The Weekend Car for People Tired of 911s: The CTR Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

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Today, courtesy of my good friend Richard @Challengetheroad I drive his CTR branded Aston Martin V8 Vantage S. I last drove it up in Scotland, where I found the ride was unresolved and the car did not work. Now, it has undergone some tweaks but will they fix it?
#AstonMartin #Porsche #V8
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[@JayEmmOnCars]

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[@Challengetheroad]

Thank you for reviewing the CTR Vantage, it’s had its ups and downs. I really feel we are on track now and the CTR v12s are on their way. Thank you for your support James and Jay Emm viewers. Richard

[@KentBuchla]

My head hurts from the grammar!

[@daniels.2720]

+ Thanks for Sharing your Enthusiasm with JayEmm, & eventually US ! Best of luck in the future.

[@TheRickDickinson]

Their

[@darkchild130]

I like these modifications a lot. If I could afford one of these I'd buy one in a heartbeat

[@howarddavies136]

Reckon you could get it running on ITBs? 😁 ETA: I think the styling is very well judged. It reminds me of the vantage zagatos with that splitter and wang.

[@rabidrabiesracing]

I’m a Vantage owner. I’m unimpressed. It’s not bad, just not for me. I don’t like the aesthetic mods and the performance mods are the typical things any hobbyist might do to their cars. Why not supercharge it and get a real power increase? Or get really creative and throw a racing Vantage engine into a road car like Richard RedPants did! That’s something to see and hear in person. But where I’m scratching my head is how the owner can pitch this like they reimagined the Vantage like Singer did to the 911 when in reality he just did a few mods to his personal taste.

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

I am also a VH platform Vantage owner.... Completely agree with you. Wtf is that gear stick? The wheels I like and the tyres are the best on the market for this car, I have them in mine. That wing, the CTR Vantage badge, the V12 bonnet on a V8 .... All very Mac Power and very wrong. These sorts of mods on a Subaru are one thing and most likely expected, on an Aston .... Er, NO.

[@Fozzymandeus]

I’m beginning to suspect that the Aston you really want is a TVR Cerbera.

[@AkinaMedia]

The Post-It note under the bonnet is superb, I hope all the cars come with that 🤞

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Extra cost for final inspection by Richard

[@robinthebobin6537]

Absolutely love the look of this car! I will never have the money for a project like this, but I'm glad that someone who has the money has put it to such incredible use. You sir at CTR, take a bow. Always good to see someone with money having the taste to match it. On a side note, the other day I was walking around Liverpool city centre during evening rush hour, and saw in the traffic a very standard looking middle class, businessman type person. What was he driving? No, not a German SUV or exec saloon, it was a pristine 03 Impreza WRX STI, blue and gold wheels. That made me smile a bit; I always love to see people who have equal parts money and taste

[@cafe405]

I could listen to that thing all day.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

"Weekend Car" I wish I was so cashed up that I even knew what this term means.

[@psircos]

😂....I know what you mean. I have a 'summer' car. This just means that I don't drive it in the winter, on account of it being Italian and it would die. If I had a Golf R, this wouldn't be an issue. I'm certainly not cashed up and, at times, it's a hard slog with keeping the gta in line. Having an Aston as a "weekend car", doesn't compute in my lifestyle.

[@hexgraphica]

Weekend car is the same car used in weekdays, but the engine can rev a bit higher and the throttle pedal is a bit softer to press

[@JayEmmOnCars]

For a lot of people the weekend car is the cheaper one, it doesn't have to be a £60k Aston - it could be a £600 MG

[@timsul3092]

Well, my cash bucket allows me to have a 2014 Mazda Miata for a toy car.😆👍

[@louispadron3255]

Weekend car can be a cheap toy - maybe one you wouldn’t want your co workers to see you in 😅

[@GRfourfun]

That V8 sound is just filthy!!!!😬😬😬 Well done Richard @challengetheroad, all your work has paid off.

