GS / Vantage Comparison

Roger

Junior Member
Messages
456
Hi all

I was just wondering how these two compare against each other?

Currently own a GS which I love to bits but considering scratching an itch!

Has anyone owned or even driven both? How is the Vantage as an everyday car?

Any experiences most welcome, cheers
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
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9,033
As the Vantage is a two seater, I see it as being in a different class of car. Still can be compared though of course.
 

hashluck

Member
Messages
1,515
I have owned both. Used a Vantage V8S as a daily and clocked up 20K miles. Great car, probably a better daily than the GS if you get a post MY12.5 model. Prior to that not a lot in it but an itch worth scratching. In a bit of a hurry tonight but can post more later if you have specific questions.
 

Swedish Paul

Member
Messages
1,807
Manual has s heavy clutch. If you don't have sports exhaust, sounds poor. And they look like a ford in someone else's mirror. But the vantage looks great. Buy a fiesta and save up for the V12.
 

JJbing

Member
Messages
445
I had a V8 Vantage as an everyday car, 30,000 miles including adventures around europe!

Never missed a beat, expensive to run (as is every supercar), fun to drive.. standard car needs modifying in my opinion. I fitted 21" DBS wheels, lowering springs, clear rear lights (newer v8's have them standard) & Larini 200 cell cats

Do it!!! :D

IMG_3227.jpg IMG_3226.jpg
 

MGT

Member
Messages
262
Contemplated an early Vantage before I settled on a GTS. Think I made the right choice as the early ones don't impress as much.
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
The Vantage's manual box is a big draw. I'd still take the GranSport - rear seats, better made, feels special, can fit people taller than Frankie Dettori. A certain magazine has a comparison in the issue on sale at the moment ;)
 

Needamaser

Member
Messages
1,491
Had a 4200 and driven the Vantage.
Driving experience was totally different. Felt the 4.3 was lacking torque and compared to the Maser the controls were very heavy. Power was there but you had to use the revs. Soon got used to it. Felt the Vantage was wrapped around me and I was wearing the car. In dark interiors you might find it a bit claustrophobic. Vantage felt far more substantial and solid compared to the Maser. Real leather, alloy, wood etc. Looks wise I think the Vantage is just right from every angle. I dont care what someone else thinks about the looks. It is your car and your opinion is the one that counts. Lost count of number of people that asked me if the 4200 was a Jag. Disagree exhaust is poor. Pull fuse 22 (30 second job) and valves are open all the time and I dont think there is much in it compared to a non modified Maser. Yes, like the Maser, you can remove cats etc if you want more volume. Seem to recall Clarkson waxing lyrical about Vantage exhaust note.
As Hashluck says the newer the better and the 4.7 is probably worth stretching to if you can. 4.3 is still a great car but I preferred the post 2007 seats in the 4.3
Choice of manual or Sportshift. Coming from the CC 4200 I wanted a good old fashioned manual but you should try both and see what you think.
One major difference is selling the car when you decide to change. When I was buying my car dealer had an 06 84k Vantage in at £38k. Sold it almost immediately and could have sold it 6 times over. They will buy into stock any car, any mileage as long as it has been serviced.
I visited 2 dealers and both were superb to deal with. No pressure but couldn't do enough to help. If you are buying from a main dealer the 12 month warranty with the car is second to none.
I dont think you would regret scratching your itch.
 

JJbing

Member
Messages
445
Had a 4200 and driven the Vantage.
Driving experience was totally different. Felt the 4.3 was lacking torque and compared to the Maser the controls were very heavy. Power was there but you had to use the revs. Soon got used to it. Felt the Vantage was wrapped around me and I was wearing the car. In dark interiors you might find it a bit claustrophobic. Vantage felt far more substantial and solid compared to the Maser. Real leather, alloy, wood etc. Looks wise I think the Vantage is just right from every angle. I dont care what someone else thinks about the looks. It is your car and your opinion is the one that counts. Lost count of number of people that asked me if the 4200 was a Jag. Disagree exhaust is poor. Pull fuse 22 (30 second job) and valves are open all the time and I dont think there is much in it compared to a non modified Maser. Yes, like the Maser, you can remove cats etc if you want more volume. Seem to recall Clarkson waxing lyrical about Vantage exhaust note.
As Hashluck says the newer the better and the 4.7 is probably worth stretching to if you can. 4.3 is still a great car but I preferred the post 2007 seats in the 4.3
Choice of manual or Sportshift. Coming from the CC 4200 I wanted a good old fashioned manual but you should try both and see what you think.
One major difference is selling the car when you decide to change. When I was buying my car dealer had an 06 84k Vantage in at £38k. Sold it almost immediately and could have sold it 6 times over. They will buy into stock any car, any mileage as long as it has been serviced.
I visited 2 dealers and both were superb to deal with. No pressure but couldn't do enough to help. If you are buying from a main dealer the 12 month warranty with the car is second to none.
I dont think you would regret scratching your itch.


