Author Topic: CD Article: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage roadster (Read 4172 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** April 22, 2009, 08:09:04 am »

Test Drive:

The mechanicals of the '09 Vantage Roadster haven't changed from the '08 model, but "wringing performance out of this rear-wheel drive car is not a problem, given the 420 horsepower produced by the front mid-mounted all-alloy engine," says reviewer Andrew McCredie.
More: View the photos | All the Test Drives

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2009, 10:20:41 am »

Unless performance was the be-all and end-all, I really cannot imagine buying a 911 Turbo over one of these. The Vantage is a very special car... each one has a laser-etched signature under the hood of one of two men who do the final inspection on every Aston that leaves the factory. And the sound the Vantage makes is simply musical...

If you have $200 000 to spend on a stylish, fast coupe or roadster, look no further.

Giant Dwarf · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2009, 11:58:03 am »

Quote from: Demosthenes X on April 22, 2009, 10:20:41 am

Unless performance was the be-all and end-all, I really cannot imagine buying a 911 Turbo over one of these. The Vantage is a very special car... each one has a laser-etched signature under the hood of one of two men who do the final inspection on every Aston that leaves the factory. And the sound the Vantage makes is simply musical...

If you have $200 000 to spend on a stylish, fast coupe or roadster, look no further.

If I were ever in the position to be shopping those two cars, I'd have a hard decision to make, I think. I agree that the V8 Vantage soundtrack is magical and the exterior styling is, to my eyes, probably the best looking car available today. But... with a small rear seat, AWD and the engineering to make it an everyday driver, the 911 Turbo would likely get my vote. Plus, in hearing from someone who shopped/test drove a DB9, he was appalled by the (lack of) quality of the build an assembly -- particularly of the interior. Said it felt like a kit car. If I was going to spend that kind of money for something semi-exotic, might as well go whole hog and pick up a very lightly used Ferrari F430 or Lambo Gallardo.

What's a new R8 5.2 go for?

Turbo Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2009, 12:19:45 pm »

R8 ?!? Where's your passion gone!?

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2009, 12:45:18 pm »

Quote from: Giant Dwarf on April 22, 2009, 11:58:03 am

If I were ever in the position to be shopping those two cars, I'd have a hard decision to make, I think. I agree that the V8 Vantage soundtrack is magical and the exterior styling is, to my eyes, probably the best looking car available today. But... with a small rear seat, AWD and the engineering to make it an everyday driver, the 911 Turbo would likely get my vote. Plus, in hearing from someone who shopped/test drove a DB9, he was appalled by the (lack of) quality of the build an assembly -- particularly of the interior. Said it felt like a kit car. If I was going to spend that kind of money for something semi-exotic, might as well go whole hog and pick up a very lightly used Ferrari F430 or Lambo Gallardo.

Truth be told, I would have a hard time not choosing the Gallardo, too. Especially the new LP560-4 version. Bloody brilliant machine. The Ferrari doesn't interest me, for whatever reason. Nor does the Porsche Turbo: amazing car, yes. And I would certainly consider a Carrera... but in this price range, for whatever reason, the Porsche just doesn't seem special enough. I can't quite put my finger on why, though.

Suffice to say, if you do have $200k to spend on a car, there really isn't a wrong choice, is there?

Erik · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2009, 12:49:59 pm »

As a life long Aston Martin fan, I hate to say it, but I would probably chose the Maserati Gran Tourismo. Aston Martin has become a pretty, if second rate, exotic car. Ford engines and German manufacturing do not an Aston Martin make.

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2009, 12:59:54 pm »

Gallardo, F430, 911 Turbo, V8 Vantage...decisions, decisions!!!

One evening last week I was outside and heard this rumble coming up the street. Thought it was an old muscle car. Nope...it was one of these things going by the end of my street. (probably an Ottawa Senator heading to The Bank to clean out his locker for the summer!). I heard him step on it a bit pulling away from the stop sign down the road. WOW..what a sound!

Anyone ever see that episode of Top gear when they had this thing on the Isle of Man? He said you could hear this from 2 miles away. I believe it after hearing it!!!

safristi · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2009, 01:48:13 pm »

..Giant "D" in an "AD. vantage".............could he see ov'r the dash.....( gone soft leather touchy feely....) board...............

...........

