Is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Coupe a car worth the premium over the normal V8 Vantage?

Question

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Coupe is compared to the Porsche 911 and the Mercedes AMG GT on many occasions in German sports car. These are all high performance machines but each has its own character in terms of everyday usability. While the V8 Vantage S is striking to behold and an emotional purchase, some people wonder whether it is practical for everyday use when compared to its more technically advanced German counterparts. Other aspects such as ride comfort, interior ergonomics, technology features and reliability are also considered when buying these cars as regular drivers. Often this comparison provokes debate as to whether Aston's charm and uniqueness are worth more than any conceivable downsides if used daily, or whether a more refined balance of performance and practicality can be found in one of the German offerings if the sports car is to be driven more frequently.

@naresh-kum · Accepted Answer

This is a car that doesn’t care about the latest tech. It nails the interior, an all about style and craftsmanship.

@anika-agra · Answer

I think that finds the sweet spot. Exciting and fast enough, but not so fast that I could not use the performance on a real road.

@vivek-kuma · Answer

V8 Vantage is already overkill for most roads, the regular V8 one. If you’re not going to be taking it to track days on a regular basis, the S is wasted.

@monalisa-p · Answer

It is all the more impressive for the lack of modern driver aids. This is a pure driving experience that is becoming a rarity in these days.

@sana-ifran · Answer

I will say that the 911 is the king of the daily sports cars, but the Aston is most fun. It's a purely emotional vs. a purely rational decision.

@raj-kiran · Answer

I would say it is more impressive now. A naturally aspirated V8 sports car is becoming rarer and more special in a turbo and electrified world.

@preeti-yad · Answer

It is adequate, but not mindblowing. The sounds and looks and feel are still hard to beat, but the overall package is the same.

@krishna-bo · Answer

I love it. It puts you into a classic watch, one that doesn’t waste any time on unnecessary details, and just seems like it could withstand time itself.

@priyanka-k · Answer

It is adorable in a certain way, but I just can't help but feel that I am being deprived of the luxuries of the newer cars.

@kuldeep-te · Answer

It's definitely falling behind. Its performance figures are a bit embarrassing for a luxury sports car, which are being matched by modern hot hatches.

@abhay-sing · Answer

There is no way around it in a car like this, the manual is the only way. This is about enjoying the lap, enjoying the connection to the machine.

@prem-shank · Answer

German cars are far more livable on a daily basis. The ergonomics aren’t good for commuting, and the Aston’s tech feels outdated.

@kanishk-go · Answer

The Vantage S will let you live a lifestyle beyond your car. Not the fastest, but certainly one of the most characterful and engaging cars out there.

@charan-sin · Answer

To be honest, it feels dated. Despite its expensive price, the tech is way behind and the ergonomics are a lot less than in the newer sports cars.

@rahul-kuma · Answer

The Germans get tech and practicality, but the Aston’s interior is more special. You always wear a tailored suit.

@charu-jain · Answer

It's a mixed bag. As far as quality goes, there is far too much, yet common things, such as phone integration, can be frustratingly outdated.

@sachin-sha · Answer

The experience is definitely enhanced by the manual. It increases your involvement and every drive becomes an event.

@sakshi-gup · Answer

Absolutely! The Vantage S has one of the best manuals I’ve ever used. The feel of it is meaty and mechanical and so satisfying.

@mansi-upad · Answer

Probably the best daily driver of the bunch is the AMG GT, though the Aston gets more heads turned. Depends on your priorities.

@sanjay-kum · Answer

Numbers aren't everything. While the Vantage S won’t set any drag times, its naturally aspirated V8 and balanced chassis make it a blast to drive.

@anju-rani · Answer

The manual makes the car for me. It is not just about speed, it is the entire experience. Pure joy is the Vantage S with a stick.

@shiba-ansa · Answer

The Germans will be more reliable for daily use. Aston’s are better, but they are more prone to hull breaks.

@divya-gupt · Answer

I would rather see a newer interior. It is driver focused and devoid of distractions. Perfect for a sports car.

@manish-sah · Answer

It's hyped for a reason. A proper manual in a V8 Aston in a world of paddle shifters is something special.

@reena-yada · Answer

I’m a manual fan but the Vantage S’s doesn’t rate as one of the best. It’s a bit notchy and irritating when passing through traffic.

@sourabh-ja · Answer

Fast enough for the road, as it is. On top of that, it sounds much more pleasant than most modern turbocharged engines.

@pallavi-sa · Answer

It is outdated in terms of raw speed. It still tops of the tiers in terms of driver satisfaction, however. Depends on what you value.

@bhramita-r · Answer

It’s (REAL) showing its age. A great car, but if performance is a priority, there are better options around these days.

@monika-sin · Answer

If you consider yourself as someone who would daily drive the car, it is the Porsche. Who has time for safe choices when life is so short – go Aston!

@nirati-sri · Answer

It's good, but not great. The clutch is a bit heavy for traffic and the throws are a bit long. Most people are better off driving the auto.

@harsh-math · Answer

For me, a lack of modern tech is a deal breaker. What I want is a sports car that feels cutting edge inside and out.

@mansi-upad · Answer

Why not; if you can afford it. It is short life, and the S is just a little bit more special. But if you don’t, you will wonder what if… forever.

@shobhit-gu · Answer

That extra money would go towards maintenance and mods. I don't have the budget for these cars to be cheap to run so having a buffer is smart.

@lokesh-goy · Answer

The S model retains its value better so, in the end, it may actually be cheaper if you intend to sell it after a few years.

@monika-sin · Answer

Driving both, the S is far better on a track, but the difference is negligible on the street. Save your cash.

@shashank-s · Answer

I’m honestly more of the thought that it’s more about exclusivity than performance. Really, you’re paying for it. Think of the badge and bragging rights.

@kunal-vikr · Answer

I would choose the S. The fact that the exhaust note is improved for a mere premium is worth it just for the fact that it sounds absolutely glorious!

@shubham-ag · Answer

Well it depends. If you’re a hardcore driving enthusiast then you need to take the S. For casual weekend drives, probably not.

@naresh-kum · Answer

Nah, save your money. The regular V8 Vantage is fantastic as it is, and you'll get more out of that money spent on some aftermarket upgrades.

@vivek-kuma · Answer

Absolutely worth it. As a proper sports car rather than just a pretty GT, the S model feels sharper to handle and offers extra power.

Is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Coupe a car worth the premium over the normal V8 Vantage?

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