I had heard each years Vanquish got a slightly altered F1 system. Can older ones be updated and is it a warrenty item? Can any year Vanquish be converted to 6 speed?
Works can do whatever you like, including wooden inlays etc. The only difference I actually know of is when they went up to the 530HP they re-did the clutch on the F1. Unlike the Ferrari, the Am tranny learns your driving style/shift points. The Aston F1 is fast, the Ferrari in sport mode is almost as fast as the Aston in normal. In sport mode it is blistering fast, esp downshifts. The Vantage is actually $150K cheaper, ONLY a V8 (once you go V12 you won't want an 8 again), VH chassis vs carbon monococque and will be built in the thousands (kinda like my 360, the lack of quality shows in mass manufactured vehicles). There will probably be less than 600 Vanqs in the US total, and about 120 or so "S." I wouldn't buy any manufacturers "low end" / "entry level" model.
Got the Vanq 8/13/05. $0 for maintenance. 10,000 miles Ferrari 360 spider: got it may 04 1. 2 weeks later in for warranty work, the top wouldn't work 2. 6 months later more warranty engine light went on- was told it was the gas cap 3. last year more warranty, the A/C stopped working (really sucks in Texas) 4. the back up sensors don't work (I keep forgtetting to get them looked at) 5. the oil filler cap gets loose (a common problem) got oil in the engine bay. (One day I'll clean it up, then again maybe not as it'll by my wife's problem) 6. the gas cap plastic portion has separated from the metal cap itself And I haven't touched upon fit/finish and ride....... Which car do you think I like, and which car sucks...... Frankly, when I get my Lamborghini, I will decide for myself: do all Italian exotic cars suck/are overrated, or just one brand. One of the reasons my Ferrari is a garage queen (probably a lot of others too) is that I just don't feel comfortable in the reliablility to drive it daily. I don't have that problem with the Aston. The problem I have now is do I wait for the replacement (and drive the wheels off it), or get the Rapide and keep the Vanq (keep the miles down).
I was looking at DB9 Volantes today, georgeous cars, drove great, drove the tiptronic (?), although I think I would get a 6 speed. Loaded sticker is around 185K in stock, anybody know how much play a dealer has on a cash deal? mark
I love the look of the Vanquish. But from what I saw this weekend in Monterey, the interior is extremely lacking in quality. There was 1 Vanquish for sale. 2000 miles, garage kept and covered. And yet, the leather on the dash was lifting. There was visible glue where the instrument pod meets the dash. The black film surround on the windshield was bubbling. And the trunk gas strut had leaked all the gas. A few cars away was a black Vanquish. This too had issues with the leather on the dash. Along with the instrument pod being separated from the dash surface to the point where the wiringand innardds were visible. If I paid what AM asks for this car, I would expect perfection. It seems like they are selling image and not quality.
so how much does the major service on the vanquish cost? More than a 360 I'd assume but then again most supercars do require more pricey work. There is a great one in Houston right now with 1K miles and they want 154K for it I think at Expo motorcars. It seems like a steal
I had a ticket for an 05 575M build. When I went to pick out colors, my wife and the kids said it didn't look like a quarter mill $ car, that it looked like a vette and the 360 spider is "what" a Ferrari should look like. So I got back the $10K deposit, got the 360 and put the money down on the Vanq. But you're absolutely correct, the low end Ferrari is just that.......it'll be the wife's soon anyway, she gets my discards, I get the nice ones......
It's a little different in the Aston Martin situation though. The vanquish came out 5 years before the Vantage. It's a great car but it's semi-dated. Many improvements have been made over those five years. And even though the vantage is their entry level car, the only thing the Vanquish really has over the Vantage is the v12 and it's torque (and the status of being the brands flagship car). The v8 sounds just as good though and it accelerates to 60 and 100 at the same pace. After 100 the Vanquish should walk away though.
True. But the AMV8 IS indeed being marketed as the baby Aston (or a shortened DB9 as the Rapide will be a lengthened DB9-ie the VH platform concept), once again VH vs monococque, much more room (Vanq is roomier than the DB9) and thousands vs a handfull. I doubt you'd be able to hit 170 in fifth either. I'm sure it's a nice little (red) car (as my wife calls the 360).
