997 GTS to V12 Vantage - Talk me out of it
Discussion
I've owned my 997 GTS for 5+ years (RWD Manual Coupe on centre locks with 24k miles and full OPC history) and loved every minute of it and still do. The problem is with the other cars in the stable it is only doing sub 1500 mile per year and seems just a little too "usable" and practical for such low mileage. I use an E93 for family trips and an ecoboost fiesta to get to the station.
Reviewing options at a sensible price, the AM V12 Vantage keeps coming up as within reach (15-20k to change) and seems to holding its money similarly to the way the GTS has historically. I am not a regular track dayer, so want something more "special" for touring and special "sporty" drives on my own or with the other half so i don't think a GT3 is the way to go (in any case a Gen2 997 is the one I would want and its a lot more money than the V12V which are around 75k for a sub 20k mile 2012 manual).
Porsche won't sell me a new 718 Spyder which i considered, and nothing else in the range seems to tick the "special" box.
For background I have owned a 987 Boxter S, 997.1S, 997.1 C4S Cab, 997.1 TT, 997.1 TT Cab and now the 997 GTS, a Maz Granturismo and many TVRs back in the day.
Where would you go next or would you stick?
Reviewing options at a sensible price, the AM V12 Vantage keeps coming up as within reach (15-20k to change) and seems to holding its money similarly to the way the GTS has historically. I am not a regular track dayer, so want something more "special" for touring and special "sporty" drives on my own or with the other half so i don't think a GT3 is the way to go (in any case a Gen2 997 is the one I would want and its a lot more money than the V12V which are around 75k for a sub 20k mile 2012 manual).
Porsche won't sell me a new 718 Spyder which i considered, and nothing else in the range seems to tick the "special" box.
For background I have owned a 987 Boxter S, 997.1S, 997.1 C4S Cab, 997.1 TT, 997.1 TT Cab and now the 997 GTS, a Maz Granturismo and many TVRs back in the day.
Where would you go next or would you stick?
Porsche911R said:
Sweet spot in the range, you will miss it like hell if you sell it, the V12 will feel fat and lardy on any B road.
But some times a change is needed to find out how good the car is you owned.
or some time you just need to tick box's and the V12 would be a nice box to tick.
I am on 74 cars but only regret 4 or 5 buys and only bought the same car back once.
can you fund the V12 for 3 months and then decide what to keep ?
Thanks and interesting, I could fund both for 3 months, but would just need to make sure I bought the V12V well to make sure don't loose my shirt on the dealer margins should I want to sell it on.But some times a change is needed to find out how good the car is you owned.
or some time you just need to tick box's and the V12 would be a nice box to tick.
I am on 74 cars but only regret 4 or 5 buys and only bought the same car back once.
can you fund the V12 for 3 months and then decide what to keep ?
IMI A said:
You should take V12 for an extended test drive and then post up your thoughts - I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts as those V12 Vantages starting to look very good value.
I think that is the next step. I have only driven an earlyish DB9 and was very underwhelmed by the experience. Just felt like a brisk barge.Cheib said:
I think the Aston would be more special for Touring but less special for Sporty drives. Although it really depends on you and what ticks your box....for some people they'll get more pleasure out of hustling a nimble sports car down a country road and others will get more pleasure out of hearing that V12. So hard for anyone else to say what's best !
I've got a manual 997 GTS too and am lucky enough to have a 991;2 GT3....have run them both for the best part of 18 months and can't bear to part with the GTS. GT3 is obviously a much more "intense" drive but the GTS is just a great package and more than the sum of it's parts IMHO. People rave about 991.2 T's but a manual 997 GTS is a much better car for me....more powerful naturally aspirated engine with a lovely top end, hydraulic steering etc and they're beautiful cars. I love the V12 Vantage although I've never driven one...also like the DBS which is similarish money now.
I'd definitely want an extended test drive or ideally what 911 R says....if you could run both for three months that would be perfect. Two years ago you'd probably have struggled to get an extended test drive but I think now a dealer would be much more accommodating. If you do sell your GTS don't let it go too cheap....it'll sell very quickly if it's got a decent spec even in this market.
