I have a V12S manual coupe and I would describe the gearbox as characterful, interesting, challenging but very rewarding in the right hands...too many cars these days are just to easy to drive and that just creates a rather boring experience...
I have 2017 V12S manual 7 speed manual dogleg. I think it’s really terrific and fun to drive! A Very engaging driving experience I would never trade it for a sport shift
The truth is the single clutch automated manual is more engaging n emotional when driving on b roads , streets etc... just let go a bit the throttle before upshift... the double fast clutch is great when you are racing on tracks... or drag racing
Thanks for your usual objective appraisal. I have an N420 Aston with one piece carbon fibre seats which are the most comfortable seats I have ever had in any car. I’ m 6ft. 3 and they work so well, perhaps that may be the solution you need? Keep up the good work, love the shirt!
I'd love to swap a set of those seats, but the price I was quoted was slightly terrifying. Spoke to another company which does aftermarket ones and quite tempted, but need to use the car more first before I can justify it.
The engine note on that Vantage V12S is night and day better than the regular Vantage V12. It's got a hard edge that I've not heard in a Vantage V12. Epic.
I sold this Makita cordless power drill in the local paper. And then six months later, I received the very same one back as a Christmas present from my brother-in-law, minus the power pack.
You would certainly expect a car manufacturer with this pedigree to get the clutch and gearbox right..... and that is before you mentioned the seats. I appreciate that it could well be a strong contender as a proper Gran Tourer but, as you say, it seems to be flawed..... which is a pity. No 🐂💩.... just plain facts and/or a valid verifiable opinion is why you're at 100k+ subscribers. Side note (unrelated to this upload) - WD40 has freed up my boot lock on the P5B so your earlier email was an appreciated "kick up the bum" that I needed lol 😆. Thanks 👍
This car is designed perfectly. If you love driving, you will love this. If you are in shape (seats are just fine if you are) want to adapt to the beast this is, you won't regret going for one. For example, the (required) 'lift-off' in up-shifts, provides the pleasure of the best manual shifting, when you get it right. If you're on the fence to get one, just go for it - you will have a ball.
Nice series of Aston videos. Pity you cannot borrow one of the V8 Astons from the Victor Gauntlet years or one of the Oscar India models. Keep up the good work & my wife loves the shirtm
Oh yes it's lovely, pretty much my dream older Aston, still I would be tempted to go for the seven speed manual... Having this many gears just seems like a lot of fun to me and there's just something so cool about it...
Time constraints meant I washed it the night before and was drying it after the sun had gone down - hence the big watermark on the bonnet! It normally gets treated better than that!
A great review, I have this same combo, in black, and I hate the seats as well. I had an original V8 06 with the in house looking seats and they were much grippier, the seats in the V12 offer no lateral grip when kicking on in the bends, we never got the sports seats here in Oz (we had 27 x V12S that came here so quite rare). The gearbox takes time to get used to but most ex manual owners like me actually prefer it over a true slusher or even a DCT I change every gear up/down. The ride quality is amazing with the three settings and I think the steering is better than you give credit, pushing on the car just lifts up and dances in a way the original V8 did not. The sound well my neighbours assure me it is special (exhaust was from the 1-77. My neighbour has a 2016 V8 so together we are popular in a built up suburb. Love mine and enjoy it which is all we ever ask for.
....as long as I watch Jay's vids I accept the painfull truth that specifics of fantastic sportscar versus perfect Grand Tourer are so crucially contradicting that man have to simply decide what is better option to preffer. And never regret drawbacks his choice brought.....once a man starts to try compromising these two opposite kinds it is route to labyrinth of disfunctions which are hell of endless upgrades and tuning....some may have it as hobby but others have more important stuff to dedicate time and money...don't take me wrong but hapy relatives are prior to satisfying machine....
Re V12 noises, at least on the 6spd V12V, I would say 95% of the noise heard inside the cabin is from the exhaust; there is very little/no induction noise audible inside the cabin, which is a great shame IMO. Sounds fab from the outside though, especially when you have Bamford Rose manifolds and sport cats 😊
Interesting I have the 12S and it make plenty of noise inside, but I tend to think no louder than my old V8 was. Love both sounds the 12 has more noise when rumbling around just over idle.
