RE: Spotted: Aston Martin V8 Vantage

[GJOB]

BarryGibb said:

The R8?

Nope, tried that: Poor dealers, a bit generic on the interior ie same as a TT, it does have a lot of plusses though.

[DoubleSix]

GJOB said:

BarryGibb said:

The R8?

Nope, tried that: Poor dealers, a bit generic on the interior ie same as a TT, it does have a lot of plusses though.

Totally agree with your assessment of the R8 there, but I'm struggling when I apply your criteria to a GT3 (with comfort pack and decent interior options)...

[Lunablack]

GJOB said:

Nope, tried that: Poor dealers, a bit generic on the interior ie same as a TT, it does have a lot of plusses though.

I wouldn't have an Audi over my vantage at any price the fact that my cousin has an R8, and he's a bit of a tit, doesn't help it's cause on bit

Back on topic

[GJOB]

DoubleSix said:

Totally agree with your assessment of the R8 there, but I'm struggling when I apply your criteria to a GT3 (with comfort pack and decent interior options)...

I'm not saying that there aren't options that offer close to the Aston package, and perhaps the GT3 gets close but I personally don't find the Porsche particularly beautiful, nor the dealers helpful and isn't the GT3 the one with the scaffolding inside??

[DoubleSix]

GJOB said:

DoubleSix said:

Totally agree with your assessment of the R8 there, but I'm struggling when I apply your criteria to a GT3 (with comfort pack and decent interior options)...

I'm not saying that there aren't options that offer close to the Aston package, and perhaps the GT3 gets close but I personally don't find the Porsche particularly beautiful, nor the dealers helpful and isn't the GT3 the one with the scaffolding inside??

Nope, I believe the half roll cage is an option or part of the ClubSport package, sure someone will clarify....

But that would suggest you didn't test drive one before opting for the AM, I'll be doing a lot of research of both before I pull the trigger. Both cars are on the hit list for later this year.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3179807.htm

[GJOB]

DoubleSix said:

Nope, I believe the half roll cage is an option or part of the ClubSport package, sure someone will clarify....

But that would suggest you didn't test drive one before opting for the AM, I'll be doing a lot of research of both before I pull the trigger. Both cars are on the hit list for later this year.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3179807.htm

I live less than a mile from a Porsche dealer, I walked in and explained what I was looking for, they didn't seem too interested, so no, I've never been in a GT3. The other turn off for me is the engine sound at idle/low revs - ,on full chat it's a different story though.

In fact I sat in a Boxter once at JCT in Leeds, the interior was so crap I bought a Lotus Elise 111R instead...

I have 3 Porsche owning friends, I never hear them talking about their cars, or the noise or the way it gives them the fizz.....

[Wills2]

GJOB said:

I have 3 Porsche owning friends, I never hear them talking about their cars, or the noise or the way it gives them the fizz.....

Well you have the wrong or is that the right friends? As I constantly gibber on about mine (well only to people who have an interest mind)

The 911 is one of the most charismatic cars you can drive, With PSE it sounds great as well. One of the truely great sports cars with a racing pedigree none can match.

Let us not turn this into another Porsche bashing thread.

Edited by Wills2 on Saturday 24th March 09:57

[DoubleSix]

GJOB said:

I live less than a mile from a Porsche dealer, I walked in and explained what I was looking for, they didn't seem too interested, so no, I've never been in a GT3. The other turn off for me is the engine sound at idle/low revs - ,on full chat it's a different story though.

In fact I sat in a Boxter once at JCT in Leeds, the interior was so crap I bought a Lotus Elise 111R instead...

I have 3 Porsche owning friends, I never hear them talking about their cars, or the noise or the way it gives them the fizz.....

Disappointing response from your dealer, but sourcing a good GT3 is hard work as most are track hounds.

Often hear comments about interior but its not like AM, Porsche interiors are highly customisable so no two are alike (check my vid in profile, not your average Cayman interior and superior to any Lotus imo), not sure sitting in a vanilla Boxster is a fair compo to be honest.

Pleased to hear your mates dont drone on about their cars, that fits nicely into Porsche ownership, it really is a 'selfish' driver centric vehicle that can leave all but the man behind the wheel nonplused. But he knows.

And thats why im going to suggest you grab some wheel time. Not in some attempt to show it as a better car, as the AM is stonking and i will be cross shopping one myself, but its pretty clear you havnt engaged with Porsche (if u dont mind me saying). I think you'd find it eye opening and possibly introduce possibilities for next time round.

You owe it to yourself as a PHer to find out what the fuss is about, so take the AM down and show them what they 'could of won' while ragging the hell out of one of their cars. You have nothing to lose.

Edited by DoubleSix on Saturday 24th March 10:17

[jumpingloci]

I worked on a car mag out in Oz a few years back and had these two for a comparison over the weekend;

In almost every sense the XKR was better; quicker, comfier, easier to live with, and it's the one I would have bought with my head, but the Aston, in that colour scheme was just perfect. Loved it, apart from the clutchless manual gearbox which wasn't much cop.

[DoubleSix]

jumpingloci said:

I worked on a car mag out in Oz a few years back and had these two for a comparison over the weekend;

In almost every sense the XKR was better; quicker, comfier, easier to live with, and it's the one I would have bought with my head, but the Aston, in that colour scheme was just perfect. Loved it, apart from the clutchless manual gearbox which wasn't much cop.

I hope your readers know which you prefered as i have no clue from what you've written.... ; )

[GJOB]

Agreed re the Porsche bashing, you'll see I've never participated in any sort of brand bashing - each to their own and all that.

I know I do need to drive a Porsche to see what they're all about but as they have failed to meet some of my basic requirements I've never had the urge to see what they're all about.

Even if they turn out to be the best handling and fastest cars I've ever experienced since you can't (or shouldn't) be driving ten tenths on a public road the differences at the limit are irrelevant (IMHO).

This was the main reason for not going for a V12V, it's just too fast for road driving.

My problem is I love the noise a car makes almost more than anything else and by the time the V12V was on song in second gear I'd run out of speed limit.

Now I know we all like to fantasise about having the ultimate but the V8V is a serious daily driver contender and daily drivers don't get ragged to the limit every day, if a car can put a smile on your face just by starting the engine for me that's a good start, every thing else is a bonus.

Anyway, this is all fruitless as my other car is the best sounding car in the world, end of

[jumpingloci]

DoubleSix said:

I hope your readers know which you prefered as i have no clue from what you've written.... ; )

haha, why do you think I didn't last. Heart said Aston, head said Jag. Aston won test. But would have bottled it and bought Jag if own money.

[Domski]

Great article Chris, couldn't agree more. So much so that i went out and bought one. One of the first things i did was a track day at our local circuit. The car is 100% factory standard and much to everyone's surprise clocked the fastest laptime of the day seeing off competition of several 911's and M3's amongst others.
Yes, she is heavy, yes, the steering is not as brisk as other (lighter) cars and probably not an obvious choice for a track day car, but bomming down the straight she does sound like thunder, looks like a track goddess and filled my crash helmet with one of the biggest grins ever

[crazy about cars]

I would chose a GTR over a V8V.... Looks very good yes but very underpowered and not dynamic to drive. The N/A engine is sluggish but does sound very good from the factory I'll give it that!

V12 Vanquish tho...

[mikey k]

crazy about cars said:

I would chose a GTR over a V8V.... Looks very good yes but very underpowered and not dynamic to drive. The N/A engine is sluggish but does sound very good from the factory I'll give it that!

V12 Vanquish tho...

I wonder which you have driven?
The S is more than capable and very dynamic.

[Morningside]

May not have been a vantage, but is T** AML a press/demo car?