E93 M3 vs Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

[Xx__xs]

..

[Brosef]

to be honest, I don't think it matters. you buy the car for such different reasons. if you have the chance to own the vantage, I say do it. I don't care about the performance, it's so good looking (and sounding).

[Xx__xs]

Originally Posted by Brosef

to be honest, I don't think it matters. you buy the car for such different reasons. if you have the chance to own the vantage, I say do it. I don't care about the performance, it's so good looking (and sounding).

I understand but I wouldn't feel good going into a slower (albeit marginally) car. This is what turned me off about the Gran Turismo..even though it looks spectacular I don't want to go slower. I'd still be interested to see a straight line comparison. The AM V8 has more torque than the M3 but the weight differences and transmission might show otherwise in a race

[Carl L]

Straight line performance is close enough to no difference. M3 is the sharper drive, though my seat time in the AMV8 is limited, all reviews seems to back this up.

I think you'd be very pleased going from the E93 to the AMV8 roadster. Both are very nice cars but in convertible form I'd find it hard not to pick the Aston.

[alms211]

You'd better like visits to the local Aston service dept. These things are electrical nightmares.....unless things have changed since '07-'09. That being said they are absolutely beautiful cars.

[03BeastCharmer]

I've seen the V8 Vantage Coupe go around Road America, and it was very fast, and gave very little up to the V8 M3 guys who were also out on track (could be he was a better driver). In convertible forms, if I had the means I wouldn't think twice about upgrading from E93 M3 to Vantage, and leaving it in loud sport exhaust mode all day long No comparison as it's would be just as fast for any driving anywhere near legal limits of public roads. And that's all that matters as your not getting the vert AM to track, so who cars what it does off public roads....

[LarThaL]

The 09-onwards Vantage has the 420hp V8 as well as more torque. Straight line speed is really a toss up with the M3. Handling is great, suspension is great. I honestly think it will be very similar in feel to the M3 (coupe vs coupe). The Vantage roadster is a lot lighter than the e93 M3. The look and sound of the Vantage is simply the finest on the planet.

The only downside is that once you get into exotics (and to me an Aston is an exotic), service can become a real PITA when needed due to the paucity of dealerships.

Still, to own a car like this is the experience of a lifetime. I say go for it and don't look back. AM Vantage is high on my list for my ultimate car which will be my M3 replacement, likely in 2015 or 2016.

[DiavelM3]

Originally Posted by alms211

You'd better like visits to the local Aston service dept. These things are electrical nightmares.....unless things have changed since '07-'09. That being said they are absolutely beautiful cars.

+ million!!!
The VP of my previous company traded in his Mercedes SL55 to get a 2011 (I think?) AM Vantage Roadster and it was in the shop 4 times in 2 months for diff issues. He could have probably done lemon law on it but said screw it and told them he wanted his car back. He got his SL55 back and traded that in on a SL65 at a Merc dealership..
I agree with ALMS211, they're beautiful cars but they're kind of small too? I have a 34 inch inseam and sat in one at a show. I had the seat moved all the way back and it felt kind of cramped in there....

[Xx__xs]

Thanks for all the helpful input guys

[IFX]

if you have the chance to own such a car, do so. But honestly, there are other exotics to choose from. While Aston's sure are stunning, i'd head in another direction.

[gatorfast]

Well you have a year to think about it so plenty of time for research.

[Xx__xs]

Originally Posted by IFX

if you have the chance to own such a car, do so. But honestly, there are other exotics to choose from. While Aston's sure are stunning, i'd head in another direction.

which direction would that be

[Xx__xs]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Well you have a year to think about it so plenty of time for research.

ya thats exactly why im not in a hurry. just want some overall opinions about the upgrade, and so far so good

[IFX]

Originally Posted by System Of A...

which direction would that be

I would contemplate a used Gallardo. Service isn't too bad, alot can be DIY as well.

I would say it's the most DD exotic, hands down. There is a reason you see more Lambo/Ferrari than Aston.


You've got style, power, reliability (I can careless what anyone else says about the Gallardo, I've seen plenty daily driven)


I know i keep saying DD, but for exotics this plays a MAJOR role for many people purchasing one, for obvious reasons.

[Xx__xs]

Originally Posted by IFX

I would contemplate a used Gallardo. Service isn't too bad, alot can be DIY as well.

I would say it's the most DD exotic, hands down. There is a reason you see more Lambo/Ferrari than Aston.


You've got style, power, reliability (I can careless what anyone else says about the Gallardo, I've seen plenty daily driven)


I know i keep saying DD, but for exotics this plays a MAJOR role for many people purchasing one, for obvious reasons.

I considered a gallardo but since I'm getting used and my budget is a bit north of 75-80, so I can easily find an 08 AM for that price but I can barely (probably not) find an 04 Gallardo which is pretty old and the interior is horrible IMO.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by System Of A...

I considered a gallardo but since I'm getting used and my budget is a bit north of 75-80, so I can easily find an 08 AM for that price but I can barely (probably not) find an 04 Gallardo which is pretty old and the interior is horrible IMO.

True. Well you've got a year to save a little extra for the Bull.

Just don't settle! Best of luck.

[Thrumcap]

The new Jaguar F-Type with 5.0 V8 has the looks and seems like the performance to match. I don't know if they altered the sound of the exhaust on the website but it sounds incredible. I look forward to reading the reviews to see how it handles. On paper it looks fantastic. If I didn't need a back seat, I would be taking a hard look at it.

[NoM3ForMe]

Aston's are truly beautiful cars, but if you don't want to go to something 'slower', why not get a 911 Turbo. It's fast and 'tossable' as all hell.

[smashhell]

Yeah for that price there is a lot to choose from.
Just pick whatever your hearts tells you and go with it.

[JHAKIMI]

Im running a DE next sat with my e93 m3 and my buddy is running his 08 V8v. I fully expect the V8v to slice the corners up as that car exhibits no chassis flex in corners, but my M3 is clearly faster up top, so it should be a toss up....better driver has the edge!

[///Mperative]

The Aston is great for all the reasons listed above. However, I drove a Vantage a couple years ago; it was a lot of fun and nice to drive. I believe it was an '07 or '08, and the interior was not great. It was better than the ridiculously unusable electronics in the GranTurismo (which seemed to have been designed by an illiterate moron). However, as soon as I got in the car I thought to myself, "why the hell does this look and feel so familiar?". Turns out, they essentially re-branded a bunch of Volvo (and other Ford) components and called it a day. It did not inspire confidence, nor did it make me want to own one. It's similar to the GT-R in that regard, except the GT-R is much cheaper so the crappy interior is more palatable. Now, things may have changed since then; perhaps they've had the time to develop their own electronics.

Despite the fact that it's Italian, we know the Lambo has good electronics because they get it all from Audi.

Maybe I just have unrealistic expectations? Expecting good electronics in a British car is like expecting a quality interior (or a decent transmission) in an American car.

[jeff2015]

Test drove the Vantage V8 and V12. Needless to say they are beautiful cars but the transmission of the V8 is a tragedy compared to my former 2011 E92 DCT. The DCT is so much more superior than the Vantage V8 tranny. If $$ was no option I'd go with the V12. I ended up with a 2013 XKR and loving it!