2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Advantage, Roadster

It's not the most expensive Aston Martin, but it's hard to imagine pricier models being more satisfying than the V8 Vantage Roadster.

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The V8 Vantage Coupe was a surprising change of pace for this ultra-exclusive British brand when it debuted in 2006: The $113,000 two-seater was not only significantly less expensive than prior Aston Martins but also a vastly more serious sports car. The DB9 and its predecessors are much larger cars designed for luxurious high-speed cruising.

The V8 Vantage quickly became the best-selling model in the company's history.

As an encore, Aston Martin offers the V8 Vantage Roadster, which keeps the coupe’s breathtaking styling and performance but adds the option of open-air motoring. Its retractable fabric roof adds about $11,000 to the base price, with the Vantage Roadster starting at $124,300.

Looking like a small-scale version of the current DB9 and DBS — the latter is 007’s ride of choice in recent James Bond films — the V8 Vantage is at least as sexy as these larger and pricier models, if not more so.

And this little roadster has stellar performance to back up its head-turning looks, with the balance of a gymnast and the explosive power of a weightlifter. Its V8 engine might have “only” 380 horsepower, but the V8 Vantage Roadster makes good use of every last bit of thrust.

Another part of an Aston Martin’s appeal is its scarcity; the company sells less than 10,000 cars a year. This means V8 Vantage Roadster owners are assured of exclusivity for their six-figure investment.