V8 Vantage - leads to Jag XK purchase and then to V12 Aston
- Thread starter pepsilol
- Start date
Hi there
A car I drove before buying the 911 as the V8 Vantage was a firm favourite for me in grey. I had a go in the 4.3 version, to sum up:-
Looks: still one of the sexiest best looking cars on the road IMO.
Sound: simply amazing, with an exhaust system truly exotic and loud.
Performance: felt like a 280BHP car, not 385BHP and it was not broke! Seriously my CSL would leave it and EVO too.
Handling: Not that bad, pretty well tuned to our roads, but I could feel it's weight, steering not bad though, but not 911 again.
Reliability: not owned but seems some owners have no issues or small expenses and some owners they spend more time being repaired than driven.
In short for looks and sound, truly incredible car.
Performance is below average for a near 400BHP car, handling is good, but it's not fast and it's not a track capable or focused car. It's not a slow car, but neither is it fast, but to drive the acceleration just feels underwhelming and the gearbox is a bit well just ok.
I wanted driver involvement, a challenge and something to keep me occupied, so I went 911, no regrets.
If my priority were looks, class and sound the Aston beats the Porsche hands down.
A car I drove before buying the 911 as the V8 Vantage was a firm favourite for me in grey. I had a go in the 4.3 version, to sum up:-
Looks: still one of the sexiest best looking cars on the road IMO.
Sound: simply amazing, with an exhaust system truly exotic and loud.
Performance: felt like a 280BHP car, not 385BHP and it was not broke! Seriously my CSL would leave it and EVO too.
Handling: Not that bad, pretty well tuned to our roads, but I could feel it's weight, steering not bad though, but not 911 again.
Reliability: not owned but seems some owners have no issues or small expenses and some owners they spend more time being repaired than driven.
In short for looks and sound, truly incredible car.
Performance is below average for a near 400BHP car, handling is good, but it's not fast and it's not a track capable or focused car. It's not a slow car, but neither is it fast, but to drive the acceleration just feels underwhelming and the gearbox is a bit well just ok.
I wanted driver involvement, a challenge and something to keep me occupied, so I went 911, no regrets.
If my priority were looks, class and sound the Aston beats the Porsche hands down.
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Not that bothered about the speed side of things, I'm after something a bit more civilized to be honest. I'm not looking for hardcore tracking and speed. Just want to be in a nice place and relaxed. It's bit difficult to really relax in the 911, it's constantly on edge 
Looks like it is right up my street then Gibbo.
The other option is a DB9 I guess.
Edit - No DB9 as I really want a manual for a change. Been a good 5-6 years since I had one.
Looks like it is right up my street then Gibbo.
The other option is a DB9 I guess.
Edit - No DB9 as I really want a manual for a change. Been a good 5-6 years since I had one.
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Without question everyone I know who has bought a V8 Vantage has been disappointed with it. Friend of mine sold his 996 GT3 for one after 5 years of running the GT3. I saw him in December at Silverstone and asked him how it was. The answer was the same I always get...
"....yea, it's a lovely car, but, well........"
"....yea, it's a lovely car, but, well........"
The 4.7 holds value better, 4.3 engine cars dirt cheap now.
Not that bothered about the speed side of things, I'm after something a bit more civilized to be honest. I'm not looking for hardcore tracking and speed. Just want to be in a nice place and relaxed. It's bit difficult to really relax in the 911, it's constantly on edge
Looks like it is right up my street then Gibbo.
The other option is a DB9 I guess.
Edit - No DB9 as I really want a manual for a change. Been a good 5-6 years since I had one.
What model year 911 you got? Have to say my 997 C2S never feels hardcore unless I want it to be, what makes it so good, it's relaxed as a daily but at the same time makes a great track car and is a thrill on the road when requested.
I've had one for a couple of years now and I'm certainly not disappointed. Mine is a 4.3 manual so let me know if there's anything specifically you want to know. Over the last couple of years the only real cost have been the clutch replacement, which wasn't exactly cheap.
Agreed. The normal cooking 911 is very civilised 997/996 form. It tends to be the earlier 964's and 996 GT3's that are hard work, the 997 GT3's being more suited to road use too.
04 Cerrera 3.6 Tip.
I ought to point this is someone who is used to more of a GT-Esque type of thing.
It just feels very raw if that makes any sense. Not in a bad way either.
For me your car is very much a GT-Esque car which can also be very sported too, but I know why you want gone, that damn tip crap auto box, it's nothing short of terrible.
Aston is more luxury yes, slightly better ride, more roomy inside maybe making it feel more GT-Esque and the manual far better than the tip in the 911.
Look at Jaguar XKR's too as probably same money for a far newer more powerful better car which still sounds awesome and looks nearly as good though admittedly is not an Aston.
Tiptronic was and is absolute junk!
PDK was a revolution but just like DSG too good, takes involvement away. Only the latest incarnations of PDK with Sports Plus which are OK for me, but hey I still prefer a manual or something raw like SMG.
I run a DB9 manual and absolutely love it. Bought it over a V8V because the engine felt more special and I've always preferred the looks. I definitely didn't want a auto/sportshift so it had to be the manual. love driving it, feels like a proper special occasion everytime I drive it so it doesn't really matter to me if other cars are faster and handle better. The Aston badge and the glorious looks and sound are such a treat. I tried the other side of the fence last year when I had an extended 997.1 GT3 and GTR test drive and came away knowing that my car suited me, my driving style and driving needs than either of the other two.
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Honestly speaking, in terms of responsiveness and involvement, the Porsche tiptronic of that era is pretty pants compared to... any Audi/BMW/Mercedes auto from 2007 onwards!I thought the tiptronic was actually quote good in it