RE: Spotted: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Discussion
Article said:
It was the car Aston had bought for R&D purposes. Presumably they gave it some death, drew as much data as possible from it and then unscrewed every nut and bolt to see what it was all about. I know this last bit to be true because the car came up for sale in bits.
Doesn't every manufacturer do this - its just rare they sell them on after. Bit suprised by some of the comments re performance. The 4.3 was almost on a par with the 977S of the time. On a give and take b road you'd find it very hard to split them. The Aston was heavier and a bit 'slow witted' compared to the Porsche - it's secondary damping over bumps being a particular problem. But it certainly wasn't slow. And of course it looks gorgeous.
Times move on and now a great buy at this price - given the alternatives.
Times move on and now a great buy at this price - given the alternatives.
El Shafto said:
Looks stunning. Better than most of Aston's current range. But the points raised about running costs are a genuine concern. A friend of mine had one for a while from new and sold it pretty quickly after a £2,500 basic service bill :S
??? This is the same car as in the current range. And is very similar in looks to the Virage/DB9/DBS/Rapide (in a good way)...Anyway - this may not be your cup of tea at £30k Chris, but i reckon this at £20k might be...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
25k, right colour, wheels and interior - under £20k. Want.
Beefmeister said:
??? This is the same car as in the current range. And is very similar in looks to the Virage/DB9/DBS/Rapide (in a good way)...
Anyway - this may not be your cup of tea at £30k Chris, but i reckon this at £20k might be...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
25k, right colour, wheels and interior - under £20k. Want.
Can't believe the Cayman is 6 years old already... Anyway - this may not be your cup of tea at £30k Chris, but i reckon this at £20k might be...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
25k, right colour, wheels and interior - under £20k. Want.
Very nice car Beef, and becoming very tempting now they are dropping to < £20K.
AMV8 is gorgeous, but having had a passenger ride in a 4.3 and a good poke around I must also admit to being rather underwhelmed. hell of a noise with that fuse removed though
I came soooooo close to buying one of these last autumn, so I feel qualified to comment.
First of all the does it feel fast angle, yes & no. It all depends on what you're coming from & yes an m3 or AMG will dust it but really-do you do drag races?
Servicing didn't look as horrendous as first thought-I'd say on par with an ///M, AMG or Porsche.
Economy & fuel prices, most will be weekend toys.
But, & the biggest, hugest most important BUT, is that no Porsche, ///M car or AMG merc will ever get you the feeling one of these will-& I've owned my fair share (I've had 911s, M3csl etc etc).
Some folks will say that to drive they're nothing special, but what they really mean is dynamically they're nothing special. In fact I actually thought it reminded me of my old 350Z more than anything (dynamically), heavy controls, big chested multi cylinders up front, meaty box in the middle & lairy rwd at the back.
What the hells not to like?!
Yes it could be faster, yes it could be lighter, nimbler etc but good god man, look at the thing! Listen to it sing!
& be safe in the knowledge that women will like it, very much!
Picture pulling up outside a nice country hotel with your dorris after driving some stunning deserted country roads, getting the bags out the boot & giving it one last look before you enter the hotel for a weekend of fine dining & shagging-that's your Aston that is!
Now, some may prefer a weekend with the lads at the nurburgring & for that you want your gt3 admittedly, but having looked into it, those n24 & gt3 spec Aston racers make do with the standard brake callipers (only unrated discs & pads) the standard engine & all the the parts for the racers are available from Aston themselves.
Oh & before I'm accused on being a fanboy, I never really "got" the Aston thing before trying them, it was a mate who (hating Porsches) begged me to give one a go & I've got to say, had me & swmbo not decided to plan a bloomin wedding I'd be after one right now.
In fact, I can't think of anything I'd rather have in a couple of years after the Z4M coupe. It'll probably feel a little slower, but who wants to go that fast when you look & sound that good?!
I'll take mine in meteor grey, with kestrel tan interior please
First of all the does it feel fast angle, yes & no. It all depends on what you're coming from & yes an m3 or AMG will dust it but really-do you do drag races?
Servicing didn't look as horrendous as first thought-I'd say on par with an ///M, AMG or Porsche.
Economy & fuel prices, most will be weekend toys.
But, & the biggest, hugest most important BUT, is that no Porsche, ///M car or AMG merc will ever get you the feeling one of these will-& I've owned my fair share (I've had 911s, M3csl etc etc).
Some folks will say that to drive they're nothing special, but what they really mean is dynamically they're nothing special. In fact I actually thought it reminded me of my old 350Z more than anything (dynamically), heavy controls, big chested multi cylinders up front, meaty box in the middle & lairy rwd at the back.
What the hells not to like?!
Yes it could be faster, yes it could be lighter, nimbler etc but good god man, look at the thing! Listen to it sing!
& be safe in the knowledge that women will like it, very much!
Picture pulling up outside a nice country hotel with your dorris after driving some stunning deserted country roads, getting the bags out the boot & giving it one last look before you enter the hotel for a weekend of fine dining & shagging-that's your Aston that is!
