Aston Martin V8 Vantage - the only car to get JC out of bed

[jarborra]

Why don't you rent a cheap car from Avis or Hertz over the day? I doesn't have to be anything fancy, just something with four wheels and five gears. Since Aston is owned by Ford, maybe get a Ford Mondeo manual or something to drive the shit out of for a day and then you'll be fine. It won't set you back much either.

[Janus]

Why don't you rent a cheap car from Avis or Hertz over the day? I doesn't have to be anything fancy, just something with four wheels and five gears. Since Aston is owned by Ford, maybe get a Ford Mondeo manual or something to drive the shit out of for a day and then you'll be fine. It won't set you back much either.

That's a darn good plan!!! 8)

[Raven18940]

Or spent the same money on a busted up old Honda.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by DJ

I doubt you mastered the clutch the first time you drove a car. That's how they feel when driving a manual.

Even today, after thousands of kilometers behind me, I need a few minutes to get used to the clutch when driving a car I've never driven before.

Of course it took me some time to master the clutch! Maybe I wasn´t clear: What I meant is that here, where I live you have to know how to drive manual or you can´t even get a license, the car used to take the test MUST be manual, and automatics are about 2% of cars so many people can´t drive autos! It happened twice already: soccer players get car jacked and the criminals give up taking the car because they have no idea how to drive an auto.
Funny storie: The first and only time I drove an auto, I couldn´t help but move my hand to the stick every time I felt it was time to change...the car owner had to shout at me "DON`T!" every time!

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by Redliner

Of course it took me some time to master the clutch! Maybe I wasn´t clear: What I meant is that here, where I live you have to know how to drive manual or you can´t even get a license, the car used to take the test MUST be manual, and automatics are about 2% of cars so many people can´t drive autos! It happened twice already: soccer players get car jacked and the criminals give up taking the car because they have no idea how to drive an auto.
Funny storie: The first and only time I drove an auto, I couldn´t help but move my hand to the stick every time I felt it was time to change...the car owner had to shout at me "DON`T!" every time!

The ironic thing is that in America, all rental cars and driver's ed boxes are automatics for us lazy, dumb Americans who can't possibly comprehend throttle control AND steering AND changing gears at the same time. Information overload! Why change gears yourself when you've got a mocha latte to sip and makeup to apply? Priorities, man!

[bihus]

Originally Posted by Janus

That's a darn good plan!!! 8)

I was about to tell you to buy a sub-£1000 car, just for practice. That way you could take it to a track day, to practice fast driving, too.

@Blaro and Redliner

The first time I drove an automatic for more than 10 kms was a ML270 CDI, and I passed by Monaco. When doing a lap of the circuit, at the finish line, I got too excited and pressed the clutch to change gear. Except there was no clutch, and the pedal was the brake. Imagine the braking...

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by bihus

I was about to tell you to buy a sub-£1000 car, just for practice. That way you could take it to a track day, to practice fast driving, too.

@Blaro and Redliner

The first time I drove an automatic for more than 10 kms was a ML270 CDI, and I passed by Monaco. When doing a lap of the circuit, at the finish line, I got too excited and pressed the clutch to change gear. Except there was no clutch, and the pedal was the brake. Imagine the braking...

[Danny Tran]

The whole article is now available online:

http://www.topgear.com/content/featu...ries/16/1.html

[Janus]

Thought you may be interested in the price guide for the Vantage.





It's interesting to see what they charge you for in each Aston model. Like you pay AUS $585,150 for a Vanquish S, then they charge you $515 for an ash tray and $280 for a cup holder.

[transtek]

Originally Posted by Janus

Thought you may be interested in the price guide for the Vantage.

It's interesting to see what they charge you for in each Aston model. Like you pay AUS $585,150 for a Vanquish S, then they charge you $515 for an ash tray and $280 for a cup holder.

You you have to give up smoking AND drinking to afford one!!

[dodgey]

Originally Posted by Janus

Thought you may be interested in the price guide for the Vantage.

It's interesting to see what they charge you for in each Aston model. Like you pay AUS $585,150 for a Vanquish S, then they charge you $515 for an ash tray and $280 for a cup holder.

Yeah, but when you can afford the car, what's $515 for an ash tray. They do however, offer you a couple of trips to the UK to visit the factory to see the car being made, and also a test drive and choice of colour.

Well, that's what someone who has bought 1 told me anyway, but he doesn't get his until late next year. They also found him a DB7 to drive around until he gets his new AM V8 (Hoping to get a ride in it when he picks it up...)

[Z Draci]

What the hell is a battery conditioner?

[Redliner]

Remember that the ashtray is made of crystal!!!
(At least in the DB9 or Vanquish. I don´t remember wich Aston, I just remember JC showing this in one of his videos)

[Janus]

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!

They called me this morning to say that the Vantage (it's the same one from my pictures at the motor show) has arrived and what time would I like a test drive.

Sadly I'm very busy over the weekend so won't be able to take it for a spin until next week. This is going to be a LONG weekend of waiting!

Plus I need a couple of days to brush up on my manual skills.

Originally Posted by dodgey

Yeah, but when you can afford the car, what's $515 for an ash tray. They do however, offer you a couple of trips to the UK to visit the factory to see the car being made, and also a test drive and choice of colour.

Well I'm probably not getting an ash tray. This is not because I am a tight ass but because I don't smoke, and I'm not going to let people smoke in the car. Both my parents smoke and I'm sick to death of having ash in all the little bits of the cars.

I don't think they would offer you a trip to see it being built with the Vantage. Probably the Vanquish. Although I suppose it is different if you are in Europe compared to paying for someone from Australia to come over and see it.

As for colours you can have a standard colour, a non-standard colour (which costs a little bit extra) or a unique colour match (which costs a lot extra). You get the same options with the leather colour. Although I am a little surprised that you don't even get a full leather interior as standard. What do you get if you don't select it, plastic panels?

Sadly I'm thinking of being frightfully boring and getting the grey colour in my pics of the car. Just seems like the natural "cool" colour. I don't mind the blue of the one in the latest TG mag (my girlfriend loves this colour), but I don't think I would feel comfortable in a bright blue car.

[BlaRo]

Makes mental note to himself: Kill Janus and steal his identity.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Note to Self: Steal the Vantage while BlaRo is busy whacking Janus.

[dodgey]

Originally Posted by Janus

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!

They called me this morning to say that the Vantage (it's the same one from my pictures at the motor show) has arrived and what time would I like a test drive.

I don't think they would offer you a trip to see it being built with the Vantage. Probably the Vanquish. Although I suppose it is different if you are in Europe compared to paying for someone from Australia to come over and see it.

Brilliant news, Janus!! Congrats.

I don't know as it is second hand information, but my friend is off to the UK early next year for a factory tour (he is paying for the flight over from AU to UK though as he has to be over there for business), and late next year (same again) for a test drive. He definitely is getting the Vantage.

Heh, no ashtray for him either, but he's looking at the watch

hehe, since Janus is actually in the same country, I'll try and steal it first.

[Janus]

Well I've been practising my manual skills over the weekend and am going for my test drive tomorrow!

Will let you know how it goes....and how many times I stall it.

[SL65]

OMG U LUCKY!!

Keep us updated!