If you can swing it, buy it a 4.3 and do a manifold, header, tune, twin clutch, etc from a couple of vendors like VAP or Bamford Rose. Will beat out the 4.7's and sound beyond epic. Would add about 14K USD. I think that would be equal investment as going for a newer 4.7.

If I had my pick, it would be a V12 Vantage. So ballsy any way you cut it.

 

That's the first thing I would be doing tune, headers, free flowing cats and it would be a nice package probably high 12s low 13s with a exhaust note to die for 😀😀😀 , however do all of the above to a 4.7 and you'd be in the mid 12s very decent

Although with a minimum of $20-30k difference in price on the second hand market it makes the 4.3 a very attractive option.

Think the biggest gripe I have with the xk is the fact it can't be driven to the limit its quite noise heavy don't get me wrong I love the car to death and if had it my way I would keep the xk to get the kids around and have the Aston for when it's just me , bottom line I think my driving style would be better suited to the smaller vantage

 

Or get a 5 litre XKR, have a chat with Cambo and you would be in the mid 11's

I have mentioned before that I test drove a 4.7 litre Vantage and a DB9 because I fancied a change after 30 years of Jaguar driving but ended up getting the 5 litre XKR because it is a better every day driving car.

I would still rather have an Aston but mainly to look at.

 

Funny enough for me I would take a xk over a DB9 any day however I just think the proportions of the vantage are absolutely perfect .

In terms of performance it's not even close a mid 11s car vs a low 13 (4.7L) it's worlds apart . With the xkr I can't ever imaging turning around and wanting more power total satisfaction however with the aston it would be a different story .

So for me it would be sacrificing some slight looks for a big jump in power or driving around in the world's most gorgeous car for something that only had adequate power, don't get me wrong I think xk's are absolutely gorgeous and still to this day turn around to have one last look at my car after I have parked it .

Realistically a V12 vantage would truely satisfy my requirements but at $160- 180k AUD it's ridiculously priced.

Which ever way you look at it a facelift xkr 5l does in fact represent fantastic value

 

The facelift 5.0 XK/XKRs are sharper to drive than the 4.2s. The XKR-S even more so. The runout Dynamic-R had the suspension from the XKR-S without the catfish looks. Might be worth trying one out to see how much real difference there is for your driving style.

 

Been toying with the idea of buying a Vantage S Volante. I don't mind the Sport Shift trans and the S has lot going for it, for the money. The Vantage would be a 2nd car, but do I want two cars that cost a lot to own? The 2nd car I have as a front runner is an Alfa 4C. I want a car extreme enough that it does not compete with the Rapide for my driving attention. I only drive about 4k miles a year as is and if both cars can do the daily routine, it's just not worth getting the 2nd car. The Alfa is kind of useless for regular driving and would be strictly for fun. Plus, I'll be looking at it more than driving and the 4C is a work of art; so on the lift it will be more visually pleasing.

 

Kudos on the suspension I've already fitted up eibach springs which totally transformed the handling however there's only so much one can do with the current layout.

The vantage would definitely be a better starting point in the handling department however as I mentioned before your sacrificing alot of horsepower.

In regards to 4C your right they are definitely a work of art and extremely well priced they have the appearance of being twice the price .