Porsche 997 v AM Vantage V8 - Running costs and reliability
Discussion
As the title suggests I am considering buying either:-
1. A 997 Gen II PDK Porsche, probably a Targa, but the convertible & coupé also appeal; or
2. An Aston Martin Vantage V8 Roadster post 2009 MY Facelift. I'd love an N429, but my budget is unlikely to extend to it.
If there was anyone who has owned both, their experience of relative running costs & reliability, and why they changed from one to the other would be most welcome.
NJSS
1. A 997 Gen II PDK Porsche, probably a Targa, but the convertible & coupé also appeal; or
2. An Aston Martin Vantage V8 Roadster post 2009 MY Facelift. I'd love an N429, but my budget is unlikely to extend to it.
If there was anyone who has owned both, their experience of relative running costs & reliability, and why they changed from one to the other would be most welcome.
NJSS
Not quite the same, but 3 years ago went from 996 turbo (2002) to V8 Vantage (2006).
Reliability is similar. The idea that German cars are bullet proof and Astons are fragile is not true in my experience. Things broke on the turbo, things break on the Aston - but not very often. I have a thread on the Aston forum which I've kept updated during my ownership 'V8 Vantage - what's it really like' - will give you a good idea of my ownership experience so far.
Why did I change? I had the turbo for just over 5 years. It was immensely quick but a little dull in my opinion. No character, and never really felt like a sports car. Having said that, there was a brief overlap where I had both cars and getting out of the Vantage and into the turbo did make the turbo feel sporty - it was sharper to drive than my Aston.
But in 3 years of ownership I've never regretted the change for a second.
Reliability is similar. The idea that German cars are bullet proof and Astons are fragile is not true in my experience. Things broke on the turbo, things break on the Aston - but not very often. I have a thread on the Aston forum which I've kept updated during my ownership 'V8 Vantage - what's it really like' - will give you a good idea of my ownership experience so far.
Why did I change? I had the turbo for just over 5 years. It was immensely quick but a little dull in my opinion. No character, and never really felt like a sports car. Having said that, there was a brief overlap where I had both cars and getting out of the Vantage and into the turbo did make the turbo feel sporty - it was sharper to drive than my Aston.
But in 3 years of ownership I've never regretted the change for a second.
I had the same choice and looked at running costs in detail as its my daily driver. I went for a Lotus Evora, which aside from being more of a sports car had significantly lower costs than the Aston and lower but less significant than the Porsche.
Aston service interval is short and service costs high, Evora is also short but service costs are lower. Porsche service costs high but a bigger interval.
Aston service interval is short and service costs high, Evora is also short but service costs are lower. Porsche service costs high but a bigger interval.
blueg33 said:
I had the same choice and looked at running costs in detail as its my daily driver. I went for a Lotus Evora, which aside from being more of a sports car had significantly lower costs than the Aston and lower but less significant than the Porsche.
Aston service interval is short and service costs high, Evora is also short but service costs are lower. Porsche service costs high but a bigger interval.
The Aston service interval isnt particularly short for this kind of car (or for any car on fixed servicing really) - it's an annual interval, or 10k miles. Service costs are more if main dealer, but not horrendous and again probably in line with the type of car....their basic service is £650, and then upwards depending on year....most of mine over the past 7 years have been in the £700-800 range.Aston service interval is short and service costs high, Evora is also short but service costs are lower. Porsche service costs high but a bigger interval.
I was looking at the Evora recently - prices seem to be holding up well!
johnnyBv8 said:
blueg33 said:
I had the same choice and looked at running costs in detail as its my daily driver. I went for a Lotus Evora, which aside from being more of a sports car had significantly lower costs than the Aston and lower but less significant than the Porsche.
Aston service interval is short and service costs high, Evora is also short but service costs are lower. Porsche service costs high but a bigger interval.
The Aston service interval isnt particularly short for this kind of car (or for any car on fixed servicing really) - it's an annual interval, or 10k miles. Service costs are more if main dealer, but not horrendous and again probably in line with the type of car....their basic service is £650, and then upwards depending on year....most of mine over the past 7 years have been in the £700-800 range.Aston service interval is short and service costs high, Evora is also short but service costs are lower. Porsche service costs high but a bigger interval.
