Porsche 997 or Aston Martin Vantage? | FerrariChat

Porsche 997 or Aston Martin Vantage?

Discussion in 'Porsche' started by Nick85, Mar 29, 2009.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Nick85

    Nick85 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    166
    USA
    #1 Nick85, Mar 29, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm searching for a good daily driver that is reliable but also has balls to go with it. I currently have a 600hp Shelby GT500 and would rather keep this car for weekends/nights out.

    I test drove a 2008 Porsche 997 S and have to say was a little bored. I love the styling of the Porsche's and the heritage though, i'd like to give it another test drive and try to get it's full potential out. One thing I want to know though, does the 997 CS2/CS4 respond well to mods? I was wondering if full headers/tune/ECU reflash/intake would "wake" the car up and make it scream when you get on it?

    911 Turbo is an option now too with the prices crashing, though I wonder what insurance will be for a 28 year old.

    The other idea I had was a used Aston Martin Vantage. Never driven one but I heard they sound incredible and are a great experience. How reliable are they though?

    Any input?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. Ferrarista3

    Ferrarista3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 30, 2007
    4,595
    MC/UK
    Full Name:
    Carlo
    #2 Ferrarista3, Mar 29, 2009
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2009
    We have had a 997 4S for a little over a month as a DD. It's my father's car but I use it regularly.

    The car has been great so far. With the PSE it even sound relatively good (obviously not an Fcar though).

    However, it certainly doesn't have that sense of occasion that an Aston may have. The 911 isn't exactly exciting. It's a fun car though.

    We have the tiptronic and I wouldn't recommend it. It's a good auto box but in manual mode it's pretty disappointing. The PDK is a different story (recently test drove one and it was awesome).

    With the 612 prices dropping did you consider one of those?
     
  3. Tarek K.

    Tarek K. F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 7, 2006
    10,798
    Cairo - Egypt
    Full Name:
    Tarek K.
    I would go with the AM.........it's a fantastic car.
     
  4. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
    Full Name:
    Morrie
    I have owned 39 Porsches, my current car is a highly moded (over 100k in mods supercharged 997S, puts out around 540hp does the 1/4 in 11.6 on street tires), that weighs about 400lbs less than stock. It is the most exciting car I have ever owned, and that includes all my Ferraris. my car has no traction controls (I have never used them, do not know how to drive with them) and as anyone who knows me know I hate AWD sports cars. (my Gallardo is also converted to rwd). First of all, do not take this the wrong way, but if you were bored in a 997, you did not drive it right, Porsches, like Ferraris are not American Muscles cars, they are better suiting to taking a L curve at 60mph. You can wake the car up (though all the modes you listed will cost about 8k and maybe give you 30hp, but it will be much louder), Fabspeed has everything you need. As far as the AM, about all that car does well is sound good.
     
  5. Nick85

    Nick85 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    166
    USA
    #5 Nick85, Mar 30, 2009
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2009
    I've been listening to these Fabspeed 997's on youtube and they sound incredible. I agree with you that I didn't drive the Porsche like it was meant to be, and I think coming out of a highway drive in a Shelby to a straightline Porsche highway drive was not helpful. I'm going to re-visit the 997.

    The Fabspeed muffler bypass videos sound pretty good on video, i'm thinking that with a reflash/intake would be a sweet combo...
     
  6. TheBigEasy

    TheBigEasy F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jun 21, 2005
    18,644
    California
    Full Name:
    Ethan Hunt
    I am in the EXACT same boat as you... I am also considering an Audi R8.

    IMO, I'm going to wait a few more months to see how far the prices fall, there are going to be MAJOR deals to be had.

    I love all 3 cars... I'll go with whichever I can get the best deal.
     
  7. Nick85

    Nick85 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    166
    USA
    I think the 997 S is going to be the best deal. When you can buy a low miles clean examples going for high 40's, low 50's that is the steal. It's interesting because just 10 months ago a used 997 S selling for just under 70k was a good deal. AMV8's crashed too.

    Audi R8 seems to be holding it's value pretty well, I haven't seen anything for less than 105k...

    I'm leaning towards the 997 though, I think it is the true sports car of the group and throwing on some mods would be very fun.
     
  8. senna21

    senna21 F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2004
    3,334
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Charles W
    :confused: Really? You've got a 600hp Shelby and you're worried what insurance will be on a 911 turbo? Hmm.....
     
  9. intouch1

    intouch1 Formula Junior

    Sep 10, 2006
    918
    Egypt
    stock 997 turbo will outperform your mustang in any and every way.
    you want speed AND control the 911 is as good as it gets.
    vantage is a very cool car and sounds great. does not really deliver in the performance category though.....vantage v12 just came out.

    your shelby is giving you thrills because it's loud and rough as the suspension simply is no match for the power.

    a 911 has a very capable suspension therefore it feels much more composed.
     
  10. Nick85

    Nick85 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    166
    USA
    I beg to differ. This Shelby runs high 10's in the quarter mile, a stock 997 Turbo would get smoked in this game. As for being loud, it's actually very quiet, I had to put on a Borla exhaust just so I could hear it, now it has smooth V8 sound. Nothing rough about the GT500, it makes a very docile car until you get on it and as for the suspension it is very comfortable.

    In case you're wondering a - a Griggs Shelby will absolutely wreck a 911 Turbo on the road-course. The system I have includes (Koni coilovers, Watts Link, Torque Arm brace, etc) http://www.griggsracing.com/ You will see race-proven results that absolutely dominate on the track. Try learning about the car before you discredit it's capabilities.
     
  11. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
    Full Name:
    Morrie
    If there is one thing I have learned over the years it is this. It takles time to learn the way a car performs, and to know it strong points and its weak points. Very few people have the ability or the opportunity to drive these cars to there true capabilities, and I envy those that do. As an older guy who learned to drive before there was all those electronic stability thingys, I never use them, and still like the thrill of bringing the tail out. The GT500 is certainly no slouch, and it is a nice ride, though as I said a different car than a Porsche, or a Ferrari, or a Lambo for that matter. I still live by the drive it like you stole it way of driving, for me at least it is the only way to enjoy cars like this. Go drive one again make is RWD turn the traction control off and have fun.
     
  12. Nick85

    Nick85 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    166
    USA
    Carnut- do you find RWD to give you more control? What is it about AWD you don't like?
     
  13. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
    28,633
    Phoenix
    Full Name:
    AG
    Your wanted car lists the 997. So if you want one, get it. I personally would go for the Vantage. I love Astons, but prices drop a bit fast.

    How about a GranSport? M6? SL65 AMG? NSX? Viper? Z06? Lotus Exige/Elise? The list could go on.
     
  14. intouch1

    intouch1 Formula Junior

    Sep 10, 2006
    918
    Egypt


    get an ariel atom or a caterham levante then......they will smoke anything on road course or track, provided you know how to handle such a thing....i don't.

    if you want a car though it's not solely who whacks what. comparing an aston or a 997 turbo to some mustang, even if shelby or KR badged is downright silly.
    while the mustang certainly has fun straight line performance, it's plasticky interior and overall image put it leagues below a porsche or aston.

    apples to oranges really.

    maybe the new ZR-1 is the right car for you ? i hear and read great things about it........

    no pun intended....
     
  15. gougoul

    gougoul Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2004
    1,305
    Geneva, Switzerland
    Quite simple :

    The 911 has nothing exotic about it, it's as boring as any other german made car. Unless well spec'd, the interior wouldn't be out of place in a Toyota.
    That said, the Vantage isn't on level at all in terms of pure performance, but it shines in twisty bits and so.
    They're rather different experiences in the end, both will probably drop like rocks anyway.
     
  16. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
    Full Name:
    Morrie
    I do not like the feeling of AWD, and for me the thrill of driving these cars is the fact that they can kill you if you screw up. Other than a SUV, I have no use for AWD.
     
  17. Ferrarista3

    Ferrarista3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 30, 2007
    4,595
    MC/UK
    Full Name:
    Carlo
    Not everyone likes that feeling on a DD.

    With this I'm obviously not saying that all 2WD cars result in this feeling.
     
  18. Nick85

    Nick85 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    166
    USA
    Nah I can't stand Corvettes. (cheap plasticky interior) Not like a Shelby (leather wrapped, and well sorted)
     
  19. Nick85

    Nick85 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    166
    USA
    lol

    well don't screw up!
     
  20. TheBigEasy

    TheBigEasy F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jun 21, 2005
    18,644
    California
    Full Name:
    Ethan Hunt
    I disagree with that...

    For interior quality, the 997 and AMV8 obviously are in another league... but the Shelby's isn't nicer than a Vette. Their interiors are both pretty cheap feeling, but if you took a poll I think the Vette's would get the nod for being a bit nicer. The new GT500's produce an amazing amount of power, but without the add-ons and upgrades it's still just a Mustang..
     
  21. Nick85

    Nick85 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    166
    USA
    #21 Nick85, Mar 31, 2009
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2009
    I think the 07/08 GT500's did a good job giving a nice race-car like thick leather wrapped steering wheel with the Cobra emblem centered, leather wrapped dash, an over-all cool look.

    The 2010 GT500 blows the Corvette away with supple leather, Alacantara steering wheel, nostalgic details like a true Cue ball shifter etc. I don't think the Corvette is terrible, just very dull and the steering wheel sucks. I'm big on the tach setup and I think it's weak on the newer Corvettes.

    Aston Martin blows all of them away obviously, Porsche interior dissapoints me too.
     
  22. intouch1

    intouch1 Formula Junior

    Sep 10, 2006
    918
    Egypt




    :eek:
     
  23. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
    Full Name:
    Morrie
    I think the corvette and the mustang are a lot alike as far as the feeling of the car, neither have what I would call luxury. I've owned a few corvettes over the years, and have always been impressed by their perfomance. I also owned a 04 SL55 for awhile, and yes it was moded, and it was very fast, have lots of luxury a folding hard top, and though is was heavy it was pretty nimble, and yes it is an auto, but they are really cheap now, very easy to mod and nice looking. I am thinking about picking up another one myself. It would be a great DD.
     
  24. CApg4

    CApg4 Formula Junior

    Oct 21, 2007
    317
    California
    Full Name:
    Curtis
    I've been considering selling my 997 turbo for sometime now, the car doesn't really give me the enjoyment of driving a fast car.
    But that's coming from me, based on my opinion. I'd go with the Aston.
     
  25. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,987
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    I think it will come down to reliability and performance with the 997, while the Vantage has the edge in style, rarity and sound.
     

Share This Page