[@simonryder4857]

Hi James, having owned my V8 4.3 2006 Vantage and discovered from the factory it is one of less than a thousand fitted with Arrow Racing conrods. I have modified it to a road going GT4 spec. Now running 435 bhp. Twin lightweight GT4 exhaust boxes, 200 cell racing cats and fully homologated GT4 headers. The suspension has been totally refurbished but original specifications. Lightweight N430 wheels and carbon fibre bucket seats, spoiler, diffuser and more. The handling is superb, sounds magnificent. Everything has been upgraded with the help of DAE engineering who ran AMR racing team and AJTech. Velocity AP race tuned. I’ve even had Aston Installations install Apple CarPlay, HD screen and front and rear cameras to bring the tech up to scratch ( route for your DBS !!). My car copes with most roads potholes notwithstanding!! Fabulous drive, brilliant chassis and a great engine. Just shows you what can be done. I’ve probably forgotten something but it’s FSH and every invoice in a huge file. Totally reliable. Keep the videos coming and I’ll be watching the progress on your new arrival. Regards Simon AMOC Region 20 Asst. Rep. Devon

[@petersmith2650]

If you’re the type of person who keeps the car in the garage, bothered by every stone chip, I’m guessing it’s not for you and the owner is probably ok with this. If on the other hand you chose and build a car based on having some fun I bet this is a blast. Good work, I like it.

[@deaks25]

I think James is spot on; the wing and smaller wheels balance the looks perfectly. And the body kit is subtle enough it doesn’t take away from the Vantage’s gorgeous looks while still adding a bit of aggression to the looks. This has got to be every car enthusiasts dream; “I’m going to develop the perfect version of my favourite car, because I can.”

[@lukeshardlow768]

I’m biased but love the Aston content. It’s good to know there are companies out there that are doing suspension kits. When I need shocks on mine I’m going aftermarket and setting it how I like.

[@benpenagonzales6014]

Think that looks perfect to me. Actually love the apex 19s in bright silver

[@twowheelsoneleg5672]

Well done to the owner for doing his own thing, the quality of the work looks great. The looks are not to my taste but we all like different things. Future tests, Jack(27) seems to be getting his hands on some very interesting classics atm. I'd be interested in your take on some of those cars

[@martinlaurie1971]

Loving the Vantage CTR, Richard has a great channel too…..Now then James🤔, why oh why haven’t you yet been to North Wales to sample MST’s amazing creations? Theirs is a story you need to delve into….and we need to see!

[@daviddrew7852]

For my money, one of the best looking Aston's. They've gone a bit OTT since then, IMHO.

[@EvoraGT430]

DB12 OTT - what?

[@daviddrew7852]

@@EvoraGT430 Well, that would make a good registration plate for it.

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

I think the two words you are looking for are, 'CORPULENT,' and rather, 'UGLY.' Aston have lost the plot in my humble opinion- that giant guppy mouth front grille- appalling.

[@wings9925]

My god that sounds amazing! Both the exhaust and engine soundtrack, but also from your in depth review. It takes a great looking car and manages to give it a harder edge yet is balanced. I'd love one!!!

[@4pevans]

That is the best Aston I've ever seen and the front splitter is AWESOME!

[@markkerry5840]

Very interesting Jay, thank you. I wish Richard all the best with his ongoing project, the car looks fantastic. I think he has picked the perfect base car and as you say, it is so refreshing after so many modified 911 Porsches and lets face it no 911 is ever going to hold a candle to this car from a looks perspective! Truly very interesting thank you both.

[@CyclicscoobyFlyer]

I'd sell a kidney for that sound with those looks... Sounds like US muscle, looks like an Aston, the most beautiful car maker in the world (despite their flaws)...

[@ericpisch2732]

another fantastic review James just keeps knocking them out of the park

[@mimo5383]

That sounds almost as nice as an LC500. That's a compliment btw :)

[@KentBuchla]

Yeah, but why mess around with this headache when the LC500 is solid and Toyota reliable?

