ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE COUPE READER REVIEWS

My car

There are two things missing from the list of questions I had to answer as part of this review, without which misses the entire point of owning an Aston, namely 1) How does the car look and 2) How does it make you feel? I say this because owning an Aston is everything to do with these two questions. I've just picked up a 2006 V8 Vantage (v low mileage, spotless, meteorite silver) and have to say that after only two weeks of ownership if has been one of the most joyous experiences of my life. It might not QUITE handle as precisely as a 911, or even accelerate and brake quite as well, but frankly the differential is so small that it makes no difference. What is hugely different is the way this thing makes you feel. The touch, look, and feel of everything in and outside of this car are so far ahead of its competitors it is untrue and as one of the other reviewers rightly said, it's a lovely feeling to drive along and see what appears to be every other driver or pedestrian gaping at your machine as you move it along. If you get the chance to buy one of these things just do it and you will remind yourself that you are in that 0.01% of the population that could and has. A fantastic life experience and one of the most amazing soundtracks on a car you'll ever hear.

My car

I would rate the car higher if AM and the dealer hadnt been so utterly useless. I waited years to own an Aston and they have totally ruined the experience. I keep it immaculate and have only done 4000 miles in 18 months but there have been lots of minor faults with it in that time and its had to go back in at least 10 times so far. The two main problems I have had are (1) squealing brakes... and when a say "squealing" I mean SERIOUSLY SCREAMING ! The dealer told me it was a common problem with the Vantage and I should drive the car really fast on the motorway and brake really hard to deglaze the pads ! Thats basically their way of not fixing the problem or trying to kill me so they dont have to! Anyway, I tried it, but it didnt work. Eventually, I couldnt drive the car without wearing ear defenders and dark glasses, it was so embarrassing pulling up in a 90k car that sounds like a braking roller coaster! Eventually they took the car in to fix it. I was left without a car for 3 weeks, they finally returned it and it was as if they had not even done anything. The same problem was there. Even If they did actually do something, they clearly didnt test their work but my guess is they did nothing, they have been useless (2) the clutch burnt out within 3000 miles. I had complained that it was tight as a drum when I drove it out of the showroom and it stank of burning, particularly when reversing, but AM refused to fix it under warranty and I was given a bill for £2500! nice!

My car

She is DIVINE.

I have had this car for two and a half years (06 plate), second hand..few niggles to start with, all sorted by the Leeds Garage of Aston, but shes a wonderful everyday car (we don't have children though...)

Come out the house, look at the beauty on your drive...and smile. Press the on button...hear her purr...smile. People flash their lights and wave at you....smile! But, why does everyone, Scoobies mostly, feel the need to race?

This car brings a real joy to my life, and I'm unusual for an Aston driver - I have driven 28000 miles (shokka!) in her.

I go to the garden centre in her - you can get at least 3 bags of compost in this car. A full shop..? Piece of cake. She practical as well as stylish.

My last car was a Porsche Cayman S, and there is a massive weight difference getting into the Aston, and I actually thought I had made a mistake when I first got her - I found her too heavy, the clutch too heavy, the gears too clunky....but now, its all about the performance. These bits I just overlook, they are "normal" now.

Give me an open road, sun shining, music on, my clean Aston V8...and I'm a happy lady!

I'm so impressed I am currently upgrading to a V12 - as Steven put earlier - lifes too short!!

My car

My wife brought a new V8 in march this year,she just sold it back to the dealer after 4 months!.It might be the best looking and sounding car out there,and it will cause a stir when you turn up at a pub or hotel,but her car developed a gearbox fault after about 6 weeks that was never really fixed.She had the semi auto box that would repeatedly get stuck in neutral,it went back 3 times and had a new clutch put in it as a bit of a desperate measure by the dealer so you have been warned,if you buy one, do NOT get the semi auto box,you will regret it!!.