The Aston Martin Vantage S makes you feel like James Bond

[@logan.stark777]

This video really helps… Know there are countless owners who after a year or so have moved on due to cost of ownership. This is the V8 version of my dream car. BTW: The thing you didn’t know what it was in the bottom right of the waterfall console is a pen. Keep pulling out and the entire pen will come loose.

[@normalguysupercar]

Ah yes the pen

[@patricklim3357]

I love your channel and it's great that you have done this video on the Aston V8 Vantage. Aston had a reputation of being very unreliable. The 2005 4.3 Vantage and from 2008 onwards 4.7 Vantage were built at the new factory in Gaydon and are better built and more reliable. It has it's quirks and if you want to find out more read Redpants LOL's blogs. I have a 2010 4.7 Vantage roadster with manual transmission. I once stopped my Vantage outside the High Court in Hong Kong to pick someone up. A male cleaner mumbled to himself, "Don't often see such expensive cars outside the High Court!". A female security guard then asked the male cleaner, "What's more expensive? This or Rolls Royce?" The male cleaner's answer was, "Don't know, all I know is that this is James Bond's car". This is a true story, I didn't make that up. We have an "Aston Martin Enthusiasts" group in Hong Kong with more than 100 Aston owners. Each year we have a Bond theme annual dinner.

[@normalguysupercar]

Cool story. 😁

[@jasonw4533]

I love turo. Favorite app of mine as a car enthusiast. Lol did you aggressively overtake on a merging lane at 3:35? Anyway glad you enjoyed and great vid again Dan. For cars on turo, try a jaguar f type. Not too far off an Aston Martin vantage and looks amazing on it's own and sounds too. Try a c7 Corvette grandsport or z06 also.

[@normalguysupercar]

I may have been a little overly enthusiastic when passing that minivan... Actuality, we're renting an f-type next weekend in California. 😎

[@jasonw4533]

Normal Guy Supercar make a video on that! I've only rented and driven the v6 but I'm renting the f type r soon!

[@carsandthings5212]

Dan, i owned 09 Vantage before I moved to Ferrari F430. Mine was basic not S. The car is beautiful and the shape is gorgeous!. However i hated Astons single clutch so much and sold it within a year. But glad that you enjoyed it.

[@normalguysupercar]

The shifting was a little slow, and certainly it's not as aggressive as the 430... But it wasn't terrible. Just not great.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Nice... Nice... Oh, pretty sure that is the rocket launcher... (page 42 in the manual). Sweet joystick for manual targeting. I think the key has to be on though and the parking brake set?

[@normalguysupercar]

I tried pushing it while the car is on... Nothing.

[@RyanV78665]

certainly looks like a power mirror adjustment.. there may be a switch for left/right before it works.

[@joshuacypher6588]

Believe it or not...its a pen. It pops out then you can pull it out all the way to remove it.

[@normalguysupercar]

Haha.. Yeah, I just read that from some other comments. Oh well... I just didn't want to break anything. But I'll just keep pretending it was the rocket launcher or oil slick button or something cool like that.

[@ohansol]

Thats an Aston Martin pen that you were too scared to pull out

[@normalguysupercar]

Ahh thank you. Well, I suppose I should have pulled harder.

[@normalguysupercar]

Yup apparently. The mirror control was on the door.

[@ohansol]

EricJGrooms the part number for the center console pen is 700623. Should have pulled harder and put it up on ebay :)

[@jameskirk2417]

I may have been a bit harsh in my remarks. I drive my Aston N420 in " Sport" mode, using the paddles. Perhaps it's best you go to your local Aston Martin dealer and they can explain the intricacies of owning one of these superb vehicles.

[@normalguysupercar]

Or just drive it because it's just a car.

[@GETUPANDGO]

Nice...nice and classy are the two words that come to mind when I see and hear these things (maintenance and part sourcing issues aside)

[@normalguysupercar]

Yeah, the maintenance does scare me a bit on that car...

[@klointheridge]

Great South Park and Space Balls clips. I laughed out loud at the SB one. This car sounds incredible. Ever figure out how to get the NAV working or what that push out joystick was for?

