The 2023 Aston Martin Vantage F1: A $207,686 Ode to More Luxury Road Trips

Cruising through the streets of San Diego in the 2023 Aston Martin Vantage F1, I zig and zag down Harbor Drive and merge onto Laurel Street. As I approach the on ramp to Interstate-5 North to begin my late-night trip back to Los Angeles, I suddenly see a beacon out of the corner of my left eye. A sign shines brightly, displaying the word “Casbah.”

It’s already approaching 10 p.m. and I have 120 miles to go on this journey. But, without hesitation, I forgo the highway and navigate around the maze of one-way streets of “America’s Finest City,” finally pulling up to the sign on Kettner Boulevard. It was no mirage. This is the Casbah, the one and only, a well-known venue that I have heard about for nearly two decades. Rather than continue to the highway, I park the Aston Martin and proceed to the venue.

This is freedom, I think to myself. This is a road trip. A true spontaneous and impulsive road trip.

About the Vantage F1

The day begins in LA, where, with a full tank of gas, I hop in the Vantage F1. Slick and stylish with its Satin Lunar White exterior and Onyx Black Haircell leather interior, the Aston Martin Vantage F1 is a low-key stunner. It’s a classy and sophisticated piece of automotive technology and engineering, and it completely satisfies the inner James Bond fantasy I’ve been holding onto since I first saw 007. Quite simply, it’s a sexy, sexy sports car.

Departing from Los Angeles and heading south to San Diego to watch some mixed martial arts fights, I’m eager to see and feel what the Vantage F1 can do. But of course, there’s ridiculous traffic all along I-5.

No worries, I think. It’s a great time to test out the Bowers & Wilkins sound system, and boy can this thing thump. Connecting my iPhone to the control panel via Bluetooth, I fiddle around with the 8” navigation system and 12” color LCD cluster, ultimately cranking up the volume to listen to the new Dead Fox Dead Tree album. The sound is impeccable: crystal clear highs, punchy mid-range, and a booming low end.

As traffic starts to let up, I spot reality TV star Jojo Siwa a few cars ahead of me (her SUV is literally wrapped in garish graphic prints with her name and picture), and as soon as I find a little breathing room, I stomp down on the accelerator to open up the 4.0-liter Twin Turbo V8 Engine.

572 Horses Under the Hood

Now, I’ve driven a few luxury sports cars in my day, so I do have some perspective. And, I’m instantly floored by the smoothness of the acceleration. Feeling every bit of the Aston Martin Vantage F1’s 572 horsepower, I weave through lanes and pass every car on I-5 South. Approaching triple digits, the Vantage F1 doesn’t shake, rattle, or roll. It glides, with elegance and grace, and I’m smitten by this 2-door coupe.

Given that I need to be in San Diego in time for the fights, I hustle down the five, through Orange County, passing towns like Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente. Nearing Carlsbad and Legoland, I’m eager to find a nice ocean view where I can take some photos of the Vantage F1, so I start pulling off the highway at every scenic overlook. But none of them are up to par with the Aston Martin’s beauty.

Instead, I continue the trek to San Diego and my destination: the Pechanga Sports Arena.

Spontaneously Going With The Flow

I’ve done this drive before, so I know a bit about the area. But for this particular voyage, I want to explore something new. It’s not every day that I have the opportunity to cruise around in a $207,686 sports car and I want to find the perfect place to capture the Aston Martin Vantage F1’s marvelous exterior, its 21” wheels, red brake calipers, and its one-piece aluminum clamshell hood. But I refuse to settle for some generic stock shot.

Before I know it, however, I’m already a mile away from the arena, and I start to re-evaluate my real needs for this car experience. Where am I going to find the perfect place to take this photo, I think to myself. And, that’s when a moment of spontaneous brilliance hits me.

Driving around San Diego, I spot an empty elementary school parking lot. Now, mind you, it is Saturday, so no children are present. And there’s just something about the aquamarine school exterior and oceanside mural, juxtaposed with the Aston Martin that feels so absurd and obscure. I quickly break out my tripod and pose with the vehicle.

I have literally never put myself in a photo with any car I’ve test driven, but the Aston Martin Vantage F1 has blown me away and I want a souvenir to remember this incredible drive.

Snapping off a couple of photos, I load my gear back into the coupe and head over to the arena for Bellator 300.

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Driving on Impulse

Hours later, after exiting the event, I’m in no rush to return home. I’m still amped from the fights and consider my options, but there doesn’t seem to be anything in particular to do. Besides, I need to drive 120 miles back to LA and I’m eager to feel the Vantage F1’s 8-speed, rear-mid mounted automatic transmission in its full effect on an empty highway.

Rather than set the GPS, however, I decide on a scenic trip through the city, ultimately seeing a sign for I-5 North. And that’s when I notice the Casbah to my left.

The Casbah is no ordinary venue. It’s legendary. Every cool touring rock band has played there over the years, including some of my favorites like Fu Manchu, Earthless, the Bronx, and the Jesus Lizard. Tonight, it’s the Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, featuring guitarist Anthony Cullins. I’ve never heard of this band before, but they absolutely rip. Killer instrumentalists, all of them.

With the band finishing their set, I exit the venue and return to the Aston Martin. I’m free, in the wild, driving luxury sports cars around southern California, watching fights, finding random venues and bands in unfamiliar places. This trip to San Diego and the Vantage F1 far exceed my expectations, and still I’m not ready for this day to end.

Hopping back in the car, I drive onto the mostly empty highway and crank up the engine. It’s late at night, so I’m not trying to break my personal speed record that I set earlier in the day. But still, I’m flying up I-5, navigating the highway seated in the upgraded carbon fiber lightweight seat. This is about as close to an F1 experience as I’ll ever have, and I’m relishing every mile of the ride.

That’s when I see the exit for San Juan Capistrano.

More Cars and More Road Trips in 2024

In one final effort to prolong this road trip, I pull into the Del Taco drive thru, but only because Taco Bell was already closed. And, after crushing a few tacos, I slowly cruise through the downtown streets near the San Juan Capistrano Mission.

Other than the destination, almost none of this was planned. Every stop was spontaneous, every decision based on impulse, and that’s the freedom of the open road. Having already driven a couple road trips in 2023, and tested quite a few sweet rides throughout the year, this one is special. This solo trip is a reminder of how important it is to just get out and drive, to see the world, witness the beauty of the coast, and just think and reflect. The Aston Martin Vantage F1 has left me refreshed, recharged, rejuvenated, and wanting more.

For sure, I’ll need to do more road tripping in 2024. Hopefully, the folks at Aston Martin will have something new and marvelous for another epic drive around California.

@drivingtotheedge
Presenting the 2023 @Aston Martin Vantage F1. #car #cars #sportscar #cartok #astonmartin #roadtrip #luxury

♬ original sound – Dan Shapiro