[@lesleyfernandez636]

​@@KentBuchla100%✓ 😊

[@Matthew-ll9ke]

Go buy one then​@@KentBuchla

[@JayEmmOnCars]

You could have an LC500 and this Vantage and have two very different cars

[@davidarter9670]

Those new wheels and tyres really lift the look of that car. Good review thankyou, James

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

Ahh-hah, Richard is rich, that explains a multitude of questions really, and I don't mean this in a retro snobbish way, I am happy for the success of others. Particularly as he is willing, clearly, to share his toys on occasion. Plus, I too am glad to see someone not fussing with a 911 by taking it to Singer et al.

[@user-ei4wk8yw3v]

Loving your proper Aston videos. Brilliant.

[@FRFRANKIE]

Hi James. Hope your doing good. I loved your video. Absolutely love that dark blue and the bonnet vents and rims on the car.

[@McGrowlers1]

Good review - I know the purists and nay sayers will be having a field day but in my opinion a well engineered and implemented improvement to the original design will always be well recieved and have its place - you just have to look at the Prodrive edition of the self same car and the premium you have to pay to buy one. I've had my manual V8V for eight years now and making improvements to the Satnav with the addition of Apple Carplay is essential for what is a daily drive. A replacement clutch is on the cards later this year and I will be going for the non standard twin plate with lightened flywheel. Jay and Richard you have right idea - one should never loose sight of the fact that these cars were meant to driven and enjoyed by enthusiasts

[@leebrown9226]

I have been really enjoying the Aston content. For me I love this ,looks great in that blue with the new wheels. Sounds lovely but maybe as a daily driver could be a bit much.

[@poovaneswaransupramaniam19]

Awesome review..... lovely effort by CTR.....

[@garyhawkins9246]

The Silver Wheels are the best bit, Bring back Silver Wheels!

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

I enjoy your content, exactly because I will never be able to attain one, yet I live in curiosity. Rollers or Porsche's or other Ferrari exotica etc, draw my curiosity and not my envy, the engineering and vehicle setup is fascinating. For me, that Aston, in what ever state of play would be a coveted object, peerless and without flaw. That is why you are needed, to keep our heads out of the clouds.

[@stephenlane9168]

Loved the engine tone on the countryside road 👌

[@pkl8811]

Great vid, Jay!

[@iainames5976]

Great fun review 👌🏻💪🏻

[@chrisdooley1184]

That noise is just glorious 😊

[@davewilson7762]

Interesting comment about the clutch, I thought this car had the twin plate upgrade fitted? Possibly with the lightened flywheel? If both then I can see why you might have an issue, not enough mass in the flywheel is awesome in a competition car, but to my mind a real pain in the arse in a road car... I started watching Richard's channel following a viewing of your Scottish CTR road trip 👍, he's certainly got the gift, coals to Newcastle, oil to the Arabs, no problem 😂. Pity there's no engineering content though, I was hoping for a little more workshop action, but hey it's still quite entertaining. Keep the AM coverage coming...

[@jonathansquires3114]

Great car, wow. Wish he was here in the USA to get one from!

[@gmain1977]

Love this car, pure engine, V8 😍😍. How can you not like this car

[@sig4974]

That sounds mega 👍

[@jamesstuart7792]

Lmao.. at 20:30, that seat panning shot.. they look like a pair of sad aliens 😂. I can't unsee that now lol. Stunning car though.. and that sound. Blimey 😮

[@stevensumner3146]

Interesting vid thanks for sharing. As for Aston content, it might be interesting to see how some of the earlier Aston’s are to live with.

[@OS993]

very nice review

[@findtomdotcom]

Looks and sounds fantastic. I just wish Richard hadn’t added the wing…. (And a smaller front splitter). A bit less max power please.

[@golic7123]

Having recently had a speeding ticket for doing 35mph, in a 30mph zone - I'd be terrified to own any performance car these days I've even laid up the Motorbike too - I simply can't afford the points, for my jobs sake Well done the Authorities !

[@PaulMoran1]

Don't like the wing at all. Road Aston's are surely supposed to look elegant and understated. If you want shouty go for a Lambo.

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

That sound is electrifying. It is as if a cage full of lions is being shredded.

[@mrbigolnuts3041]

So impressed! Jay was precisely correct about the splitter, perfect solution from Richard, looks exceptional, very 'racing Aston' in nature.

