http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22750-1751892,00.html
For my money.. the Vantage is a true Exotic. I'd take one anyday over a 911 S. I hope rumors of the 500hp Supercharged Vantage are true. Should be Great competition for the 911 Turbo. This Vantage is just a little too 'up market' for a basic 911 to compete.
The AM featured is the new V8, not Vantage. The Vantage is £90k more than this car, the new entry level AM.
with options the Carrera S reaches $100k for a tired old 1963 design. it's boring and lacks exclusivity. i don't care what enthusiats say about its everyday reliability....most exotics are on par nowadays!
Its a 4.2L Jag V8 stroked to 4.3L, with different heads and crank tuned to produce higher bhp (hopefully not at the expense of reliability). Surprise, surprise. Call me unimpressed. I'll take the Carrera. Sunny
One of the best reviews I've read in a long time. No great revelations - just a witty and sharp style of writing that leaves you with a smile at the end of it. Thanks for the link tonyh, and keep 'em coming! My opinion: for "here and now" styling, the AMV8 (although I do wish they would change those ugly rims!). For timeless appeal and performance, the C2S.
i would like to get some seat time in the new amv8 (when it comes out)... I have driven porsches and i love them and the way they handle, but there is something more "James Bond-ish" (lol) about an aston..... I say, wait till late 2006 were the amv8 is rumored to get it's top, chopped...... (convertible baby!!!)
perhaps you are confused with the VanQUISH? as the others already said, the new entry level AM is called the V8 Vantage as the link you posted. in any case, i have a deposit on a V8 Vantage. test droved a DB9 and thought it was good but out of my price range. as far as i m concerned, i always wanted an aston martin and this is definitely an entry level car for me. i just never liked porsches that much and it seems the 997 Carrera S is overpriced compare to the V8 Vantage. it's true that you see a Porsche on every street corner. FYI in canada the MSRP is $135k CAD including PDI. a 997 Carrera S is $119k CAD plus PDI
The last one I owned was the 996. The luxo-fication had only just begun, although they had already gotten rid of dry sump lubrication. Of course, now there's not even a dipstick. I think the last straws for me were the mandatory LCD screen, the computer-assisted steering, and the fact that they made "sport mode" an option (with an ugly wart, no less). I consider the manual 360/430, the new Corvette, and even the Elise to be more deserving of the "sports car" moniker than the 911. imo, the last "real" 911 was the 993.
How can I take you seriosly when it's obvious you have no ideea what you're talking about? There's no computer-assisted steering in a 997. Period. (and the sport button switches from 'sport' to 'sportier'. you don't want to drive on wet with it engaged) Last real 911, the 993? Funny, everybody considers the 997 the best 911 ever. That MUST piss you off
Are you KIDDING me?! I can't even see a Porsche in that picture, it's all about the AM. No fnicking contest at all. This is almost insane, like asking weather I'd rather do Charlize Theron(one of the most beatiful women ever to walk the earth), or Monica Lewinski (not even after a 6-pack of Champange and a funnel). For nearly the same price, the AM every day of the week and at least three times on a lazy sunday doing nothing else buy laying in bed... wait what? Yeah, the AM. Der.
It's all about what you value. True the AM is a better looking car. It's stunning! But both writers agreed that the 911 is a better drive. In my car fantasies, I'm driving, not picking up girls (I have separate dreams for that).
Haven't driven the Aston (yet). Did get to sample the latest crop of P-cars on the track at the Barber facility a few weeks ago. Granted, the P car is outwardly not 'exotic' in appearance, (although it is cleaner looking than the 996 and the interior is improved). The S was not as fast as my GT2 but far more predictable to drive- no suprises, and you could drive it fast without hestitation after a little seat time. For driving purposes (as opposed to getting the best space at the 4 Seasons in Beverly Hills), the Porsche is a hard car to beat. It looks very good- despite what those who want something truly 'rare' for their 100 grand say, it's probably money well spent. (I'd still rather have a GT2 or 3, though). As to the perjorative label 'GT' car, I can't think of another car that more classicly defines the type than an Aston- they are typically big, heavy, comfortable cars that are rarely the last word in performance, but have everything to do with luxury from the inside out.
i have not driven the amv yet, but i have driven a 997s on several occassions..the car is very fast, low 4s 0-60 in several mag, with great handling, great steering feel and an amazing 6 speed manual with super short throws..the engine sound is the very sporty and it revs like a banshee....my friend is the manager of our local am dealer, so i have driven a db9, which was very nice gt car, great engine sound, but not as fast or as quick handling as the 911s..so the choice is a 911s for sporty driving vs the am....the amv would be more of a gt cruiser....also , i suspect the quality control is better at porsche, as my friend has reported several quality issues with the new aston martins, as have several of the car mag. reports....
one more point, the amv will probably come in over 100k, perhaps more, but a 911s can be bought for the low 80s
I assume that is base price to base price in which case this is unfortunate as I thought the whole point of the AMV8 was to lure prospective Porsche buyers away. Anyone want to speculate what depreciation trends are going to be?
