Drove the New Vantage today
08-31-2018, 04:44 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Drove the New Vantage today
I know this is a Porsche forum but also know we are all sport car enthusiasts. I was bored earlier today so i drove my GT3 over to take the new Vantage for a good test drive. The weekend before I met one of their Brand Specialists and he had invited me to stop by. I wanted to jump right from my GT3 in to the Vantage so I could really sort of compare them both. Big mistake- the Vantage is really not direct competitor in my mind to the GT3. I would say the Turbo is a better comparable but even then- well I do not know.
First.- the Vantage is freakin' beautiful and fit and finish is in another world. The car just oozes Sex and Money. To think the car is only $10,000(MSRP) more than my GT3 but it just looks like it is on a whole different level. Even parked next to my GT3 my eyes were all over the Vantage. The Videos I have seen do not do it justice although it looks great in the videos. The headlights in the Videos look stupid but in the flesh they are fine(and I think the GT3 lights are just fine also). But-I did think they were going to be a let down but not at all. From every angle the car looks great. It is shorter than My Porsche, I believe, but it is wide. Has a great stance and presence though.
Second- the car is heavy though. Something like 4200 lbs. It does not drive/feel that heavy but hopping back in my GT3 made my GT3 feel like a feather. But the engine has more than enough power to move that weight
Third- Damping on the car is fantastic. Has Sport, Sport plus, and Track. All nicely tuned. Steering is also very good. Not as good as the GT3 but pretty good. Maybe a little on the heavy side but it works well for the car
Fourth-The Engine is darn good for a Turbo. Slight lag but the transmission does not help it. It does not have a dual clutch so it can be snappy and combined with the Turbo it actually makes it feel like it has more lag than it really does. But- it pulls like a freight train in every gear and from any speed. I would sy it could be faster than my GT3 but hard to tell because the powere comes on so differently. The exhaust needs more help but this car did not have the Sport exhaust that they offer so that should help. It does have some artificial fart programmed in which I am not a huge fan of.
Over all I am a fan. It is more of a "touring" type of car but it works. Not a replacement for a GT3 but if one had the means and room it would make for a nice addition. No doubt it is a head turner for sure. I would certainly take it over a Mercedes GTS/R but that is because I just do not like the Mercedes styling and do not track. I told the Guy when they come out with the Vantage S with a Manual in a few years to call me. By then i may be sick of my GT3. But - one day I will own an Vantage.
First.- the Vantage is freakin' beautiful and fit and finish is in another world. The car just oozes Sex and Money. To think the car is only $10,000(MSRP) more than my GT3 but it just looks like it is on a whole different level. Even parked next to my GT3 my eyes were all over the Vantage. The Videos I have seen do not do it justice although it looks great in the videos. The headlights in the Videos look stupid but in the flesh they are fine(and I think the GT3 lights are just fine also). But-I did think they were going to be a let down but not at all. From every angle the car looks great. It is shorter than My Porsche, I believe, but it is wide. Has a great stance and presence though.
Second- the car is heavy though. Something like 4200 lbs. It does not drive/feel that heavy but hopping back in my GT3 made my GT3 feel like a feather. But the engine has more than enough power to move that weight
Third- Damping on the car is fantastic. Has Sport, Sport plus, and Track. All nicely tuned. Steering is also very good. Not as good as the GT3 but pretty good. Maybe a little on the heavy side but it works well for the car
Fourth-The Engine is darn good for a Turbo. Slight lag but the transmission does not help it. It does not have a dual clutch so it can be snappy and combined with the Turbo it actually makes it feel like it has more lag than it really does. But- it pulls like a freight train in every gear and from any speed. I would sy it could be faster than my GT3 but hard to tell because the powere comes on so differently. The exhaust needs more help but this car did not have the Sport exhaust that they offer so that should help. It does have some artificial fart programmed in which I am not a huge fan of.
Over all I am a fan. It is more of a "touring" type of car but it works. Not a replacement for a GT3 but if one had the means and room it would make for a nice addition. No doubt it is a head turner for sure. I would certainly take it over a Mercedes GTS/R but that is because I just do not like the Mercedes styling and do not track. I told the Guy when they come out with the Vantage S with a Manual in a few years to call me. By then i may be sick of my GT3. But - one day I will own an Vantage.