Now, some may prefer a weekend with the lads at the nurburgring & for that you want your gt3 admittedly, but having looked into it, those n24 & gt3 spec Aston racers make do with the standard brake callipers (only unrated discs & pads) the standard engine & all the the parts for the racers are available from Aston themselves.
Oh & before I'm accused on being a fanboy, I never really "got" the Aston thing before trying them, it was a mate who (hating Porsches) begged me to give one a go & I've got to say, had me & swmbo not decided to plan a bloomin wedding I'd be after one right now.
In fact, I can't think of anything I'd rather have in a couple of years after the Z4M coupe. It'll probably feel a little slower, but who wants to go that fast when you look & sound that good?!
I'll take mine in meteor grey, with kestrel tan interior please
Morba said:
Beautiful cars, still a lot of other cars in the £30k bracket that would be considered alongside one though.
£30k though!!! Are they really not that special or is it just the smaller engine that disapoints people?
See my post above re 4.3 v 997S. Original version DID feel a little short changed grunt wise but wasn't actually slow. Lovely to own and drive with MASSIVE feel good factor - just no quite spot on. 4.7 well worth stretching to and made car all that it should have been first time round.£30k though!!! Are they really not that special or is it just the smaller engine that disapoints people?
How about this for 8k less from the same dealer?
http://www.classicdriver.de/uk/find/4100_dealers2_...
http://www.classicdriver.de/uk/find/4100_dealers2_...
Beefmeister said:
??? This is the same car as in the current range. And is very similar in looks to the Virage/DB9/DBS/Rapide (in a good way)...
Anyway - this may not be your cup of tea at £30k Chris, but i reckon this at £20k might be...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
25k, right colour, wheels and interior - under £20k. Want.
I'm a porsche fan, but I do think that holds no comparison to the aston, completely different imho.Anyway - this may not be your cup of tea at £30k Chris, but i reckon this at £20k might be...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
25k, right colour, wheels and interior - under £20k. Want.
Didnt we have a £30k Vantage in the 'spotted' fairly recently? It was the high mileage one - stuck around for a while and was down at about £26k.
I looked at the one currently being sold for £31k by Keighley with similar miles, but when it was advertised privately for £25k at the end of last year. I didnt go for it as it's had a lot of owners (7, from memory) and doesnt have the full Aston history that the current advert puports it has.
I looked at the one currently being sold for £31k by Keighley with similar miles, but when it was advertised privately for £25k at the end of last year. I didnt go for it as it's had a lot of owners (7, from memory) and doesnt have the full Aston history that the current advert puports it has.
Edited by johnnyBv8 on Wednesday 21st March 11:32
cragswinter said:
Some folks will say that to drive they're nothing special, but what they really mean is dynamically they're nothing special. In fact I actually thought it reminded me of my old 350Z more than anything (dynamically), heavy controls, big chested multi cylinders up front, meaty box in the middle & lairy rwd at the back.
What the hells not to like?!
Yes it could be faster, yes it could be lighter, nimbler etc but good god man, look at the thing! Listen to it sing!
I'll take mine in meteor grey, with kestrel tan interior please
Take it you've drove one then?? Sounds like it's a car right up my street, pity I don't have £30K What the hells not to like?!
Yes it could be faster, yes it could be lighter, nimbler etc but good god man, look at the thing! Listen to it sing!
I'll take mine in meteor grey, with kestrel tan interior please
and another pity that with £30K I've have an E-type sat on my drive! I love heavy, lariy cars and they are MUCH more exciting to drive than perfectly balanced, geek of the year cars.
I'll take mine in red (non metallic) or BRG with a cream interior please
Jag-D said:
It's a shame they just weren't that fast as they've achingly beautiful and sound amazing!
If I had the pennies, I would certainly buy one and have it breathed on a little bit
Depends what you mean by fast. My mate has one and I think it's pretty damn quick. 0-60 in around 5 seconds and a top speed of 175mph.If I had the pennies, I would certainly buy one and have it breathed on a little bit
Suppose it's slow if you drive a Veyron
V8Triumph said:
A Cayman or an Aston Martin and a Cayman in an EXTREMELY boring colour at that.... hmmm really hard choice that one 
And thats coming from someone who used to be unbelievably into Porsches.
If we were talking Cayman Vs V8V at £30k i'd agree. My point was that for £10,000 less you can get a very good example of one of the best handling sportscars on the roads. And thats coming from someone who used to be unbelievably into Porsches. ZesPak said:
I'm a porsche fan, but I do think that holds no comparison to the aston, completely different imho.
I doubt that on my favourite b-road the V8V would see which way the Cayman went. I've done hundreds of miles in both and yes, of course i'd take the V8V if it were a £30k choice. It has the noise, image and looks. But there's a whole lot of difference between a £20k and £30k purchase.St John Smythe said:
Jag-D said:
It's a shame they just weren't that fast as they've achingly beautiful and sound amazing!
If I had the pennies, I would certainly buy one and have it breathed on a little bit
Depends what you mean by fast. My mate has one and I think it's pretty damn quick. 0-60 in around 5 seconds and a top speed of 175mph.If I had the pennies, I would certainly buy one and have it breathed on a little bit
Suppose it's slow if you drive a Veyron
V8Triumph said:
Take it you've drove one then?? Sounds like it's a car right up my street, pity I don't have £30K and another pity that with £30K I've have an E-type sat on my drive!
I love heavy, lariy cars and they are MUCH more exciting to drive than perfectly balanced, geek of the year cars.
I'll take mine in red (non metallic) or BRG with a cream interior please
Oh yes mate, drove a few (trying to drive a bargain so to speak), & I think they will appeal to a certain customer-which is either a fluke or very, very good design! and another pity that with £30K I've have an E-type sat on my drive! I love heavy, lariy cars and they are MUCH more exciting to drive than perfectly balanced, geek of the year cars.
I'll take mine in red (non metallic) or BRG with a cream interior please
They're a very British thing really & I'd say they were almost designed for the man who has done the tvr thing & wants something a little more civilised that even the swmbo can drive (a bit like my Z4M I suppose?) but who still wants something that looks the part, sounds the part but that isn't made of fibreglass & might be slightly more reliable.
Don't get me wrong, I love my quirky cars but I know for a fact that when we drive the Pyrenees this summer swmbo would have put up with my classic 911, but she'll enjoy the ZM-say nav, air con, iPod connection an all.
cragswinter said:
I came soooooo close to buying one of these last autumn, so I feel qualified to comment.
First of all the does it feel fast angle, yes & no. It all depends on what you're coming from & yes an m3 or AMG will dust it but really-do you do drag races?
Servicing didn't look as horrendous as first thought-I'd say on par with an ///M, AMG or Porsche.
Economy & fuel prices, most will be weekend toys.
But, & the biggest, hugest most important BUT, is that no Porsche, ///M car or AMG merc will ever get you the feeling one of these will-& I've owned my fair share (I've had 911s, M3csl etc etc).
Some folks will say that to drive they're nothing special, but what they really mean is dynamically they're nothing special. In fact I actually thought it reminded me of my old 350Z more than anything (dynamically), heavy controls, big chested multi cylinders up front, meaty box in the middle & lairy rwd at the back.
What the hells not to like?!
Yes it could be faster, yes it could be lighter, nimbler etc but good god man, look at the thing! Listen to it sing!
& be safe in the knowledge that women will like it, very much!
Picture pulling up outside a nice country hotel with your dorris after driving some stunning deserted country roads, getting the bags out the boot & giving it one last look before you enter the hotel for a weekend of fine dining & shagging-that's your Aston that is!
Now, some may prefer a weekend with the lads at the nurburgring & for that you want your gt3 admittedly, but having looked into it, those n24 & gt3 spec Aston racers make do with the standard brake callipers (only unrated discs & pads) the standard engine & all the the parts for the racers are available from Aston themselves.
Oh & before I'm accused on being a fanboy, I never really "got" the Aston thing before trying them, it was a mate who (hating Porsches) begged me to give one a go & I've got to say, had me & swmbo not decided to plan a bloomin wedding I'd be after one right now.
In fact, I can't think of anything I'd rather have in a couple of years after the Z4M coupe. It'll probably feel a little slower, but who wants to go that fast when you look & sound that good?!
I'll take mine in meteor grey, with kestrel tan interior please
From someone who's earlier posts were based on having moved from a 997S to virtually the first 4.3 customer car I'd say that's a very good summing up indeed.First of all the does it feel fast angle, yes & no. It all depends on what you're coming from & yes an m3 or AMG will dust it but really-do you do drag races?
Servicing didn't look as horrendous as first thought-I'd say on par with an ///M, AMG or Porsche.
Economy & fuel prices, most will be weekend toys.
But, & the biggest, hugest most important BUT, is that no Porsche, ///M car or AMG merc will ever get you the feeling one of these will-& I've owned my fair share (I've had 911s, M3csl etc etc).
Some folks will say that to drive they're nothing special, but what they really mean is dynamically they're nothing special. In fact I actually thought it reminded me of my old 350Z more than anything (dynamically), heavy controls, big chested multi cylinders up front, meaty box in the middle & lairy rwd at the back.
What the hells not to like?!
Yes it could be faster, yes it could be lighter, nimbler etc but good god man, look at the thing! Listen to it sing!
& be safe in the knowledge that women will like it, very much!
Picture pulling up outside a nice country hotel with your dorris after driving some stunning deserted country roads, getting the bags out the boot & giving it one last look before you enter the hotel for a weekend of fine dining & shagging-that's your Aston that is!
Now, some may prefer a weekend with the lads at the nurburgring & for that you want your gt3 admittedly, but having looked into it, those n24 & gt3 spec Aston racers make do with the standard brake callipers (only unrated discs & pads) the standard engine & all the the parts for the racers are available from Aston themselves.
Oh & before I'm accused on being a fanboy, I never really "got" the Aston thing before trying them, it was a mate who (hating Porsches) begged me to give one a go & I've got to say, had me & swmbo not decided to plan a bloomin wedding I'd be after one right now.
In fact, I can't think of anything I'd rather have in a couple of years after the Z4M coupe. It'll probably feel a little slower, but who wants to go that fast when you look & sound that good?!
I'll take mine in meteor grey, with kestrel tan interior please
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