My friends are all about Porsche. GT3, 911 Turbo S. They swear if they had $250k sitting there, those are the cars that they would buy. Maybe I need to drive one to compare. But I still love my v8v. It’s just classic and gets the job done. No it won’t do 0-60 in 2.2 seconds or however fast these Porsches go. It probably doesn’t handle or turn corners anywhere as close. But at least it won’t sound like a 6 cylinder. Am I missing something or do I need to do the Porsche experience in Torrance?

 

I drove a GT3 at the Porsche experience last year. It truly is an amazing car. I had a lot of fun and almost barfed at the end because of the g forces it generates. I would love to own it but it is just too visceral for me as a street car. I would not trade it for my V8V based on the looks, but if it’s performance your friends are after, no competition. One day I will add a SC or Targa from the 80s to the herd, those are much more beautiful to me than the current 911’s are. And you know, opinions are like…….

 

IMO after awhile...So many Porsches have been produced...they all look alike. I like the low production numbers of something more unique like Aston Martin along with it's "best ever" looks.

 

correct

 

There is a person who occasionally posts on F-Chat that has owned many cars over the years. His rationale for ownership is that the car must serve a specific purpose, and many purposes for different people there are. I share his perspective on car ownership. I don't own an Aston though I do admire the brand. I own a 1996 Carrera 2 and a 2012 Cayman R. I use these cars for road use. The C2 is slow based on modern day parameters but is a unique drive in feel, sound, smell and looks. The CR is fine example of a modern, analogue P-car that is a joy to drive on the road. I get tempted now and then to explore the latest and greatest of this brand or that brand, but then I ask myself what I would do with it for how I drive my fun cars. I can lose my license easily enough on public roads with what I have. Plus, my cars are entertaining at sane speeds on public roads which many new cars of exceedingly high performance capability may not be. Now, if I routinely tracked my cars, a 992 GT3 or other brand alternative would admirably serve that purpose. "Own what you want, and want what you own." My opinion only.

 

The Porsche 911 is a great car: sharp, nimble and unique with its rear weight bias and excellent traction. Heritage and tradition are also built into the design, which is nice.

That being said, they are very common. It is part of the fun seeing all the different varieties but it does take away from how special seeing the car is.

I've enjoyed my move to Aston but it makes sense why so many Aston people like Porsche and vice versa: Dr Bez was father of the 993 (one of the best 911s) and had a hand in production of all Gaydon era Astons. He worked at both Porsche and Aston and driving enjoyment was a priority at both companies during his time at each.

 

Lots of great comments on here already. Bottom line to me is a lot of these cars have merit in their own right, and depending on where you are in your own personal automotive journey, you may favour one over the other. What you currently worship or desire is highly likely to change over time as preferences evolve.

You might be surprised how well the vantage corners even compared to more track focused offerings. The platform is set up pretty well.

But YES! You should absolutely go to an experience center and spend a day. It's awesome to try different things and see what they are all about.

There is a reason the 911 is as successful and as popular as it is. I am a massive fan, and almost certainly will add another one in the future. They are everywhere and most non-car people couldn't tell you a single difference between most models, but service, modification possibilities and support are equally as popular and that gives a level of comfort and opens up experiences and possibilities as well.

Hard to go wrong and the key to me is that you enjoy what you have to the fullest and consider yourself lucky.

 

This is certainly not universal, but I think our cars often represent our own aspirational image of ourselves. I see my Aston as a glorious balance of many of the things I value, certainly with compromises, yet also with nothing that I really care about sorely lacking.
There is great satisfaction in possessing something that is absolutely extraordinary in its capabilities. Nevertheless, the real world has limitations imposed by financial resources, societal restrictions, practicality, geography, and good taste. For me, my Aston pushes toward the highest common denominator in those areas.
All modern Porsches are extraordinary devices for propelling a body through a road course at speeds far exceeding the legal limit, while providing the driver with a highly satisfying sense of oneness with the vehicle. That's enough for millions of people. However, my 16-year old DB9 Volante still provides enough power, beauty, and soul to keep me very happy indeed, and a few modern tweaks like tires, rear sway bar and bushings, Bluetooth, front and rear cameras, etc., help keep the joy from diminishing. Driving my car just makes me happy.
And I keep coming back to this crappy phone photo I snapped when I was parked on the street a few years ago. There's something in the young woman's expression that captures the effect an Aston has on others...