[@klointheridge]

I have my answer to the joystick thing from the comments. A pen?? Really? Talk about quirky. I like H&F's idea better.

[@normalguysupercar]

Never figured out the nav... LOL!

[@fredsalfa]

About 430 BHP depending on the year and model. How much are they to hire ?

[@normalguysupercar]

This was $200/day.

[@fredsalfa]

How does it handle compared to the Ferrari ? Assume mid engined would be better balanced ?

[@thomasseyffert1095]

Hey Dan, so cool you are in Mich. I live in Lansing and its awesome you pointed out what we have to live with everyday about our shit roads! The rest of the country would never understand!! Keep up the great channel!

[@normalguysupercar]

Living in Texas now, when people complain about the roads I just laugh. They have no idea how bad the potholes are up north.

[@nist7]

Dan, have you ever thought about putting your F430 up on turo for others to experience? Obviously, can understand if you dont want to. But would be awesome if a subscriber was in/near Austin and they know you via YT and will take care of the car. Just a thought. Cheers

[@normalguysupercar]

I thought about it but I would never do it. I like my car too much to have someone else thrash it. If I was going to turo a car, I would want to specifically buy the car for that purpose. I wouldn't want to have it be a car I actually care about. 😎

[@davidovercash9039]

Does that $65k include a tow truck and a mechanic? (James Bond has Q and M to rescue him. I just have W). The car’s price and depreciation are indicative of its reliability record and cost of ownership. Ergo, no one wants to deal with it. At least it has a great transmission; ZF 8HP70, also found in Dodge muscle cars, Jeeps, and Rolls Royce, to name a few.

[@normalguysupercar]

Lol

[@TottenhamPodspur]

Great vid Alek! I have an Alpina D3 and £10k which I pray gets me into an S!

[@MrBrian4109]

Thanks for the fun video, love to see more like this, I have a 2009 Maserati GTS Automatic I bought used, like to see your impressions of one, of another true GT car

[@normalguysupercar]

Yeah, that would be a great car to try out.

[@colinrose5381]

The little 'switch' is a pen. Pull the exhaust flap fuse in the boot. Then it'll sound good. Better still, try the V12. It will blow your socks off.

[@normalguysupercar]

Yes, I really want to try the V12.

[@FATBOY2222]

Trade in Meg’s Mini for the Aston...problem solved 👍🏼

[@normalguysupercar]

As much as I'd go for that, it's only a 2 seater. :(

[@fredsalfa]

Agree !

[@ShaneInJapan]

aston martin vantage's come in 2 configurations 2 seater or 2+2 (similar to porsche 911, tiny backseats but not really usable), harder to find the 2+2 as most people just got them in the 2 seater

[@ricsu3462]

It's a more comfortable GT car, you should totally get it Dan. Depending on the year and miles, it prob cost half the ferrari :) a great bargain. If you DIY you will find it's prob easy and cheap to maintain as well

[@normalguysupercar]

I agree. I wonder if parts are hard to find though. Hmm. Not that this would stop me...

[@ricsu3462]

i was looking into it a few years ago. Turns out a lot of parts are shared with volvo and ford, so not bad at all. The 09 has a small power bump, otherwise the cars remains unchanged for a long time since introduction. The pre-09 cars are such a bargain some as low as low 30s....the manual V12s are NICE but then it cost the same as f430 so that's a tough sell lol

[@tansanite09]

Really NICE ! for my taste of classy I would take the DB9 - most elegant car - nice that the lamy pen is still there in a rental car 👍🏻

[@normalguysupercar]

I do like the DB9 a little better in the looks department, but this certainly was beautiful.

[@michaels3897]

Vantage V12 is my favorite car. The S V8 is 430hp, btw. V12 is 563--and a hell of a lot more money, needless to say. But go ahead and get one. Keep the Ferrari for trips to Home Depot...you can park it on the street...

[@normalguysupercar]

HAHA! Yeah, these Aston's are just beautiful and elegant. I really really liked it.

[@yvesklein669]

Love Aston Martin brand! In the lower center console panel is very a fancy Aston pen. I think Shmee pulled it out (that's what she said), in a video review. I would love to see your review of a Maserati GranTurismo. I soooo lust, after that car. 👍

[@normalguysupercar]

I should be getting to test drive one next week actually... Won't have time to do a full review like this, but at least I'll try one out.

[@yvesklein669]

That's cool too!

[@RobertKohut]

My dream car!! In a V12 though. Nice!!

[@normalguysupercar]

Yeeees. That would have been amazing.

[@normalguysupercar]

Yeeees. That would have been amazing.

[@elcheapo5302]

Aston Martin builds classy, beautiful cars. I like them in silver with manual transmissions. If they could up their reliability, they'd do better sales wise.

[@normalguysupercar]

Very true! Clearly this one was having a few reliability issues and it only had 27k miles on it. But damn it's a beautiful car.

[@jpm74]

I daily my '07 V8V 50k miles...I've put 13k on it. The only thing I've ever gone to the mechanic for was oil changes and normal wear items . It starts strong every time and have had Zero issues in almost two years of ownership.

[@RStandsForRace]

I was seriously considering a V8 Vantage and was pretty set on buying one, until I actually test drove one. I just felt completely underwhelmed by the performance, drivability and interior. The quality of the materials were great, but the tech and performance were so far behind modern cars, especially for the price. I dunno, maybe I'm weird.

[@normalguysupercar]

That's not weird. That's just your preferences. Nothing wrong with that.

[@jpm74]

That's what a lot of reviews of the 993 Porsche 911s were like too. Interior outdated by decades, old engine technology, Japanese cars with the latest tech runs donuts around it. The 993 Porsche has aged beautifully, while its more modern peers haven't. Likewise, the V8 Vantage is the last of the analog cars, and thank goodness for that because it's charming. Alcantara will be passe in 10 years. Current infotainment systems will be obsolete in 5 years. The performance of current sports cars are already surpassed by electric cars. Chasing the newest/fastest/blingiest...what's the point? And used V8 Vantages aren't expensive. While it may not be the fastest analog sports car ever made, it's still one of the fastest and plenty exhilarating above 5k rpms (part of the charm of naturally aspirated V8s). The Vantage has won its class at LeMans twice and is a hoot to beat other with at the track.

[@MatJenkins99]

@@jpm74 changed from a 2016 M6 convertible to a 2013 Vantage S SS/2 and once you get used to the paddle shift/lifting it's a stunning car. It was never designed for driving in 'D' - that's when you've lost a foot or a hand. 'D' is like limp mode. Put the car in 'S' use the paddles and lift off when changing up = you have a race horse that outshines the everyday sensible Porsche driver, and stands out as pure beauty and rarity. The engine likes to be revved - 3k min before upshift and they hit 7k in a heartbeat, so be quick to lift/shift.

[@blueberrypie5341]

looks like they recruited a new 00 ..... i knew you were hiding stuff from us ! The car looks great and like you said it isn't over the top and just "nice" enough. What I think makes it special is you don't see too many of them compared to Porsches. Cheers and as a follow up segment - break out the martini instead of wine :)

[@normalguysupercar]

Ha! I should have had a martini when reviewing it.

[@stopmaverick2]

I’ve told people for a long time they sound good and no one believes me. They are pretty cool

[@normalguysupercar]

Yes to both! I was impressed

[@KingE72]

And I thought you would be in a Tuxedo!

[@normalguysupercar]

I should have worn my sports coat...

[@anthonytube]

Dude really enjoyed this video...!

[@normalguysupercar]

Thanks!

[@RoeVenturesLLC]

Cool Mr Bond

[@normalguysupercar]

I will now have a martini. Shaken, not stirred.

[@markchip1]

430bhp, changing with the paddles is MUCH smoother if you lift off the throttle slightly when up-changing and the reliability is fine if you service it regularly and DO DRIVE IT REGULARLY - ie. don't make it a garage queen!

[@normalguysupercar]

Yeah sitting around kills cars!