You say you can buy a V12V or a v12vS for the same money?? For an over priced or super low mileage V12V, maybe, anything else there is a 15-20k difference For circa £5k, Bamford Rose will fit an electronically adjustable suspension kit to any V12V (or v8), which I’ve read provides the additional comfort you’re seeking.
But then again, if we are talking paddles, the 599 is a much better buy for similar money. V12v manual with bamford clutch and proper dampers on softer springs should be the perfect choice.
I think I’m the only person that likes SMG’s or single clutch, cause I get the feeling of banging gears like a regular manual but getting it perfect everytime. Dual Clutches just feel like nothing at all and not as engaging.
James, its not called the power pack, its actually referred to and sold as the 'AMR Performance Pack' I know its only a small error but accuracy is important, especially in this sort of social media post/vlog/review put out for the world to see.
I think at the time it was added to the car (early 2017) it predated them branding it as AMR - it was just referred to as the Performance Pack. We also had the AMi II system upgraded to AMi III, so very similar to a MY17 spec car despite being a MY16.
Sublime. I only like this and the 80s shape for Aston. Why don’t modern cars sound like this. The stupid pots and bangs, I don’t like them on modern cars
Its a water mark, and my fault. Perils of washing a car as you're losing the light. By the time I was drying it it was basically dark and missed that bit.
You definitely have what to say. But I always wondered, why do you show so little actually the car you’re reviewing? To my eyes every car has so much exterior and interior elements (and every of that requires reasonable watching time to evaluate/appreciate), that your vlog could consist mostly of those views and your speech. So why do you show so much of you driving the car, when even interior is not visible?
You mentioned the f430 Scud having really fast gear changes but how is the regular f430 gear changes like? The manual f430 is way too expensive now but the auto is reasonable.
You forgot to mention how many times you had to stop and get the car fixed during this video. I would think ten minutes of trouble free driving in one of these car might be a world record.
That AMR titanium exhaust is so intoxicating. Wow they do it right. For the record though, all V12 Vantage S models came with a twin plate clutch, not a single. Even with that though the dog nog is real.
@ 01.23...That car didn't enjoy a premium wash last time out...filthy grime all over bonnet...looks like been to the local 'hand job' £5 wash ! 😱 Glorious car though. 👍🏻
I cleaned it the night before and it was getting dark by the time I was drying it - hence the big water mark on the bonnet! Was mortified as soon as JayEmm showed me the video, but wasn't much I could do by then. 😅
Jay. Which would be your go to Aston if you could buy one? The vantage n430? Seen so many Aston videos recently I can't remember which you said is your fav
Good review - The seats are crap same as fitted to Vanquish- we picked one up from Aston HQ and took it down south of France on an EVO mag shoot against Ferrari 575 and Murcielago E Drive in 2003 - @#£ting seat broke in northern France so had to drive 3000 miles either at 90 degree angle or it lieing on floor. I'd just never spend my own money on an Aston Martin !
Surely the larger DBS just suits the role of being a GT car a bit better and the Vantage being somewhat smaller (if not lighter) the more sporty option. Either way both are stunning cars and that engine is amazing.
there is about 150kgs difference / 300 lbs according to websites which sounds about right, the Vantage is a physically smaller car so more nimble I have driven both, the DBS is still awesome, particularly with the Manual. I have the Vantage 12S and you can feel the difference in handling. But either are massive fun.
I think that in time it will be seen that an original V12 manual with carbon seats is the one which will go down as a classic, rather than this flappy paddle model,
Ultimately there is no perfect V12 Vantage, the original had rubbish suspension and the engine in the S is superior, as is the later centre console design. The ideal would be a late V12VS with performance pack and the 6-speed manual, but that's not an option.
taking a manual transmission car out for a test drive to determine if the shifting pattern is acceptable or not is unlikely to be accomplished in one or two drives. getting used to a new pattern can only be determined once the pattern has become a habit. and that can take hundreds if not thousands of miles.
Drove it for almost an hour and never felt comfortable with it - it was a £50k gamble that I'd grow to like it and that's a LOT of money to risk. There was also no way my wife would drive it either. There were other aspects I didn't like on the particular car too, and along with the sentimental factor with this car meant it just didn't make sense on any level.
