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Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Like Audi's similarly priced R8, the Vantage (a.k.a. the "starter Aston Martin") hopes to challenge the track-to-street supremacy of the 911—or at least peel away a few independent-minded Porsche customers in the process. So does it? Well, it's certainly a better looker than the austere German, thanks to a swoopy Henrik Fisker–designed body. Though the DB9-based coupe can't quite match the 911's track times (and off-the-line acceleration's hindered by a tall first gear and a relatively anemic Jag V-8), the Vantage is the lightest and most agile Aston out there. Once you factor in the hand-stitched quarter-sewn leather interior and its exclusivity—there are just a few thousand of these out there compared to over half a million 911s—the Vantage may well have the advantage.
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Base price: $113,200
Configuration: two-door, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe
Engine: 4.3-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8
Power and torque: 380 hp at 7000 rpm, 307 lb-ft at 5000 rpm
Curb weight: 3,461 lb