Driver Review
This is the third Aston Martin we’ve managed to borrow - first the elegant V8 Vantage Roadster, then the wild DBS, and now the hard-top, manual-gearbox version of the V8 Vantage. Just what the doctor ordered - my only two regrets with the Roadster were the fact it had a rag-top which doesn’t look so great when up, and the slightly ponderous automatic gearbox. This Coupe suffers neither of those deficiencies! And it makes a difference - firstly, the car looks stunning. Really stunning. Especially in black - I think this is the best colour for Astons. The Vantage is slgnificantly smaller than the DBS (which is based on the DB-9), and I actually think looks better for it. In my opinion, this is one of THE BEST looking road cars, period. The extra strength of the roof also makes this car feel a bit snappier on the road - handling is fantastic - having the engine in the front rather than somewhere behind your head doesn’t seem to affect the very satisfying levels of grip as you point this car into a corner, balance the throttle around it then power out accompanied by the snarl from the exhaust.
Power-wise and driving-wise, the manual gearbox makes a significant difference - it seems much quicker to get the 380 bhp delivered by the V8 down to the wheels, even if Aston had to show that this was a British car by fitting a very 70’s-UK-car-industry gear knob! Probably the only non-classy item inside the cabin. The clutch is a little heavy when driving through London, but out on the open road this is a fantastic car to be in. The acceleration isn’t as immediate as one of the mid-engined supercars such as the 355 or 430 - there’s more of a tourer feel than out-and-out race-car - but the smoothness of the ride and the ease of control makes this car deceptively fast - often I found myself entering a corner more quickly than I expected, but then able to take advantage of the great handling to get out of any possible trouble.
As with the Vantage Roadster, the noise really makes this car. It’s slightly American in nature, but a more metallic growl. Robo-Cat. Definitely a unique sound - you can tell an Aston is coming a mile off! And it really does contrast well with the understated beauty of the car. You find yourself looking for nearby buildings, tunnels, anything you can bounce the engine sound off as you drive by. This may be sad, but is one of the pleasures of a decent mid-life crisis.
Apart from the aforementioned non-expensive gear knob, the inside of this car continues the classy feel. Lots of stitched leather and brushed aluminium - definitely something you could take your mother in. The sports seats allow you to sit low and secure - a really great driving experience.
I think the ultimate home garage would contain a Ferrari 355 or 430 for special occasions and a V8 Vantage for every-day use (well, every day you’re not doing much shopping). It’s very practical for just jumping into and zooming off to some handy parking space, whereas getting something like a Ferrari out is a bit more of an involved ritual, harder to park, IMPOSSIBLE to be subtle in. But now I’m dreaming...
Paul Williams
DRIVER RATINGS: Exterior: 10/10 Interior: 9/10 Cool Factor: 10/10 Driveability: 9/10 Fear Factor: 5/10 TOTAL: 33 (Fear Factor Scores are subtracted)
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Passenger Review
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage may be known as the “baby Aston” but it is certainly up there with the big boys like Ferrari and Lamborghini. The V8 Vantage has a air of class surrounding it and it looks absolutely stunning. I do think it looks better with a hard top and I prefer the ride in the coupe as the body is more rigid than the convertible and provides a smoother ride especially when cornering. The seats are really comfortable and the interior is fantastic. The thing that I really like though is the glass Engine Start button in the centre. That triggers one of the most exciting sounds in the world!
Ryan Williams
PASSENGER RATINGS: Exterior: 9/10 Interior: 10/10 Cool Factor: 10/10 Passenger Experience: 9/10 Fear Factor: 2/10 TOTAL: 36 (Fear Factor Scores are subtracted) |
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