Vantage to 992
Discussion
I have had my V8 vantage for 6 years and decided it's time to change. I used to enjoy it as a weekend car but over the last 3 years I have been doing a lot more mileage in it on motorways (not in the last 9 months!) and the enjoyment has waned. It's still a great looking car and I love the sound but I want more comfort and modern tech.
I have been going round in circles and initially thought I would buy an M850i coupe, then Macan turbo and finally settling on a 992. I briefly thought about a used new shape vantage once I had added up the cost of the options I wanted on a 992 but still think the 992 is the best bet - that is until I heard how critical Harry Metcalf was of the road noise in a 992.
Has anyone else swapped a vantage for a 992 or vice versa?
Thanks
I have been going round in circles and initially thought I would buy an M850i coupe, then Macan turbo and finally settling on a 992. I briefly thought about a used new shape vantage once I had added up the cost of the options I wanted on a 992 but still think the 992 is the best bet - that is until I heard how critical Harry Metcalf was of the road noise in a 992.
Has anyone else swapped a vantage for a 992 or vice versa?
Thanks
Obviously in a Aston forum you are not going to get too much support in getting rid of a Aston but understand where you are coming from. I was using my V8V a lot more than i wanted for work etc. But i admit i did not consider getting rid of it. As you say you are doing more motorway miles then agree that a car like a Aston is really wasted if its work related. But i would say the same for the Porsche, which i hasten to add i do like being a ex C4S owner. Both cars need to be driven as a sense of occasion so keep the Aston and go for a motorway cruiser that is sprightly if you need it and comfortable. I went the opposite end of the scale though. For work which requires a lot of meetings at MOD sites I drive a 5yr old Focus TDCI. I get in it, iphone music on, drive it, arrive, meet, occiasionally fill it up and come back home. But the weekend is for the Vantage and the sense of occasion does not wane because of Henry Fords weekday offering!
I'm not going to answer your question directly, because I haven't. However, I'll relate a little true tale - cut me some slack; it's Christmas 
To set the scene - I'm just over 6' 3" with a 36" inside leg. For years, ever since I was young, I wanted a 911; the "practical supercar you can drive every day" - what's not to like? I remember well walking past a Porsche showroom and I said to my wife "hang on, just let me try one". So, minutes later and with a hopeful salesman hovering (he had no chance - I didn't have that sort of money) I'm trying to cram myself into one of the older 911 models (don't ask the number; I have no idea. It was a 911, OK?), kidding myself that if I had knee surgery to add a just little more articulation than nature intended I could drive it and with my wife standing outside the car, watching my contortions until, with a weary note in her voice, she just said "You don't fit, do you?" With a sob I had to agree, shoe-horned myself out of the diminutive German box and we went on our way.
Skip forward a few years and I'd heard that the geniuses at Stuttgart had realised that humans were getting taller and had increased the legroom in the later 911's (again, with the model numbers? I have no idea), so were were once more passing a Porsche showroom so I popped in and, to my surprise, I was quite comfortable in the driver's seat. An idea was planted, but never with the money to realise it.
Roll forward several years and I happened to be working for a company that regarded 911's as competitors (did I mention I have worked in the automotive industry?), and they had one on the fleet as a comparator. I was given a chance to take it out for an extended spin (nope, no idea what model, but it wasn't a Turbo), ostensibly for a seat comfort appraisal. I finally had the key to the car I wanted and I was about to drive it, my daily conveyance at that time being a diesel P3 V70. I took the car out, I could drive it, it was comfortable, it was fast but my God! was it noisy. The noise from the back, a combination of tyre roar and engine, made me wonder if they'd accidentally left out all the sound deadening. It was an all-pervasive, open-space noise that just made driving the car unpleasant; way, way worse than the huge open space I had behind me in the V70 and a level of noise that made the V70 feel like a limousine; the level of noise that would make ticking the boxes on any of the ICE options pointless. The last piece of the test circuit was a run up a motorway and I'm cruising at around 70-ish, unable to hear the radio and I realised that I could never live with this level of racket - I was too old for this s
t and I'd soon tire of a car that was OK for a blast round the lanes but that I'd hate even driving 30 miles to my in-laws, never mind going on a decent run..
