Category: Convertibles 
Price Range: £87,101 to £135,000
Looks, handling, sensational soundtrack, badge, usability, compact dimensions.
Relative lack of performance, price.
Our favourite Aston in the range, almost worth the money over a Jag XKR.
The latest in a long line of convertibles from Aston Martin, the new V8 Roadster joins the DB9 convertible as the brand's second drop-top in its current line-up.
Based on the V8 Vantage coupe, Aston Martin has achieved something many manufacturers consistently fail at: it has removed the roof without compromising the V8's looks, performance or ability.
Just 14kg of strengthening material was used and, overall, the Roadster weighs just 80kg heavier than the coupe on which it's based. However, the extra weight hasn't affected performance: Aston claims the Roadster sprints to 60mph in exactly the same 4.9 seconds it takes the coupe.
Better still, it does this all without a steering rack that rattles and writhes over bumps and without a body that flexes, despite stiffening spring rates both front and rear.
The only fly in the ointment is price. Tick a few too many option boxes and the price rockets from its already considerable £91,000 to six figures. For some, the looks, badge cachet and snarling V8 will be enough, but with rivals from Porsche and Jaguar both weighing in at considerably less than £80,000 you have to wonder if it's a premium worth paying.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Aston Martin V8 Vantage
wrote on 07 07 2008
wrote on 08 11 2006
wrote on 25 07 2006