G8RB8

Ban yourself Hacker!

dprantl

A corvette is not in contention because it's only a 2-seater. Otherwise, it looks great though.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

vonbeeler

Wow congratulations! What are you overall impressions of the car so far?

Chuck Z

My car after a 928 actually was/is an Aston Martin! Specifically, a 2010 DB9. All the comments about reliability, build quality, fit/finish, smoke.... are unfounded at least in modern day AMLs and just haven't been my experience! We bought this car new (albeit, with one birthday under its belt) and have owned it for 1 year and I am still LOVING it! IMO, this is as close to what a 928 should have evolved into with the possible exception of the V12. And what an engine! It makes all the right noises even w/o any exhaust mods, just unhook the vacuum lines at the muffler valves. Mine is a 6-speed with a sport package and the killer 1000 watt B&O. I have installed H&R springs that dropped it nicely and added 20" HRE wheels. All I can say is; if you ever have the opportunity, it's worth the experience!

Chuck Z

This post was of particular note to me, having owned both a 928 and a DB9.

Just yesterday, my wife and I went to lunch in the DB9 and parked a good distance from the restaraunt and when we came out there was a guy and his grandson walking around the car and another couple pulled up in a 997 cab. Much to hubby's chagrin, his wife came over to look at the DB9 (he walked away toward the golf shop) and asked about the color, was it new and commented on how beautiful the car was. The grandson of the other guy said he wanted to see if it was a DB9 or a DBS..... His grandfather just kept saying what a great looking car! Does this car have presence? Absolutely! So does the 928....

Functionality? As much or more than the 928. 4 seats and a trunk.

Cramped? I'm 5'-17" and while the DB9 is a tighter fit than the GTS, it works really well for me. There is leather everywhere in a DB9! If you haven't ever spent any time in a AM interior, you need to. No plastic or pleather/vinyl!

How a car ages is somewhat of a personal perception. I used to think the 928 aged really well and still think the car looks great but compared to the DB9, it just looks old too me now. I actually like the more understated look of the DB9 vs. the DBS. The new Vanquish is an over the top styling exercise. Personally, I think its too busy.... I like the new DB9 but the lower bumper cover from the Virage doesn't really do it for me. Like the previous DB9 front bumper. I think the AM will age very gracefully.

Oh, as far as speed, output..... It's a sub 5.0 0-60 and unless you're going to drag race every stoplight, it's more power than you'll ever need. It's much faster than any stock 928 and feels like it....

DougM

Chuck. You are 5'-17"? Are you just being polite and really trying to say you are 6'-5"?

Alan

I want to see what Porsche comes up with for their 929 (or whatever they call their 2 door Panamera based GT car). Looks like this won't be until 2014/2015 at the earliest - so I'll have to wait that long I guess...

I don't think my GTS will be going anywhere... but it might be nice if it had a kid brother...

Alan

tv

Nice to hear from you. As it happens after all this general car talk I again visited a few local high-end/exotic car dealers yesterday. Saw all that Land Rover, Jaguar, Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche, and Aston have for sale. FF's, 3 red 458's, Rapide, Virage, 10 panny's (which you loved for a while), GT2, 911's, even a new S500 .......... I'm not new to this, been examining closely top cars since 1980 when I went to look at a 308 in a v12 jag XKE. I'm a car nut in general. Driven a lot driven with more and sat in most.

Some cars I like when I first see them some I like after a while, some I grow tired of, and some I never like at all. I have no envy. The new camaro in a good color always makes me look and smile, same with the first gen CLS.

The 928 still has the best shape of any modern car. More complex shape than the current Aston's. Look at the DB9, a straight shot from the rear to the front no subtle curves like the 928. Nothing comes close to the compound shape of the 928 front quarter. Look at a photo of a 928 and V8V together, the aston is a bigger car outside yet smaller inside. Cramped sideways.

The cars that stood out of all the ones I saw yesterday were 2 sedans, a silver Rapide and a white Jag XJL, nice cars for someone needing a 4 door. I also saw 3 of the nicest interior schemes I have ever seen, 2 Land Rovers and 1 Jag, always the 2 best OEM interior's.

Back to the 928, I already have the sound and for roughly 35K, I can have an engine built that will give 500hp 4.0 sec performance ( I agree with you, no drag racing) and a new interior with craftsmanship equal or better than the RR, and new suspension bits/wider tires that will bring an already incredible cornering ability up to today's best ..... and still have the best looking body and most comfortable interior.

I waited 20 years to get my 928 after being a passenger in one and there is no other car I would take in its place and I could purchase most everything we have discussed.

Chuck Z

911 Crazy

But that's par for the Randy!

Chuck Z

With all due respect, visiting dealers and looking at different cars is quite a bit different then actually living with one.

I'm glad you love your modified 928 and could buy anything you want. Thats great, good for you. I've owned 928s for 20 years and it was/is time for something else for me.....

curt_928

This Aston IS the new 928. Given it's CEO had a hand in the development of the 928. I'd LOVE to have this as a DD...

curt_928

+1

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Randy,
You might enjoy a Cadillac XLR-V. It is basically a supercharged Corvette, Cadillac bodied, hardtop convertible. I happen to think the car is beautiful, especially in person. It is also a performance bargain. Your tastes my differ but I have liked it for a long time.
Good luck,
Dave

tv

Sitting in a car is all I have to due to know whether it is cramped/comfortable or not. Seeing it in the flesh is all I have to do to decide how I grade the looks. Hearing it drive is all I need to determine its sound. And presence is determined by seeing it out in different circumstances, meets, drives, private garages, which I have plenty experience at.

Not many art critics/historians/writers/experts/curators own Rembrandts.

Ownership will give you a FEEL for its handling and performance that published times leave cold and a limited to 1 knowledge of reliability/cost. But since the discussion was primarily about looks, sound, and ergonomics I think ownership is of limited value in this thread. Most people are already passing judgement on the new vette based on pictures. Cars are mainly looks and sound.








There is no right or wrong. Some guys know what they want and some are on an endless search, but that is within them, not the objects in question. Enjoy.