I prefer the appearance / styling of the Aston Martin.

 

if your going to get a 911, you might as well get either the targa 4s or turbo to enjoy more, with the all glass roof its awesome in thunderstorms. id get the v10 R8 though if i had the money, other then that id get the 911 turbo. i dont like the v8 vantage as it may be pretty, its pretty underpowered. but if your never going to use the power you might as well buy the v8v

 

I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to respond to my post, it's much appreciated! I really like both cars, and will be taking some more test drives, and continue to weigh the pros and cons, before ultimately making a decision. Most of all, I'm thankful to still be working, and in a position to consider such a vehicle, with the current state of our economy.

 

First off congrats to you for closing the book on all those pesky obligations... mortgages, college tuition, etc... it is def time to reward yourself.

You can't go wrong either way, but which car to get is pretty simple. If you are going to drive the car on the track or autocross events (meaning you're sports car oriented) than the 911 is your car. If you are just going to cruise around town, to the country club or the occasional weekend drive through the local mountain roads, and don't mind a little more attention, then the Aston is for you.

 

I hope you're asking the same question on the Aston site. You'll need to compare responses from both sites, maybe put a spreadsheet together on the results, compare them, think on it a while and when you're done the decision will still be up to you. But this has got be hands down, the most enjoyable win-win decision you've ever had to make. For me, being only slightly older than yourself, I'd think about the everyday comfort factor of one vs. the other. I only drive my Porsche on weeks ends so the shifting and the stiffer ride and the noise and wind in the hair thing are all great fun. As for a daily driver, I drive something more docile, comfortable and quite so I can listen to Blue Collar radio on the way to work. Have never driven an Aston Martin but my sense is that it is closer, in a comparative mind you, to my daily driver in overall character than my Porsche. Kind of a more sporting version of a Jag where the modern Porsche is a kind of refined version of a race car. Whatever you decide I hope you'll let us know. I'd stretch out the test driving process as long as you can. Great fun.

 

The new V12 Vantage is pure sex and in my opinion the best looking car in the world- hands down. Or- Why not consider the new Ferrari 599HGTE? The second most beautiful car in the world?

Lovely, sonorous V12 soundtrack in both. But if you are seeking more of the razors edge than a GT car, the 911 is the answer. Weight is the enemy of any true enthusiast driver and the 911 can be very light.

It is a high-class problem to have this decision to make

 

Having watchted the top gear episode... I have to vote for the 911 although tha Aston would come in a close second!

 

I thought the same thing and took a look over there (Aston site here on 6speed) and he did post the same question. Great idea because it's been fun reading the responses over there.

I'd say for fun-to-drive and reliablity would definitely be in favor of the 911. For sheer looks, you really can't beat the Vantage (than again, I really like the looks of my 997 now that I've added the front/rear bumper, side skirts, and wheels but that add's $$$).

 

Speaking from experience... I had an 07 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. from the get go the car was in for service for problems ranging from bad belts (replaced multiple times), problems with the audio system (each amp was replaced, then the bluetooth module, all seperate service visits of course), an oil leak from the main seal, problems with the gas gauge intermittently, etc etc. I bought the car new and traded it in after about 8 months. You will see the problems in the Aston Martin forum, however they convince themselves it's ok because it's "handmade." What I'm telling you isn't the stuff of magazines or Top Gear. It's the total truth even downplayed because I can't even remember every problem the car had....

 

I drove a manual 2008 Carrera S for 3 years and 20k miles, trading it in for an F1 2007 F430 last spring. In the past couple months I've also added a auto 2008 Vantage and manual 2008 R8.

The C2S is probably the best car if only owning one, though an R8 (recent purchase so still learning about it) may be equally good for that. The Vantage is more a luxury sports car, reasonably comfortable and beautifully detailed inside and out, but does not have the steering feel, throttle response, or "built from a single piece" quality of the 911. The C2S is limited by a somewhat stiff ride and VW-feeling level of interior quality. The 911 center stack is painted plastic, with tons of small buttons that would be great for an Audi A4 but not the expectation for a $90k sticker. Great manual in the C2S.

The R8 is less an exotic car and more an every day sports car. The R8's power *feels* faster than the C2S as the R8 really loves to be revved to redline, whereas the C2S is happiest 3500-5500 RPM or so. Beyond that the C2S does not seem to need/want more RPM. The Vantage's main assets are its design and its depreciation (like a Jaguar, find a gently used Vantage), as according to Car and Driver the 4-year resale value for 911s = 60% of purchase price.

The F430, by the way, is nearly perfect on a dry road and temperatures above 50 degrees ... it just requires attention to park, drive, etc.

By far the most important thing would be to get a relationship with a dealership (Toy Barn in Columbus has been excellent) that lets you get to know the cars. Then ignore what anyone else thinks, and - like music or art - do what your head and heart tell you, listening to the first but then voting with the second.

Cheers,
Greg

 

I'm acquainted with someone who owns a V8V and it has eaten him alive on maintenance and operating costs. He loves it but wouldn't buy it if he could do it over again.

 

wow, this thread started in 2009. I wonder what he got.

 

Hehe. Didn't notice that!

 

he posts on the AM side so I'm assuming Aston
wonder if he's happy with the decision