2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster review
December 11, 2007 by Paul Maric
2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (Sportshift) Review
“For a car company to get the nod as the UK’s coolest brand for the second year running, is a remarkable achievement by Aston Martin”
Test Model: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (Sportshift)
CarAdvice Rating: 
Recommended Retail Price: $277,250 – although you can take the Roadster with the superb 6-speed manual from the renowned Graziano Transmissioni Group, for $269,000 (our choice).
Options Fitted:
- Contemporary Paint finish (metallic) Glacial Blue: $1380 – (we all agreed this was the nicest blue we have ever seen and it set the car off beautifully)
- Sat Nav: $4,875 – (It works well enough, but it’s not touch screen, so the inputs take too long and is cumbersome to use)
- Bluetooth Phone: $1380 – (works well)
- Piano Black interior trim: $1380 – (we actually prefer the more modern looking and standard Gunmetal facia with Graphite interior fittings)
- Wheels – 19” seven spoke with Anthracite finish: $4,165 – (one look at these and you’ll need to tick this box)
- Heated Seats: $825 – (a good thing on a cold night but they should be able to cool your behind too)
- Xenon (HID) headlights: $1,385 – (they are a must when traveling at speed and probably should be standard on any Aston)
- Cruise Control: $825 – (hardly and option and at this price!)
- Auto-dimming rear vision mirror: $265 – (It should be standard but these days, a welcomed necessity)
- Memory seats: $825 (I wouldn’t pay this price but then that’s me)
- Alarm upgrade (volumetric & tilt sensors) $545 – (again, something Aston Martin should be providing as standard kit)
Where it sits: The V8 Vantage Roadster is top shelf in the Vantage range, but remains considerably less than the larger bodied DB9 Coupe.
Okay, I’m going to come straight out and say it. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster is currently the best looking drop top on the market. That’s not just our collective opinion, that’s all of Melbourne, across nine different suburbs from Toorak to Box Hill and all the way to Adelaide, South Australia.
The concern that generally comes with convertible versions of decent sports cars is the loss of rigidity and lack of chassis stability in comparison to their hardtop counterparts. Aston Martin has taken every measure to ensure this doesn’t happen – or at least not to a noticeable extent. Built on an aluminium chassis, Aston Martin claims their roadster has the stiffest chassis in its class – quite a boast worthy trait if you ask me and it’s one that we put to the test.
Who are the people in the photos? Tell us exactly which ones which! :D
perfect for driving along the beach, posing with your top off and a hint of opposite lock, the seagulls will love it to for sure.
Wow…….I agree great colour,you guys are soooooo lucky!
Alborz what was your little butt doing on the bonnet though???hahaha
The finish in the interior was amazing I thought,I was surprised at the engine though,looked a little messy.Engine bay isn’t painted?
So who had to sit on someones knee…..3 into a 2 seater doesn’t go!
Some of the options I agree should be standard,the paint was cheap I thought,wheels at $4,000 a each ? Why not if you can afford it in the place whats another $16,000!
The sexiest car in the World!
This car is stunning. I love it. I’d probably go the coupe myself but hell if you had that kinda money – get both. Great article and awesome pics guys! Well done.
Yeah…….absolutely Cassey,forgot to mention that in my previous post thats awaiting moderation {have to stop putting s e x in my posts}! Another fantastic article by you guys but I guess when you have a passion for a car it makes it a damn site easier to write about!
Im not one for a roofless car but I would have that!sigh……
Nice car, but where are bikini babes, I don’t see any?!
/Envious drool
Rather the similar priced, but way faster Ferrari powered Maserati Coupe in convertiable form.
As fast as a porker 911s, so u know its the goods
Cheers
F-0
Frugal – that would be the GranSport Spyder – if you think that car looks as good as the Aston – I implore you to go straight to your nearest optometrist and get the free medicare check.
As for power – yep its got more than the Aston, considerably more power and torque, but here’s the thing, its no faster and it sure as hell don’t handle like the Aston!
Good try but you’ll need to do better than that.
Ferrari is more of posers car too me …this is sheer style and class!
It is a terrific looking car and engine but the big downside with it is that there is alot of options that should come standard with car at that price! Like alarm, cruise control(comes standard in $34,000 car (Commodore)),heated seats and xeon headlights!
Wheels $4000 a set
A set………thats cheap!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t think $4,000 a pop was expensive ……..not for that car or wheel option!
1 BBS will cost you more than that without a M badge on it!
wow…
I just can say it’s a perfect car nothing elese
I am Australian but live in London…my wife bought me an “Aston Martin track day” for my 30th birthday – so I was up in Yorkshire on the weekend driving the V8 Vantage and then the DB9 around a racetrack.
The DB9 is very big, and too nose-heavy. I actually prefer my 330Ci to drive , through corners at least. The power is simply awe-inspiring though of course.
However, the V8 Vantage is something entirely different. If God himself made the most perfect car, it would be the V8 Vantage. I was truly incredible to drive, I couldn’t stop smiling for literally an hour or so after 5 laps in the V8 Vantage.
It’s acceleration is obviously beyond impressive; but it is the way it feels through corners and long sweeping bends that makes it 40x better than anything else I have ever driven. The amount of grip just defied believe and seemingly, defied laws of physics too!
I don’t care whether it takes 3 years or 20 years….I have to have one.