AM v8 & 997s Compared

[Mid-life Crisis]

Interesting review on these two on the AM Forum - see the topic "Heads up for new AMv8 Review"

I think the lack of AM protestation speaks volumes!

[DucatiGary]

you mean this?

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=324439&f=70&h=0

[Mid-life Crisis]

That's the one - I tried cutting and pasting but didn't work!!!

[grant3]

Mid-life Crisis said:

Interesting review on these two on the AM Forum - see the topic "Heads up for new AMv8 Review"

I think the lack of AM protestation speaks volumes!

What's to protest about, one loved the Aston, the other loved the Porker, both great cars, you pays your money & takes your choice, can't really go wrong with either!!!

[Pugsey]

Mid-life Crisis said:

Interesting review on these two on the AM Forum - see the topic "Heads up for new AMv8 Review"

I think the lack of AM protestation speaks volumes!

I agree, it speaks volumes. The response to the review on the AM forum rather indicates that AMV8 owners are secure with their own choices and are able to see and accept the pros and cons of not only others cars but their own as well. Try posting something along the lines of 'I prefer the GT3 to the tt.' on here and watch the childish squabbling that breaks out! Or how about 'Is the Coupe better than the Cab' eh Mid-life Crisis?

[Mid-life Crisis]

Hi Grant3 - Agree about the article, although the AM responses were what interested me and raises interesting questions about how we choose a particular make/model of a car. There are those who will buy a particular car simply because of what it looks like and because of what others may think of them.

I was hoping to read more on how the two compared on the road from owners.

I recall early stories about porsche owners who had bought the AMv8 and then reverted back to the porsche brand - (I think one story featured a guy who had inked on his AMv8 that he wished he had bought a porsche).

- interesting point about the depreciation angle though.

[Pugsey]

M-l-C. Quite a few on the AM forum have come from Porsche to V8 ownership - me and grant3 included - and have posted thoughts on comparisons, grant in particular. Have a ferret around. The AM Forum isn't as big as this one (some would say mercifully!) so you should be able to find them! I think another reason for lack of reaction on the AM Forum to the article you mention is probably that that particular comparison was done to death at the launch of the Vantage.

[Mid-life Crisis]

Thanks Pugsey - All very constructive, which I note is not always the way on this forum!

p.s. The cab is by far the superior

p.p.s And even better with tiptronic

[grant3]

Mid-life Crisis said:

Hi Grant3 - Agree about the article, although the AM responses were what interested me and raises interesting questions about how we choose a particular make/model of a car. There are those who will buy a particular car simply because of what it looks like and because of what others may think of them.
I was hoping to read more on how the two compared on the road from owners.
I recall early stories about porsche owners who had bought the AMv8 and then reverted back to the porsche brand - (I think one story featured a guy who had inked on his AMv8 that he wished he had bought a porsche).
- interesting point about the depreciation angle though.

Ok Ok I'll bite then, you dangled the worm well with that quote "There are those who buy a particular car simply because of what it looks like and because of what others think to them"........................

Sadly it is true that many people buy a car to impress others, but that applys to everything from BMW's through to well...shock horror probe...Porsches. That will come as a big suprise to you I am sure!

I am a serial Porker owner, I've been lucky enough to enjoy most models dating back to my first taster with a 944Turbo 250bhp through to my last a 996TT, but a long wait for a new Gt3 made me decide to try a different brand, so I purchased my AMV8 in July this year & I am 100% happy that I did...it is fabulous car!
It isn't "better" than Pork, but it is every bit as good in its own way & fully justifys it's premium over a 997S.

So lets explore this "looks" thing, you may not care what a car looks like, but it does add another dimension to ownership. the AMV8 is automotive-art & people pay a lot of money for art, this piece of "art" also happens to be a great drivers car. I confess to gaining pleasure simply by looking at, sitting in, cleaning or simply walking up to such a stunning car in a car park! I dont buy a car to impress others (big mistake) but I do like to gain pleasure from my purchase myself, although because other people react positively to a "british" super car, a nice by product is a more friendly & positive reaction from fellow road users!

So one enjoys this car before even turning a wheel, once you get used to the way the car reacts it is also a fabulous drivers car, it has great balance, with a 49/51 weight split, offering a fabulous "all of a one" feel through the twisty stuff, there is virtually zero understeer & the set up allows a smidgen of oversteer making you feel simply great, all this with that amazing howling V8 in your ears. The chunky gearchange (bit too chunky when cold!!) & weighty steering combine with the balance & exhaust note to provide a great drivers combination. It is also great fun at lower speeds simply because it flows better & you sit right in the middle of the action. Slow down & the more comfortable ride , lack of drivetrain shunt & silky part throttle take up also make it a great GT. Ultimately the Porker is a tad quicker (although you wouldn't notice this on the road) & has a slight edge as a drivers car (better gearchange & steering feel,more free revving engine, the Aston isn't as good foot flat to the floor below 4k revs) but the Aston more than compensates with it's other ownership benefits (fabulous interior, auto-art stuff etc). Mine has also been fine on the reliabity front (he says touching wood!).

If you drive a 911 you are very lucky, they are an automotive legend, but don't discount the Aston it is a worthy car , let us just be pleased that a small "british" (owned by American run by a german!)brand icon can produce such a worthy car first time out! Having had virtually 5 slices of Pork in a row, fillet steak makes a nice tasty change & after the 997GT3 I hope to be dipping my toes into Aston gene pool once again!

Ok, right I'm off to try & get the hook out my lip!!!

Edited by grant3 on Thursday 9th November 19:33

[Mid-life Crisis]

Grant3, sorry I couldn't resist that one

Great response though and pretty much what I expected. I've just bought a used 997s (my 4th 911) but the AMv8 certainly would have appealed had it been in my price range! You're a lucky man.

[johnsuper]

Mid-life Crisis said:

Great response though and pretty much what I expected. I've just bought a used 997s (my 4th 911) but the AMv8 certainly would have appealed had it been in my price range! You're a lucky man.

i agreed to that