vanquish owners?

While the earlier models are certainly nice, I'd probably tend to look for the later S model, which had a slightly more aggressive aerodynamic package and look. IIRC, only offered in '05 and '06. And, the '06 had the redesigned dash, which was a bit nice, IMO.

CW

 

The mentioned "aggressive aerodynamic package" was only a larger grill, lip spoiler (can be added to any car), and a slightly swept duck tail trunk. All theses exterior cosmetics are almost indistinguishable from a non-S car and you really have to know what you are looking at.

The S brings a few extra HP, sport seats, and the notably better brakes and steering which the latter items (seats/brakes/streering ratio) were integrated on the 2004 Sports Dynamic Package (SDP) optioned cars and added after delivery by some owners. The new dash was actually limited to the second half of the 06 run, so not all 2006s will have the later integrated in dash NAV screen which gives the interior a relatively "modern look" compared to the earlier cars.

Heres a primer for non-Vanquish owners that want a crash course about the facts/history on the car on one site: http://astonmartins.com/car-category/v12-vanquish-2/

 

I should hope so.

Subtle changes? Yes. And, I agree that it's likely indistinguishable to the casual eye. But, we're supposed to be CAR guys here. So, I would hope if anyone is interested, they'll take the time to inform themselves. A buyer may not feel it is worth the premium $, but price differences aren't so big as to scare buyers off.

Arguably, the last version is also the "best" of the model. Not always the case, but I think the later "S" was an improvement, even if only marginal.

CW

 

I think the S is more than a marginal improvement.
Much(!!) better brakes, stiffer springs, remarkably better steering response - that's more than marginal.
The exterior changes are marginal, I'd prefer the Non-S over my S when it's just about the looks.

Some owners who have had both say, the Non-S is more pure (especially without the SDP).
I thought about buying a Non-S as a stablemate for my S and I was unsure about upgrades and updates for the 2002 car (one owner, stunning color combination).
I've had a Non-S without any changes back in 2009 and I had some trouble with the car - but it was because I didn't know enough about it.
The AMOC guys said, don't upgrade or update anything - just drive it like you stole it and it's all fine. And that's what this car needs, S and Non-S.

 

Pete, did you check out the Vanquish in Long Island? I am curious about a feedback.

Cheers
Bjoern

 

hi bjoern,

I will be traveling to Manhattan for work tomorrow. I plan to see the car this weekend.
I will let you know. I also hope to get a good education from tom regarding the car and the maint issues for which I have some concern.


pcb

 

Very cool. Keep us in the loop.

 

I had planned to stop in to autosport designs last Friday but my plans were thwarted so I decided to go get a root canal instead.

I hope to make it in to Huntington Station tomorrow afternoon to see the 2002.

Ryan, did you buy the silver 550 from tom?

 

No, I bought it from CNC in California but Tom had a black one that I was going to buuy before I decided that titanium was better for me. But I liked that black one so much that I turned a buddy onto it and he bought it.

 

Pete, any news?

 

Any news? ;-)

 

Did you buy a Vanquish Peter??
Seems like we are following similar paths over the years. I bought a 2003 Vanquish last year.

 

hi steve, how have you been? really miss you in the boxer world. I would love to hear about your ownership experience. the good and the bad...mostly related to the gearbox I suspect.

at any rate, no I have not bought another toy yet as I have been busy with work and doing well...but have not been paid yet so I am sitting tight for the moment.

 

I would hold on to these cars, going to be the last "fully hand made" AM.

 

this is the boxer of Astons I think...or f40?

 

This often stated (even I have said it), but to be acurate is not totally correct. Actually they are the last of NP Astons, but on the Vanqs the panels were pre hydroformed and had final finish crafting for fitting. Unlike previous Astons that had panels fully hand made with rolled metal and hammers from scratch.



@ Pete: The one to buy is the 06 currently on ebay with the custom interior and glass roof mod.

 

You are of course correct, hydroforming was introduced at Newport Pagnell for Vanquish production, nevertheless it is the last of the Astons that is properly handbuilt, through a production process devoid of automation, initial panel forming aside. Less than 2500 cars were produced over it's 6 year lifespan.

 

