Porsche 997S to Aston???.
Discussion
Thinking of making a move to the dark side, love the looks and sound of Astons, but yet to drive one (test drive booked).
My question is are they involving as a drivers car? I love the Porker but fancy a change, just not ready for a smoothie GT yet. Anyone else made the move from 997 to V8?
My question is are they involving as a drivers car? I love the Porker but fancy a change, just not ready for a smoothie GT yet. Anyone else made the move from 997 to V8?
Porkernut said:
My question is are they involving as a drivers car? I love the Porker but fancy a change, just not ready for a smoothie GT yet. Anyone else made the move from 997 to V8?
It's a different sort of drive. I had a 997 C2S. The 4.3 V8 is a very well balanced car, easy to drive at speed. If you think of the world of the 911, you have the regular models, the GT3, GT2 and turbo. The Vantage world is 4.3 V8, N400, 4.7, N420, 4.7S, V12V. You also have sportspacks available and you can get aftermarket official upgrades and Prodrive upgrades as well as unoffical work.Don't know your budget, so not sure which of the above are appropriate but I suggest that you try and drive a few of the variants and see what suits you. Comparing a V12V to a 4.3V8 is like comparing a C2S to a GT2 - you have a very big gulf in performance and experience.
Drive a few and see what fits! Oh, and photos when you buy one :-)
I'm close. Went from a Gen 2 Cayman S to an N400. Observations:
1. Vantage not as clinical, more involving but can feel a little sluggish in comparison with the tantage chassis not as sweet and dynamically focussed
2. Vantage feels better to drive, more purposeful
3. The sound, oh my god the sound
4. Vantage is a much prettier car
5. Have to drive the Porker at 95% to make it interesting
6. Hard/impossible to heel/toe the Vantage. Porsche was the easiest car I have driven to H/T
7. Aston Martin beats Porsche in name, image, attention. politeness. The Vantage is a gentleman thug's car, but doesn't get the bad press or crappy driver reaction
8. Fuel consumption on the Vantage is criminal compared to the Boxer engines in modern Porsches
Unless you drive the 997 on the ragged edge the Vantage is a better car all round, more space, better looks, more theatre, cooler image. More smiles. Vantage is cheaper than you think to run/insure and depreciate. I looked at 997 GT3s before getting the Vantage and I though the AM was a better all-round package.
1. Vantage not as clinical, more involving but can feel a little sluggish in comparison with the tantage chassis not as sweet and dynamically focussed
2. Vantage feels better to drive, more purposeful
3. The sound, oh my god the sound
4. Vantage is a much prettier car
5. Have to drive the Porker at 95% to make it interesting
6. Hard/impossible to heel/toe the Vantage. Porsche was the easiest car I have driven to H/T
7. Aston Martin beats Porsche in name, image, attention. politeness. The Vantage is a gentleman thug's car, but doesn't get the bad press or crappy driver reaction
8. Fuel consumption on the Vantage is criminal compared to the Boxer engines in modern Porsches
Unless you drive the 997 on the ragged edge the Vantage is a better car all round, more space, better looks, more theatre, cooler image. More smiles. Vantage is cheaper than you think to run/insure and depreciate. I looked at 997 GT3s before getting the Vantage and I though the AM was a better all-round package.
Porkernut said:
Thanks, some great answers, can't wait for the test drive.
Any major things/upgrades/stuff to look out for?
Yeah, the V12V, and it's awesome.Any major things/upgrades/stuff to look out for?
Add to the list above point 9 - servicing regimes are different. You will not get away with the Porsche servicing regime on a Vantage.
Agree with the comment that it's not as expensive as you would think for insurance, running, servicing inter alia.
Porkernut said:
Thanks, some great answers, can't wait for the test drive.
Don'r be supprised if you come away a little underwhelmed with the power deliver of the 4.3. I moved from Boxster S 3.4 which was a tad quicker than a normal Boxster S (3.4) and the Aston lacked initial punch. I would suspect your 997 CS would be even better 
In fact the first AM V8V 4.3 I drove was pants and naerly put me off altogether. Hower the secon car was Much better and I went ahead with the deal.
My point is its a different delivery and try ang get a extended test drive and explore the power delivery. From a handling point of view the car in some ways feels more planted and the brakes brilliant (I suspect my Boxter brakes were in need of some work though)
Sports pack option would be a must to sharpen the car up to 997 standards, factory or Prodrive upgrade (20bhp) if available on the cars you're looking at. Then the sky is the limit on upgrades beyond this. Might be worth buying a cheap, leggy one than handing it to Bamford Rose to make it a refreshed rocket-ship.
Can you stretch to a 4.7 Vantage or does budget dictate 4.3?
Can you stretch to a 4.7 Vantage or does budget dictate 4.3?
yeti said:
Sports pack option would be a must to sharpen the car up to 997 standards, factory or Prodrive upgrade (20bhp) if available on the cars you're looking at. Then the sky is the limit on upgrades beyond this. Might be worth buying a cheap, leggy one than handing it to Bamford Rose to make it a refreshed rocket-ship.
