A Vantage observation

[dmaxx3500]

Originally Posted by Jack Russell Racing

I'm not sure what the color is technically named -- it looks black in the evening, deep blue in some lighting conditions, and a bit cobalt in other conditions. (Compare it to that blue Prius thing next to it in the photo)

The picture here with my son was taken on an overcast day when he first saw it at our office.

arn't you a little young to be driving that

[Osiris_x11]

Okie, Aston'experts...

What colour is this interior on this '07 A.M. Vantage V8? Tungsten Silver is listed as the exterior finish, and gray is listed as the interior. I couldn't determine it from the A.M. website.

Here: http://imgur.com/b8gjF

[Ricambi America]

I am far from an expert... but it kind of looks like Absynthe Green

[Osiris_x11]

Originally Posted by Jack Russell Racing

I am far from an expert... but it kind of looks like Absynthe Green

It does resemblance to that, indeed. I wasn't aware it was available in late-model Vantage V8's, as I've noted it in DB7's & DB9's.

I guess it's a good excuse to stop by the local Aston Martin showroom & ask 'em!

If anyone else has an idea, do share. . .

[drjohngober]

My wife has an 08 Vantage Spyder ( pearl white/ black, white stitched interior). Luckily, she wanted the 6 speed-I married well.
We only have 9k miles on it and it has been flawless. She has looked at a new one but the I dont think it comes in a 6 speed.

[Osiris_x11]

Can anyone offer a breakdown (or share a link/resource instead) of the key & notable distinctions between the various model years of the current A.M. Vantage V8...

'06 -> '07 -> '08 -> '09 -> '10 -> '12

It doesn't have to be changes in colours offered, coupe/roadster/V12 variants, etc. I'm more-so looking towards changes in options/equipment, power/drive trains, electronics, styling/design, issues/gremlins worked-out (and what they may have been), so on & so forth.

Pretty much the only reference I've looked at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Vantage

A big gratsis, in-advance!

[raptorduck]

Originally Posted by Osiris_x11

Can anyone offer a breakdown (or share a link/resource instead) of the key & notable distinctions between the various model years of the current A.M. Vantage V8...

'06 -> '07 -> '08 -> '09 -> '10 -> '12

It doesn't have to be changes in colours offered, coupe/roadster/V12 variants, etc. I'm more-so looking towards changes in options/equipment, power/drive trains, electronics, styling/design, issues/gremlins worked-out (and what they may have been), so on & so forth.

Pretty much the only reference I've looked at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Vantage

A big gratsis, in-advance!

I will just repost an earlier response. Personally, I want this author to make as much money as he can off this masterpiece.

There is only one best answer here. Buy this book. It is the best car book I have ever read and a must have for any modern Aston owner/buyer.

http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Gui...4768632&sr=1-8

[Osiris_x11]

Originally Posted by raptorduck

I will just repost an earlier response. Personally, I want this author to make as much money as he can off this masterpiece.

There is only one best answer here. Buy this book. It is the best car book I have ever read and a must have for any modern Aston owner/buyer.

http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Gui...4768632&sr=1-8

Thanks! I had bookmarked your earlier response here & planned to order the book.

The link in your post above no workie...

Here's another lil' Aston Martin book that's a must-have (I got two, lolz!): The Little Book of Aston Martin

[Ricambi America]

Originally Posted by Ricambi America

Maybe those of you with a Vantage can offer some insight:


* I don't get it *


There, I said it. I drove my 348 for 7 years here in Winston Salem, and only a small handful of times did anybody approach me to ask a question about the car, whether at the gas station, grocery store, coffee shop or whatever. I loved that nobody bothered me for driving a slightly exotic car around this little town. It was rare to be asked anything about the marque, vintage, experience, etc.

