hi guys,

I am in the market for a new weekend car that I plan to also use as a track toy (maybe 8-10 a year). I found quite a few threads from people who loved using their Vantage on the track for their first few experiences, but was hoping to get some input from guys who have a bit more seat time and their thoughts on using the Vantage as a fairly regular track toy...

For some background, I am by no means a pro driver or anything, but do have about 30-40 track days under my belt, so have some experience and would maybe put a little bit more stress on the car then a novice would. With that said, I am wondering how the Aston holds up to track abuse.

I am not looking to set any lap records,and know there are more "ideal" track tools out there, but I just have loved the Vantage since they first came out.. In an ideal world I would be able to drive the car to the track, have a blast on the track for the full day, and it still be able to get me home at night, and do this maybe 10 times a year...

Again, lap times aren't really important as long as it is up for the abuse...
if I know going into it about tire cost, upgrading brake fluid and pads, is this reasonable to expect? Or is it just not a car meant for heavy track use without other major components failing?

anyway, looking forward to hear any input you guys might have, thanks so much in advance!

 

I believe your 10 Vantage V8V will be just fine. Seen several tracked at VIR in Virginia. Great neutral handling and durable with dry sump motor. Get a manual version.

 

Notwithstanding the usual comments about what other options are out there and the pros/cons thereof.... Yes, a 2010 Vantage is absolutely durable enough to stand up to a lot of track use.

Consider this: The GT4 Race cars that do 24 hour endurance races are mildly enhanced V8 Vantage road cars, with some of the creature comforts removed. Some aero differences, upgrades suspension, same brakes as the road cars, same engine & drivetrain as the road cars. The more recent GT4 engines have had forged rods fitted as standard and some other power increases, but for some time, the GT4 race engines were just road car engines with uprated bearings.

 

I drive the snot out of mine and track it when my schedule allows. I haven't had any issues aside from the well-documented problems the earlier cars often face. The only track-related wear and tear that has stood out on mine is that the clearcoat on my brake calipers is peeling off and a torn CV boot.

A great thing about these cars is that you can go from racetrack to restaurant and it'll be appreciated equally at each.

 

Like yourself I am a track rat. I track all my cars. Not abused just mostly lapping days. I have a dedicated track/race car that I really abuse. At peak, I do about 3 events a month.

I feel that a Lotus Evora will be perfect for what you just described. The vehicle dynamics is amazing and you still get to drive home comfy. Albeit it doesn't look like an Aston.

I had an '12 Evora, and a '07 AMV8 and now a '14 AMV8. All stick shift. For the AM, I tracked each once. Car sounds great. A bit too soft at the corners. Engine response during heel toe could be crispier. Wasn't compelled to track a second time. Both times, the AM held up I must say. No funny business. Just need to top up oil. The '14 has 6pot calipers so brakes are amazing. The '07 brakes were a bit weak.

 

This
Whilst the Vantage will take the "abuse" of track work and a "keen" driver its a heavy car so it will use consumables quickly but you know that
IMHO Based on your comments I'd be looking for something lighter and less costly to fix.

 

When I took the Aston Martin performance driving course in 2007 for the entire day we literally beat the crap out of their car driving it is hard as we could I had asked them what do you do with the car after you're done with it which they told me is it about 4000 miles. They said they put it in aston dealers as a used car and I asked if anybody knows that this car has been driven extremely hard and they said they don't reveal that past history!

 

With 2 race cars now, I also find myself at the track a lot of weekends. However neither of those cars are my Vantage. I have developed a personal rule; never put anything on a track I can't afford to leave there (more on this later).

Most any car, given the proper preparation can be used for HPDE type work. Obviously some will be more instructive and satisfying than others. I personally feel there are less expensive cars which can be more instructive on track. I'm partial to the S2000 (disclaimer-it's what I race), and the Miata.

As far as using a Vantage on the track, if you're using it for HPDE or "lapping days", I think it would be great. Certainly the car is robust enough, given proper general track prep (brake pads, fluid, maybe track tires/wheels,more frequent general fluid changes) for this type of activity. Further, the platform likely has enough capability to be challenging, though I can't speak from direct knowledge. However, ive had a conversation with someone who was using one for NASA HPDE, and he was quite happy with it. It was even a sport shift.

Side considerations strictly involve increased maintenance overall, maybe increased depreciation from mileage and condition.

Lastly, if it was me using my Vantage, I'd only be running events where HPDE insurance was available. Clearly its personal choice, but sometimes things happen, and it certainly covers the bigger financial "events".

 

I bought an 07 manual this past summer and plan on some track days with it also. My biggest challenge is getting a slot in the events as they fill up fast in the DFW area.

I also have an old 80 corvette (owned since 1984) that is now just a track day car and this one I can afford to leave at the track. Lots of mods based on old GT racers to make it much better car on the track but will never be as good as the newer cars.

I echo the go with the manual.

 

Won't be the fastest, won't have the best handling, won't set lap times.
You'll feel the lack of power, you'll feel the weight.

But you can drive it to the track, flog it, and drive it home just fine. As with any car that sees track time, you'll have increased wear, tear, and maintenance.

But based on what you said, yes, a V8V will do just fine.

 

The Vantage is just such a 'nice' car I wince at tracking it. I know many guys have good luck with it though and it can do well enough.

IMO if parking isn't an issue. Get an older Vantage in the $60k range AND a well used lotus Elise or S2000 that you track prep. (tires/brakes/fluids, roll cage, etc, etc.) And you will spend less overall factoring in maintenance. A race event every month is a lot of work IMO to keep swapping in/out street pads (track pads don't work well in day to day as they need more heat to bite.) Rotating tires, bleeding brakes, etc, etc... The track preped cars would 'last' quite a while if being driven once a month.. You can drive to the event in the either the Elise or S2k and have a blast, while Enjoying the Vantage elsewhere.

The higher handling limits on 'more capable cars' .. sometimes means it takes a LOT of kinetic energy thrown into a turn to establish a nice drift and see the car's limit. Not so with lighter smaller cars like the S2k. Mine made me a much better driver as I didn't have to push so hard to find the edge. Likely the most 'fun' car I have owned... And it was completely indestructible.. My NSX was a great car, but long wheel base mid engine meant a lot trickier at the limit.

Final thought... Friend of a friend had his new at the time F430 t-boned at homestead raceway by a Mitsu EVO out of control coming off the banking... Kid in the EVO sure didn't have insurance for that.

Happy hunting!

 

I have owned a V8 and currently own a V12 Vantage. I would take it to the odd track day, but I would not consider a Vantage as my track car. That said, I have tracked plenty of my cars, including ot the Vantages (Aston Days), my R8V10, Porsches, Audi TTRS etc.

Street cars in general are not great track cars. The weight just kills you in brakes and tires. Plus you most often lack proper seats, roll cages a harness (meaning no HANS device) etc

From a friend who ran an Aston race team (now switched to a Z28) the biggest issue is not with the mechanicals, it is with the cost of any parts that need to be replaced etc. There are other cars that are cheaper.

Plus you have the issue of being a lone wolf. Track a Porsche and there are lots of people who can help you with tires, setups, parts etc. Track an Aston and you better be on your game and prepared to test.

I personally feel Aston Martins have some of the most beautiful paint in the world, but it is also very soft and marks easily. I would not want to do too many track days in an Aston on a track with cars running soft rubber. Your car can end up covered in tar like rubber. I know this from experience. Not to mention the front of your car will end up with little pits in it. There is no way around that if you do any real track time, not to mention the odd broken splitter.

My Cayman R was a fantastic track car and one of the best street cars I have ever owned (I owned it along side my V12V). I sold my R8V10 for it because i wanted to have a car that I could track and drive to the track. It did not disappoint as a road car either. Less Posh etc than the V12V, but frankly no less a blast to drive. If I was going to have a double duty car it would be the Cayman R.

In the end I sold the Cayman R and bought a Lotus 211. You just can't beat a car that only has one purpose.

 

Here's a shot of my Lotus, not sure I'd want that track grime on my Aston.

 

While I think it's great that Vantage owners have taken their cars to the track to experience them in that environment, an AM would be one of the last cars I'd consider buying as a "track car." As you know by now from your track experience, weight is your enemy on the track and AMs are pretty heavy when we're talking about cars on track. Although some heavy cars have been specifically developed for track use (e.g., Z28), AMs are more designed for luxury and grand touring. Although you can run the car as a track car, it's really not made for it so it's a bit of a square peg, round hole situation. So many other better options out there.

Edit: You might consider the new Cayman GT4. Sounds like a fantastic car for the track and has a base price of $85k. Of course, considering it's a Porsche, you'll probably have to pay extra if you want a steering wheel and seats. Another option is a used GT3. I'm actually tempted by both at the moment.

 

It'll get expensive! The cars are very well balanced and feel very good on track. As I've posted before the biggest weaknesses are OEM tires and OEM brakes, the former easily dealt with and the latter, IMHO, not so readily fixed. I'm surprised xwcgt hasn't responded yet, but he's sure to be here any moment to tell me I'm wrong about the brakes LOL...

If you are truly wanting an exotic weekend car to take to the track, I'll second the earlier suggestion for a Lotus, but a streetable one! I don't think anything balances the conflicting roles of a exotic road car and track car quite so well, and at so little cost.





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