Drove the new PDK Carrera S, V8 Vantage, and Grandtourismo. Impressions

My father just returned his leased Maserati (04 Spyder with F1 tranny) and is shopping for a new car. Since I accompanied him as he went to test drive some new potentials (unfortunately I have to live vicariously through him) I was able to sample the latest offerings from Maserati, Porsche, and Aston. We went to Ferrari of Central Jersey and Ray Catena Aston and Porsche where we were treated with nothing but respect from each of the dealers. If anyone is interested in any of these marques please let me know and I’d be more than happy to point you to the sales people who helped us.

We drove a 09 Grandtourismo and while the fit and finish was miles above the Maser which he turned in, it doesn’t have as much character as the old car. Its heaver, slower, and when you mash the pedal you don’t get the visceral acceleration you experienced with the older model. I must admit it’s tighter around turns (less body roll), and I really love the interior, but it’s just too slow. Unfortunately they didn’t have an S variant to drive as they are all spoken for (and I don’t want to drive someone else’s purchase). The car had the tubi package and sounded great. BTW they have 3 430 Scudieras in their showroom.

Next we drove the new Carrera S with PDK. I’ve driven many Porsches before including those with the slushbox tranny and I must say I’m really impressed. I don’t like how the paddles are not mounted on the steering column but instead are on the steering wheel itself. Additionally pressing or pulling the buttons is counterintuitive for up/down shifting. There is no lag, you don’t have to lift off while changing gears, and the rev matching is definitely on point. The car I drove felt almost as fast as my friends 997 TT. Handling as expected was tight. Reminded me of the 996 GT3. Definitely more fun than the Maser.

Last we drove the 09 Vantage. Def more oomph than the 08 (which I only had 2 minutes behind the wheel in). The car had the paddle shifters which were crisp, rev matching was great, and the sounds from the exhaust were surreal. When you’re cruising the sound isn’t deafening, but mash the pedal and the car really sounds like a sport car. Handling was precise (I did feel a little more sure footed in the Porsche), and the brakes were great. The interior was distinctly Aston with rich leather everywhere. The hood as with the maser (and Im sure other mid/front engined sports cars) was long and I can see it being a problem for the shorter driver, but I could easily see corners.

 

Yeah this was the 09 with the 4.7L engine. Perfect engine for this car IMHO.