nota_troll

Oh that AMV8 is SICK fine!!!! I was just at Star Motors looking at Espirits and Elises. They had one Vanquish too.

Moogle

if it is reliable. it is a genuine competitor. but i doubt it.

expect the typical teething issues and THEN some, plus aston's typical suspect reliability. that equals a no-go for me as a daily driver.

carbon_00

That sure is a pretty Ford...........

MrRoboto

Are you looking for a manual? Does the AMV8 come in manual?

frayed

Yeah, comes in manual, and their clutchless tranny (whatever its called) will be a $6,000 premium and is unreliable.

I have my doubts about the car and my top pick is a 997S with the sport suspension, but OTOH, can't wait to read more about the baby-Aston and drive it next year.

MrRoboto

I too am quite excited about the AMV8, ever since the concept pics actually. Despite what a looker it is though, I'm still betting on the 997S to be a better driver's car. Have you seen the topgear video on the 997S? Very positive review on a performance level. Let me know if you want the vid.

frayed

Yeah, watched it. Check out the Fifth Gear vid as well, and note the comment by Tiff at the end.

gpk

Jeff,

Have you checked with John Eagle in Dallas as to their wait list?

delliott00

Jeff,

So the 996C4S is gone for good? That was quick. So this pretty much rules out the Elise or some other combo? Did you ever swap out your exhaust?

I'm with you on the Aston. But, while I *like* the looks of the 997, IMO the Aston is the most beautiful car I've ever seen. Period. Honestly, if it came down to a 997S for $90K and waiting on the $100K Aston, it'd be absolutely no contest. I'm simply in love with the Aston, while I can only say I have tremendous respect for the 997.

There are things about the Aston that really appeal to me. AM has publicly stated a new approach in that they will be leaving off the gadgets and driver aid do-dads in exchange for a more pure driving experience. Thats what I love about my Elise. I hope the Aston will not dissappoint. I know they are tuning it on the 'ring and have stated that they intend it to beat the 911 lap times. The poorly disguised test mules have been clocked very fast, I hear.

I'm probably in the minority here..... The 997S is a wonderful car, better in almost every measurable way than my 996C2. But, I don't like the standard display screen (whether you order NAV or not) and all the other electronic aids (PASM), variable steering, etc. I'll wait to drive your sport 997S, perhaps that will suit me better as more of a true sports car and less of a GT car. My '00 996C2 has only the bare minimum options, weighs under 3K lbs, has 300hp, and feels light and nimble like a sports car. Its wonderfully predictable in a nice drift. My drive in the 997 felt a bit faster, but I couldn't keep from thinking "this would make a great road trip car".... whereas my 996 makes me think "where is the nearest tight twisty road?"

It has taken all of my willpower to keep from putting down a deposit on the Aston. If they'd take a $1K deposit I'd do it, but I hear they want WAY more. So, I guess I'll wait 3 years and pick up a used one. Hopefully they at least depreciate.

For now, I have decided there is no way that I would trade the combination of my 996C2 Aero and the Elise for a new 997S. I believe I have the best of both worlds. And the incredible performance of the EVO to back it up when I want to act like a hooligan, especially in the wet.

Take care.

-Dave
'05 Lotus Elise (Bordeaux Red, Touring, Hardtop)
'00 Porsche 996C2 w/ oem mkI GT3 aerokit
'03 Evolution VIII
'89 BMW M3 (for sale)

frayed

Dave, have you driven the 997S, or better yet, the 997S with an open mind? Forget variable steering. Forget PASM. Forget the 90% new parts or whatever, just drive the damn thing.

It is awesome.

After my first hard turn in the car on City Park Road, I felt like it was the bastard stepchild of the Elise and the 996, with some Lexus pixied dust sprinkled in (in a good way). Everything works together in the S in a very harmonious fashion.

The mag reviews back up my feeling on the car, and while I subscribe to them, I generally view them as infomercials. Reading b/t the lines of the reviews reveals a common theme. . . that this car is extraordinary, especially when pushed.

The C4S is gone for good. As is the Elise; I pulled my deposit last friday. My two test drives in the 997S made me forget both of these cars.

Dave, when Bill K got done driving the 997S up 2222, we pulled over. He was floored. Physically shaking with excitement from how buttoned down the car was and how good it felt under hard charging. This, from a national ranked autoxer, car cynic, shop owner, and instructor (note, from a BMW board):

It's going to be extraordinarily difficult for the baby-Aston to outperform the 997S. But, it's sorta fun to think about it, and imagine having a car as beautiful as the AMV8 in your garage. Pure sex.

Speedraser

I'd wait to see the Aston. Remember, Ulrich Bez -- father of the 993 -- is Aston's chief now,which is a very good reason to be optimistic.

delliott00

Jeff,

I have driven the 997S, up 2222 and Mount Bonnell. Back to back with the elise (or at least the same afternoon). I didn't push either to the limit, but maybe 8/10ths. I'm very familiar with the RWD 996 so the 997 did feel like an old friend only faster. I have absolutely no doubt that its faster than my 996, in every way. I will give it more thorough eval at some point, or you can give me a test ride. Keep in mind I was not dissappointed in it in ANY way, just thought it had taken a different path than I would have liked. At lot of that is just my perception, but I did give it an open mind test drive. However, I think porsche probably made the right market decision. The 997 will be a smash hit, IMO.

However, I prefer the raw feeling of the Elise. I like the racecarness of it. I like the simplicity of it. Maybe I'm a technophobe when it comes to driver aids. I want to know I'll be able to work on it myself in 10yrs. The more basic cars I drive, the more I realize I don't need or want most of the other stuff. Now, if I had to choose only 1 car for both weekend/track and daily commuting, the Elise wouldn't work at all. But for me, I'd rather have both the 996 AND the Elise than their only child offspring. Same amount of cash out of pocket, and I can mix it up and enjoy either approach, IMO. I guess the variety of it gets me excited, rather than the one size fits all approach. Sounds like we just differ there, no big deal. However, the chances of me spending $85K+ on a new car are slim, so a 997S isn't really an option until it hits the used market. I could be convinced to drop $100K on the Aston, but I'm too much of a tightwad to buy new unless its a world beater. We shall see! My motto is Live Cheap, Drive Well!

Until I get more familiar with the Elise, lets do a back to back run up through city park in the EVO and 997S (assuming you get it reasonably soon). Doesn't quite have the straight line speed, but its very impressive in the corners. I'm not up to your skill level, but I can toss it around pretty well.

Seriously though, congrats on your (pending) 997S. I'm still jealous ;-) .... I owe you lunch, and would love to see your E36M3 (we're missing ours now that its in JimH's garage). I showed the pics of the Aston to the wife and she wants to get on the list. I told her we'll get one in <4 yrs tops.

-Dave
'05 Lotus Elise (Bordeaux Red, Touring, Hardtop)
'00 Porsche 996C2 w/ oem mkI GT3 aerokit
'03 Evolution VIII
'89 BMW M3 (for sale)

frayed

Update:

For some reason, my senses are being assaulted by these brit vehicles. Today I drove the new Land Rover LR3. If the wife likes it, I'm buying one. It's a great, verstile SUV that drives pretty damn good and can tow a race car, and haul a bunch of kids around with 7 person seating.

Anyway...

I got word from Star Motors in Houston about the December issue of EVO, with a copy of the AMV8 article enclosed. In part, it states:

"is believed to have already lapped the mighty Nordscheife in 7 min, 51 seconds, comfortably inside the 911 GT3!"

If true, that is absolutely phenomenal. I was thinking it would turn into more of a heavy GT type ride, but if it really can turn 7.51 around the ring on street tires, at its price, it may be the next heavyweight king.

For reference (stolen from funcarsonline, can't vouch for accuracy):

7:46 --- Porsche 996 GT2
7:46 --- SHK Porsche 993 GT2, 652 PS (1999)
7:47 --- Porsche 996 GT3 RS, 381PS (996) (2004)
7:49 --- Porsche 996 GT3 Cup
7:50 --- BMW E46 M3 CSL (2003)
7:52 --- Gemballa Porsche 911 Le Mans (1995)
7:52 --- Lamborghini Gallardo (2003)
7:54 --- Porsche GT3 (996) (2003)
7:55 --- Caterham R500 Superlight (2002)
7:56 --- Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale (2004)
7:56 --- Porsche 996 Turbo
7:59 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Performance Chassis) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:02 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Sport PASM setting) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:03 --- Porsche 996 GT3 (1999)
8:04 --- Lamborghini Diablo GT
8:05 --- Ferrari 575M Maranello
8:05 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Normal PASM setting)(Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:06 --- Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG
8:06 --- Caterham 7 Superlight R, Robert Nearn
8:07 --- Ferrari 550 Maranello
8:09 --- Honda NSX-R
8:09 --- Ferrari 360 Modena
8:09 --- Lamborghini Diablo SV (no ABS?)
8:15 --- Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (997) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:16 --- AC-Schnitzer E36 M3 CLS II, 350 PS
8:17 --- Aston Martin Vanquish
8:17 --- Porsche 996 C2
8:18 --- BMW Z8, 400 PS (2002)
8:18 --- Chevrolet Corvette Z05 Commemorative Edition, 344 PS (2003)
8:18 --- Ferrari F355
8:20 --- Audi RS6
8:22 --- BMW E46 M3
8:22 --- BMW M Coupe, 321 PS
8:23 --- Aston Martin DB7 GT
8:23 --- Porsche 996 Carrera 4

jafa

I'm on the waiting list at Star Motors here in Houston and have been for about 18 months . I also have a deposit on a 911S, but don't plan to purchase either until September '05, when my new house w/garage will be ready.

Both cars are things of beauty, but as I hear more about the AM, I'm thinking that the performance, looks, and exclusivity are going to rule the day. I just hope that the Aston doesn't leave me stranded too often...

JL

frayed

Jafa, let me know how things unfold with the Aston purchase. It would seem that 997S and AMV8 purchases would overlap too much, but what the hell, if you have the means.