Touchtronic 2 Transmission Rough Shifting / Failure
medium- Typically appears
- 60–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $2,500 – $5,000
2012 Aston
Martin Virage
6.0L V12
The 2012 Aston Martin Virage is a grand touring coupe positioned between the DB9 and DBS in Aston Martin's lineup — effectively a factory-upgraded DB9 with more power, stiffer suspension, and a more aggressive character. It was produced for only two model years (2012–2012 in the US market) before Aston Martin discontinued it, making it relatively rare. Powered by a naturally aspirated 6.0L V12, it produces 490 hp and is mated to a Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic transaxle. The aluminum-intensive body is hand-built at Gaydon, and every example reflects that bespoke craftsmanship. The Virage is best understood as a driver-focused grand tourer — comfortable enough for a long trip but engaging enough for spirited driving. It shares much of its platform and mechanical DNA with the DB9, which is both a blessing (established parts availability, shared repair procedures) and a curse (it inherited some of the DB9's known weak points). Owning one in Wisconsin is a deliberate lifestyle choice. These cars are not designed for winter roads, road salt is their enemy, and many owners store them seasonally. Expect above-average maintenance costs regardless of how carefully you drive it — this is a low-volume British sports car with complex systems and specialist labor requirements.
Reliability
2/5
Engine
[object Object]
Drivetrain
RWD
Fuel
Gasoline
MPG
12 city / 19 hwy / 15 combined
Seats
4
Doors
2
Body
Coupe
MSRP
$199,995
Overview
AI-curatedThe 2012 Aston Martin Virage is a grand touring coupe positioned between the DB9 and DBS in Aston Martin's lineup — effectively a factory-upgraded DB9 with more power, stiffer suspension, and a more aggressive character. It was produced for only two model years (2012–2012 in the US market) before Aston Martin discontinued it, making it relatively rare. Powered by a naturally aspirated 6.0L V12, it produces 490 hp and is mated to a Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic transaxle. The aluminum-intensive body is hand-built at Gaydon, and every example reflects that bespoke craftsmanship. The Virage is best understood as a driver-focused grand tourer — comfortable enough for a long trip but engaging enough for spirited driving. It shares much of its platform and mechanical DNA with the DB9, which is both a blessing (established parts availability, shared repair procedures) and a curse (it inherited some of the DB9's known weak points). Owning one in Wisconsin is a deliberate lifestyle choice. These cars are not designed for winter roads, road salt is their enemy, and many owners store them seasonally. Expect above-average maintenance costs regardless of how carefully you drive it — this is a low-volume British sports car with complex systems and specialist labor requirements.
Known for
- Sonorous naturally aspirated 6.0L V12 engine
- Hand-built aluminum bodywork with bespoke interior
- Rare two-year production run (2011–2012)
- Grand touring comfort with genuine sports car performance
- Touchtronic 2 automatic transaxle layout (rear-mounted)
Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a usable, driver-focused exotic
- Owners willing to budget for specialist maintenance
- Seasonal drivers who store the car in winter
- Those seeking a rare alternative to the DB9 at a slight premium
Watch for
- Road salt exposure — the aluminum body and exposed undercarriage are highly vulnerable
- Very high ownership costs; budget for specialist labor rates
- Limited local technician availability — Aston-trained shops are rare in the upper Midwest
- Optional carbon ceramic brakes are extremely expensive to replace
- Electrical gremlins in the infotainment and body control systems are common as mileage climbs
Common issues by mileage
6 knownFuel System Running Lean (Both Banks) — Often Intake or O2 Sensor Related
medium- Typically appears
- 70–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $300 – $700
Random / Multiple Cylinder Misfire — Coil Pack or Spark Plug Failure
medium- Typically appears
- 75–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $400 – $800
Catalytic Converter Efficiency — Both Banks
medium- Typically appears
- 85–110k mi
- Estimated repair
- $2,000 – $5,000
Coolant Leak — Water Pump or Radiator
medium- Typically appears
- 60–80k mi
- Estimated repair
- $600 – $1,200
Carbon Ceramic Brake Wear / Rotor Cracking
medium- Typically appears
- 40–60k mi
- Estimated repair
- $1,500 – $3,500
Maintenance schedule
- 1 Every 10,000 miles or 12 months Engine oil and filter change using manufacturer-specified full synthetic
The 6.0L V12 runs tight tolerances; using the correct viscosity and spec oil is non-negotiable. At ~$300/service this is your cheapest insurance against the most expensive repairs.
- 2 Every 5,000 miles or 6 months Tire rotation and pressure check
The Virage runs staggered high-performance tires. Uneven wear is expensive — replacement sets can run $1,500–$2,500. Rotation maximizes life.
- 3 Every 20,000 miles or 24 months Brake fluid flush
Critical on a car with carbon ceramic brakes. Moisture-contaminated fluid lowers boiling point and can damage the ceramic rotors. Don't skip this.
- 4 Every 30,000 miles or 36 months Coolant system flush and hose inspection
Coolant leaks around the water pump and radiator are a known pattern on this platform. Fresh coolant and proactive hose inspection can catch problems before they become engine-bay emergencies.
- 5 Every 60,000 miles or 72 months Transmission fluid change (Touchtronic 2)
The rear-mounted transaxle relies on clean fluid for smooth operation. Neglect is a direct path to the rough-shifting / failure pattern seen in this mileage range.
