Reactions: Ferrari vs Aston | FerrariChat

Reactions: Ferrari vs Aston

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by birdness, Jul 14, 2007.

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  1. birdness

    birdness Karting

    Mar 12, 2005
    86
    Toronto
    I will start by saying that I am a long-standing Ferrari fan.When it came down to choosing "the car" I opted for a 2007 Aston V8 Vantage. It was not an issue of finances but simply the "whole package" considerations. I am curious about something, I 've owned the car for 3 months and the reactions I get on the street (from people who actually know what an Aston is since they are quite rare in my neck of the woods) is nothing but positive. People give me the thumbs up, clap their hands, take pictures, and many come up and talk to me to tell me how much they like the car. I've even had someone leave flowers on the car (I hope it was a female). I've never had the feeling that " he's an a??hole" for driving such a car. I would like to know how this contrasts to Ferrari ownership, especially the 430 which is the other car I was looking at. Women, it seems, prefer the Aston, ? why?

    Ferrarista to the end
     
  2. tchaic

    tchaic Formula Junior

    Jul 11, 2004
    601
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Chris M.....
    I think the Aston is more refined and thus preferred more by (most) women. My wife hates the 355 but loved my SL55 which was as fast or faster but more comfortable and less sporty looking. I think the Aston is an amwazing car and plan to get one in the coming months when prices come down at auction. I've never owned a 430 but it is also pretty refined (for a Ferrari) so you would likely get similar feedback.

    Also it was me who left the flowers on your car...
     
  3. absent

    absent F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Nov 2, 2003
    8,810
    illinois
    Full Name:
    mark k.
    Had a DB9 Volante for 8 months and 5k miles,with zero reaction from anyone,never got even a second look,never any comments (positive nor negative) at gas stations, etc.
    Felt like I was driving a Taurus,almost invisible.
    Had a Silver Stradale for a day and felt like a celebrity,based on others reactions.(same neighborhood,NorthShore Chicago)
     
  4. thepinkumbrella

    thepinkumbrella F1 Veteran

    Feb 26, 2006
    6,065
    United Kingdom
    James Bond & Englishness.

    I am not an owner of either but both are my favoured marques.

    Astons are grand, elegant and aristocratic, Ferraris less so.

    In the UK especially it was always "old money" that bought in to Aston Martin, those who wanted to be discreet yet wanted to be in something special. It was this same old money that was in to the bigger (front engined V12) Ferraris.

    Not sure what its like in the US but it appears to me that in the UK the buyer of the 430 is younger ("new money") and not fully aware of the heritage attached with Aston Martin.

    Saying that, i'm not sure whether the average DB9 buyer could tell the difference between DB4/5/6.

    Just my thoughts,

    Paul
     
  5. Rafienva

    Rafienva Formula Junior

    Oct 18, 2004
    485
    North Palm Beach, FL
    Full Name:
    Ralph(Rafi) Cestero
    Aston= Boulevard cruiser , ladies car , driving skills challenged.
    Ferrari , no need to explain.......
     
  6. Italian Lover

    Italian Lover Formula Junior

    Oct 26, 2006
    553
    Full Name:
    Italian Lover
    I can see that the Astons' quite popular because I do get to see a number of them running along the streets in Tokyo. I can see the interest, only to a point. My attention is only for a fleeting moment, just about the same moment as a brick falling to the ground. Unfortunately, this applies to F430s too. There's just as many of those in the streets of Tokyo. Doesn't stimulate my salivary glands to drool. Maybe my glands' atrophied ? To each to one's own taste, I suppose. Glad to know you're enjoying your Aston. Jimmy
     
  7. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    :D

    Different cars have different followings, I suppose. I've always been fond of the elegance of Astons, whereas Ferraris evoke more of a sense of passion in me.
     
  8. absent

    absent F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Nov 2, 2003
    8,810
    illinois
    Full Name:
    mark k.
    Astons are slowly losing their classy,gentlemanly image lately,too many V8s and DB9s are used by wealthy housewives replacing their SLs.
     
  9. dsevo

    dsevo Formula Junior

    May 7, 2007
    708
    Flower Mound, TX
    Full Name:
    Dustin
    I drive a lowly 99' 360, and it gets the exact same attention you have experienced. Sometimes it's nice, but sometimes it feels like your on stage every time you drive the car. To be perfectly honest, I would think that Ferrari's get way more of this type of attention because they are so radical looking to most people, and you can see the engine through the glass.
     
  10. lotustt

    lotustt Formula 3

    Aug 28, 2002
    2,026
    Full Name:
    TRM
    Aston Martin has a good amount of racing history in its past as well so not sure the "driving skills challenged" is most warrented.
     
  11. MufflerMan

    MufflerMan Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2005
    1,564
    Sacramento Ca
    Full Name:
    Colby Sandman
    Well now speak for yourself. I also have a 99 360 and I would never refer to it as "lowly". I love my car, and even though there are nicer more expensive Ferrari's, I feel priveledged everytime I drive it.

    As far as the Astons, the Vantage is an exceptional vehicle. I have not owned one, but was lucky enough to drive a friends for a fair distance. What they lack in performance, they make up for everywhere else. Exclusivity, build quality, English snobbery, sound and especially handling. I will own a Vantage in the near future, I just have to wait until I can afford one w/o getting rid of my 360.
     
  12. bounty

    bounty F1 Veteran

    Feb 18, 2006
    7,769
    San Diego, CA
    IMHO, if it is attention you are after...short of a million $+ car, a Diablo is the ultimate car to garner attention in. It is outrageous looking on the street. I think the main reason is that they look far from anything else on the road where as a Aston and Ferrari blend in more with the cars of today.
     
  13. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
    Full Name:
    FelipeNotMassa
    We have a few Astons in Aspen (and many more Bentleys).

    Never see anybody pay attention to them. Just another car.

    However, there is always someone (usually a group) looking at the 360 F1 Spider when I go to get my car. They ask questions and take pictures. People really like Ferraris.
     
  14. Rafienva

    Rafienva Formula Junior

    Oct 18, 2004
    485
    North Palm Beach, FL
    Full Name:
    Ralph(Rafi) Cestero
    Maybe it was a little too harsh of a comment, we have a track event coming up, maybe some of the Aston crowd would like to come out and polish off some of their driving skills.
    check our website for more info.
    www.fwash.com
     
  15. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
    Full Name:
    FelipeNotMassa
    I also believe that not many people are familiar with Aston Martin unless they are real car people. James Bond drives a BMW now sometimes.

    But just about everybody is familiar with Ferrari.

    Perhaps it's the color. The Aston's I see are light green metallic or light blue metallic. The 360 F1 Spider is bright red which draws attention. Also, it is a convertible which I think people like and associate with "sports cars". Haven't seen an AM convertible.
     
  16. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

    Jan 5, 2006
    6,948
    Springfield, MO
    Full Name:
    Mike
    +1

    The average car enthusiast is likely to appreciate your AM and have some positive comments for you.
     
  17. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
    13,982
    MO
    Full Name:
    Omar
    I would rather have a DB9 then any new Ferrari I can think of. But then, I would rather have a 575 over any new Ferrari too. :p
     
  18. Prugna 328

    Prugna 328 Formula 3

    Sep 10, 2003
    1,233
    L.I.N.Y.
    Full Name:
    Gregory
    Recently I was able to drive a 430, an AM V8, a gallardo, An SLR and the new GT3. See thread "Big five 0" in NY section. To be honest the AM bored me to death. I didnt like driving it and couldnt wait to get out of it. Love the looks butdidnt like it. Only my HO. The 430 just floored me. I thought it was fantastic.
     
  19. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,599
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    You know James Bond is actually fiction, right? ;)

    I had the 328 parked next to an AM Vantage V8 a month or so ago at a restaurant, and I thought the Aston was a stunner - just far more conservative than the Ferrari.

    However, I think even people who don't know what an AM is would likely take a second glance at it. It doesn't look like anything else (apart from other AMs), and its former corporate cousin, the new Jag XK, doesn't hold a candle to it.

    Is it as recognizable at a distance as a Ferrari? No, but AM's all about discreet luxury/performance, so presumably you wouldn't want the permanent cloud of looky-loos associated with a red Ferrari. Even with a black one, I sometimes get a bit uncomfortable when people hover around my car after I've parked it.

    +1
     
  20. bushwhacker

    bushwhacker In Memoriam

    May 25, 2006
    8,883
    Phoenix Az.
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    Bullfighter hits it on the head again. A friend of mine has a DB9. It's an amazingly beautiful sports/luxury car, quite stunning actually, exquisite interior appointments, Handles alright, attention to detail and a very comfortable cruiser, but............. a Ferrari it ain't!
     
  21. Cyclenirvana

    Cyclenirvana Karting

    Feb 4, 2006
    201
    North Carolina
    Full Name:
    Ethan
    My wife loves Aston Martin. We talk about her next car possibly being the Vantage, and to be honest, not much else looks better than an Aston Martin. I would say her second favorite car is the SL500/550. Like the Merc SL series, AMs are refined, smooth, and elegant with a lot of class. They seem to get a fair amount of attention in NC, as you tend to not see very many of them...however many uninformed people mistake them for Jaguar XKs. So they are also more subtle than most Ferraris. About 3 months ago, I had a chance to drive and really push a Vantage...beautiful engine note, shifter a little clunky, and more body roll than I would have imagined in corners, especially compared to other cars I have driven similarly, 360, Ford GT, Lambo Gallardo, C6 vette, Lotus Elise. But my wife would not care about this. According to what I have read regarding Merc SLK and SL series, women make up a high percentage of buyers, much higher than typically seen for BMW M series or Porsche 911s. I would bet that, compared to Ferraris, a much higher percentage of women also buy DB9s or Vantages. Now I would love to drive the race version of the Vantage N24 which is supposed to be a wonderful track car but I suppose not quite as practical.
     
  22. LightGuy

    LightGuy Four Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 4, 2004
    45,674
    Texas
    Full Name:
    David
    If the Vanquish were 400 lbs lighter in the front and had a real 6 speed, my car buying decisions would be over. Pre " S " for that wonderfull depreciation, thank you,
     
  23. Jim Frentress

    Jim Frentress Formula Junior

    Mar 7, 2007
    682
    Laguna Niguel, CA United States
    Full Name:
    James Frentress
    My 02 DB7 V12 Vantage receives constant attention from all ages and genders in the Pacific Northwest. This is partly due to how rare they are around here, but also partly due to the general agreement that it's a great design.

    I personally feel no attraction to the DB9, and I haven't really heard anyone talk about or really even look at that design. The V8 Vantage is a well designed car, and gets some attention, but it's really the later DB7 and Vanquish that get attention.

    Ferrari is a totally different thing, but it doesn't have to be. A muted color 550/575 or a 456 gets appreciated more like the DB7 than does a red/tan 430 Spider.

    They're all just different cars, and all of them have a reason for being. I'm glad they're all here for us to love/hate/ignore as we please.

    +1 to the Vanquish S (or preS even)
     
  24. oss117

    oss117 F1 Rookie

    Jan 26, 2006
    4,185
    Plantation, Florida
    Full Name:
    Alfredo
    + 1
     
  25. bwiele

    bwiele Formula Junior

    Mar 21, 2007
    256
    West Harrison, NY
    Full Name:
    Brian
    Not to get too philosophical or sentimental about this debate, but I just think it's great that there are still car companies out that there that build cars that can evoke such strong feelings and opinions (either positive or negative). They have their strong and weak elements, to be sure, but they are definitely causing a stir!
     

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