Item: Used Aston Martin Vanquish 2001 - 2007
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Coupe

<p dir="ltr">Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The DB11 grand tourer, for example, won its price point at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, thanks to its beautifully crafted interior and the fact that it’s both fun in the corners and a convincing long-distance cruiser. Meanwhile, the latest Vantage is Aston Martin’s best sports car to date.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The modern Aston Martin isn’t afraid to move with the times, either, with a luxury SUV part of its future model plans.</p>


ASTON MARTIN

VANQUISH

<p>An uncompromising, high-maintenance, high-tech, high-performance super-tourer</p>


Used Aston Martin Vanquish 2001 - 2007

<p>If you keep your bank account in Switzerland, you probably won't have too much to worry about. For the majority of us, a car like this is not going to be cheap to run.</p>

<p>It won't be cheap to buy, either. When the Vanquish first appeared there was a two-year waiting list and only 30% of the 300 built each year were destined for the UK market. Prices remain strong, so your problems won't be over once you have tracked down the ideal car on a dealer's forecourt.</p>

<p>Both cars are hideously thirsty. Officially, the V12 returns 16mpg and the S 14mpg; but use either in anger and that fuel figure will slide all too easily down into single figures. The short fuel range between refills is a pain, too. Servicing and group 50 insurance ratings inflict further financial hurt.</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


An uncompromising, high-maintenance, high-tech, high-performance super-tourer


<p>Do you go for the high-performance version or the even-higher-performance version? When the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/aston-martin">Aston Martin</a> Vanquish was launched in 2001 – with a fanfare of James Bond publicity – it came with a 460bhp, 400lb ft V12 engine. With a 190mph top speed and 0-60mph in a mere 4.8sec, you would have thought that performance could not have got any better.</p>

<p>The S version came along in 2004. It used the same glorious-sounding 5932cc V12 engine, but this time with an extra 60bhp, raising the output to 520bhp. Pulling power was up to 425lb ft, while the top speed increased to 200mph. Aston Martin managed to shave a little off the 0-60mph time, at just 4.6sec.</p>

<p>Both models use the same racing-style paddle-shift gearbox and are reasonably well equipped. On the 'in for a penny, in for a pound' philosophy, we'd opt for the full-bore S.</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> <p>Practicality is not essential but nice to have</p> </li></ul>

<p>Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.</p>

<p>The Mazda MX-5 embodies sports-car spirit without wearing an exotic price tag, and has deservedly gained a strong following over the years. Much newer to the scene is the mid-engined Alpine A110. It may carry a name from the past, but this potent, mid-engined sports car was designed with the very latest lightweight thinking.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rounding off our shortlist, though, is a name that'll be familiar to even those to whom sports cars hold little interest. The Porsche 911 was born an icon in 1964, and the latest generation bridges the gap between sports car and supercar. Yet, somehow, it manages to preserve a distinctly civilised character.</p>

Sports

<p>Even if you are looking at a non-S version, 460bhp is an awful lot of power to put through any gearbox. The clutch could prove the weak point in the Vanquish's transmission system.</p>

<p>If everything feels fine at high speed with crisp gearchanges and no hint of slipping, check the clutch and gearbox thoroughly at parking speeds. Look out for any juddering in first or reverse gears as you ease the car into tight spaces. Use your nose, too – overworked and tired Vanquish clutches smell far from sweet.</p>

<p>When you spend this much money, have the car checked out by a professional. You may be able to spot electrical and cabin defaults, but potential engine problems will be harder to spot and much more expensive to rectify.</p>

<p>Cars built between 10 November 2001 and 9 November 2004 were recalled to have throttle problems rectified.</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


<p>In S trim, the Aston Martin Vanquish has a 520bhp V12 that makes it one of the fastest road cars Aston has ever produced. Thanks to a top speed of 200mph, it's almost capable of going three times quicker than the national speed limit. The 'ordinary' 460bhp V12 is only marginally slower. Both sound superb and feel monstrously fast.</p>

<p>Happily, the Vanquish has excellent brakes and a chassis that can deal with all that power - provided you know what you are doing behind the wheel. However, there's much more to this car than just sharp handling. It's as much a driver-oriented grand tourer as a sports car. It has an excellent ride and can cross continents not only quickly, but also comfortably.</p>

<p>Inside, the car has a cosy feel and all but the tallest drivers should have enough room. When new, customers could choose between additional rear luggage space or two occasional-use child-size seats, so check what you're buying.</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


Used Aston Martin Vanquish 2001 - 2007 review

Fill out our 2022 Reliability Survey - and win a prize!

Citroen C3 Aircross

Audi E-Tron

MG ZS EV

Cupra Formentor

Fiat 500 Electric 

Kia Niro EV

Renault Megane E-Tech

/news/complete-the-2022-what-car-reliability-survey-for-the-chance-to-win-a-prize/n15554

New car deals >>

site ribbon config

Find out how much the Aston Martin Vanquish 2001 - 2007 costs to run, covering expected MPG, servicing costs and insurance costs.

If you keep your bank account in Switzerland, you probably won't have too much to worry about. For the majority of us, a car like this is not going to be cheap to run.,It won't be cheap to buy, either. When the Vanquish first appeared there was a two-year waiting list and only 30% of the 300 built each year were destined for the UK market. Prices remain strong, so your problems won't be over once you have tracked down the ideal car on a dealer's forecourt.,Both cars are hideously thirsty. Officially, the V12 returns 16mpg and the S 14mpg; but use either in anger and that fuel figure will slide all too easily down into single figures. The short fuel range between refills is a pain, too. Servicing and group 50 insurance ratings inflict further financial hurt. 

New car deals >>

Used Aston Martin Vanquish 2001 - 2007 review

Aston Martin Vanquish 5.9 2dr

Aston Martin Vanquish 5.9 S 2dr

Ownership cost

What used Aston Martin Vanquish coupe will I get for my budget?

How much does it cost to run a Aston Martin Vanquish coupe?

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information