 

Not a 911, but I have a C8 bought new and it was not long before I needed to get back into a Vantage - the C8 is like the Roma I drove recently - so refined that there is something missing, the Vantage is far more elegant on the inside (including the Roma - not the new Vantage tho) and far more visceral. The C8 is loud but unless your flooring it the sound does not reach the drivers seat. The aural experience of the Vantage makes a huge difference. The good thing is I can own both (the C8 was only $68K New, with exhause LT2, Front Lift, and 7 year warranty). The Porsche is 3 to 4 times the price.

 

I used to not get Porsche until I drove and bought (still own) a GT3 and that is my first Porsche. NA 3.8, 4.0 are some of the best sounding engines. At 9k rpm, it's F1 like.

IMO, Porsche has different nuances compared to our Aston. Not like one is better or worse than the other. Just different.

PECLA experience can help to satisfy your curiosity.

 

Funny, I explain myself on this topic fairly regularly. I most recently come from a 991.1 Turbo, the exhaust was modified with a Sharkwerks (CARB friendly), coupled with a GIAC tune, where she was just shy of 600 ponies . . . it was magnificent. I've said it just this week and I will say it again, the 911 is a better car than my 2019 Vantage . . . Yes, I know my car is hated by many on this site, most are quick to say how horrid the interior and exterior are; I love it. I will tell you, it's my favorite view when I'm working out in the garage (MUCH better than the mirror)

My 911 was WAY faster (~2.9 second car), fantastic seating position, AWD, lightning fast PDK and razer-sharp steering . . . it was a scalpel that I rarely used to 3-tenths. Even with the upgraded exhaust, there was no speakable exhaust note and there is a 911 on EVERY corner in my town. There is value in anonymity, my Vantage is Magnetic Silver (I would call it charcoal), the metal fleck is deep and gorgeous and does not scream, "look at me" like the Lime Essence press car. It's great AML gives folks the option for such a color, I just couldn't pull it off, myself Any Aston Martin is a special car on the road, even the entry level model; I find fellow drivers quite eager to let me into available spots where that rarely happened in the 911. I've see folks taking pictures of it parked and while being driven . . . That never happened in the 911. I don't judge my own appreciation by others' actions, but it is interesting to compare the difference. I will eventually be back in a Porsche one day, but I don't see that happening for a while, I'm enjoying the ride and the ownership experience! KH

 

If I wanted to be like all my neighbors I'd drive a Porsche or a Ferrari or Lambo (interestingly no new Vettes). The cool kids in my hood drive antique Broncos, antique Bentleys, late 50s Vettes and even a Stanley Steamer (pre WWI). My DB9, happily, fits in well with the antiques...

 

I'm coming from a Porsche GT4 and a Camaro ZL1 1LE. In terms of performance the ZLE eats both the GT4 and my (new to me) 2006 Vantage for lunch, but it's not about that for me. Pure speed isn't what I'm about any more. The "character" of the car is what matters and the Vantage has that over both the Porsche and the Camaro. My Vantage has some nice mods (BC Coilovers, lightweight flywheel, V12 clutch, Quicksilver racing exhaust, custom Severn Tune) which adds up to an experience that is more engaging and satisfying then either the GT4 or the ZLE. I absolutely LOVE this car! It doesn't hurt that it's by far one of the most gorgeous vehicles I've ever laid my eyes on! I have zero regrets!

 

Nicely said..

 

SemiF19, you had a GT4, as in the 718 GT4? My nephew works for PCNA in Atlanta and he just got a GT4. I drove it and I was really impressed. That was a satisfying car to drive and will be my next Porsche, if there ever is a next one.