@@ThorburnJ coming from 20 years of a 5-speed, the vantage 6-speed was a learning experience for several months. now, it's like second nature. even something as minor as designing how strong the springs need to be when in neutral and where the shifter should be (i.e. between 1st and 2nd, or between 3rd and 4th) when in neutral can take some getting used to.
@@bladerunner6282 I've got 5 cars, so I switch between a pair of 5-speeds, a pair of 6-speeds, and the SS3. The move from 5 to 6-speed is incomparable - they're functionally the same. The 7-speed means you are no longer just pressing left or pressing right to get the correct gears, you have to carefully moderate the pressure or you end up in completely the wrong gear with potentially catastrophic consequences. Like you say, over hundreds or thousands of miles I might have gotten used to it, but it was too big a cost to pay in the hope I'd grow to like it in the future, especially on a car that I don't do a lot of miles in.
Got to say I am with James I had 4 manuals including a V8 Vantage before I got my 12S SS3, as long as you drive it like a manual always in sports mode, I genuinely enjoy it and would not take the manual even at the same price as a driving experience, the downshifts are awesome and the car is wickedly quick. It is not a DSG or a slusher and better for it as an ownership experience (but never going to be loved by presenters who get in and want a Ferrari 488 or Porsche change, and yes a slight lift always makes it better). One of other club members here in Sydney had 2 manuals including a red bull edition V8 before it was written off and he now has a V8S with SS3 and he concurs it awesome fun when driven like a manual up and down the box, I literally change every gear up and down the box around town.
Truth be told, even if the car was a compete sack of shit, I would still want it just for the badge it's wearing and that monster engine. Men drive Astons for the same reason women wear six inch heels... and that has nothing to do with comfort or practicality.
I'm 60kg and I think they are a bit meh. The lightweight ones are brilliant - like big Elise seats - but the standard sport seats aren't great. Been tempted to change them, but got a quote of £10k!
The only thing louder than that glorious V12 is James' shirt.
That is the most hilarious thing I have read in a long time.
Who the f.. he think he is
Lovely sounding v12, it’s nice/different to hear a v12 that isn’t so high pitched
The sound of this car....magnificent
What a beautiful car. And that noise. This is still a hugely desirable car, more so than anything AM currently makes to me.
I have a V12S manual coupe and I would describe the gearbox as characterful, interesting, challenging but very rewarding in the right hands...too many cars these days are just to easy to drive and that just creates a rather boring experience...
Mark Humberstone bang on. Love my V12VS
Do you lift off the throttle between shifts like a true manual? The clunkier single clutches usually perform better when you do this
Agreed 100%
Quick survey...
Which is louder?
A. The Aston Martin? 🤔
B. That Shirt? 🤦🏼♂️
The shirt 😋
The shirt.
Don’t exhausts have to comply with legislation about how loud they are? As far as I am aware there are no such restrictions on shirts. Yet.
@@sparky4878 there should be though!!! 🤢 👚
I have 2017 V12S manual 7 speed manual dogleg. I think it’s really terrific and fun to drive! A Very engaging driving experience
I would never trade it for a sport shift
Love a V12 Vantage; something about the biggest engine shoved into the baby Aston.
The truth is the single clutch automated manual is more engaging n emotional when driving on b roads , streets etc... just let go a bit the throttle before upshift... the double fast clutch is great when you are racing on tracks... or drag racing
About the only Aston I like, they got this shape and sound just right
That sounds like God roaring.
Ah, the V12 Vantage S....lovely 😍
Wow J 111k subs!!
Could be terrible to drive, but those looks and THAT SOUND!!!!!! OMG massive want
What a glorious chorus that engine fires out 👌🏻.
Thanks for your usual objective appraisal. I have an N420 Aston with one piece carbon fibre seats which are the most comfortable seats I have ever had in any car. I’ m 6ft. 3 and they work so well, perhaps that may be the solution you need? Keep up the good work, love the shirt!
I'd love to swap a set of those seats, but the price I was quoted was slightly terrifying. Spoke to another company which does aftermarket ones and quite tempted, but need to use the car more first before I can justify it.
The engine note on that Vantage V12S is night and day better than the regular Vantage V12. It's got a hard edge that I've not heard in a Vantage V12. Epic.
