Owning a new V8V/manual, a new R8/manual and 997.2 Carrera S/manual I can certainly comment on this issue.
They are all very different. Frankly the Carrera is the easiest to drive. It is very light and alive. Unlike the Aston or R8 however, it has little presence. Just another 911.
Nothing has the beauty of my Volcano Red Vantage.