I have been well Peter. I still keep an eye on the Boxer forum here, having owned two, it is still a car I have a place in my heart for, although at present prices, I do not see myself owning another.
I bought a Murcielago a few months ago, and have the Vanquish a little over a year now, so two V12's in the garage at the moment.
My ownership experience with the Vanquish has been somewhat rocky to start, but now it is behaving itself beautifully, and is quite a special car, but definitely more in the GT category than sports car.
I always liked them, there are few more beautiful cars ever made than a Vanquish, terrific road presence, elegant, yet very muscular at the same time, and the noise from the V12 is the best, more raw and throaty than all other Astons. The center dash panel looks awkward in pictures, but sit in the car and it works really well, wonderful driving position, perfect sized steering wheel, and a really well oiled old school heavy feel. It is comfortable to drive, but quite firmly damped, turns in well, with some understeer, but feels a bit too heavy to be hustling around tight roads. On the open road it is superb, very very easy to travel fast, feel very secure and planted, massively rigid, and the engine noise even inside the cabin is beautiful.
I bought my car, a 2003 model, privately, and it had seen little use for the previous two years. It was not shifting gear smoothly, and the pre purchase check I had done assumed this was due to a faulty ASM pump, resulting in low fluid pressure to the clutch actuation circuit...Mistake number one on my part...get an inspection done by a tech who knows the Vanquish, not all Aston techs do.
Mistake number two on my part...assume the worst case scenario. I did not, but it turned out to be the case.
After buying the car, the problem worsened, and it remained stuck in neutral..transmission limp mode, indicated by an amber warning light and message on the dash. I ended up sending the car to a well known specialist in the UK, and they pulled the transmission, to reveal faulty clutch position sensors, and a damaged clutch plate and flywheel.
I had a complete clutch fitted, along with a transmission overhaul, and new clutch position sensors, the updated type as fitted to the Vanquish S, commonly known as the magnetic sensor upgrade. Then the transmission ECU was reflashed with the later S shift program. This work can only be done by a specialist with the right tooling and diagnostics, or by AM dealers, as it involves a transmission set up on an external rig, with the transmission connected to the car via an electrohydraulic umbilical harness.
While there I also took the opportunity to fully service the car, including new coils, a suspension overhaul, differential service, and full brake system overhaul with new rotors and pads. I also replaced the original tyres with Michelin Pilot Sport, a dramatic improvement in comfort and grip.
The transmission gets a bad press, mostly because the first cars were fitted with very crude position sensors, which went out of calibration as they wore out resulting in slow lumpy changes, and failure, along with premature clutch wear, and possible transmission damage. It is the same system as fitted to the Ferrari 360, and works well if you drive it as a manual car, because that is what it essentially is. My car shifts smooth, just lift off the gas for a moment as it changes up, and downshifts are quick, with a wonderful blip as it changes. Also, being an automated manual, you can easily skip a gear or two going up or down, and for example go directly from 6th to fourth by pulling the paddle twice quickly.
Find a car with the sensor upgrade already done, and the only weak spot is gone.
Check also for front subframe corrosion, it is serious and expensive if it has taken hold, but very cheap and easy to prevent. Make sure the car has been serviced annually. Aston specify 6 months or 5000 miles, but every specialist here says if less than 5000 miles per year, annually is just fine.
I would say that a car that has seen regular use will be all the better for it. They do not like lying around, and they should be driven hard fairly often, the engine in the Vanquish has higher lift cams, and different manifolds than the DB9, and is tuned to be opened up.
I have learned quite a lot about them, so if you have any specific question Peter, just ask.
A very special car.

 

Steve, Good write up and spot on. What is your handle on AMOC (I use the same)?

I see we have similar taste in cars from your profile (Vanquish and SL55). Highly recommend either a Kleemann or Renntech mod - practically makes the SL another car.

 

Thank you. I have thought about some mods for the 55AMG, it is a great engine, but right now, after three years of ownership, I am thinking of changing it for something different. Current thoughts are along the lines of SL63AMG, the na 6.2 engined version, or SL65 AMG, Porsche 997 Turbo, or possibly Nissan GTR. Need to get some behind the wheel time in them to have a better idea.
I am just a forum member of the AMOC, not a club member. I have received some good advice on the forum, a few very knowledgeable guys there on the Vanquish.

 

steve, as always, you are indeed a gentleman to take the time to write such a thoughtful post. thank you my boxer friend!!

 

Very informative post. I had the privilege to drive a Vanquish with that verry same mod and I have to say that the shifting, blip,sound and all is awsome.IMO, the sound is even better that the Gran Turismo GT by a small margin.
I would have a few question on the topic of weakness:.
How many Vanquish may have that mod?
At resale what would be the price differential with the one who dont if any? Should a non mod be heavily discounted at purchase?
Any way to spot a transmission modified Vanquish?
Did you have issues with coils, or suspension? Is there any long term weaknesses there?
Would you recommend buying a non-modified even if it shifts right or is it a problem waiting to happen?

 

Aston Martin "modern classics" right now are

Its the boxer equivalent, there are no F40 equivalents per say but you have cars in the same pricing bracket or nearly like DB5 "Vantage" and DB6 "Vantage.

80's V8 Vantage, specifically 85-90 which had the flares and aggressive body kit = the high prized models are the X Pack Coupe and Volante.

90's V8 Vantage Twin Supercharged = V550 550hp, 600hp V600 and V8 Vantage LeMans.

00's Vanquish and Vanquish S, more desirable if its been converted to Manual gearbox by Aston Martin Works.

The above cars are in very low production volumes, I would look into them.

 

It's a common mod/update that owners do when you get your clutch replaced and is well discussed on the AM forum. I doubt if anyone knows the number done (like saying how many F430 owners have changed their clutch). It's not a big formal transmission mod, but a small magnetic shift sensor module update. Unless you have records I doubt you can tell and most buyers do not have the level of knowledge that diehard AMOC/forum readers would have to impact a price upon resale. Most cars are still below 25k mi, so a clutch most likely has not been replaced, and only someone who really didn't like the shift jerk would have had their car updated.

The cars are still soft in the market an a great buy for an astute buyer.

 

I would say that a car that has been updated will sell for a stronger price, as for trying to discount a car because it is still running the original setup, its a case by case basis between buyer and seller, any Vanquish which has been maintained well is the right one to buy. The sensor upgrade is standard practice when a clutch needs to be done, as the old type sensors are not available now anyway.
There is a clutch relearn procedure, essentially a recalibration process that should be done by owners when they notice a change in clutch bite point, or a deterioration in shift quality, but many owners seem unaware of this. It is recalibrates the system to compensate for wear and tear, a pretty simple process of ignition on and off and paddling up and down through the gears a number of times.
On the suspension front, there are no weaknesses, but like any 1800kg car, arm bushings and ball joints take a hammering, but no more than any other GT.
Ignition coils are a major only service item, but replacing them is expensive, as there are twelve, and inlet manifolds need to be removed meaning a new gasket set. Again, regular use, and spirited driving will mean few problems.
As Sherrillt says, right now they are a great buy, they will never be cheaper.