Should I make the leap to Aston?
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I am new to Pistonheads so apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place! I am currently the owner of a 2006 Porsche Boxster, thinking of changing, and have a hankering to make the leap to Aston Martin for the first time. I have been doing a bit of research and can't decide whether to buy from an official dealer or privately. I like the look of this, fairly low mileage for a car of its age as well - what's everyone's thoughts? I'm based in Glasgow.
https://www.levencarcompany.co.uk/astonmartin/2009...
Does anyone have anything similar? Would you recommend it?
Thanks in advance.
I am new to Pistonheads so apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place! I am currently the owner of a 2006 Porsche Boxster, thinking of changing, and have a hankering to make the leap to Aston Martin for the first time. I have been doing a bit of research and can't decide whether to buy from an official dealer or privately. I like the look of this, fairly low mileage for a car of its age as well - what's everyone's thoughts? I'm based in Glasgow.
https://www.levencarcompany.co.uk/astonmartin/2009...
Does anyone have anything similar? Would you recommend it?
Thanks in advance.
Just a brief comment which might help.
The ad. says Auto.
There has been endless talk on here, about the optional 'Sportshift' gearbox. It is not a conventional torque converter automatic box, but the normal manual gearbox with computerised gear changing. Some love it and some hate it. The D mode (automatic) is not popular, so only use the paddles. Make sure you are happy when you test drive, particularly manoeuvring, reversing and creeping along in slow stop start traffic.
My car is a delightful manual and I have never driven a Sportshift, but the above is an outline of what has been mentioned on here many times.
Enjoy your search for an Aston Martin. They are wonderful cars to own.
I have had an extended period using a 986S (my brother had one and was out of the country for a few months so I was using it during that time) and had a 24 hour loan of a 987S from Porsche quite a few years ago now. I believe yours would be a 987 given the year. Brilliant, fun cars to drive and they handle superbly. Enough power for road use without being over the top and the 987S seems to be down into ridiculous bargain territory, price wise now.
I have owned a 4.3 V8 Vantage and now have a V12 Vantage. Let's leave the V12 to one side as that is a totally different proposition altogether. I also test drove a 4.7 Vantage before I bought my V8. In my view the V8 handles very well considering it is not an out an out sports car. It has plenty of power and the exhaust note is something else. And it is an Aston Martin. I don't think you can fully appreciate the whole ownership experience of having one until you have had one. I end up just standing in my garage looking at mine and I was the same when I had the V8. I have never had a bad word or negative comment from anyone - people just love them.
I would choose a Vantage over the Boxster every time. It's an Aston Martin. It is that simple for me. I would echo the above - I would opt for the "proper" manual rather than the SS box.
I have owned a 4.3 V8 Vantage and now have a V12 Vantage. Let's leave the V12 to one side as that is a totally different proposition altogether. I also test drove a 4.7 Vantage before I bought my V8. In my view the V8 handles very well considering it is not an out an out sports car. It has plenty of power and the exhaust note is something else. And it is an Aston Martin. I don't think you can fully appreciate the whole ownership experience of having one until you have had one. I end up just standing in my garage looking at mine and I was the same when I had the V8. I have never had a bad word or negative comment from anyone - people just love them.
I would choose a Vantage over the Boxster every time. It's an Aston Martin. It is that simple for me. I would echo the above - I would opt for the "proper" manual rather than the SS box.
Drove both when I was looking and wanted best spec' (4.7) car so wasn't fussed manual or SS, and the car I got has SS and I'm more than pleased with it. (I know how to drive one) I did notice though that the advert has a picture of it in 'comfort' mode, and that is a 
The manual box isn't exactly perfect either. It's a personal preference thing but I love the hyper-shift mode on SS when used occasionally and the blip of throttle on down changes. Just an opinion for balance.
The manual box isn't exactly perfect either. It's a personal preference thing but I love the hyper-shift mode on SS when used occasionally and the blip of throttle on down changes. Just an opinion for balance.Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 20th August 17:16
Looks lovely and has the Timeless warranty 
To add to the "balance", I have a 4.7 v8 with Sportshift and absolutely love it.
As Macdeb alludes to, you do need to know how to drive it properly to get the best from it, but that's very easy to master once you understand it and it really adds to the driving experience.
If I had to replace the car, I wouldn't swap to a manual.
To add to the "balance", I have a 4.7 v8 with Sportshift and absolutely love it.
As Macdeb alludes to, you do need to know how to drive it properly to get the best from it, but that's very easy to master once you understand it and it really adds to the driving experience.
If I had to replace the car, I wouldn't swap to a manual.
I should be up at the dealers on Friday to collect my Vantage (bloody hell it feels weird writing that!)
Current car is a 986S as well and love the car - so much so I'm doing a deal with brother in law to pay me half now, and if I want it back next yr I can - or sell it to him for the other half
Happy to have a glance at the car for you if you like and provide some feedback, but being frank once they start the car and the noise hits, not sure my review will be much more then 'you should buy this'!
Current car is a 986S as well and love the car - so much so I'm doing a deal with brother in law to pay me half now, and if I want it back next yr I can - or sell it to him for the other half
Happy to have a glance at the car for you if you like and provide some feedback, but being frank once they start the car and the noise hits, not sure my review will be much more then 'you should buy this'!