And that, dear reader, is why I have a V8V. But I admit to still having a slight 911 itch. Go figure; humans, eh?
To set the scene - I'm just over 6' 3" with a 36" inside leg. For years, ever since I was young, I wanted a 911; the "practical supercar you can drive every day" - what's not to like? I remember well walking past a Porsche showroom and I said to my wife "hang on, just let me try one". So, minutes later and with a hopeful salesman hovering (he had no chance - I didn't have that sort of money) I'm trying to cram myself into one of the older 911 models (don't ask the number; I have no idea. It was a 911, OK?), kidding myself that if I had knee surgery to add a just little more articulation than nature intended I could drive it and with my wife standing outside the car, watching my contortions until, with a weary note in her voice, she just said "You don't fit, do you?" With a sob I had to agree, shoe-horned myself out of the diminutive German box and we went on our way.
Skip forward a few years and I'd heard that the geniuses at Stuttgart had realised that humans were getting taller and had increased the legroom in the later 911's (again, with the model numbers? I have no idea), so were were once more passing a Porsche showroom so I popped in and, to my surprise, I was quite comfortable in the driver's seat. An idea was planted, but never with the money to realise it.
Roll forward several years and I happened to be working for a company that regarded 911's as competitors (did I mention I have worked in the automotive industry?), and they had one on the fleet as a comparator. I was given a chance to take it out for an extended spin (nope, no idea what model, but it wasn't a Turbo), ostensibly for a seat comfort appraisal. I finally had the key to the car I wanted and I was about to drive it, my daily conveyance at that time being a diesel P3 V70. I took the car out, I could drive it, it was comfortable, it was fast but my God! was it noisy. The noise from the back, a combination of tyre roar and engine, made me wonder if they'd accidentally left out all the sound deadening. It was an all-pervasive, open-space noise that just made driving the car unpleasant; way, way worse than the huge open space I had behind me in the V70 and a level of noise that made the V70 feel like a limousine; the level of noise that would make ticking the boxes on any of the ICE options pointless. The last piece of the test circuit was a run up a motorway and I'm cruising at around 70-ish, unable to hear the radio and I realised that I could never live with this level of racket - I was too old for this s
t and I'd soon tire of a car that was OK for a blast round the lanes but that I'd hate even driving 30 miles to my in-laws, never mind going on a decent run..And that, dear reader, is why I have a V8V. But I admit to still having a slight 911 itch. Go figure; humans, eh?
Edited by LTP on Thursday 24th December 11:53
LTP said:
I'm not going to answer your question directly, because I haven't. However, I'll relate a little true tale - cut me some slack; it's Christmas
To set the scene - I'm just over 6' 3" with a 36" inside leg. For years, ever since I was young, I wanted a 911; the "practical supercar you can drive every day" - what's not to like? I remember well walking past a Porsche showroom and I said to my wife "hang on, just let me try one". So, minutes later and with a hopeful salesman hovering (he had no chance - I didn't have that sort of money) I'm trying to cram myself into one of the older 911 models (don't ask the number; I have no idea. It was a 911, OK?), kidding myself that if I had knee surgery to add a just little more articulation than nature intended I could drive it and with my wife standing outside the car, watching my contortions until, with a weary note in her voice, she just said "You don't fit, do you?" With a sob I had to agree, shoe-horned myself out of the diminutive German box and we went on our way.
Skip forward a few years and I'd heard that the geniuses at Stuttgart had realised that humans were getting taller and had increased the legroom in the later 911's (again, with the model numbers? I have no idea), so were were once more passing a Porsche showroom so I popped in and, to my surprise, I was quite comfortable in the driver's seat. An idea was planted, but never with the money to realise it.
