The modern evolution of a timeless classic will be the focus of our buying guide today. A car that has taken the world and us hackers by storm and has kept us in a stranglehold for a long time, the Aston Martin Vantage.
Most experienced hackers, myself included, have owned one of the previous generations of this model in either engine configuration at least once or twice. For me, about 3 or 4… but that just means I liked it.
These cars are great small cars, the depreciation curve is predictable, the badge is impressive and the drive is easy enough not to scare you but pleasant enough that you won’t get bored within a month.
Plus you feel like James Bond.
Aston does a phenomenal job of ensuring that the brand’s evolutionary growth keeps pace with modern times and the demands of the public, while remaining true to its founding principles: beauty, power and soul.
If you’re wondering if a Vantage is right for your garage, read on to find out.
Experience behind the wheel
Both variants have been significantly improved both internally and externally. Save yourself from deleting the Crystal Key (BOO YOU, ASTON!).
But for comparison, let’s look at them one by one.
The V8 variant of the Vantage has been tuned to produce 503 horsepower, allowing a top speed of up to 195 miles per hour and a 0-60 acceleration of 3.6 seconds. This car also comes in a roadster variant for those who like a top-down experience.
The new body is said to be perfect, with a lightweight aluminum frame for lightweight durability and a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, you have a perfect blend of function and form. The style of the interior stands out clearly from the models of the past. The cockpit has been redesigned and features a more complex center console with a unique design that seamlessly connects the gears, navigation, radio and air conditioning controls.
The V12 variant of the Vantage will be my favorite, I paid way too much to be able to own a brand new one. But if this thing isn’t one of the nicest cars I’ve ever owned…
This beast has 700 horsepower, has a top speed of 200 miles per hour, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds. That makes it the fastest, fiercest Vantage ever, and one I think Britain’s greatest spy would approve of (also available in Roadster format).
The V12 gains some performance advantages that the V8 does not offer. It features a stiffened suspension, new adaptive damping and bracing, and an overall lower body weight with fully improved aerodynamic features such as the rear wing and body vents; They say it’s dressed for its finale.
The V12 also conveys the upscale interior feel conveyed by the V8, more complex and unique than previous generations and is intended to evoke a sense of style and beauty that translates from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside.
Aston Martin Vantage V8/V12 General problems
With the Vantage’s generational change, we’re still seeing what new issues emerge over time.
A good proportion of these vehicles are still under warranty from a time perspective, with Aston offering a 3-year basic unlimited mileage warranty from 2018 and a 3-year unlimited powertrain warranty introduced into production from 2018.
However, some problems have been reported with these vehicles. You should keep an eye on these and make sure you undergo a pre-purchase inspection to avoid these problems occurring during your ownership.
Some airbag problems have required recalls. Therefore, ensure that your Vantage has been taken delivery of and cleared of any required recalls before taking possession of it.
Electrical system problems can sometimes occur on these vehicles and are a problem that also occur on older models, but it is more of an Aston problem than anything else. Sometimes there are glitches in the navigation system and the lights in the dashboard turn on and off. Therefore, make sure you diagnose this by having your PPI repair shop run the ECU codes.
Squealing brakes are also commonly reported on these variants, but it’s no worse than any other exotic with high-performance brakes. So keep that in mind and know that this is to be expected. Unless PPI detects a problem with the brake pad/disc, it is most likely just a character flaw that you will learn to deal with.
Best Aston Martin Vantage V8/V12 Buy
The Astons come with a variety of a la carte options, all of which help add more bang for the buck to the stickers. Knowing the sticker price of an Aston is important because it helps counteract the depreciation curve, and you can end up owning a car with crazy sticker prices for a lot less by simply buying a model that’s a few years older.
Here is a list of options that the newer generation Astons can be equipped with. The more of them, the better:
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT – INTERIOR
- Carbon fiber interior package
- Semi-aniline interior – Duotone
- Alcantara®/semi-aniline interior – monotone
- Alcantara®/semi-aniline interior – duotone
- Carbon fiber performance seat (6-way adjustable)
- Heated steering wheel
- Black Alcantara® and leather steering wheel
- Interior Decoration – Dark Chrome
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT – EXTERIOR
- Lightweight package
- Optional Color Palettes – Solid/Metallic/Signature Metallic/Racing Line/Satin/Special/Heritage
- Optional graphic schemes – pinstripe/lipstick and back panel/door
- Optional Lower Body Package – 2×2 Twill Carbon Fiber
- Optional Upper Body Package – 2×2 Twill Carbon Fiber
- Delete rear wing
- 21″ Wheel – Satin Black Diamond Turned
- 21″ lightweight wheel – satin black
- Optional Caliper Colors – Grey/Yellow/Red/Vibrant Orange/Bronze
- Taillights – Smoked
- Exhaust tailpipes – Bright
- Aston Martin Black Wings and Script Badges
OPTIONAL FUNCTIONS – FUNCTIONAL
- Infotainment – touchpad controls
- Aston Martin Tracking
- Garage door opener (GDO)
- Aston Martin premium audio system
- Heated and ventilated seats
- Privacy glass
- Umbrella and holder
- First aid kit
Mainly you should focus on using as much carbon fiber as possible indoors and outdoors as this not only improves the sticker but also looks better.
Also, make sure your Aston’s color combination is popular with everyone. A lot of strange colors came onto the market with the new Vantage models, and you want to make sure that while these are unique, you might prefer to avoid the classic silver, black, white, red, etc.
Diploma
This will be the end of an era for Aston Martin as one of the most famous models will disappear from the brand’s range. It’s a chance to own a piece of automotive history that dates back almost two decades, with the first release occurring in the mid-2000s.
This is a modern take on a timeless classic that you can own and enjoy, while also ensuring you don’t lose an arm and a leg thanks to the ECH principles.
Hack skill meter:
V8 v12
