2016 Aston Martin Vantage V12 S

The V12 Vantage S with the seven-speed dog-leg manual gearbox is among the most driver-focused cars Aston Martin produced in the modern era, and finding one in this specification raises the stakes considerably. Finished in Q Special Ceramic Grey — a bespoke paint that sits apart from the standard palette — and carrying the full AMR Power & Exhaust Upgrade Kit (a £15,005 factory option), this 2016 example is one of the more seriously specified V12 Vantage S manuals you're likely to encounter. The options list extends to carbon fibre side strakes, door pulls, gear shift surround, and front grille treatment, alongside full-length twill carbon fascia trim, Obsidian Black and Spicy Red Alcantara leather, and 19-inch Graphite lightweight wheels — a specification built around the driving experience rather than superficial flourish.

With just 13,271 miles accumulated over a decade, the car has been used sparingly and presents as a low-mileage example by any measure. Carbon Ceramic brakes, an adaptive damping suspension setup, and a mechanical limited-slip differential give the chassis the hardware to match the engine's ambition. The Sport-Plus Package and 700W Aston Martin audio system confirm this was an enthusiast's order from the outset.

The naturally aspirated 5.9-litre V12 producing 563 bhp and a 205 mph top speed is a combination that has effectively ceased to exist in new car production. Paired with a gearbox demanding proper double-clutch technique on downchanges, this is a car that requires and rewards engagement in a way that turbocharged automatics simply cannot replicate. UK-supplied and offered with a Romans International Platinum Warranty.