2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster review
11 Dec, 2007
16 Comments 
This time around, Aston Martin sent our test vehicle to Melbourne where we had a chance to evaluate its peak hour traffic behaviour, along with the way it handled, being thrown around bend after torturous bend on one of the all time drive routes in Australia – The Great Ocean Road.
After collecting the V8 Vantage Roadster from the outskirts of Melbourne’s CBD, it was driven through peak hour traffic – with the roof down of course. Painted in stunning Glacial Blue – currently the only one in Australia with this colour – there wasn’t one person who wasn’t gobsmacked by this thing of beauty.
It took all of one minute for a crowd of no less than 10 people to come over and admire the V8 Vantage Roadster at a local café. Questions ranged from – “is that the V8 Vantage?” right through to “can I marry you.” Those who weren’t asking questions were staring in complete awe at a creation that can’t be described entirely with words.
Sitting in the driver’s seat feels strangely like sitting in a Porsche 911 Carrera. You sit deep into the car, thereby creating the lowest possible centre of gravity setting. That’s no coincidence either. The guy who has finally brought financial success to Aston Martin, is a nice German man called Dr Ulrich Bez, who we think has synthetic oil running through his veins. One of his previous previous jobs, was overseeing the design and development of the 911 Turbo, along with other Porsche motor sport duties.
Behind the wheel it’s all very familiar territory to the V8 Vantage Coupe. All the controls and features are in the same places, the only differences visible to the naked eye are the roof control button and the reduced storage space behind the seats.
The interior is all Aston Martin. Absolute attention to detail and hand stitched leather as far as the eye can see; headline the V8 Vantage’s exclusive Savile Row-like tailored cockpit. The glove box is non-existent though – just large enough to fit the owner’s manual. Who cares - right?
The boot also looked tiny. We were more than a little worried that our bags, computers and camera gear (including tripod) would simply not fit into the Roadster.
No need for panic at all, as it turned out. Between the boot and behind the seats storage, the car swallowed the lot, and with a little room to spare.
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(7 votes, average: 4.29 out of 5)
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December 12th, 2007 at 12:01 am
Who are the people in the photos? Tell us exactly which ones which! :D
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December 12th, 2007 at 6:44 am
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.
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December 12th, 2007 at 7:29 am
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!
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December 12th, 2007 at 7:39 am
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.
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December 12th, 2007 at 8:39 am
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……
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December 12th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Nice car, but where are bikini babes, I don’t see any?!
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December 12th, 2007 at 10:50 am
/Envious drool
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December 12th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
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
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December 12th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
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.
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December 12th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Ferrari is more of posers car too me …this is sheer style and class!
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December 12th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
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!
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December 12th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Wheels $4000 a set
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December 12th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
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!
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December 27th, 2007 at 8:40 am
wow…
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January 2nd, 2008 at 2:47 am
I just can say it’s a perfect car nothing elese
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March 18th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
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.
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