Roll forward several years and I happened to be working for a company that regarded 911's as competitors (did I mention I have worked in the automotive industry?), and they had one on the fleet as a comparator. I was given a chance to take it out for an extended spin (nope, no idea what model, but it wasn't a Turbo), ostensibly for a seat comfort appraisal. I finally had the key to the car I wanted and I was about to drive it, my daily conveyance at that time being a diesel P3 V70. I took the car out, I could drive it, it was comfortable, it was fast but my God! was it noisy. The noise from the back, a combination of tyre roar and engine, made me wonder if they'd accidentally left out all the sound deadening. It was an all-pervasive, open-space noise that just made driving the car unpleasant; way, way worse than the huge open space I had behind me in the V70 and the level of noise that made the V70 feel like a limousine; the level of noise that would make ticking the boxes on any of the ICE options pointless. The last piece of the test circuit was a run up a motorway and I'm cruising at around 70-ish, unable to hear the radio and I realised that I could never live with this level of racket - I was too old for this st and I'd soon tire of a car that was OK for a blast round the lanes but that I'd hate even driving 30 miles to my in-laws, never mind going on a decent run..
And that, dear reader, is why I have a V8V. But I admit to still having a slight 911 itch. Go figure; humans, eh?
What a sTo set the scene - I'm just over 6' 3" with a 36" inside leg. For years, ever since I was young, I wanted a 911; the "practical supercar you can drive every day" - what's not to like? I remember well walking past a Porsche showroom and I said to my wife "hang on, just let me try one". So, minutes later and with a hopeful salesman hovering (he had no chance - I didn't have that sort of money) I'm trying to cram myself into one of the older 911 models (don't ask the number; I have no idea. It was a 911, OK?), kidding myself that if I had knee surgery to add a just little more articulation than nature intended I could drive it and with my wife standing outside the car, watching my contortions until, with a weary note in her voice, she just said "You don't fit, do you?" With a sob I had to agree, shoe-horned myself out of the diminutive German box and we went on our way.
Skip forward a few years and I'd heard that the geniuses at Stuttgart had realised that humans were getting taller and had increased the legroom in the later 911's (again, with the model numbers? I have no idea), so were were once more passing a Porsche showroom so I popped in and, to my surprise, I was quite comfortable in the driver's seat. An idea was planted, but never with the money to realise it.
Roll forward several years and I happened to be working for a company that regarded 911's as competitors (did I mention I have worked in the automotive industry?), and they had one on the fleet as a comparator. I was given a chance to take it out for an extended spin (nope, no idea what model, but it wasn't a Turbo), ostensibly for a seat comfort appraisal. I finally had the key to the car I wanted and I was about to drive it, my daily conveyance at that time being a diesel P3 V70. I took the car out, I could drive it, it was comfortable, it was fast but my God! was it noisy. The noise from the back, a combination of tyre roar and engine, made me wonder if they'd accidentally left out all the sound deadening. It was an all-pervasive, open-space noise that just made driving the car unpleasant; way, way worse than the huge open space I had behind me in the V70 and the level of noise that made the V70 feel like a limousine; the level of noise that would make ticking the boxes on any of the ICE options pointless. The last piece of the test circuit was a run up a motorway and I'm cruising at around 70-ish, unable to hear the radio and I realised that I could never live with this level of racket - I was too old for this s
t and I'd soon tire of a car that was OK for a blast round the lanes but that I'd hate even driving 30 miles to my in-laws, never mind going on a decent run..And that, dear reader, is why I have a V8V. But I admit to still having a slight 911 itch. Go figure; humans, eh?
t story, you’d definitely fit the Porsche mould better.LTP said:
galtezza said:
What a st story, you’d definitely fit the Porsche mould better.
And this from a man who thinks owning a wolf is a good idea? t story, you’d definitely fit the Porsche mould better.
galtezza said:
....he reckons they tolerate no dogs and if they fight then its to the end! Nice!
I don't think I'm going to lose sleep.t story though 
at least my facts are straight, where as you obviously like to lie as well as tell st stories.I certainly dont think owning a wolf is a good idea
(never said i did, weirdo) and no, they dont tolerate other dogs, are you saying wolves do then? 
Edited by galtezza on Thursday 24th December 12:45
LTP said:
I'm not going to answer your question directly, because I haven't. However, I'll relate a little true tale - cut me some slack; it's Christmas
I have never been in a 911, so no experience.
A Vantage is not the quietest of cars in the cockpit, tyre noise on most British road surfaces being fairly loud.
If the 911s have loud road noise how do they sell so many of thsm?
One of my cars is a Mercedes, owned for many years. The V6 engine is beautifully silent, so that probably emphasises tyre noise. It was dreadful. I put up with it until the OEM Pirelli tyres wore out, which took a long time, then chose replacements based on the published sound ratings. The lowest db number was a Dunlop tyre. The reduction in tyre noise was remarkable. They only last half as long as the Pirellis, but for the benefit that is acceptable.
Dewi 2 said:
If the 911s have loud road noise how do they sell so many of thsm?
A question I ask myself and I can only assume that noise is maybe not high on some people's agendas when buying cars. Or perhaps the one I drove was a bad one? 911's do have a reputation of being very good cars, but I certainly sympathised when Harry Metcalfe made the comments about noise and said anyone coming to a 911 from a Macan might be surprised.As far as a Vantage being a noisy cabin, that's where I'd tend to disagree, although I will admit it can be road surface dependant The noise level from the rear in mine has gotten slightly worse since I swapped the Bridgestones for ContiSport 6's, but the improvement in the ride more than makes up for it.
As an aside, Continental do have a ContiSilent technology where they incorporate a band of foam inside the tyre carcass to absorb the higher frequency vibrations and reduce noise transmitted to the cabin. Sadly not available in Vantage sizes.
Edited by LTP on Thursday 24th December 12:58
992 are fine. They are a touch on the noisy side if road surface is poor, other than that they are perfectly acceptable.
As for not being a special occasion car, I have never found this to be the case. Mine feels quite special every time i go out and certainly never boring. Its fast as hell and is a nice place to be when driving. Dont go for a bog standard one though, you need the nice bits on.
I do daily drive it which is more than i can say for my Aston.
992 mpg is excellent considering the performance, would wipe the floor with my Aston and will also return double the mpg whilst doing so.
Which one would I choose if i could only have one? Would probably be the 992 as its more of an all round package and main stealers don't try to rag your pants down quite as far.
Having said that, the Aston is a keeper whereas the 992 will be gone in another 16 months when it is 3 years old.
As for not being a special occasion car, I have never found this to be the case. Mine feels quite special every time i go out and certainly never boring. Its fast as hell and is a nice place to be when driving. Dont go for a bog standard one though, you need the nice bits on.
I do daily drive it which is more than i can say for my Aston.
992 mpg is excellent considering the performance, would wipe the floor with my Aston and will also return double the mpg whilst doing so.
Which one would I choose if i could only have one? Would probably be the 992 as its more of an all round package and main stealers don't try to rag your pants down quite as far.
Having said that, the Aston is a keeper whereas the 992 will be gone in another 16 months when it is 3 years old.
Have driven the 992 and 991 and both are great cars, like all Porsches for the past 30 years they do everything well, are fast, sporty etc but I always get out feeling something is missing, a bit like after driving a C63, R8 etc. As a daily and general sports car they are great, if you want something that feels a little special and useable it needs to be the Aston or something Italian.
Incidentally I know two people who have gone from late 911’s into Taycans and think it is the best car they have owned.
Incidentally I know two people who have gone from late 911’s into Taycans and think it is the best car they have owned.
