle response or fuel delivery or engine / tranny mapping gives the impression it is sluggish? And don't forget, "fast" or "tame" or "exciting" or "balanced" are as much subjective terms as they ar... 

When provided in context or comparitively-"The traction control blunts 1st gear launches", "The gear spacing in the Ciuco Spezzato 6.3 ruins acceleration from that corner" , "My 430 is sluggish when hauling my winter firewood" - as you have done, then 'ta...