Used 2013 Aston Martin Vantage

Offering the most affordable gateway into the Aston Martin brand, the 2013 Vantage packs a visual and performance punch worthy of its prestigious badging. More than just a pretty face, the 2-seat Vantage coupe and roadster back up their aggressively sculpted sheet metal with supercar-like handling characteristics and the choice of a potent V8 or ferocious 510-horsepower V12. The Vantage also features the same lightweight yet structurally ridged aluminum body structure that underpins every modern Aston Martin. Segment juggernauts like the Audi R8, Mercedes-Benz SL63, and upmarket varieties of the Porsche 911 deliver more acceleration for your buck, but when it comes to outright emotional involvement and brand cache, the 2013 Aston Martin Vantage stands alone.

The Aston Martin Vantage is labeled as an everyday performance car, not a track weapon. But nothing about the Vantage feels practical or sensible when you boot the throttle. Ignore the numbers – one run through the gears and you’ll be hooked for life on the Vantage’s intoxicating baritone bark. Agility and cornering ability is beyond reproach. In other words, the Vantage doesn’t resist turn-in, it doesn’t get jittery at high-speeds, and it won’t punish mistakes to the degree of some competitors. The hydraulic-assisted steering is equally sublime, with natural weighting and near-telepathic feel. And, by exotic-car standards, the 2013 Vantage is also remarkably comfortable around town. The only real drawback is the rather unrefined nature of the single-clutch automatic gearbox. Modern dual-clutch boxes found in many of the Aston’s peers offer vastly superior performance and everyday civility. That said, it should come as little surprise that the standard 6-speed manual is our cog changer of choice.

In the grand British tradition, the 2013 Aston Martin Vantage features an exquisitely crafted interior that’s not particularly functional. Most surfaces are swathed in supple hand-stitched leather and accented by tasteful piano black trim. Both the standard and optional sport seats are sufficiently bolstered and ergonomically sound, but they lack the adjustability most drivers expect at this price point.

In terms of practical shortcomings, the command dial that controls functions for the navigation and audio system is an exercise in frustration, and the e-brake lever seems as if it was designed by a committee that never met. As for storage, the cargo area beneath the coupe’s hatchback can swallow 10.6 cubic feet of stuff, while the convertible’s traditional trunk cuts that number in half (still, more space than a 911 Cabriolet and R8 Spyder).

The 2013 Vantage is undeniably one of the most beautiful cars on the road. From its long, low hoodline to its muscular rear haunches, the Vantage is a rolling depiction of power and grace. V8 Vantage S and V12 versions up the design and aerodynamics quotient with a carbon-fiber lower splitter, dramatically sculpted side sills and a carbon-fiber rear diffuser – all of which derive from Aston Martin’s GT4 motorsports program. On Vantage Roadsters, the power-operated soft top deploys and retracts in just 18 seconds, even at speeds of up to 30 mph. Chopping the roof off any car requires some extra reinforcement, which is why Roadster models make use of a stronger crossbeam behind the dash and thicker, fixed-aluminum undertrays.

BESPOKE ORDERING GUIDE
The 2013 Vantage offers an extensive array of color, material and trim combinations to match your personal style in a way that few other cars can.

HYDRAULIC STEERING
Steering is the driver’s main line of communication with the car. The electric-assisted systems used on the latest Porsche 911 and Mercedes SL transmit a diluted, artificial steering feel, while the Vantage’s well-calibrated hydraulic-mechanical setup fosters an uncompromised connection between man and machine.

The Aston Martin Vantage lineup includes a far more generous list of standard features for 2013. The roster now consists of embedded navigation by Garmin, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity (streaming audio is not available), a universal garage door opener and a hill-start assist feature that prevents rollback on graded surfaces. Other notable goodies include rear parking sensors, a limited-slip differential, xenon headlights and a 160-watt audio system with a USB port and iPod interface. Occupant safety comes in the form of front and side airbags (side bags extend to provide head protection), the usual stability control suspects, and pop-up rollbars on Vantage Roadsters.

Al a carte extras for the 2013 Vantage include a highly-recommended Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, carbon-fiber side sills, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, front parking sensors and carbon-Kevlar sport seats that weigh nearly 37 pounds less than the standard variety. The optional Sport Pack adds lightweight, forged-aluminum wheels and retuned springs, shocks and an anti-sway bars. Custom paint, leather and brake-caliper colors are also on the menu.

The 2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is powered by a 4.7-liter V8 that cranks out 420 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. V8 S variants add 10 horsepower and 15 lb-ft of torque via an enhanced version of the same engine. A V8 Vantage equipped with a manual transmission can click off a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds, according to Aston Martin. The 510-horsepower V12 Vantage can sprint from 0-60 in about 4.1 seconds, which is on par with the R8 4.2 and Jaguar F-Type V8 S. Both the base V8 Vantage and the high-performance V8 S can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed single-clutch automatic gearbox. A 6-speed manual is the only transmission available for the V12 Vantage. Buyers who prefer the year-round flexibility of all-wheel drive should check out the 911 Carrera 4S or Audi R8.

4.7-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 7,300 rpm
346 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/19 mpg (manual), 14/21 mpg (automatic)

4.7-liter V8
430 horsepower @ 7,300 rpm
361 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/19 mpg (manual), 14/21 mpg (automatic)

6.0-liter V12
510 horsepower @ 6.500 rpm
420 lb-ft of torque @ 5,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 11/17 mpg