996 Turbo to DB9 or V8V
Discussion
Never driven a DB9. Bloke who used to live in our village (Google "Fred Pritchard") used to own 20 odd Astons, including a DB9 coupe and convertible, DBS and also a Vanquish - those V12 engines do sound like Spitfires, sublime.
However, I'd always assumed they were a bit more of a GT and, dare I say it, more of an old man's cruiser than a sports car. Am I wrong?
However, I'd always assumed they were a bit more of a GT and, dare I say it, more of an old man's cruiser than a sports car. Am I wrong?
Digga said:
ORD said:
Nope. But nothing wrong with that if it is what you want. DB9 and V12V are special things.
Thanks. Never test drove either, but that confirms my thoughts - they are very good at what they do, but it is not quite comparable with a 911.monthefish said:
You do realise 'pace' is far more than just top speed?
I loved my 996t for the overtaking punch, and drive out of corners. I didn't venture too far into three figure speeds during ownership, but that doesn't mean I didn't use its 'pace'.
Wasn't the original (modern) 4.3 AMV8 slated for being off the pace (hence the introduction of the 4.7)
Don't know if that's true or not - but as I said, if speed is your thing and if the speed of the turbo is an important plus (and by speed, I did mean acceleration), then a Vantage is not going to be your cup of tea. They're not slow, but they are definitely not fast, and there is no real comparison with a 996 turbo.I loved my 996t for the overtaking punch, and drive out of corners. I didn't venture too far into three figure speeds during ownership, but that doesn't mean I didn't use its 'pace'.
Wasn't the original (modern) 4.3 AMV8 slated for being off the pace (hence the introduction of the 4.7)
Regarding whether they are GT - I always considered my 996 turbo was GT rather than a pure sports car, albeit a very fast one. However, I would definitely agree that a Vantage is even more GT than a 996 turbo.
I went from a C4S to a V8 Vantage 4.7.
Whilst to be fair the speed is probably comparable as the C4S was around the "slowest" of the 996's. But in real world terms V8V, 996TT and C4S are "fast".
I disagree with classing the DB9 and V12V to each other. The DB9 is certainly a GT but can progress at a rapid rate where needed but it has a slush gearbox and very few manuals exist. The V12V has a V12 fitted into the smallest chassis in terms of size which is comparable to a 911. The V12V is not a GT car but could take up the role easily. Yes the interiors are similar and the engine is the same but the setup between the 2 is wholly different.
But i would be interested in which V8 people drove who thought it was slow, ignoring the comparison to the 996TT. The "old" 4.3 did indeed need working to gain momentum but this was addressed in 2008/9 with the 4.7 which has much better low range. Downside was they actually made it slightly quieter in Aston terms of noise. Hence why a lot of owners fit 200cel cats to get the noise back and even more bhp.
996 interior better than an Vantage? I would possibly side on the 996 when it comes to the 4.3 but again i prefer the newer version over the 996 any day! Horses for courses i suppose though.
Whilst to be fair the speed is probably comparable as the C4S was around the "slowest" of the 996's. But in real world terms V8V, 996TT and C4S are "fast".
I disagree with classing the DB9 and V12V to each other. The DB9 is certainly a GT but can progress at a rapid rate where needed but it has a slush gearbox and very few manuals exist. The V12V has a V12 fitted into the smallest chassis in terms of size which is comparable to a 911. The V12V is not a GT car but could take up the role easily. Yes the interiors are similar and the engine is the same but the setup between the 2 is wholly different.
But i would be interested in which V8 people drove who thought it was slow, ignoring the comparison to the 996TT. The "old" 4.3 did indeed need working to gain momentum but this was addressed in 2008/9 with the 4.7 which has much better low range. Downside was they actually made it slightly quieter in Aston terms of noise. Hence why a lot of owners fit 200cel cats to get the noise back and even more bhp.
996 interior better than an Vantage? I would possibly side on the 996 when it comes to the 4.3 but again i prefer the newer version over the 996 any day! Horses for courses i suppose though.
monthefish said:
Rude-boy said:
For me the pace of the car matters but not that much. Let's be honest here and say any figures that cars can manage above 100mph is all a bit academic for 99% of PH'ers, let alone the rest of the World. If it is faster than my Golf then great, but it doesn't need to be a rocketship.
You do realise 'pace' is far more than just top speed?I loved my 996t for the overtaking punch, and drive out of corners. I didn't venture too far into three figure speeds during ownership, but that doesn't mean I didn't use its 'pace'.
Wasn't the original (modern) 4.3 AMV8 slated for being off the pace (hence the introduction of the 4.7)
Edited by monthefish on Tuesday 17th November 14:30
The difference between the tow in terms of pace below 100mph is very much there but is not gaping IMO and whilst the Turbo has more pace there are very few occasions where this is going to actually have any impact on daily driving.
The only treason I mentioned 100mph+ is that over this sort of speed the pace difference between the two becomes more noticeable.
Rude-boy said:
The difference between the tow in terms of pace below 100mph is very much there but is not gaping IMO and whilst the Turbo has more pace there are very few occasions where this is going to actually have any impact on daily driving.
On paper, maybe the real difference doesn't seem that great but in reality I would say the difference between the two feels gaping. Maybe it's an unfair comparison, since my turbo was mapped - but given how easy it is to do that it probably is still valid to compare. The turbo feels much much quicker below 100mph (and doesn't slow down much above that) - you can overtake pretty much anywhere any time within reason. The Vantage needs a lot more space to do the same.How much this affects daily driving is questionable as you've said - even if we're just talking about below 100mph, the turbo gets there so quickly if you floor it that it's still of limited use a lot of the time since you have to back off quite quickly. Fun while it lasts though.
petop said:
I went from a C4S to a V8 Vantage 4.7.
Whilst to be fair the speed is probably comparable as the C4S was around the "slowest" of the 996's. But in real world terms V8V, 996TT and C4S are "fast".
I disagree with classing the DB9 and V12V to each other. The DB9 is certainly a GT but can progress at a rapid rate where needed but it has a slush gearbox and very few manuals exist. The V12V has a V12 fitted into the smallest chassis in terms of size which is comparable to a 911. The V12V is not a GT car but could take up the role easily. Yes the interiors are similar and the engine is the same but the setup between the 2 is wholly different.
But i would be interested in which V8 people drove who thought it was slow, ignoring the comparison to the 996TT. The "old" 4.3 did indeed need working to gain momentum but this was addressed in 2008/9 with the 4.7 which has much better low range. Downside was they actually made it slightly quieter in Aston terms of noise. Hence why a lot of owners fit 200cel cats to get the noise back and even more bhp.
996 interior better than an Vantage? I would possibly side on the 996 when it comes to the 4.3 but again i prefer the newer version over the 996 any day! Horses for courses i suppose though.
As you say The v8 4.7 is not slow.Its performance is almost identical to the 997s .Whilst to be fair the speed is probably comparable as the C4S was around the "slowest" of the 996's. But in real world terms V8V, 996TT and C4S are "fast".
I disagree with classing the DB9 and V12V to each other. The DB9 is certainly a GT but can progress at a rapid rate where needed but it has a slush gearbox and very few manuals exist. The V12V has a V12 fitted into the smallest chassis in terms of size which is comparable to a 911. The V12V is not a GT car but could take up the role easily. Yes the interiors are similar and the engine is the same but the setup between the 2 is wholly different.
But i would be interested in which V8 people drove who thought it was slow, ignoring the comparison to the 996TT. The "old" 4.3 did indeed need working to gain momentum but this was addressed in 2008/9 with the 4.7 which has much better low range. Downside was they actually made it slightly quieter in Aston terms of noise. Hence why a lot of owners fit 200cel cats to get the noise back and even more bhp.
996 interior better than an Vantage? I would possibly side on the 996 when it comes to the 4.3 but again i prefer the newer version over the 996 any day! Horses for courses i suppose though.
Beautifully balanced car with lovely steering ,its only downside is it has the v12v just above it ,and that is utterly epic.
The 4.3l feels slower than it is on paper, in my experience. It wouldnt touch a NA 997, let alone a Turbo. The 4.8 is very similar to a NA 997 in a straight line (although noticeably slower and less sharp in realistic road driving). The Turbos that I have driven are in a completely different league for pace including at sensible speeds.
ORD said:
The 4.3l feels slower than it is on paper, in my experience.
Not driven one, but heard enough not to bother.Another ex-TVR mate had a Merc SLK55 AMG. he came to visit and took me out in it - didn't feel quick, but sounded pretty good - and then insisted (because I really have a thing about not driving mate's cars) I drove and also that I floored it. When I did - and no it didn't feel quick - he said "see I told you it wasn't quick". He chopped it in for an Audi R8.
In the 996tt, I've had a few experiences where you almost need to re-map your brain to realise quite how the overtaking opportunities can be taken; staggeringly easy and it makes the job so much safer.
ORD said:
Yep. It's very much personal taste.
No car makes me feel special. They are machines. Maybe I am too old for the Everyone's Special generation and too young to associate cars with wealth (as anyone with a reasonable job can 'afford' an AM or Porsche these days).
You need to drive a TVR Tuscan if you want a car to feel specialNo car makes me feel special. They are machines. Maybe I am too old for the Everyone's Special generation and too young to associate cars with wealth (as anyone with a reasonable job can 'afford' an AM or Porsche these days).
Had quite a few Porsches including a 997s bought new and they are great cars no doubt. Astons though for me offer a whole different level of feel good factor. The 4.7 Vantage is easily as quick as the Porsche and is a real drivers car as well. The interior is in another league in terms of quality and the whole experience seems more of an event. Having said this I think it's great that people have different tastes and ideas or life would be very dull.
Understand this is the Porsche area so i wont go on but ive left my Vantage with the missus for 3 months. She took it out the other day to Burley or somewhere like that. Pulled into a petrol station and got stopped 3 times asking about the car. One comment she laughed at which was "oh, such a big car for a small lady"! She mentioned after this that when she drove the C4S she didnt get asked about it once. And she drove the Porsche a lot more. But she see's cars as expensive and takes up too much of my time when im back home, but saying this she is now learning about the car so she seems more knowledgable....she doesnt even know there is a V8 in it!
petop said:
Understand this is the Porsche area so i wont go on but ive left my Vantage with the missus for 3 months. She took it out the other day to Burley or somewhere like that. Pulled into a petrol station and got stopped 3 times asking about the car. One comment she laughed at which was "oh, such a big car for a small lady"! She mentioned after this that when she drove the C4S she didnt get asked about it once. And she drove the Porsche a lot more. But she see's cars as expensive and takes up too much of my time when im back home, but saying this she is now learning about the car so she seems more knowledgable....she doesnt even know there is a V8 in it!
I can understand all this. When I had TVRs, people were (generally) similarly enthusiastic about them. Driving my first Griff though town, with the roof down (I was only 25 at the time) I was even wolf whistled by two, very hot looking girls. That's never happened before or since. 
I had a really (think Twisted looks) nice 2013 model Defender and people - everyone from the age of 4 to about 80 it seemed - absolutely loved that.
Not many people like the Porsche really, although fortunately I've not had much real 'negative' responses. However, I really don't give a single f
k - to me, for this car, it is about the fell, the handling, and the history and heritage of the 911. You can 'feel' the racing pedigree, you can look all over the world/web and see 911s doing interesting, amazing things and, short of a Land Rover, there are few other vehicles with such a depth of heritage and development.Don't get me wrong. I like Astons, TVRs, sports cars in general, and I don't think there's anything wrong with cars that the public like, but I'm quite happy with one that's less popular too.
ORD said:
I find it hard to understand why anyone would care what Joe Public thinks about what they drive. If someone says a nice thing, that's nice; but I wouldn't give one second's thought to that in choosing a car.
I would think that a helluva lot of people care what Joe Public thinks about their car. They may not choose to admit it though.FarQue said:
ORD said:
I find it hard to understand why anyone would care what Joe Public thinks about what they drive. If someone says a nice thing, that's nice; but I wouldn't give one second's thought to that in choosing a car.
I would think that a helluva lot of people care what Joe Public thinks about their car. They may not choose to admit it though. ) then I'd guess people buying them, or GT3s and GT2s will have some element of this in their consideration.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff