if you can live with a car that's about as fast as a 370z but costs much more, it's worth a look. I'm not knocking the vantage, as I love the car, but it's pretty dubious as a value proposition-especially new. However, it's an event to drive and an emotional thing to be in.

 

Only if you use the Emotion Control unit key

 

which, sadly, was only available on the 09 up. so the rest of you with 06-08's, what were you thinking?! just kidding :P

 

About as fast as a 370Z??? That's just blatantly untrue for the 4.3, and absurd regarding the 4.7. Plenty of things are subjective, but the 370Z performance comparison is objectively wrong.

As for value? Well, that is subjective. Let's just say I disagree. Nothing can touch the Aston's level craftsmanship for the price.

Shawn, I think a key difference between the 997 and the 4.7 V8V is that the Aston has much more linear acceleration, whereas the Porsche has a real kick at higher revs. This can, IMO, make the Porsche feel faster, but there is virtually no difference between the two. See, a 997 is about as fast as a 370Z but costs more

 

Generally, AMs aren't bought for their speed. I have a mod'd 4.3 and I'm happy enough with the power, I just wish it would rev up a bit quicker. While I was shopping around, I drove a bunch of cars (including the E92 335i and M3, 997 C2S, Jaguar XF Supercharged, Lexus IS-F, and some others). The AM wasn't the fastest car I could have gotten, bu I was the one I enjoyed driving the most.

It was said earlier, but cars are far too subjective to be told whether or not you'll like it. Just go test drive anything you're considering and pick he one that suits you best.

 

Many of Vantages non engine/clutch components are shared with the larger, much more expensive DB 9 and DBS. Most obvious to the eye are the interiors. The structures and underneath hardware are the same, and there only minor differences in the surface finishes. Biggest difference, more features are standard equip in the larger cars, optional in the Vantage. Used Vantage is a status and financial bargain that can not be beat.

 

Telum, I agree that absolute speed is not the very first priority in an Aston purchase. But, blatant inaccuracies need to be addressed

 

The Aston is faster than the S5 as well as much more exclusive. These are two totally different cars IMO

 

I have an S4 and a 4.7 Aston Vantage. The S5 is slower than the Vantage and the Vantage S. The Audi will never feel as alive to drive, it will never have the steering feel, the brakes or the sound.

The Aston is a prettier car and is far more of an event. The Audi is more of an every day car. I would consider the C63 over the S5. Much more of an event and that big v8 is a beast.

 

Took the 2011 on a proper test drive today and believe me, this car is plenty fast. The salesman drove first and I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that I was actually a bit frightened as he entered a few turns at breakneck speed.

Needless to say, I am now working with him to buy one.

They are working up numbers now, we'll see how things go.

 

Surprised no-one has mentioned the DB9 here... used ones can be had at Vantage money, just a couple of years older. Same chassis architecture, slightly longer wheelbase, way more power and torque and very little extra weight. Stick H&R springs on it and do the geometry and it rides and turns in like a Vantage as well.

The Vette chap earlier in the thread... you bought the wrong car with the Vantage, the DB9 would be much more your style

 

Good luck Shawn! I hope it works out for you. They are great cars!

 

http://www.fastestlaps.com/cars/asto...ge_380bhp.html

I was referring to the 2006-2008, and it's far from blatantly untrue. They both do the quarter mile in the low 13's. They're even listed as performance 'rivals' on fastest lap. See for yourself. Up to 110 mile an hour, they're within a couple of tenths of each other. They also turn out similar lap times. As for the value for money proposition statement, I stand by it. The car is very nicely crafted, no doubt-but compare it's depreciation to a similarly priced sports car of the same vintage, say a 997 GT3 and you'll see it's depreciated comparatively more. For the money, you get something that is significantly slower than an 05 C2S, and costs over 30k more new. I'm not even the first person to say this, EVO magazine has mentioned it a few times. It's a great used buy though, and I'm seriously considering one in a couple years.

 

Agreed, DB9 is a foot longer, with wider track, more power and torque and not much more weight at all, and with a manual transmission it's a heck of a sports car along with being a cruiser on the highway when asked to be...I have a quite rare 6MT and sport package as part of my '07 DB9 coupe's build sheet, apparently that has lower stiffer springs on it matched to dampers in coilover configuration...do you think H&R or RSC springs would make much a difference on an already sport package equipped DB9? With things being matched up as part of a system, I am a bit weary of messing around with a system Aston has already put together with the Sport package springs and matched dampers.

 

I am looking to get an automatic.. (sportshift) dont want another stick, sold my gallardo because it was a 6 speed..