F12 or Vanquish?

No contest - F12.

 

F12 is a much better car, and also quite a bit pricer generally speaking.

 

F12 wins in every category except looks imho.

 

Vanquish I like the styling more than the F12.

 

Long term value and performance go to the F12. Looks, Vanquish.

 

From a friend that had one...

The F12 was designed by Ferrari, with assistance from Pinninfarina. He thinks P designed the rear of the car (good), F designed the rest... a disaster, designwise.

The Vanquish is a beauty.

 

Each his own...I find the rear reverse light / diffuser design the weakest part. The remainder of the rear is very nice.

 

If all you want is a pure GT car that will cross an entire continent fast, comfortable but above all, as stealthy as you can in a V12 supercar, get the Vanquish.

If you want a car that may be not quite as good in the stealth department (looks, noise), but once at your destination will be a stunning, agile, car to drive in the hills, look fantastic, sound properly like a supercar should...then look no further than the F12.

 

As a car to borrow for a day, the F12, as a car to borrow for a month, the Vanquish.

I believe the Aston can be had as a manual?

 

Not the Vanquish.
V12 Vantage with same engine is available with proper dog leg 1st manual.

 

F12 is 2 generations ahead of the aston. Transmission alone makes the difference with ferrari dct.

 

New, F12. But, you can get a 2014 Vanquish for $100k+ cheaper than the F12.
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I've driven numerous F12's and a 2015 Vanquish. F12 gearbox is better, but 2015 8 speed on Vanquish is perfectly fine, it would never both you. F12 is leagues faster. Vanquish made me feel more special. Vanquish is also one of the best looking things you can buy period. It could be hung on a wall. I'd go F12 if speed is your thing and look at Vanquish if you care more about looks, GT characteristics, how ppl react.

 

Do you really make multi-hundred thousand dollar decisions on things like "owners told me the cushions were uncomfortable" ?

You tossed out so many options recently that are so different. Win lotto and money burning a hole in your pocket? NEED to buy a fancy car but letting what one be up to a group vote?

Give us some background on what's going on...

 

The Vanquish is getting more support, due to the fact you state not enough cushioning as a reason not to buy a car.

The F12 is to some extent, Ferrari's reaction to the brutal threat Lexus offered with the LFA. Each front engined Ferrari had been getting bigger and more comfortable. The brash little Japanese car shows up and runs circles around the big 599 on race tracks, lighter, smaller, and a *lot* more downforce relative to weight. Ferrari either had to put up with getting beat, or answer with a smaller harsher faster car.

The 599 is a closer vehicle to the Aston. The F12 is a return to what Ferrari should of been building in the first place, a brash lean mean spirited punch you in the nuts Italian stallion. You make it pretty obvious the F12 experience is not for you in your OP, so we come out and say the Aston.

If cost is an issue, while you are waiting for prices to come down, you could get a Jaguar XKR, replace the center section mufflers with a more open setup, and have something almost as nice as the Aston, but at a fraction of the price.

I've put 10,000 miles on my Jaguar 4.2L XK in 10 months time, fantastic comfortable yet decently fast daily driver. I think your tastes would favor the 2010+ 5.0L with the more modern shift control design, newer LED's external lights and brasher bodywork. I went with the older less powerful simpler car with a simpler engine as my primary focus was a daily driver.

 

Have you considered a McLaren or i8?

Having had a 599 and driven an F12, they're very similar in many ways, and a 599 is far more fierce than any Aston. I personally think the F12 doesn't get power to the ground well, and both it and the 599 had hi polar moments of inertia. Even so, I could leave much for dead in my 599. Neither it nor an F12 are intense enough for me anymore.

The F12 DSG >>599 Graziano F1>>ZF autobox in Astons.

 

Where do you go from there?

 

Still looking. Speciale, Huracan, GT3RS, McL 650 all far closer than the 12's, either F or L. I've had a lot of fun with all of them. 675 fun, but not worth premium either, and I've never been shy about whizzing money away on this crap. Haven't tracked the 650 yet, but I'm liking it pushed really hard.

Astons pretty but like a really fast SL. Californias and FF are just, umm, errr,.... TdF is a Classiche certified Mansory thing. Apertas not worth premium, or fellating dealer to get one.

I've had serious old stuff, and it's just old. So jaded.

OK, try a Tesla. The quest is all over the map for the OP. An SLR is not really claimed by McLaren nor MB. I've driven a couple, and other than nice exhaust (my wagon has better), it had all the emotional pull of a damp washcloth. A CF car that is nearly as heavy as an SL Black. Oh well, I've pizzed off enough people in one post I think At least I've owned/driven all the stuff I'm muttering about.

 

My Vanquish arrives in late September. The F12 outperforms, but I prefer the look and feel of the Aston. Hard to go wrong here. Vanquish depreciation is monumental.