Aston Martin V-8 Vantage Roadster -- 2007 Preview: With or without a fixed top, the Vantage is a potent blend of style, sophistication and performance. While it may not generate the fastest acceleration times or highest g-loads in a corner, the sum of the parts is much more satisfying than any spec sheet numbers. The downside, of course, is price. The Vantage Coupe costs $110,000, and the Roadster will certainly come in comfortably above that. And then there is Aston Martin's infamous reliability. Performance comes from a 4.3-liter 380-horsepower engine mounted behind the front axle and one of two six-speed transmissions ahead of the rear axle. This gives the Vantage excellent weight distribution.