great video. I bought a V12 Vantage S 2 years ago, love it everyday. I originally wanted the manual but after driving the SS3, more than adequate. Actually really fun to drive. V12 is a dying breed. Truly a car w/ a soul & passion
*"I never really bonded with it."* me: haha get it, because like James Bond? I know, I know, this is a really bad joke. I can't help it sometimes lmao XD
@@Bleakiano I actually owned two in the past 6 years! But, I sold them 😣 I'm in a 992 4 GTS now. I have a daughter around the same age as Sams kiddo, and she LOVES sitting in the back! It's an all weather every day car 😊
I am so pleased you have the same passion for this amazing British brand. They have made and still make some of THE most beautiful cars on the planet. and lets be honest, they sound frikkin amazing too. great video sam as always buddy. Stay safe
What a car! It's iconic status is definitely underrated. And that is the best spec I have ever seen, those light grey details! I especially love that lipstick, throwing me right back to your F-Type! Why do not more cars have lipsticks? We need to get them re-established!
Sam, I too love the 'old' Vantage. NO NO NO... do not buy the sports shift. I had one for 4 weeks. Horrific. It actually wrecked the gearbox itself.. Total failure. Got rid. Bought a DB9. Proper auto box. Traded that for a 458 spider... Heaven. . There you have it... Keep the vids coming.
This car is so beautiful it seemed to miss the "old model" stage when the new Vantage came out. It was old for about a week then it went straight to stunning modern classic, I definitely would, phwooaar!
I enjoyed watching this. Very professional!! I dont know much about these cars but you very much to seem to know what you are talking about! Well done!😄🚗
Hi Sam, very eloquent peices to camera, with some interesting and valid points. And yes!....I was nodding with agreement about the old flip screen and how suddenly, it seems acceptable and ‘of the era’...very good! Ps. like the new series...very entertaining!
I really enjoy your videos Sam. It always makes me smile to see you in my sub box. I think it's not said enough, but you're doing a wonderful job. Thank you
Im still in love with my V8 manual vantage. Without a doubt the sound (with fuse 22 magically jumping out of its socket) is the most superb deep throated noise this side of an Indy car. While it’s not the fastest on the block, it is the most fun to drive.
I think the Vantage is a wonderful car, and already somewhat forgotten. There is something this generation car has that the new one doesn't too me. This styling is better, the interior far more cohesive and special. New one is nice, but i cant stop thinking about this gen, especially a later year. In the USA we had a trim called the GT, which started at $99,999. It was essentially $30,000 cheaper than a regular car, and the only real difference is you were limited in specs. some beautiful manual versions of this car can be found for about $75,000 at the moment, and I do not see them coming down on price much. Thanks for the content Sam, stay safe.
Totally agree with u Sam Definitely everyone should experience an Aston Martin Vantage with the 4.7s or 6.0s before they gone. Even if I win the lottery I’d still buy one rather than fork out for a new one
I think these do still fall significantly in the coming few years after which they will settle. So i'd have a little patience and continue watching videos of them for a little while longer.
Talking about maintenance costs if you’re talking about ownership is critical. It can be ‘cheap’ to buy but massively expensive to own. You can buy a Bentley Continental for £30k but servicing isn’t astronomical.
Seen Through Glass I know. One of the reasons why I first started following & subscribing to your channels Sam (about 3 years ago) when I was back in NZ before my extended business trip to the U.K. I’m still here 2 years later, I really must get back to NZ this year to the sun and wife & kids. Love All Aston’s and I like this type of feature. More videos like this Sam please 🤞great presenting work! Very engaging
I agree Sam, have driven both. I am an old school guy. The Aston you tested was brilliant. If the car you tested had been a roadster with Lord's Red interior, it would have been perfect.
Sam, you're comparing it to a GT4 rightly btw - they are similarly priced! When I bought my V12V, I had been considering a GT4 too! I ended up deciding the all-round package and more likely "safe" investment of the V12V was better for me (my friend was having such a nightmare from selling his GT4 - no dealer would take it except at a heavily cut down price as there's such oversupply, that he decided not to sell it at all!). But no doubt the V12 is quicker in gear, has more punch in the back torque and tbh, not that much slower around a track, I've been in both on track - and those Vantages are much better than people give them credit for. And the S should be even quicker!
Fantastic comment as I face the same choice. Did you consider a v10plus for similar money? I think the Aston is more beautiful than a gt4 with an even better sound and interior....question is how is the reliability by comparison?
@@thelastcrusader3251 later Vantages are known to be pretty bullet proof actually so very little to choose in reliability terms to the Porsche. They do eat their clutches occasionally and you have to be careful not to trash the CCM'S, but those are both common features of all supercars. I didn't personally consider the R8 V10+. They just don't appeal to me in the same way, not saying they aren't good cars but... Alas I've not driven one but all my experiences of other Audi's tended to be a bit bland and characterless, I'm no fan of the brand. Otherwise absolutely no regrets in the V12V, it's utterly wonderful.
