I was given the key to my buddy's 2001 Aston Martin Vantage Volante for a couple of days while I was in Florida on business. As the car is not driven enough, I was more than willing to run it for hours up and down 95.

The car is gorgeous. A low rider with a 6.0 liter, 420 horsepower, V12 engine. The short of it: it is always an experience to drive a classic, especially one with only 25,000 miles. By way of comparison, the F is a superior car is almost every regard: handling, speed, responsiveness, sound, creature comforts, and most importantly fun appeal.

Still, the Aston is a beautiful piece of design work. It's just not the beastly F.

 

Nice classic car. Glad you enjoyed it.

 

i would think it would sound really nice, no? what year is this one? looks a little dated and very similar to an older jag.

 

Problem with that car is it was basically built on the same chassis and platform for the last 20 years so it was like driving a 1980's car when it was new.

Not to mention it makes a Murcielago feel spacious.

I'm not hating - very cool car and cool experience but you couldn't pay me to own one!

 

oh wow... this car still looks stunning for a 2001 model!!! but again... 420hp in 2001 was a big deal!

 

i only like the newer astons that one looks like a jag with an aston front end too old person looking to me. but id still drive it for the week if my friend handed me the keys lol!

 

It has a great sound but it's not as great as the IS-F, IMO.

 

It is super costly for parts and service. It's fun to drive it and then leave it to someone else to maintain.

 

Did the owner hint at all to what the running costs have been? Just curious as I don't know anyone that actually has owned one and lived with it in real life.

 

Aston Martin is just like Maserati in the sense that their cars look and sound amazing but it ends there. They depreciate like crazy and have astronomical repair/maintenance costs. Guess there's a premium to pay to look like James Bond

 

All you would need is your Tux and you would be set 007 style Beautiful car though

 

DB7 is a nice car and really a precussor to the absolutely gorgeous V8 Vantage, DB9 and the rest of them styled the way they are

 

gorgeous ride. Great that you got a chance to drive it. Most people will never even see one let alone cruise in one. Very cool