The 2003 Aston Martin Vanquish Is Beautiful and Underrated
Doug DeMuro · 2026-04-09
💡 Quick Take
1. The 2003 Aston Martin Vanquish is a stunning and underrated car.
2. It boasts a naturally aspirated V12 engine with impressive power for its era.
3. Its design is muscular and aggressive, setting it apart from other Astons of the time.
4. The Vanquish was the hero car in the James Bond movie "Die Another Day," boosting its cool factor.
5. Aston Martin was owned by Ford during this period, leading to some shared parts with Ford vehicles.
6. The interior is luxurious with leather everywhere, but features some plastic buttons that haven't aged well.
7. It came standard with an automated sequential manual transmission (no clutch pedal).
8. The reverse gear engagement is quirky, requiring a double press of a button.
9. The parking brake is uniquely mounted and operated to not hinder entry/exit.
10. Door locks are integrated into the door handles.
11. The center console has a lot of buttons, including an old-school radio with many controls.
12. It features a heated windshield with embedded coils for ice removal.
13. The gauge cluster is traditional, not as modern or cool as some might expect.
14. Rear seats are extremely tiny, more for show than actual use.
15. The trunk houses the CD changer and DVD navigation system, despite no in-car screen.
16. The owner's manual is in a unique metal binder with a translation guide for British vs. American English.
17. It was exclusively offered as a coupe and was the flagship model with a high original price.
18. Only about 2,500 Vanquish models (including the S) were made worldwide, making it rare.
19. The driving experience, even with the sequential transmission, feels special and mechanical.
20. The V12 engine sound is a major highlight, offering a great old-school growl.
21. Despite its size, the car feels surprisingly athletic and handles well.
22. It offers a smooth ride and a driving experience that feels more modern than expected.
23. The Vanquish is considered a bargain for its beauty, performance, and specialness.
24. It scores 60 out of 100, holding its own against rivals like the Ferrari 575M.
📊 Detailed Explanation
1. The 2003 Aston Martin Vanquish is a stunning and underrated car. This is the core message! The presenter is absolutely gushing over this car, calling it "glorious" and "the most beautiful" Aston Martin in an era of beautiful cars. The "underrated" part comes from its current market value compared to its intrinsic qualities. It's a car that deserves more recognition for its design and engineering.
2. It boasts a naturally aspirated V12 engine with impressive power for its era. Forget turbos and small engines! This Vanquish rocks a massive 5.9-liter V12 that pumps out 460 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. This was seriously competitive back then, especially for a luxury grand tourer. The Vanquish S even bumped that up to 520 horses! It's all about that big, naturally aspirated power delivery.
3. Its design is muscular and aggressive, setting it apart from other Astons of the time. While other Astons from the early 2000s (like the DB9) were gorgeous but shared a similar, classical beauty, the Vanquish had a more "muscular, aggressive, brawny beauty." The presenter highlights the unique hip line and pronounced front fenders that give it a "leaping, reaching" aesthetic. It just had more attitude!
4. The Vanquish was the hero car in the James Bond movie "Die Another Day," boosting its cool factor. After Bond's brief flirtation with BMWs, the Vanquish marked his triumphant return to Aston Martin. Being the "cool one" in a Bond flick? That's instant icon status and a massive boost to its desirability and cool factor.
5. Aston Martin was owned by Ford during this period, leading to some shared parts with Ford vehicles. This is a super interesting quirk! Because Ford owned Aston Martin, you'll find some familiar bits. The key fob is identical to ones from Ford Explorers and Escorts, and even the rear side reflectors seem to be shared (though originally from a Land Rover Freelander, another Ford brand at the time). Even the key itself is apparently a Jaguar key! It's a fascinating look at automotive globalization.
6. The interior is luxurious with leather everywhere, but features some plastic buttons that haven't aged well. Step inside, and it's a sea of leather – every surface! It's a "gorgeous," "exotic," and "cool" space with a lovely aluminum center control stack. However, the presenter is quite critical of the numerous plastic buttons, calling them "ugly" and a drawback that hasn't aged well. He even suggests a modern screen would be better!