I sold this Makita cordless power drill in the local paper. And then six months later, I received the very same one back as a Christmas present from my brother-in-law, minus the power pack.
You would certainly expect a car manufacturer with this pedigree to get the clutch and gearbox right..... and that is before you mentioned the seats. I appreciate that it could well be a strong contender as a proper Gran Tourer but, as you say, it seems to be flawed..... which is a pity.
No 🐂💩.... just plain facts and/or a valid verifiable opinion is why you're at 100k+ subscribers.
Side note (unrelated to this upload) - WD40 has freed up my boot lock on the P5B so your earlier email was an appreciated "kick up the bum" that I needed lol 😆. Thanks 👍
This car is designed perfectly.
If you love driving, you will love this. If you are in shape (seats are just fine if you are) want to adapt to the beast this is, you won't regret going for one.
For example, the (required) 'lift-off' in up-shifts, provides the pleasure of the best manual shifting, when you get it right.
If you're on the fence to get one, just go for it - you will have a ball.
Nice series of Aston videos. Pity you cannot borrow one of the V8 Astons from the Victor Gauntlet years or one of the Oscar India models. Keep up the good work & my wife loves the shirtm
Fantastic car. Better than any ferrari or porsche
Oh yes it's lovely, pretty much my dream older Aston, still I would be tempted to go for the seven speed manual... Having this many gears just seems like a lot of fun to me and there's just something so cool about it...
A V600 supercharged Vantage from the 90's and this, are the best Astons...🙂
That stunning car deserves a proper wash and detail... but my God does it sound good!
Time constraints meant I washed it the night before and was drying it after the sun had gone down - hence the big watermark on the bonnet! It normally gets treated better than that!
Manual v12 Aston surely one of the most awesome automobiles
A great review, I have this same combo, in black, and I hate the seats as well. I had an original V8 06 with the in house looking seats and they were much grippier, the seats in the V12 offer no lateral grip when kicking on in the bends, we never got the sports seats here in Oz (we had 27 x V12S that came here so quite rare). The gearbox takes time to get used to but most ex manual owners like me actually prefer it over a true slusher or even a DCT I change every gear up/down. The ride quality is amazing with the three settings and I think the steering is better than you give credit, pushing on the car just lifts up and dances in a way the original V8 did not. The sound well my neighbours assure me it is special (exhaust was from the 1-77. My neighbour has a 2016 V8 so together we are popular in a built up suburb. Love mine and enjoy it which is all we ever ask for.
....as long as I watch Jay's vids I accept the painfull truth that specifics of fantastic sportscar versus perfect Grand Tourer are so crucially contradicting that man have to simply decide what is better option to preffer. And never regret drawbacks his choice brought.....once a man starts to try compromising these two opposite kinds it is route to labyrinth of disfunctions which are hell of endless upgrades and tuning....some may have it as hobby but others have more important stuff to dedicate time and money...don't take me wrong but hapy relatives are prior to satisfying machine....
Re V12 noises, at least on the 6spd V12V, I would say 95% of the noise heard inside the cabin is from the exhaust; there is very little/no induction noise audible inside the cabin, which is a great shame IMO. Sounds fab from the outside though, especially when you have Bamford Rose manifolds and sport cats 😊
Interesting I have the 12S and it make plenty of noise inside, but I tend to think no louder than my old V8 was. Love both sounds the 12 has more noise when rumbling around just over idle.
I wish McLaren would ask the boys at Aston how they make that noise.
By not using turbos...!
You say you can buy a V12V or a v12vS for the same money?? For an over priced or super low mileage V12V, maybe, anything else there is a 15-20k difference
For circa £5k, Bamford Rose will fit an electronically adjustable suspension kit to any V12V (or v8), which I’ve read provides the additional comfort you’re seeking.
Excellent review
But then again, if we are talking paddles, the 599 is a much better buy for similar money. V12v manual with bamford clutch and proper dampers on softer springs should be the perfect choice.
Sounds great to us! 👍
I think I’m the only person that likes SMG’s or single clutch, cause I get the feeling of banging gears like a regular manual but getting it perfect everytime. Dual Clutches just feel like nothing at all and not as engaging.
