996 Turbo to DB9 or V8V
Discussion
Depends what you like from a car.
I bought a V8V in May, and sold my 996 turbo shortly afterwards - after five and a half years of ownership. I found I was driving the turbo very little, and there had been a couple of occasions where I'd used it and regretted - it simply bored me. It was very fast (mine was mapped) and very impressive in the wet - but I found it soul-less, and being fast didn't mean it had soul.
The V8V is much slower - a 4.7 would be slightly better I guess, but still a league behind the turbo. However, so far I much prefer it - it feels special to drive, and I also think it's a stunning looking car. The interior is what a car of this kind of value should be - when I had the turbo, I was aware of the criticism of the interior but never really understood it - but having moved on to the Aston, I realise just how cheap it was.
I have absolutely zero regrets - I definitely made the right decision. But I've seen threads in the past where people have gone to an AM Vantage, and then jumped back into Porsche very quickly. So it depends a lot on personal taste.
Guess you need to ask yourself why you're considering those cars. If it's just because the current price of turbos mean you can - but you still like / love the car you have - I suspect you'd regret it.
I bought a V8V in May, and sold my 996 turbo shortly afterwards - after five and a half years of ownership. I found I was driving the turbo very little, and there had been a couple of occasions where I'd used it and regretted - it simply bored me. It was very fast (mine was mapped) and very impressive in the wet - but I found it soul-less, and being fast didn't mean it had soul.
The V8V is much slower - a 4.7 would be slightly better I guess, but still a league behind the turbo. However, so far I much prefer it - it feels special to drive, and I also think it's a stunning looking car. The interior is what a car of this kind of value should be - when I had the turbo, I was aware of the criticism of the interior but never really understood it - but having moved on to the Aston, I realise just how cheap it was.
I have absolutely zero regrets - I definitely made the right decision. But I've seen threads in the past where people have gone to an AM Vantage, and then jumped back into Porsche very quickly. So it depends a lot on personal taste.
Guess you need to ask yourself why you're considering those cars. If it's just because the current price of turbos mean you can - but you still like / love the car you have - I suspect you'd regret it.
davek_964 said:
Depends what you like from a car.
Guess you need to ask yourself why you're considering those cars. If it's just because the current price of turbos mean you can - but you still like / love the car you have - I suspect you'd regret it.
Yes, the current prices of turbos does mean I can and yes I do still love the car and it's speed. But I do like the look of the 2 Astons and I imagine they do feel a little but more special. Guess you need to ask yourself why you're considering those cars. If it's just because the current price of turbos mean you can - but you still like / love the car you have - I suspect you'd regret it.
Tough decision ahead.
If it helps i have been having the same sort of musings in that i have been thinking about buying one of the three on your list and my list only has R8 added to it.
I am really stuck and one of the biggest issues is that a Turbo isn't seen by many outside the car World as 'that' much more than the most basic spec C2 in Rainforest Green with Savannah hide, where as the V8V, and particularly the DB9 as regarded as 'massively expensive cars'.
I still will never forget the person who honestly thought that my 2.5 R reg Boxster with 100k was worth 'About 18-20k 5 years ago... The same type have now most likely realised that Porsches are within the reach of those earning less than £100kpa but I don't think that the V8V has had that impact on the man in the street yet, even if those in the know, know.
I am really stuck and one of the biggest issues is that a Turbo isn't seen by many outside the car World as 'that' much more than the most basic spec C2 in Rainforest Green with Savannah hide, where as the V8V, and particularly the DB9 as regarded as 'massively expensive cars'.
I still will never forget the person who honestly thought that my 2.5 R reg Boxster with 100k was worth 'About 18-20k 5 years ago... The same type have now most likely realised that Porsches are within the reach of those earning less than £100kpa but I don't think that the V8V has had that impact on the man in the street yet, even if those in the know, know.
Rude-boy said:
...I am really stuck and one of the biggest issues is that a Turbo isn't seen by many outside the car World as 'that' much more than the most basic spec C2 in Rainforest Green with Savannah hide, ....
I think that 99% of the general public (those who are really not that interested in cars) wouldn't notice the difference between a turbo and a non-turbo 911. And - at least in the South East - Porsche is simply too common to be noticed most of the time anyway. Mine really didn't get any attention at all - I don't think most people noticed it anymore than a Ford Focus. I remember being genuinely surprised one day when I parked in town, and somebody commented on what a nice looking car it was!The Aston gets a lot of attention - far more than I expected, and very nearly as much as my 360 (my 360 isn't red though, so is less noticeable than one that is).
So, if the view of other people matters to you I doubt the turbo would suit.
I would repeat again though, that if speed is your thing then a V8V may not be the answer you're looking for. I didn't buy mine as a "fast" car, even though it replaced the turbo - but even so, I am surprised it's not a tad quicker considering the size of the engine, the noise it makes and the amount of fuel it swallows. It's quick enough for me, and the overall package works well - but if speed matters, you probably won't like a Vantage unless you double the price and buy a V12.
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.
I am in that odd place in that I don't mind at all if my cars get noticed - heck between us the Mrs and I have 3 TVRs, 2 968CS Porches (one bright yellow) and the day cars - but have to think a bit about the impact on others.
I could get away with the Boxster but only just. The CS is find as when I bought it it was considered an old cheap Porsche and seen in the same eyes as the 924 down the road. I 'know' i could get away with a Turbo here and even with a GT3 if de-badged. The second i pull up in an Aston though...
And that is where my problem lies. To make the purchase make sense i would need to drive the car regularly - as in sell the Golf and use it daily. All of the cars i have mentioned will do that with ease. Only the Turbo would NOT provoke a reaction that i am not sure i can be arsed with.
I am in that odd place in that I don't mind at all if my cars get noticed - heck between us the Mrs and I have 3 TVRs, 2 968CS Porches (one bright yellow) and the day cars - but have to think a bit about the impact on others.
I could get away with the Boxster but only just. The CS is find as when I bought it it was considered an old cheap Porsche and seen in the same eyes as the 924 down the road. I 'know' i could get away with a Turbo here and even with a GT3 if de-badged. The second i pull up in an Aston though...
And that is where my problem lies. To make the purchase make sense i would need to drive the car regularly - as in sell the Golf and use it daily. All of the cars i have mentioned will do that with ease. Only the Turbo would NOT provoke a reaction that i am not sure i can be arsed with.
ORD said:
If you mostly want to look like James Bond rather than drive the thing, buy the slow, clumsy V8V. Otherwise, I would stick with the Turbo. The DB9 is a different kettle of fish 
I guess that proves we all like different things. When I said the turbo lacks soul, it is exactly the fact that it never felt like you were 'driving' it. I feel the Vantage is much more involving to drive, but it's all subjective.My old man made a swap from a 996T to a V8V some years ago for similar reasons. He felt the 996T, whilst exceptionally accomplished ("I'll end up getting a serious ticket if I keep the car" were his words), never sparked his interest. The V8V in contrast was much more the event that he wanted, it is also the only car he has ever asked me to do a drive by in so that he could hear it from the outside! I must admit in terms of out right pace we were both quite disappointed with the V8V and our parting thoughts were that it was more bark than bite. The 996T attracted very little by way of attention with the V8V drawing quite a few comments (mostly positive but a fair few "nice mid-life crisis" remarks thrown in for good measure).
I would still quite fancy my own 996T (prices seem to have gone a little high for me!) but based on the experience of the V8V I would always feel slightly underwhelmed if I were to pick one up today.
I would still quite fancy my own 996T (prices seem to have gone a little high for me!) but based on the experience of the V8V I would always feel slightly underwhelmed if I were to pick one up today.
I really dont get the V8V. It felt (more than) its age to me. And I just dont think the engine is good enough for a car that relies on engine character and appearance (because it is dynamically very average). Astons have to be V12s, for me. Each to his own and all that, but I think the V8 is pretty underwhelming.
I should say that I dont find Astons good-looking, which puts me in a tiny minority! But it also allows me to rate them for what they are, rather than getting all excited about being James Bond. For example, I think the interiors are pretty poor, whereas everyone seems to rave about them.
I should say that I dont find Astons good-looking, which puts me in a tiny minority! But it also allows me to rate them for what they are, rather than getting all excited about being James Bond. For example, I think the interiors are pretty poor, whereas everyone seems to rave about them.
davek_964 said:
I bought a V8V in May, and sold my 996 turbo shortly afterwards - after five and a half years of ownership. I found I was driving the turbo very little, and there had been a couple of occasions where I'd used it and regretted - it simply bored me. It was very fast (mine was mapped) and very impressive in the wet - but I found it soul-less, and being fast didn't mean it had soul.
Each to their own, but I disagree entirely. I had a 996 turbo for 2 years and never once found it soul-less.Before I comment I should say at the start that I am a Porsche man through and through and would up until recently have always gone for the Porsche over anything else. However having been lucky enough to have owned and driven several thousand kms in all of 996 & 997 Turbo, 996 & 997GT3, 996 & 997 GT2, R8 (V10) and AM V8 I would say for everyday use I would have the AM V8 as my first choice, followed by the 997 & 996 Turbos.
The reason I would put the Aston above all others is that it is a little more supple on the road than any of the Porsches, it has a slightly higher ride height than the Porsches which makes it simply easier to live with on a daily basis. It looks fantastic, sounds better than all of the others and has a real sense of occasion about it and to my great surprise when pushed on it handles far better than its weight and proportions suggest it might. And to put my money where my mouth is; my wife is currently running an AM V8 Manual car as everyday transport and having had it 6 months we're still loving it, to the point where I constantly find excuses to swop cars for the day/ days/ week.
