For these of you who know me or learn my tales, you seemingly know by now that my single favourite automotive marque is Aston Martin. Sure, I do know that I’m very concerned with BMW, however the Aston model has a mythology and historical past that, to me, is unequaled by another automotive producer within the historical past of the auto. Positive, Ferrari could be very sturdy, particularly within the mythology division, however proudly owning and driving or simply merely gazing at an Aston is one thing else fully. Add the truth that, regardless of being equals in most methods to Ferrari vehicles, used Astons virtually at all times promote for significantly much less cash, which merely makes the marque much more enticing.
The Choose of the Day is a kind of vehicles, a 2016 Aston Martin Vantage GTS coupe positioned at a seller in Costa Mesa, California.
The story of the trendy Aston Martin Vantage begins in 2003 with the disclosing of the AMV8 Vantage on the North American Worldwide Auto Present. It was universally applauded by journalists and potential homeowners alike and the manufacturing Vantage was launched on the 2005 Geneva Auto Present.
Not like the DB9, which was at all times meant to be a real GT automotive or gentleman’s categorical, the Vantage from the very starting was designed to be Aston’s true sports activities automotive, one to compete with the Porsche 911 and V8 Ferraris. It featured a set-back V8 engine with dry-sump lubrication and a rear transaxle. It was supplied with both a six-speed handbook or the seven-speed single-clutch automated Sportshift II transmission with paddles. Personally, the premium it’s a must to pay for a six-speed Vantage makes a Sportshift-equipped automotive appear to be a severe discount.
The very best a part of this automotive, in addition to a incredible driving expertise, is the beautiful styling. Whereas it’s formally credited to Henrik Fisker, I occur to know that the credit score ought to actually be given to Ian Callum, who designed 80 % of the Vantage. When you query this, ask any journalist who was on the Geneva Auto Present and witnessed the interplay of Callum and Fisker.
This particular Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a limited-production GTS mannequin which solely offered within the U.S. This particular instance is likely one of the vehicles in “Sport” trim. This included carbon fiber accents, a black grille and headlight bezels, and a sport suspension. Fortunately, it additionally options Aston’s improved AMi III infotainment and navigation system, which was the primary first rate infotainment setup in an Aston and one that may simply pair along with your telephone.
The vendor describes this Vantage GTS as completed in its authentic Stratus White paint over an Argento Gray leather-based inside. Choices embody a sophisticated aluminum gas cap, a leather-based ECU key pouch, entrance parking sensors, glass switches, and piano black fascia trim. This automotive has solely lined 11,493 miles from new and appears to be in distinctive situation.
The vendor provides that this Vantage GTS has led a pampered life in California and Nevada and has at all times been saved indoors. Of nice import is the service historical past of any automotive like this. This automotive consists of documentation of the next:
- At 10,798 miles on 2/16/22: Vegas Auto Gallery carried out the Aston Martin manufacturing unit 10,000-mile service.
- At 11,361 miles on 6/4/24: Mark Douglas Motorworks carried out an annual service, together with a brake fluid flush, and adjusted the sway bar.
- At 11,406 miles on 6/20/24: Aston Martin Newport Seaside change the docking station for the important thing.
I’ve pushed these vehicles and I can say the Vantage GTS actually is a sports activities automotive. It handles amazingly effectively and has a 0-60 time of three.8 seconds and a 186-mph prime pace – fairly wonderful for a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8. Mix that with the beautiful inside and the high quality Swiss watch look of the devices and you’ve got a automotive that nothing can actually examine to.
The Vantage GTS is an exceptionally uncommon automobile with a complete of solely 100 of those high quality British vehicles being delivered to the U.S. That exclusivity simply makes it significantly extra uncommon than a run-of-the-mill Ferrari 458 or 488 and in an entire totally different photo voltaic system than any Porsche 911. I say that having owned about 30 totally different 911s through the years, so don’t hate that remark. As a substitute, take a tough take a look at what makes these vehicles so particular and totally different from the competitors. Bear in mind: They’re all hand-built.
If you mix all of this with styling that these vehicles may solely dream about and with an asking value of solely $79,500 this automotive appears to be like like a no brainer. and one of many true bargains on the earth of collector vehicles. Take into account than when new it price $150,712.50 and you may see how this automotive appears to be like to be an incredible purchase.
When you do resolve to purchase it I assure that the 2016 Aston Martin Vantage GTS coupe is one you’ll at all times look again at while you park it in your storage and that could be a onerous factor to place a value on.