This past weekend I was at a social event, and was approached by the owner of a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo, that was parked next to my 07 V8V. We were both around the same age, in our early 50's, and of course our conversation immediately turned to our respective cars. He asked me how reliable my car was, and I told him I've had no problems during the past year that I've owned it. He said he had heard horror stories about reliability issues in Aston Martin's.

I told him that I researched my car as thoroughly as possible prior to buying it, and asked many questions of current owners on this website before I made my purchase. I explained that unlike British cars from years ago, the V8V seems to be a very good car, and that I expected good service from it. Further, that Aston has a reputation to live up to, and I don't believe they want a reputation of unreliable cars in todays market.

He was emphatic about how much faster and better his car was than mine, and I agreed that his 911 turbo was probably a great car, and was undoubtly faster.....living up to its billing. I explained that I didn't buy my car to race with, but rather to drive and enjoy. As he continued to make comparions of the two cars in a dick measuring contest, I got into my car to leave, and his wife smiled and said my V8V was one of the best looking cars she had ever seen, and that it was far better looking than a Porsche.

The 911 Turbo is a great car with a great reputation, but we all buy are cars for different reasons. I've always been a sports car enthusist, and at this point in life, I get still get a thrill every I drive my V8V. The Porsche might be a better overall car, but it doesn't deliever the thrill I get from driving my Aston. When it comes to reliability, the Astons might have a few issues, but I've know Porsche owners who've also had some reliability issues. Just my thoughts......thanks for taking the time to read this. Chris

 

I was just thinking yesterday about how reliable my car has been. In about a year and a half I haven't had a single issue arise. I feel like Aston has gotten most of the niggling issues fixed by now in the DB9 and Vantage ranges.

The Porsche guy's behavior is funny. Seems to me he felt a bit insecure about his car and needed to try to convince himself it's better than yours. When you're secure in your choice, you don't need to go to such lengths to convince others of its value.

 

The guy sounds like a bit of a dick to be honest. Each to there own and all that but it's shame he didn't have a bit of courtesy to respect what is an awesome car in the same way as you did his. I like the sound of his wife though

I drove about 7 911's in 10 years during my 30's the last one being a 911 Turbo which I absolutely loved. At 40 I always had in mind that I wanted to "grow up a bit" a go for something more sophisticated so I waved good bye to the 911 Turbo and swapped it for a V8V N400. Loved it so much that after a year I swapped it for a V12V.

The 911 is an awesome car and i loved it, still do actually, but personally having driven an owned an Aston, I just cannot see myself going back to a 911. I still have a Cayenne Turbo and again I wouldn't swap that for a 911 now either. Like I said each to their own and I guess I have changed as I've grown but I do appreciate a good car when I see one, whatever the make. This guy just proves that some people never grow up to appreciate the finer things in life and thank god we all like different things!

 

You forgot to mention the part when his wife then jumped into your car

 

Good write up and thanks for sharing.....what did his face look like when his wife preferred your car

 

After hanging around this board quite a bit, I think Aston owners are generally the least into car "pissing contests".... it seems like we appreciate all brands

 

Actually I ran into a guy with a 911 and he asked about the Aston because he said his 911 has been nothing but a headache. It was only a couple of years old but it failed so catastrophically that they had to replace his engine.

 

As I have been thinking for a few weeks now about getting a used Ferrari 430 as my weekend exotic, fun toy for around town. I had not considered an Aston for exactly the same reason as the title of this thread and the hype is just not there as it is for the F brand.
But tonight on my way home I let a fairly new white Vantage pass me and I could not help but think how gorgeous and exotic looking the car was. In fact from the rear I might say meaner looking than the 430. I did not get to hear if it had a rumble like the F.
So small coincedence I see this thread and after reading a few posts here I think it would be wise, prudent and harmless to consider an Aston too.

I'm sure others came to this cross road before, I wonder what those comments are. I'm glad I saw this and I'm glad there were positive replies.

 

Easy answer ...I Appreciate both I drove my Porsche GT2 today and again like it does time after time it reminded me of why it's an icon and just a violently incredible car! My DB9 on the other hand is not as fast but has a totally different personality. Both are great in their own ways, its nice to have both because they are great for suiting different moods.

 

^^Easy for someone who can afford both. Most don't have that luxury.

 

That's what I'm talking about . Ques: Did you consider a Ferrari or Maserati as opposed to the DB9?

Priorities,,,is what I tell my wife. The insurance cost on all the cars is what really bothers me when I can only drive one at a time.

 

911 Turbo for weekdays and Vantage for weekends. I'd say that just about sums up the comparison

 

good point...god willing I will be able to add to the stable and I am fortunate to have earned what I have at the moment, I realize that at any moment life can change and all the things we have can go away, I am thankful. Now if I had to choose between the Porsche and the Aston though it would be very difficult, they are both very different cars in almost every way!

 

I did, I considered a 360 but it didn't have the torque, the 430 is still an option...but I hope to add either the 458, MP4 12C, or LP670SV/640-4 to the stable as the next car.

I picked the DB9 becuase I was looking for more of a GT car and I've always loved the way it looked, it's style, poise, grace, and presence. It is a subtle and classy exotic, I've always liked AM and their history and heritage, they are a very old company started in 1913 they are an iconic brand...the DB series has always been one that was close to my heart. Even though im 36 and I don't have a pipe or slippers (yet lol ) I felt like it was the right choice for a great GT car, and with the manual gearbox and sport package that my car has it's really more of a sports car with a GT afterthought then anything else.

 

Being able to own more than one "fun" car does change things. You no longer need one car to provide everything you want. Although I've been thinking about modding my V12 to make it faster, lately I've been thinking of just adding a more sports/track-focused car to the garage and leaving the V12 as is (i.e., a fantastic GT/sports car).