DB9 or V8 Vantage 4.3 with BR mods....
Discussion
yeti said:
You know what my deep-fried confectionary-enjoying friend, you might just be right. I never even entertained the idea of a Vantage, didn't really consider it elevated above a 911, Jag XKR or a Maserati 4200.
The DB9, rightly or wrongly, I consider to be in the upper echelons of the 575/599 or Conti GT, but a better GT than the former and a better sports car than the latter.
One of the nice things about the DB9 vs. V8V thing is that, for many of us, it comes down to personal preference rather than which is "better." The DB9 is clearly more of a GT, the V8V clearly more of a sports car. I have a V8V because my personal preference is sports car over GT. As a significant bonus, the V8V can play the GT role very well (and the DB9 can do a reasonable impression of a sports car, particularly in Sports Pack or MY11 form, and especially with a manual 'box).The DB9, rightly or wrongly, I consider to be in the upper echelons of the 575/599 or Conti GT, but a better GT than the former and a better sports car than the latter.
However, it's difficult to see how you can put the DB9 in the same league as a 599 while not "elevating" the V8V above a 911 or XKR (Maserati generally I'd understand). The performance of the V8V is comparable to a 911 Carrera and XKR (the newest XKR is a bit quicker in a straight line, but the V8V outperforms it in every other area), but every other aspect of the V8V -- those things that make Astons so special, such as craftsmanship, quality of materials, rarity, looks inside and out, understated class, etc. -- is leagues ahead of the 911, Jag and (except perhaps for rarity) the Maserati. Not only that, but the V8V embodies those Aston attributes virtually on par with the DB9 -- same structure, exquisite looks (I prefer the V8's, but only slightly), a 2-seat version of a nearly identical interior, same craftsmanship, etc.
Speedraser said:
However, it's difficult to see how you can put the DB9 in the same league as a 599 while not "elevating" the V8V above a 911 or XKR (Maserati generally I'd understand). The performance of the V8V is comparable to a 911 Carrera and XKR (the newest XKR is a bit quicker in a straight line, but the V8V outperforms it in every other area), but every other aspect of the V8V -- those things that make Astons so special, such as craftsmanship, quality of materials, rarity, looks inside and out, understated class, etc. -- is leagues ahead of the 911, Jag and (except perhaps for rarity) the Maserati. Not only that, but the V8V embodies those Aston attributes virtually on par with the DB9 -- same structure, exquisite looks (I prefer the V8's, but only slightly), a 2-seat version of a nearly identical interior, same craftsmanship, etc.
I agree with everything you've said, but my comment was with the caveat that, in my head, I see the Vantage and DB9 as being as different as a Boxster and a 911, even though they can be found at the sme price these days. That's why I never recommend a Vantage over a DB9, in my head the DB9 is much more car. It;s probably the V12, so rare these days, it's the engine of super/hypercars.The Vantage is therefore in the 'junior' league of sports coupes in my mind, elevated above the RX-8/Cayman of course but sat with the XKR/4200/911C2. I know it's better, but that's the level I look at them at!
The DB9 I see as being top flight - I just think it's incredible value for money at £40k or less as myself and possibly many others I should think rank it with supercars like the 599.
Oddly, the Maserati Grantursismo (especially the 4.7 S) I would put with the DB9 even though it's Vantage money and Vantage performance. So I don't doubt my opinion is flawed
Jockman said:
yeti said:
That's why I never recommend a Vantage over a DB9...
yeti said:
... Hate to admit it but the Vantage is a better prospect probably...
Methinks you are starting to lose it le Yeti 
I'd perhaps recommend the Vantage to somebdy who was used to a Cayman par example. Or a person who requires a beginners-Aston rather than the real thing. That's all
Lunablack said:
Blimey.... I'd better sell my vantage..... Now that I've found out its not the real thing....
No, as you were. You have to watch out for the pipe and slippers brigade. Of course in their day it was all fields. No, in fact, they remember when there was the forest they chopped down to make room for the fields...JohnG1 said:
No, as you were. You have to watch out for the pipe and slippers brigade. Of course in their day it was all fields. No, in fact, they remember when there was the forest they chopped down to make room for the fields...
I think we're the same age Beginners-Aston or not, it's still an Aston
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