Another review of latest V8V this time MSN

[steveatesh]

http://cars.uk.msn.com/reviews/aston-martin-v8-van...

I think this reviewer has actually driven the car as opposed to Autocars Sutcliffe who may have turned a circle in a car park. Plus he talks about the car itself rather than AM's financial position and strategic direction. He sums it up with:

"If the Porsche 991 911 gets five stars, then so too must the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Bold call? Not if you've driven it. This car, revised for 2012, delivers all the engagement, purity and involvement you'd hope from an all-British sports car, with added charm and character that are unquantifiable.

If the direction taken by the newly refined and more technically able than ever Porsche 991 911 isn't for you, then the best Aston Martin V8 Vantage ever could be just what you're after. It too is a more complete car than ever before, and more desirable than ever as a result".

[krisdelta]

steveatesh said:

....with added charm and character that are unquantifiable.

The exact reason I got mine over the undeniably excellent 911.

[Grant3]

I do rate Steve Sutcliffe, but it is nice to read another perspective. All the reviews ( there are 8 up now) seem positive despite the new 991, so that has to pay tribute to the A.M. team who keep evolving the car without the huge budgets available to the likes of Porsche, Lamborghini and Merc etc.

[mikey k]

Interesting review
Couple of things I've noticed from the photo's
The black sections in the bumpers don't seem to be carbon fibre like the V12 & S
The Coupe seems to get the V12 boot with the higher "spoiler"
Is that right Grant?

[Grant3]

mikey k said:

Interesting review
Couple of things I've noticed from the photo's
The black sections in the bumpers don't seem to be carbon fibre like the V12 & S
The Coupe seems to get the V12 boot with the higher "spoiler"
Is that right Grant?

Hiya Mikey, you are right the front spoiler and splitter aren't carbon fibre like the S, you can still specify it but it is around £4k extra!! As far as I'm aware the aerodynamics should be as per your S (without the wider sills) so the same larger boot duck-tail-spoiler.

Looking at your S it can still hold its head high with the Sportshift II and carbon fibre alone adding nearly 10k to the base cars price and as you know your car has - slightly more powerful & charismatic engine - sports exhaust - sports suspension (although A.M. say this is now standard on the new V8 Roadster only, which is a little strange!) - sat-nav - Sportshift II - carbon fibre additions - clear rear lenses - wider sills - cruise control - bluetooth2 and a host of special interior touches as standard. I noticed they have also brought the price down a few K, but as you got a blinding deal anyway I'm sure that won't affect you.

Aston are being rather coy at the moment, they simply refuse to confirm what/if/exact suspension changes have been made to the standard car, so you have to assume it is as before with minor adjustments for the new tyres etc! They also launched the S without sat-nav as standard, then quickly changed their mind, maybe because they had to add value knowing the base Vantage updates were on route.

[mikey k]

I paid for sat nav in my S.
The roadsters don't get the high boot spoiler.

[Grant3]

mikey k said:

I paid for sat nav in my S.
The roadsters don't get the high boot spoiler.

Sorry Mikey grey cells have had a long day (!!) forgot you are in a Roadster - shame you had to pay extra for the Nav as it is now standard equipment, but it's the bottom line price that counts and from what you said you got a good deal, so hope the changes haven't you off!

Must confess the S Roadster keeps tempting me now the weather is getting better !

[mikey k]

Grant3 said:

mikey k said:

I paid for sat nav in my S.
The roadsters don't get the high boot spoiler.

Sorry Mikey grey cells have had a long day (!!) forgot you are in a Roadster - shame you had to pay extra for the Nav as it is now standard equipment, but it's the bottom line price that counts and from what you said you got a good deal, so hope the changes haven't you off!

Must confess the S Roadster keeps tempting me now the weather is getting better !

I am pissed at Bez for two reasons dangling the V12VR possibility and launch a higher model car they then put 90% of the bits on teh lower cost model and reduce the price.
The other side of the coin is I'm one of the lucky few who have a brand new AM in the garage specced the way I wanted it.