Customizing different cars is an awesome pastime, and it’s a great way to make a vehicle your own. Who doesn’t love to throw in some different headlamp covers, mount on a sweet body kit for the frame, and even tune up some of the engine parts? I believe that in some cases, a car should just be left alone, particularly a very expensive and already sexy auto.

Hamann has just released a tune-up/style kit for the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Hamann reports that the custom kit gives the, already beautiful, sports car more power, a better aerodynamic frame and better airflow. What exactly is added to the car you ask? Hamann has plastered on a new front lip spoiler with a new front skirt, and some new side skirts. A newly designed spoiler also has been added to match the custom body kit along with a three piece rear defuser. The body kit comes made in two completely different materials: fiber glass or carbon fiber. Not to mention the stylish 21″ glossy black rims, which are wedged between the Vantage sport tires.

The new body kit is nice and all, but it makes the Vantage look more like some street racing car. Personally I think it degrades what Aston Martin was going for, an auto designed to reflect comfort, luxury and power in a very sophisticated manner. The new kit looks almost like some spoiled rich teenager took a $115,000 car and slapped on some cheap body pieces to fit in with the local scene. You be the judge; take a look at this photo of the Vantage before and after the body kit is installed. Then answer the poll and let us know if you think Hamann went too far with its new body kit?

Aston Martin before

Aston Martin after

Ever heard of a Bugatti Veyron? If not, then it’s probably because the car is way out of your price range, selling at a huge $1.5 million US dollars. It’s got everything a very expensive sports car should have: a sleek and sexy design, a supercharged engine for top speeds, and great maneuverability and handling. Sadly, however, most of the general public will never lay eyes upon such a powerful machine. Consumers will, however, be able to purchase a brand new Nissan GT-R in the $80,000 price range.

What does the 2009 GT-R have to do with the Bugatti Veyron? The unique performance specifications and sleek design have rightfully earned the car, by several automotive journalists, the name of “Baby Veyron”. While much cheaper and still very sexy looking, the car offers average consumers the chance to own a fantasy-like automotive. The $80,000 price tag still will make many cringe but is certainly not even close to the $1.5 million dollar cost of the Bugatti.

Nissan also has quoted a plan to release a lighter and more powerful version of the GT-R, which will be referred to as the GT-R V Spec or simply the Spec V. The higher performance model is still not scheduled to release until late 2010.

The GT-R boasts a 3.8L VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 engine, a 480 horsepower engine maxing out at 6400 rpm. The top speed attainable is clocked at 193 mph. The car is designed with a multi-functional, 6-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission. Even if you don’t fully understand the specs listed above, it’s obvious the car is very powerful.

Power is not the only thing this model has going for it. The design is very attractive, both inside and out. It also comes complete with a fully loaded leather interior, HDD navigation and music box system, and some of the coolest looking gauges you’ll ever see mounted on an automotive dashboard.