[@curtiswangrud8748]

Aston reality check.......There is a 07 Vantage at my local independent mechanic that has the engine and transmission out, on a lift, and waiting for parts......for almost two years!!! Ill say this.....its a manual, special order yellow paint, and looks awesome, but no way am I going to be held hostage waiting for parts. And while you are back, have a freaking Vernors!! You know what im talking about.

[@normalguysupercar]

OH DUDE! Vernors!! Crap, I didn't drink one of those but I was tempted by all the Faygo at the picnic we went to. LOL! And yeah, the parts would be a scary part of owning one of these.

[@zoraaduntov2290]

It's on my short list

[@normalguysupercar]

I'd hope it's best the top.. It's a damn cool car.

[@patricklim3357]

The Vantage is a very good car but is let down by the clutch. The sportshifts (automated manual) are pretty awful. Even the manual version suffers from a very heavy clutch pedal and the flywheel is heavy so it is not easy to blip the throttle to raise the revs to rev match on the downshifts. The best upgrade is to change to a Velocity AP twinplate light flywheel clutch. Basically it is the same unit as fitted to the V12 Vantage and manual DBS. I had that upgrade in 2019 and it is well worth it.

[@normalguysupercar]

Yeah it really has a crappy clutch

[@danielthomas2621]

About 420 hp if I remember rightly..the car suits you bro

[@normalguysupercar]

I really liked it. I can definitely see myself owning one... Although perhaps with the V12... 😎

[@The_Drive_Inside]

I really really want to like Aston Martins but I have heard the maintenance and the reliability is really not so hot....

[@Patrick94GSR]

ANDREW GRAY better get that bump- oh never mind! 😂

[@normalguysupercar]

Yeah the maintenance could be a problem but then again they always say Ferrari's are unreliable but that's not totally true either.

[@carsandthings5212]

BTW the one you tried to pull is a pen!

[@normalguysupercar]

Haha! Yeah, I'm just too much of a whuss I guess. It just felt like I was going to break something.

[@Urbanracer]

very goooooooood video!!!

[@normalguysupercar]

Thanks! I had good subject matter. 😎

[@jameskirk2417]

As an owner of one of these great cars, the thing you couldn't figure out is a pen!

[@normalguysupercar]

Haha yes I figured that out later on

[@josephgaleas7223]

Can you drive these cars in sport mode/ track mode without using the paddle shifters?

[@chancealdrich2907]

Damn that’s Fuckin badass

[@normalguysupercar]

Yes it is! :)

[@ratedz9188]

truly sounds good

[@normalguysupercar]

I thought so. It was hard to stay out of the gas because I just kept wanting to hear it.

[@natearb]

Makes me feel normal tbh

[@normalguysupercar]

Well, to each their own.

[@MikeAmato001]

Unknown button = ejector seat

[@normalguysupercar]

That thought did cross my mind. I was hoping it would be rockets or oil slick or something cool like that.

[@robtsekpo]

its a pen... not a self disrupt button . lol

[@normalguysupercar]

I was disappointed to hear that it was something so insignificant. :( LOL!

[@CO-go1sd]

You get too carried away with the corny musical short clips

[@normalguysupercar]

I rather enjoyed them in this video.

[@CO-go1sd]

Fair enough. Subscribed 👍🏻

[@saibushayer]

*Drives by ex-girlfriend's house in an Aston* Oh hi, didn't see you there..... you live here? That's crazy.

[@normalguysupercar]

Lol! She doesn't love there anymore as far as I know.

[@klointheridge]

Freudian slip, Dan?

[@RyanBrosnahan]

Probably half the price of the F430

[@normalguysupercar]

Actually, that's very accurate.

[@KingKenKen]

It’s a pen

[@normalguysupercar]

Yeah I know that now lol 🤣

[@robertonery202]

Doesn’t sound like the Ferrari 😜

[@normalguysupercar]

But if course, it sounds like an Aston.

[@jameskirk2417]

One can drive the N420 in "Drive Comfort" or "Drive Sport" without using the "paddles" but why would you bother? You don't buy a car like this to just "putz around" Get a life mate! Or buy an " ordinary" american car!!

[@normalguysupercar]

Yup