RE: AMV8 Vantage

[joust]

Is a letter to the factory all that is required to get on the waiting list for it?

Thanks,

J

[DanH]

So is this chasis based on Lotus technology? Sounds awfully like the Elise if its a bonded aluminium chassis along with various aluminium extrusions.

Wouldn't surprise me given the input Lotus had on the Vanquish.

[daydreamer]

Fair play to the Lotus boys too. They may not be the best at running a business, but they can even make an Astra handle.

The engineering at Lotus is pretty close to being beyond reproach.

[DanH]

Hmm as someone on the lotus forum posted, AML vowed never to work with lotus again after some delays on the Vanquish

Oh well!

[rich1231]

joust,
just a letter to your local dealer.

Rich

[joust]

Thanks rich - I've just emailed them to ask what format they want it in.

J

[ariel]

Done it! Letter of intent, now just got to wait.
btw my dealer says that it may appear earlier than 2005.

[katem]

very, very nice.

[paul]

ooo! gimee gimee gimee!
9 out of 10 based on first glance at pictures from Detroit (although some of the lines look a little 360-esque)
Anybody know what the US price will be? Delivery dates in US etc?

[joust]

ariel said: Done it! Letter of intent, now just got to wait.
btw my dealer says that it may appear earlier than 2005.

Ditto.....

[fletch2306]

Same here. In fact my other half put her name down for one as well.
2 years and counting, think its going to be a long wait.

[Twin Turbo]

If I had a hat I'd take it off to Mr Henrik Fisker!
I honestly didn't think anyone could produce a better looking car than the DB7 (although Ian Callum's Vanquish and Jaguar R-Coupe concept come close).

This is absolutely gorgeous. I just hope it makes production without any changes....oh, and give it a proper NASCAR V8 rumble. Roll on 2005 (and a lottery win!)

[maranellouk]

I do like the look of this car. I saw some shots of the rear and I couldn't help but think it reminded me of Porsche. At least they have made good with the interior and are using original parts. One artical I read in Car/Evo/Autocar said that Aston admitted that it hadn't been delivering genuine AM's for some time(or words to that effect)

About bloody time.

[Simon N]

First the cost of this car was claimed at £60K (Autocar etc) and now everyone is claiming £75K. Surely someone must know. I hope its the former because the nearer it gets to the £100K mark the more easier the competition will blow it away i.e the new lambo, a 2nd hand Murcielago, a 2nd hand Vanquish, the new Esprit (which should fetch alot cheaper).

Nevertheless it looks a superb car and will definitely give the 911 a kick in the teeth.

However what am I to know? If I was always correct then the ugly and boring 911 would have dissapeared by now. I really can not understand why it has done so well. Priced between £60K and £90K I would have opted for a 2nd hand F355, 360, 550, Diablo, DB7, Esprit. In fact the list goes on. I suppose the success of the 911 stems from its price, its apparent german build quality and its 4 seats. I cannot think of any other reason to buy a 911.

[superlightr]

Simon N - shame on you log onto the Porsche forum.

[dazren]

Simon N

Manu's comments (Ex Ferrari 550 owner) may offer some insight as to why 911s are still selling.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18149&f=63&h=0&hw=996tt+360

DAZ

[hungryjim]

Looks well dare i sound American, Ok ill say it ,It looks Awsome.
Wonder how that 4.3 V8 sounds hope fully like the 6.0 V12 a perfectley tuned orchestra.

[gmonsen]

As an American, I am very excited to see this new car and direction from Aston. Although I have owned a Ferrari 512 TR (and found it way overweight, though fabulous engine), I have always preferred lightweight sports cars and own a highly modified Mazda Rx7 for track days and a BMW M5 for commuting. I have an S1 Lotus Europa for tinkering. Astons have always been dated poseurs over here for the gold chain brigade of balding middle aged nouveau riche. Like the 512 TR, the Aston V8's were great motors in 5.3 form somehow able to pull the remarkably heavy cars to speed well. But, what a waste...

The new V8 Vantage is going to weigh around 3000 pounds and the base motor will end up with 400 hp. I know the announcements have surmised 370 or so, but they are smart enough to know that ALL exotics today must have "400 Horsepower" or they aren't contenders. With that power to weight, it will compete with the Porsche turbo and GT3 well on a performance basis. I suspect the 50-50 weight distribution and handling will be there as well. My only question is the steering turn-in and feel, since these seem to be things that are an "art" as much as a science.

The design is beautiful and really makes this the most attractive front engined car is the world, IMHO. Its more "all-of-a-piece" than either the DB7, which has aged very well, or the new Vanquish, which is a bit too idiosyncratic to be beautiful enough for me to lust after.

And the interior! With Porsches, you buy the car and then begin assembling the interior like "Mr. Potato". $800 for covering the interior rear mirror in leather. Front console in leather is so-way-too-much and then you still have to pay even more for the rear console... What? Then, there's the misleading "full leather package" , which comes in either the small... "full" leather package or the large "full" leather package. Neither of which is a full leather package. The Vantage retains (thank God) the Aston tradition of doing the interior right. One car. One interior. Done right.

I could go on, but won't. I put my order in with $500 and sent a letter to Aston asking them to keep the car as much like the show car as possible, so I don't have to cancel... I thought I was early to my dealer, but was number 15.

Gordon

[chubz]

THIS CAR AINT BETTER THEN THE V8 VANYAGE LE MANS

[RichB]

OH? AND WHAT'S ONE OF THEM? Rich...