Aston Martin versus Bentley

new top aston model, vanquish?, is very nice. would take that over Bentley.

 

My wife and I are over 50. We are on our second Aston. We had a 2005 DB9 and now 2012 Virage. We love the Astons. Wherever we go, we get compliments on it. We get them from kids, young people, bikers, and people our age.
I don't think you find that with a Bentley.
Even better is the Owners' Club. Wonderful, down to earth people.

Joe

 

That's great. Seems like the 2005-06 DB9s are real bargains these days.

 

I traded my 2014 DB9 Volante. It was nice, sporty, but the performance a little lagging. The car I traded for it was a 2013 Jaguar XKR-S. I thought that was a much better performing car. I see AM has upped the HP on the DB11, so maybe I'll reconsider one day. I traded it for one of the 99 new Bentley GT3R's. It's twin turbo V8 is 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. That's good enough for my DD.

 

Eh, though it's more exotic, I think I would be hard pressed to go with such an old Bentley over a number of newer, but still used luxury car.

S-Class sedan, S-class Coupe, AMG GT are all really nice.

 

What a bunch of boring cars. Bentley any day over a bunch of MBs.

 

Interesting thread as I get way more compliments in my beige Bentley GTC speed than I do in my Ferrari Porsche lambo rolls or Mclaren! I am 53 and I find myself in the rolls and Bentley more and more and less so in the sports cars

 

But we are comparing the Bentley to the DB9 - not the others you mention, which are all great cars with their own merits. I can tell you though, that people often look at me with a look of disinterest when I tell them I have a Ferrari. And it is not the car they gravitate to first when touring the garage. The Astons on the other hand are always received with interest. Everyone thinks they are elegant and refined motor cars. The Bentley on the other hand can be regarded as an over-the-top display of wealth - much like an Escalade vs a Denali or Suburban. One acquaintance I know even had his Bentley keyed...

Don't get me wrong - I like and appreciate the Bentley. I would even own one. Just that the Aston evokes a different level of recognition and appreciation from the greater population...

 

Aside from exterior MB being more common and normal looking, they are vastly superior cars in every way to an old Bentley, especially in luxury. A 2008 CGT was based on a car that arrived in 2004. The latest MBs were 2014 generation cars.

I do like the CGT exterior and all, but I don't really think it's an exciting car and the amenities are second rate as far as luxury goes in cars these days.

 

Amenities? I want a car that makes me feel special when I drive it, not a hotel on wheels. You got your priorities mixed up, bro.

 

Eh, I guess I just don't see why one would feel special in an old, yet modern Bentley. The driving experience just isn't that memorable. Sound, feel, dynamics -- none of which are much to write home about. I'd be weary of buying it and finding out it feel like just another normal car. Don't know if you own any exotics or not, but even those begin to just feel normal after a short while.

 

My Mc Laren and Ford GT don't ever feel ho hum. My Aston is wonderful for a long drive or Weekend away.

Joe

 

Didn't say they feel ho hum, but I'd wager you hop in it and run to the store no different that you would a Corvette. I personally don't get excited taking the McLaren to get lunch or go to the movies or whatever. It's just how I get from A to B, and it just so happens that it can also be fun in those instances where I want it to be fast/quick.

I find that the most exciting times in exotic ownership are when you're searching for your new car, when it's like a week away from delivery, and then the first couple weeks of ownership. After that, it goes downhill a bit until it just becomes your normal car.

Now, if you have 7 cars and use a different one every day, that might be a different story.

 

Living in New York, it might be different. I was so excited when I took out my Mc after not driving it from December thru February. I pushed it two weeks early because I couldn't wait.

Joe

 

You MAY need to find more joy in your life ;-) If you don't feel special with the privilege of enjoying any of these cars, then maybe time for a life reset. Many will never get the chance.

I agree that the anticipation and getting familiar with something new is some of the greatest joy of ownership. You can also renew or rekindle enthusiasm with a different perspective, much as I have recently with my old Pantera that I have had for many years. Not too long ago, I took it for granted and thought that I might dispose of it. Now, there is a resurgence in appreciation for these cars and I am now excited that I have my very own barn find. Even had it detailed...and it is beautiful. The driving experience is now more nostalgic than anything, but the V8 rumble is once again intoxicating, and the clanky gated shifter is fun to row through the gears. Not as fast or as good handling as any of my other cars, but once again a joy!