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Very well said Ashman! Couldn’t have put it better.
The timeless beauty of the Gaydon Vantage is really striking for me and makes it a keeper that I *personally* prefer to any other Aston before or after.
Similarly, new Ferraris are also hard for me to tell apart and really do nothing for me (although a lot of that is because they’re all automatic only) but I love the look of my F355. I think it too has a timeless beauty - it’s a nightmare to own but worth it for the experience.
My first time to drive the new Vantage was this morning. Quite roomy inside for a two seater. Amazing visibility compared to a V8V or Rapide. Stiff steering feel and sounds amazing. So many buttons inside! Very easy car to just drive around.
I too made the jump a from an 09 V8V Sportshift to my current 2020 V8V. Overall the 2020 is the better performing machine (obvious) but there was something more raw and engaging about the the 2009 that I do still miss.
I too made the jump a from an 09 V8V Sportshift to my current 2020 V8V. Overall the 2020 is the better performing machine (obvious) but there was something more raw and engaging about the the 2009 that I do still miss.
recently I've swapped my 22 F1 Vantage with a mates 14 V8VSM mid drive on 2 occasions, so immediate comparison
the V8VS is more engaging. sounds way better (the 22 cars have GPF fitted and make next to no noise - soon to be remedied), makes you drive it, is slower but a great great drive
the F1 is blisteringly quick, so poised in cornering and managing bumps, has so much grip, has less steering feel and leaves you feeling less connected to the car - while you wait for everyone else to catch up!
I too made the jump a from an 09 V8V Sportshift to my current 2020 V8V. Overall the 2020 is the better performing machine (obvious) but there was something more raw and engaging about the the 2009 that I do still miss.
I had an 09 sportshift too and am in the process of getting a 2020. Since I haven't had the 09 for a few years, I might not notice some of the differences, but the interiors of all those previous generation cars just seemed "nicer" than the current generation cars.
Last weekend while i was on the 101 in my 2014 6-speed Midnight Blue Vantage, a 2018+, ultramarine blue Vantage caught up behind me. Incredibly similar spec from two different genrations. We must have looked pretty cool on the road! We drove in traffic together for about 20 miles most likely each of us admiring the other person's car.
As an owner of a VH platform Vantage, I have thoroughly convinced myself that it is not just the best looking Vantage, but one of the best looking cars of all time haha! That said, the new Vantage behind me looked amazing. The headlights that everyone complains are too small look really sharp and menacing on the road. Same for the mesh grille. The increased 3" width just tweaks the proportions that much more to make the car look lower and more squat. The rear end has always been my favorite part of the new Vantage and this case was no different. In the past I have criticized the Mecedes-ish instrument cluster and the kind of busier nature of the new interior as letting the new Vantage down. I've been taking a closer look and while the new interior is definitely the weak point of the car, I think anyone could learn to love it in a short time. I also think that some of the colors (Oxford Tan) do a lot to class up the interior.
That said, the new Vantage behind me looked amazing. The headlights that everyone complains are too small look really sharp and menacing on the road. Same for the mesh grille. The increased 3" width just tweaks the proportions that much more to make the car look lower and more squat.
+1
The new Vantage definitely is much more exotic looking due to this. It stands out a lot more in traffic than the VH variants. Whether that is a positive or a negative is up to subjective preference (although surely we Aston buyers aren't 100% into exotic looks or we'd be driving Lamborghinis or McLarens)
I was the first one to post pictures of the VH sitting next to the Wolf way back when the demonstration cars were making the dealer rounds. Is the Wolf better in every aspect, faster, quicker, flatter in turns, braking, ride, more comfortable seats, yes. Did all of the first batches of cars delivered have horrible body panel fit and finish? Want me to post 20 more picture of how bad they were?
Would there be any way I'd give up either one of my VH's for a Wolf? NO! Even though the looks have grown on me a little, it's still no way as beautiful a car as the original design, then add the 4.7 and that's all I want. 2009-2011. The original design was the most beautiful gentleman's sports touring cars that has ever been built, the Wolf was built to try to take sales from the 911, it's a racer boy car. There's nothing wrong with that if that is what you want, I'm 63, that is absolutely NOT what I want. I want the car I fell in love with in 2006, but with the 4.7.
Daniel Craig's 2010 Hollywood car next to the China Gray demo Wolf.
Just to add, I have now been pulled over 8 times, where I have received 3 warnings, a delaying traffic, and an obstructed plates ticket, a couple "just keep it down", and a "stop driving like an a$$hole". If I was driving a Wolf I would be suspended another 3 times minimum by now. The last story is the perfect example,
2009 – Silver car - Was driving down a highway as it splits into 2 and a sport bike comes weaving thru and as I round the turn, there’s nobody there so I had this nutty rabbit flying so I jumped in it a little. Had a couple cars coming up on the right, I’m not in any hurry and the guy on the bike is doing about 150 heading into heavy traffic about ½ mile ahead so I back off it, check rear view, black bumper bar of the front of a white explorer, that a cop? Looked down, 85, turn signal and pull over to the right lane, he follows, still off gas down to about 60 and I was just about to go ahead and put my turn signal on and pull over when the lights come on. Pull way over so he has plenty of room and he comes up to the right anyway, I said, "You didn’t happen to notice the guy doing 150 on the bike in front of me?" * "Of course, but we’re not allowed to chase them and I had you anyway" [laughs] His next words - “This is one beautiful car, what year is this?” [LOL Always a good sign] chit chat a little, he asks if I have any points, "No sir" [nobody will give me a ticket!!]. * "OK, give me a few minutes." About 30 seconds later I see another backup white Explorer pull out from behind the first, I’m sure he probably told him, Nah, some harmless old guy. Walks back up, "I wrote you a warning." * "Oh thank you, how fast was I going anyway?" * "Oh FU**, WELL over 100!!" [I was probably doing about 120]. * "Keeping this thing at 65 is like trying to keep it at 25." * "Hell, 65 probably hurts this car, you need to take it out and stretch it’s legs a little!" * "So, all I have to do if I want to drive like an idiot is get a bike?" * "Absolutely, you don’t even need tags or a license, we’re not allowed to chase you!" LOL And I was free to go. Lesson learned, don’t rabbit a sport bike!
Sorry--I assumed from the CA plates in your pictures above. Two warnings, one well-deserved and one very lucky.
The Wolf has the CA plate
My V8V only has a rear plate because there's no way I'd spoil the looks of the front by putting a stupid plate on it, and in 7 years not a peep, about the plate LOL
Everytime I've been pulled over was well deserved, but if I was doing 120 in a Wolf I'd be suspended 3 months, have my car towed on the spot, and I can only imagine the fines and surcharges and insurance rate increase! As it is, $71/month from State Farm. Why? NO POINTS!