I was looking at the Evora recently - prices seem to be holding up well!
I think all 3 cars are now holding their prices well is bought used. My first Evora dropped by just over £3k in 50k miles
NJSS said:
Hopefully, to a great extent.
The MA1.02 engine fitted to the Targa 4 & the MA1.01 in the Targa 4S seem to have solved the RMS (Rear Mail Seal) oil leak problems & the IMS (Intermediate Shaft) failure issues.
NJSS
Hopefully - not sure why you need to hope. As I said earlier it is a completely different engine. It doesnt even have an IMS so there is absolutely no chance of this failing.The MA1.02 engine fitted to the Targa 4 & the MA1.01 in the Targa 4S seem to have solved the RMS (Rear Mail Seal) oil leak problems & the IMS (Intermediate Shaft) failure issues.
NJSS
Thank-you everyone for your helpful responses.
davek_964 - I have read your informative history of Vantage ownership; many thanks.
I have a leaning towards the Vantage, possibly as my brother was in the 70s employed in the States by AM, and later was principal of an AM dealership; and partly as I have owned AMs in the deep distant past..
NJSS
davek_964 - I have read your informative history of Vantage ownership; many thanks.
I have a leaning towards the Vantage, possibly as my brother was in the 70s employed in the States by AM, and later was principal of an AM dealership; and partly as I have owned AMs in the deep distant past..
NJSS
Edited by NJSS on Tuesday 17th July 14:11
NJSS said:
davek_964 - I have read your informative history of Vantage ownership; many thanks.
Full disclosure - it's due an update, and I discovered a few days ago that the car doesn't always decide it should lock all the doors - and yesterday, even decided to lock / unlock / lock the drivers door while I was driving along.So I retract everything good I said about Vantages, currently hate mine with a passion (I know the door modules are expensive) and may drive it off a cliff at the weekend.
I've had a 997.2 GTS and I currently have a V8 Vantage S.
My 997 was higher mileage than the Aston and was tracked so slight difference in wear and tear but I replaced more bits on the Porsche than the Aston. The high pressure fuel pump failed on the 911 (fairly common) and that was a £1,000.00 bill and there were a few coolant hoses that were corroded and also the exhaust heat shields were corroded and replaced. I also had the front lights replaced as the plastic was discoloured.
I had a few niggles with the Aston to start with but it had done barely any miles over the last two years with the previous owner. As I've been using it more regularly it seems to feel a lot less fragile.
The Porsche was an excellent handling car and although the Aston is actually very accomplished it doesn't feel like it wants to be thrown around twisty roads. It is a very good GT though.
Running costs wise, you'll be spending considerably more on fuel in the Aston, insurance for me was the same and servicing costs are about the same. I would assume that if anything goes wrong on the Aston it will be more expensive. Also I had a number of excellent indy Porsche specialists near me but no Aston indys so main dealer prices it is....
I'd say drive both as they offer very different driving and ownership experiences at a similar price point.
My 997 was higher mileage than the Aston and was tracked so slight difference in wear and tear but I replaced more bits on the Porsche than the Aston. The high pressure fuel pump failed on the 911 (fairly common) and that was a £1,000.00 bill and there were a few coolant hoses that were corroded and also the exhaust heat shields were corroded and replaced. I also had the front lights replaced as the plastic was discoloured.
I had a few niggles with the Aston to start with but it had done barely any miles over the last two years with the previous owner. As I've been using it more regularly it seems to feel a lot less fragile.
The Porsche was an excellent handling car and although the Aston is actually very accomplished it doesn't feel like it wants to be thrown around twisty roads. It is a very good GT though.
Running costs wise, you'll be spending considerably more on fuel in the Aston, insurance for me was the same and servicing costs are about the same. I would assume that if anything goes wrong on the Aston it will be more expensive. Also I had a number of excellent indy Porsche specialists near me but no Aston indys so main dealer prices it is....
I'd say drive both as they offer very different driving and ownership experiences at a similar price point.
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