What next for the Vantage?

[whoami]

Grant3 said:

Neil1300R said:

Loving those wheels!

+1 ..... the extra inner silver area makes them look larger and no worry about brake dust ...She looks lovely

Thanks chaps.

[Grant3]

SHIFTY said:

Not wanting to hijack this thread but...
Whoami said "I really did consider a change as this will be the 5th AM in a row for me."
I have not had 5 AM in a row (yet) but on my second and have the man maths itch to change it's been 3 years with the N420 roadster and loved it to bits. I cannot really see me changing to another AM that is near identical (V8S)to what I am replacing.
I prefer manuals but after a test drive in a F type the road holding, ease of changing gear and instant acceleration outperforms the Aston (IMO). The Aston needs active suspension I could take to BR for a full upgrade but why, Aston should have been keeping up with others, the V12S has active suspension I hope that in the centenary year this filters down to the V8 Vantage.
The F type is overpriced especially when you have to add the mandatory options (seats leather etc), no discounts available as Jaguar can sell all they are making (90 cars a day). Compared to the AM the Jags interior is too fussy, the paintwork full of "orange peel", the roof when opening or closing detailing all of the cables that look like Jaguar have been to Halfods to buy some bicycle cables, the boot unusable.
I am trying to find things so as not to like the F type, time is running out I now have a test drive in a Porsche 911 S (help).

Keep the faith.... your case reflects the point I was making in my original post, a potential new Aston sale that may go elsewhere and the 911 is a superb car, it just lacks some of the feel good factor, character and style of the Aston. Although sometimes it's good to have a complete change and then come back to the fold refreshed.

In the A.M. range have you considered nearly new rather than new, a V12 Vantage would give you a new experience, or maybe try a GT for a change, something like a Virage, which looks like the new DB9 but there a few very well priced 2012 cars. Also the DBS would make a fabulous next step.... but nearly new cars have a bit of price adjusting to do yet. Have you test driven the above?

[SHIFTY]

Grant

One of the prerequisites is that a replacement has to be a convertible (not poser value more keep the other half sweet).

Any Aston would need the lightweight seats as that was one of the reasons for changing from the first AM to the second so never a lot of the SH market. Not tried the Porsche yet somehow hoping that I do not like but I will have to wait and see.

[Grant3]

SHIFTY said:

Grant
One of the prerequisites is that a replacement has to be a convertible (not poser value more keep the other half sweet).
Any Aston would need the lightweight seats as that was one of the reasons for changing from the first AM to the second so never a lot of the SH market. Not tried the Porsche yet somehow hoping that I do not like but I will have to wait and see.

Ah, I see your quandary... I wouldn't jump just yet, may be worth waiting a while but the Porker is very good... or you could get an early V12 Vantage Coupe and nice used 987 Boxster S and have the best of both worlds

[George29]

Grant3 said:

or you could get an early V12 Vantage Coupe and nice used 987 Boxster S and have the best of both worlds

Best of both worlds as in a man's car and a girl's car?

[Grant3]

George29 said:

Best of both worlds as in a man's car and a girl's car?

Funnily enough my good ladies car is a Boxster S and it is one great driver's car, best value car in the Porker range IMO, but sexist stuff aside it does have an image handicap when compared to a 911.. which it doesn't deserve.

Back on topic about the Vantage design 8 years on since production started, I took the V12 Vantage out today for a Sunday morning drive, rear parcel shelf out...., tyre pressures checked (2psi out!!) oil checked, re-fuelled and ready to go.........

One word AWESOME, she was more alert and pointy with the tyre pressures spot on, as you start to accelerate hard on a clear well sighted road the low rev grumble turns into a mid-range guttural howl and as 4200rpm shows on the dial she pauses, as if preparing you, and then warp factor 2 is engaged as the car simply lunges forward clawing at the Tarmac, and the V12 starts to scream its full fat howling crescendo as the rev counter flies for the 7k spoiler.... Then again! On the twisty stuff she is planted, cornering flat and true, the steering meaty and direct, the lightweight seats clamping you in place, for best control. Back on a busy Road she sweeps along in a lower gear, on a wave of torque and the damping is still good enough to be comfortable despite the hardcore cornering ability. This is one special car
Then back on the drive, ticking herself cold, the styling is still beautiful, compact yet also aggressive and powerful, inside she still smells of leather and new car 2 years on, the interior feel good factor is still there, as is the driving experience 2 years on

In essence so much is right about the current range all it needs is a fast forward on the power and tech front to keep pace with the ever improving competition. Add an exterior refresh, Bi-Xenons, ADS, the latest manual and automated transmission, updated in car tech ( get rid of the silly infotainment screen and single OEL display!) and maybe shed a few pounds and we could be good for the next 8 years

[KarlFranz]

Let's hope the new Vantage has a decent set of column stalks as well.

[Bravo73]

KarlFranz said:

Let's hope the new Vantage has a decent set of column stalks as well.

That's optimistic of you, Karl. Even the One-77 and the cc100 have got those horrible Ford stalks.

[hashlove]

Having spent the weekend playing with a friends 458 spider, I'm surprised the only parallels people are drawing a potential new vantage to are the f-type or porsche. Notwithstanding the huge price difference, and characteristics of the 458 and any of the aston range, but wouldnt it be good to set the target at the Cali at the very minimum?

Front engine V8, super smooth 7spd, 485 bhp, reay nice simple interior... not to mention the servicing pack...

If Im honest, when the price of the 2012 models drop a little under the £100k mark, I may be well tempted.

The vantage is more stunning in present form, V12 cheaper new vs new baby ferrari, but when we talk 2nd hand, then its an interesting proposition.

If I were to put a wish list together for a new aston, I would look at the california, not a jag.

[kalibre46]

hashlove said:

Having spent the weekend playing with a friends 458 spider, I'm surprised the only parallels people are drawing a potential new vantage to are the f-type or porsche. Notwithstanding the huge price difference, and characteristics of the 458 and any of the aston range, but wouldnt it be good to set the target at the Cali at the very minimum?

Front engine V8, super smooth 7spd, 485 bhp, reay nice simple interior... not to mention the servicing pack...

If Im honest, when the price of the 2012 models drop a little under the £100k mark, I may be well tempted.

The vantage is more stunning in present form, V12 cheaper new vs new baby ferrari, but when we talk 2nd hand, then its an interesting proposition.

If I were to put a wish list together for a new aston, I would look at the california, not a jag.

I agree, the Cali for me though with the 2+2 layout was the competitior to the DB9 in my mind. The with extra (albeit tiny) seats being on my buying criteria the list of potentials was really quite small. Had the used Cali offerings been a little cheaper then I'd have had one tough decision on my hands.