Discussion
gibbon said:
Wind back 12 years.
Do you not think people, very similar to yourself, in love with the previous model would be saying almost exactly the same thing about the new v8 vantage?
Its just the quest for progress, thats all, each iteration is less like the 'originals', its kind of how it works.
I do also think as humans we inevitably look back at things from the past with a positive retrospect.
Do you not think people, very similar to yourself, in love with the previous model would be saying almost exactly the same thing about the new v8 vantage?
Its just the quest for progress, thats all, each iteration is less like the 'originals', its kind of how it works.
I do also think as humans we inevitably look back at things from the past with a positive retrospect.
Agree with your general point gibbon, but there was one aspect which was different, when the mk1 V8V was announced.
January 2003, Vantage concept launched. The production version appeared in 2005, because it was decided to concentrate production efforts first on the DB9.
That Vantage was an addition to the range, so therefore no direct predecessor.
Dealers spoke about some buyers having to wait for up to two years for their car. Hopefully it will be the same for the new model.
The DB7 was succeeded by the DB9.
Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 11th April 17:07
Jon39 said:
gibbon said:
Wind back 12 years.
Do you not think people, very similar to yourself, in love with the previous model would be saying almost exactly the same thing about the new v8 vantage?
Its just the quest for progress, thats all, each iteration is less like the 'originals', its kind of how it works.
I do also think as humans we inevitably look back at things from the past with a positive retrospect.
Do you not think people, very similar to yourself, in love with the previous model would be saying almost exactly the same thing about the new v8 vantage?
Its just the quest for progress, thats all, each iteration is less like the 'originals', its kind of how it works.
I do also think as humans we inevitably look back at things from the past with a positive retrospect.
Agree with your general point gibbon, but there was one aspect which was different, when the mk1 V8V was announced.
January 2003, Vantage concept launched. The production version appeared in 2005, because it was decided to concentrate production efforts first on the DB9.
That Vantage was an addition to the range, so therefore no direct predecessor.
Dealers spoke about some buyers having to wait for up to two years for their car. Hopefully it will be the same for the new model.
The DB7 was succeeded by the DB9.
Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 11th April 17:07
All the reports said the 911 was better to drive, but I didn't care a jot.
Having spent the last decade working with both Porsche and Aston I'm in as good a position as anyone to comment on this so I'm sticking my head over the parapet again (will I ever learn?!).
The rational comparison between the 911 and Vantage in the press, quite rightly compares the abilities/merits of the two cars. What this comparison does not do is paint a full picture in the decision process for most buyers. Buying a six figure sports car is not really a rational decision, its an emotional purchase. A large part of that purchase decision is driven by brand. Porsche supplied 13,000 cars into the UK last year and globally they built 200,000. Aston Martin build less cars in a year than they make in two weeks. The 911 is a relatively common sight on our roads.
The Porsche is of course a fabulous car, but regardless of how good it is as a product, comparing it to Aston Martin is like comparing Hugo Boss suits to Saville Row. Its absolutely right that the Aston Martin is 20% more expensive than a 911 GTS as it is a much more bespoke car. Aston are building far fewer of them and the brand, in most peoples eyes, is more special and worth paying a premium to own. There are no Ferrari's at this price point, the Vantage is a unique offering and even better most people let you out at junctions
I have been reading this thread regularly since it started and much of it has been quite a depressing read. Personally I think the new car is exactly what we need, the press agree and I have to go now as the phone is ringing with another 911 owner looking to upgrade......
The rational comparison between the 911 and Vantage in the press, quite rightly compares the abilities/merits of the two cars. What this comparison does not do is paint a full picture in the decision process for most buyers. Buying a six figure sports car is not really a rational decision, its an emotional purchase. A large part of that purchase decision is driven by brand. Porsche supplied 13,000 cars into the UK last year and globally they built 200,000. Aston Martin build less cars in a year than they make in two weeks. The 911 is a relatively common sight on our roads.
The Porsche is of course a fabulous car, but regardless of how good it is as a product, comparing it to Aston Martin is like comparing Hugo Boss suits to Saville Row. Its absolutely right that the Aston Martin is 20% more expensive than a 911 GTS as it is a much more bespoke car. Aston are building far fewer of them and the brand, in most peoples eyes, is more special and worth paying a premium to own. There are no Ferrari's at this price point, the Vantage is a unique offering and even better most people let you out at junctions
I have been reading this thread regularly since it started and much of it has been quite a depressing read. Personally I think the new car is exactly what we need, the press agree and I have to go now as the phone is ringing with another 911 owner looking to upgrade......
Simon Lane said:
Having spent the last decade working with both Porsche and Aston I'm in as good a position as anyone to comment on this so I'm sticking my head over the parapet again (will I ever learn?!).
The rational comparison between the 911 and Vantage in the press, quite rightly compares the abilities/merits of the two cars. What this comparison does not do is paint a full picture in the decision process for most buyers. Buying a six figure sports car is not really a rational decision, its an emotional purchase. A large part of that purchase decision is driven by brand. Porsche supplied 13,000 cars into the UK last year and globally they built 200,000. Aston Martin build less cars in a year than they make in two weeks. The 911 is a relatively common sight on our roads.
The Porsche is of course a fabulous car, but regardless of how good it is as a product, comparing it to Aston Martin is like comparing Hugo Boss suits to Saville Row. Its absolutely right that the Aston Martin is 20% more expensive than a 911 GTS as it is a much more bespoke car. Aston are building far fewer of them and the brand, in most peoples eyes, is more special and worth paying a premium to own. There are no Ferrari's at this price point, the Vantage is a unique offering and even better most people let you out at junctions
I have been reading this thread regularly since it started and much of it has been quite a depressing read. Personally I think the new car is exactly what we need, the press agree and I have to go now as the phone is ringing with another 911 owner looking to upgrade......
Sir. I refer you to my two previous points on Page 123.The rational comparison between the 911 and Vantage in the press, quite rightly compares the abilities/merits of the two cars. What this comparison does not do is paint a full picture in the decision process for most buyers. Buying a six figure sports car is not really a rational decision, its an emotional purchase. A large part of that purchase decision is driven by brand. Porsche supplied 13,000 cars into the UK last year and globally they built 200,000. Aston Martin build less cars in a year than they make in two weeks. The 911 is a relatively common sight on our roads.
The Porsche is of course a fabulous car, but regardless of how good it is as a product, comparing it to Aston Martin is like comparing Hugo Boss suits to Saville Row. Its absolutely right that the Aston Martin is 20% more expensive than a 911 GTS as it is a much more bespoke car. Aston are building far fewer of them and the brand, in most peoples eyes, is more special and worth paying a premium to own. There are no Ferrari's at this price point, the Vantage is a unique offering and even better most people let you out at junctions
I have been reading this thread regularly since it started and much of it has been quite a depressing read. Personally I think the new car is exactly what we need, the press agree and I have to go now as the phone is ringing with another 911 owner looking to upgrade......
Well said BTW
Simon Lane said:
Having spent the last decade working with both Porsche and Aston I'm in as good a position as anyone to comment on this so I'm sticking my head over the parapet again (will I ever learn?!).
The rational comparison between the 911 and Vantage in the press, quite rightly compares the abilities/merits of the two cars. What this comparison does not do is paint a full picture in the decision process for most buyers. Buying a six figure sports car is not really a rational decision, its an emotional purchase. A large part of that purchase decision is driven by brand. Porsche supplied 13,000 cars into the UK last year and globally they built 200,000. Aston Martin build less cars in a year than they make in two weeks. The 911 is a relatively common sight on our roads.
The Porsche is of course a fabulous car, but regardless of how good it is as a product, comparing it to Aston Martin is like comparing Hugo Boss suits to Saville Row. Its absolutely right that the Aston Martin is 20% more expensive than a 911 GTS as it is a much more bespoke car. Aston are building far fewer of them and the brand, in most peoples eyes, is more special and worth paying a premium to own. There are no Ferrari's at this price point, the Vantage is a unique offering and even better most people let you out at junctions
I have been reading this thread regularly since it started and much of it has been quite a depressing read. Personally I think the new car is exactly what we need, the press agree and I have to go now as the phone is ringing with another 911 owner looking to upgrade......
Very well said and spot on. Can’t wait for mine to arrive now the reviews as as good as expected The rational comparison between the 911 and Vantage in the press, quite rightly compares the abilities/merits of the two cars. What this comparison does not do is paint a full picture in the decision process for most buyers. Buying a six figure sports car is not really a rational decision, its an emotional purchase. A large part of that purchase decision is driven by brand. Porsche supplied 13,000 cars into the UK last year and globally they built 200,000. Aston Martin build less cars in a year than they make in two weeks. The 911 is a relatively common sight on our roads.
The Porsche is of course a fabulous car, but regardless of how good it is as a product, comparing it to Aston Martin is like comparing Hugo Boss suits to Saville Row. Its absolutely right that the Aston Martin is 20% more expensive than a 911 GTS as it is a much more bespoke car. Aston are building far fewer of them and the brand, in most peoples eyes, is more special and worth paying a premium to own. There are no Ferrari's at this price point, the Vantage is a unique offering and even better most people let you out at junctions
I have been reading this thread regularly since it started and much of it has been quite a depressing read. Personally I think the new car is exactly what we need, the press agree and I have to go now as the phone is ringing with another 911 owner looking to upgrade......
KevinBird said:
I just thought the summary was a little underwhelming?
'So is it better than a 911 GTS? Perhaps not. But it’s different enough, and good enough in enough ways, to be a genuine, desirable alternative. Consider it different rather than worse. And it does quite a lot of things better. When you consider the respective sizes, budgets and facilities of Aston and Porsche, that in itself is a spectacular achievement.'
So not as good as a GTS thats £20K cheaper?
Could you at least read what you pasted if you can't comprehend the whole article:'So is it better than a 911 GTS? Perhaps not. But it’s different enough, and good enough in enough ways, to be a genuine, desirable alternative. Consider it different rather than worse. And it does quite a lot of things better. When you consider the respective sizes, budgets and facilities of Aston and Porsche, that in itself is a spectacular achievement.'
So not as good as a GTS thats £20K cheaper?
"Consider it different rather than worse"
Simon Lane said:
Having spent the last decade working with both Porsche and Aston I'm in as good a position as anyone to comment on this so I'm sticking my head over the parapet again (will I ever learn?!).
The rational comparison between the 911 and Vantage in the press, quite rightly compares the abilities/merits of the two cars. What this comparison does not do is paint a full picture in the decision process for most buyers. Buying a six figure sports car is not really a rational decision, its an emotional purchase. A large part of that purchase decision is driven by brand. Porsche supplied 13,000 cars into the UK last year and globally they built 200,000. Aston Martin build less cars in a year than they make in two weeks. The 911 is a relatively common sight on our roads.
The Porsche is of course a fabulous car, but regardless of how good it is as a product, comparing it to Aston Martin is like comparing Hugo Boss suits to Saville Row. Its absolutely right that the Aston Martin is 20% more expensive than a 911 GTS as it is a much more bespoke car. Aston are building far fewer of them and the brand, in most peoples eyes, is more special and worth paying a premium to own. There are no Ferrari's at this price point, the Vantage is a unique offering and even better most people let you out at junctions
I have been reading this thread regularly since it started and much of it has been quite a depressing read. Personally I think the new car is exactly what we need, the press agree and I have to go now as the phone is ringing with another 911 owner looking to upgrade......
Hear bloody hear. We cannot forever remain in the past and must strive to improve. The DB11 and the new Vantage create that difference to the others but WITH STYLE .The rational comparison between the 911 and Vantage in the press, quite rightly compares the abilities/merits of the two cars. What this comparison does not do is paint a full picture in the decision process for most buyers. Buying a six figure sports car is not really a rational decision, its an emotional purchase. A large part of that purchase decision is driven by brand. Porsche supplied 13,000 cars into the UK last year and globally they built 200,000. Aston Martin build less cars in a year than they make in two weeks. The 911 is a relatively common sight on our roads.
The Porsche is of course a fabulous car, but regardless of how good it is as a product, comparing it to Aston Martin is like comparing Hugo Boss suits to Saville Row. Its absolutely right that the Aston Martin is 20% more expensive than a 911 GTS as it is a much more bespoke car. Aston are building far fewer of them and the brand, in most peoples eyes, is more special and worth paying a premium to own. There are no Ferrari's at this price point, the Vantage is a unique offering and even better most people let you out at junctions
I have been reading this thread regularly since it started and much of it has been quite a depressing read. Personally I think the new car is exactly what we need, the press agree and I have to go now as the phone is ringing with another 911 owner looking to upgrade......
AstonV said:
You shouldn't find differences of opinion depressing.
Opinions are what they are. We are about to make a multimillion pound investment in new facilities and this car is a large part of the justification behind that commercial decision. Initial reaction on this thread to the look of the car was indeed depressing and worrying for those of us that are relying on it to be a success. Fortunately (and I for one always believed this would be the case) reaction in the wider world appears to be much more positive. Hooray Simon Lane said:
Opinions are what they are. We are about to make a multimillion pound investment in new facilities and this car is a large part of the justification behind that commercial decision. Initial reaction on this thread to the look of the car was indeed depressing and worrying for those of us that are relying on it to be a success. Fortunately (and I for one always believed this would be the case) reaction in the wider world appears to be much more positive. Hooray
I agree it will be a success. I wasn't a fan at first, had more to do with that Neon Yellow 
than anything. In the right color it looks great. Looking forward to the manual transmission model. Simon Lane said:
Opinions are what they are. We are about to make a multimillion pound investment in new facilities and this car is a large part of the justification behind that commercial decision. Initial reaction on this thread to the look of the car was indeed depressing and worrying for those of us that are relying on it to be a success. Fortunately (and I for one always believed this would be the case) reaction in the wider world appears to be much more positive. Hooray
I wish Aston Martin every success with this car but one can't deny the fact that the majority reaction to the nose is that it's ugly. I went to the launch at Welwyn 6 or 7 weeks ago and it wasn't just older, traditional owners that were unsure it was also the younger people (30-40 yr olds) who were there too. To put it bluntly, I didn't' hear a single person say "Wow, that's a great look." There's no point feeling depressed but Aston should take on board the initial lukewarm reception and enhance the design in future. 
t! You don’t like it, fine, you are entitled to an opinion, but don’t try & justify that opinion by spouting sweeping generalisations!HBradley said:
codieskid said:
Hi all
Apologies for all the renders but I had another look at the sketches my last renders last night and I think the patent sketches might show the v12 version. The reason I think this is that it has the V12 bonnet bulge line on the bonnet and an aggressive styling. I think the standard V8 will have a softer look and not so much Vulcan styling. I would expect Aston to go for a more reserved look as even though the Vantage is the sportiest car in it's line up it also has to be beautiful and timeless like all Aston Martins should be. Therefore I think the standard car will look more like this
Thoughts?
Trev
Now THAT looks spot on!! Great work (again) TrevApologies for all the renders but I had another look at the sketches my last renders last night and I think the patent sketches might show the v12 version. The reason I think this is that it has the V12 bonnet bulge line on the bonnet and an aggressive styling. I think the standard V8 will have a softer look and not so much Vulcan styling. I would expect Aston to go for a more reserved look as even though the Vantage is the sportiest car in it's line up it also has to be beautiful and timeless like all Aston Martins should be. Therefore I think the standard car will look more like this
Thoughts?
Trev
DW
Simon Lane said:
Opinions are what they are. We are about to make a multimillion pound investment in new facilities and this car is a large part of the justification behind that commercial decision. Initial reaction on this thread to the look of the car was indeed depressing and worrying for those of us that are relying on it to be a success. Fortunately (and I for one always believed this would be the case) reaction in the wider world appears to be much more positive. Hooray
Simon you should know by now not to judge this forum as reflective of the wider world; this is Pistonheads after all! We’re “special” HBradley said:
RichB said:
Nothing of the sort, my opinion is irrelevant. I stated that not a single person at Welwyn launch said it was attractive. And... every press report has mentioned the "odd" grill. That is facts not opinions.
Seriously, EVERY.?! I rest my case!But, the only gauge we have currently of opinion in the wider motoring community are the press reviews. They are, without wishing to generalise, broadly of the same flavour - this is a very capable car. Dynamically it is exceptional, that simply cannot be argued against unless you have driven it and had chance to make an informed opinion. If the styling is not to everyone’s liking, there is nothing that can be done about that. But trust me, they’re really not struggling to sell them. And that was before the press embargo lifted.
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