Can you stretch to a 4.7 Vantage or does budget dictate 4.3?
All what he said! Can you stretch to a 4.7 Vantage or does budget dictate 4.3?
I would be looking at Prodrive or 4.7 if you don't want to come away disappointed by performance compared to your 911.
Never got on with my Carrera S. Just didn't get used to the lack of weight over the front and understeer. PASM is a must have them on though; a big improvement. I also got tired of the 911 being practically as common as a Mondeo and BMW drivers sitting on my arse.
Never got on with my Carrera S. Just didn't get used to the lack of weight over the front and understeer. PASM is a must have them on though; a big improvement. I also got tired of the 911 being practically as common as a Mondeo and BMW drivers sitting on my arse.
I went from 997S to 4.7 V8V Sportpack (albeit via an RS4).
As said above the Vanatage is more involving to drive unless you're caning it. Certainly feels quicker in a straight line as well. Looks,sound,interior,reaction of other drivers all way better in the Aston. It's got so much more character as well, which to many is probably the clincher between Porsche and Aston.
Must admit I always liked the super-compact dimensions of the Porsche, and the servicing schedule's better on the Porker too. But go drive the Aston, and I reckon your mind will quickly be made up - one way or the other!
I guess I should add I've still got the RS4, and like that more than the 997S as well! 95% of the performance with fantastic bad-weather handling and great practicality. A unique car.
As said above the Vanatage is more involving to drive unless you're caning it. Certainly feels quicker in a straight line as well. Looks,sound,interior,reaction of other drivers all way better in the Aston. It's got so much more character as well, which to many is probably the clincher between Porsche and Aston.
Must admit I always liked the super-compact dimensions of the Porsche, and the servicing schedule's better on the Porker too. But go drive the Aston, and I reckon your mind will quickly be made up - one way or the other!
I guess I should add I've still got the RS4, and like that more than the 997S as well! 95% of the performance with fantastic bad-weather handling and great practicality. A unique car.
I had a 997 c4s cabrio from new in 2006 for exactly one year.
It was faultless. Absolutely 100% reliability in the period I had it.
I changed it on impulse for a black Vantage with black leather and red calipers. Got rid of it after 6 months after it kept on breaking down. 9 times!! in 6 months. Always the same electrical/battery problems. It was always seen to under warranty but the dealer could never rectify it,and because I bought it privately, I had to get rid of it.
I then drove a black Alfa spider 3.2 on contract hire. Again it was perfect hassle free motoring for 2 years.
Last summer I decided to go and buy another V8 Vantage, but this time I bought it used from a main dealer with a warranty.I know you will be shocked to read this but after 7 months and 16,yes 16!!! breakdowns(mostly electrical and engine management problems) and after countless excuses, the dealer finally replaced it for another one.
But only after I got customer services in Gaydon involved and I threatened to tell my story to the motoring media.
So now I'm on my third V8 Vantage. In 4 months it has been back to the dealer 3 times and only last month I had a gear/clutch problem...a complete new clutch assembly was replaced under warranty.
So,..in reply to your open question...if you want a fast, reliable, amazing handling, solidly built car then go for the Porsche 997s , but you cannot beat that million dollar feeling you get in the Aston, and despite all the troubles I've had, the V8 Vantage along with the Aston Martin badge is still my dream car.
Happy driving..Shuabe
It was faultless. Absolutely 100% reliability in the period I had it.
I changed it on impulse for a black Vantage with black leather and red calipers. Got rid of it after 6 months after it kept on breaking down. 9 times!! in 6 months. Always the same electrical/battery problems. It was always seen to under warranty but the dealer could never rectify it,and because I bought it privately, I had to get rid of it.
I then drove a black Alfa spider 3.2 on contract hire. Again it was perfect hassle free motoring for 2 years.
Last summer I decided to go and buy another V8 Vantage, but this time I bought it used from a main dealer with a warranty.I know you will be shocked to read this but after 7 months and 16,yes 16!!! breakdowns(mostly electrical and engine management problems) and after countless excuses, the dealer finally replaced it for another one.
But only after I got customer services in Gaydon involved and I threatened to tell my story to the motoring media.
So now I'm on my third V8 Vantage. In 4 months it has been back to the dealer 3 times and only last month I had a gear/clutch problem...a complete new clutch assembly was replaced under warranty.
So,..in reply to your open question...if you want a fast, reliable, amazing handling, solidly built car then go for the Porsche 997s , but you cannot beat that million dollar feeling you get in the Aston, and despite all the troubles I've had, the V8 Vantage along with the Aston Martin badge is still my dream car.
