I have been lurking on here for awhile now. I'm about to pull the trigger on a 09 Aston Martin Vantage. I will be trading my F355 Ferrari spider. The Ferrari is great but at my age it is hard to get in and out of. It is very much a hard edge sports car. I also have a 2012 Porsche 911. How does the Vantage compare to the Porsche? The car I'm looking at has the sport shift. It has 18000 miles but looks like new inside and out and even under the hood.

 

I love the interior color combo. As you probably know from Ferrari the key is to have maintenance records. Plenty of docs on here about what to look for & avoid. With the SS at 18k I would think the clutch has been replaced already. If not have it checked for wear. I cannot compare it to a 911 but it is definitely a different beast. IMO this car is bought for it's styling/heritage & not performance or handling. Be prepared for lots of inquiring looks from other drivers perhaps more than the F355.

 

If you enjoy a manual you won't be happy with the SS. Plenty to read about here but suffice to say the manual is the better way to go.

 

I agree, I loved the 07 manual I had, but switched to an 09 with sport shift, and if driven as recommended lift throttle and manual paddle shift, I now find my 6 speed manual mustang irritating. Won't ever go back to manual. It's involving if you drive it as prescribed

 

I have a manual 7 speed in the Porsche and enjoy it. I know that in a Porsche that PDK is faster. My Bentley has an automatic with paddle shift. My questions are how does the Aston comare to the Porsche? And how does the quality and fit and finish compare to the Bentley GT Speed? Is there anything that I should look for or ask the owner of the Aston?

 

You need to drive the SS car and see for yourself. You may or may not like it. The P car with a manual is a true sports car. The SS Vantage more of a GT. At least with that trans.
Kanga, if you like the 1st gen SS you will love the SSIII and a DCT even more. Drive them and see. They are vastly better.

 

A big +1 for me, To answers the other posts I do not find the clutch or the gearshift awkwardly heavy or stiff in my vantage. I also have a 2015 GT V8 Mustang with a stick as my DD. I have never owned an automatic in my 58 years. But to each his own. Try both and make an educated decision.
Either way the Vantage a great car.
Ron

 

Nice car and color combo. Is it just me or does the car look like it sitting too high?
Ron

 

If you find the Ferrari a little too harsh I'd recommend avoiding the sport package in the Vantage. My 2009 rides a little harder than I'd like and I get bumped around a fair bit on the highway unless the surface is perfect. Consider the premium extended warranty too -- for around $7500 you can get two years of protection. Mine had been running perfectly and just suffered a serious electrical failure. Boy am I glad I have the warranty now.

 

what must i say?...I battle to get out of my vantage its the issue in a garage unless you can kick the doors all the way open its a pain, do love it when i drive it.

You will find the Aston more socially acceptable than the Ferrari, personally I would go for the 6 speed manual and the gear lever does seem a bit high at first, but look where they are in rally cars?

The ss needs attention when at lights and on hills and so on, its not an automatic,
the car you have pictured is nice but if i may comment IMO the wheels are bit busy for a vantage.

 

Looks clean and really like the interior colors. If you can, drive both SS and 6-speed.


I have to disagree with Kanga as I find the heavier notchy shifting more engaging and precise. The SS has come a long way from the mid-2000s for all marques. I drove a 2013 911S with PDK and it has lightning fast shifting... just blew me away how quick it was. But others, like the V10 M5 that I have driven has noticeable lag and doesn't replace a third pedal in my book.


To each their own...

 

Well I have made up my mind and will be driving the Ferrari to Tampa to trade it on the Vantage. The Ferrari is fun but at my age is hard to get out of after a long drive. My Porsche and my Audi have a manual and are fun to drive. The Bentley has an auto with paddle shifters so I thought the automated manual of the Aston would be something different. Will post some pictures when we get it home and detailed. Hopefully it won't take me the month of work to put in shape that the Ferrari did.

 

Picked up the Aston Martin today from Ferrari of Tampa Bay. Traded the 355 in on the Vantage. It was a 4 hour drive home and a learning experience for the sport shift. I will post some pictures when I get done detailing it. Some on the other 6spd forums know I'm kind of a concourse nut. So no matter how nice it is when we picked it up I see a few weeks on detailing and restoration. With the # 22 fuse out it sounds great, not the high pitched note of the 355 but still very nice. I look forward to learning from the forum members. So if I ask some stupid questions bear with me.

 

Spent Sunday detailing under the hood and today took all 4 wheels off cleaned the wheel wells and brakes. Cleaned an polished the wheels. Now I have to take off the clear bra and then it will time to clean treat and correct the leather interior. Will post some pictures when it is finished.

 

How do you like the car?