I also went from a 987.2 Boxster to a V8 Vantage 4.3 manual two years ago.
I really liked my Boxster and would definitely have another but the Vantage is completely different, it's difficult to compare the two. Obviously quite different to drive but I would not say the Vantage is any less fun. The biggest letdown is the throttle response is poor, but steering and brakes are both good and on par with the Porsche. I love a flat 6 but the v8 loves to rev and sounds good when you do.
It's a very different sense of occasion in the Aston and the quality and feel of the cabin is a totally different league to the Boxster. The Vantage is much more practical than the Boxster, it's amazing what you can fit in. The economy is crap but the tank is massive so you're not forever filling it up and the mechanicals are pretty robust but regular maintenance, consumables and fixing niggles quickly adds up.
As and when I'm ready to move on from mine it will almost certainly be another Porsche but probably a 911.
I really liked my Boxster and would definitely have another but the Vantage is completely different, it's difficult to compare the two. Obviously quite different to drive but I would not say the Vantage is any less fun. The biggest letdown is the throttle response is poor, but steering and brakes are both good and on par with the Porsche. I love a flat 6 but the v8 loves to rev and sounds good when you do.
It's a very different sense of occasion in the Aston and the quality and feel of the cabin is a totally different league to the Boxster. The Vantage is much more practical than the Boxster, it's amazing what you can fit in. The economy is crap but the tank is massive so you're not forever filling it up and the mechanicals are pretty robust but regular maintenance, consumables and fixing niggles quickly adds up.
As and when I'm ready to move on from mine it will almost certainly be another Porsche but probably a 911.
Sorry for being a late-comer, been on hols...
I came from 2009 Cayman S to V8V 4.7 2009 manual; they are very different. Cayman was much more pure sports car with a (fairly) decent interior, V8V much more all-rounder and as others have said, a marvellous experience to own in all respects; exclusivity, overall quality, looks etc. Except for the switchgear on the steering column, which is the only disappointment in the interior department.
Anything I miss? The small size and handling of the Cayman... but that's about it! Oh, and my wife found the Cayman easier to drive as its all lighter and, well, smaller. Have sorted the former with an eye-opening trip to Bamford Rose.
Perhaps I am foolish but I worry much less about the car after corrosion, IMS, bores and all that from this era of Porker even though the Aston is overall a more expensive proposition to own.
For a first Aston I went to a dealer for the Timeless. IMHO worth the extra and buying it is immense fun, with the pomp and circumstance. But as written elsewhere, I was grateful for the warranty.
I came from 2009 Cayman S to V8V 4.7 2009 manual; they are very different. Cayman was much more pure sports car with a (fairly) decent interior, V8V much more all-rounder and as others have said, a marvellous experience to own in all respects; exclusivity, overall quality, looks etc. Except for the switchgear on the steering column, which is the only disappointment in the interior department.
Anything I miss? The small size and handling of the Cayman... but that's about it! Oh, and my wife found the Cayman easier to drive as its all lighter and, well, smaller. Have sorted the former with an eye-opening trip to Bamford Rose.
Perhaps I am foolish but I worry much less about the car after corrosion, IMS, bores and all that from this era of Porker even though the Aston is overall a more expensive proposition to own.
For a first Aston I went to a dealer for the Timeless. IMHO worth the extra and buying it is immense fun, with the pomp and circumstance. But as written elsewhere, I was grateful for the warranty.
I had a Boxster when they first came out (so a long time ago!) and thought it was an absolutely brilliant car (and still did having owned a couple of 911 Turbos).
But an Aston Martin is just on a completely different level.
The V8 Vantage will likely be the best option for you rather than a DB9 for the same money (though I love my DB9), but I would drive both before deciding.
As absolutely great as the Boxster is to drive, as others have said, the sense of occasion and respect is truly in a different class.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
But an Aston Martin is just on a completely different level.
The V8 Vantage will likely be the best option for you rather than a DB9 for the same money (though I love my DB9), but I would drive both before deciding.
As absolutely great as the Boxster is to drive, as others have said, the sense of occasion and respect is truly in a different class.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
I went from a 986S to a DB9 Sports Pack (originally supplied by that same dealer, incidentally), and would say don't hesitate for a moment longer. Do it!
It is so much more of a car than a Boxster. It's engineered and built to a far higher standard, and is a simply wonderful car to drive, with a real sense of occasion every time you drive it. My Aston has been 100% reliable, unlike the Porsche which was plagued with problems, and was a surprisingly dull drive at legal speeds.
It is so much more of a car than a Boxster. It's engineered and built to a far higher standard, and is a simply wonderful car to drive, with a real sense of occasion every time you drive it. My Aston has been 100% reliable, unlike the Porsche which was plagued with problems, and was a surprisingly dull drive at legal speeds.
REM2112 said:
I don't think I've ever had any acknowledgement from another Aston owner
I get flashed lights and the odd "thumbs up" and I've only owned an Aston since March this year.It's more likely it's because you live in Essex - I used to live there when I worked at Dunton so I know of what I speak
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