I've owned every variant of the 911 from 993 on up to 991.2. I decided to take a chance with the new Vantage AMR (manual) and, as my lease term is up in a year, I'm weighing whether to get another Vantage with a manual or go with a 992. I've driven the 992 and it certainly is impressive but I feel a certain analogue connection is missing as the car seems to be way ahead of me, anticipating my needs in a way.
For me at 6'4" in height the 911 has always been a winner. There hasn't been another real sports car where I felt quite as comfortable. Still my 2020 Vantage is just as comfortable and the position of the pedals and their weighting is spot on. The dogleg is tricky at first but rewarding once you click with it. The engine is a bit of a beast and the gearing certainly matches in a way I've never really encountered. The great days of rowing up and down a naturally aspirated engine with a sweet well geared manual are gone. The 7 speed could easily be a 5 speed and be just as enjoyable and to really run the car right I've ended up with absolutely terrible mileage. Still the car is a blast and a real alternative to the now hyper competent 992. I don't drive more than 5000 miles a year so the Vantage fits in fine and I'm not too worried about it falling apart.... Yet the car has what I'd call "lifestyle" deficiencies. The lack of Apple CarPlay isn't a deal breaker for me, but the ugly plastic navi screen is. To be clear I don't mind old navi tech I just don't want to stare at a cheap screen while I drive. Also, in a $190,000 car the lack of a true premium stereo option is a head scratcher. Aston told me this was because the Vantage cabin is too small. A double head scratcher as Porsche is able to cram a world class stereo option into the 992. The lack of auto high beams on a car this expensive is also an issue. Also shellack of a glovebox seems gimmicky... C'mon. The Vantage is a great car but it isn't 100% and the places where it is lacking seem so easy (and cheap) to address.
But when I think about switching back to the 992 (even the GT3 touring) I find myself hesitating. The 911 drives great but I think I much prefer something closer to 50:50 weight distribution as opposed to 33:67. I've thought about moving to the Cayman or Boxster GTS with the 4.0 naturally aspirated 6 but I drove and the manual gearing was way off. Porsche has added a ton of "Nanny" features which is a turn off. I've heard rumors of Porsche putting the 4.0 into a variant of the 992 and maybe a leaner version would appeal. In any event the idea of another Vantage keeps pulling me.
For me at 6'4" in height the 911 has always been a winner. There hasn't been another real sports car where I felt quite as comfortable. Still my 2020 Vantage is just as comfortable and the position of the pedals and their weighting is spot on. The dogleg is tricky at first but rewarding once you click with it. The engine is a bit of a beast and the gearing certainly matches in a way I've never really encountered. The great days of rowing up and down a naturally aspirated engine with a sweet well geared manual are gone. The 7 speed could easily be a 5 speed and be just as enjoyable and to really run the car right I've ended up with absolutely terrible mileage. Still the car is a blast and a real alternative to the now hyper competent 992. I don't drive more than 5000 miles a year so the Vantage fits in fine and I'm not too worried about it falling apart.... Yet the car has what I'd call "lifestyle" deficiencies. The lack of Apple CarPlay isn't a deal breaker for me, but the ugly plastic navi screen is. To be clear I don't mind old navi tech I just don't want to stare at a cheap screen while I drive. Also, in a $190,000 car the lack of a true premium stereo option is a head scratcher. Aston told me this was because the Vantage cabin is too small. A double head scratcher as Porsche is able to cram a world class stereo option into the 992. The lack of auto high beams on a car this expensive is also an issue. Also shellack of a glovebox seems gimmicky... C'mon. The Vantage is a great car but it isn't 100% and the places where it is lacking seem so easy (and cheap) to address.
But when I think about switching back to the 992 (even the GT3 touring) I find myself hesitating. The 911 drives great but I think I much prefer something closer to 50:50 weight distribution as opposed to 33:67. I've thought about moving to the Cayman or Boxster GTS with the 4.0 naturally aspirated 6 but I drove and the manual gearing was way off. Porsche has added a ton of "Nanny" features which is a turn off. I've heard rumors of Porsche putting the 4.0 into a variant of the 992 and maybe a leaner version would appeal. In any event the idea of another Vantage keeps pulling me.
