What Would *YOU* Do With This Carbon Fibre Kitted V12 Vantage Aston Martin?

Today is not really a review, it's a question - what would you do with this first generation Aston Martin V12 Vantage? Track car, or continent cruiser - or a bit of both, or something else entirely?
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/ @jayemmoncars

[@matthewparkes2503]

That spoiler does not suit the car.

[@y2ksierra]

Agree. It’s pretty terrible. I typically like spoilers but nothing about that one compliments the car.

[@specialboye4910]

I love it but that rear wing ruins it big time!

[@Punisher9419]

Sell it and buy one without carbon fiber on it. The wing looks stupid.

[@Andy-pu2iv]

"What would I do with a car like this?" .... Probably get down the shirt shop quickly and ask if they had anything louder.

[@julian987r4]

I’d remove all the hideous carbon, that’s what I’d do.

[@afish8883]

You could paint over the carbon, and then remove the wing. Or keep the wing if you want that on what was originally meant to be a GT

[@marcnobel3938]

The sound is lovely and besides the wing, it looks good. Nice ride and review!

[@henryhol8538]

Another brilliant video! I keep forgeting to mention how much I like your current intro; your best yet.

[@AlexGrayTheCarCollector]

My girlfriend and I own a V12 Vantage which we have done CF work on - the bonnet & the splitter at the front. However that is all. The spoiler looks silly.

[@markchip1]

Have Bamford Rose fit the later variable-setting dampers for comfort and longevity, plus their modified exhaust manifolds/primary cat delete for reliability & sound (& a valved DBS backbox for even deeper rumbles and the ability to do track-days!) and have Aston Engineering fir their ICE & multiple camera setup for convenience and practicality!

[@francobanzini665]

Spot on Mark Branford Rose switchable would solve both issues Aston Installations in Tewkesbury fitted CarPlay/Android kit along with front (essential) and rear cameras on mine

[@roisoleil6211]

That‘s exactly my way to go

[@martinboulden3540]

Take that rear wing off and its a sexy car ! Nice shirt Mr Martin !

[@bluehead_info]

Because I can, love you Jay. Shirt is rad in this episode

[@gorgerak]

Definitely a GT - but I completely agree with your damage concern - would be ruinously expensive to keep repairing :( but as always after watching a jayemm Aston Martin video - I find myself spending the next half hour on autotrader doing man maths 😅😅

[@moneymandan6217]

Love it, the noise from that v12 is as loud as that shirt 👕 young Jay 👌 love 💘 the spoiler

[@martinds4895]

Love your videos J. After seeing several of your Aston reviews, I will really like to know how would you make the perfect one? Even if it's an impossible Frankenstein of a car like putting a Vantage gearbox with a DBS suspension or something like that.

[@Wojciech940]

Your outro is beautiful, Jay!

[@frankcassidy5987]

Thanks for the video. Question, which Quicksilver exhaust is fitted to this one? I believe there are two options.

[@colinstock325]

No matter how much I turn up the volume I can’t hear the commentary over that shirt.

[@anthonymiller4004]

Who ever thought that wing was a good idea? Hideous!

[@thedrivechannel83]

Better taste than his shirt..

[@ZealousWZephyr]

I mean... to each their own? 🤷‍♂️ But you’re both right 😅 (the shirt MIGHT work if only it weren’t white)

[@peanutbutterjelly7370]

I think he wore the shirt to take some attention off of that wing. Totally kills the lines.

[@chrissimms1632]

The Drive nn

[@AntoniusTyas]

Aston Martin. That's who. Those are AMR Aero Package from the V12 Vantage AMR. I'm not saying it's a good idea, but that was Aston Martin's idea.

[@Darkside_C7]

Oh man, that car is beautiful!

[@craigmoy5457]

Toss the wing and soften the suspension then enjoy. Carbon overload seems fascination with Aston owners, car still is heavy so why bother.

[@philipaldridge3749]

Hi jay, I think your spot on as a fast day car , and not a track car. The wing has to go , and the softer suspension added. I personally think the carbon on or in a car is just a waste of anybody’s money.phil

[@grahamnutt8958]

Road or Track..... an academic query as the car is beyond my ££ reach... BUT if anyone were daft enough to allow me access to this..... track for sure on the basis that I much prefer to keep a clean Licence lol. You also asked "What's a V12 Vantage like....?"..... Simple answer is PETROL...... lots of petrol 😆😆. I happen to like the carbon fitments - and the rear spoiler - but I'm used to poor rear visibility.... and the chances are that there would not be many vehicles that could keep up!! Joking aside; another great review.

[@markwalton8644]

To use the Aston would, as you said ruin the car. Keep it as a Fast road GT car. Remove the rear wing and swap the wheels. Maybe a set of KW's to control the damping better and keep the exhaust, it sounds fantastic. For the track, buy something cheap and track ready. A Clio 172/182or a Civic type R. Cheap to run and would be so much more fun knowing if you crash it you're not losing £40k.

[@MarJay1980]

I like the wing, it's a good balance between austentatious and subtle. As for the usage, if you want a track car, buy a track car. I can't help but feel anything that weighs as much as an Aston is never going to be that great on track. Fit softer suspension fit a towbar, buy a trailer and buy an Ariel Atom.

[@goodshoes07]

I like the wing. I assume it’s functional as well? Not all about asthetics with regard to the wing???

[@richiedudding7671]

Only 1200 of these cars produced of which 101 were Roadsters. Rare car which represents a moment in time for AM. A great time👍🏻 If he really wanted all those AMR bits including the rims he could have purchase a Vantage AMR?

[@CPadsSkies]

If the owner is reading this please go full clubsport with it! Although many will disagree I would love to see it with Recaro pole positions, OMP wheel, half cage, uprated suspension, some TD Pro Race, semi-slicks etc 😜

[@glideman]

That car sounds great but as far as the carbon parts go I'm sure it'll end up looking like a Webasto vinyl roof in the future. A bit like the fals wood window frames we fitted 10 years ago to our houses. Hope you keep the shirts when you present Top Gear, sort of a younger replacement for James May, with the knowledge of cars of Jeremy Clarkson . . . . .

[@jo05dk]

Only thing i'd do to that car, is to fit a better suspension. I completely agree that a good fast road car, is what it needs to be.

[@benistingray6097]

I would take it to a track and have some fun, then immidiatly sell it and get something i can actually afford.

[@jaymelomento4138]

First gens arent expensive

[@touayaaj84]

jayme lomento the maintenance is. 😂

[@floranhupscher272]

the wing is oke, but i would expect it on some sort of track version or special edition. Not as a visual extra

[@amospizzey1]

Do you prefer the V12 S ? Can you live with the paddle shift? I’m cross shopping both Love your opinion

[@iamhole]

drive it every single day, i would put 500k miles on it, drive all over Europe and down to cape town. the next year i had it i would do it all over again :)

[@LarsAgerbk]

I agree with you 100%. Aston Martin are supposed to be good GT cars -atleast untill the Valkyrie and it's younger brothers are released.

[@london_james]

which vantages (by year) has this gear box?

[@robinforrest7680]

Drive it!

[@reginaldbowls7180]

strip the interior, run a standalone with twin pro chargers, replace windows with lexan, lift it and install mud tires / flaps.

[@ChrisDorgan]

My thoughts entirely on the 4.3 track car. Couldn't bring myself to rip apart a newer AM.

[@Will_M600]

Let me do a nordschleife lap in it :^) (no really, i'd pay him 😂 it looks alot of fun and is from what you said set up well for it) Also wheels are gash put some 6 spokes on it

[@bladerunner6282]

simply put, i would remove that hideous wing; any and all mods done to the exhaust and look into some softer shocks if it's as rough riding as the host suggests. then it would a the ultimate 2-seater GT car.

[@psych0hans]

I wonder if you could do this to a DB9...

[@AntoniusTyas]

The aero pack is AMR Aero Package, also found in the V12 Vantage AMR. This does not mean I'm liking it. On a Vantage GT4 I'm fine with that. On Vantage roadcars? No. The wheels can stay, though.

[@dannyconway2612]

Hmm, rear wing on an Aston is a big no no, sounds awesome though.

[@alanthecat59]

is rubbing allowed in any way ?

[@DonDon-df5ie]

My mates got a v8 4.3 with over 200k on the clock, engine is mint and bit of wear and tear, full am history and still goes like stink. He'll keep on driving it till it dies basically.

