Vantage Motor Trend - First Test: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

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Better By Half: But is the Glass Half-Full, or Half-Empty?


Forget the DBS. Seriously. Compared with that V-12-powered moviestarmobile, the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage -- updated with a newly enlarged, more potent V-8 -- is easily as quick, lighter and nimbler, and arguably every bit as good-looking. Yet the Vantage sells for about half the price.

That's the story in a nutshell: If you're shopping for an Aston, we've just saved you about $140K (we accept 10-percent honorariums for our services; please mail checks to "Those Americans at the Bar," c/o Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat). A larger question remains, though: Do you really want this Aston at all?

The last time we tested a Vantage (April 2006 -- a head-to-head matchup against the Porsche 911 Carrera S), we praised its pizzazz but wanted more power from the 4.3-liter V-8 (rated at 380 horsepower). Aiming at Aston CEO Ulrich Bez, we asked, "Is there room to bore that baby out a couple mils, Dr. B?"


Full Story: Motor Trend - First Test: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage


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