RIP Vanquish, Aston Says goodbye to a good friend

[Zondaboy1]

Today i was at the Aston Martin Dealership at HBL of Tysons (the biggest vanquish dealer in North America or something like that) and i was informed by the salesman that Aston Martin is discontinuing the Vantage this June for North America and sometime in late 2006/early 2007 for the rest of the world

GOOD BYE VANQUISH!!!

[:Exige:]

They're only discontinuing it because theres a Vanquish replacment coming in 2007.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by Zondaboy1

Today i was at the Aston Martin Dealership at HBL of Tysons (the biggest vanquish dealer in North America or something like that) and i was informed by the salesman that Aston Martin is discontinuing the Vantage this June for North America and sometime in late 2006/early 2007 for the rest of the world

GOOD BYE VANQUISH!!!

but it only just came out! lol

[:Exige:]

Cough - its been out since 2001 - when its discontinued it will have been out for 5-6 years. Don't you mean you've only just noticed it?

[6'bore]

Originally Posted by Jakg

but it only just came out! lol

Please tell me you are joking

[Zondaboy1]

uhhh yhea i just noticed it lol
yhea
not joking
i whish they were joking too

[GT F1]

Originally Posted by Zondaboy1

Aston Martin is discontinuing the Vantage

Don't you mean the Vanquish?

[Clivey]

So the Vanquish's replacement is due in 2007? That was quick! Hopefully now they'll produce a car that'll live up to its looks...and with a proper gearbox.

The Vanquish is a good looking car (especially the S in black) but if I were looking for a GT for that sort of money I'd still go with the 575M. That's the problem, whatever Aston releases next it'll have to be upto the task of competing with Ferrari and judging by the Vantage's performance (at least from Top Gear), I don't honestly think they're up to it yet.

The one possible exception to the rule is of course the DB9, but, after doing a little research I've come to the conclusion that it has no real rivals except the Bentley Continental GT...and I don't think they appeal to the same kind of buyer.

[:Exige:]

In one sense I'm glad its gone. It was meant to be their benchmark model but ended up being the worst. Dodgy gearbox (although its not as bad as Clarkson makes it sound apparently), tacky interior, more seams than the DB9 and AMV8. But that engine sound ... that engine sound is what made the Vanquish worth exisitng.

[:Exige:]

Originally Posted by Clivey

(at least from Top Gear)

ROFLMAO! Hasn't anyone told you not to listen to Top Gear? They based that almost purely on performance ... not how fun it is to drive or how comfortable it is. I'd take the AMV8 over the 911 anyday just to be individual ... not a clone like every other few hundered thousand 911 drivers

[Clivey]

Originally Posted by :Exige:

ROFLMAO! Hasn't anyone told you not to listen to Top Gear?

I said "at least" and am, in fact capable of making my own judgement...I haven't seen a Vantage in person yet and that particular show was the first time I'd seen, if you like, "one moving"...and it does just look like a cheap imitation of its bigger brothers. The 911 is a great car and that's why there's comparitively loads about...including my neighbour's 997 S. There is no way that if the Vantage doesn't perform, look or drive as well, that it can compete. By 'performance' I wasn't talking about speed, I was talking about how it compares to the other vehicles in the test.

Personally, despite the fact that there's loads about I'd rather have a Carrera, they are comfortable and easy to drive (anything from a 993 forward) around town as well as being semi-practical for one thing and then there's the fact that they can outperform rivals as well as looking good.

If it was individuality I was after, I'd be looking at a TVR and with the change, a big saloon for when I'm feeling too lazy to drive the beast.

[carbrochuretom]

Aston Martin are going to release an overhauled Vanquish coupe in 2008. It is apparently "on the drawing board now,". The plan is 'Aston makes major changes to the Vanquish, it might rename the car'.

Strictly speaking they are not actually discontinuing the Vanquish they are just make necessary improvements like:

1) Making it lighter
2) Increasing luggage space and rear seat package(that part they may aswell not bother with, who cares...why would u want to take more than 2 people in it n e way)
3) Increasing power
4) Power technology (ceramic brakes)

I have heard that Aston Martin are just going to stick to their 3 car line range, the DB9, V8 Vantage and Vanquish (the new and improved) rather than increasing it to a 4 line range

[:Exige:]

Originally Posted by Clivey

and it does just look like a cheap imitation of its bigger brothers.

No ... it looks like its brothers. But if you honestly think it looks cheap, you need your eyes tested. And when you think about it, Porsches look generally the same too. Its called a family design so the cars are recognisable.

And for comfort, the AMV8 beats the 911. Its got a far better ride. Infact it also handles surprisingly well, sounds better, looks better (if you disagree, find a spoon and scrape your eye lenses out). And it is very practical; has enough luggage space.

And as for a TVR ... what if you want to survive to see your next birthday? TVRs rely on good drivers. AMV8s can be driven by practically anyone with basic sportscar experience.

Im not saying its better than the 911 ... i'm just saying its not completley useless like you make it out to be.

[h00t_h00t]

They have four cars, there is a road legal version of the DB9R.

[carbrochuretom]

Originally Posted by h00t_h00t

They have four cars, there is a road legal version of the DB9R.

The "DBR9" actually...is not released yet and when it is they are only going to be producing some abnormal figure of 15 so I dont class it as adding a fourth model to their line