German Car Zone

Valet parkers will leap to their feet and salute.


Does James Bond drive a convertible Aston Martin? Never, sir! Road draught disarrays the coiffure. Plus, convertibles are for chicks (okay, Bond did once drive a Sunbeam Alpine, worse than unholstering a Hello Kitty edition Walther PPK).

And that slippery roofline is the best part of an Aston’s bod. Cut it off, and it looks like Heidi Klum after her coiffure has been cleaved by a Norelco.

But, oh, what a ride.

The aluminum-constructed Vantage, Aston’s smallest and lowest-priced car, is the triggerfish in the company’s lineup. Switchblade steering, neutral corner trajectories, strong brakes, and a bull V-8 that serenades with Italian arias are all yours for just $122,950 for the stick-shift coupe, $135,950 for a base roadster. The Sportshift paddle-operated six-speed adds $3600, the first of many items on the option buffet.


Highs: War-whooping exhaust, hunky midrange torque, 007 exclusivity.

Lows: Wind whistles with roof up, a la carte pricing, needs a dual-clutch tranny.


Full Article: Car and Driver - 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (Short Take)


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