[@MediocreHero66]

I’m not a fan of the car, each to their own, I left most of my thoughts on a previous video. But I do appreciate one man’s quest at chasing perfection, we’ve all been there with our own projects, big or small, so hats off for taking feedback on board and continuing the dream! I see an opportunity for CTR to have a sister brand CTT (challenge the track). I’ll take payment in form of internet likes 😂.

[@valhakun]

The regular Vantage (without the spoiler and stuff) is their most beautiful car in my eyes.

[@TommyPickIes]

Those brake rotors 😍

[@eugenekovalov9370]

Hi Jay, as a feedback to you. I really like this video. Please, continue to do us it is. I am on the market for Aston Martin Rapid. And your reviews very useful for me.

[@TheTerrier]

Take the wing off then take my money

[@paul10018]

Yup. Spoiler is far too boy racer cheap n nasty.

[@patricsteele]

Great review ! I like your idea of trying 18's and ceramic brakes. If the downforce balance wasn't thrown off I'd go without the canards.

[@foofrankies]

This will be my perfect Aston. 😊 Thank you.

[@allareasindex7984]

I’m so tired of the 911s I don’t have. Especially the 959.

[@beachboy0505]

Excellent video 📹 J. M. BOND

[@vladx2]

It does sound so much more aggressive on the outside. Great bark

[@conner.9262]

Wouldn’t it be a lot easier to go out and purchase a Vantage V12….?.?. Great content….

[@robertdnero2217]

It's a thing of beauty.

[@glenndrayton3641]

I went DB11 -> DBS Superleggera -> DBS 770 Ultimate. It's shocking how much better.each is from the last. I think my name should be on one of their F1 cars the amount I've spent to get to this point, but the Ultimate, really is.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Brave man buying the Ultimate, glad it has lived up to expectations

[@mattpointon8093]

Thanks

[@CJ-gh4eh]

Heads up Jay, the wheels are Forged, they are APEX V5RS which I have on my Integra Type S they are fantastic!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes my mistake meant to edit that out and forgot - the other set available are flow formed

[@Shyamjavvaji]

The Apex VS5RS fitted are forged mono block. In the shot where you say it’s flow formed you can see it actually says forged on the wheel too 6:30

[@LongbranchOlivetti]

When you were talking about the suspension, all they have done is come up with a fancy term for high and low speed damping. It's something that mountain bikers are very familiar with. You can tune suspension interdependently for high speed compression such as road chatter and low speed compression such as roll in corners.

[@09juliancarr]

Apparently, there are some subtle differences. The ‘patter’ that James describes is probably a function of the range of the calving for the dampers and how much ‘overlap’ between high and low speed. Will be interesting to see how it behaves under small and large vertical movements. We would have 6 way adjustable (low speed, high speed and blow off) on bump and rebound that could be used to tune a damper for a longer production run

[@kevinw62]

While there's no red line on the rev counter, there are indicators in the centre of the dash (between the speedo and rev counter) that light up as you approach maximum revs in each gear.

[@JEZ288]

2016 Abarth124 would be nice... good videos btw!

[@richardsmith9509]

James, those wonderful new wheels have FORGED cast into their lip....flow formed ?????

[@Tangelos]

Apex used to exclusively make flow formed wheels, but these are actually their forged examples, I believe James was mistaken

[@JayEmmOnCars]

That is correct James was mistaken, there are two sets available - the others are the flow formed ones

[@robertcroft2905]

Hard disagree on the wing. I think it looks exactly what it is : aftermarket. Sure, would look fine on an MX5 or S2000 where modding is more acceptable. But not on an Aston.

[@kevincross9206]

Having just watched the Lambo video before this, the Aston sounds way better, although of course the weather stopped you opening up the Lambo.

[@karsnoordhuis4351]

I think you have just found the perfect "if i won the lottery" car for a mate of mine. Ill have the V12 please!

[@EternitySoundDesign]

Mannnnnnn that sounds so good! Damn.

[@garyminion9610]

Love the vantage,if ever I sell my f type then I'll certainly be looking at a Vantage.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Both are fantastic cars

[@blaw11b]

I closed my American eyes and thought I was hearing the mighty LS from a C6 Corvette. What an Incredible sound! Who cares for the quantifiable speed of an EV when you can experience that?!!