[@justaddafan]

The Vantage is a great sports car but on the track, I'd go for something lighter and a bit less precious. You have to always be ready to write off a track car. I couldn't do that to an Aston.

[@BillyBoy444]

Aston-ishing that it doesn't have carbon wheels too :)

[@davevan9150]

Honestly I don't think it should be changed. This is a rare case in which I think it should be in a collection and taken out once in a while to be appreciated for what it is: raw, beautiful, slightly flawed, but full of character.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

You say carbon, I say plastic (reinforced with carbon fibre). It's naff.

[@DonDon-df5ie]

Double clutch, ECU, twin carbs

[@crashin1]

That wing hahaha.

[@ArmadaAsesino]

I don't know I'd even want the V12. I'd want to drive it and see whether I think the extra power and weight spoil it for me. One thing I've learnt from playing various driving games with a steering wheel and pedals is not all high powered cars are actually that enjoyable beyond straight line launches. I'd get more enjoyment out of something smaller and less powerful I can push to 10/10ths without fear, as opposed to something more powerful I can only really safely take to 7/10ths and be very mindful doing it. It becomes more work and more effort and fun factor decreases. In real life I'm very content with my little 130i. Yeah sometimes I want just a bit more, but as far as driving on the street goes, it's easy and enjoyable to take to 10/10ths.

[@5alm0n]

I would agree take the spoiler off and make it a GT car. To heavy for a track car

[@antoniof.7421]

Just saw your 550 on TheCarGuys channel!

[@the33rpm]

Take it to the nearest B&Q car park and doughnut the hell out of it.

[@the33rpm]

That was a joke btw 😂

[@andrewwolkowich]

My wife Samantha passed away last month after a long illness. At one point I had told her an Aston Martin would make me a far more attentive husband. She'd still have to get back and forth to all the hospitals and doctors appointments but wouldn't it be a far more enjoyable Drive. So the answer, if I had an Aston Martin I would be driving it on long country roads. As I remembered a lovely Lady.. I'd also remove the spoiler. I just don't like the look.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

So sorry to hear of your loss Andrew

[@y2ksierra]

Seriously thinking to sell my E46 M3 and get into a V8 vantage for a daily. The price different isn’t much these days 🤔🤔🤔

[@marcoulibarri5744]

How about maintenance cost? Is the M3 cheaper than an Aston?

[@y2ksierra]

Marco Ulibarri I’m sure the E46 M3 is a bit cheaper to maintain, but it’s nowhere close to cheap as is as they can be very needy cars.

[@moist.teabag]

give it to me easy question

[@floranhupscher272]

I whatched the intro like 5 times

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

I'd go with a quieter exhaust and use it as a GT.

[@MrDDawson]

Carbon everywhere and yet it's still as heavy as hell. The AM way.

[@pHilli0UK]

Rejoice

[@ivandelac764]

I would drive it.

[@Andy-pu2iv]

Also - use it as the getaway vehicle that I'd need to be able to afford the bloody thing.

[@camrunner6633]

Comfort gt car

[@thedrivechannel83]

The wing not a good idea.. that shirt definitely not a good idea..

[@brianiswrong]

For me Loose the rear wing,and enjoy it for what it is.

[@honestrunescaper]

I would turn it back to stock spec

[@tuomasholo]

I would pick up my mate at his mum’s house, thrash it and then return it to the dealer and say “I’m not interested.” 😃

[@bcranes1]

Whether you agree or not on the car, I would trade that white / flower shirt for the black / flower shirt as it's less awful in black! Ha!

[@tradingcardboss]

Are you being sponsored by a shirt company 😃 Certainly loud like the car 🚗

[@bcranes1]

Trade up for a V12 Vantage S. Flappy paddle be damned. Everything else is better by a wide margin, and will be remembered as the best driver's Aston from the Ford era.

