That said, is the V12 Vantage the ultimate Aston Martin experience?

Question

The V12 Vantage is Aston Martin’s engineering zenith, a most powerful engine in their smallest sports car chassis. Because it is a ‘monster in a suit,’ with its refined looks disguising brutal performance. However, does this blend actually provide the quintessential Aston Martin experience or is it simply too extreme? The debate rages on about whether the V8 models provide a more balanced, more enjoyable drive or whether nothing compares to the raw power and sound of the V12. The debate also hinges on whether the V12 Vantage remains faithful to Aston's grand touring tradition or strays too far into supercar territory. The V12 Vantage has become a very desired model because it has limited production numbers, and is potentially the last of its kind. However, is rarity and power enough to make it the ultimate Aston or are there other things to be taken into account?

@richa-mitt · Accepted Answer

I’ve owned both and they are two different animals. No one can deny that the V12 is special, but the V8 is more usable on a day to day basis. That depends on what you want.

@sucheta-ku · Answer

This is the one to have, the final edition V12 Vantage. It’s the culmination of all of the years Aston learned and will likely be the most collectible in the long run.

@ravi-chauh · Answer

I love the V12 Vantage AMR, call me crazy. That stripe package combined with the manual gearbox, it just does it for me. It is a proper throwback to old school sports cars.

@abhay-sing · Answer

I love the V12, but I think it is a bit overrated. But the V8 hits a sweet spot of performance, handling and cost that makes it the better choice for most buyers. The V12 is more of a collector’s item.

@piyush-pah · Answer

The V12 may be overrated in terms of outright performance, but it’s not overrated in terms of experience. The car is special and makes you feel special when you drive it. That's worth something.

@abhinav-gu · Answer

I like the V12 Vantage S. It was a good balance between performance and usability. It was also available with a manual, and I love that.

@raj-kiran · Answer

I really think the ‘regular’ V12 Vantage S is the sweet spot. While the special editions are cool, it’s often the case that they come with compromises. The S model provides all the performance you could want without any of the styling or price excess.

@punit-kuma · Answer

The auto is faster and more efficient, but the manual is cool. With a car this powerful, I want to concentrate on steering and braking, not shifting. Leave the lighter, less powerful sports car manuals.

@kalika-dub · Answer

I'm torn on this one. I think the romantic in me would go manual, but the pragmatist says auto. Perhaps the perfect garage has one of each.

@sourabh-ku · Answer

Manual, no question. It’s not about lap times or 0 60 sprints. There is the link to the car and the joy of a perfect heel-toe downshift. These cars are all about that.

@monalisa-p · Answer

I would say both are great for different reasons. The V8 is the sports car, the V12 is the grand tourer. Neither is overrated; one excels in this area and the other in that area.

@shubham-ag · Answer

Overrated? No chance. This one is a modern classic in the making. In 20 years, it's the type of car people will look back and wish they'd purchased when they were able.

@angad-kuma · Answer

The answer depends on how you use the car. Manual for sure for track days or weekend blasts. The auto is much more livable, but if it's a daily driver or you spend a lot of time in traffic.

@varun-shar · Answer

The Zagato edition, hands down. This is no ordinary V12 Vantage, this is a piece of automotive art. It’s the only thing on the road with bodywork like this.

@bhawesh-ku · Answer

I'm a fan of the V600. This was the perfect send off for the previous generation Vantage, and the fact that there were only 14 made (7 coupes, 7 roadsters) makes this very special indeed.

@shobhit-gu · Answer

The GT12 has to be my choice. Aston made the closest thing to a road legal race car it has ever produced. It's the V12 Vantage turned up to 11: the aero package, weight reduction, power bump.

@rahul-kanj · Answer

No way is the V12 overrated! It is the absolute expression of what the Vantage can be. The V8 is great, but the V12 is on a different planet. The premium alone is worth that sound.

@vikas-lakh · Answer

I believe the V12 is a bit overhyped. It handles better because there is less weight up front, it is more than fast enough for the road and is way cheaper to run. It’s the better choice for most people.

@sana-ifran · Answer

I have driven both, and the auto is the way to go. The V12 has so much torque that you don’t really need to shift very often. It lets you enjoy the driving experience, not perfect shifts.

@kalika-dub · Answer

Manual all the way! Rowing your own gears in a V12 Aston is nothing like it. They are a dying breed and really add to the driving experience. And it will probably be worth more in the long term.

@naresh-kum · Answer

The V12 Vantage is just incredible but the most Aston experience you can have is more about the journey not the speed. Any day I would take a DB11 for a cross country road trip.

@rishi-seth · Answer

I have driven both the V8 and the V12 extensively and the V12 is the one that really gets under your skin. It's not just about the power, it's a character of the car. In a way, it's special and hard to quantify.

@piyush-pah · Answer

Sure, it’s the ultimate for enthusiasts and collectors. But realistically most Aston buyers are buying the image and lifestyle as much as the performance. A V8 Vantage or DB11 is probably more their thing.

@varun-khan · Answer

There is no doubt that the V12 Vantage is special. I think the 'ultimate' Aston Martin experience is more about the whole package, the style, the luxury, the heritage. In that sense, something like the DB9 or even the new DBX707 would be more representative of the brand.

@rahul-kanj · Answer

I think it’s the most thrilling Aston to drive as an owner. But it all depends on what you are after. For pure excitement, yes. For long-distance comfort or daily usability, maybe not.

@harish-kum · Answer

I’d say that the DB11 or DBS Superleggera provide a more complete Aston experience. It’s almost too focused, but the V12 Vantage is amazing. The V12 Vantage is supposed to be a grand tourer first, and I feel it leans too hard in supercar territory.

@rishi-seth · Answer

Absolutely! The V12 Vantage is Aston Martin's purest expression of performance DNA. They just took everything that was great about the brand and cranked it to 11. The price of admission alone is that engine sound.

That said, is the V12 Vantage the ultimate Aston Martin experience?

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