I love my car, I really do. I have a 2011 AM Vantage Roadster that I bought new last year. Despite all the issues i've had with it I generally love driving it and get tons of attention while driving it.

However, a couple of weeks ago I took a visit down to the local Porsche dealership to look at the new Boxster S after hearing all the great reviews. Wasn't interested in buying one...just wanted to see what they were like.

When I was there I saw the new 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S coupe and was blown away. I fell in love with it. They look so much better than the last version, while subtle there's clearly a significant upgrade in style and sophistication.

I started doing research and now am having a difficult time resisting the temptation of pulling the trigger on the following:

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S
White, silver or grey with black extended leather interior (aluminum trim)
PDK trans
black glass sunroof
sport exhaust
sports seats
chrono package with launch control
clear taillights
sport front fascia, and sport front and rear spoiler
PASM sport suspension
BOSE sound


Price is similar to what I paid for my vantage. I test drove the 911 S they had on the lot and was blown away. Brakes are remarkable, steering is superb, acceleration is out of this world. Most mags have 0-60 times (with launch control turned on) in the 3.5 to 3.8 sec range. The sound is incredible and it's unbelievably comfortable.

Spoke with my father a few days ago and told him was I was thinking. He laughed at me and said something along the lines of "you have the most beautiful car in the world and you want to exchange it for a Porsche, that everyone else has? You're crazy". I spent 30 minutes out in the garage looking at the AM tonight. It is an incredible work of art...pure sexiness. But damn I love the new Porsche 911. I tend to buy a new car every year but told myself that I will wait at least two years before upgrading from the AM. I had hoped my next car would be a Vantage v12, Ferrari Cali or Mercedes SLS but i'm having a hard time not getting the Porsche.

A few friends have told me to wait until the new 911 Turbo is out and I can definitely do that as well but I dont plan on tracking the Porsche and really the 3.5 sec 0-60 is plenty fast enough. I dont see the need for 0-60 in 2.9 sec.

 

Do whatever makes you happy. You only live once. Carpe diem.

 

Is that enough?
No? Get yourself on a long road trip in the roadster

Karl has a point though
You need to decide what you want out of the car t make you happy.
The porker is great piece of engineering with great performance
The Aston is not about performance (never has been )

 

Id be happy with both but you never know if regret will ooze into the heart. I honestly think i'll be happy with either. It might come down to if I can get a kick-butt deal on the Porsche. I'll miss the AM and could always get a new one a year or two after the acquisition of the Porsche

 

That's the problem with being a car guy. No matter what great car you have, there are always other cars that grab our attention.

 

Interesting dilemma.
I have previously owned an AMV8 and currently own an AM V12 Vantage. I LOVE these cars.

I previously owned an Audi R8 V10, in fact that car shared duties with my V12V. When I was looking to buy the R8 V10 I very much considered a 991S and a 997 GTS.

The long and short of it is the 997 GTS was the far better drive. Slower and less comfortable, but it felt special. The 991S was a great DD, but its improved interior was no where near as good as the Astons, neither was the steering. I honestly don't think there is a car in the Astons price range that can match its steering and brake feel.

In the end I bought the R8 V10 and not the Porsche. But seven months later in a funny twist, I have sold the R8 V10 for a Cayman R and another Range Rover (an Evoque).

The Cayman R gives me a fantastically pure Porsche experience for the track and is mid-engined, the Range Rovers are shared daily drivers and the Aston is the baby.

No car I have owned has come close to my Astons. I don't regret selling the others, but I would miss my Aston.

 

New 911s is a great car, just two-a-penny already.

 

991 is an excellent car, Aston is more about beauty and art, but I've always loved Porsche especially 911. This is a very hard one to advise on... I think Karl has given some solid advice, he's right it's a choice you have to live with do what you feel in your heart.

 

The nice thing is the choice you make is yours and does not have to be permanent. If you like the Porsche then go for it. Aston will always make more and usually even better; so will ferrari, and mercedes, etc. These caliber of cars are made for pure enjoyment. So do what you enjoy!

 

The new 911 Carrera S is a superb driving machine. My wife and I took one for a spin and were surprised as well. Even though I'm a fan of manual transmission cars the new PDK is a delight and welcome changed. If you are feeling the need for a change I don't think anyone would look down on you for getting a new 911. I for one will be jealous!

 

So very true...

 

I had the opportunity to drive the new Carrera S and was simply blown away. What a great drivers car. Even had the chance to do launch control (after a couple failed tries). Neck-breaking speed. Brakes are superb. Steering and turning are fantastic and the aesthetics of the car in general is much better than the previous model.

I did feel in regular driving that there wasn't enough tourque at low RPMs but that could just be needing to get used to driving it. In the end, while I love looking at and sitting in my AM, I just don't enjoy driving it. My seat is not very comfortable. Car lacks real traction and is prone to sliding a lot, brakes are very soft and I just don't enjoy driving a comfortable (especially in Vegas) as much as I had hoped. Lastly, the problems ive had with the car over the last year and issues with the car dying (it's ever so "touchy") at low RPMs just makes me not want to keep the car.

I'd love the v12 but honestly, I think i'm going to make the rounds and the next car in line is probably going to be the Porsche...followed by a Ferrari or Lambo. I wouldn't mind something new and I could always wait for the updated Vantage to be released and then trade-in the Porsche in.

I haven't made up my mind yet and while I know that Porsches are a dime a dozen I really wouldn't owning one as i've always wanted one. I might just wait to reserve a slot for the upcoming 911 turbo which I think will be a truly special car and just might be named best sports car around once all the reviews come out.

Guess we'll see. My friends and family are on both sides of the fence. My dad thinks i'm out of my mind as he thinks the AM is the most gorgeous car he's ever seen and other friends think the opposite. I know i'll miss the Vantage if I get rid of it but I have this feeling that once I turn on the ignition of the 911S and put on the seat belt I might just forget about the AM...at least a little

 

This is what you call a First World Problem...lol

Hey, get what puts a smile on your face! As Wayne of "Chasing Classic Cars" says, "If I don't look back at a car as I'm walking away from it and admire it, then its time for it to go".

I've owned (3) 911's and a Boxster. I'm enjoying my Aston Martin for the 'art' of the car, but if I wanted sheer performance I would take a 991 S.

Then again, I think my little ****-pot BMW 135i daily driver with the S55 engine (Twin Screw Turbo) is the most hoot to drive and bang for the buck of any car in recent memory.

 

Duanne I think what you really need is a Rolls Royce Phantom II...forget all that track and sport driving BS...it's all about the Rollie!!

PLEASE do another Pizzafest...that was the most epic of all, great folks, camaraderie, fun track times. I was like 25 and just getting started on track, having so much fun really made me pursue it more seriously! If you want to do it thru the Aston dealer, or whatever or over at Summit you can count on me to help instruct and be a part of it!

 

HA! That's funny, Sunir. Do you think this group is REALLY ready for a Pizzafest? I dunno....you know a Pizzafest is all about good times with virtually no structure. Surely to rankle those that want things done in a proper manner.

I like the Rolls Phantom idea. I'd be stylin'.......