I assume there will be a significant jump in MSRP for the redesigned Vantage - and there won't be much in the way of discounts ... So prepare to pony up 150k

or you can buy my 13 and trade it in when the new ones are ready - shameless plug :-)

 

My take on the next generation:

Wait till next Vantage comes out - take a chance that it's in fact a better design - good luck with that given new pedestrian bumper standards (note the blunt nose of the Rapide).

You can buy a new somewhat base level GT now for let's say $110K out the door. In 2017 you would probably lose $30K or so on a trade should you like the next model that much better. That new $150K+ Vantage will be worth maybe $100K a year later if nothing changes in resale value. In three years total loss in values would be $80K.

You can buy an 09 or newer - probably find a very well optioned in colors you will like better than the GT and maybe some extras (exhaust, wheels?), then get it inspected for a warranty extension and add three years - all for probably less than $80K for a lower mile car. In three years buy the new Vantage for $100K used. Total loss would be about $30K.

As far as will today's Vantage still look sexy? Pull up in a 2002 Vanquish and it will demand positive attention the same today as when it rolled of the assembly line.

I'd argue that the cleanest looking Vantages were the 07-10 years that will remain the best looking. The 06-08 the best sounding (non-S) V8's.

 

"Aston cars, especially the early unadorned Vantages, are simple, pure examples of automotive design. Good proportions, no excess or over the top drama. They are really done well."

So sayeth a retired GM design manager (but still employed in the automotive industry) at a recent Saturday morning Cars and Coffee discussion in Birmingham, Michigan. It was not the first time I had heard similar opinions expressed by him. He was looking at my car.

I remember when I first saw the Vantage in a magazine, Motor Trend I think. I was blown away. A great looking 2 passenger coupe. High horsepower, 6 speed manual, it pressed all my product buttons. And it was to be engineered and tested to Ford standards and manufactured in Ford facilities (kind of). An Aston Martin for a projected $100K, what a deal.

My opinion, it is a classic. The AM stylists will have one hell of a task just to approach the original V8V appeal.

 

Hear, hear!

 

Imho it already is...

Not related on how good it looks, but you can tell it's an older design.

 

thats kind of how i feel. I was at the Aston dealership the other week. IMO you can see the vantage doesn't have some of the latest styling cues. but the car has one of the best proportional designs i have ever seen. the rear end IMO is the best part.

I think one of the reasons the car remands such a head turner is the fact they are kind of rare on the road. (at least in my area)

 

Another deciding factor for my purchase of a GT was the fact that it is truly a dying breed as far as simple, basic design. If you think about it,,what else is out there for the same money that has a NA V8, manual trans, and rear wheel drive?
The choices are few,, Mustangs, Vettes, maybe a Dodge,? I really believe in the not to distant future, there will not be any choices if you want the basics. It seems everyone is going to some sort of forced induction auto tranny configuration.
As far as styling,, I too think that AM will have a hard time improving on the timeless style of the current Vantage. The car looks as good today as it did almost a decade ago when it first appeared on the market.

 

A big +1 from me, well put perfect!
Ron

 

I really disagree about the look being dated.* I've recently been looking around for a new sedan and have been struck by how much the mainstream designers are copying the lines and proportions of the Vantage.* Take a look at the Audi A7, the 6 series BMW, not to mention the blatant copy Tesla that's considered an ultimate leading edge product.* If it's a dated design, why's everyone copying it?

Yes my kids who grew up on Transformers cartoons are attracted to the BMW i8, Audi R8, etc. but are these still going to look great in 10 years?* I for one can't find anything out there that I like nearly as much my Vantage.

I'd prefer they left the look alone and put development resources into some technology like keyless entry (or even better - a perimeter force-field for parking lots.)

 

If I'm not mistaken, both the Vantage and the Tesla were designed by Henrik Fisker (who was also a designer for BMW). Tough to plagiarize yourself.

That said though, yes many companies and designers will copy what they see as good design . . . and the Vantage is a *GREAT* design. Is the design dated? For me, the Vantage was simply born as a "classic." Even when it premiered, it didn't seem like a "cutting edge" or radical design (those more radical designs in my opinion tend to date quickly . . . the BMW i8 will look ridiculous in 5 years). Instead, the Vantage was simply an instantaneously classic and "pure" expression of Aston Martin-ness--beautiful, subtle, and simultaneously looking forward while reminding everyone of Aston's historic past.

 

You're more than entitled to your opinion.
Tesla, I wouldn't say *blatant copy*, as much as it has some things inspired by.
Similar to looking at an ipod vs an old Braun design:
http://www.cultofmac.com/188753/the-...signs-gallery/

Proportions/design cues are taken by other manufacturers as well, look at Kia/BMW lately, or even the same brands vs one of their old designs, like a Mercedes SLS, a Ford Mustang (2005) or GT, etc.

The Vantage itself is a very tasteful combination of legacy design and modern elements. But you can tell in details like the lights or some shapes (like the vents on the sides of the car, or the dash), that the car's design is a few years old.

You're mistaken, the Tesla Model S was penned by Franz Von Holzhausen.

When you're designing a vehicle, you adapt what you like about previous solutions, you're never going to start from scratch. Were the solutions made by the company you're currently working for? Does it matter?

Obviously your intent is to mix innovation in, things you want the car do to/be, but you can't be 100% new. This is the same for any design for any product. Even revolutionary products.

I agree with some BMWs looking very very dated. Compare a Vantage with a BMW 6 series (2003-2010), which was designed around the same time.

Look at the Jaguar E type, or a Porsche 911. They're obviously old, but their design still holds up, and they're by any means, beautiful cars. Some new cars will take elements of these vehicles (as well countless others), and integrate successful design elements with modern approaches/techniques.

*disclaimer: I work at Tesla

 

I certainly didn't intend to be negative about the Tesla it's one of my favourite designs (specifically because of its Aston feel). If they'd take design cues from Aston for the interior I'd buy one right now.

 

I haven't gotten around to a test drive yet. Can anyone comment on whether there's a noticeable change/improvement in the sportshift for the new vantage GT vs. let's say a 2012 v8 vantage?

 

Same SportShift II in the Vantage GT.

Henry

 

Dated? Aesthetics is simply a matter of opinion. But the 2 reasons I love my Vantage are both aesthetics and NA motor. The new Vantages will have AMG motors, very likely a V6 TT. When BMW took away the NA V10 from the E60 M5 to turn it into a V8 TT, they lost me as a customer. I currently have an NA V8 (16M), NA V10 (CGT) and an NA V12 (Vantage S), and it's the first time in a while I plan on holding all my cars. Sorry I'll continue to pollute the air....but my oh my, is the sound intoxicating. Here's a short vid of NA exhausts for your pleasure.... Second reason I'm holding these 3 cars is classic design. The epitome of a classic (some may say dated) design is the CGT. The rounded curves of the front and rear fenders is pure sex. Sorry I'm not into all the angular designs as in the Aventador - they will not stand the test of time IMO. The 430/Scud design is the same and they started cutting up the Ferrari with angles in the 458. The Vantage carries a similar sleekness in its curves - no silly sharp angles that all car manufacturers are trending towards (even Mustangs and Corvettes). Call it dated but the Vantage is a classic timeless design....think Jaguar E type.