blake

Thanks for the post. I am also looking at the 07/08 AMV8 as a daily driver. I have about $80K to spend, and will be holding onto the 996GT3 as a track toy and the 964 Speedster as the touring/concourse car.

I began my search for a fun DD in the fall by looking at new M3s, 06-08 CS/C4S Cabs, and of course '07/'08 Turbos. My problem with all of them is that (sorry guys) they just felt too soft! My choice is now down to two: 07/08 997.1 GT3 or 07/08 AMV8. Drove both and they are visceral cars, but complaint enough to be DDs. Engine noise in the Vantage is unbelievable!I plan to buy over the winter, and right now am leaning toward to Vantage, though the CPO on the 997 GT3s is a plus...

Good luck!
-Blake

mooty

i think i know what he means, but it's hard to explain. i have had elise and exige. both i put 20k miles on in about 10 months.

lotus is NOT a car, it's a toy. and i say this as a compliment.

it's fun, silly, fun, fast....
one of those cars that you either "get it" or dont
you having one, you "got it"....
some ppl will never understand the beauty of lotus, or S2000 or miata for that matter.

Rob T

Thanks for the explanation, I understand what you are saying. I suppose you don't feel that the 911 is as much of a toy as the Lotus? Is the 911 more refined?

winkingchef

AMV8 is more visceral than a 911?
What?
Noise is great, yes, but visceral, no.

ChiefEntertainmentOfficer

And winkingchef your user name reminds me of a "edited" after its been ravaged

Chaos

What are you doing with the C2S?

blake

Have you driven a 997TT? Rocket ship, yes - but so is a Viper and a Corvette. Could I feel the road? Not so much. Huge disappointment. Have you driven a 73 RS? What about any 911 through 89? 92 US Cup? 93/94 RSA? 993TT? 996 GT3? Go drive those. That is my definition of "visceral 911s".

The AM that I last drove had H&Rs, modded exhaust and good turn in. That car is visceral by my definition, though of course you can disagree... I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting a compliant GT car...

-B

brt3

I wonder how much of this is built into us as Americans. I love Porsches, but last year I got to drive a Mercedes SLS during an all-day event at Laguna Seca. It may be bigger and heavier than a 911, but GOOD GOD -- what a sound! Now THAT was a visceral experience, and I wonder if part of what you're getting in the A-M is related to that guttural V-8 growl. A Porsche sounds great too, but in a way that's very different for anyone who grew up on American V-8s...

blk on blk

tried one out on a test drive, and like everyone else has said it is heavy and slow. You can really feel the weight of the thing. it sounds fast, but isn't. It just was not all the pleasant or fun to drive. It is however, one of the most gorgeous cars ever built.

JackQ

I drove a 2010 Aston Vantage with Sports Shift and a 2007 Vantage Manual today at an Aston Dealer. The 2010 drove well:

Steering was not as sharp on turn-in
Perfromance near that of the 997, good low end torque
More comfortable, and the suspension was more compliant then my 997
Visibility was more limited
I was pleasantly suprised on how well the sports shift worked much better than the E46 auto/manual
I found the clutch on the 2007 quite heavy and the shifter somewhat bulky compared to the 997.

Overall very nice, outstanding looks with good performance. I think I need to wait to the price for the 2009s falls in to the 80K range as the 2011 hit the market.

mooty

yes, much more refined and civlized and one can argue less raw or exciting than lotus.

Scott997

I use to have a 2008 Aston Martin Vantage. Purchased from new, had nothing but problem, had no fun because the car was always at the dealer. Not worth it, they're a good deal used for a reason. You will be disappointed, especially if you don't have a warranty.

If you like having
your belts replaced 2x
Each amplifier replaced and bluetooth module
an oil leak
all in under 8,000 miles then maybe it is the car for you! lol

Rob T

Thanks!