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2009, 02:04:00 pm »

Quote from: Giant Dwarf on April 22, 2009, 11:58:03 am

Quote from: Demosthenes X on April 22, 2009, 10:20:41 am
Unless performance was the be-all and end-all, I really cannot imagine buying a 911 Turbo over one of these. The Vantage is a very special car... each one has a laser-etched signature under the hood of one of two men who do the final inspection on every Aston that leaves the factory. And the sound the Vantage makes is simply musical...

If you have $200 000 to spend on a stylish, fast coupe or roadster, look no further.

But... with a small rear seat, AWD and the engineering to make it an everyday driver, the 911 Turbo would likely get my vote.

Damn it! I was all set to agree with Demo until you said that. I guess I'll have plenty of time to decide, since these cars are not in my forseeable future any time soon.

Though if I did decide on the Aston, I'd take the coupe. The shape istelf is worth half the price (figuratively speaking).

Oz · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2009, 03:20:57 pm »

420 hp for a $200K car =

Turbo Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2009, 03:32:16 pm »

Oz yopu're so missing the point. But a bit more cash will get you the V12 Vantage!

safristi · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2009, 05:15:59 pm »

Man UP frum a girlie car................wots tha odds...............weight a minute doesn't a V12..bevvie up tha carrot juice.............

Oz · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2009, 05:35:54 pm »

Quote from: Just Bob on April 22, 2009, 03:32:16 pm

Oz yopu're so missing the point. But a bit more cash will get you the V12 Vantage!

Is the point to look pretty?

If so, then mission accomplished. But a M3 cab does those same numbers and costs half that price. Lets not even mention the GTR.

Sure it’s a beautiful machine – but for almost 200K the other options just start looking so much better.

So if you buy the M3, you're left with change left over for a S5.

Chip in a little more and you get a 911 turbo - which is very easy to 'live' with.
You can save some and get the R8.
$200K puts you in the range of a Gallardo.

Its a great car... but come on Aston, if you're going to go GT car, then give us neck jarring acceleration.

tpl · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2009, 05:44:34 pm »

I think Astons should only be owned within a 150 mile radius of the factory... but I think this about most hand made/small production/British cars now cars are too complex for the shade tree mechanic to work on.

Turbo Bob · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2009, 06:45:41 pm »

Partly Oz, it's a thing of beauty, that's part of it's appeal. It's about heritage, wafting, "grand touring", design, craftsmanship, etc. It can't summed up with just a horsepower figure.

The Vanquish was the last handbuilt car out of Newport Pagnell. They really are just beautiful cars...

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #15 on:** April 22, 2009, 06:48:55 pm »

Quote from: Oz on April 22, 2009, 05:35:54 pm

If so, then mission accomplished. But a M3 cab does those same numbers and costs half that price. Lets not even mention the GTR.

And a Caterham R500 Superlight is faster than a Buggati Veyron, and is less than 5% as expensive. That doesn't make it a better car.

Cars like this are not only about performance. They're about style and panache. They're certainly not designed to be good value buys.

Turbo Bob · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:08:10 pm »

Quote from: Demosthenes X on April 22, 2009, 06:48:55 pm

Quote from: Oz on April 22, 2009, 05:35:54 pm
If so, then mission accomplished. But a M3 cab does those same numbers and costs half that price. Lets not even mention the GTR.

And a Caterham R500 Superlight is faster than a Buggati Veyron, and is less than 5% as expensive. That doesn't make it a better car.

Actually I think you'll find it does!

Turbo Bob · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:22:46 pm »

And this is just something else!!!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_reviews/article3594547.ece

I know it's a concept, but a nice one!

Oz · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2009, 10:45:14 pm »

Quote from: Just Bob on April 22, 2009, 06:45:41 pm

Partly Oz, it's a thing of beauty, that's part of it's appeal. It's about heritage, wafting, "grand touring", design, craftsmanship, etc. It can't summed up with just a horsepower figure.

The Vanquish was the last handbuilt car out of Newport Pagnell. They really are just beautiful cars...

Of course! I completely get that. I just wish that for that price range they'd give it some bulldog muscle under the hood.

aquadorhj · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2009, 10:49:23 pm »

....... Every time I read reviews about cars like this, I so want a job reviewing cars even more than I usually do.

Though I prefer coupe, myself...

..can I have one? pretty please?