The Porsche vs. Aston jibes
Discussion
I'm the assistant editor for a magazine called Total 911 and I've just had a V8 Vantage from AM's press guys for a few days, so I feel qualified to speak on this matter.
In 800 miles of hard driving, that car did not miss a beat. It was a revelation and I bitterly regretted having to drive it back to Gaydon this morning. Well built, stunning to look at and with a truly nape-tingling exhaust note, I loved every minute. The week before having the Vantage I had a 997 Turbo for 8 days and, despite the Porsche's technical perfection, the Aston felt more special. No, it's not as good, in many respects, as the latest batch of 911s but it's pretty damned close and is a massive achievement for a company that I hold very dearly. I want one.
Porsche owners who dismiss Astons should be ignored - it's that simple.
In 800 miles of hard driving, that car did not miss a beat. It was a revelation and I bitterly regretted having to drive it back to Gaydon this morning. Well built, stunning to look at and with a truly nape-tingling exhaust note, I loved every minute. The week before having the Vantage I had a 997 Turbo for 8 days and, despite the Porsche's technical perfection, the Aston felt more special. No, it's not as good, in many respects, as the latest batch of 911s but it's pretty damned close and is a massive achievement for a company that I hold very dearly. I want one.
Porsche owners who dismiss Astons should be ignored - it's that simple.
Kevin Hackett said:
I'm the assistant editor for a magazine called Total 911 and I've just had a V8 Vantage from AM's press guys for a few days, so I feel qualified to speak on this matter.
In 800 miles of hard driving, that car did not miss a beat. It was a revelation and I bitterly regretted having to drive it back to Gaydon this morning. Well built, stunning to look at and with a truly nape-tingling exhaust note, I loved every minute. The week before having the Vantage I had a 997 Turbo for 8 days and, despite the Porsche's technical perfection, the Aston felt more special. No, it's not as good, in many respects, as the latest batch of 911s but it's pretty damned close and is a massive achievement for a company that I hold very dearly. I want one.
Porsche owners who dismiss Astons should be ignored - it's that simple.
In 800 miles of hard driving, that car did not miss a beat. It was a revelation and I bitterly regretted having to drive it back to Gaydon this morning. Well built, stunning to look at and with a truly nape-tingling exhaust note, I loved every minute. The week before having the Vantage I had a 997 Turbo for 8 days and, despite the Porsche's technical perfection, the Aston felt more special. No, it's not as good, in many respects, as the latest batch of 911s but it's pretty damned close and is a massive achievement for a company that I hold very dearly. I want one.
Porsche owners who dismiss Astons should be ignored - it's that simple.
Welcome Kevin, are you launching a new Aston based magazine, didn't I read one of your guys is doing a new verses old V8 feature?
Coming from Pork, as many of us have (in fact most of us I think!) it takes a little time to adjust to the Aston, but I for one am suprised how much I am loving it purely for the driving (it's other attributes, looks, interior etc are obvious), particularly on my favourite B road into work, it's real gem !
No Grant, I'm still actually freelance and wanted to do the old versus new Vantages for an American mag called European Car. I didn't manage to get hold of a 1980s model in time but AM have told me I can get a new car anytime, so I'm not giving up hope.
I can't describe the effect the Aston had on everyone that came into contact with it - amazing. I had people taking photos of me while they were driving along the M6! What sort of Porsche have you come from? Met a guy last week while I was on a photoshoot and he'd gone to the Vantage from a 911 GT2 - said that aside from a leaky boot and occasional electrical niggles he had no regrets.
I can't describe the effect the Aston had on everyone that came into contact with it - amazing. I had people taking photos of me while they were driving along the M6! What sort of Porsche have you come from? Met a guy last week while I was on a photoshoot and he'd gone to the Vantage from a 911 GT2 - said that aside from a leaky boot and occasional electrical niggles he had no regrets.
Ahh the old blah v blah debates, you cant beat em 
I liked Shadey's direction, to expand on it a bit more, the Brits have got the Hurricane and Spitfire, TVR and Aston and the Jerries the ME109 and Me110, Porsche and BMW.
In all the hoohaa ppl and the which is better, faster, better built, etc. ppl tend to forget that in the modern day that is all really rather irrelevent. If LA wasnt such a pr1ck he would actually be able to offer a useful insight and pt out that over a decent B road he probably possesses a quicker car than any of the above (bar a 997tt on overboost) in the blown Mx. It is easier to make rapid progress over a country road in an Mx5 than in any other motor Ive driven. However, that isnt the pt, if it was we would all be driving Uber Japs and we arent. What the British bring to the party and the Germans are never going to match is simply sheer style. The Italians get close, but veer more toward the dramatic, rather than pure style and class. The Germans bring brutal efficiency and performance, but never style.
