Discussion
J and Shadytree,
I am curious what other colors you have seen the V8 Vantage in, besides black. I ask because I have considered many colors but have now narrowed the choices to mercury, tungsten and onyx black (at least for today.
I think the black gives the car the most menacing look but am worried about it hiding the lines (as well as keeping it clean). I have read comments from others who have seen the black in outdoor conditions who feel that black actually accentuates the lines. Do you and Shadytree agree? Are you both lovers of black cars in general?
I am having a real hard time with the exterior color choice. All comments welcome.
Thank you, John
I am curious what other colors you have seen the V8 Vantage in, besides black. I ask because I have considered many colors but have now narrowed the choices to mercury, tungsten and onyx black (at least for today.
I think the black gives the car the most menacing look but am worried about it hiding the lines (as well as keeping it clean). I have read comments from others who have seen the black in outdoor conditions who feel that black actually accentuates the lines. Do you and Shadytree agree? Are you both lovers of black cars in general?
I am having a real hard time with the exterior color choice. All comments welcome.
Thank you, John
I have seen nearly them all in the metal, I think ??
Black is my favourite so far, it is the front of the car that it seems to make the difference to.
Hard to explain really, seems to make the front seem more spread out and lower, hopefully you can have a look at some pics on the net and see what I mean as I am having trouble putting it into words, lol...
Black is a great colour, although I wouldn't say that as a rule, depends on the car IMO.
Pain in the backside to keep clean though !!
My dad on the other hand loves the Torro Red with the red stitching and black seats, although the majority of people I have heard mention it don't seem that taken by it.
Horses for courses and each to their own IMO.
If buying to sell on, go for a 'popular' colour, if you are buying for keeps, make sure you get what you are happy with
The black car I saw was in dire need of a clean, and, although not looking for it, I noticed nothing 'different' about the lines.
>> Edited by :J: on Tuesday 18th October 19:44
Black is my favourite so far, it is the front of the car that it seems to make the difference to.
Hard to explain really, seems to make the front seem more spread out and lower, hopefully you can have a look at some pics on the net and see what I mean as I am having trouble putting it into words, lol...
Black is a great colour, although I wouldn't say that as a rule, depends on the car IMO.
Pain in the backside to keep clean though !!
My dad on the other hand loves the Torro Red with the red stitching and black seats, although the majority of people I have heard mention it don't seem that taken by it.
Horses for courses and each to their own IMO.
If buying to sell on, go for a 'popular' colour, if you are buying for keeps, make sure you get what you are happy with
The black car I saw was in dire need of a clean, and, although not looking for it, I noticed nothing 'different' about the lines.
>> Edited by :J: on Tuesday 18th October 19:44
I really thought Meteorite looked fantastic. Whilst at the factory there was Onyx Black, Meteorite and Tungsten all parked side by side. The metallic fleck in the Onyx Black hardly showed up at all compared to the other two. Having had a Tungsten DB9 and now being into "off-black" colours(as in porsche Atlas Grey) I have speced Meteorite for my Vantage. It looks very masculine and shows fleck really well and is still really dark.
Hope you find my thought process useful.
Hope you find my thought process useful.
friscorays said:
J and Shadytree,
I am curious what other colors you have seen the V8 Vantage in, besides black. I ask because I have considered many colors but have now narrowed the choices to mercury, tungsten and onyx black (at least for today.
I think the black gives the car the most menacing look but am worried about it hiding the lines (as well as keeping it clean). I have read comments from others who have seen the black in outdoor conditions who feel that black actually accentuates the lines. Do you and Shadytree agree? Are you both lovers of black cars in general?
I am having a real hard time with the exterior color choice. All comments welcome.
Thank you, John
Hello John,
I've never had a black car before. The closest must be a dark blue Mondeo
Normally I wouldn't touch them as they are buggers to keep clean. Then I realised that I washed my silver DB9 nearly every time I took it out, so what the difference. I think the V8 looks just positively EVIL in black, really menacing. I don't feel it hides the lines, it provokes meatyness. The DB9 on the other hand was the complete opposite. As it is a beautiful curved coupe, the lines did need a lighter colour to show them off best IMO. Similarly my boss has a Vanquish S and that looks awesome in Black, again making it look aggresive.
Don't get me wrong I think all the greys, silvers and dark colours look fantastic. Not at all a fan of the yellow, but who is? I quite like the Toro red and one colour knowone is opting for is the champagne gold, which looks really good.
This is more of an aggresive car, so I opted for a more aggresive look. Onyx black with red calipers, black leather with hard red stitching. A real sporty look.
Hope this is of help.
I saw black at the factory as well (though the car was not completed) and it looked good, as did the one featured in the Top Gear DVD from September. Of the grays, I have seen the V8 in Tungsten and Mercury and prefer Mercury. I haven't seen one in Meteorite in person, but have seen several pictures and it also looks good...but Mercury actually has that liquid feel which looks stunning on a curvy car like the V8.
Mercedes has designo Silver which was the launch color for the current SL-Class in the US. I have it on my G55, but it doesn't really suit it since the G-wagen is not curvy at all. The other problem with these paints is that they look different depending on the lighting conditions. My G55 looks great at night, not so great during the day. On the SL, designo Silver looks very nice in bright light, but at night it's rather dull...then again it depends on the person looking at it.
designo Silver SL500:
designo Silver G55:
Mercury Silver AM V8:
Tungsten Silver AM V8:
The end result is that no one can tell you which color looks best because it's totally about personal preference. I'm happy I chose Mercury Silver but that's just because I like it better than the rest.
Mercedes has designo Silver which was the launch color for the current SL-Class in the US. I have it on my G55, but it doesn't really suit it since the G-wagen is not curvy at all. The other problem with these paints is that they look different depending on the lighting conditions. My G55 looks great at night, not so great during the day. On the SL, designo Silver looks very nice in bright light, but at night it's rather dull...then again it depends on the person looking at it.
designo Silver SL500:
designo Silver G55:
Mercury Silver AM V8:
Tungsten Silver AM V8:
The end result is that no one can tell you which color looks best because it's totally about personal preference. I'm happy I chose Mercury Silver but that's just because I like it better than the rest.
Thank you all for the prompt and thoughtful replys.
I did consider meteorite very seriously for a while because that color helped me avoid making a silver vs black decision (as it represents a little of each). I felt I should come down on one side of the fence or the other and thus crossed it off the list. Maybe I should add it back into the mix of contenders...
I am always up for a drink but will have a hard time making the drive to join most of you, as I live in Texas!
I will post my final spec if I ever make up my mind. I am told that I should have a February build with delivery in March / April (keeping fingers crossed).
John
I did consider meteorite very seriously for a while because that color helped me avoid making a silver vs black decision (as it represents a little of each). I felt I should come down on one side of the fence or the other and thus crossed it off the list. Maybe I should add it back into the mix of contenders...
I am always up for a drink but will have a hard time making the drive to join most of you, as I live in Texas!
I will post my final spec if I ever make up my mind. I am told that I should have a February build with delivery in March / April (keeping fingers crossed).
John
I've been leaning towards black for my one (No. 17 with my dealer in NI - expected in Q1 2006 - not yet specced), but I keep wondering about alternatives.
Having now seen the AM Configurator, and making allowances for (i) the colours not being faithfully represented (Toro Red, for example, looks horrible on the screen) and (ii) the fact that I am 60-70% colour-blind, I have identified three colours for further investigation: Slate Blue, Merlot Red and Oyster Silver.
Has anyone seen any of these in the metal? Does anyone have any opinions on these colours?
Having now seen the AM Configurator, and making allowances for (i) the colours not being faithfully represented (Toro Red, for example, looks horrible on the screen) and (ii) the fact that I am 60-70% colour-blind, I have identified three colours for further investigation: Slate Blue, Merlot Red and Oyster Silver.
Has anyone seen any of these in the metal? Does anyone have any opinions on these colours?
shadytree said:
J and Shadytree,
I am curious what other colors you have seen the V8 Vantage in, besides black. I ask because I have considered many colors but have now narrowed the choices to mercury, tungsten and onyx black (at least for today.
I think the black gives the car the most menacing look but am worried about it hiding the lines (as well as keeping it clean). I have read comments from others who have seen the black in outdoor conditions who feel that black actually accentuates the lines. Do you and Shadytree agree? Are you both lovers of black cars in general?
I am having a real hard time with the exterior color choice. All comments welcome.
Thank you, John
Hello John,
I've never had a black car before. The closest must be a dark blue Mondeo
I think the V8 looks just positively EVIL in black, really menacing. I don't feel it hides the lines, it provokes meatyness. The DB9 on the other hand was the complete opposite. As it is a beautiful curved coupe, the lines did need a lighter colour to show them off best IMO. Similarly my boss has a Vanquish S and that looks awesome in Black, again making it look aggresive.
Don't get me wrong I think all the greys, silvers and dark colours look fantastic. Not at all a fan of the yellow, but who is? I quite like the Toro red and one colour knowone is opting for is the champagne gold, which looks really good.
This is more of an aggresive car, so I opted for a more aggresive look. Onyx black with red calipers, black leather with hard red stitching. A real sporty look.
Hope this is of help.
Eh you said i was an idiot if I went for gold!!!
g1t !!!!
friscorays said:
J and Shadytree,
I am curious what other colors you have seen the V8 Vantage in, besides black. I ask because I have considered many colors but have now narrowed the choices to mercury, tungsten and onyx black (at least for today.
I think the black gives the car the most menacing look but am worried about it hiding the lines (as well as keeping it clean). I have read comments from others who have seen the black in outdoor conditions who feel that black actually accentuates the lines. Do you and Shadytree agree? Are you both lovers of black cars in general?
I am having a real hard time with the exterior color choice. All comments welcome.
Thank you, John
The black does really really look good.
I do think that the hip line is lost abit with it, others may disagree with me though. Black will be a mare to keep clean but surely you will enjoy caressing your V8 everytime a blemish appears?