James - great vid as usual, but do you think Noel Edmonds can stop lending you his blouses?
I love this aston Martin model
James, its not called the power pack, its actually referred to and sold as the 'AMR Performance Pack'
I know its only a small error but accuracy is important, especially in this sort of social media post/vlog/review put out for the world to see.
I think at the time it was added to the car (early 2017) it predated them branding it as AMR - it was just referred to as the Performance Pack. We also had the AMi II system upgraded to AMi III, so very similar to a MY17 spec car despite being a MY16.
Sublime. I only like this and the 80s shape for Aston. Why don’t modern cars sound like this. The stupid pots and bangs, I don’t like them on modern cars
Most modern engines are way to small to sound throaty. But i agree that the pops and bangs are bs.
Who waxed THAT
Look at the bonnet around 45 odd seconds in
. Terrible
.get your hankie on that.. Dude
Its a water mark, and my fault. Perils of washing a car as you're losing the light. By the time I was drying it it was basically dark and missed that bit.
James Thorburn , nice car. Mine looks scarily similar😍. th-cam.com/video/518s0UFb9Cc/w-d-xo.html
@@johnc5clive very nice. I think my dad's first V8 Vantage was Onyx Black.
Beautiful shirt in a beautiful car 🤙🏼
James another great video, any chance of getting hold of a vauxhall cavalier turbo or Calibra turbo for the vauxhall die hards.
Hard cars to find
You definitely have what to say. But I always wondered, why do you show so little actually the car you’re reviewing? To my eyes every car has so much exterior and interior elements (and every of that requires reasonable watching time to evaluate/appreciate), that your vlog could consist mostly of those views and your speech. So why do you show so much of you driving the car, when even interior is not visible?
Glorious sound
Great review, so all being told for a secondhand Aston at a reasonable cost for the typical mortal which model would you choose now ?
V8 Vantage, 4.3 or 4.7 in manual
The only good thing about that gearbox is that you can easily convert it to a manual shift. Rather cheaply as well actually.
So which is better - this or DBS?
the more i watch these vantage videos the more i want 1 haha
You mentioned the f430 Scud having really fast gear changes but how is the regular f430 gear changes like? The manual f430 is way too expensive now but the auto is reasonable.
I hope to be trying one soon
You forgot to mention how many times you had to stop and get the car fixed during this video. I would think ten minutes of trouble free driving in one of these car might be a world record.
That AMR titanium exhaust is so intoxicating. Wow they do it right.
For the record though, all V12 Vantage S models came with a twin plate clutch, not a single. Even with that though the dog nog is real.
I think by single clutch he was referring to a semi-auto with one clutch, as opposed to a DSG style box with two clutches.
Correct - single clutch not single plate
Great shirt
Was that a Planes, Trains and Automobiles reference?!
@ 01.23...That car didn't enjoy a premium wash last time out...filthy grime all over bonnet...looks like been to the local 'hand job' £5 wash ! 😱 Glorious car though. 👍🏻
I cleaned it the night before and it was getting dark by the time I was drying it - hence the big water mark on the bonnet!
Was mortified as soon as JayEmm showed me the video, but wasn't much I could do by then. 😅
that was a red Fiat X1/9 ! 7 mins in
So what one would you have? V12 6speed Manual or v12s
I have a V12VS in onyx black like this one so........
Why you wouldn't get the dog leg box is sacriledge
Because it was £50k more and not very nice. Have you tried one?
Needs the CTR touch
If you were purchasing one, would you choose the DBS, V12VS or DBS SL?
Only after test drive them
Wow when was the last time you saw a Fiat X1/9
Actually 3 days ago :)
I want to know who was responsible for washing that beautiful Aston. The paint is probably spectacular as described but the wash marks are awful!
Jay. Which would be your go to Aston if you could buy one? The vantage n430? Seen so many Aston videos recently I can't remember which you said is your fav
V8 Vantage S manual or Vanquish 2
@@JayEmmOnCars awesome. Thank you.
Good review - The seats are crap same as fitted to Vanquish- we picked one up from Aston HQ and took it down south of France on an EVO mag shoot against Ferrari 575 and Murcielago E Drive in 2003 - @#£ting seat broke in northern France so had to drive 3000 miles either at 90 degree angle or it lieing on floor. I'd just never spend my own money on an Aston Martin !
