What to go for next
Discussion
Hi guys,
At the moment i have a 911 C4s of the 997 vintage but to be blunt, it just doesnt do it for me, There is no sense of occasion, the drivers seat kills my back if im in it for more than an hour and after having a Cayman s i just dont think the 911 is Porsches best car. I cannot fault its technical ability but for me its missing something that i cant put my finger on. The happiest i have been in a car was when i owned a TVR Tamora closely followed by my time with a Cerb. They both had great interiors, looked fab and sounded immense.
I hit the big 50 this month and although i quite like the idea of replacing the 911 with a TVR, im very aware of the practicalities of the extremely high maintenance and fragility of these cars so im looking for alternatives and ive come up with a short list of a DB9, V8 Vantage (both around 2006) or a Granturismo (2008).
I do alot of fairly long drives ( Nottingham to Inverness ) so the car has to be great on Motorways, but i also like weekend blasts on roads in the highlands.
Outright speed isnt that important as ive had cars with over 600bhp from skylines and evos but i dont want something that would be embarrassed by a golf gti.
Class, sportiness ( but not at the expense of the other factors), comfort, looks, sound, sense of occasion are what i am looking for.
Which of the cars above would you recommend, any other suggestions? im not into the older looking stuff like the masser 4200, im not into jags but open to alternatives....but my heart says the three above will fill my list ( although i do think the GT will date quite quickly)
Thanks guys.
At the moment i have a 911 C4s of the 997 vintage but to be blunt, it just doesnt do it for me, There is no sense of occasion, the drivers seat kills my back if im in it for more than an hour and after having a Cayman s i just dont think the 911 is Porsches best car. I cannot fault its technical ability but for me its missing something that i cant put my finger on. The happiest i have been in a car was when i owned a TVR Tamora closely followed by my time with a Cerb. They both had great interiors, looked fab and sounded immense.
I hit the big 50 this month and although i quite like the idea of replacing the 911 with a TVR, im very aware of the practicalities of the extremely high maintenance and fragility of these cars so im looking for alternatives and ive come up with a short list of a DB9, V8 Vantage (both around 2006) or a Granturismo (2008).
I do alot of fairly long drives ( Nottingham to Inverness ) so the car has to be great on Motorways, but i also like weekend blasts on roads in the highlands.
Outright speed isnt that important as ive had cars with over 600bhp from skylines and evos but i dont want something that would be embarrassed by a golf gti.
Class, sportiness ( but not at the expense of the other factors), comfort, looks, sound, sense of occasion are what i am looking for.
Which of the cars above would you recommend, any other suggestions? im not into the older looking stuff like the masser 4200, im not into jags but open to alternatives....but my heart says the three above will fill my list ( although i do think the GT will date quite quickly)
Thanks guys.
Hunter,
I also went from a 911 to a DB9 with memories of TVRs.
Two things stand out:
Take some test drives and get the book.
I agree the 911 didn't give the sense of occasion that I was expecting (although I kept it for 10 years as it accomplished most things well).
I went for a DB9 over a Vantage but I drove both and for me the V12 and cruisibility were key, but the dynamism of the Vantage may appeal more.
Interiors are fab, with that TVR idiosyncratic nature that many love.
Seats after 2007 may be better but may depend on how tall you are.
Good luck with the hunt. Drive more than one. Try a dealer or a good independent.
Sean
I also went from a 911 to a DB9 with memories of TVRs.
Two things stand out:
Take some test drives and get the book.
I agree the 911 didn't give the sense of occasion that I was expecting (although I kept it for 10 years as it accomplished most things well).
I went for a DB9 over a Vantage but I drove both and for me the V12 and cruisibility were key, but the dynamism of the Vantage may appeal more.
Interiors are fab, with that TVR idiosyncratic nature that many love.
Seats after 2007 may be better but may depend on how tall you are.
Good luck with the hunt. Drive more than one. Try a dealer or a good independent.
Sean
Hunter,
As the username might suggest, I had a 997, an S and moved to a 2008 V8 Vantage. Never regretted it for a second. The 997 did absolutely nothing for me and I always felt like I was sitting on it rather than in it. Never driven a DB9 or a Maserati but both strike me as, how do I put this politely, for the more mature driver.
Moved from a V8 Vantage to a V12V and now waiting on an S manual. I did consider a 570S, a 458 and a Huracan but at the end of the day, the Vantage does everything pretty well and there aren't many compromises for day to day living, which I felt there were with the other three. That will equally apply to all of the Vantage variants so you wont go wrong with the V8V.
I don't do the boring bit of the A9 very often but I do the bit north of Inverness fairly regularly and the Vantage is perfect for it and it also works up through Glenshee, over the Lecht, etc.
cheers,
As the username might suggest, I had a 997, an S and moved to a 2008 V8 Vantage. Never regretted it for a second. The 997 did absolutely nothing for me and I always felt like I was sitting on it rather than in it. Never driven a DB9 or a Maserati but both strike me as, how do I put this politely, for the more mature driver.
Moved from a V8 Vantage to a V12V and now waiting on an S manual. I did consider a 570S, a 458 and a Huracan but at the end of the day, the Vantage does everything pretty well and there aren't many compromises for day to day living, which I felt there were with the other three. That will equally apply to all of the Vantage variants so you wont go wrong with the V8V.
I don't do the boring bit of the A9 very often but I do the bit north of Inverness fairly regularly and the Vantage is perfect for it and it also works up through Glenshee, over the Lecht, etc.
cheers,
Hunter T said:
Also what is "The Book?"
... the "Bible" for Aston enthusiasts, owners and buyers ... highly recommended ...http://www.astonmartinreview.co.uk
Cheers
Like many on here I have had several TVRs before trying a Cayman S (981), 991 C4S a couple of V8 Vantages before settling on the V12S.
I can totally understand your comments regarding the 911, fantastic cars but don't seem to give that emotional attachment that the TVRs and AM provide. I am sure if you are driving a GT3, Spyder, GT4 it is probably a different story. It does seem strange to knock a car for being so efficient but because they are so go I found they had to be driven very hard to give a sense of involvement.
When asked I liken the Vantage to a slightly more solid TVR, it doesn't monster a road in the way a 911 or Cayman instead it wants you to drive it based on feedback from steering and seat etc.
Just back from a lovely trip to the Lot region of France, autoroute for several hours no problem relaxed cruising ability and great comfort from the seats. I have the lightweights but the sports seats in the 2 V8s were the same. Once you are on the back roads the GT cruiser is very happy to play the hooligan if asked, it isn't a TVR so you do notice the extra weight but apart from that it is good fun and again I found the V8s were the same.
Go and test drive a few, I'm sure you will enjoy.
I can totally understand your comments regarding the 911, fantastic cars but don't seem to give that emotional attachment that the TVRs and AM provide. I am sure if you are driving a GT3, Spyder, GT4 it is probably a different story. It does seem strange to knock a car for being so efficient but because they are so go I found they had to be driven very hard to give a sense of involvement.
When asked I liken the Vantage to a slightly more solid TVR, it doesn't monster a road in the way a 911 or Cayman instead it wants you to drive it based on feedback from steering and seat etc.
Just back from a lovely trip to the Lot region of France, autoroute for several hours no problem relaxed cruising ability and great comfort from the seats. I have the lightweights but the sports seats in the 2 V8s were the same. Once you are on the back roads the GT cruiser is very happy to play the hooligan if asked, it isn't a TVR so you do notice the extra weight but apart from that it is good fun and again I found the V8s were the same.
Go and test drive a few, I'm sure you will enjoy.
Thanks for the feedback guys..your leading me to discount the Masser...but my confusion is growing as to the actual differences between the DB9 and the V8, is one a GT that has sports car potential and the other is a sports car that can act as a GT? Am i right in comparing the 911 and the Cayman with the two? (the Cayman is better so is the V8 better) or is it more of a range rover / range rover sport comparison?
I went from a V8 Vantage Roadster to a 997S PDK........and then back to a Vantage V8S Coupe Manual 3 months later. The same as you, the Porsche just didn't do anything for me. Technically a fantastic machine, but no sense of occasion and within a month it was "just a car". I've never felt that about the Astons, it's always a sense of occasion and a joy to drive.
Hunter T said:
Thanks for the feedback guys..your leading me to discount the Masser...but my confusion is growing as to the actual differences between the DB9 and the V8, is one a GT that has sports car potential and the other is a sports car that can act as a GT? Am i right in comparing the 911 and the Cayman with the two? (the Cayman is better so is the V8 better) or is it more of a range rover / range rover sport comparison?
Yes, I think that's a pretty fair summary. The DB9 is designed as a GT, V12 engine, plenty of torque, 2 back seats (really only advisable for small children), eats miles. But then when you start to play with the paddles (unless you get a manual) its very chuckable. But always bearing in mind the v12 engine up-front is not lightweight. Oh and when you drive it, make sure fuse 22 is out so you get the proper exhaust sound - AMs all come with a butterfly valve that opens at c4k revs, might be something to do with noise regulations.
