You're all going to give me a kicking but...
Discussion
...I really miss my 997. Don't get me wrong, I do like my DB9V and I did liked the V8V that I owned before it. They're both beautiful cars and I love walking up to them as I get to admire their gorgeous lines before getting in. There's just something missing from both though, I'm not sure what. My 997 felt well constructed, responsive, cossetting. I felt 'at one' with it. The Astons make me a bit nervous, they feel - for some reason - a bit fragile or maybe I don't feel like the car is giving me a warm hug as I drive her. It's all very subjective. Would I go back to driving a 911? They're not anywhere near as beautiful (in fact, having owned Astons, they just don't look as good period), but maybe to get the feeling back I would. Or would that be a decision I'd regret really badly?
OK. I know, I'm not making much sense and I don't expect any sympathy from the forum members here!
OK. I know, I'm not making much sense and I don't expect any sympathy from the forum members here!
Slarti said:
...I really miss my 997. Don't get me wrong, I do like my DB9V and I did liked the V8V that I owned before it. They're both beautiful cars and I love walking up to them as I get to admire their gorgeous lines before getting in. There's just something missing from both though, I'm not sure what. My 997 felt well constructed, responsive, cossetting. I felt 'at one' with it. The Astons make me a bit nervous, they feel - for some reason - a bit fragile or maybe I don't feel like the car is giving me a warm hug as I drive her. It's all very subjective. Would I go back to driving a 911? They're not anywhere near as beautiful (in fact, having owned Astons, they just don't look as good period), but maybe to get the feeling back I would. Or would that be a decision I'd regret really badly?
OK. I know, I'm not making much sense and I don't expect any sympathy from the forum members here!
No kicking provided you listen to matron.....OK. I know, I'm not making much sense and I don't expect any sympathy from the forum members here!
1. What you need is a good strong dose V12V.
2. Stop driving hairdresser cars
3. Throw away the pipe and slippers
4. Remember that the 997 is a Nazi Bug on steroids. Steroids are never good for you.
5. Ditto with the R8
The V12V knows who the boss is and short of being next to totally useless at the DIY store - will never let you down in terms of thrills and driving engagement.
Hope you get better soon.
Guycord said:
No kicking provided you listen to matron.....
1. What you need is a good strong dose V12V.
2. Stop driving hairdresser cars
3. Throw away the pipe and slippers
4. Remember that the 997 is a Nazi Bug on steroids. Steroids are never good for you.
5. Ditto with the R8
The V12V knows who the boss is and short of being next to totally useless at the DIY store - will never let you down in terms of thrills and driving engagement.
Hope you get better soon.
1. What you need is a good strong dose V12V.
2. Stop driving hairdresser cars
3. Throw away the pipe and slippers
4. Remember that the 997 is a Nazi Bug on steroids. Steroids are never good for you.
5. Ditto with the R8
The V12V knows who the boss is and short of being next to totally useless at the DIY store - will never let you down in terms of thrills and driving engagement.
Hope you get better soon.
Slarti said:
My 997 felt well constructed, responsive, cossetting. I felt 'at one' with it. The Astons make me a bit nervous, they feel - for some reason - a bit fragile
Fragile...... seriously. I feel the opposite about mine having done a number of track days, I would say bulletproof.Cockernee said:
Fragile...... seriously. I feel the opposite about mine having done a number of track days, I would say bulletproof.
Maybe it's just my DB9V being a tad rattly then. My 997 cab never rattled. Don't get me wrong. I still love getting in my Aston and driving it but I've started looking at the new 991s and wondering if it's time to get back into a porker. Maybe it's just temporary acute madness.
Thats interesting...
It was such a nice sunny morning yesterday I took my Vantage out for a run. Once the tyres had got some heat into them (and the enging/box) and I could lean on it a bit I really enjoyed it. I remember thinking just how 'at one' I felt with the car. I think part of this comes from the lightweight seats that fit like as glove but more likely is 'Seat time', a term I hear a lot in racing and I think this applies equally to some road cars. They take a bit longer to get to know and the more seat time you get the easier it is. I have often found that these more difficult to get in to 'relationships' (God help me if my wife hears me talking about cars like this!) are deeper and more rewarding
S
It was such a nice sunny morning yesterday I took my Vantage out for a run. Once the tyres had got some heat into them (and the enging/box) and I could lean on it a bit I really enjoyed it. I remember thinking just how 'at one' I felt with the car. I think part of this comes from the lightweight seats that fit like as glove but more likely is 'Seat time', a term I hear a lot in racing and I think this applies equally to some road cars. They take a bit longer to get to know and the more seat time you get the easier it is. I have often found that these more difficult to get in to 'relationships' (God help me if my wife hears me talking about cars like this!) are deeper and more rewarding
S
Fragile? Have you seen the stickies on the Porsche forum and Boxa.net for serious engine and drive train problems? Yes the 996 and 997 era but let's not support the myth that Porsche are rock solid while AM are not. I saw a recent report that said AM Vantage had the least number of fails at the first MOT out of all cars, and another which placed Porsche at 36th out of 37 cars for reliability. 991 of course may have shook off all that, and it seems to be getting rave reviews. I looked at them recently in a Porsche dealer but didn't sail my boat compared to the Vantage. Still, we are all different whatever choice you make will be right for you!
Simon T said:
Thats interesting...
It was such a nice sunny morning yesterday I took my Vantage out for a run. Once the tyres had got some heat into them (and the enging/box) and I could lean on it a bit I really enjoyed it. I remember thinking just how 'at one' I felt with the car. I think part of this comes from the lightweight seats that fit like as glove but more likely is 'Seat time', a term I hear a lot in racing and I think this applies equally to some road cars. They take a bit longer to get to know and the more seat time you get the easier it is. I have often found that these more difficult to get in to 'relationships' (God help me if my wife hears me talking about cars like this!) are deeper and more rewarding
S
Seat time. Hmmm - maybe nail on head. My 997 was a daily. My Aston is a weekender with the landrover filling in during the week. Maybe I'm too poor to use my Aston as a daily (fuel, mileage/depreciation, maintenance) and the 997 didn't present these issues. This could be it.It was such a nice sunny morning yesterday I took my Vantage out for a run. Once the tyres had got some heat into them (and the enging/box) and I could lean on it a bit I really enjoyed it. I remember thinking just how 'at one' I felt with the car. I think part of this comes from the lightweight seats that fit like as glove but more likely is 'Seat time', a term I hear a lot in racing and I think this applies equally to some road cars. They take a bit longer to get to know and the more seat time you get the easier it is. I have often found that these more difficult to get in to 'relationships' (God help me if my wife hears me talking about cars like this!) are deeper and more rewarding
S
BTW - everyone, please take my fragile comments with a pinch of salt. It's a mere perception probably grounded in my rattly dash.
Simon T said:
Thats interesting...
It was such a nice sunny morning yesterday I took my Vantage out for a run. Once the tyres had got some heat into them (and the enging/box) and I could lean on it a bit I really enjoyed it. I remember thinking just how 'at one' I felt with the car. I think part of this comes from the lightweight seats that fit like as glove but more likely is 'Seat time', a term I hear a lot in racing and I think this applies equally to some road cars. They take a bit longer to get to know and the more seat time you get the easier it is. I have often found that these more difficult to get in to 'relationships' (God help me if my wife hears me talking about cars like this!) are deeper and more rewarding
S
I agree with this. It took a while for me to be 'at one' with my V8V but now I really enjoy driving it like I stole it and after a few minutes me and the car just seem to get into a groove where everything just flows. Never really experienced it before.It was such a nice sunny morning yesterday I took my Vantage out for a run. Once the tyres had got some heat into them (and the enging/box) and I could lean on it a bit I really enjoyed it. I remember thinking just how 'at one' I felt with the car. I think part of this comes from the lightweight seats that fit like as glove but more likely is 'Seat time', a term I hear a lot in racing and I think this applies equally to some road cars. They take a bit longer to get to know and the more seat time you get the easier it is. I have often found that these more difficult to get in to 'relationships' (God help me if my wife hears me talking about cars like this!) are deeper and more rewarding
S
After a 1.75 hour motorway drive last week I got onto the Fosse Way and the car felt perfect. I think it was warned up enough at that point
I admit I never >actually< look forward to driving my 911 (996 C4 Cab) but whenever I do it is stunning, no other word for it. Grip, poise, balance, steering, brakes, everything is hewn from granite; it's an 18/19 year old car that feels as tight as day one. But it's not that fast, point to point on a empty road it's brilliant but fast overtakes are much harder than in the DB9.
