[4ftw]

Competition? I guess it's debatable, like anything. However, the CPO Vantage has:

1. Two seats,
2. The same relative price point as a 718 (spec dependent, obviously),
3. An option for either an automatic or a manual, and
4. 'Status' from its brand (again, one can view that statement from a variety of perspectives).

I specify CPO to keep the price point in the realm of 718 competition. A quick search in the forums didn't find much talk of the Vantage, so I thought I'd bring it up here. I personally stopped considering the Vantage in my quest for 2-seater sport's car glory when I was quoted $5k for a one year extended warranty on a CPO model. Porsche's warranty sealed the deal for me (I bought new). I'm curious to hear if anyone else considered the Vantage, and if you've ever driven one, what your thoughts are on the topic. There's probably a reason why the forum search came up with only a few mentions of the Vantage...

 

[dreamer]

I've always had an admiration of the AM Vantage but although you point out some similarities, I don't think I ever placed these cars in the same category. The "Package" of everything the 718 is (especially the mid-engine) makes me forget about all the other two-seaters.

 

[4ftw]

I don't think I ever placed these cars in the same category.

100% agree.

Another reason I ultimately went with the 718. In my (new to the scene) mind, there's the luxurious two seater touring cars (like the AM Vantage) that are on the fringe of being 'sporty', and then there's the 718, which is kind of opposite, but, like you said, its whole 'package' just puts it above the rest.

To keep this topic's heart beating and to not sound contradictory, however, I will say that competition can come from a car that is considered to be in a different category. Like many in the '718 Competition' thread.

 

[don]

I agree with above. The Vantage and the 718 are catering to a completely different market. The Vantage is a beautiful looking car and designed for grand touring.

If I was wanting to cruise the city and motorways in comfort and perhaps parking out in front of the Park Royal and not that interested in carving mountains then the Vantage would be great. Not to say they Vantage will not handle well, just not as well as the 781.

If you want a sports car and want to drive it as such then the 718 is the car to get. IMO the 718 also looks elegant but the Vantage is really in a different class.

 

[GGG]

I assume you mean the previous (pretty) V8 vantage?
I realy like it, it's a beatiful looking small 2 seater. I have never driven one because (I was too young when they came out, but I would consider them if they weren't so expensive tax wise in Belgium. I think around 10.000 euros to register it and a few thousands to drive it yearly.

Don't fall for the "not the same category" argument, if you consider it against a 718, they are comparable. There is also a lot of difference between the versions, 4.3 vs 4.7. The rare 4.3 Prodrive version is my favorite, I don't know if that kit was available aftermarket.

 

[Viffermike]

When I bought my 718, someone in my condo owned a fairly standard (for an Aston) '14 V8 Vantage 'vert. His name was Rex. He introduced himself after he saw my 718 since we basically had the two most 'exotic' cars in the building then. Stunning car, and sounded just incredible. If I had to have a non-Italian V8, it'd be a Vantage or a DB12.

Sorry to disagree, @GGG, but in the U.S. Rex's car's base price new was about $140,000. That's why the two aren't comparable. If one still considers them comparable, they might as well throw the Audi R8, the Merc GT, the Maserati GranTurismo, and the Acura NS-X in there, too.

@4ftw: See above. Not comparable, unless you're talking used Vantage vs. new 718, or considering GT4s/Spyders only. Really, the 911 is the closer competition. All Astons are GT cars. A much closer British comparison would be the Jaguar F-Type.

 

[EuroKip]

Experience with both
Recently traded my 2012 Vantage that I had for 3 years for a spec order 718 Both cars serve as a 2nd not a daily. For me they are in the same category as a 2 seat play toy of similar price when viewed pre-own from new. When I first got the Aston , I was on cloud 9 After a while the cloud turned to rain.

I enjoyed the exclusivities of the Aston. The only one in my condo parking garage filled with Porsche , Mercedes , Bentley and other ‘’ high end ‘’ My previous other cars amounted to 11 other Porsches over my years on the road
( yes , giving away my age a bit ). Every time I drove the Aston it seemed a special experience. As many have reviewed , the exhaust sound is intoxicating. That was the good part

I purchased a 2 year extended warranty on a new to me 9000 mile car. The price at that time was $ 6 thousand. , a little piece of mind. It turned out for the best. Seat adjustment failures , window regulators , oil leaks , moisture in head and tail lamps. All this was covered but it did cost me the price of the warranty. As was mentioned above , the cost of an additional year of coverage was another 5k. Cost of ownership was taking the joy away. Time to move on

I never regretted owning any P-Car in my past. I was questioning my logic for going to the dark side with Aston. So here I am with an exciting decision of replacement. “ I need another Porsche’’. A new car with a long term warranty is what I sought. The Cayman ticked all the boxes.

I love the Cayman. It’s just as special of a feeling to approach as was the Aston. The driving experience is on par without the stress of what’s going to break next that was always lurking in the back of my mind. I find myself driving more 2nd car miles than any other 2nd car I’ve owned. That sums it up for me.