The Car Gods Are Good: My Day Driving the Aston Martin V-8 Vantage Convertible


Stylish and low slung, the 2007 Aston Martin Convertible has the cachet to excite even the jaded valets at the Four Seasons Dallas and the W. The Roadster has been turning heads and eliciting desire in the hearts of luxury car aficionados ever since it debuted at the Los Angles Auto Show in 2006. Now, it is available for the driving pleasure of Texas car enthusiasts from the DFW Elite family of companies.


I am looking forward to the chance to check out the view from the cockpit of this decidedly British challenger to the Porsche 911. Thanks to the generosity of Ron Sturgeon, owner of DFW Elite Car Club, I have a VIP pass to check out the Vantage from the Dallas car sharing club garage.


A few signatures and a short briefing and the car god’s bless me with possession of the Aston Martin Convertible on a perfect breezy August morning. Without a look at its badges, the Aston faithful recognize the V-8 Vantage as one of their own. I stop to admire the long hood and the wide front grille and the sleek lines that identify this as a stable mate of the DB9.


This Aston Martin Vantage Convertible is a drop dead gorgeous car from every angle, but the best view is from behind the wheel. The steering wheel is solid and oversized, the gauges nicely arrayed, and the leather stitching of the interior flawlessly executed.


A touch of the ignition button and the 4.3 litre V-8 snaps to life. Capable of generating a hearty 380 horsepower, the V-8 Vantage’s engine is paired with the newest Aston innovation: a Sportshift automatic transmission that allows manual operation using a pair of paddles mounted on the steering column. It allows shifting three times faster than the old Aston gearbox.


A touch of a button and the supple power operated soft top vanishes beneath the rear tonneau cover. Forbes auto writers had this to say about the handling of the Aston V-8 Vantage: “A rear mounted transaxle contributes to the nearly ideal 49/51 front-to-rear weight distribution. Combined with a double wishbone suspension and 18-inch wheels and tire, this produces superlative handling….” The car is nimble in the corners and is set up for true sport driving. Even under hard cornering, it was difficult to get the dynamic stability control of the Aston Martin Vantage is kick in.


I was fortunate to experience the Aston Martin V-8 Vantage on the lonely and open highway southwest of Dallas without attracting any undue law enforcement attention. The 4.3 lire V-8 and the paddle shift gearbox make the climb to adrenaline pumping speeds effortless.


I hope to get a chance to compare the Aston Martin Vantage with some of the other cars in Dallas car sharing club’s garage on my next visit. Those searching for a perfect gift for a car enthusiast can experience the Aston Martin Vantage along with a Bentley Continental GT, BMW M6 Convertible, Ferrari F430 Coupe, and Lamborghini Gallardo in a full day exotic car driving experience. Dates for the 2500HP tour from DFW Drive Your Dream are available in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.


Drive Your Dream full day exotic car tours featuring the Aston Martin Vantage are also available as private corporate events. Not only can they provide an excellent opportunity for corporate fun, but they also can be an excellent opportunity for corporate team building in a unique and stimulating environment. For more on how the Aston Martin and the other DFW Elite Car Club cars can make your event a winner, call Club Director Kevin Bailey at 817.838.7368.


The road manners and cornering ability of the Aston Martin Vantage Convertible are exquisite and the howl of the engine as it passes 4500 rpm is something that you should experience with the top down. If you love driving at all, a huge smile will cross your lips. The car gods are indeed good.