The difference in the DB9 is that I ALWAYS look forward to driving it, and then when I am in it, it NEVER disappoints! Grip, poise, balance, steering, brakes and of course that massive slab of torque and power. I have no doubt that the car feels that special because of the Bamford Rose magic applied to it, but it's not just their engine work - the suspension and chassis strenthening are what made it special.
You may be experiencing the 'Volante shimmy', just that little bit of flex in extremis that saps your confidence every now and again. The shear plates, rear anti-roll bar and drop links eliminate this totally. Consider that as a mod as it doesn't break the bank either and brings the car inline with the DBS/Virage Volante straight away.
Have a think. But if you drive a 991 you'll no doubt be blown away by it, it is two generations ahead of Aston's tech. Is the 'je ne sais quoi' anf feelgood factor of Aston Martin good enough to keep you..?
The difference in the DB9 is that I ALWAYS look forward to driving it, and then when I am in it, it NEVER disappoints! Grip, poise, balance, steering, brakes and of course that massive slab of torque and power. I have no doubt that the car feels that special because of the Bamford Rose magic applied to it, but it's not just their engine work - the suspension and chassis strenthening are what made it special.
You may be experiencing the 'Volante shimmy', just that little bit of flex in extremis that saps your confidence every now and again. The shear plates, rear anti-roll bar and drop links eliminate this totally. Consider that as a mod as it doesn't break the bank either and brings the car inline with the DBS/Virage Volante straight away.
Have a think. But if you drive a 991 you'll no doubt be blown away by it, it is two generations ahead of Aston's tech. Is the 'je ne sais quoi' anf feelgood factor of Aston Martin good enough to keep you..?
I thought it might help to draft this ready for when you need it, Slarti:
I really miss my DB9V. Don't get me wrong, I do like my 911 and I thought I had done the right thing going back to one, but I was a fool to listen to the siren voice inside that said a 997 felt well constructed, responsive, cosseting, making me feel 'at one' with it. Now I have a car that's not anywhere near as beautiful, and the feeling I thought I'd get back never materialised. I regret it really badly, and I feel like the man from the Ryme of the Ancient Mariner:
He went like one that hath been stunned,
And is of sense forlorn:
A sadder and a wiser man
He rose the morrow morn.
I really miss my DB9V. Don't get me wrong, I do like my 911 and I thought I had done the right thing going back to one, but I was a fool to listen to the siren voice inside that said a 997 felt well constructed, responsive, cosseting, making me feel 'at one' with it. Now I have a car that's not anywhere near as beautiful, and the feeling I thought I'd get back never materialised. I regret it really badly, and I feel like the man from the Ryme of the Ancient Mariner:
He went like one that hath been stunned,
And is of sense forlorn:
A sadder and a wiser man
He rose the morrow morn.
Simon T said:
Thats interesting...
It was such a nice sunny morning yesterday I took my Vantage out for a run. Once the tyres had got some heat into them (and the enging/box) and I could lean on it a bit I really enjoyed it. I remember thinking just how 'at one' I felt with the car. I think part of this comes from the lightweight seats that fit like as glove but more likely is 'Seat time', a term I hear a lot in racing and I think this applies equally to some road cars. They take a bit longer to get to know and the more seat time you get the easier it is. I have often found that these more difficult to get in to 'relationships' (God help me if my wife hears me talking about cars like this!) are deeper and more rewarding
S
Perfect explanation. Dropped mine off for a service this morning and came home in a TT DBS with masses more tyre tread than mine. Half the confidence in the loan car as just not used to that gearbox. My DBS is a DD It was such a nice sunny morning yesterday I took my Vantage out for a run. Once the tyres had got some heat into them (and the enging/box) and I could lean on it a bit I really enjoyed it. I remember thinking just how 'at one' I felt with the car. I think part of this comes from the lightweight seats that fit like as glove but more likely is 'Seat time', a term I hear a lot in racing and I think this applies equally to some road cars. They take a bit longer to get to know and the more seat time you get the easier it is. I have often found that these more difficult to get in to 'relationships' (God help me if my wife hears me talking about cars like this!) are deeper and more rewarding
S
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff