650S Spider or V12 Vantage S Roadster?

[Trident04]

Many thanks all, I best go and drive them both!

Might be a little while but I shall report back later in the year.

[bentley01]

I really would like 650 spider but I couldn’t bring myself to part with the Vanquish. At the moment I can’t justify two weekend cars that will not get driven enough. Love both brands but each have their good and bad points.

[Babw]

I don’t think anyone has mentioned the obvious but when I’m driving the Aston with the roof down it’s quite pleasant to pootle around, with the McLaren it’s so responsive and dynamically a different world where it’s far too easy to blitz past the speed limit.

Don’t get me wrong, the Aston is a fast car but the nature of it allows you to driver slower. The McLaren is all about speed.

[12pack]

Babw said:

Don’t get me wrong, the Aston is a fast car but the nature of it allows you to driver slower. The McLaren is all about speed.

I think several have mentioned this. I also compared the Aston to the equivalent of a Harley as opposed to a sports bike.

But actually, the Mac is hardly just about speed. Apart from access, it’s much easier and smoother car to cruise around town with. Certainly the SO prefers cruising in the Mac, with it’s better suspension, smoother gear changes and better outward visibility. Much better fuel efficiency too, if that’s an issue.

Edited by 12pack on Saturday 25th May 12:41

[Babw]

It's subjective but I find my 650S rides so well (especially since new accumulators from V engineering) combined with the lag and the relative pitch in the exhaust noise, I find it quite dull at low speeds.

I find the Aston has steering at least as good as the Mclaren but the exhaust is more "musical" and the chassis more talkative at lower speeds as well as more of the car suited to 6/10 type driving.

Ultimately I think they're in two different categories of cars.

[Streetbeat]

A lot is mentioned about noise when discussing Mclarens, which i totally understand and i know it might be an inconvenience, but straight pipe a Mclaren or 200 cel cats and its a different animal and if it really is the deciding factor for not owning one which lots will have you believe, its just a cop out imo.

[Frankychops]

I’ve just come from a vanquish, I think the McLaren makes more noise inside the car. Sounds a bit more alive.

Vanquish sounded lovely from the outside, I like the noise the 650s makes from inside.

The Mac is miles quicker than a v12 Aston on the road, not that it matters, it’s just feels ‘more’ in every area.

I do miss the stereo in the vanquish though.

[12pack]

Babw said:

Ultimately I think they're in two different categories of cars.

Yes indeed they are. Especially since, per the title of the thread, the OP was asking to compare the 650 to a V12 Vantage, which is significantly more hard core than the Vanq’s softer GT vibe.

[NRG1976]

12pack said:

Thanks for your comments. I looked through my post again, and I believe it to be in perfectly clear GCSE-level English.

Edited by 12pack on Thursday 16th May 08:48

[Frankychops]

12pack said:

Yes indeed they are. Especially since, per the title of the thread, the OP was asking to compare the 650 to a V12 Vantage, which is significantly more hard core than the Vanq’s softer GT vibe.

I found the vanquish a better steer than a vantage when looking, I was after a vantage but the 8 speed and suspension setup made the vanquish feel more fun to me(IMO).

you can't go wrong with any!

[Grey_Area]

Luggage space is surprising on these; pop over to Bagworld and send Colin a message, the bags will be made to your style, and fit perfectly.
If you look at the bags on their own; you'd be forgiven for thinking they would never filt as they look too big.

[macdeb]

12pack said:

Babw said:

Don’t get me wrong, the Aston is a fast car but the nature of it allows you to driver slower. The McLaren is all about speed.

I think several have mentioned this. I also compared the Aston to the equivalent of a Harley as opposed to a sports bike.

But actually, the Mac is hardly just about speed. Apart from access, it’s much easier and smoother car to cruise around town with. Certainly the SO prefers cruising in the Mac, with it’s better suspension, smoother gear changes and better outward visibility. Much better fuel efficiency too, if that’s an issue.

Edited by 12pack on Saturday 25th May 12:41

I find a McLaren easier to drive slowly than the V8 Aston I had and well most cars I've owned tbh. I took a friend out in my 12C and he questioned why I drive it so slowly? To which I replied, 'so more people can see me in it'. I know,

[Ken_Code]

MMarkM said:

Never had a Vantage, but have a VanqS and a 720s. The Aston never really gets used now. It looks like that's what others will say also. One thing is certain though, the Aston sounds an awful lot better!

You should actually post the same question in the Aston Martin forum, it's used a lot more and you'll get more/different replies

I’m late to respond to this, but will anyway…

The 720s is more “usable” than the 650s (in my opinion) which the entry and exit in particular being enough easier to make it nicer as an every-day car.

As I’ve written elsewhere I find that I really only want to get in the McLaren when I am wanting to get in the car “for a drive” as opposed to just using it like I do my other cars.