I used to have a pit scooter just like that. We would mod them and put race exhaust on them and race them around the pits. One of my worst wipe outs was on a scooter!
Daum! My personal opinion is that the V8 Vantage is the most beautiful post 1970 car ever made. Second would be a DBS, Third a Vanquish. When I see even mine, it is like I just got a peak at Adriana Lima's g-string (I really want to say my wife, but yall don't know what she looks like. )
Mine does get driven. Luca and I were just at Jimmy John's, scarfing down some sandwiches before the Cardinal game tonight. Go Birds !! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Agree with all that the Vantage is still one of the most beautiful cars on the road today. Makes my decision to sell my Tungsten Silver with black cherry interior 07' with 9200 miles all the more difficult. Expect to see it on eBay next month. DaveGee
As a near daily-driver/commuter & weekend/nite-out GT, meaning comfortable & refined transport as well as spirited driving in terms of performance/handling, would an '07 A.M. Vantage 4.3L V8 suffice... or an '08 A.M. Vantage 4.7L V8 is the only way to go? Unless an '08+ A.M. Vantage 4.7L V8 or N400/N420 model was acquired, I was considering S.C.'ing (eventually, in the distant long-term) an '06-'07 A.M. Vantage 4.3L V8. FWIW, the '06-'07 A.M. Vantage 4.3L V8 price-points are difficult to ignore!
Mine is basically a DD. I drove both the 4.7 and 4.3 before purchase. My problem was that all the 4.7's I found available were flappy-paddle cars, which I felt were downright unusable in daily driving because of their herky-jerky starts. I test drove a 2011 4.7 and did not enjoy it. YMMV So the buttery smooth 6-speed 4.3 took precedence and that's what I bought. I'd make the exact same choice, if presented again. These aren't race cars, so the extra HP wasn't going to suddenly change my feeling of the car. (I will concede the newer ones have a more refined center console stack which I would probably like more than mine. The 2007 center console feels a bit like lego blocks)
I wholeheartedly agree. The 4.7 will obviously be faster, even faster than my N400. You can't beat hp and torque. An N420 will be faster still. I too drove the paddle version and found it too jerky so I have a 3 pedal version. I love my N400 just fine. Of course I wish I had more HP and torque and the N400 already has a lot more torque than the stock 4.3 (much more torque than the 20hp increase in power). More important though is the suspension and the sportspack is a must have in that respect. My 4.3 is a great DD and fun to drive. It suffers from the misfortune of occupying a garage full of either performance kings or power kings or both so falls short on those metrics from compared ot my other cars, but one thing it does not fall short on and leads my pack in is aesthetics, styling, refinement, and class. Aston Martin as a brand is second on my list of favorite car brands only to Ferrari.
I have had some weird version of cool GT-ish car ADHD lately. I want to buy something, but just when I think I figure out what I want, I get distracted and start getting all interested in and learning about something else. I guess the hunt is a big part of the fun for me. Anyway, after flirtations with everything from Series 1 E-Types to 550s, lately I have found myself drawn towards the Astons in that price bracket, namely used Vantages and DB9's. I like the idea of the back seats and of course the V12 in the DB9, but MY GOD I just can't get past the drop dead looks of the V8 Vantage! To that end, I have a few questions for the experts here: 1) Where can I get a quick primer on the differences in the various models, and common things/problem areas to look for when shopping? Is there something like FChat for Astons? 2) I have read on here and other places that maintenance and repairs on the DB9's can be very steep....how does the V8 Vantage compare in this regard? 3) Anyone know what actual selling prices are looking like lately?
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-Guide-Gaydon-Aston-Martin/dp/095068256X/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334768632&sr=1-8
Thanks Jack Russell Racing & raptorduck! How funny that us A.M. Vantage V8 fans & admirers think alike as I'm very much preferential towards the 6spd. manual as well. On a related note, how does the e-gear offering hold up in terms of reliability/dependability & maint'/service (repair/replacement costs, if applicable)? I can totally relate to the interior update on the '08+ A.M. Vantage 4.7L V8 models. It's truly sublime w/ unequaled class. Very DB9/DB-S 'esque, to say the least. For an '06-'07 Vantage 4.3L V8, I had plans to get another center-console (whether custom or factory) assuming it wasn't originally spec'd as such & have it redone in piano lacquer finish (along w/ other applicable accents); I was going to look into 3M/DuPont films for overlay or actual professional custom interior services. I love, love, and love that finish (only noted it on late model A.M. models & M.B. Designo offerings). nathandarby67, from all that I've read & heard w/ regards to maint'/service along w/ repair/replacement of parts & components, the A.M. V8 Vantage ownership & running costs are comparable to a Jaguar, M.B. AMG, BMW-M, Audi S/RS, Porsche, Nissan GT-R, Land Rover; whereas A.M. DB9 & Vanquish ownership & running costs are more-so on par w/ Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Rolls Royce, and other boutique/exotic offerings. I'm speaking generalist & broadly here, but- of'course. Sure, a Vanquish can be acquired for $75k & a DB9 for $65k (both on par w/ '06-'07 Vantage V8's) but the Vanquish & DB9 each command the running & upkeep costs mandated to a ~$200k+ vehicle, whereas the Vantage V8 is more-or-less operated & maintained in the realm of other ~$100k (or less) platforms, for the most part. Being out-of-warranty, I'd (hopefully) assume local area independent English-car specialists of repute would be able to competently & comfortably work on a Vantage V8 at a fair & reasonable level in terms of costs/proficiency.
I will say that the paddles on the DBS are smooth as silk, but that system is more like my Bentley's in that it is an automatic with a manual option rather than the other way around. As for upkeep costs, it is a British car. Nuff said.
Mosly the center console. The pre 2009 Vantages had a center stack with buttons that have left many displeased. They are small and hard to manipulate whilst driving. I don't even try. The knobs are fine though. The center stack on the new models is also more aesthetically pleasing. The newer cars also have a glass key that breaks a lot so that is not good. The only other difference is that the 2007+ vantages have better seats than the 2006.
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
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. . .
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.
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
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
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 ?
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.
