What is it?

The newest edition to the Aston Martin Vantage range. The GT sits one step above the entry-level Vantage. It gets more power and torque than the regular Vantage V8 and some extra styling tweaks.

What it isn't?

Fresh. The Vantage has been around since 2005 without any major changes. In that same time Porsche has introduced the 997-series 911 and replaced it with the 991-series.

What does it say about me?

That you appreciate the timeless design of Aston Martin. It may be getting old but the Vantage still looks as sharp as ever.

What colours does it come in?

Befitting a luxury car there are 34 hues to choose from (I won't list them all) to give customers the chance to tailor the car to their exact tastes.

2016 Aston Martin Vantage GT interior. Photo: Lucas Kennedy

If it were a celebrity, who would it be?

British secret agent 008 - still stylish and capable but not as famous as what came before it.

Why would I buy it?

There are faster, more modern and better value sports cars on the market. But few look as good as the Vantage.

Will it let me down?

"Handmade in England" isn't a phrase historically linked to dependability but given the attention-to-detail from Aston Martin (plus the fact they have been doing it for over a decade) the Vantage feels like a really well built machine.

Does it cost too much?

It is in the ballpark for a premium sports car; a Porsche 911 Carrera S will set you back $244,800. But when you consider a Jaguar F-Type V8 R Coupe costs around $9000 less and packs 404kW and 680Nm the Vantage GT looks less appealing. And more so when a Porsche Cayman GTS starts at $160,500.

Will I get a deal?

Aston Martin isn't a brand known for its end-of-financial-year sales, but considering the age of the car there are deals around.

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Will it get me noticed?

While Porsche and Jaguar may sell more cars the fact that Aston Martin remains a relatively rare sight on the road means they have real head-turning appeal. Plus it looks like the car James Bond drives, so that helps.

Any gadgets I can brag about?

Why would you brag about gadgets when you have a cool-looking, V8-powered Aston Martin to brag about instead.

Will I get carjacked in it?

Unlikely. But keep your eyes peeled for Blofeld.

How's the cabin ambience?

Changes for the 2016 model include a new dash fascia with a shiny gloss material and soft touch buttons and genuine metal dials which look and feel premium. However that premium feeling is diminished somewhat by the small, basic-looking infotainment screen that sits on the top of the dashboard.

Does it go?

There's no doubt the Vantage GT is a quick car but it won't blow away an F-Type or Cayman in a drag race. Where it does impress though is the noise that it makes when you do give it some right foot - the big V8 howls and growls like few other engines. Unfortunately the optional seven-speed 'Sportshift' robotized manual gearbox lets down the engine. The transmission lacks the smoothness of a conventional automatic, even once you adapt your driving style to suit the shifts (you lift off the throttle before you pull the paddle behind the wheel). This probably explains in part why the six-speed manual still makes up a significant proportion of sales.

Does it like corners?

It is good in the bends but without being a really great sports car. The steering is nice and linear with a substantial weighting that gives it plenty of feel. The GT comes standard with a limited slip differential which helps traction out of the bends and there is plenty of grip from the big tyres too. But it doesn't feel as lively and engaging as its rivals, particularly the Porsches.

What about bumps?

There is no adjustable damping but the suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and control. It is a firm ride but you don't expect anything else from a sports car, and the Vantage is a proper sports car.

What about service stations?

If you pick a servo linked to your frequent flyers you'll probably earn a few free flights in no time. At 12.8-litres per 100km the big V8 is starting to show its age.

2016 Aston Martin Vantage GT Photo: Lucas Kennedy

Would you buy one?

It is still one of the best looking cars on the road but the Vantage GT is showing its age in the way it drives. There are newer, more powerful, more efficient, better-handling and better value sports cars available today.

What else should I consider?

If you want a British coupe then the Jaguar F-Type V8 R (from $226,580) ticks most of the same boxes as the Vantage but packs more punch. Even the F-Type V6 S packs 250kW and 460Nm and starts at $151,380. The Porsche Cayman range will also fulfil your sports car needs from the S (from $139,000) to the GTS (from 160,500) to the track-focused GT4 (from $189,900). Or for similar money to the Vantage GT there is the 911 Carrera (from $229,500) or 911 Carrera S (from $266,800).

Or if money isn't an issue for you and you really want something special then the Ferrari California T (from $409,888) gives you as much - if not more - wow factor than the Vantage.

2016 Aston Martin Vantage GT Photo: Lucas Kennedy

The Spin

"Pure, unadulterated fun is what lies at the heart of the new V8 Vantage GT."

The Translation

They didn't have anything fancy back when this car was born.

Aston Martin Vantage GT pricing and specifications

Price: $235,795 plus on-road costs

Engine: 4.7-litre V8 petrol

Power: 321kW at 7300rpm

Torque: 490Nm at 5000rpm

Transmission: Seven-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive

Fuel use: 12.8L/100km

2016 Aston Martin Vantage GT Photo: Lucas Kennedy

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