Too true!

 

[QUOTE=jaspergtr;3718852]This isn't controversial at all. In fact, it is what we are all saying.

The OP wants an occasional car - for which types of occasions?

In doing this comparison this car would be the 4th vehicle in my household. As I mentioned earlier my 996TT is my track car and all out performance car. I love the way it works and am happy with it. So with the Vantage/360 I am looking for a car for a nice backroad drive, or take it a couple of hours to a resort with my wife. As I say this and from what I have read it would seem that the Vantage is probably better suited to those needs. My budget is limited to $70-80k so as nice as some of the other cars are that have been listed I can't stretch that far. I really want something that is "special", that you don't see driving down the road every day. Something that gives me a sense of occassion everytime I get in it to drive. The 996TT does that for me but doesn't have that exclusive feel I think either the Vantage or 360 would have. So all out performance isn't a big factor, it is more about the intangibles that are hard to measure and not having owned either of the marques before I am looking for input from those that have. I know the cars are fundamentally different, that's why I am comparing them Not being able to stretch to the 430 does make me contemplate the Vantage further as I don't feel that I am sacrificing in getting the Vantage whereas maybe I am with the 360. These are the things the input is helping me process-Thanks!

 

Aston it is... By the way - to stir the pot - I found a few DB9's in your upper range (when I was stuck here - good place to be stuck).

I don't feel the DB9 is 'better', just another model to consider.

 

based on this, i'd get a V8V. not only does it give you a sense of occasion, but it's entirely useful. if you want to take a weekend trip (or even a longer one), luggage space isn't a problem. your wife will appreciate that

here's a pic of all the stuff i had in my V8V when i went to an HPDE earlier this year.


~3 hr drive to get to the track, four 20-min track sessions each day, and ~3 hours to get home after the second day's sessions. no issues whatsoever.

here's all the stuff i easily fit into the rear hatch:
folding chair
camera bag (Nikon, two lenses, charger, etc etc)
small tool bag (window cleaner, paper towels, latex gloves, etc)
box of tarp weights
weekend bag (including an extra pair of shoes)
jacket
full-face helmet (under jacket)
large tool bag (lots of tools)
tool box
large tarp (under tool box)
air compressor/fix-a-flat (OEM unit)
large umbrella

all that, and i didn't put a single thing on the luggage shelf behind the seats.

 

The V8V would fit your intended use perfectly. The sense of occasion is massive -- it's a true event. If you can get into a 4.7, especially with the Sports Pack, you wouldn't be giving up performance to the 360, either. FWIW, I've had my '09 V8V from new, and it's been totally reliable.

 

This. I thought I mentioned it earlier. If I hadn't, I should have.

 

With some great feedback from everyone I believe the Vantage will suit what I am looking for the best. As much as I love the 360 (or even moreso the 430) I don't feel like I am making any sacrifices in getting the Vantage, even if it is the 4.3L. The combination of looks, sound, sense of occassion, practicality, reliability and lower maintenance costs are a winning combination for me. So the search begins, hopefully business does as well as I expect in 2013 and I can have one in my garage by the end of the year. And then there is still that little issue of convincing my wife we need another car...

 

You're on your own with that one!

On the flip side if she makes your budget shrink I'm selling my awesome SL55 AMG which is perfect in/out drives like a charm and comes with warranty (and which I've tastefully modded to 600+ hp/750 tq at the rear wheels!) for a really fair price. I have it listed on the forums here if your interested let me know, I'm flexible. Can't keep both the Mercedes and my DB9, that's the only reason for selling the benz, she's a great car otherwise - super fast, great hardtop convertible, and just an epic roadster!

 

Look no further than our own...

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...n-vantage.html

I think it's worth checking out.

 

Not surprising, given the question was posted on an Aston Forum. If you want to hear (vocally) from the other side, post the same question on F-chat. However, I think you had already decided before you even posted. I think 360 space is already filled by your 996tt. It would be for me. The Vantage would actually be filling a gap.

 

Ferrari 360 F1 all the way. Get a Ferrari before you buy an Aston. The driving dynamics are so much better. Aston is above average and underpowered but looks fantastic.

Change the Ferrari TCU to a Challenge Strad Spec for more power and better torque curves with 0-60 in 4.2 seconds !!!

 

Hmmm 0-60 in 4.2 with mods added to the Ferrari probably does not require 3x!

My little 4.3L with mods walks my buddies 2012 DBS and those are 4.3 seconds on paper

 

For performance, I believe his 996T will suffice.

Although the Ferrari may be more fun to drive, the Aston offers too much (with regards to his current cars) by comparison.

 

I heavily considered Vantage. Then I drove a 2010+ Jag XKR and felt it was so much more car. 510hp and the longer wheelbase larger platform of the DB9 - this could be a pro or a con depending on how you want the ride to be. The muscularly elegant lines of the XKR are qute nice and the power is just brutal. Plus 5 years of warranty and Maintenance to boot sold me. Lot of car for $100k new or $75k-$80k slightly used.

I love it. But, although the paddles are great I am craving a 6spd again. So I'm looking at GT3, Gallardo and perhaps new Viper. But if you are looking for a GT and want looks, exclusivity (very rare - do an autotrader search for 10'+ and see how rare!) Power, sound (not as nasty as AV8 but great sound especially with exhaust), bang for buck etc you must check XKR out. After my drop and spaces even on stock wheels people gawk. If I don't move to a hardcore car I will do some wheels next and it will be even more of an enigma!

 

I can't disagree that the XKR is quite a beautiful and comfortable car. I have looked at them as well (I have a pretty deep infatuation with the XKR-S). For some reason, something is stopping me from biting on it, though.

I could easily see it being more livable, especially for the money including the maintenance... Jaguar is making that proposition difficult to turn down. I feel it is easier for us here in NA to have, because it would be easier to keep up (not a lot of Aston Martin certified shops around).

Funny enough, this isn't uncommon either... Soon - the OP will start looking into the new Viper, R8, Gallardo, and perhaps end up with a GT-R (exactly what I went through).