Aston Martins just GT's ?
Discussion
Either next year or 2011, we are considering getting a V8 Vantage circa 2006/07 to suit our budget. I have recently owned a Z4, Elise and currently a Renaultsport Clio 200. Apart from the Z4, all my cars handle, especially the Clio, they go round corners like nothing else and thats what I generally look for in a car.
I have always loved Astons but the only thing that worries me is the lack of fun on a twisty road. Having never driven one at speed, I really dont know how well they handle and think I may be disappointed having been used to cars like the Clio and Elise etc. Straight line speed doesn't interest me.
My question is, can you really chuck these cars around or are they just good GT's
I have always loved Astons but the only thing that worries me is the lack of fun on a twisty road. Having never driven one at speed, I really dont know how well they handle and think I may be disappointed having been used to cars like the Clio and Elise etc. Straight line speed doesn't interest me.
My question is, can you really chuck these cars around or are they just good GT's
Edited by Rs2oo on Friday 17th December 23:06
you mean a 2006 Vantage maybe? ...i wouldnt want to B road the previous V8 
yes the baby V8 is very chuckable
it will beat Exiges on track ...in my experience anyway
you can use it on backroads just the same as Elise, just watch the width
actually, its quite a lot like a Lotus, the chassis and construction materials are the same
and some of the engineers at the factory who set it up drive Lotus
I had an Elise and Vantage ..the Elise feels more raw and open obviously, but the Vantage does a good job as jack of all trades
I did a couple of track days in it -its not bad on track "out of the box"...certainly M3 beater as the brakes actually keep working after 20 mins LOL
its practical for long touring hols - did 3K miles in 10 days around EU
can take you to work every day, leave it at the airport on those cold mornings
so yeah, it pretty much is a great all rounder
yes the baby V8 is very chuckable
it will beat Exiges on track ...in my experience anyway
you can use it on backroads just the same as Elise, just watch the width
actually, its quite a lot like a Lotus, the chassis and construction materials are the same
and some of the engineers at the factory who set it up drive Lotus
I had an Elise and Vantage ..the Elise feels more raw and open obviously, but the Vantage does a good job as jack of all trades
I did a couple of track days in it -its not bad on track "out of the box"...certainly M3 beater as the brakes actually keep working after 20 mins LOL
its practical for long touring hols - did 3K miles in 10 days around EU
can take you to work every day, leave it at the airport on those cold mornings
so yeah, it pretty much is a great all rounder
Great driving car.
Ok it doesnt go round a roundabout like an Exige ot 111r, but then, when you come out of the roundabout it's quite nice to have some power!
"just a GT" is looking at it from the wrong direction. An accomplished sports car that will also take you croos country is style and comfort.
I know that I am going to get stick for this but here goes and I am honestly not showing of as I am not rich, but when I have spare cash it goes on the cars even when it shouldn't.
As and when funds have gone up and down I have owned 4 guigaro Esprit turbos, Alpine GTA turbo, an original BMW M3 evo,BMW 850CSI, Maser 4200, Porsche 928GT, 996 Carrera 2, 996 Turbo (hated the turbo like driving an electrical appliance, Merc SL55 AMG, SLK55 AMG, Aston DB7 Vantage, Lamborghini Countach 5000S, 2 x Ferrari 550 Marranello, TVR Tuscan (race version).
I am sure a 2006 Vantage is one of the better handling Astons but it is still heavy and it is never going to have the alive feel that you get in a Lotus. The Aston is a car everyone should own at least once because they make you feel great. Of all the cars I have been lucky to own the Aston is the one that everybody loves you for. The 996 Turbo was the most hated by everyone else including me. The Countach was amazing in so many ways and used to go round Goodwood very well while the brakes the lasted. The one that felt the biggest beast and the fastest was the Ferrari 550. I have a very big soft spot for the Esprit turbos and will probably buy one sooner or later to keep for good.
But I know I will end up with another Aston next year probably a Vanquish S they just make you feel good. When I purchased my DB7 Vantage from Graypaul it was 18 months old and only covered 11,000 miles, it broke down on the test drive and yet I still bought it and paid top money for it.
So don't judge it on the test drive and don't be to upset that your first Aston purchase will not be as nimble as some of your previous cars keep it for a year and enjoy the magic. Trust me you will find the magic in owning one.
As and when funds have gone up and down I have owned 4 guigaro Esprit turbos, Alpine GTA turbo, an original BMW M3 evo,BMW 850CSI, Maser 4200, Porsche 928GT, 996 Carrera 2, 996 Turbo (hated the turbo like driving an electrical appliance, Merc SL55 AMG, SLK55 AMG, Aston DB7 Vantage, Lamborghini Countach 5000S, 2 x Ferrari 550 Marranello, TVR Tuscan (race version).
I am sure a 2006 Vantage is one of the better handling Astons but it is still heavy and it is never going to have the alive feel that you get in a Lotus. The Aston is a car everyone should own at least once because they make you feel great. Of all the cars I have been lucky to own the Aston is the one that everybody loves you for. The 996 Turbo was the most hated by everyone else including me. The Countach was amazing in so many ways and used to go round Goodwood very well while the brakes the lasted. The one that felt the biggest beast and the fastest was the Ferrari 550. I have a very big soft spot for the Esprit turbos and will probably buy one sooner or later to keep for good.
But I know I will end up with another Aston next year probably a Vanquish S they just make you feel good. When I purchased my DB7 Vantage from Graypaul it was 18 months old and only covered 11,000 miles, it broke down on the test drive and yet I still bought it and paid top money for it.
So don't judge it on the test drive and don't be to upset that your first Aston purchase will not be as nimble as some of your previous cars keep it for a year and enjoy the magic. Trust me you will find the magic in owning one.
ive never found any car that feels like my old ELise to drive, so will probably get another next year, in addition to the Vantage and keep it for trackdays/Sunday b road use
they are very good VFM used and nearly depreciation proof ...get one around £12-15K and you could drive it for a few years and sell it for what you paid nearly
no need to choose - I know a few guys with both
a hot Caterham or Elise and an Aston as your daily car is a nice combo
oh and a 4wd estate or Range Rover for winter if you live out of town
they are very good VFM used and nearly depreciation proof ...get one around £12-15K and you could drive it for a few years and sell it for what you paid nearly
no need to choose - I know a few guys with both
a hot Caterham or Elise and an Aston as your daily car is a nice combo
oh and a 4wd estate or Range Rover for winter if you live out of town
bogie said:
a hot Caterham or Elise and an Aston as your daily car is a nice combo
oh and a 4wd estate or Range Rover for winter if you live out of town
^^^ agree. Subaru Legacy diesel estate for the daily hack (no need for a butch 4x4 when the scooby does it all so much more efficiently), hayabusa engined westfield for the track, and the V8V for pure enjoyment oh and a 4wd estate or Range Rover for winter if you live out of town
Not forgetting the bike for when there's no passenger!Edited by GlynMo on Saturday 18th December 21:39
I won't go through muy range of cars, but the vantage with sports suspension has a really delightful feel to the steering, it corners very flat, haven't had mine long enough to form a good view on roadholding, but handling is superb (if you don't know the difference, then you won't care)
I'm not a great foodie, but judging a car on one criteria is a bit like judging a meal only on size, or only on taste, or only on texture, ... if that makes sense.
I'm not a great foodie, but judging a car on one criteria is a bit like judging a meal only on size, or only on taste, or only on texture, ... if that makes sense.
Fabulous though the Clio is it's a deeply ordinary experience UNLESS you're going for it isn't it? Believe me the Aston will bring SO many other things to the party (in addition to providing the fun you're after in spades) that you'll be amazed. Many more 'ordinary' cars HAVE to be thrashed to justify their ownership - otherwise like the Clio they're just another small, plasticy, hatch whereas, something like the Aston, will make you feel good at 50mph - not that I'm saying you'll drive it like that much! My most recent 'special' cars have been an F430 and now my Scud and my g/f swears I drive them 'slowly' more often than hot hatches, M3s etc that I've owned and my Aston was the same. Cruise along window down changinging gears near high walls for the sake of it. Lovely. Oh boy, the handling and grip 'fun' is there in spades too but, there's SO much more to life when you move 'up' to one of these types of cars.
Go ahead and try it!!
Go ahead and try it!!
Pugsey said:
Fabulous though the Clio is it's a deeply ordinary experience UNLESS you're going for it isn't it? Believe me the Aston will bring SO many other things to the party (in addition to providing the fun you're after in spades) that you'll be amazed. Many more 'ordinary' cars HAVE to be thrashed to justify their ownership - otherwise like the Clio they're just another small, plasticy, hatch whereas, something like the Aston, will make you feel good at 50mph - not that I'm saying you'll drive it like that much! My most recent 'special' cars have been an F430 and now my Scud and my g/f swears I drive them 'slowly' more often than hot hatches, M3s etc that I've owned and my Aston was the same. Cruise along window down changinging gears near high walls for the sake of it. Lovely. Oh boy, the handling and grip 'fun' is there in spades too but, there's SO much more to life when you move 'up' to one of these types of cars.
Go ahead and try it!!
Mmmmmm, so you like then ! Go ahead and try it!!
You are right, the Clio is an ordinary car until they are driven hard then they become an extraodinary car. I fully appreciate what you say about the Aston but is your feeling more of smugness or pride than excitement ? When I had my Elise, I felt really good just driving it at 30mph, I had something special, people looked, it looked like it was doing 140mph when it was stuck at the traffic lights but I only got excited when I was pushing it round some bends, the rest of the time I just felt a bit smug to be honest.
Edited by Rs2oo on Friday 24th December 22:52
not so sure the feeling of owning driving an Aston in 'smugness'
As he said, you don't have to press it hard for it to put a smile on your face.
I would say it's a grown-up's car... maybe your view will change in a few years?
I for one have gone through many cras that need to be driven hard... the Aston just makes you happy when you drive it.
Each to their own - there are plenty of other good cars out there worth buying... But as they say, you can't buy taste!
As he said, you don't have to press it hard for it to put a smile on your face.
I would say it's a grown-up's car... maybe your view will change in a few years?
I for one have gone through many cras that need to be driven hard... the Aston just makes you happy when you drive it.
Each to their own - there are plenty of other good cars out there worth buying... But as they say, you can't buy taste!
Siy said:
not so sure the feeling of owning driving an Aston in 'smugness'
As he said, you don't have to press it hard for it to put a smile on your face.
I would say it's a grown-up's car... maybe your view will change in a few years?
I for one have gone through many cras that need to be driven hard... the Aston just makes you happy when you drive it.
Each to their own - there are plenty of other good cars out there worth buying... But as they say, you can't buy taste!
I feel very smug when I drive my DB9 As he said, you don't have to press it hard for it to put a smile on your face.
I would say it's a grown-up's car... maybe your view will change in a few years?
I for one have gone through many cras that need to be driven hard... the Aston just makes you happy when you drive it.
Each to their own - there are plenty of other good cars out there worth buying... But as they say, you can't buy taste!
there again I always was a bit shallowSiy said:
not so sure the feeling of owning driving an Aston in 'smugness'
As he said, you don't have to press it hard for it to put a smile on your face.
I would say it's a grown-up's car... maybe your view will change in a few years?
I for one have gone through many cras that need to be driven hard... the Aston just makes you happy when you drive it.
Each to their own - there are plenty of other good cars out there worth buying... But as they say, you can't buy taste!
ExactlyAs he said, you don't have to press it hard for it to put a smile on your face.
I would say it's a grown-up's car... maybe your view will change in a few years?
I for one have gone through many cras that need to be driven hard... the Aston just makes you happy when you drive it.
Each to their own - there are plenty of other good cars out there worth buying... But as they say, you can't buy taste!
I love the drive of my V8VR whne pushing on.
But it is also about the event of actually getting in, starting it and other peoples reactions as you amble around.
Siy said:
I would say it's a grown-up's car... maybe your view will change in a few years?
Because I own a Renaultsport Clio doesn't mean i'm a Max Power cap wearing yob, far from it. I'm almost 50 and have owned over 100 cars since I was 17. I appreciate a good handling car, essential to my personal motoring needs hence the original question. Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff