New purchase

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JohnG1

Original Poster:

3,472 posts

206 months

Monday 10th September 2007
quotequote all
Pictures to follow...

Sold my 997C2S and splashed out on a Vantage V8. A few initial observations

The 911 is non-intimidating and pretty easy to drive - nearly anyone could drive one at 140mph on an autobahn with no fuss. The Aston is a snarling beast, the exhaust growls and spits on tickover. Floor it in third and the sound and fury is beautiful.

The Aston feels much rawer. I don't mean the finish or the handling - both 911 and Vantage V8 are immaculate (both made to a very very high standard) - more the driving experience. The Aston gearbox is very short shift and you work it. Suspension is about halfway between standard 911 and the teeth rattling setting with the PASM button.

I had thought that the experience would be similar but the Aston is all thug in a gentleman's suit, the Porsche is all gentleman in a gentleman's suit. I'd trust my sister in the Porsche but not the Aston.

Ah, and did I mention the soundtrack? It's biblical!!! Just awesome. Cannot wait to get it into a decent length tunnel and floor it in third.

Acceleration is impressive - the numbers are about the same as the 911 but it feels more urgent - it feels like there is more torque.


JohnG1

Original Poster:

3,472 posts

206 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
The dealer has very kindly fitted a fuse 22 bypass switch, so there's a little rocker switch in the footwell.

I love the noise!

JohnG1

Original Poster:

3,472 posts

206 months

Monday 17th September 2007
quotequote all
I'm not really into the mechanical side of cars, it's just not my thing. The purchase decision for the AMV8 was made when I floored it in third and the exhaust snarled like a beast. I've been driving a 997 C2S which makes a very dull turbine like howl under acceleration. But soon as I heard the noise of the V8 I thought "yep, I'm taking this one home with me..."

So remove fuse 22 and go for it!