Came here for the S-ton Martin Vantage V12, but heard a lot about the Ferrari 355.
I like the Shirt, but not in this Car ;-)
Nice
I never understood these cars. the DBS is the same weight so why this was seen as the sporty option baffles me.
It's never just about the weight
Surely the larger DBS just suits the role of being a GT car a bit better and the Vantage being somewhat smaller (if not lighter) the more sporty option. Either way both are stunning cars and that engine is amazing.
@@JayEmmOnCars I agree but to actually make the Vantage S weigh as much as the DBS is an achievement by AM
there is about 150kgs difference / 300 lbs according to websites which sounds about right, the Vantage is a physically smaller car so more nimble I have driven both, the DBS is still awesome, particularly with the Manual. I have the Vantage 12S and you can feel the difference in handling. But either are massive fun.
@@craigmoy5457 I remember looking it up on the AM website when the Vantage V12 was released, I couldn't fathom it so its always stuck with me
Sounds like the car to buy is the Ferrari..... luv the shirt james....
I want the convertible
Great comments except for the seats. Remember your a rather large unit so the same comment may not be relevant for others😎
I'm the owner, 5'10" and 60kg, so a very different build, and I don't really like the seats either - the optional lightweight ones are much better.
I think that in time it will be seen that an original V12 manual with carbon seats is the one which will go down as a classic, rather than this flappy paddle model,
Ultimately there is no perfect V12 Vantage, the original had rubbish suspension and the engine in the S is superior, as is the later centre console design. The ideal would be a late V12VS with performance pack and the 6-speed manual, but that's not an option.
taking a manual transmission car out for a test drive to determine if the shifting pattern is acceptable or not is unlikely to be accomplished in one or two drives. getting used to a new pattern can only be determined once the pattern has become a habit. and that can take hundreds if not thousands of miles.
Drove it for almost an hour and never felt comfortable with it - it was a £50k gamble that I'd grow to like it and that's a LOT of money to risk. There was also no way my wife would drive it either.
There were other aspects I didn't like on the particular car too, and along with the sentimental factor with this car meant it just didn't make sense on any level.
@@ThorburnJ coming from 20 years of a 5-speed, the vantage 6-speed was a learning experience for several months. now, it's like second nature. even something as minor as designing how strong the springs need to be when in neutral and where the shifter should be (i.e. between 1st and 2nd, or between 3rd and 4th) when in neutral can take some getting used to.
@@bladerunner6282 I've got 5 cars, so I switch between a pair of 5-speeds, a pair of 6-speeds, and the SS3.
The move from 5 to 6-speed is incomparable - they're functionally the same. The 7-speed means you are no longer just pressing left or pressing right to get the correct gears, you have to carefully moderate the pressure or you end up in completely the wrong gear with potentially catastrophic consequences.
Like you say, over hundreds or thousands of miles I might have gotten used to it, but it was too big a cost to pay in the hope I'd grow to like it in the future, especially on a car that I don't do a lot of miles in.
Got to say I am with James I had 4 manuals including a V8 Vantage before I got my 12S SS3, as long as you drive it like a manual always in sports mode, I genuinely enjoy it and would not take the manual even at the same price as a driving experience, the downshifts are awesome and the car is wickedly quick. It is not a DSG or a slusher and better for it as an ownership experience (but never going to be loved by presenters who get in and want a Ferrari 488 or Porsche change, and yes a slight lift always makes it better). One of other club members here in Sydney had 2 manuals including a red bull edition V8 before it was written off and he now has a V8S with SS3 and he concurs it awesome fun when driven like a manual up and down the box, I literally change every gear up and down the box around town.
Sorry James. Completely disagree with your gearbox comments
Nobody cares
ooh...Mr Bond.......Ha !!
Truth be told, even if the car was a compete sack of shit, I would still want it just for the badge it's wearing and that monster engine. Men drive Astons for the same reason women wear six inch heels... and that has nothing to do with comfort or practicality.
The seats are fine if you are a normal weight!
I'm 60kg and I think they are a bit meh. The lightweight ones are brilliant - like big Elise seats - but the standard sport seats aren't great.
Been tempted to change them, but got a quote of £10k!