Edited by Viahuerto on Thursday 24th December 18:38
Edited by Viahuerto on Thursday 24th December 18:41
LTP said:
As far as a Vantage being a noisy cabin, that's where I'd tend to disagree, although I will admit it can be road surface dependant.
Don't visit Worcestershire then.
The County Council is addicted to coating every road surface with coarse stone chippings. They ought to hand out earplugs at the county borders.
Dorset is an example of very good council. They clearly favour smooth ashphalt road surfaces.
Dewi 2 said:
Don't visit Worcestershire then.
In rural Warwickshire the road patching is so bad I can speak with authority on the noise effect of virtually any asphalt surface known to man, plus various combinations of mud, grass and tar. In fact, I often experience them all if I just take the Vantage down the shops. 
edited to add
I do count my blessings that I no longer have to drive on Essex's concrete motorways, though
Edited by LTP on Thursday 24th December 18:00
Lucky enough to have had two Vantage Convertibles in the past, moved to a Boxster GTS kept it for 3 years, moved to a Macan Turbo kept it 10 months moved to a 911 GTS kept it for 15 months now have a Vanquish for 15 months and still loving it.
Tried the Porsche bug they have all the bits you need (although you can spend plenty on options) but they were boring to drive on UK roads and you never looked back when you walked away.
Bit the Porsche bug but they are not for me.
Tried the Porsche bug they have all the bits you need (although you can spend plenty on options) but they were boring to drive on UK roads and you never looked back when you walked away.
Bit the Porsche bug but they are not for me.
SHIFTY said:
Lucky enough to have had two Vantage Convertibles in the past, moved to a Boxster GTS kept it for 3 years, moved to a Macan Turbo kept it 10 months moved to a 911 GTS kept it for 15 months now have a Vanquish for 15 months and still loving it.
Tried the Porsche bug they have all the bits you need (although you can spend plenty on options) but they were boring to drive on UK roads and you never looked back when you walked away.
Bit the Porsche bug but they are not for me.
lol, well none of those has any chance against a Vanquish that's for sure.Tried the Porsche bug they have all the bits you need (although you can spend plenty on options) but they were boring to drive on UK roads and you never looked back when you walked away.
Bit the Porsche bug but they are not for me.
OP do what Harry recommends and get the Turbo S
Edited by cayman-black on Thursday 24th December 18:18
Sounds like you need a GT!
I regularly spend time in 992 and new Vantage in town and motorway. Although i do prefer interior and exterior of 992, i would take Vantage. It covers both daily and weekend duties much better. Just can't beat the V8 with flat-6 its just much more special. Vantage cabin is quieter on motorway too.
However if you want element of comfort, elegance and luxury then i suggest either Conti GT or DB11. I had both and recommend both for they offer. For me DB11 wins as it is much more sporty and compromise on luxury is not that much.
Vantage is more fun but considering amount of time you spend in the car using it daily the opportunities to explore the extra bit of fun over the DB11 is not worth losing DB11 offering which you get benefit most of the time.
But if you say it has be brand new and you have £100k to spend and it has be ok daily and good sports car then you cant beat 992.
I regularly spend time in 992 and new Vantage in town and motorway. Although i do prefer interior and exterior of 992, i would take Vantage. It covers both daily and weekend duties much better. Just can't beat the V8 with flat-6 its just much more special. Vantage cabin is quieter on motorway too.
However if you want element of comfort, elegance and luxury then i suggest either Conti GT or DB11. I had both and recommend both for they offer. For me DB11 wins as it is much more sporty and compromise on luxury is not that much.
Vantage is more fun but considering amount of time you spend in the car using it daily the opportunities to explore the extra bit of fun over the DB11 is not worth losing DB11 offering which you get benefit most of the time.
But if you say it has be brand new and you have £100k to spend and it has be ok daily and good sports car then you cant beat 992.
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