So how many Hail Mary's do I have to say when I tell you I accompanied a friend to the local Aston Martin dealer and drove a V8 Vantage?

I have to say I was pretty impressed. The car sounds great, looks great and feels great. It made me think about a AMV8 Roadster. I've always lusted after an Aston ever since I was a small boy (and my wife tells me I still haven't grown up...) But...

The steering is not as good. The brakes feel "mushy" at the top of the pedal. The engine lacks a little torque. It just feels slighly less agile than the 997. It may just be familiarity but I was a little disappointed.

It made me think that perhaps my next car should be like Edgy's - a full house personalized 997 with no compromise. But the taste for that bespoke Aston is hard to ignore...

 

I've always liked the look of the AM. Would consider one as a "second" car. Of course I'll have to have a Porsche too.

 

I think it's really good that you checked the Aston out. Ultimately, it will probably make you really appreciate the 911 that much more. Always remember, it's British automotive engineering versus German. Many years ago a good friend of mine was looking at my 911 of the time (I think it was my 77) and he remarked that he used to have an Aston Martin DB5. He warned me that it was driving him out of house and home,--for maintenance. Clearly, all autos are much better in that regard. Just remember that the GOOD, RELIABLE elements of the AM are designed and produced by FORD now.

 

It was actually running?

Oh yeh, you said it was still at the dealership...

Personal experience, AMs spend more time being repaired than on the road.

Look stunning, run like a dog.

 

Wonder how true this still is? (Compliments to Coochas for hosting the video site)

http://coochas.com/porsche/Resources...lo-TGAstM6.wmv

997S vs AMV8 vs M6 on a short wet track on the Isle of Man.

 

I have a V8V.

They are rev limited till 1400 miles. So your test drive may have felt a little slow.

 

The new Vantage Cabriolet is one of the finest looking drop tops ever, IMO. Absolutely stunning.

MC

 

I love it too. AM has really come to the table with the V8V. I don't think you can compare it to other AM's in terms of reliability. It's built to compete against Porsche.

Like I said, IMO it's a 997 with different skin. The only and I mean "only" reason I bought it over a 997 is because it "looks" different. I've owned 997's so I can give a educated comparison.

 

The AMV8 is hands down the most beautiful car out there right now. Just stunning in proportions. If Aston can just get another 100hp to compete with the AMGs and M's then it would be selling quite a bit better than it has. Initially my dealer said 2 year wait, now they have 2-3 in stock and unspoken for cars coming in.

 

When I got mine 6 months ago I had never seen one around town. Now I see them here and there. They're selling better than they were.

 

Never doubt the Stig!

 

"Traditionally, what should the Aston do now....break down..break down"

LOL, that cracked me up!!

Amazed me how much they didn't like the Aston. "Rubbish" and "tremendous disapoinment" were the words used to describe it.

 

They didn't say that. One guy said that. They gave the good and bad of each car. I think it was a fair comparison.

Too bad the track was in the middle of a monsoon.

 

If you have stopped saying them and you are reading this reply... NOT ENOUGH! You need to do more!

 

How was the interior fit and finish? Of course AMs have always produced some beautiful looking cars, but if they could only have the automotive engineering of the Germans behind all that styling. (Doesn't another famous auto manufacturer have a similar problem? Starts with "F" ?