[@jennypenny7243]

Isn’t that the M4 carbon aero wing??? Nice car and wing

[@chrisgriffin205]

James, love the show but have you ever considered doing a "classic" occasionally? How about an E Type, or Jensen or?

[@Simont6.0]

So the thing with the manual versions of these generation Astons, that I can't now unsee, is the toilet seat gear surround.....of all the designs that could have been put there...they picked a loo seat 😅

[@stevepeary5322]

Re your observation of the lack of redline on the Aston V8 Vantage. If you look at the upper circle between the dials as you get towards the redline it lights up progressively. To be honest its about as much use as a chocolate fireguard and one is likely to crash trying to see it 😂

[@bradyfilm]

Yes yes yes, that's what you want!

[@alphatrion100]

Man, I'm SO TIRED of Porsches 😂

[@findtomdotcom]

Each to their own mate. But you are either tired of driving or you haven’t driven the right ones….

[@alphatrion100]

@@findtomdotcom Yeah that was sarcasm. I'm not THAT spoiled. Lol.

[@findtomdotcom]

@@alphatrion100 lol. Yeah good comment. I do get tired of Jay and his anti-Porsche clickbait.

[@lifeofriley6187]

Hi do you prefer v8 vantage or the db9.thanks

[@benkeilty3586]

Having owned a Vantage and now a 911, I don't see me ever getting bored of the 911.

[@CORLEONESPORTS97]

beautiful cars as long as you dont mind paying four times the amount for parts vs any other car

[@adamlifshack3684]

Far be it for me to tell you but it would be great to watch your Aston Martin journey go something like DB9 to later Vanquish to CTR Vantage to a DBS then maybe a classic Vantage if we’re really dreaming!

[@simonblack4627]

Hi James I would love you to review some VW cars especially the 22/23 Tiguan R. Hope to see them on the channel soon.

[@mikailhizal_16]

1:45 There’s a cat in the background!!! 🐈‍⬛

[@lloyd9819]

Gunmetal grey wheels and I'm fully onboard.

[@loquek]

oooff that interior

[@tedpalmer1537]

@17:44 I would be less worried about the horrible carbon fibre additions and more worried about getting the mirror stalks re-powder coated

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

Wow, 460 HP @ 1500 kilogram car is not a bad power to weight. I am comparing it to a humble Nissan Maxima with the famed V6 3.5 24 valve, which @ 1300 Kilograms was areal delight to cruise along in. (for us poor types, on premium 98 Octane, was a limousine with comfort to spare and enough ponies to hussle.)

[@tfunkhou88]

The front splitter and rear wing are hideous on that originally beautiful car 😬

[@tug1345]

I found a really nice looking red Vantage S on Autotrader, low miles unusual colour combo, did you see it James?

[@avmelidor]

Future garage Dweller

[@spirod520]

May you please road test 2018 bullitt mustang 😎

[@seveer7]

Remove aero and put a slightly more aggressive rear diffuser that works if possible

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

You're right, it needs a splitter at the rear, as it looks like a Porsche 928 (not a bad thing, but unbalanced) The smaller alloys are attractive and do add some allure, i Cars are so subjective however, a local fellow to me, purchased a 4-wheel drive SUV the yanks call them, and being of Filipino descent, promptly fitted it with many dozens of fake pin strip decals in gaudy colours. Yes, it looks like a 70s Jeepney, and by the time the Australian sun has anything to do with it, removing it will still leave him with virtually unsellable car.

[@chrisslater3174]

Come on, fellas (and James) isn't that what we all really want our cars to sound like. And no, that wasn't meant to be a question. 😎😊 But yes, V12 even more so.

[@hexgraphica]

Do astons share some clutch operation components with the mk2 focus? 😝

[@logtothebase2]

I love the look of the Astons, and an affinity for the brand. But is it me (probably) or does the American race car pushrod V8 sound, sort of wrong in them?

[@milospinkfloyd3325]

What is connection between forged wheels and road noise?