Having had my 2003 Porsche GT2 for a couple of years now, I realized that I wanted a slightly less hardcore Car for the days when I want a bit more comfort, less noise and a nicer more comfortable interior... So I went to my local Aston Martin dealer.

They has an obsidian black V12 Vantage and I got to drive it for around 30 minutes. I must say, I was impressed. I had expected the car to feel a bit heavier than it did, but once I got moving, it felt pretty nimble. The power was decent (not GT2 level thrust, especially since my car is modded), the noise it makes is quite nice, although a bit too muted from inside the car (can be fixed with an aftermarket exhaust I expect) from the outside it sounds wicked.

Great interior, although the switchgear on the dash in front of the gearshift lever is a bit small and cluttered. Getting used to the backwards rev counter was interesting.. Pretty slick and positive gearshift; engine revs quite quickly and is responsive. The seats were comfortable and the sound system was impressive.

Brakes seemed pretty good and the steering gave decent feedback and had a decent ratio.

I never buy a new car, preferring to wait until the first chunk of depreciation has been absorbed, but I think I will pick one up once the prices get to around $150k.

All in all, I really liked it and being a Brit, I have always wanted an Aston, but never found one that I really liked that had enough power; well, problem solved.

Cheers...

 

Thanks for sharing. Nothing a bigger engine couldn't solve. Drove the 3.8 V8 early on and was not impressed. However, one of the sexiest cars out there.

 

The V8 Vantage never had a 3.8. I assume you mean a 4.3 which was 2006-2008.

 

I would love to hear more about your comparison between GT2 and V12V. I am a big P-car fan and just swiched to my V8V from 997 Targa 4S. Here is what I observe so far:

- Porsche has manners at all speeds, the Vantage is a bit uncouth at low speeds but is a dream at high speed.
- Power and torque comparable
- Interior of Vantage is in a class of its own, and I had a totally upgraded porsche. Every surface is wonderful leather or beautiful metal. Just more comfortable, if thats what you want.
- Handling, steering, body roll, turn-in. Very different at the margins, but both offer an emersive sports car drive.
- Modern Porsche electronics are way ahead of AM, but does that really matter? I mean, the AM ipod interface is slightly less advanced than a 2003 Acura TL.
- The look of the car was a big selling point. I see 50 porsches for every AM around here. Heck, there are more GT3RS and GT2RS than AM here.
- Price. Carrera S with some options = $135K. My AM was MSRP $145K, but acquired at $95K with 1500 miles. AM was a better "value" in my case.

These are both superb experiences. I think they are the limit of what you might consider a daily driveable exotic with some supercar aspects, but not startospheric like lambo/ferrari/bentley.

 

I think you are right on point with most of your thoughts:

I personally think the latest generation AM's are amongst the most beautiful Cars EVER designed.. They really are astonishingly gorgeous.. The V12V has those silly vents in the hood that the V8V doesn't.. I know they are necessary, but they ruin the lines, so the V8V is better looking.

My GT2 has about the best Porsche interior I have ever seen; it's a custom order.. the natural leather with aluminum package, factory painted seat backs to match the exterior and dark grey alcantara headliner.. but the Aston is still Worlds better.

Power wise, it's no contest. My GT2 is shockingly fast; I have a 1.2 bar EPL tune, 100 cell cats, X-Flow exhaust and nothing else and I'm at 520 RWHP; in a 3200 lb car, it's freaking fast (although compared to my BMW S1000RR with full AKrapovic Ti system, power commander and Dan Kyle tune it feels positively pedestrian)

Handling; the GT2 is razor sharp, shifter Kart quick in terms of turn-in and dynamics, but tricky at the limits.. I have a ton of track time over a lot of years and LOVE the challenge of the GT2. The Aston seemed progressive; not soft by any means, but slower to get the suspension loaded etc, but it's a grand touring car, not a sports Car.

They might both be cars in the general sense, but they have different goals and go about things in totally different ways.

German lightweight, rear-engined low-tech, yet with so much power it's ridiculous (I specifically chose the 996 GT2 vs the 997 GT2, because the 997 has all the electronic nannies and feels more isolated from the driver and the road.. the 996 GT2 is the real deal.. immediate, explosive, driver oriented to the extreme with massive amounts of feedback through the chassis, the front tires and your butt.. if you aren't a really superb driver, then it's too much car for you). vs, British smoothness, grace and pace wrapped up in a work of art masquerading as a bodyshell..

The V12V is just what Aston Martin needed to make to get me as a customer. Enough power to keep me interested; comfort, craftsmanship and a stunning piece of automotive design. I can hop in it and drive up to Napa for a weekend in comfort and not stress about scraping the nose off every entry or driveway and look damn good doing it.

Cheers.

 

Those must be some options ...

 

80shilling (or should I call you "4quid" ) - fellow Brit living in Sonoma, let me know when you're in Napa and I'll pop across and meet you in my better looking V8V :-)

 

Keith, that sounds like a great idea... We live in Pea**** Gap in San Rafael right now, so Sonoma is only 15 minutes downn the road. P.M. me youe e-mail address and we can set something up.. Maybe lunch in Calistoga or similar? I'll bring the GT2, you bring the Aston.

Yeah my user name is after my favorite Scottish beer.. 80 shilling ale..

Cheers...