The bit above about the GTS is why i have had it for so long. I do think it is more than the sum of it's parts and love the top end of it's engine. Made a Cayman GT4 engine feel a bit flat to me when I test drove one of them.I've got a manual 997 GTS too and am lucky enough to have a 991;2 GT3....have run them both for the best part of 18 months and can't bear to part with the GTS. GT3 is obviously a much more "intense" drive but the GTS is just a great package and more than the sum of it's parts IMHO. People rave about 991.2 T's but a manual 997 GTS is a much better car for me....more powerful naturally aspirated engine with a lovely top end, hydraulic steering etc and they're beautiful cars. I love the V12 Vantage although I've never driven one...also like the DBS which is similarish money now.
I'd definitely want an extended test drive or ideally what 911 R says....if you could run both for three months that would be perfect. Two years ago you'd probably have struggled to get an extended test drive but I think now a dealer would be much more accommodating. If you do sell your GTS don't let it go too cheap....it'll sell very quickly if it's got a decent spec even in this market.
Slippydiff said:
Thought I’d give an AM V8 Vantage a try after coming out of numerous 996/997 GT3’s.
I went with what I was led to believe was a “special” more sporty version, an N400 in this Zanzibar-esque hue :
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.carmagazine.co....
I read the various road tests and forum threads and went on the road test looking for a change and with an open mind.
Let’s just say the road test was short, this despite me wanting to like the car, it fell so short of my expectations and lacked what I wanted, there was little point driving it any longer than 20 minutes.
Engine : Allegedly 400 horsepower in this iteration.
Maybe, but it felt more like 300, a subsequent chat with an AM engineer recently indicated the cars were overly heavy (1630 kg) despite featuring aluminium in their construction.
That Aston subsequently enlarged the engine and upped the horsepower seemed a taciturn admittance that the original engine wasn’t man enough for the job.
The N400 I drive sounded glorious, but was gutless and completely lacking in any immediacy when required ...
Any sprightliness required the tachometer needle to be bouncing off its stop.
Control weights : Heavy/meaty gearshift, but all the pedals felt like you were pressing down on a blancmange, whilst the steering column UJ’s and rack mountings felt like they’d been forged from weapons grade marshmallow (and this despite the N400 having tweaked springs, dampers and anti-roll bars ...)
On the plus side, the car was very well received by other road users during that 20 minute road test, and whilst the drive itself wasn’t special, driving the car did make you feel special (it’s British, and the whole Aston “thing” is inextricably linked to the smooth, suave J.Bond character).
The road test was unequivocal, and add to the mix Aston’s horrendous reputation when it came to reliability, and I once more returned to the Porsche fold.
The AM engineer I recently spoke to, went on to say that if I thought the V8 was poor, the V12 was worse still, primarily because shoehorning that big V12 into the chassis did it no favours whatsoever, and whilst the additional horsepower addressed the original car’s woeful performance, it did nothing for the car’s handling dynamics ...
Thanks for the views and very interesting. I definitely need to get a test drive!I went with what I was led to believe was a “special” more sporty version, an N400 in this Zanzibar-esque hue :
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.carmagazine.co....
I read the various road tests and forum threads and went on the road test looking for a change and with an open mind.
Let’s just say the road test was short, this despite me wanting to like the car, it fell so short of my expectations and lacked what I wanted, there was little point driving it any longer than 20 minutes.
Engine : Allegedly 400 horsepower in this iteration.
Maybe, but it felt more like 300, a subsequent chat with an AM engineer recently indicated the cars were overly heavy (1630 kg) despite featuring aluminium in their construction.
That Aston subsequently enlarged the engine and upped the horsepower seemed a taciturn admittance that the original engine wasn’t man enough for the job.
The N400 I drive sounded glorious, but was gutless and completely lacking in any immediacy when required ...
Any sprightliness required the tachometer needle to be bouncing off its stop.
Control weights : Heavy/meaty gearshift, but all the pedals felt like you were pressing down on a blancmange, whilst the steering column UJ’s and rack mountings felt like they’d been forged from weapons grade marshmallow (and this despite the N400 having tweaked springs, dampers and anti-roll bars ...)
On the plus side, the car was very well received by other road users during that 20 minute road test, and whilst the drive itself wasn’t special, driving the car did make you feel special (it’s British, and the whole Aston “thing” is inextricably linked to the smooth, suave J.Bond character).
The road test was unequivocal, and add to the mix Aston’s horrendous reputation when it came to reliability, and I once more returned to the Porsche fold.
The AM engineer I recently spoke to, went on to say that if I thought the V8 was poor, the V12 was worse still, primarily because shoehorning that big V12 into the chassis did it no favours whatsoever, and whilst the additional horsepower addressed the original car’s woeful performance, it did nothing for the car’s handling dynamics ...
Edited by Slippydiff on Monday 9th September 11:31
joinery80 said:
I've had a 997 gts PDK cab which was to be fair a great car and values at the time held up very well indeed. I now have a V12V which has a much heaver feel to it and isn't as nimble as the porsche but every time you get in the aston it blows you away just the smell of the leather and quality of interior is in a different league oh and the engine is amazing and the sound is mega. Would I go back to porsche one dayofcourse because they are brilliant cars but I would highly recommend the aston. Try test one with lightweight carbon seats as it adds to the occasion and surly gotta go manual too.
Good luck you will not be diserpointed
Thanks for the above, and to all the other responses. As I do so few miles the above is why I think the V12V might tick the box. Also as the roads get more speed cameras and restrictive, I feel less inclined to enjoy the agility and capabilities of a Porsche, so something that is less dynamically capable doesn’t terrify me (although I got a huge buzz when I took my car around the PEC at silverstone Good luck you will not be diserpointed
).I deliberately asked this on a Porsche forum, as I wanted the views from people who understand the Porsche brand as well as I think I do having owned 6 of their sports cars I’ve the last 14 years. I know the answers might be biased and so am I, but actually the debate on here seems well balanced.
I now need to find a suitable car to drive and feedback on next steps.
Gandahar said:
Nice selection of cars! This is not as interesting as your main question but as a driving enthusiast how do you rate the Fiesta? I assume it is the 1.0 triple? I use a small car for dog walks and heard good things about how they drive. Also superchips do a conversion from 100 to 140bhp which is cheap to do and would make a small car quite sprightly.
Good luck with decision on the potential V12 move. The 997 GTS has always had glowing reports, but if you are not using it much perhaps a V12 and great looks are more of a thing to savour on the weekend, ie more of a difference to your other two good cars.
Thanks Gandahar, the fiesta is a 2016 triple and the 100bhp version (the higher spec one is 125bhp). I think they are epic small and economic cars. Very refined, light and agile with a super sticky front end (haven’t managed to push into understeer in the wet or dry although I’m not tying tooooo hard on the way to the station!). Revealed to me that the millions of people driving these around that I see every day aren’t missing out on a decent drive! Recommend them. Be careful with the chip to 140 as I hear the 125 has a bigger turbo than the 100 so might be pushing too hard in the lower powered car. I find the 100 just fine for what it is as there’s plenty of torque above 2k rpm and I average 50mpg even though it only does short trips. Anyway, back to V12s Good luck with decision on the potential V12 move. The 997 GTS has always had glowing reports, but if you are not using it much perhaps a V12 and great looks are more of a thing to savour on the weekend, ie more of a difference to your other two good cars.
cypriot said:
Coming from a few porkers and more recently a lotus evora 400, I have recently stepped into a v8 vantage AMR (basically an "S" with with nice colours!). I immediately took it to scotland and did the Cairngorms and the NC500 in the vantage, and I was really really impressed. Yes, it feels heavier than a Porsche, but then the car feels much more old-school and tactile than the modern porkers ever did. Anyone claiming that the newer vantages, either the v8s or v12s, are dynamically crap are simply wrong. They just don't like the front engined layout compared to the rear-engines porsches. I came from the evora which dynamically destroys a 997, and yet I do not find the vantage lacking. It is simply a different experience - if you go into the test drive thinking the vantage will feel nimble, don't bother. I have also driven the 7-speed manual v12 vantage, and can confirm they are awesome. Chris Harris also agrees, even comparing them to the 911r. There is a PHer who has one and a Carrera GT, and he loves his v12 vantage - so it can't be too shabby!
Both great choices the 997GTS and the v12 vantage... don't listen to the negativity and test drive the vantage.
Thanks for the feedback. I have found a potential candidate and test driving it at the weekend if it’s still for sale. Both great choices the 997GTS and the v12 vantage... don't listen to the negativity and test drive the vantage.
On the heavy car thing my E93 is an M3 with the V8 and although cars rarely come more lardy than that, I can still have fun in it as the chassis is fundamentally a good one (just carrying a little too much weight). My GTS is a nice contrast to the M3 but both still fun.
Big E 118 said:
I posted some comments earlier on my change from 997 GTS to Vantage (although V8), I've also had a couple of E92 M3's and the Vantage although feeling heavier than a GTS has way better turn in and balance than the M3 which is a good car in it's own right.
A couple of things to note if you test drive a Vantage. My car had the OEM Bridgestone tyres on it when I bought it, the first thing I did was change out to a better tyre (Conti SC 5's as PS4S's are not available in the right sizes) and they made a massive improvement.
Also the Vantage has the engine placed really far back (behind the front axle in the V8) and you sit on the rear axle so the difference if feel between a 911 is worlds apart. It feels like you're steering an oil tanker with all that real estate in front! It does take some getting used to.
Yes read your comments, thanks, I will bear what you said in mind. Hopefully I get decent seat time to separate “different” from “bad”. A couple of things to note if you test drive a Vantage. My car had the OEM Bridgestone tyres on it when I bought it, the first thing I did was change out to a better tyre (Conti SC 5's as PS4S's are not available in the right sizes) and they made a massive improvement.
Also the Vantage has the engine placed really far back (behind the front axle in the V8) and you sit on the rear axle so the difference if feel between a 911 is worlds apart. It feels like you're steering an oil tanker with all that real estate in front! It does take some getting used to.
madcal said:
As I get older I am looking for character in a car.
I had a 991 GTS for a year, one of the cheapest cars I ever owned (bought with 2k miles for £96k, sold with 9k miles for £92k a year later). I sold it because despite how accomplished it was I got quite bored.
I had a 488 GTB for a year from new, was not so cheap to own, did 5,000 miles, amazing to drive but again no real character.
Both were very easy to drive extremely fast, the 488 even more so.
The 911 was very anonymous, rarely got a second glance.
In the 488 you had to get used to lots of attention, camera phones, everyone asking you first “What do you do?”, then asking if they could photograph it or sit in it. Was fun for the first week then got a bit much for me.
The V12S Manual I have however is hard to drive fast, you have to work the gearbox from standstill (once you are at 30 you can leave it in 3rd until 90 if you feel mad, or put it in 4th from 30 to mad speeds). It seems to want to kill me if we are going fast on a bumpy road. In corners the 488 or GTS were better but again working on the combination of gear, throttle, steering and braking right is much more fun than leaving it up to Maranello’s latest software engineer.
Finally the attention you get on the road in the Vantage is different, more subdued, people are interested in the car not in what you did to earn the money to get it.
I would not go back, I may buy another 911 as a daily to drive into London but would keep the Vantage for fun at weekends and road-trips.
I would talk you into it, not out of it!
Thanks for the insight, and very interesting. The only difference with me personally may be that the 997 GTS is no where as polished as the 991 version. Having had a 24 hour test drive in the 991 GTS I came away feeling that it was hugely impressive but dull compared to the small, loud and more interactive 997. My GTS felt very old school when I got back in it, but I loved that feeling. Will see how I get on!I had a 991 GTS for a year, one of the cheapest cars I ever owned (bought with 2k miles for £96k, sold with 9k miles for £92k a year later). I sold it because despite how accomplished it was I got quite bored.
I had a 488 GTB for a year from new, was not so cheap to own, did 5,000 miles, amazing to drive but again no real character.
Both were very easy to drive extremely fast, the 488 even more so.
The 911 was very anonymous, rarely got a second glance.
In the 488 you had to get used to lots of attention, camera phones, everyone asking you first “What do you do?”, then asking if they could photograph it or sit in it. Was fun for the first week then got a bit much for me.
The V12S Manual I have however is hard to drive fast, you have to work the gearbox from standstill (once you are at 30 you can leave it in 3rd until 90 if you feel mad, or put it in 4th from 30 to mad speeds). It seems to want to kill me if we are going fast on a bumpy road. In corners the 488 or GTS were better but again working on the combination of gear, throttle, steering and braking right is much more fun than leaving it up to Maranello’s latest software engineer.
Finally the attention you get on the road in the Vantage is different, more subdued, people are interested in the car not in what you did to earn the money to get it.
I would not go back, I may buy another 911 as a daily to drive into London but would keep the Vantage for fun at weekends and road-trips.
I would talk you into it, not out of it!
stormblack said:
FWIW I can hopefully give you some insight as I own a 2008 Gen 1.5 997 Turbo manual and a 2013 6 speed manual V12V.
The V12V is a real event, I get people letting me out at junctions and occasionally people asking me questions about it when I park it up. The noise and surge of power is quite intoxicating and I never get bored of driving it. As stated my V12V was one of the last ones made so it's screwed together well, no issues, handling is excellent and the manual shift is great. The infotainment system is dated but you don't buy this car for that.
Don't make the mistake of buying a V12VS with an automated box (pants- I drove one, not a good experience. I also drove a 7 speed- couldn't get used to the dog leg set up)- The 6 speed one is the way to go. Servicing costs aren't that horrendous but then again I don't put big miles on her. Also the light weight seats are great as has been mentioned before on this thread.
The 911 Turbo is just pure teutonic German engineering- it does everything so efficiently and is quite "anonymous" - I don't have to worry about where I park it. I suspect your 997 GTS is a more involving drive. However the Turbo ballistic missile, the straight line surge beats the Aston (but only just)
I think in terms of the V12V- get one whilst they're relatively cheap. It's definitely a buyers market at the moment which has been reflected in the fall in price of what I think is a great car. try and get a '12 or '13 year one if you can.
Great advice/feedback. I have run a 997turbo coupe and then a turbo cab and found the speed amazing but the involvement very poor which led me to the GTS which has stuck for a long time. It is much more interesting and “feelsome” at sensible speeds than the Turbo so the gap may not be as big to the V12V on that aspect. Equally it’s not as much an event as my Granturismo GTS I had but makes up for that with the dynamics. Might be a difficult decision!The V12V is a real event, I get people letting me out at junctions and occasionally people asking me questions about it when I park it up. The noise and surge of power is quite intoxicating and I never get bored of driving it. As stated my V12V was one of the last ones made so it's screwed together well, no issues, handling is excellent and the manual shift is great. The infotainment system is dated but you don't buy this car for that.
Don't make the mistake of buying a V12VS with an automated box (pants- I drove one, not a good experience. I also drove a 7 speed- couldn't get used to the dog leg set up)- The 6 speed one is the way to go. Servicing costs aren't that horrendous but then again I don't put big miles on her. Also the light weight seats are great as has been mentioned before on this thread.
The 911 Turbo is just pure teutonic German engineering- it does everything so efficiently and is quite "anonymous" - I don't have to worry about where I park it. I suspect your 997 GTS is a more involving drive. However the Turbo ballistic missile, the straight line surge beats the Aston (but only just)
I think in terms of the V12V- get one whilst they're relatively cheap. It's definitely a buyers market at the moment which has been reflected in the fall in price of what I think is a great car. try and get a '12 or '13 year one if you can.
I think the GTS is plenty quick enough in a straight line and that’s not what a change would be about. My car has a couple of reversible bolt ons in a TPC PASM module and sharkwerks bypass to spice it up a bit. Not sure I’d want to play much more with suspension other than geo as it feels sharp and supple as it is, and I love that I don’t have to worry about the front spoiler grounding out in car parks so not that keen on lowering it. Everything should be put in context after tomorrow in any case!
So. I’ve baffled myself!
First a disclaimer
I couldn’t easily arrange a test drive of an earlier manual that I think I would want to buy so drove a low mileage high spec V12V S auto which was in immaculate and stunning condition.
I fell in love with the looks, agreed high level numbers (fair price and transaction options for the GTS) and had almost convinced myself to buy it anyway as it seemed it could be “the one” BEFORE the test drive.
The drive
Epic torque, amazing sound, stunning interior, ballistic performance without even wringing it out.
But ...I felt strangely disappointed! It felt heavy (expected) but not agile even in the way I remembered the bus that was my Granturismo.
Went and stopped well, but didn’t give me a the “special” feeling I expected but I can’t articulate what I expected. The gearbox was similar to the Maz and was fine once you finessed it (but also confirmed I didn’t want it) but it was more about a lack of the drama I convinced myself I would experience. I’m a bit baffled and to be honest, feel like I don’t know what I really want!
I can say that the drive there and back in the GTS felt great and not sure I’m ready to give up on the agility, small size and thrill it can provide.
I need to think through this more carefully and whether a manual would make any difference.
First a disclaimer
I couldn’t easily arrange a test drive of an earlier manual that I think I would want to buy so drove a low mileage high spec V12V S auto which was in immaculate and stunning condition.
I fell in love with the looks, agreed high level numbers (fair price and transaction options for the GTS) and had almost convinced myself to buy it anyway as it seemed it could be “the one” BEFORE the test drive.
The drive
Epic torque, amazing sound, stunning interior, ballistic performance without even wringing it out.
But ...I felt strangely disappointed! It felt heavy (expected) but not agile even in the way I remembered the bus that was my Granturismo.
Went and stopped well, but didn’t give me a the “special” feeling I expected but I can’t articulate what I expected. The gearbox was similar to the Maz and was fine once you finessed it (but also confirmed I didn’t want it) but it was more about a lack of the drama I convinced myself I would experience. I’m a bit baffled and to be honest, feel like I don’t know what I really want!
I can say that the drive there and back in the GTS felt great and not sure I’m ready to give up on the agility, small size and thrill it can provide.
I need to think through this more carefully and whether a manual would make any difference.
n12maser said:
Very interesting, sounds quite close to my experience (page 1), where I was also left wondering if the manual version is the answer.
It's shame because the visual updates to the S like the lack of tacky silver bits on the exterior + the mesh grill imo make the car look much better and it won't date nearly as fast.
Agreed, this car was dripping with carbon on the outside and looked stunning. Don’t think the S exterior will date at all, they’re beautiful cars. It's shame because the visual updates to the S like the lack of tacky silver bits on the exterior + the mesh grill imo make the car look much better and it won't date nearly as fast.
Edit - I do think I need to try a non S manual before I rule out the Vantage
Edited by c4sman on Sunday 15th September 08:44
BlackWidow13 said:
Ah well.
What about an AMG GT, or a McLaren 650S? Personally I prefer the looks of the MP4, and the warranty costs of a 540C/570S but the 650S has the reputation for the best build quality.
Or keep the GTS and buy a SC Elise or Exige as a toy.
Love to look at Merc’s but the brand doesn’t excite me. What about an AMG GT, or a McLaren 650S? Personally I prefer the looks of the MP4, and the warranty costs of a 540C/570S but the 650S has the reputation for the best build quality.
Or keep the GTS and buy a SC Elise or Exige as a toy.
