My buddy let me borrow his 08' V8V for the past 3 days while visiting central Ca. Comparing to my 09' C2S, I overall felt like the porsche is better in almost every way.
I love the looks and exhaust sound of the Aston, and it had great clutch and gear shift feel. But it was really slow (no torque) and actually the build quality of the interior felt a little flimsy. Also after doing a few fast accelerations it felt like it was really fragile like I was going to break it. Also got a lot of unwanted attention. I expected the handling to be much better, it felt like a pig in the corners. The same opinion was expressed by my wife and brother who took a turn driving it. If I did not own a 911 I would of been much more impressed.
And I am not a porsche fanatic, I am a euro car fanatic and love all cars made in Europe. But this is just the impression I felt after driving it for a few days.
Still fast enough to be fun and comfortable enough to be a DD for those of you considering one, but for my personal choice it just doesn't do enough for me.

 

I agree, I drove one a few years ago and felt that it had the same performance as my 05 Audi S4.

 

what you mean by V8V is Aston V8 Vantage?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzzspeed

...I am a euro car fanatic and love all cars made in Europe.

I think I know what you mean (Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Labo, etc.), but Europe has turned out some pretty good duds too (i.e. Yugo, Lada, Skoda, etc.) Some of which are actually worse than the Ford Pinto.

 

for the money the V8V should be much faster and handle much better, the auto trans in the new ones sucks as well..

for the price, again should be 4 second 0-60 and should also handle better than a truck.

the panamera coupe, will kill aston sales when it comes out.. all the perks... and actual power!

 

well put, I agree......

 

I've always wanted an Aston (based on looks), was looking at them for awhile but because of this forum and all the negative reviews about it (vs the 911), decided on a Porsche instead. Thanks for your confirmation. My Porsche is faster, handles better, get enough looks (don't really care to be honest), so far I like everything about it. The AM is still sexy though.

 

 

The Aston you drove must have been a 4.3 without the sports suspension vice the 2009 and up 4.7 liter engine with sports suspension.

I have had 5 911s, the most recent a 2006 997S I sold last month. I decided to try an Aston Vantage Coupe, and it is every bit as fast as my 997 (road and track and other verify) but has more mid-range torque. It is not as nimble or quite as sharp on turn-in as the 997. However the Aston is more compliant and controlled on uneven payment. I think one needs to keep in mind the Aston is a little more on the Grand Tourer side of the equation the the 997. I made the switch because I was willing to give up some of the pure sports car edge for a little more compliance and confort; and the sound and looks are to die for.

 

I guess I am the exact opposite of you, as I never bought cars based on looks.

My Cayenne and Panamera are both described as butt ugly.

 

Exactly, that's why I chose handling and performance over looks.

The new Cayenne isn't as ugly but the older ones and the Panny is bugly.

 

Thanks for the write up bud, your C2S isnt stock either so it's NOT a fair comparison...

 

Yes it was a 4.3 liter and I am not sure about the suspension. And I am comparing it to my 997.2S which is much quicker then the older 997 and much more luxury and comfort for daily driving then both the aston and the older 911's.
On top of that I have some mods on my car. Overall my impression was negative because I had a high expectation of that car with speed, handling, and luxury.

 

Your right, but I was actually comparing it to my car as it was stock. Also just 2 months ago, I was driving the stock 997.2S at the PSDS and that is what I was comparing it to.

 

Not really fair - comparing a GT with a sports car!!