Aston Martin Vantage (2005 - 2018) S Coupe (2011) 2d Sportshift Owner Review

I'd wanted one of these (V8) for over 10yrs so expectations were high, though balanced by reading lots of reviews. Unless you buy new, any Vantage needs 'sorting' to get it to be what it should have been from the start. If you really expect the car to perform buy a 4.7 as a start point or keep some cash for a Bamford Rose engine upgrade 4.3 to 4.7. Starting with the 4.7, fit Nitron suspension and a decent exhaust manifold with 200 cell catalysts (plus the valved inlet manifold if the 'S' isn't the base car) and the car is transformed, particularly if a decent twin plate clutch kit and lightened flywheel is also fitted. These mods, while costly, don't compromise engine integrity in any way and allow the naturally perfect steering and balance to really be exploited. This then makes for an amazing, sharp and fast Aston that will hold its own against any 911 short of turbo or GT3, The V12 is a much more powerful animal, but doesn't have the poise and balance of a well-fettled V8 If you buy a stock 4.3, particularly the sportshift, you are buying an under developed car and may feel somewhat disappointed, particularly if you do actually like to drive a bit quick sometimes or are coming from a fast German car. My advice would be to buy the best you can, and keep 5-10k back to invest in some 'goodies' to finish the car off.