Edited by BlackWidow13 on Saturday 14th September 19:39
I hear too many horror stories about McLaren ownership costs to take that leap. Also the engine of a car is really key to me and most say the Mac engine (that seems to be in all models) is biblically powerful but a little bland.
So back from a test drive (2012 V12V manual). Here are my thoughts.
Car was again well presented and drove miles better than the S auto. Actually felt a good bit quicker than the 7GTS once 2nd gear got traction, which on a warm day with tyres in great condition took a lot longer than you might think healthy! Traction control was working hard. Start up and driving engine sounds were wonderful both under acceleration and on the overrun, with relentless punch from very low rpm. Interior finish was lovely with leather everywhere in brand new condition. The gearbox/clutch takes some getting used to with high clutch bite point, but actually grew to like the gearbox itself after a short while and even the clutch was ok.
But, although the car felt twice as good as the S Auto (although a bit down on the extra power), I don’t think these cars are for me. It has helped me understand what I was looking for but also that it may not exist.
I’m surprised how much I still want the agility, feel and grip of the 911, whilst wanting the luxury and drama of the Aston. Thing is, the Aston attempts sporty with a pretty firm ride in non S trim and heavy steering ( both of which detracts from the luxury), but then doesn’t deliver the dynamics to go with it. I totally get why owners love it for its drama, noise, performance, road presence and image, but now conclude it doesn’t have the right mix of compromises that I’m looking for.
It did make the GTS shine once again as I took it back around the dealers test route and found it so much more confident, and surprisingly riding better than the Aston. I guess my confidence might grow with familiarity in the Aston but I’m not totally convinced.
Decided that this has proved how much I still love the GTS heading for 5 years in so I think I’m stuck with it. My next step is to look for something that focuses on sporty-ish luxury, character and image to go alongside the GTS in the garage.
Right now, that looks a lot like going back to a Maz Granturismo again, but as the Porsche is staying, I need to wait a bit before making that bigger financial investment.
Also big thanks to all of the contributors to the thread, some great and accurate info (a lot of you can now say “I told you so!”)
I’m the meantime, need to pile more miles onto the 997 until it’s worthless and unsaleable
Car was again well presented and drove miles better than the S auto. Actually felt a good bit quicker than the 7GTS once 2nd gear got traction, which on a warm day with tyres in great condition took a lot longer than you might think healthy! Traction control was working hard. Start up and driving engine sounds were wonderful both under acceleration and on the overrun, with relentless punch from very low rpm. Interior finish was lovely with leather everywhere in brand new condition. The gearbox/clutch takes some getting used to with high clutch bite point, but actually grew to like the gearbox itself after a short while and even the clutch was ok.
But, although the car felt twice as good as the S Auto (although a bit down on the extra power), I don’t think these cars are for me. It has helped me understand what I was looking for but also that it may not exist.
I’m surprised how much I still want the agility, feel and grip of the 911, whilst wanting the luxury and drama of the Aston. Thing is, the Aston attempts sporty with a pretty firm ride in non S trim and heavy steering ( both of which detracts from the luxury), but then doesn’t deliver the dynamics to go with it. I totally get why owners love it for its drama, noise, performance, road presence and image, but now conclude it doesn’t have the right mix of compromises that I’m looking for.
It did make the GTS shine once again as I took it back around the dealers test route and found it so much more confident, and surprisingly riding better than the Aston. I guess my confidence might grow with familiarity in the Aston but I’m not totally convinced.
Decided that this has proved how much I still love the GTS heading for 5 years in so I think I’m stuck with it. My next step is to look for something that focuses on sporty-ish luxury, character and image to go alongside the GTS in the garage.
Right now, that looks a lot like going back to a Maz Granturismo again, but as the Porsche is staying, I need to wait a bit before making that bigger financial investment.
Also big thanks to all of the contributors to the thread, some great and accurate info (a lot of you can now say “I told you so!”)
I’m the meantime, need to pile more miles onto the 997 until it’s worthless and unsaleable
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