The Vantage is shorter and designed to be thrown around a bit more. But is still a very competent tourer. The V8 has real character and being somewhat lighter than the DB9 (and smaller so pushed back a little in the chassis) gives a bit more turn-in.
As many will tell you on here; standard advice is don't drive a Vantage V12 (because there's no going back!).
I sold a noble and fancied ticking the bucket list box for a db9 volante a few months ago but I paid a visit to McCurks to see V8 vantages alongside the db9 and came away with the opinion of a V8 for me! Bought a tungsten silver roadster manual and took out fuse 22 and I can't be any happier! I've done 1500 miles now, the quality just shines through, public opinion is just awesome! I know it's not the quickest car in the land but if I wanted outright speed I'd bought a gtr! Beautiful car with oodles of charm, charisma and the sound! Yes Vantage for me!
Hi Hunter
I had a 911 (996 Turbo) and loved it, but my DB9 has a sense of occasion that is very special. I've never had a V8 Vantage and you would need to drive both to see which one suits you best, but it carries exactly the same Aston Martin presence.
However, don't discount the Maza just yet. I bought one when the were launched and nearly a decade on my mates still talk about it with awe. When it comes to comfort, space (four proper seat for adults) and boot volume it thrashes the Aston Martins. It is also very good looking (IMHO).
However, it is not an Aston Martin!
Drive all three and you will see they are all very different cars, then chose the one that suits you best. Providing you get a well cared for example you will struggle to go wrong.
I believe the Aston's have the Maza truly beaten on future residuals though, so if you fancy experiencing both it would make sense to get the Aston first as you will have more buying power if you decided to move to the Maza.
I am in Nottinghamshire if you want to take a look at my DB9.
I had a 911 (996 Turbo) and loved it, but my DB9 has a sense of occasion that is very special. I've never had a V8 Vantage and you would need to drive both to see which one suits you best, but it carries exactly the same Aston Martin presence.
However, don't discount the Maza just yet. I bought one when the were launched and nearly a decade on my mates still talk about it with awe. When it comes to comfort, space (four proper seat for adults) and boot volume it thrashes the Aston Martins. It is also very good looking (IMHO).
However, it is not an Aston Martin!
Drive all three and you will see they are all very different cars, then chose the one that suits you best. Providing you get a well cared for example you will struggle to go wrong.
I believe the Aston's have the Maza truly beaten on future residuals though, so if you fancy experiencing both it would make sense to get the Aston first as you will have more buying power if you decided to move to the Maza.
I am in Nottinghamshire if you want to take a look at my DB9.
JulianPH said:
Hi Hunter
I had a 911 (996 Turbo) and loved it, but my DB9 has a sense of occasion that is very special. I've never had a V8 Vantage and you would need to drive both to see which one suits you best, but it carries exactly the same Aston Martin presence.
However, don't discount the Maza just yet. I bought one when the were launched and nearly a decade on my mates still talk about it with awe. When it comes to comfort, space (four proper seat for adults) and boot volume it thrashes the Aston Martins. It is also very good looking (IMHO).
However, it is not an Aston Martin!
Drive all three and you will see they are all very different cars, then chose the one that suits you best. Providing you get a well cared for example you will struggle to go wrong.
I believe the Aston's have the Maza truly beaten on future residuals though, so if you fancy experiencing both it would make sense to get the Aston first as you will have more buying power if you decided to move to the Maza.
I am in Nottinghamshire if you want to take a look at my DB9.
I live in Ilkeston so you cant be that far away? Im in Oman at work at the mo but would definately like a look. I had a 911 (996 Turbo) and loved it, but my DB9 has a sense of occasion that is very special. I've never had a V8 Vantage and you would need to drive both to see which one suits you best, but it carries exactly the same Aston Martin presence.
However, don't discount the Maza just yet. I bought one when the were launched and nearly a decade on my mates still talk about it with awe. When it comes to comfort, space (four proper seat for adults) and boot volume it thrashes the Aston Martins. It is also very good looking (IMHO).
However, it is not an Aston Martin!
Drive all three and you will see they are all very different cars, then chose the one that suits you best. Providing you get a well cared for example you will struggle to go wrong.
I believe the Aston's have the Maza truly beaten on future residuals though, so if you fancy experiencing both it would make sense to get the Aston first as you will have more buying power if you decided to move to the Maza.
I am in Nottinghamshire if you want to take a look at my DB9.
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