2012 Aston Martin Vantage

The 321 in the Aston’s number plate refers to the car’s kilowatt power output, reminding you that this is the later 4.7-litre V8-equipped version. If you’re used to Aston’s slight bigger grand tourers, this model, with its six-speed manual box, transaxle and front mid(ish)-engined layout, has more of a sports car feel. A few miles on a B-road in this car confirms that. The steering is taut, the gear change crisp, and the handling neutral. And with that gorgeous-sounding V8, progress can be rapid.

There’s nothing to unsettle you – no smoke on start-up, no whines from the drivetrain, nor clunks from the suspension – and no rattles from the interior. The car feels solid and performs beautifully.

Doing our research on the car, we quickly spotted it was declared Category N last year, but what surprised us was how little it takes for some insurance companies to ‘write off’ a car. Category N signifies non-structural damage. In fact, the car was scratched heavily down the driver’s side and required a repair or replacement of the rear bumper. The latter option, along with a partial respray, brought the Vantage back to road-going readiness and this was undertaken by the present owner when he bought it.

Nick, the present owner has had the car since December, and under his watch it has been treated to a new clutch, a near £1,000 service and a new drive shaft. He also spent a further £650 having those rather tasty ‘diamond-turned’ alloy wheels refurbished.

All in all, the Aston goes as well as it looks, and, big GT or not, it’s more than ready to cover some more ground – quickly.

In its metallic black paint, this Aston looks almost very subtly pearlescent when the tiny specks of colour are picked out by the bright sun on the coachwork. Under such harsh scrutiny, you can see that the finish retains a good gloss - with perhaps a few polishing marks - and remains consistent across the whole of the car. There are no signs of corrosion (electrolytic or otherwise) on the bodywork and the nose is free of stone chips. Below that trademark grill mouth, the very low and forward thrusting front spoiler hasn’t been scuffed or grazed.

The Aston’s shape is at once simple and subtly complex (work that one out for yourselves) but all the surfaces, or more importantly, the joins between them, remain smooth, each panel sitting perfectly flush with the next. Doors, bonnet and boot all open without complaint and close to leave symmetrical panel gaps.

As is a British tradition, the Vantage still sports a little brightwork in the bonded window surrounds. It remains free of pitting and scratches, and any joins are neatly executed. The chrome blade-like inserts in those signature vents on the front wings remain very bright and the grills behind clean and corrosion free. In fact there are a few grills around the car - on the bonnet, under the nose and in the rear diffuser - all are clean and in good condition. The Vantage is fairly ‘adornment’ free. The minimal badging looks good and the light clusters are clean. The mirrors too are in good condition – no scuffs to their outer edges and surrounds, and their glass is clear.

The car remains a very presentable and well cared-for gentleman’s express. And for a modern sporting GT, it’s pretty understated.

This era of Aston Martins were starting to move away from the ‘gentleman’s club’ interior, but there’s plenty of leather for any old school enthusiasts. The cabin is trimmed in black hide with contrasting white stitching, which adds definition to the cabin – not least because of how clean and tight it has remained in both the seating and the door panels.

The cosseting and supportive sports seats display only the gentlest creasing - the driver’s side predictably a little more, but the condition of the leather is generally excellent, retaining a full and rich colour. The central armrest hasn’t taken a pummelling from elbows, nor the transmission tunnel sides from shoes. The door-mounted armrests remain firmly in place but the leather behind the door handle on the driver’s side does show small scratch marks from finger nails.

Like the hides, the carpets are clean and retain a good colour. It’s the same with the parcel shelf behind the seats. Its brushed metal edge (clean and dent-free) is a nice touch.

All switches look to be in good condition, with no wear to them or the glossy piano black of the surrounding dashboard. The key fob (which slots into the dashboard) has a crystal-like appearance is a little chipped on the edges. Admittedly a very small point, but if they hadn’t given it such an interesting Swarovski-like appearance, we wouldn’t have noticed it. The gear stick and steering wheel are free from any real wear. The steering wheel has a perforated leather finish.

Overall, the whole cabin retains a high quality, luxurious yet sporting ambience – comfortable yet purposeful. A great space in which to enjoy fast touring for two.

Opening the bonnet instils a lot of confidence. The mid-sized V8 (complete with assembler’s name plate) looks to be in very good shape. Unlike many more modern engines, it isn’t covered in plastic cowling, so it’s easy to get a good look at it.

Both the motor and its ancillaries are clean and appear stain/leak free. All wiring appears to be very much intact, hoses look healthy and ducting robust. All joins and junctions look tidy. Heat shielding materials are also in good condition – not ragged or torn – this goes for the sound/heat proofing on the underside of the bonnet too.

Struts and braces look sturdy and their hexagon socket nuts clean. The suspension towers too look sturdy. There is no corrosion within the engine bay.

Underneath, what can be seen of the steering and suspension parts looks good, no undue corrosion, though a little light brushing on one or two edges. Most of the underside of the car is protected by undertrays. These retain their weatherproofing and show no dents or signs of impact. Also, looking under the doors, the quality of the paint is as good as that on the upper surfaces, and there are no signs of corrosion.

The inner wheel arches look clean and very sound, and the wheels themselves are good. As already mentioned, the wheels have been refurbished and retain a beautiful, scuff-free finish. The graphite metallic accents add a nice contrast. Notice too, the Aston Martin air valve caps. Behind the wheels, the black brake callipers look to be in good shape.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of history with the car, though the Aston does retain its fully stamped service book. The latest owner, Nick, chose to use Bamford Rose – probably one of the best Aston independents around, and at least his recent invoices raised during his ownership remain with the Vantage.

In its black-on-black colour scheme, this Aston Vantage is a good-looking GT. We don’t feel the Category N notice carries any significance – the cosmetic damage to the Vantage was repaired. The fit and finish stand up to close inspection, with no noises, vibrations or strange interactions to belie those impressions. Three years on from that, the car remains a formidable and fluid driver’s car.

(This reviewer drove the car).

This era Vantage hasn’t yet made it into full ‘classic’ status, so values aren’t as firm as they will be when enthusiasts suddenly realise just how good these cars are. That said, they sit in that borderland between the almost sensible and the full-blown exotic, so, either way you look at them; very desirable.

Juggling all those elements, we think this particular example will command between £37,000 and £41,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Leicester; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.