Mk2 Jaguar vs DB5 Aston Martin
Discussion
Has anyone driven a Mk2 Jaguar and DB4/5 Aston Martin and if so how do they compare as a drivers cars? I had a DB5 back in the 80's it felt like driving a fast lorry, lovely in many other respects but driving dynamics weren't the best.
Not driven a MK2 or 340 but very similar in size so expect may have similar characteristics. From videos I feel the Mk2 may well be the better drivers car?
Not driven a MK2 or 340 but very similar in size so expect may have similar characteristics. From videos I feel the Mk2 may well be the better drivers car?
nigeleyre said:
Has anyone driven a Mk2 Jaguar and DB4/5 Aston Martin and if so how do they compare as a drivers cars? I had a DB5 back in the 80's it felt like driving a fast lorry, lovely in many other respects but driving dynamics weren't the best.
Not driven a MK2 or 340 but very similar in size so expect may have similar characteristics. From videos I feel the Mk2 may well be the better drivers car?
Ha! Not just me then! Having come from a 1963 Mercedes W111, I thought an Aston was like a breadvan.Not driven a MK2 or 340 but very similar in size so expect may have similar characteristics. From videos I feel the Mk2 may well be the better drivers car?
The Mk2 is a much more relaxing drive, light on the controls with PAS etc. Typically as you'd expect from something aimed at the Americans, who, for all their faults, produce beautifully 'waft-able' cars.
I never imagined I'd be able to offer anything of value to a discussion about such cars, but bizarrely I (almost) can...
I have owned a Daimler V8 250, which I know isn't a MkII but is the same, chassis-wise. It felt neat on the road, although the PAS lacked feel (they didn't all have it). Ride was good, brakes very good and it felt very "together", even when driven reasonably quickly on country roads. The V8 was the bank manager's spec though, so the bank robber's MkII (especially with manual & overdrive) would likely feel more sporty.
While I haven't had the pleasure of a DB5, I have driven a 1958 DB 2/4 MkIII. I can confirm it's in a different league to the MkII / V8 250 in terms of sporting feel on the road. No PAS, so more feel to the steering, and felt almost modern, which was a surprise given its age. Again, brakes were very confidence-inspiring. Actually felt more like a usable everyday car than the V8 did, although partly that may have been because it was smaller. I suspect a DB5 may lose that "dinkiness" but would be a lot quicker.
But, what a great problem to have: choosing between these two...
I have owned a Daimler V8 250, which I know isn't a MkII but is the same, chassis-wise. It felt neat on the road, although the PAS lacked feel (they didn't all have it). Ride was good, brakes very good and it felt very "together", even when driven reasonably quickly on country roads. The V8 was the bank manager's spec though, so the bank robber's MkII (especially with manual & overdrive) would likely feel more sporty.
While I haven't had the pleasure of a DB5, I have driven a 1958 DB 2/4 MkIII. I can confirm it's in a different league to the MkII / V8 250 in terms of sporting feel on the road. No PAS, so more feel to the steering, and felt almost modern, which was a surprise given its age. Again, brakes were very confidence-inspiring. Actually felt more like a usable everyday car than the V8 did, although partly that may have been because it was smaller. I suspect a DB5 may lose that "dinkiness" but would be a lot quicker.
But, what a great problem to have: choosing between these two...
A few years ago I did a classic track day and drove a MkII 3.4 manual and a DB5. I preferred the MkII, neither had power steering and the DB5 just felt heavy, not vert agile and not especially quick. The MkII was equally heavy but hid it a lot better, felt much more agile and just "flowed" better on the circuit. It did corner on its doorhandles though, the DB5 had a lot less roll.
Adding few weasel words, I only got 5 laps per car, so a fairly limited experience. If I had to choose I wouldn't have either, as the D type (replica) was sublime......
Adding few weasel words, I only got 5 laps per car, so a fairly limited experience. If I had to choose I wouldn't have either, as the D type (replica) was sublime......
I owned a DB4 Series 5 (which I wish I had never sold), I have driven, but not owned a MK2. I found the Aston pretty quick, a bit tail happy however the limiting factor was the pxss poor brakes, I could never go beyond the speed at which I felt comfortable stopping from. The Mk2, which as a friends car I never pushed too hard, I found it had a lot of body roll and better brakes. Performance wise, assuming you were not a stickler for originality, either could be suitable modified to address performance short comings but as to choice between the two, DB4 gets my vote without a shadow of doubt.
Interesting to see the different opinions here, they are both great cars.
My father has a DB6 Vantage Volante running a fully rebuilt 4.2l on the Weber carbs and an early Jaguar 3.8 MK2 with the Moss box. I have driven both extensively over the years and for me I enjoy driving the Mk2 much more. The Aston feels bigger, heavier and doesn't handle as well. The engine pulls very well but it doesn't feel much faster than the Jag. The ZF box is better than the Moss one but I do enjoy the challenge of trying to master the Moss box.
The Aston feels more of a GT car whereas the Jaguar feels more sporting. So to me the Mk2 is the much more useable and fun car to drive, and the one I always pick to take out.
My father has a DB6 Vantage Volante running a fully rebuilt 4.2l on the Weber carbs and an early Jaguar 3.8 MK2 with the Moss box. I have driven both extensively over the years and for me I enjoy driving the Mk2 much more. The Aston feels bigger, heavier and doesn't handle as well. The engine pulls very well but it doesn't feel much faster than the Jag. The ZF box is better than the Moss one but I do enjoy the challenge of trying to master the Moss box.
The Aston feels more of a GT car whereas the Jaguar feels more sporting. So to me the Mk2 is the much more useable and fun car to drive, and the one I always pick to take out.
given you'll need about £400-500k to buy a DB5, and only £50-60k would get a very nice Mk.2 Jag.Never driven an Aston so can't comment,
I have had five MK 2's, just fitted a modern PAS steering kit to my old man's MK 2, made a world of difference as it is a rack now instead of a box with all the old knackered drop links etc.
A moss box is ok on the move but an all synchro is a good upgrade.
I have had five MK 2's, just fitted a modern PAS steering kit to my old man's MK 2, made a world of difference as it is a rack now instead of a box with all the old knackered drop links etc.
A moss box is ok on the move but an all synchro is a good upgrade.
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