The exhaust note is simply amazing, someone over a forum sent me a video of them showing of the exhaust note if the car. if youd like me to post it let me know
FrankC, I've been toying with the idea of buying a Vanquish for quite some time now. In fact, I test drove the car I wanted, a 2004 with Sport Dynamics pack. I loved everything about the car, except the seats. I felt they were unsupportive and overstuffed. I passed on the car for that reason, but I just keep coming back to the fact that I don't like anything else being offered by the manufacturers. What are your thoughts on the Vanquish seats? I've mulled over the idea of a DB9, but continue to reject it. Any comments on the DB9's seats? I suppose I wouldn't mind a DBS, but at $300K (the reported price), I'm unwilling. Moreover, given AM's horrible depreciation curve, I just keep thinking to myself that waiting can't be a bad thing. CW
I guess that's a personal thing. I happen to love the seats. I drive a lot 100mi/day so to me they're very comfortable. I agree, they are supple, that's why I like them, yet they do support you quite well. The AMG/Mecedes seats are a bit stiffer, but comfortable as well. The Daytona seats are absolutely horrid, too small, rock hard. You can feel the springs in the seat on/in your ass- I guess that'd be a good thing if you're a ***. I've been more comfortable sleeping on rock outcrops while elk hunting. If you do get one have them bypass the exhaust bypass, so you hear that note throughout the rpm range (the bypass mutes the exhaust b/w 1500-3000rpm). My philosophy is that life is too short. If you're spending $200+ on a car (NO car is worth that, it is just a ******* car) it is a luxury not a need and to factor in depreciation in your decision process makes no sense and is ****ing ridiculous.
Some days I care, others I don't. I suppose it's dependent on my stock portfolio! Have you heard the same about the DBS price point, though? CW
I hope you're right on your price point guesstimate. However, I got the sense that there were lots of "small-batch" bits on the car that drove the price surprisingly high. It's possible if they ever do go to production with a DBS that it won't have all those expensive parts just to keep the cost down. We'll see. I do love the diamond quilting on the alcantara and the gauges in the DBS, though. Hopefully, they'll be able to keep most of it and get the cost down to a reasonable number. Muscular looks, surely a great sound (quicksilver exhaust, maybe?) and stylish interior. All around, a looker. Regarding the DB9, I mentioned that I considered it. I was looking at the manual box version. Ultimately, I found the styling a little too sleek and not muscular or aggressive enough. The DBS fixes that, but the Vanquish has the look out the box. CW
I actually spoke to my guy today- I had referred a colleague to him who bought a DB9 Volante and an E63 for his wife. He said "I owe you." I didn't ask, but I may be low balling the DBS.....the "S" is a "bridge" model between Vanqs. I stand corrected as of today, while it shares some skin with the DB9 and the similar VH platform, the "innards" aren't those simply of a 9. It will be very limited in numbers, have the "new" Vanq engine 550+ HP "in a lighter package." However, this is one of the bigger US dealerships and he expects to get maybe 3 DBS and 5-6 (possibly) Rapides. The DB9 is actually a very attractive car. I was planning on trading in my SL 55 on one, until "hey you wanna drive a Vanquish?"
This is more along the lines of what's being reported about the DBS on this side of the pond. Can't wait to see it in action in the new Bond movie. http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/secret_new_car.php?sid=110&page=1
Where do you guys see Vanquish prices levelling off for the 02-03 models? Cornerswell - did you buy a Vanquish after all?
Ryalex, Am in the process of negotiating for a new position on the West Coast (SF), and until that is finalized one way or another, I've put any big purchases on hold and am out of the market. I was looking at real estate prices in SF and am building up the war chest! However, I did find the car I want. Now, if it's available when I'm ready... Although, my dealer recently got me to drive an e-gear Gallardo. Quite a driving experience. More raw (and possibly fun?) than the Vanquish. Totally different, I know, but I just can't find anything that I'm totally enthusiastic about owning right now. And, while the Gallardo was fun to drive, why can't Lamborghini make their cars attractive? CW
