Just got back from a few days in Brisbane, the main reason for the trip being the first and only track test of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage in Australia (company policy to generally not allow them) by Car Advice.

We had the track to ourselves for the entire day and Paul Stokell (ex V8 supercars, Nations Cup etc) on hand to show us how to drive the thing....bloody hell! O_o Its amazing how much faster a good driver actually is, quite an experience to do some hot laps with him!

As for the car, I loved it!

The photos were a bit rushed but heres a preview...

More pics at SimpleViewer

 

Wow great shoot!

 

Terrific pictures, got to see a similar car here couple of months back. There is only 1 v12 vantage over here.

 

Amazing shots! Great work! I love this car.

 

Can you give us more impressions of the cars performance. Have you driven other cars like a Lambo G or a F 430? How would rate against those cars or a PTT?

 

Thanks for posting, great pics!

Same here it's just mine and the other is the dealer demo. I thought it would have been more popular? Oh well, I just get to have a more exclusive vehicle I think most buyers would rather fork out a tiny bit extra and get the DBS.

I know this was not addressed towards me, but I own all the above
So I will try answer as best I can.
The Lambo G and F430 are very similar in terms of performance. The F430 has the most precise steering out of the Lambo G/V12 Vantage/F430. Power compared to the Aston, I would also say is very similar - makes sense as they are all in the same HP region. The Aston has more of a muscle car feel, very torquey throughout the RPM range, the exhaust note is glorious especially in the mid-range. The Gallardo is a good in betweener, good power throughout the RPMs and the F430 you need to rev a littler higher than the other 2 before you feel the full power.

Handling wise the F430 and Gallardo still feel superior IMO. The V12 still feels more like a sporty GT to me.

The interior of the Aston is the best though (although it is the newest of the 3), it has the most features and has a great look and feel. Ergonomically, there are improvements to be made. Some of the buttons are hard to find and oddly positioned. The tranny tunnel could have been positioned a little lower. It currently sits a little bit high for 100% comfortable gear shifting. Not the end of the world though, still enjoy driving it.

The 911 turbo(996-997) probably does everything good generally. It still lacks the emotion the AM/Ferr/Lambo gives you when behind the wheel. It's not always about speed. With the Turbo I really need to be flooring it to get enjoyment, but with the AM/Ferr/Lambo - the enjoyment is there just from looking at it!

Although my Turbo description is not accurate as mine is a 993, I have driven the 996 and 997.1/997.2 on numerous occasions. The 993 which is in it's own league. The 993 was the last Porsche with emotion/soul IMO. I have the 997 Carrera S to compare as well.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks Mike. I would love to spend a week in your garage. I am buying a new car in January. I have my name on a list at 2 dealerships for a V12V. I owned a 996TT and agree with you feelings on the visceral experience. Of the cars you spoke of, which would you chose to drive on weekends mixing runs around windy roads and highways with golf and dinner with the wife? I love my V8V but I would sure like to up the HP nest time. I was thinking of including a Ferrari California in the conversation. I didn't like the looks of it but it is much better in person. Any info would be appreciated.

 

Pleasure Jay. Hahaha, I don't think my garage would be enough to keep you occupied for a week Currently waiting for my new residence to be completed. It will be able to house all my cars and more once it's done.

Very nice, congrats! So the V12 passed US homoglation?

Out of all the cars, I would keep the Italians strictly for weekends, they are loud and draw too much attention for me - plus their clutches don't last in traffic! The Vantage fits the above description perfectly. It's still sexy enough to be considered an exotic, but sutble enough to not draw too much attention. It also has practicality on it's side. You can fit golf clubs in the trunk and has all fancy gadgets you get in a top of the range BMW/Mercedes/Audi. I would time to time sneak in a couple hours with the V12 on weekdays just to spice up my weekly routine

Ferrari California is too simlar to fucntion of the Vantage, I would get something else if you wanted a 2nd car as a Ferrari. No point having 2 GT's under same roof, but that's just me.

Good luck on your choices, if you need any advice on anything else. Give me a holler, glad to help out.

 

Hi,

Great to see more posts from you mate, keep flying the flag for the Aussies! Some fantastic photos, sounds like a great day. very jealous.

Cheers,
Nik

 

[QUOTE=Mike S;605926]Pleasure Jay. Hahaha, I don't think my garage would be enough to keep you occupied for a week Currently waiting for my new residence to be completed. It will be able to house all my cars and more once it's done.

Very nice, congrats! So the V12 passed US homoglation?

It depends on the dealership. Most say that the car is coming but there are still a couple of dealers that will not commit. It seems that the bigger dealerships are certain that the car will be delivered at the end of 2010.