If you can wait til the 29th of the month ill take some outdoor pics of my dealers demo car (its black), or maybe shady will as he is a better photographer than i am.
Danodon,
Keep in mind that the following is coming from someone who can't even decide on a color for his own car:
I have seen the merlot red on a DB9 Volante and thought it looked very sophisticated and elegant. I am not sure how it will translate to the more sporty V8 but it would probably be very nice if you lean toward reds. The toro red looks great on the V8 in pictures present on the web: it is a more extroverted shade of red that almost demands that others look at you as you pass by.
I like blues but the slate blue is a very lightly tinted shade. I prefer the darker shades of blue that Aston offers such as midnight, sapphire and mendip.
I have not given Oyster much attention. I'll need to look at a sample when I am next at the dealership. I think I didn't like it because it has abrownish tone but I could be confusing it with a different color.
John
Keep in mind that the following is coming from someone who can't even decide on a color for his own car:
I have seen the merlot red on a DB9 Volante and thought it looked very sophisticated and elegant. I am not sure how it will translate to the more sporty V8 but it would probably be very nice if you lean toward reds. The toro red looks great on the V8 in pictures present on the web: it is a more extroverted shade of red that almost demands that others look at you as you pass by.
I like blues but the slate blue is a very lightly tinted shade. I prefer the darker shades of blue that Aston offers such as midnight, sapphire and mendip.
I have not given Oyster much attention. I'll need to look at a sample when I am next at the dealership. I think I didn't like it because it has abrownish tone but I could be confusing it with a different color.
John
You guys know that you can play around with all the options with this configurator on the AM site, don't you?
Now, can someone please order one in my spec. and get ready to px in the spring. 
Now, can someone please order one in my spec. and get ready to px in the spring.
The problem with the configurator is that the colors are not accurate...sometimes not even close (like Mercury Silver)...but from a technical viewpoint it's an incredible tool...the best I've seen on any auto manufacturer's site. As soon as they fix the exterior color issue, I think it will be invaluable to future buyers.
Black does indeed look fine on the AMV8. However I did not like the metallic black paint (onyx) - the flakes were far too coarse and any light shining on it made the surface look like it was scratched or had swirl marks. They do offer a non-metallic black (jet) but I was told that it was quite flat looking.
John (friscorays),
Thanks for your helpful comments. I’m off to my local launch this (Thurs 20 Oct) evening where I understand there will be three cars in Black, Toro Red and one of the varieties of Silver. Apparently all of them will have the black interior, which is not particularly helpful.
I was passing my dealer yesterday so I called in for a chat and a look at the colour options ‘wall’. As a result, I have definitely ruled out Oyster Silver as a possible choice. I think your recollection is correct: it has a brownish tone and just doesn’t do it for me.
Merlot Red looks good; sophisticated and elegant, as you say, but probably less ‘sporty’ than the Toro Red. As I walked from my car to the showroom, the Toro Red launch car drove by. It looked very good and sounded even better! This means that both Merlot Red and Toro Red are now on the list of possibles.
Slate Blue seemed to me to be a blue/grey mix of a medium hue. I have to say that I liked it and it remains a possible. I understand your point about the darker shades of blue, but I have done that to death recently: my 997 C2 is midnight blue (with sand interior), my wife’s car is dark blue and the family hack is also medium/dark blue. I fancy a change.
Mind you, there were two DB9s in the showroom and both looked extremely good; one was Black/Black and the other was Mercury/Iron Ore.
I found out today that I am scheduled for a May ’06 build with delivery in either May or June. Also, I was told that I will be called to provide my spec by the end of November.
Decisions, decisions!
Dan
Thanks for your helpful comments. I’m off to my local launch this (Thurs 20 Oct) evening where I understand there will be three cars in Black, Toro Red and one of the varieties of Silver. Apparently all of them will have the black interior, which is not particularly helpful.
I was passing my dealer yesterday so I called in for a chat and a look at the colour options ‘wall’. As a result, I have definitely ruled out Oyster Silver as a possible choice. I think your recollection is correct: it has a brownish tone and just doesn’t do it for me.
Merlot Red looks good; sophisticated and elegant, as you say, but probably less ‘sporty’ than the Toro Red. As I walked from my car to the showroom, the Toro Red launch car drove by. It looked very good and sounded even better! This means that both Merlot Red and Toro Red are now on the list of possibles.
Slate Blue seemed to me to be a blue/grey mix of a medium hue. I have to say that I liked it and it remains a possible. I understand your point about the darker shades of blue, but I have done that to death recently: my 997 C2 is midnight blue (with sand interior), my wife’s car is dark blue and the family hack is also medium/dark blue. I fancy a change.
Mind you, there were two DB9s in the showroom and both looked extremely good; one was Black/Black and the other was Mercury/Iron Ore.
I found out today that I am scheduled for a May ’06 build with delivery in either May or June. Also, I was told that I will be called to provide my spec by the end of November.
Decisions, decisions!
Dan
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