V8 Vantage V Porsche 911 (997)
Discussion
One is engineered to keep it away from effecting DB9 sales and the other is the car they engineer the Cayman to stay away from. With respect, if you'd driven a Vantage you'd see what I mean - it is a car crying out for more power and the fit and finish isn't even close to German standards.
that V8 sounds a lot better though :-)
thing to me is a 997C is the bottom of the 911 range, I would always want a Turbo,GT3,GT2,RS etc and would rather a Cayman S over a standard 911.
infact the Cayman is the better car imho.
a V8 vantage is what it is.
totally personal choice.
Also nothing like saying to someone
"I own an Aston"
"fancy going out in the Aston today"
lol just has a nice ring to it,
When people ask you and you have to say
"I own a Porsche"
a lot of people just think you are a cock. sad but true and can be bad for business, it's a shame the 911 mark does that to some people.
I have had many clients who have had to sell their 911's to keep face with their clients.
(not my views btw, I am looking into buying a GT3 myself and will have to put up with the label which goes with them)
I bet if your stuck in a side road your more likly to be let out in the Aston.
You could always look at an Aston N400 a much more focused ride over standard.
In the end only you know what you want.
thing to me is a 997C is the bottom of the 911 range, I would always want a Turbo,GT3,GT2,RS etc and would rather a Cayman S over a standard 911.
infact the Cayman is the better car imho.
a V8 vantage is what it is.
totally personal choice.
Also nothing like saying to someone
"I own an Aston"
"fancy going out in the Aston today"
lol just has a nice ring to it,
When people ask you and you have to say
"I own a Porsche"
a lot of people just think you are a cock. sad but true and can be bad for business, it's a shame the 911 mark does that to some people.
I have had many clients who have had to sell their 911's to keep face with their clients.
(not my views btw, I am looking into buying a GT3 myself and will have to put up with the label which goes with them)
I bet if your stuck in a side road your more likly to be let out in the Aston.
You could always look at an Aston N400 a much more focused ride over standard.
In the end only you know what you want.
Guys - Thanks for the comments so far - most interesting to see the different views. Im not a expert when it comes to cars, hence my original question. Just looking at the two cars, the V8 looks more compact and like Mr Demon said, I think it has that certain something about it, even though not as powerful as the 911. Price wise, seems like teh cheaper option too...views?
We had an 2009 4.7 Vantage here earlier in the year. It was a glorious thing, real sense of occasion, epic soundtrack, half decent steering, very quick, lots of equipment. Felt far more special than a 997 Carrera.
The owner bought it in March 2009. By June 2009 Aston had given up trying to repair the numerous faults with that particular car and gave him a new one. When the second car came here in March 2010 with 5k miles the tyre pressure monitors weren't working, the sat nav was playing silly devils and the parking sensors had a mind of their own. All fixed under warranty, but by that time the chap had fallen deeply out of love with it and went back to German motoring.
The owner bought it in March 2009. By June 2009 Aston had given up trying to repair the numerous faults with that particular car and gave him a new one. When the second car came here in March 2010 with 5k miles the tyre pressure monitors weren't working, the sat nav was playing silly devils and the parking sensors had a mind of their own. All fixed under warranty, but by that time the chap had fallen deeply out of love with it and went back to German motoring.
I think the Aston looks fantastic inside and out and sounds wonderful. I havent driven one but from all that ive read they really arent close to the 997 from the drivers seat. My financial advisor has one and everytime I see him he tells me another tail of woe about something going wrong and how he wished he had bought a 997 like mine. If I had the room in the garage I would probably get a convertable vantage to go with the 997, then the compromises wouldnt be a probelm for me. Last months Evo just completed a long term test and the guy loved the Vantage, nothing went wrong in the time he had it so maybe they are improving. Price wise they do some reasonable value but so is a 4 year old 997 these days...
a friends Aston at vmax the other week
you can just hear it all the way up the runway
inside it's silent ish :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJhwyG-RVA
I do fancy the N420 when they are a bit cheaper.
