In a word, yes.

The Z06 has infinite power low down, and is much faster on the track, but the Boss is more involving and fun to drive. It doesn't have the low end grunt that I love, but it still it can really get going. It was more fun as a DD also. I'm an old guy and got tired of the seating position in the Z.

My DBS is not a DD so I can manage it.

 

This will be a car that I drive once a week at best.

I do love a low seating position. The Boss felt like an SUV compared to the R8 and the Vantage.

The Z06 is likely more familiar as it has similar proportions to my other cars (though a different experience) but the Boss will offer a totally different experience to every car I have owned.

More involving in what way?

 

How bout I trade you my V8VS for your V12V and we call it a day...

 

Penguin, I replied to you PM.

 

The Noble M400 is an interesting one. The car is incredibly well balanced and just insane. I always joked that the car is always egging you on to kill you. However the car has a lot of shortcomings. I've done a few track events and yearly meet up with the east coast Noble/Rossion group for a track day. I won't bash it on the forum but I owned one for 2 years and can tell you all about them if you are interested. Feel free to PM me.

 

I ended up buying a 2012 Cayman R. I got a great price on it.
Report to follow.

 

I nearly bought one a few years back but was put off by the "mechanical issues"

OP the Cayman R is a great package very versatile as well

 

Damn, why do I have the funny feeling that was the same 2012 Cayman R that I was looking at?

I guess I didn't pull the trigger quickly enough. Though honestly I'm still looking for something that is a bit more of a blend of DD plus 3-4 track events per year.

Having done the dedicated race car / racing lifestyle previously, I'm not convinced I want to commit that much time / space / $$$ to the hobby again. More a case of wanting something I can drive most of the year (my RR/S will fill in the nasty weather gaps), but still take to the track.

The Z06 is the smart, practical choice (if one can call a track-toy a "smart, practical choice"). I just don't really want one. I love the sound, I love the performance....it just doesn't tickle me the right way.

The Boss 302 would be somewhat unique, and as noted, more fun to drive. Yes, it's a Ford, but it's no ordinary Mustang.

I looked at the Cayman R (white, 2012...I'm guessing it may no longer be on the market....). The looks of the Cayman don't float my boat though...I often feel it's the baby 911. Which means I should probably just look for a properly sorted 911.

I'm still mostly tempted by moving up to a Vantage S. It has enough track suitability to be usable, while still a decent daily driver.

And I'm seriously tempted by a Mercedes-Benz C63 Black. It apparently has some pretty good track chops (quicker than the M3), while still being mostly usable as a daily driver. And to the average, non-car person, it's just a C-Class Mercedes (so customers don't look at you as overly greedy, as they might in a 911 et al).



Patrick

 

I'm not sure I would take a Vantage to a track and drive it hard. I have, and it was fun as hell. Such a treat to drive really fast, but the wear and tear, plus the fear that you might have some kind of issue. Replacement parts are very expensive and I think the Aston Community does not look at a tracked car with the same lens as the Porsche community.

I drove the Z 06 and it really did not do it for me. In fact it scared me into the Cayman R. Before that I was all set to go Boss 302 LS.

I have also driven the C63, not the black series. Great car but under tired. The Black series addresses that. It really is a German muscle car. Though I'm not sure how under the radar it will be. The body kit is pretty aggressive.

Nice problems to have.

 

Lotus Elise/Exige

Or

BMW E92 M3 w/ DCT transmission.

Both are mid 30k range now used and parts are relatively cheap. E92 has absolutely fantastic balance, you just have to upgrade to SS brake lines and run upgraded pads. Square 275mm wheel /tires setup will massively reduce understeer, lower unsprung rotating mass and allow you to rotate wheels and tires to reduce costs even further. It's slightly heavy in stock form, but if you lighten up the car with gutted interior and lightweight seats it can be a track monster and blow away cars with 100-300 more HP.

E46 M3 w S,G is an even cheaper version of that but far less reliable, although they are only $18k now

 

I will second the vote for the Lotus Elise or Exige. They are hands down, one of the most rewarding and fun cars to track. At close to 2000 lbs. they take to the turns like a fish to water. They actually build confidence on the track. You never feel like it's getting away from you. The lightweight also equates to a lot less pounds to shed at speed when it comes to brake performance. It's at the track where the Lotus starts to shine and you realize that it's a track car that is street legal and not the other way around (such is the case with so many sports cars).