Agree with most of what you say, but I loved the small cabin minus the sat nav!

It's definitely a car which you need to drive a lot to get the most out of it, my girlfriend hated driving it due to the clutch and handbrake..
be careful not to damage your key.. the aston badge peeled on mine which revealed... a Volvo badge :embarrassed:

I sold mine for more than I paid but I did modify it, that may change now with the new v8 vantage being released?
 

Needamaser

Member
Messages
1,491
The Vantage's manual box is a big draw. I'd still take the GranSport - rear seats, better made, feels special, can fit people taller than Frankie Dettori. A certain magazine has a comparison in the issue on sale at the moment ;)
Interesting about better made. That wasn't my feeling. Feedback I got from other owners, specialists and dealers was reliability was very good. I am 5'10" and didnt find the Vantage lacking headroom and in fact your article in the mag mentions up to 6'2". I felt every Aston I sat in felt special but then again I felt the same about a Maserati. Agree pre 2007 dash is not that inspiring but later cars are a lot better.
If you need rear seats the GS is a no brainer but in my 2 years of ownership I think someone was in the rear twice so that wasnt a factor for me. Both are great cars and OP has a GS already.
Must say, thread drift alert!, I was very impressed with your magazine. Used to subscribe to other mags but gave up as they seemed to be either looking at high end exotica or rusty Vivas. Nice balance and informed writing. Will buy again.
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
Interesting about better made. That wasn't my feeling. Feedback I got from other owners, specialists and dealers was reliability was very good. I am 5'10" and didnt find the Vantage lacking headroom and in fact your article in the mag mentions up to 6'2". I felt every Aston I sat in felt special but then again I felt the same about a Maserati. Agree pre 2007 dash is not that inspiring but later cars are a lot better.
If you need rear seats the GS is a no brainer but in my 2 years of ownership I think someone was in the rear twice so that wasnt a factor for me. Both are great cars and OP has a GS already.
Must say, thread drift alert!, I was very impressed with your magazine. Used to subscribe to other mags but gave up as they seemed to be either looking at high end exotica or rusty Vivas. Nice balance and informed writing. Will buy again.

I was being a little tongue in cheek with the Aston, I’m six foot seven and I didn’t so much drive the Aston as wear it. I also felt that the Aston’s interior was a bit poor. I understand later cars are better though...
Thanks for the kind comments on the mag btw.
 

Needamaser

Member
Messages
1,491
Agree with most of what you say, but I loved the small cabin minus the sat nav!

It's definitely a car which you need to drive a lot to get the most out of it, my girlfriend hated driving it due to the clutch and handbrake..

I sold mine for more than I paid but I did modify it, that may change now with the new v8 vantage being released?
Clutch reminded me of my 70's 911. Very heavy but again got used to it.
Who knows what will happen to values with new car but new car is at a totally different price point to older car and perhaps almost new "old" models may be affected I am not sure it will make any difference to older ones. In fact it may even push prices up. Thing is unlike Maserati (with the odd exception such as the GS models) , Astons just dont keep dropping in value.
Earliest/cheapest Vantages are making the same money that they were 2/3 years ago when I was looking then. In fact they are probably slightly up.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
The very quandary I'm having? Have an Aston itch, but a Maser ache??

Dave, I can help you with these crippling issues. You can buy my GTS, and I'll buy a Vantage. I promise to send photos and a detailed assessment of why you are so much happier with the Maser.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
I had a V8 Vantage as an everyday car, 30,000 miles including adventures around europe!

Never missed a beat, expensive to run (as is every supercar), fun to drive.. standard car needs modifying in my opinion. I fitted 21" DBS wheels, lowering springs, clear rear lights (newer v8's have them standard) & Larini 200 cell cats

Do it!!! :D

View attachment 46909 View attachment 46911

That's stunning...Daily drive to......

Everyone knows my view on the Vantage and most said above. Still the best looking car produced in the last 15 years it not longer. Perfect from any angle....Do it...scratch that itch.....
 

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
Dave, I can help you with these crippling issues. You can buy my GTS, and I'll buy a Vantage. I promise to send photos and a detailed assessment of why you are so much happier with the Maser.

What a considerate person you are Adam...but it’s not a GS!!!
 

urquattrogus

Member
Messages
838
After reading the modern classics article I've been scanning the classifieds looking at 30-40K Vantages.

After selling the 3200AC I bought a Griffith 500, a different sort of car, and it's put a lot of big smiles on my face!

Maybe the Aston is just a nice object - I'm worried that it might feel a bit underpowered/unfocused!

Day to day the Giulia spoils me now, maybe really it would need to be a later and dearer 4.7 Aston which I can't afford.

The V12V just makes me feel:bearlove: maybe one day!!!!!!!!
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
Bamford Rose will take an Aston V8 to the brink of 500hp and with a voice like thunder.

And they'll take a V12 up by 70hp, if you ask nicely. :smile: