Vantage to Ferrari 360
Discussion
I do it regularly 
Really depends what you want from the car. The driving experience with both is very different. The word "refinement" is quite funny in a way. The 360 is/was much more refined than the preceding F355 but the ethos of Ferrari mean the mid-engined cars will always be more raw than the GT cars. The Vantage is a great cabin to be in and oozes quality, plushness and, yeah, perhaps refinement is the right word for the Aston. The Ferrari is far more edgy, more sporty, more racey, a more "in-yer-face" experience. That isn't a lack of refinement, it is getting exactly what you are paying for. They are very different. In a good way.
Really depends what you want from the car. The driving experience with both is very different. The word "refinement" is quite funny in a way. The 360 is/was much more refined than the preceding F355 but the ethos of Ferrari mean the mid-engined cars will always be more raw than the GT cars. The Vantage is a great cabin to be in and oozes quality, plushness and, yeah, perhaps refinement is the right word for the Aston. The Ferrari is far more edgy, more sporty, more racey, a more "in-yer-face" experience. That isn't a lack of refinement, it is getting exactly what you are paying for. They are very different. In a good way.
I just went the opposite way...from a 2004 360 to a 2015 Vantage GT V8.
While some of it surely has to do with the 10+yr age difference, I find the Vantage to be substantially superior in almost every way. The interior is night and day nicer in the Vantage. Judging only by "seat of the pants" the two cars are neck and neck in terms of quickness, (though I feel like the vantage might be just a hair quicker) but the Aston sounds much better doing it. The creaks and rattles of a 10yr old Ferrari are non-existant as well
A 430 might be a different story, I don't know, never driven one...
While some of it surely has to do with the 10+yr age difference, I find the Vantage to be substantially superior in almost every way. The interior is night and day nicer in the Vantage. Judging only by "seat of the pants" the two cars are neck and neck in terms of quickness, (though I feel like the vantage might be just a hair quicker) but the Aston sounds much better doing it. The creaks and rattles of a 10yr old Ferrari are non-existant as well
A 430 might be a different story, I don't know, never driven one...
I've had a 360 for about 18 months, and am currently shopping for a Vantage (although not to replace the 360) so I'm approaching this from the opposite direction.
As already stated, I don't think refinement was high on the list of requirements when the 360 was being developed although it's certainly more refined than the 348 I had before it! Then again, even similarly aged Porsche are a lot less refined inside than the Vantage - and look very cheap in comparison.
However, the 360 is well behaved enough to be used as a "normal" car. It's relatively quiet inside (as long as you don't disable the exhaust valve), and very easy to drive around town etc. if you want to. Somebody on the CS forum does use it as a daily and has covered over 100k miles. I've taken mine on fairly long drives (went to North Wales in it) and found it perfectly comfortable.
The big plus for the 360 is that when you floor it, it turns into a completely different car. Huge amount of fun, all accompanied by a lovely V8 howl. I absolutely love mine - easily the best car I've owned.
As already stated, I don't think refinement was high on the list of requirements when the 360 was being developed although it's certainly more refined than the 348 I had before it! Then again, even similarly aged Porsche are a lot less refined inside than the Vantage - and look very cheap in comparison.
However, the 360 is well behaved enough to be used as a "normal" car. It's relatively quiet inside (as long as you don't disable the exhaust valve), and very easy to drive around town etc. if you want to. Somebody on the CS forum does use it as a daily and has covered over 100k miles. I've taken mine on fairly long drives (went to North Wales in it) and found it perfectly comfortable.
The big plus for the 360 is that when you floor it, it turns into a completely different car. Huge amount of fun, all accompanied by a lovely V8 howl. I absolutely love mine - easily the best car I've owned.
Slightly different combination. I have a DB9 and a 308. So in my mind I have the newer refinement of the 9 and the classic thrill of the 308. Both very different cars which what i wanted. Front engine GT and mid engine racer! that will be the same on any newer combination. You need to decide what is the appeal that you want from a car every time you use it.
I went from a 360 Spider to a V8V Roadster (via a Vectra VXR Estate - don't ask!)
I've only had the V8V since the weekend but the things that have struck me so far compared to the 360 are:
- the cabin is luxurious, the 360 is more race car
- the car feels heavy and the brakes are not as good as the 360 which feels light and nimble but feels much bigger in terms of physical size
- the V8V is very lazy when accelerating but does get there eventually - the 360 is much quicker
- the great British public like the V8V, let you out at junctions etc. If you drive an F-car you're automatically a w*nker, need tail gating, cutting up etc.
- the sports shift in the V8V and the F1 gearbox in the 360 are about as good as each other, and reversing is a nightmare
- the "big silly grin factor" is the same in both but for me the V8V is also an achingly beautiful thing to look at and so well proportioned it's almost perfect
I've only had the V8V since the weekend but the things that have struck me so far compared to the 360 are:
- the cabin is luxurious, the 360 is more race car
- the car feels heavy and the brakes are not as good as the 360 which feels light and nimble but feels much bigger in terms of physical size
- the V8V is very lazy when accelerating but does get there eventually - the 360 is much quicker
- the great British public like the V8V, let you out at junctions etc. If you drive an F-car you're automatically a w*nker, need tail gating, cutting up etc.
- the sports shift in the V8V and the F1 gearbox in the 360 are about as good as each other, and reversing is a nightmare
- the "big silly grin factor" is the same in both but for me the V8V is also an achingly beautiful thing to look at and so well proportioned it's almost perfect
downr said:
northernmedia said:
Pentoman said:
Thanks all. I eventually did it. Vantage gone to a happy new owner, and I have a less practical, more tempremental, older car in its place. Enjoying it so far, though.
Any pics???
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