[@davespooney8472]

All V12’s should sound glorious, why don’t these? Is it because it’s doesn’t come across in videos? I’ve never heard one in person.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

What do you consider glorious? These sound amazing, but very different from a Lambo or Ferrari V12

[@davespooney8472]

JayEmm on Cars - pretty much any other V12, like I said I’m going off video footage here - I’ve never heard one in the flesh. The exhaust note just isn’t special. Not a criticism of your sound set up, it got that v6 with a big bore on sound from all other videos too. I really need to hear one in the flesh! Great vids, love all of them ❤️

[@JayEmmOnCars]

@@davespooney8472 they definitely have their own voice, and it isnt quite a V6 although some can sound similar - other V12s sound more like a straight six (eg. My 550) - it's how they are

[@davespooney8472]

Thank you Jay, all the best 👍

[@stevieg2483]

I thought that sill plate said ‘CABRON’ - I been watching too much Narcos!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Hahaha

[@JelloTypeR]

Please, for the love of David Brown, don’t turn into a track slag. It’s one of Newport Pagnell’s finest combinations of engine/chassis for a fast road / GT car. Besides, a single trip through the kitty litter could cost you £x000s. You’d have just as much fun in a properly sorted and turbo/supercharged MX5 for less than the cost of the Aston’s ceramic front discs

[@DjDolHaus86]

The wing looks silly

[@Bobajobbob007]

The wing is heinous.

[@Bobajobbob007]

It actually looks like it is on backwards

[@kevinkeelan354]

Go full track car.

[@garyleibitzke4166]

I like all the carbon except for the wing. Makes it look like a kids "hot wheels" car. Ditch the wing and it'll be fine.

[@rossvegas7]

Which is better... Shirt Or Car?

[@andyhunt457]

Maybe make it a hill climb special..🤔

[@weallfollowmanutd]

It wouldn't be very good It's too heavy, even with all the carbon and doesn't handle that well either.

[@kasane69]

build it into a time attack car

[@aneudysc]

Sell it to buy a Honda NSX Gen1 and a Honda S2000

[@morphyon]

make a v600 clone

[@benvan-ness1030]

I don't like the wing on the car it looks too small for such a larger heavier looking car and one that's actually raised up off the body as opposed to being more molded into the trunk lid or the boot as the English call it. I love the Aston Martin it's a beautiful car that is a beautiful car even have everything but the wing on it

[@2702simmo]

I love the Vantage but not that one simply because of the ugly wing, wheels and carbon. I’d go back to standard personally

[@weallfollowmanutd]

There's nothing added that looks any better. Even the wheels look naff.

[@YouOnlyIiveTwice]

I really hate how we're still in the phase of carmakers just making everything unpainted carbon fiber as a styling option. It just looks ridiculous in excess especially in cars like these

[@samcourt6228]

I don’t mind the carbon bits. It would look loads better with silver wheels. Black wheels on a black car look poo.

[@richardsmith9509]

Wing does not belong on this beautiful car

[@Andy-pu2iv]

Not a big fan of the lashings of carbon. Ditch the rear wing. They aren't called "spoilers" for nothing.

[@TommyWalls007]

I think you complain too much about the suspension. You mention it every time you talk about a v12 vantage.Frankly, I think it's a you problem rather than the car problem. I find it quite a soft car in comparison to many other cars I've driven, so not sure what your frame of reference is.

[@robertchubb1518]

WHAT would YOU do with THAT.....shirt?

[@colinstock325]

I’d sell it and by a Skoda.

[@remingtonsteele3220]

It is too bad reviewers of the Vantage were not as candid as Jay. I have a V12 S and that car, like the original V12, is also, in reality, too stiffly sprung. Reality, this is no GT3 as it weighs nearly two tons....it is a GT. So why make it ride like a rock? The 550 rides SO MUCH BETTER!

[@geoffmatthews8302]

I’d sell it and buy a Cessna

[@Maxbann]

Lose the wing

[@kevinthornley7659]

Honestly I would sell it.

[@RogerBergqvist]

In my world i will never drive a car like that.... Cool that you can.

[@The_Original_Geoff_B]

Given the funds - lose the wing and redo any carbon with the red version - and possibly the internal bits with chopped rather than woven (still in the red, of course). www.flickr.com/photos/geoff_b/47092948984

[@TheShinyShow]

Sell it for a deposit on a house with a drive, and put a 90's jdm shitbox on the drive so I could finally have a proper project. Edit: I put this through insurance to see what would come back and the cheapest is just over £2000. Much less than I expected. Maybe I would keep it for a bit. Of course I did say the car was unmodified so that may have something to do with it.