So is Aston Martin the Brits version of a more refined Corvette ? Decent service costs....Very good sound and speeds. Of course I would be referring to the Base Corvette 2015 + as anything is would spank an Aston. Of course nothing is as reliable as the LS engines, but still is it just me or is the comparison there?
Damn, this car ages well. I didn’t like it first, I thought it was boring. But the more I see, the more I love it. I think the reason is that there was a lots of cars with “similar” design, and it didn’t really stand out. But now this general design language is being retired, and as all other similar cars are going away as well, it is more and more clear that this one was the best of this design generation.
Agree about the Sportshift as you can get these at a good price. I'm a bit of a fan of the Vantage. Have a 2013 V12 Roadster, 2017 Vantage GT8 Manual and a 2017 V12SM. This just about covers the sweet spots of the Vantage. Great video.
Brilliant video mate. Where did you hear about the new Vantage not getting the V12? I've been hoping they do it ever since it came out but if the S doesnt have the V12 I cant see it happening unfortunately
I’ve had three AM dealers with used ones on the lots tell me the reliability is not good, especially for the clutch in the auto-box. They are now about $80-$100k USD here in states. Dealers all tell me DB11 is a better and more reliable car. Thoughts?
Sam, late cars got Apple CarPlay which means you have everything you need with that system, google maps etc, I had a sportshift roadster and now got the manual coupe with buckets, harder to use but very enjoyable when you get use to it👍
Sam please can this be your next car under 80k !!!! This car will never be bad, look amazing and sounds amazing it’s suits you so much !!! A classic and one of the best looking car
Nice video Sam. Not sure I agree ref the gearbox, I have driven both and it would be the manual every time for me. That said, is it worth the 40k mark up?.....
Great video. that's actually my old car. I bought it new from HR Owen in 2106 and sold it to Leven Car Co Edinburgh in July 19. Awesome car, looking an new shape Vantage later this year. Only V8 now though :(
Buy IT!! You’ll only regret it if you don’t. After many years of lusting for one my nephew bought one. It was the smartest decision he made. Doesn’t regret it and actually comments that it’s been one of the easiest cars he’s owned as far as maintenance and problem areas. He also states that there is quite a number of companies that are very helpful with information, service and parts. Buy IT!
Well said .my favourite car and this engine makes it even better. Definitely the right gear box,both hands on the wheel enjoy the steer and still change gear when you want👍🇬🇧
Great vid Sam. I actually agree - and I own an original V12 6spd manual. The 7 speed dogleg gearbox isn't a great implementation in the 'S'. The box is badly sprung and takes some real getting used to. On the S variant, the SS3 is the way to go. I'd be keen to get your opinion on the S versus non S variants. The damping and active suspension make a difference - and the S is definitely more squat and go. Well done mate.
Ask Tavarish for his opinions on the Vantage V12 S? He has one with the Sportshift I think... The manual would be so much more engaging, but still the Vantage is such an incredible car, the V12 is sensational!
Few things to consider, having owned a V12 Manual for a couple of years now : You do get used to the clutch and it's very rewarding, the car is raw, with very direct steering. It is a beast to tame and can be very treacherous if not fitted with the right tires. It is a car you learn to drive over time. The sound is insane and unmatched. WARNING : Ticket price is attractive but maintaining an Aston Martin requires deep pockets, one hour of labor in France is 175 euros and I'm not even talking about the cost of spare parts.
I found a 2015 V12 Vantage S Convertible in Fort Lauderdale 3 months ago with 3100 miles...all time favorite car that I've ever owned! NOTHING sounds as good as this car's exhaust...
Speaking of tunnel blast, if you and the other RU-vid team did a long road trip down to Italy a few months ago, now would be the opportune time to drop those videos...
If you're contemplating the idea of getting a V12 Vantage S, I'd really get in touch with either Shmee150 or Tavarish as well, since Tavarish actually got one for a YT series for quite the budget, and Shmee actually delivered that exact car to Tavarish - if not, iirc his dad might've owned a Vantage (Shmee, that is). All in all, if I had the money to do so, I'd plunker down on a V12 Vantage S or something else - however I guess that's something id look into down the line in the near future as a potential dream car to add to the garage. EDIT: I'd also go for the sportshift but I guess itd be down to how the car feels in a test drive personally IMO
I actually saw a Roadster today! Don't know which model, but it sure looked sweet. Anyway, fast forward to 9:51:00 & see what you missed! Very similar to what I replied to your Messenger post earlier today. 🚙
![[Time To Buy?] Aston Martin V12 Vantage S](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