Now, since November with my Vantage V8, I have been approached dozens of times by folks asking all sorts of questions. Grocery store, gas station, dry cleaners, bagel shop... just about anytime I get out of the car, somebody walks up to ask about it. No joke -- it is almost constant. It does leave me confused. Did folks perceive a Ferrari owner (nero car, loud, etc) to be generally unapproachable? Why on earth does a TdF blue (best description I can come up with) Vantage garner so much interest?


.

And here's a new one... last night my son and I go out for dinner to a neighborhood place, about 2 miles from the house. We parallel park in front of the restaurant, and start walking in. Within seconds, a kid on a bike screeches to a halt and pulls out his phone camera to take a picture. "Wow!! An Aston!!" he exclaims. We make quick, polite talk and then go inside the restaurant.

As we're walking into the restaurant -- before the maître-d even sees us, a man from a window-oriented table leaps out of his seat (leaving his wife/family) and comes to us quickly to say "Is that a DBS? Never seen one". My son, who's only 6 says "Actually, its a Vantage V8-- but they do look sort of the same". Again, more chit-chat.

Thinking we'll just sit at the bar and watch some baseball, we opt for the fastest possible route away from the door. Anyway, sitting at the bar having a bite, there were probably 5 different people that upon leaving the restaurant walked down to the car and started peering into it.

Back to the original point.... I'm stunned. My old 348, which was far more "exotic" looking never got so much attention. Its not flame red, its a very conservative TdF-like blue. No wings, neon, or tint. It's a little uncomfortable, and it makes me wonder if a 575 (something I would like when the Aston eventually goes) would be equally magnetic. Is it the car, or is it Winston-Salem, NC ?

[TRScotty]

No, they are beautiful cars.

I will own one (or two, if I have to buy the wife that DB-9) soon.

One of our regular C&C visitors here has one and it is spectacular.

[plastique999]

I think part of it has to do with the color of the car.
I had an orange Lotus that screamed look at me and constant photos (most fun car I owned).
I then picked up a limited edition Vantage in lightning silver and I rarely got attention with that car.
Then traded it for a black 430 Spider. This car gets mediocre attention....now if it were in red I think it would get way more attention.
Disclaimer: I live in SoCal

[ryalex]

Originally Posted by raptorduck

That makes me think of the tasteful mods on these cars.

...

[Zack]

Originally Posted by Ricambi America

Is it the car, or is it Winston-Salem, NC ?

It's the car. It's gorgeous, but also not too extreme. The Ferrari is more noticeable, but people perceive it to be too extreme and are a bit in awe of it. The Aston is just beautiful, but also not extreme enough to be perceived as unapproachable/untouchable.

[TheDuke]

Originally Posted by Need4Spd

The answer in two words: James Bond.

+1 although the DBS and Vantage are different, they look the same to everyone else. When they see it, they immediately recognize its sexy looks and that their favorite secret agent drove one. It's a far more recognizable car and that's why people are drawn to it.

The 348 doesn't have that same look. It looks different and unfortunately has a resemblance to a crappy fiero or other car. We can obviously see the difference but 99% of everyone else doesn't know/care. If they don't know what it is, then they won't care to much.

As a ranger fan to a cards fan, think of it like this. If I saw Craig Gentry in public (he's known to us Ranger fans but maybe not to everyone else) I'd go up to him or make a big deal out of it where as a non ranger fan may not notice/care. Likewise, if I saw Rafeal Furcal (don't know who he is) I wouldn't know it and would just keep walking. I might recognize he's an athlete by his build but I would just keep walking because I have no idea who he is.

The 348 doesn't scream Ferrari or modern design because it's a product of the late 80s/90s. So that style is out of style.
I like the 348 and have nothing against it. Just making a point from the viewpoint of the general public

Originally Posted by Ricambi America

As we're walking into the restaurant -- before the maître-d even sees us, a man from a window-oriented table leaps out of his seat (leaving his wife/family) and comes to us quickly to say "Is that a DBS? Never seen one". My son, who's only 6 says "Actually, its a Vantage V8-- but they do look sort of the same". Again, more chit-chat.

Very funny. You've trained your son well.