Happy driving..Shuabe
current owner of a 997C2s and previous owner of a v8 vantage.
the v8 has alot of feel good factor involved when drving it. 'look at me' sort of stuff.
when you dwell into real world ownership the 997 trumps it in many departments.
i've just serviced my 997 for £350 and now its not due for another 2 yrs, average fuel consumption 27+mpg which is far better than an aston. i would prefer to cover more miles in the 997 over the aston. the aston never seemed that well dampered to me. the 997 is the easier car to drive which may not always be a good thing. the interior of an early v8 vantage never impressed apart from the speedo cluster.
if you test drove both over 30 mins i'm sure you'd buy the aston.
in a straight line i guess there wouldn't be much in it. the aston has the more mechanical gearchange which only seems to slow down your progress. For me the 997 feels to have more usable power/torque.
but you still can't get away from how the aston looks and sounds.
enjoy the decision process
the v8 has alot of feel good factor involved when drving it. 'look at me' sort of stuff.
when you dwell into real world ownership the 997 trumps it in many departments.
i've just serviced my 997 for £350 and now its not due for another 2 yrs, average fuel consumption 27+mpg which is far better than an aston. i would prefer to cover more miles in the 997 over the aston. the aston never seemed that well dampered to me. the 997 is the easier car to drive which may not always be a good thing. the interior of an early v8 vantage never impressed apart from the speedo cluster.
if you test drove both over 30 mins i'm sure you'd buy the aston.
in a straight line i guess there wouldn't be much in it. the aston has the more mechanical gearchange which only seems to slow down your progress. For me the 997 feels to have more usable power/torque.
but you still can't get away from how the aston looks and sounds.
enjoy the decision process
Porsche is a Seiko watch.
Aston is an Omega or Rolex.
From a purely objective point of view the Porsche will always offer more for the money (just like the Seiko). The Aston delivers more on an emotional level, as you can see from the above posts. However that's still very important if you're going to spend lots of money on a car and it's the area German cars tend to under deliver (because they don't think it's terribly important and it's very hard to measure). However it's an area Aston Martin absolutely nails.
I would ignore the horror stories. There are horror stories around about 911s too. At some point some car has been a nightmare. You're more likely to have a few issues with an Aston than a Porsche but neither can guarantee no issues and it's also perfectly possible to have a faultless Aston.
I've never driven an Aston Martin that didn't have at least hint of GT about it, even the V12 Vantage I'm lucky enough to own. It's Aston's 'sportiest' car but it's still a great GT car. I don't think AM know how to make a stripped out 'road racer' it's just not in their DNA. Fast, luxurious, beautiful road cars are what they do, and for the road that's a great thing. This whole 'quasi racer' thing is a bit of a marketing gimmick and for me it's refreshing that Aston just try and make good road cars first and foremost. A real racer makes for a truly awful road car and not particularly fast on real roads either for that matter.
And by the way buying an Aston is coming back to the light. Of the two, Porsche is definitely the dark side!
Aston is an Omega or Rolex.
From a purely objective point of view the Porsche will always offer more for the money (just like the Seiko). The Aston delivers more on an emotional level, as you can see from the above posts. However that's still very important if you're going to spend lots of money on a car and it's the area German cars tend to under deliver (because they don't think it's terribly important and it's very hard to measure). However it's an area Aston Martin absolutely nails.
I would ignore the horror stories. There are horror stories around about 911s too. At some point some car has been a nightmare. You're more likely to have a few issues with an Aston than a Porsche but neither can guarantee no issues and it's also perfectly possible to have a faultless Aston.
I've never driven an Aston Martin that didn't have at least hint of GT about it, even the V12 Vantage I'm lucky enough to own. It's Aston's 'sportiest' car but it's still a great GT car. I don't think AM know how to make a stripped out 'road racer' it's just not in their DNA. Fast, luxurious, beautiful road cars are what they do, and for the road that's a great thing. This whole 'quasi racer' thing is a bit of a marketing gimmick and for me it's refreshing that Aston just try and make good road cars first and foremost. A real racer makes for a truly awful road car and not particularly fast on real roads either for that matter.
And by the way buying an Aston is coming back to the light. Of the two, Porsche is definitely the dark side!
I made the step too, had a 997S tiptronic for a year and now have a V8 Vantage sportshift, 4.3 2007 plate.
Where the Aston is superior:
1. Image.
2. Feel good factor
3. Looks
4. Noise
5. Admiring glances (and no abuse, UK road users and pedestrians seem to universally love Aston Martins)
Where the 997S is better:
1. Pace (admitedly the 4.7 may be much better)
2. Handling
3. Useability - I never felt uncomfortable parking the 997 in places, but I do in the Aston
4. Running costs, 997 you get 22-23mpg, 16-17 in the Aston. Service costs are also much less.
All in all, both excellent cars, but very different. If I were buying as a daily driver Id get a 997, for a weekend car, Aston.
I am actually thinking of going back to Porsche, 997 Turbo.
Where the Aston is superior:
1. Image.
2. Feel good factor
3. Looks
4. Noise
5. Admiring glances (and no abuse, UK road users and pedestrians seem to universally love Aston Martins)
Where the 997S is better:
1. Pace (admitedly the 4.7 may be much better)
2. Handling
3. Useability - I never felt uncomfortable parking the 997 in places, but I do in the Aston
4. Running costs, 997 you get 22-23mpg, 16-17 in the Aston. Service costs are also much less.
All in all, both excellent cars, but very different. If I were buying as a daily driver Id get a 997, for a weekend car, Aston.
I am actually thinking of going back to Porsche, 997 Turbo.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff