Vantage 4.3 vs R8 V8 vs 997.1 S
Discussion
Any thoughts on the above late 00’s grudge match? 
I’ve had a 4.3 Vantage for 18 months now and am absolutely loving it - I get it back from Bamford Rose soon with some power upgrades which I can’t wait for. Will have largely bridged the gap to the 4.7 in terms of performance.
However I find myself wondering what could, maybe, be next one day (if ever?)
Comparing these 3 cars I am probably biased, but for looks, design, noise and badge I think the Aston wins.
I’ve never driven an R8 but surely that supercar layout is pretty special to drive? Does it edge the Vantage on “X” factor?
Then the 911 which will be sharper and zingier and crisper than the other two.... they’re just all very different cars.
What would you have for general weekend bombing around in?
I’ve had a 4.3 Vantage for 18 months now and am absolutely loving it - I get it back from Bamford Rose soon with some power upgrades which I can’t wait for. Will have largely bridged the gap to the 4.7 in terms of performance.
However I find myself wondering what could, maybe, be next one day (if ever?)
Comparing these 3 cars I am probably biased, but for looks, design, noise and badge I think the Aston wins.
I’ve never driven an R8 but surely that supercar layout is pretty special to drive? Does it edge the Vantage on “X” factor?
Then the 911 which will be sharper and zingier and crisper than the other two.... they’re just all very different cars.
What would you have for general weekend bombing around in?
looks a great car!The R8 does seem extremely good value at the minute. I very nearly went down that route but decided it couldn’t be my only car whereas a 911 legitimately could.
I don’t completely follow the love for the Aston but I sit in the small camp of thinking they age very quickly before turning into long standing classic designs and I think the V8 and DB9 are currently in the awkward teenager phase. A minority view of course!
I don’t completely follow the love for the Aston but I sit in the small camp of thinking they age very quickly before turning into long standing classic designs and I think the V8 and DB9 are currently in the awkward teenager phase. A minority view of course!
Stick with the Vantage - a great looking car and nice and small in today's world of bloated SUVs.
R8 is still an Audi after all, and as the former owner of a 997.2 I can say they're great to drive, but road noise and interior let it down. The Aston will always be that bit more exotic.
R8 is still an Audi after all, and as the former owner of a 997.2 I can say they're great to drive, but road noise and interior let it down. The Aston will always be that bit more exotic.
A mate of mine has just got a V8 Vantage with sports cars and the back boxes out and it sounds incredible!
It’s the first time I think I’ve lost a sound-off with my W204 C63.
The Aston goes well enough and feels very special. It’s probably no faster than a Golf R but that’s not the point.
It’s the first time I think I’ve lost a sound-off with my W204 C63.
The Aston goes well enough and feels very special. It’s probably no faster than a Golf R but that’s not the point.
Norton850 said:
I have owned a few Porsches but i have always wanted a Aston and the Vantage is my all time favourite...
Classy......
(I often look at R8 Prices though)
I had a V12S Aston Vantage and am back in a 991 GTS (3.8 NA).Classy......
(I often look at R8 Prices though)
Not as outright fast or dramatic, but better to actually own and use in my experience.
Mainly because it starts, goes and keeps going when you want it to !!
I’ve got a Hartech’d 997.1 C2S which is an excellent steer.
With that said I do scan the classifieds at the others mentioned in the thread - V8V in particular catches my eye at their price point as I’ve not had a V8 before.
I think as petrol heads we all get itchy feet to try something new or different even if we have perfectly excellent cars already. At least that’s how I justify it to myself
With that said I do scan the classifieds at the others mentioned in the thread - V8V in particular catches my eye at their price point as I’ve not had a V8 before.
I think as petrol heads we all get itchy feet to try something new or different even if we have perfectly excellent cars already. At least that’s how I justify it to myself
I’ve had both the 4.3 Vantage and then a manual R8 V8.
I liked them both for different reasons.
The Aston was my favourite in terms of ownership experience (how special it felt just parked, the looks, noise) but the R8 was a much better car to drive. Mine had an aftermarket exhaust and it was louder than my TVRs. Be aware the R8s can throw up some huge bills - have a look at ball joints and the air conditioning.
I liked them both for different reasons.
The Aston was my favourite in terms of ownership experience (how special it felt just parked, the looks, noise) but the R8 was a much better car to drive. Mine had an aftermarket exhaust and it was louder than my TVRs. Be aware the R8s can throw up some huge bills - have a look at ball joints and the air conditioning.
My wife and I travelled around the UK for two weeks visiting friends and family in our TVR Chimaera (4L HC, Cooper Green over light brown with full Leven) shortly after we got married in 2003.
It was an amazing holiday.
We have decided to do the same thing when the children leave home in a few years’ time.
A 997 was always the favourite for this. However, the Aston and the R8 are also under serious consideration.
Harry’s recent video about the R8 is an interesting watch.
I’m wondering if the 991.1 CS 3.8 naturally aspirated car might be the sweet spot?
This is an interesting video:
https://youtu.be/1-pMHHlAxkk
It was an amazing holiday.
We have decided to do the same thing when the children leave home in a few years’ time.
A 997 was always the favourite for this. However, the Aston and the R8 are also under serious consideration.
Harry’s recent video about the R8 is an interesting watch.
I’m wondering if the 991.1 CS 3.8 naturally aspirated car might be the sweet spot?
This is an interesting video:
https://youtu.be/1-pMHHlAxkk
ollyh1988 said:
Be aware the R8s can throw up some huge bills - have a look at ball joints and the air conditioning.
I'm surprised at that - I've seen comments in the past that they are a very economical car to run (at least vs supercars) - but I guess most things can throw bigger bills as they age.I had a 996 turbo and went from that to V8 Vantage (4.3). I overlapped by a month to be sure I was happy with the change - I was. The 911 was very fast but didn't feel special in any other way to me - the Vantage was lovely. I expect I'll have another Aston one day - I'm pretty sure I won't have another 911.
davek_964 said:
I'm surprised at that - I've seen comments in the past that they are a very economical car to run (at least vs supercars) - but I guess most things can throw bigger bills as they age.
I had a 996 turbo and went from that to V8 Vantage (4.3). I overlapped by a month to be sure I was happy with the change - I was. The 911 was very fast but didn't feel special in any other way to me - the Vantage was lovely. I expect I'll have another Aston one day - I'm pretty sure I won't have another 911.
I’d be very surprised if the r8 wasn’t the cheapest to run of the 3. I’ve had my V10 for 6 years and for most of the time the annual cost is inline with my wife’s S3. I had a 996 turbo and went from that to V8 Vantage (4.3). I overlapped by a month to be sure I was happy with the change - I was. The 911 was very fast but didn't feel special in any other way to me - the Vantage was lovely. I expect I'll have another Aston one day - I'm pretty sure I won't have another 911.
Have been a couple of bigger bills but you can get those with the Aston and Porsche as well.
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