Automotive

Brought my car in for service today and got a V12 Vantage as courtesy car. What a pleasant surprise!!

The V12 power was felt instantly. The drive comparing to the V8 was night and day. This car has nearly 100 more HP than the V8. I almost felt like it's got too much power.  Very hard to contain it on the local roads.

It's got stiffer suspensions but somehow I felt the ride quality was better than my V8.

Handling was very good and precise.

Only if I have enough money...

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

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 540i has been Dinanized with H&R so it rides lower than most Lambos...and a R53 Cooper S that bottoms out when going over speed bumps and rides like it is on rails, but your kidneys also feel every single road rut and ridge and undulation...

I am curious about your comment "Very hard to contain it on the local roads."

Do you mean the driver finds it hard to contain the temptation to open her up and risk landing in jail, or there is too much power at the wheels and hard to control the traction?

Looking forward to doing a Sunday drive with ya!

Cheers,

TM

ps: nice model!

 

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 (hard)  I could feel the power transfer to the rear and feared of losing traction. I could actually feel the car swaying a bit. That's why I said it's almost like it's got too much power and it belongs to the track not regular roads.

Given the limited experience with variety of cars. I found  that the M3 (E46 and E92) and Boxter/Cayman are the best handling and most balanced car.  I was always in control of the car.

I would imagine a Ferrari F430/360 drives similar to Cayman but with (a lot) more power.

Hopefully I can find myself driving to the west side and we can do a drive together.

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 low for the hp and it needs to be revved, hard, and kept there...) I know there will be many howling in disagreement, but of the four, the E46 M3 might have the best overall balance, imho...

The Ferrari 360 is a little underpowered in the same way as noted above, but the 430 is incredibly balanced, with ample power and torque.  Hard for me to imagine or understand how the 458 (haven't had any seat time! :-( yet...) can be so much better...

I'm actually not in Westside that often either, alas, but I'd be happy to come down to OC if we can get a group together. Maybe "Cars and Coffee" after an early morning mountain or seaside drive?

Let's do this in 2012!  With Dec and Jan weather in the 70's !!! it's almost a crime not too...

Cheers,

TM

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