If we weren't talking everyday transport, but a fun toy for weekend and track days, GT2 is the one for me with a tuned Turbo a close second, the power is simply addictive.
As for the R8, that would be last on my list, great engine, average interior & looks, crap gearbox and even worse brakes if you take it to the track.
The reason I would put the Aston above all others is that it is a little more supple on the road than any of the Porsches, it has a slightly higher ride height than the Porsches which makes it simply easier to live with on a daily basis. It looks fantastic, sounds better than all of the others and has a real sense of occasion about it and to my great surprise when pushed on it handles far better than its weight and proportions suggest it might. And to put my money where my mouth is; my wife is currently running an AM V8 Manual car as everyday transport and having had it 6 months we're still loving it, to the point where I constantly find excuses to swop cars for the day/ days/ week.
If we weren't talking everyday transport, but a fun toy for weekend and track days, GT2 is the one for me with a tuned Turbo a close second, the power is simply addictive.
As for the R8, that would be last on my list, great engine, average interior & looks, crap gearbox and even worse brakes if you take it to the track.
ORD said:
I really dont get the V8V. It felt (more than) its age to me. And I just dont think the engine is good enough for a car that relies on engine character and appearance (because it is dynamically very average). Astons have to be V12s, for me. Each to his own and all that, but I think the V8 is pretty underwhelming.
I should say that I dont find Astons good-looking, which puts me in a tiny minority! But it also allows me to rate them for what they are, rather than getting all excited about being James Bond. For example, I think the interiors are pretty poor, whereas everyone seems to rave about them.
If you think the Vantage interior is poor you surely can't rate the 996 turbo one higher!I should say that I dont find Astons good-looking, which puts me in a tiny minority! But it also allows me to rate them for what they are, rather than getting all excited about being James Bond. For example, I think the interiors are pretty poor, whereas everyone seems to rave about them.
In any case, you really need to get over the idea that all V8V owners are wannabe Daniel Craig's.
Having wanted a V8V since they were 1st announced all those years ago, I finally test drove one back to back with a Maser 4200 & a base 997 C2.
Despite the stunning looks, lovely interior (IMO) & great presence I couldn't buy the AM as it just wasn't good enough. Have driven a relatives DB9 & lovely though it was, couldn't see myself owning one.
Fell in love with the 911 & ended up buying a good 996 rather than financing a newer 997.
V8V still turns my head every time I see one, if I had the money I'd buy one anyway (& not to be James Bond) for the feel good factor & to look at!
Despite the stunning looks, lovely interior (IMO) & great presence I couldn't buy the AM as it just wasn't good enough. Have driven a relatives DB9 & lovely though it was, couldn't see myself owning one.
Fell in love with the 911 & ended up buying a good 996 rather than financing a newer 997.
V8V still turns my head every time I see one, if I had the money I'd buy one anyway (& not to be James Bond) for the feel good factor & to look at!
Edited by LordHaveMurci on Monday 16th November 18:12
I think that's all that explains AM's relative success. It's got excellent marketing and brand awareness. Anyone else selling so little car for the money would get murdered.
I actually quite like the 996 interiors. They are nicely basic and simple.
I actually quite like the 996 interiors. They are nicely basic and simple.
Edited by ORD on Monday 16th November 18:11
I must admit to not being a huge 911 fan, I just don't see the attraction. For me, if you want looks, Aston wins, noise - Aston, drive - something more focused like a Lotus maybe? Out and out performance I can see the turbo being tempting. However, how often can you really use it?
The Vantage will make you feel special every time you walk up to it. The interior is a beautiful place to spend time. And the sound is significantly better than almost everything on the road. V12 is better again.
Performance wise the 4.7 is more than quick enough for road driving. I think people who say otherwise prefer buckets of low down torque, which I feel can actually be quite boring to drive.
I came from an Evora into the Vantage, and the Lotus was probably a better car in almost every measurable way, but there is something special about the Vantage. I'd love to havve both being honest!
All personal. It's probably worth driving all three.
The Vantage will make you feel special every time you walk up to it. The interior is a beautiful place to spend time. And the sound is significantly better than almost everything on the road. V12 is better again.
Performance wise the 4.7 is more than quick enough for road driving. I think people who say otherwise prefer buckets of low down torque, which I feel can actually be quite boring to drive.
I came from an Evora into the Vantage, and the Lotus was probably a better car in almost every measurable way, but there is something special about the Vantage. I'd love to havve both being honest!
All personal. It's probably worth driving all three.
If you want a car that drives, handles and talk to the driver, most 911s fit the bill better than just about anything (vaguely practical) for the money.
If you want looks, people staring, kudos, ego, status, Astons and others do it far better.
If people are worried about the speed of a 911tt, just whack an Arnold Clark sticker in the rear window.
If you want looks, people staring, kudos, ego, status, Astons and others do it far better.
If people are worried about the speed of a 911tt, just whack an Arnold Clark sticker in the rear window.
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
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