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I know that by any measurable performance metric they are inferior to the 997.1 TT manual, but a Vantage is arguably the best looking car on the planet, and being naturally aspirated, the 430 hp engine has glorious sounds. I admit to being tempted by this sexy British siren. In another year, a 2015 Vantage GT manual will be roughly the same price point as a low mileage 997.1 TT. Would I regret making the switch? Has anybody driven the 4.7 liter manual Vantage and can give me feedback?
There was a thread on here a few months ago from someone who had a 997.1TT and switched to an Aston and almost immediately regretted it and started looking for something else. I think the guy was from Australia or NZ.
I haven't driven one personally, but I agree that they are beautiful cars. I wouldn't make the switch though as I believe the 911 is more of what I want out of a sports car.
When I checked on Autotrader, though, I couldn't find a single manual Vanquish, so I infer that it is automatic only. I can get a manual in either the V8 or V12 Vantage. Man, the prices for the V12 are sky high.......the V8 is more reasonable. Since I live on Oahu, I can never use even half the potential of the 911TT, so maybe a Vantage V8 would be enough for our crappy, congested roads..
Vantage V8 coupe is a drop-dead gorgeous car... I've looked at several and the prices are often really good. Usually in great condition with low miles as well. Exhaust sound is sublime.
But definitely not a 911, let alone a turbo.
If you do consider one, stay away from the dual clutch, manuals only! The dual clutch box is evil in early V8 Vantages. And coupes seem to hold value far better than cabs.
I wouldn't know how to pick between the DB9 and the Vantage. Not enough forums around. The automatic transmission always seems to be a torque converter ZF unit, which isn't much better than Tiptronic. I don't think manual DB9 cars made it to the U.S. officially.
The cars are gorgeous. I did a spreadsheet with the prices of the typical spare parts you will need over the years, and they didn't look much worse than Porsche and Maserati. Of course Porsche parts are supposed to fall apart less often.
It kinda checks out, but a 997 or 991 is so much safer to buy.
A really good mate of mine bought a brand new one thinking he was James Bond, but it was a slug, in his words. Yes very sexy and awesome build quality. he likened it to his recliner chair in his lounge. Terrible handling car he said.
So he flicked it and lost mega bucks and got has another Turbo S.
I sat in it and it was amazing, but that was as far as I got because he reckons putting 10 more k's on the clock would devalue it hahaha.
It's a touring car and not a sports car....his words.
I wouldn't know how to pick between the DB9 and the Vantage. Not enough forums around. The automatic transmission always seems to be a torque converter ZF unit, which isn't much better than Tiptronic. I don't think manual DB9 cars made it to the U.S. officially.
I don't know about DB9's, but V8 Vantage's never had slushbox autos... They had a dual-clutch (no torque converter) 'sportshift' transmission or manual. The sportshift is not nearly as refined as pdk, more similar to the very early Ferrari and BMW dual-clutch boxes, but worse. The gear ratios, especially in reverse, were also off and lots of folks burned out the clutch disks pretty quickly.
Slow as molasses ...... stunning looking car ... looks fast just sitting there... Exhaust was amazing,,, handled very well (almost 50/50 weight distribution) whomever said it didn't was incorrect .....
bottom line - my 997 tuned turbo is the most fun I have ever had in a car... blazing fast and handles on rails ... Let me know if you have any other questions ..
The automatic transmission always seems to be a torque converter ZF unit, which isn't much better than Tiptronic.
That depends on the age I think.
I'm debating to move from a BMW with a zf 8 speed torque converter (that locks up very quickly and nicely) to another p-car (Panamera or Macan), and the pdk almost feels like a downgrade.
In the garage, I have a 1984 911 Carrera Cab, a 2007 997.1 TT MT, a 2014 PTT, a 2007 Aston Martin DB9 Volante and a 2014 AM Vanquish. Of these cars, the '84 is my fav (biased, sue me!) but the 997.1 TT MT is such a ride, I cant ever conceive of editing it from the fleet. Of the two AM cars, which I bought for the wife, the DB9 is a cruiser at best. The automatic shifter is pathetic even with the paddles and the V12 sounds amazing but does not deliver in a way that James Bond would be able to dodge bullets with. The Vanquish, on the other hand, is just about the most amazing machine I have ever driven, except, of course, for my 2007 997.1 TT MT.
...The Vanquish, on the other hand, is just about the most amazing machine I have ever driven, except, of course, for my 2007 997.1 TT ...
Perfect quote!
I just put a 996TT 3-pedal in the garage yesterday, an opportunity presented itself that I couldn't refuse... It will tide me over until I find the right next Porsche.
06-24-2017, 07:04 PM
Ever consider an Aston Vantage V8 ?
