RE: Driven: Aston Martin V8 Vantage S
Discussion
Yes, it's a lovely car and if someone dangled the keys in front of me I'd have snatched the keys, jumped in and gone for a hoon within 3 seconds. BUT, would I buy one? with my own money? I'm afraid not.
I'd rather save £30,000, buy a car that's better looking (IMO) and will run rings around the V8-S in the real world. Jaguar XK-R for me please
I'd rather save £30,000, buy a car that's better looking (IMO) and will run rings around the V8-S in the real world. Jaguar XK-R for me please
LongLiveTazio said:
Based on what?
Surely a bigger displacement AND a supercharger would make it far quicker through the gears, instant torque at any point in the rev range would be better for safe overtaking. Like I said, based on the 'real world' stick your average driver in the more powerful Jag and I'm sure they'd make quicker progress.
Jaguar is a bit less 'Cheshire Footballer' too
captain ash said:
Surely a bigger displacement AND a supercharger would make it far quicker through the gears, instant torque at any point in the rev range would be better for safe overtaking.
Like I said, based on the 'real world' stick your average driver in the more powerful Jag and I'm sure they'd make quicker progress.
Jaguar is a bit less 'Cheshire Footballer' too
Being a little bit faster in a straight line doesn't make it 'real world quicker'. The Vantage is more compact, is carrying less weight and will ride, steer and handle better - all of which make it easier and more confidence-inspiring to punt along.Like I said, based on the 'real world' stick your average driver in the more powerful Jag and I'm sure they'd make quicker progress.
Jaguar is a bit less 'Cheshire Footballer' too
At least the early Vantages seem to have bottomed out now, whilst the Jags keep dropping. I should know as I had an XK
Had my first passenger ride in an early Vantage today with 993targa. 50 miles of country roads and have to say I'm mightily impressed by the car. Those who say these are not sport cars, have you ever been in one ? Beautiful cars with a rare ability to shift when you want it, but also be enjoyable with presence at normal speeds.
Had my first passenger ride in an early Vantage today with 993targa. 50 miles of country roads and have to say I'm mightily impressed by the car. Those who say these are not sport cars, have you ever been in one ? Beautiful cars with a rare ability to shift when you want it, but also be enjoyable with presence at normal speeds.
55V8Vantage said:
I agree that this is a great car but if you've got £102k and want a Vantage that is faster and better handling than the standard V8, surely this is the way to go....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2583668.htm
I think we will find that this car (as reviewed) is quicker than the V12 around most tracks, down to less weight and mass.http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2583668.htm
I am a big AM fan and if could afford one I would buy one sadly, they are out of my league and even more expensive when compared on a performance basis. Should this car hold a £50k premium over a Boxster Spyder which is more than likely just as quick?
I don't believe that AM customers purchase these roadsters car's for outright track performance so this should not be a problem for anyone, there is so much more to an AM roadster than trying to beat laptimes.
Carl_Docklands said:
I don't believe that AM customers purchase these roadsters car's for outright track performance so this should not be a problem for anyone, there is so much more to an AM roadster than trying to beat laptimes.
Absolutely - your missing the point if you buy any Aston for it's performance I had a highly tuned S2000 (420 BHP) which was far quicker than my 4.7 roadster.
Don't forget the Vantage S is a coupe and a roadster
If they are not going to make a V12 roadster I may have to settle for the Vantage S or supercharger my current std 4.7
I like it, gash colour aside, a great car. I loved the 4.3 I drove at Silverstone, certainly one of the highlights of my adult life thus far. The V8 Vantage is such a great looking car and is such a pleasant place to be, it surprised me they haven't offered slightly more hardcore production version already and I was surprised that they introduced a V12 version, instead of supercharging the V8. I thought this would be more in-keeping with Aston's of old and keeping weight down and less nose heavy in the handling department.
Carl_Docklands said:
I think we will find that this car (as reviewed) is quicker than the V12 around most tracks, down to less weight and mass.
..
Possibly, but the raw data suggests otherwise....
V12 = 1680kg, 308bhp/ton, 570Nm, ceramic brakes
V8S = 1630kg, 264bhp/ton, 490Nm, standard brakes
Carl_Docklands said:
Should this car hold a £50k premium over a Boxster Spyder which is more than likely just as quick?
Just as quick? Really?The Aston looks and feels infinitely more special. It looks and feels infinitely more special than any 911 too - which is perhaps a fair balance against the brilliance of a GT3 or the performance of a 997 Turbo, both similarly priced.
For me, an absolutely key question is how well the gearbox works. The 'Sportshift' in the regular V8V is better than such gearboxes used to be, but would still put me off ownership. This one is said to be greatly improved.
I had a drive in a DBS auto the other day - fabulous. I think that is my favourite Aston.
Putting a lot of miles in on my bike on some lanes people use to enjoy their cars. It's always a delight to be passed by an Vantage - the noise is a event and warning all in one. The Turbo is obviously quicker, but the noise is incomparable. The Porsche driver would have bragging rights in the pub, but I suspect the Aston driver would have better things to do of an evening than argue about statistics.
I use matlab and spss at work, so obviously, it'd be the 3rs for me.
I use matlab and spss at work, so obviously, it'd be the 3rs for me.
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