Cars with naturally apisrated engines paired with manual gearboxes are a dying breed. In the name of safety and efficiency, modern cars are moving away from the classic formula that makes driving enthusiasts swoon. People that are putting down their hard earned cash for new supercars are to blame as well, as they are becoming lazier, asking of the car to do most of the work while they just cruise around town. However, there is still a beacon of hope that we should all aspire to, and that is the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S and Carfection takes a look at the manual version to see if this is indeed the perfect Aston Martin.

Despite going the turbocharged route with their new vehicles, as we’ve seen from their new DB11, Aston Martin is committed to being the last auto manufacturer to offer a stick shift. The design is an old one, but it’s still achingly beautiful and has stood up well against the test of time. We’d rather be in the presence of a design that’s a bit old but timeless than with some new design that ages badly. Much like the exterior, the V12 is old school as they come, but that’s also a good thing. You have to work hard to get the most out of it, but isn’t that when driving becomes most rewarding? Watch the video above and see if you agree with Carfection’s opinion. Even if you don’t, it should still be worth watching just for the glorious exhaust note.