Aston V8 Vantage for track usage

[Riccardino]

Would you use one as Track toy? Which modification (I mean the bare minimum which might be needed) would be eeded to use it as a proper Track day car?

Pros and cons?

[Maxf]

Ive not driven one, but its on the list to buy. However, not as a track tool!

I'd assume consumables are expensive and the weight of the car would eat through them on a typical trackday - I'm not sure its renowned for amazing handling either, so other than looking good in the paddock I'm not sure what you'd gain over something more regularly seen on trackdays.

Buy an Exige/R300 and keep £10k change for trackdays and driver training.

[Phil Dicky]

Total waste of money in my honest opinion, and any mods for track work I would guess would de-value the Aston. Defo invest in an more track focused car from the off

[crashley]

Wouldn't suggest it- too heavy (and thus heavy on brakes and tyres), brakes not sharp enough. As said, much better off with a "proper" track-focused tool- albeit (i've considered too) a nice compromise might be something like a Lotus Evora.

[QBee]

^^^^^^^ +1. The Evora is one of the few cars cheaper than a Porsche but still a head turner that really handles on a track.
TVR T350 is a cheaper alternative

[e36er]

Get some Pagid RS29 or Carbotech XP10 pads and decent fluid and you'll be fine.

[Big Slippy]

Drove one at Rockingham, felt a bit heavy and wouldn't want to be paying for the tyres and pads etc, but it was surprisingly good and although not as fast, better fun than the 360 Modena. Felt much more solid, nice mechanical feel to the manual gear change etc.

Big Slippy

[ukkid35]

Did some PAX laps in one at Spa, it felt very solid, stable and refined.

Also, at the Ring24 a couple of years ago the Rapide was definitely the best sounding car on track.

[Riccardino]

OK got the message
Was trying to combine heart (but for that I would need to buy a DB9 which is much nicer than the V8V but even less appropriate for track days) and mind but it does not seem to be possible.


Thanks for the comments

[jonnyleroux]

running a Vantage on track is going to cost way in excess of £500 per day in consumables (fuel, tyres, brakes). buy the V8 anyway and drive it to the track, then rent a Caterham for the day, safe in the knowledge that your maximum liability is £2500 regardless of what happens and you can always drive home in the Vantage.

Jonny
BaT

[QBee]

Jonny has a point. I take my TVR on track. A full day on track costs me well over £100 in fuel, the £800 track tyres do about 5 track days, then there's brakes and so on.

Buy the Aston - wish I could, I spent it on a house instead. Then hire the track tool. You will do well to do six track days a year with our british weather.

And if you have the Aston before next weekend, come and join me and a load of Ferraris, Lamborghinis etc on a country run.

[Porkie]

jonnyleroux said:

running a Vantage on track is going to cost way in excess of £500 per day in consumables (fuel, tyres, brakes). buy the V8 anyway and drive it to the track, then rent a Caterham for the day, safe in the knowledge that your maximum liability is £2500 regardless of what happens and you can always drive home in the Vantage.

Jonny
BaT

THIS!


on seperate note OP, If you wanna drive a properly prepped Vantage racer on track may I suggest a little trip out to the UAE and drive the amazing Yas Marina F1 track. I went earlier in year with circuit days. Had a fabulous trip. I couldnt believe how cheap it was!

The Astons are LOUD, fast and fun! but the single seaters are what I went for.

I will be going back with Circuit days for sure.

[Riccardino]

Heard about this and will keep in mind next time I am there (but do not go there often)

PS: just as a curiousity what was the cost for the Aston?

[GT4EDS]

Riccardino said:

Heard about this and will keep in mind next time I am there (but do not go there often)

PS: just as a curiousity what was the cost for the Aston?

I think that is the full package.

http://www.circuit-days.co.uk/ade.asp#trackgallery

Eduardo.

[Trev450]

Porkie said:

If you wanna drive a properly prepped Vantage racer on track may I suggest a little trip out to the UAE and drive the amazing Yas Marina F1 track. I went earlier in year with circuit days. Had a fabulous trip. I couldnt believe how cheap it was!

The Astons are LOUD, fast and fun! but the single seaters are what I went for.

This looks a lot of fun. How much seat time do you get and what restrictions are placed on you?