I doubt it

 

"ACCELERATION: I am comparing a 2005 997S to a 2011 Vantage S. I own both. The Vantage S accelerates faster. I know that from my own experience. And the times recorded by independent 3rd party professional drivers do, too: 2005 997S 0-60 in 4.8 seconds vs 2011 Vantage V8S in 4.3 seconds. "

That's the absolute slowest time I've ever heard ofor have seen from a 6spd manual 997 S. The quickest ever tested was from modor trend at 3.9s. Most...including my own, do the deed in low 4 second range.

Despite that inaccuracy you've posted, your vantage is a gorgeous car. I pretty much agree with your assessment on all accounts.

 

Nice but totally unfair comparison. There's a 7 year gap in technology.

Compare a 2005 997S vs a 2005 Aston Martin
or a 2012 991S vs your 2012 Vantage S

 

Yes, I sold the Stingray. Loved it, really was a fantastic machine, but wanted to step in another direction, and go from a screaming "LOOK at ME!" car to one more subtle, that still gets the same amount of attention without asking for it, if you know what I mean.
CATTMAN

 

Porsche reports that 997S with a slow time as well, they are very conservative in their statistics: under promise and over deliver. Aston Martin does the same. I agree, both those times are slow compared to the reality, yet those are the times reported.

I believe a more realistic time for both cars is about 4 seconds. I do believe the Aston is quicker, by the seat of my pants. That said, while an Aston is certainly track capable, and they do very well in IMSA events, that's not why I bought it.
CATTMAN

 

Respectfully, we have both a Sportshift Vantage and a 997.2 S PDK in the family. Vantage is a great car, very beautiful, very well made, and a good drive. However, the 997.2 S with the PDK transmission is simply in a different category dynamically. To say otherwise is to fool yourself and to discard just about every comparo out there between the two cars.

 

There are so many potential apples and oranges issues in your post. Follow me here:
-I am comparing a 4.7 Vantage S sport shift II (430hp in the S package), to a 2005 C2S manual 6 speed (355hp).
-Please be clear about what year/ model/ transmission you are comparing, since it's clearly not what I am talking about.

If I wanted to compare apples to oranges I'd tell you all about how my 2014 Z51 Stingray is the best car I've ever owned in terms of racing dynamic (balance, power, feel, etc.), but that's not the comparison I've started this thread to discuss.

Also, I already stated that the PDK would make the whole thing a moot point. Sorry for being crabby but I am a stickler for detail and precision, and your assessment is more than muddy given the lack of transparency and apples to apples comparison. If you have experience in a Vantage S sportshift2 and a 997.1 C2S 6 speed, then please weigh in. Finally, why would I be interested in fooling myself? I personally own both cars, they're not "in the family", they're mine. I love them both and my review is objective. Yours, if apples to apples, is absolutely appreciated, brother.
CATTMAN

 

Alright, apples to apples. We have a Lotus Evora IPS, an Alfa Romeo 4C, a Porsche 997.2 S PDK, a Vantage Sportshift2, and a Lamborghini Gallardo E-Gear. Dynamically, the Vantage is the worst of the lot by a significant margin. Fit and finish and craftsmanship is a different story where it is likely the best. Also, it is an excellent GT car, potentially bested only by the Porsche or, if it is acting good, the Lotus.

 

Which year and model Vantage do you have?

 

I'm starting to miss the E46 BMW guys

 

Saw this pop up today on Jalopnik and recalled your post. Not the same models, but an interesting comparison anyway (2007 V8 Vantage and 2007 911 Turbo). Be sure to watch the video segment too. http://jalopnik.com/how-my-aston-mar...ors-1767976801

 

As you note, this is hardly apples to apples, and I don't think much of Doug DeMuro but it's pretty spot on. As it happens, I considered both the 997TT and the 2011 Vantage S that I wound up with. Price was about the same, performance and practicality was skewed toward the 911, but cool factor, uniqueness, sound, and dare I say "intrigue" went to the Vantage. Given I already have 997S I felt it was an obvious choice for me. Not that one is any better than the other, certainly not- just better for me right now.
Thanks for sharing this article!
CATTMAN

 

Friend recently drove AMV. He described it to me as like driving an American muscle car. Big V8 in small rwd body, etc. It is a pretty body tho. Think real issue here is how OP will feel about the car when he gets tired of drawing attention. Seems to be an excessive need to have board approval here. Wonder why.

 

For all of the cars I have owned I have never owned a AM, not that I do not think they are beautiful cars (they are) and came close to buying a DBS (ended up with a 650i with the full Dinan treatment), but there was something lacking in the way the car felt while I was driving it, so I passed. When I was younger the first thing I looked at were 0-60 times (as I look back it was a pretty foolish thing since in the real world it means little), then I realized that those numbers are just bragging rights and with the right modifications you can make pretty much make anything fast for that small amount of time in a straight line. I say if you like one car better than another that's great, but I have enough years of experience with owning cars to know that sometimes we need to justify our decisions to ourselves as well as others. Those days are over for me, though I must admit the DB11 might end up making me finally own an AM. Best of luck to you.

 

o.k.