But as I say take a look at the N400
you can just hear it all the way up the runway
inside it's silent ish :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJhwyG-RVA
I do fancy the N420 when they are a bit cheaper.
But as I say take a look at the N400
mrdemon said:
that V8 sounds a lot better though :-)
thing to me is a 997C is the bottom of the 911 range, I would always want a Turbo,GT3,GT2,RS etc and would rather a Cayman S over a standard 911.
infact the Cayman is the better car imho.
I don't agree. I had a Cayman S (Gen 1) prior to the 997C2 PDK. The 997 is obviously more powerful and faster, but it's also a more relaxing ride when you're not really going for it and a better day to day car. The Cayman is awesome, and it sounded better (gen 1 engine), but the 997 is a better everyday car and ideal for someone who wants an "entry level supercar" to use everyday (even now with the snow!).thing to me is a 997C is the bottom of the 911 range, I would always want a Turbo,GT3,GT2,RS etc and would rather a Cayman S over a standard 911.
infact the Cayman is the better car imho.
In terms of base 997.....I think you need to read up on the Gen 2's. The Gen 2 997 C2 has 351hp, in PDK form is faster than the Gen 1 997C2S, and has brakes that are the same size as the "S" too. In other words, it's faster than a Gen 1 C2S, does better milage and isn't in the top tax band. I opted for a nicely specced Gen 2 997 C2 with the PDK box because tbh, it felt like the ideal car to me outside of the Turbo.
Now of course.....I wish I'd had gone for a C4S or C4 lol!.....snow is thick on our industrial estate!
911C is NOT a super car lol, not even entry level with 351BHp.
the Cayman S shares all the same parts numbers as the 911 and has twice the load space,
I would say the Cayman S is the better day to day car every time, I ran one for 2 years, I could not have ran a 911, not enough room for my business needs.
the Cayman S shares all the same parts numbers as the 911 and has twice the load space,
I would say the Cayman S is the better day to day car every time, I ran one for 2 years, I could not have ran a 911, not enough room for my business needs.
I had a test drive in a 4.3 V8 Vantage before going for a 997 C2S. Million miles apart in terms of performance, steering feel, comfort, and (somewhat surprisingly) amazingly throttle response. It was so lardy in the V8V - like there was treacle in the throttle cable.
In contrast, the C2S felt alive even in normal mode, sport sharpening things up significantly. I just wish I hadn't test driven a GT3 at the same time... It's looking that way in a few months, that is to say, unless the euro takes a nose dive and we're plunged back in to the 1930s.
In contrast, the C2S felt alive even in normal mode, sport sharpening things up significantly. I just wish I hadn't test driven a GT3 at the same time... It's looking that way in a few months, that is to say, unless the euro takes a nose dive and we're plunged back in to the 1930s.
Hi OP,
I was having the same thoughts two months ago. Headed to Stratstones and drove a couple of V8V's - terrific noise, lovely cabin amd pant wettingly pretty to look at.
But, climbing back into the Porsche just reminded me of why I have one. It is so much more athletic, responsive and agile. Pretty much killed my interest stone dead. it will be a 997 next........
I was having the same thoughts two months ago. Headed to Stratstones and drove a couple of V8V's - terrific noise, lovely cabin amd pant wettingly pretty to look at.
But, climbing back into the Porsche just reminded me of why I have one. It is so much more athletic, responsive and agile. Pretty much killed my interest stone dead. it will be a 997 next........
I was pondering this same question early this year. Got the chance to drive all the Astons on a day out at Millbrook. The Vantage was ok DBS awesome but out of my price range! Went for 997C4s with PDK in the end as car has to be used every day. Lacks a bit of charm of the Aston but is a brilliant piece of engineering and not missed a beat even throughout this crap weather. I think you buy an Aston with your heart and may regret it (high running cost, reliability and residuals ) but you buy a Porsche with your head but still will lust after the Aston.
Edited by sbirty on Friday 3rd December 18:19
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