7. It came standard with an automated sequential manual transmission (no clutch pedal). This is a big one! From the factory, all Vanquish models had an automated sequential manual. It has a clutch, but it's computer-controlled, so no clutch pedal for you. You shift using paddles behind the steering wheel. While some were later converted to manual, the original was automatic-only in this unique transmission style.
8. The reverse gear engagement is quirky, requiring a double press of a button. Getting into reverse is a bit of a process. You press the "Reverse" button, and it goes into neutral. You have to press it *again* to actually engage reverse. It's a little annoying, especially in tense situations like a U-turn!
9. The parking brake is uniquely mounted and operated to not hinder entry/exit. This is clever! The parking brake is mounted between the driver's seat and the door. To engage it, you lift it and push it away. To disengage, you pull it back and push the button. The cool part is that it can be "on" even when it looks "down," so you have to check the warning light.
10. Door locks are integrated into the door handles. Another neat design trick! Instead of a separate lock button, the door handle itself is the lock. Push it in to lock, pull it out to unlock. It's a minimalist and clever solution.
11. The center console has a lot of buttons, including an old-school radio with many controls. The presenter really dislikes the abundance of buttons, especially for the radio. He counted 30 buttons just for the radio, plus a cassette slot and a small screen. It's not user-friendly by today's standards and looks dated.
12. It features a heated windshield with embedded coils for ice removal. This is a pretty advanced feature for the time! The windshield has heating coils to quickly melt ice, which is super handy for winter driving, even if it's not something you'd expect on a luxury GT.
13. The gauge cluster is traditional, not as modern or cool as some might expect. The gauge cluster has a more traditional, serif font and a standard tachometer. The presenter feels it's a bit too "old-fashioned" and wishes it were cooler to match the car's overall vibe, especially compared to later Astons with more stylized gauges.
14. Rear seats are extremely tiny, more for show than actual use. These are "tremendously tiny" even for exotic car back seats. There's virtually no legroom or headroom. They're there to technically qualify it as a grand tourer, but don't expect to fit adults comfortably.
15. The trunk houses the CD changer and DVD navigation system, despite no in-car screen. Yep, this car had navigation back in the day, but you wouldn't know it from the interior! The DVD navigation unit is in the trunk, and operating it via the radio buttons wasn't exactly a breeze.
16. The owner's manual is in a unique metal binder with a translation guide for British vs. American English. This is a fun detail! The owner's manual comes in a cool, silver metal binder with metal dividers. Even more amusing is the inclusion of a translation guide to help Americans understand British English terms used in the manual. Talk about attention to detail!
17. It was exclusively offered as a coupe and was the flagship model with a high original price. Unlike some other Astons, the Vanquish was only a coupe. It sat at the very top of the Aston Martin range, with a sticker price around $235,000 back in the day. This really cemented its status as the flagship.
18. Only about 2,500 Vanquish models (including the S) were made worldwide, making it rare. Aston Martin produced roughly 1,500 original Vanquish models and about 1,000 Vanquish S models. That's a total of around 2,500 worldwide, making this car surprisingly rare and collectible.
19. The driving experience, even with the sequential transmission, feels special and mechanical. Even though the presenter prefers a true manual, he appreciates the "mechanical feel" of the sequential automatic. It's clunky and slow compared to modern dual-clutches, but it has a certain charm and makes you feel connected to the car.
20. The V12 engine sound is a major highlight, offering a great old-school growl. Oh, the sound! The presenter is absolutely blown away by the V12's growl. It's a fantastic, raw, old-school engine note that modern cars just can't replicate. It's a huge part of the special experience.
21. Despite its size, the car feels surprisingly athletic and handles well. This is a pleasant surprise! Even though it's the biggest and heaviest Aston, it doesn't feel that way. It's balanced, poised, predictable, and "relatively athletic," handling better than expected for its size.
22. It offers a smooth ride and a driving experience that feels more modern than expected. Beyond the transmission's quirks, the ride is smooth, and the power delivery feels surprisingly contemporary. The presenter notes that "this car rides really well and drives really well," feeling like a "nice, well-kept, well-preserved car."
23. The Vanquish is considered a bargain for its beauty, performance, and specialness. Considering its stunning looks, powerful V12, and the overall special experience it provides, the Vanquish is seen as a "total deal" and a "bargain" in today's market.
24. It scores 60 out of 100, holding its own against rivals like the Ferrari 575M. The presenter gives it a Doug score of 60/100, placing it well against its contemporaries. He even admits he's not entirely sure he'd prefer a Ferrari 575M, highlighting how smitten he is with the Vanquish.
🎯 Expert Opinion
Okay, let's dive into this gorgeous Aston Martin Vanquish from an expert's perspective. The presenter is spot on about this car being *massively* underrated. In the automotive world, we often see cars that were either ahead of their time or simply overshadowed by more famous rivals. The Vanquish falls into both categories. First, the design. Ian Callum's work on this car is simply masterful. It's a perfect blend of classic Aston elegance with a more aggressive, modern edge. The way it stands apart from the DB9 and other contemporary Astons is crucial. While those cars were beautiful, they were almost too refined, too "gentlemanly." The Vanquish had a bite, a presence that said, "I'm here, and I'm powerful." This muscularity, combined with the Bond connection, cemented its iconic status, even if it was initially overlooked by some. The V12 is, of course, the heart and soul. In an era where manufacturers are downsizing and turbocharging, the naturally aspirated V12 is a dying breed. The Vanquish's 5.9-liter unit is a testament to a different philosophy – more displacement, more cylinders, more natural power delivery. The sound alone is worth the price of admission. It's a symphony of combustion that modern electric powertrains, no matter how fast, simply cannot replicate. This raw, visceral experience is what enthusiasts crave, and the Vanquish delivers it in spades. Now, the quirks. The Ford influence is a fascinating aspect. While some purists might scoff at shared parts, this is actually a smart move for Aston Martin's viability. It allowed them to develop a flagship like the Vanquish without the astronomical R&D costs. The key fob and reflectors are minor points, but they highlight how Ford was integrating Aston into a larger automotive ecosystem. This part-sharing, done judiciously, is what kept brands like Aston Martin alive and allowed them to produce cars like this. The sequential gearbox is a point of contention, and it's understandable. In the early 2000s, these single-clutch automated manuals were the cutting edge, but they were often clunky and unforgiving. The presenter's evolving appreciation for them is a common sentiment among enthusiasts. While a true manual is always desirable, these systems offered a glimpse into the future of performance shifting. The "mechanical feel" he describes is key – it's not as seamless as a modern dual-clutch, but it's more engaging than a traditional torque converter automatic. The reverse gear quirk is a classic Aston Martin touch – slightly quirky, but ultimately functional. The interior, while luxurious in its materials, does show its age with those plastic buttons. This is where the "underrated" aspect comes into play. If you're looking for a pristine, modern interior, this isn't it. However, the overall ambiance, the leather, the aluminum, the attention to detail like the leather-wrapped seatbelt buckles – these are all hallmarks of a true luxury GT. The heated windshield is a fantastic, albeit niche, feature that speaks to the car's advanced engineering for its time. From a market perspective, the Vanquish is an absolute steal. Its original price point put it in the stratosphere, competing with the best from Ferrari and Lamborghini. Today, you can acquire a piece of automotive history, a car with a V12, incredible styling, and Bond heritage, for a fraction of its original cost. The rarity (only 2,500 made) only adds to its appeal. My prediction? As the market continues to value naturally aspirated engines, unique designs, and cars with character, the Vanquish will only continue to appreciate. It's a car that offers a truly special experience, a blend of raw power, exquisite design, and a touch of British eccentricity. It's not just a car; it's a statement. For anyone looking for a truly engaging and beautiful GT that stands out from the crowd, the Vanquish is an incredibly compelling proposition. It's a car that rewards a driver willing to embrace its quirks and appreciate its unique spirit.Kanal: Doug DeMuro