Replaced the 997 with a Vantage: Initial Impressions
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,189
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It has a higher starting point, yes, but it may very well be that you can get enough off sticker of the Vantage to make them much closer in real price. I did not price out a 991 and see what kind of discount I got, but Chris was very fair out of the box on the Vantage.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,157
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From: Manhattan Beach & Truckee, CA
Congrats - very nice. I agree that the AM is better looking. I still would prefer the P cars as they blend in here in LA and once you get past the looks, I think Porsche's have the engineering and total performance edge. But AM certainly is a great GT car.
I am starting to feel the pull of the 991 Cab though. In certain colors it looks great. The 991 is a car where color makes a huge difference. I think the 997 looks great in every color. The 991 looks great in some colors and just OK in others.
I am starting to feel the pull of the 991 Cab though. In certain colors it looks great. The 991 is a car where color makes a huge difference. I think the 997 looks great in every color. The 991 looks great in some colors and just OK in others.
While I'm not a cab guy, IMHO the 991 cab in white with a red top looks utterly fantastic. Agree about color with the 991. It needs the lighter colors to look its best. I'd take one in guards red or gt silver all day long.
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 3
So when I trade my 997.2 in a 991, I shoudn't get a black one? I always have bought a black car out of habit. Seriously. We have three cars now, all black. My last vehicle that wasn't black was a Chevy Tahoe 10 or 12 years ago. I only bought that one in white because I was pressed for time on that purchase.
My dealer has a silver 991 Cab that I've looked at carefully a few times, and to my eyes it doesn't look any better than black. Am I in the minority here? I do think the 991 Cabs with the top up look quite a bit better than the 997 car with the top up. Removing the "hump" was a HUGE leap forward. Just my opinion.
I would never own a red or yellow car under any circumstances. Well maybe a Ferrari in red.
Thoughts?
My dealer has a silver 991 Cab that I've looked at carefully a few times, and to my eyes it doesn't look any better than black. Am I in the minority here? I do think the 991 Cabs with the top up look quite a bit better than the 997 car with the top up. Removing the "hump" was a HUGE leap forward. Just my opinion.
I would never own a red or yellow car under any circumstances. Well maybe a Ferrari in red.
Thoughts?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,122
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From: Downers Grove, Illinois
Did you see a white 991 cab yet? There is a porsche commercial online where they show a white cab with a red top. I think it has red seats too. Ouchie momma. Give it a search.
The 991 is a more slender, longer and lower looking car. It's more subtle than the 997 and I think dark colors mask the lines. Particularly the front hood and wheel arches. The dealer here has two black cars. I've stared at length and have trouble completing the look.
Black always works and its a safe choice. Of course it's just an opinion. Silver with red (per the Boxster ads)?
The 991 is a more slender, longer and lower looking car. It's more subtle than the 997 and I think dark colors mask the lines. Particularly the front hood and wheel arches. The dealer here has two black cars. I've stared at length and have trouble completing the look.
Black always works and its a safe choice. Of course it's just an opinion. Silver with red (per the Boxster ads)?
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Hamburg, Germany
Congratulations!
I'm the proud owner of a 06, 997 4S as a daily driver, but like you, I have always had my eye on a AM. I think I will go that way, maybe in combination with a 70's 911 Club-sport.
I'm the proud owner of a 06, 997 4S as a daily driver, but like you, I have always had my eye on a AM. I think I will go that way, maybe in combination with a 70's 911 Club-sport.
Race Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,862
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
Very interesting report...
Two separate times (2006 and 2009) I considered a Vantage ahead of a 997.... and two separate times I bought 997s. The first time there was a $30K price discrepancy, but that wasn't what put me off. A buddy was the road test editor for Motor Trend at the time and had just come back from driving the 997 and Vantage back-to-back at Laguna Seca. He told me to get the 997 - I listened. The second time, I was REALLY close. Even took the wife on an extended test-drive. I ended up with the 997 since I couldn't pass up the build quality and that "Porscheness".
That said, I lust after Astons like almost nothing else. I've told my wife on many occasions that I'll have a V8 Vantage in my garage(s) one day. It's a beautiful, beautiful car, so full of character, amazing detailing, and a genuine sense of occasion. When I was mulling the decision with a co-worker, he told me something profound: "No matter what you do, what you wear, where you work, you'll be 'That Guy With The Aston'". Well done, sir.
Two separate times (2006 and 2009) I considered a Vantage ahead of a 997.... and two separate times I bought 997s. The first time there was a $30K price discrepancy, but that wasn't what put me off. A buddy was the road test editor for Motor Trend at the time and had just come back from driving the 997 and Vantage back-to-back at Laguna Seca. He told me to get the 997 - I listened. The second time, I was REALLY close. Even took the wife on an extended test-drive. I ended up with the 997 since I couldn't pass up the build quality and that "Porscheness".
That said, I lust after Astons like almost nothing else. I've told my wife on many occasions that I'll have a V8 Vantage in my garage(s) one day. It's a beautiful, beautiful car, so full of character, amazing detailing, and a genuine sense of occasion. When I was mulling the decision with a co-worker, he told me something profound: "No matter what you do, what you wear, where you work, you'll be 'That Guy With The Aston'". Well done, sir.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 1
I did; ultimately the Aston won out for me but I do like the GT. Not a huge fan of what they've recently done with the front end aero bits (thought the car looked better 3 years ago), but a hell of a car nonetheless. Also, I'd have to take it to the local Ferrari dealership for service, and it's too much of a slippery slope. I don't want to go in for an oil change and drive off in a used 599, which would be almost certain to happen.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
The GranTurismo is a very different car. It's much larger and heavier. It has full size rear seats, which is the main reason I chose it over an Aston. I find both cars to be equally attractive, but the Maserati is brash, where the Aston Martins are elegant. The interior is nicer than any Porsche, but not close to the bespoke jewel like quality of the Astons.
The dealer I bought the car from also handles Ferrari, Aston Martin and McLaren so I'm already on the slippery slope.
The dealer I bought the car from also handles Ferrari, Aston Martin and McLaren so I'm already on the slippery slope.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,404
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From: North Carolina, '12 cls63 '14 S550V4, 07TT-gone, 07Targa4S-gone
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
I leased rather than purchased my GranTurismo for this precise reason. Turns out the current generation of Maserati cars are reliable enough. They're basically badge engineered products. Ferrari 612 platform, Ferrari built V8 and body by Pininfarina. The Maserati factory puts everything together. Mine came with a squeaky seat rail and an ill fitting glovebox, nothing that couldn't be fixed. They've been making the current generation of Astons for a while now and I imagine they also have the bugs worked out. If the Vantage or DB9 had fit my needs, I would have bought one.