- 6 Before winter storage (annually for most WI owners) Full undercarriage wash, underbody inspection, and anti-corrosion treatment of exposed aluminum and steel fasteners
Wisconsin road salt is especially harsh on this car's aluminum structure and dissimilar-metal fasteners. If you drive it at all in winter, thorough post-drive washing is mandatory.
- 7 Before spring return to service Battery tender check, brake inspection, and full fluid level review after storage
Extended storage drains the battery and allows brake fluid to absorb moisture. Inspect pads, rotors, and calipers for corrosion before the first spring drive.
- 8 Every 2 years or at any check-engine light Spark plug inspection and replacement on the V12 (12 plugs total)
A misfire on any of the 12 cylinders can cause raw fuel to enter and damage the catalytic converters — an expensive chain reaction. Plugs are relatively affordable prevention.
Always defer to the manufacturer's service manual for warranty-mandated intervals.
Cost of ownership
Annual maintenance
$2,500 – $6,000
Fuel
Premium 91+ octane required. At average Wisconsin driving (~10,000 mi/yr) expect $2,000–$3,000/year in fuel at current prices given ~15 MPG combined.
Insurance
Expect $2,500–$5,000+/year for a agreed-value collector car policy. Standard policies often undervalue exotics; an agreed-value or collector policy is strongly recommended.
The Virage is an expensive car to own even when nothing breaks. Routine maintenance alone runs $2,500–$6,000/year depending on what's due. One significant repair — a transmission service, catalytic converter replacement, or brake job — can add $2,000–$5,000 on top of that in a single year. Fuel, insurance, and storage (if you rent a heated space in winter) push total annual cost well above $10,000 for most owners. This is a car for someone who budgets for surprises and has a relationship with an Aston-capable independent shop, ideally in Milwaukee or Chicago.
Seasonal care
Lake Geneva, WI Winter
- Do not drive on salted roads if at all avoidable — road salt aggressively attacks this car's aluminum body panels, dissimilar-metal fasteners, and brake components.
- Store in a heated or temperature-controlled garage; sub-zero temperatures are hard on the battery, rubber seals, and the Touchtronic transmission fluid viscosity.
- Use a quality battery tender during any storage period longer than two weeks to prevent the multiple control modules from draining the battery.
- If driven in winter precipitation, wash the undercarriage thoroughly as soon as possible — same day if you drove on treated roads.
- Switch to a winter-blend washer fluid rated to at least -20°F; the low front fascia picks up spray and the nozzles can freeze.
- Check tire pressure before every winter drive — performance tires lose roughly 1 PSI per 10°F drop and are already near minimum safe pressure in cold conditions.
Summer
- Monitor coolant temperature closely in stop-and-go traffic — the low-slung nose limits airflow at idle and heat soak is real with a 490 hp V12.
- Check tire pressure weekly in summer; heat expands air and over-inflation on performance tires accelerates center-tread wear.
- Inspect A/C refrigerant charge and cabin filter before summer — a failed A/C in a low-roofline coupe with a big V12 is genuinely uncomfortable.
- Avoid prolonged idling in high heat if possible; the cooling system works hardest when the car is stationary.
- Check brake fluid condition before any spirited summer driving — heat from aggressive braking accelerates fluid degradation, especially on the carbon ceramic option.
Comparable vehicles
2012 Aston Martin
DB9
Closest sibling — same platform, same V12, lower price point (~$185K new). More common, slightly easier to find parts and service history for.
2012 Bentley
Continental GT
Similar grand touring mission, comparable price tier, twin-turbo W12. More reliable reputation but heavier and less driver-focused.
2012 Ferrari
California
V8 grand tourer in a similar price range (~$195K new). More exotic cachet but higher ownership costs and equally limited local service options.
2012 Maserati
GranTurismo
Italian GT coupe at a significantly lower price point (~$130K). Less performance but similar two-plus-two grand touring character and comparably tricky winter ownership.
If you're shopping for one
Red flags
- No service records or gaps longer than 18 months — skip it.
- Check engine light present at time of inspection — insist on a full scan before purchase.
- Evidence of flood damage or improper storage (musty interior, corrosion inside door sills).
- Mismatched paint panels or improperly repaired bodywork — hand-built aluminum is difficult to repair correctly and hides accident damage poorly.
- Any sign of coolant in the oil (milky dipstick) or oil in the coolant — head gasket issues on a V12 are a five-figure repair.
- Transmission that was serviced at a non-specialist shop with generic fluid — incorrect fluid damages the Touchtronic unit over time.
What to inspect
- Full pre-purchase inspection by an Aston Martin-trained technician — not a general independent shop. Travel to Milwaukee or Chicago for this if needed.
- Transmission behavior: test all shift modes and listen for hesitation, clunking, or slipping between 30–60 mph.
- Cooling system: look for any white residue around hose clamps, the expansion tank, or the radiator — early signs of a slow leak.
- Carbon ceramic brakes (if equipped): inspect rotors for surface cracks and measure pad thickness. Replacement cost can exceed $3,000.
- Undercarriage corrosion: even one Wisconsin winter without proper washing can begin pitting the aluminum subframe and corroding steel fasteners.
- All 12 spark plugs: a borescope inspection of the combustion chambers can reveal misfires or oil consumption before they show up as codes.
- Service records: a car without documented Aston-approved oil change history should be priced accordingly — V12 oil maintenance neglect is engine-life neglect.