Now frankly, Britain has a recent motor industry history of producing stylish sh1te and that is never going to cut it really, but when we get it right...nothing else on sale comes close. For what they are, offer and what the customer wants the AMV8 and DB9 are damn nr perfect. OK, so the AMV8 is under-powered. but that is a semi-deliberate Aston policy to leave a gap for a blown version. Most of the car mags have asked what is a Vanquish *for* now the DB9 has come along and does the same job for £40k less, but well...they have rather missed the pt. A Vanquish isnt *for* anything, it is enough that it simply exists and ppl will buy it for that. Ive a 997tt on order because even 3 yrs ago it was obvious that when it came out it was going to be the best car in the world by every objective measure possible. It doesnt have any style to it though, it is punctual, efficient performance. It will never be a Sagaris replacement though because, well, it just wouldnt. It will do a job for me.
Until I get the Vanquish S or whatever supercedes it...now *that* will be my Sagaris replacement. That would be getting rid of my BoB Hawker Hurricane and replacing it with a Hawker Typhoon, and nobody ever f**ked with a Typhoon without getting a serious nutting!
I liked Shadey's direction, to expand on it a bit more, the Brits have got the Hurricane and Spitfire, TVR and Aston and the Jerries the ME109 and Me110, Porsche and BMW.
In all the hoohaa ppl and the which is better, faster, better built, etc. ppl tend to forget that in the modern day that is all really rather irrelevent. If LA wasnt such a pr1ck he would actually be able to offer a useful insight and pt out that over a decent B road he probably possesses a quicker car than any of the above (bar a 997tt on overboost) in the blown Mx. It is easier to make rapid progress over a country road in an Mx5 than in any other motor Ive driven. However, that isnt the pt, if it was we would all be driving Uber Japs and we arent. What the British bring to the party and the Germans are never going to match is simply sheer style. The Italians get close, but veer more toward the dramatic, rather than pure style and class. The Germans bring brutal efficiency and performance, but never style.
Now frankly, Britain has a recent motor industry history of producing stylish sh1te and that is never going to cut it really, but when we get it right...nothing else on sale comes close. For what they are, offer and what the customer wants the AMV8 and DB9 are damn nr perfect. OK, so the AMV8 is under-powered. but that is a semi-deliberate Aston policy to leave a gap for a blown version. Most of the car mags have asked what is a Vanquish *for* now the DB9 has come along and does the same job for £40k less, but well...they have rather missed the pt. A Vanquish isnt *for* anything, it is enough that it simply exists and ppl will buy it for that. Ive a 997tt on order because even 3 yrs ago it was obvious that when it came out it was going to be the best car in the world by every objective measure possible. It doesnt have any style to it though, it is punctual, efficient performance. It will never be a Sagaris replacement though because, well, it just wouldnt. It will do a job for me.
Until I get the Vanquish S or whatever supercedes it...now *that* will be my Sagaris replacement. That would be getting rid of my BoB Hawker Hurricane and replacing it with a Hawker Typhoon, and nobody ever f**ked with a Typhoon without getting a serious nutting!
Herbie on steroids hehe
German too, here ( Hallo PornoEngel 
).
Got a 996TT atm, but my heart is already longing for
the DB9. Have been to the dealer twice, have been
offered two test-rides. Have turned them down twice,
but am not sure how much longer I can stand that...
Cheers,
Frank
). Got a 996TT atm, but my heart is already longing for
the DB9. Have been to the dealer twice, have been
offered two test-rides. Have turned them down twice,
but am not sure how much longer I can stand that...
Cheers,
Frank
Edited by Relaxed on Friday 1st September 16:26
I wouldn't worry. At some point you will test drive the Aston, and you'll be willing to sell your left bollock to get it.
I agree with Shady's Porsche comments. They are too much a benchmark for people who know bugger all about cars, and that's partly why there are so many of them. Sure, they are great machines, but they have no character or individuality any more. It's the same with the iPod. If I were in the market for an MP3 player, I'd probably go for something without an Apple logo. They are just too common.
Given the choice between a V8 Vantage, or a better Porsche (that's another thing - they all look the same and perform almost the same, I have no idea which is which, and I don't care), I'd go for the Aston Martin every time.
I agree with Shady's Porsche comments. They are too much a benchmark for people who know bugger all about cars, and that's partly why there are so many of them. Sure, they are great machines, but they have no character or individuality any more. It's the same with the iPod. If I were in the market for an MP3 player, I'd probably go for something without an Apple logo. They are just too common.
Given the choice between a V8 Vantage, or a better Porsche (that's another thing - they all look the same and perform almost the same, I have no idea which is which, and I don't care), I'd go for the Aston Martin every time.
personally i cant see what the fuss is about. they are all great cars,and shortly i might be in the market for either.haved loved both marques since i was a child but porsche have been more consistent during that time but i am glad that aston are up there at the top of their game.unfortunately i will not be in the position to buy both but if i could i would.both special in their own way
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