Really confused now.......V8 vs 997S
Discussion
I know they are very different - I own them both and the V8 has been for sale - I have a deposit on it for a good price (it is *fully* loaded after all) I took it back on Sunday for a bit of a last huzzar and took it up to Nottingham yesterday - once it is wound up it is actually very fast - just getting there is not quick.
It definitely feels short on power and an prodrive upgrade / supercharger could probably address that.
Tight corners the Aston initially understeers and once settled oversteers, which is slow, but controllable and therefore fun vs fast and good tight cornering in the 997S which is also fun.
Having people stop you at every petrol station and traffic light never ceases to amaze and delight.
The 997S is my business wheels because of reliability and anonymity (at least in the South East) - so which should I ditch and get a runaround (for example a RR Diesel Sport to get about and carry stuff) Until 2 dsays ago it was a done deal and the Aston was going but having thrashed it and had fun even at 0mph - which is the better value for my life? Rather than answers perhaps questions about what is important to me would be more pertinent? I dunno, really - I love them both for different reasons and know them well enough to know they are not comparable - they are sooooooo different......
Help!!!!
It definitely feels short on power and an prodrive upgrade / supercharger could probably address that.
Tight corners the Aston initially understeers and once settled oversteers, which is slow, but controllable and therefore fun vs fast and good tight cornering in the 997S which is also fun.
Having people stop you at every petrol station and traffic light never ceases to amaze and delight.
The 997S is my business wheels because of reliability and anonymity (at least in the South East) - so which should I ditch and get a runaround (for example a RR Diesel Sport to get about and carry stuff) Until 2 dsays ago it was a done deal and the Aston was going but having thrashed it and had fun even at 0mph - which is the better value for my life? Rather than answers perhaps questions about what is important to me would be more pertinent? I dunno, really - I love them both for different reasons and know them well enough to know they are not comparable - they are sooooooo different......
Help!!!!
Been through this one myself. If you're getting a RR Diesel Sport - I run an X5Msport Diesel - which will do all mundane journeys very comfortably (and suprising quickly) then I'd ditch both and get something a little more 'different' as to me both the Porsche and the Aston are too close to being 'every day' cars. Don't know what your budget is but if you ditch both an F430 would do the trick or failing that a 360? The F430 is MUCH faster and Much more special than the 997S or Vantage IMHO but will still do a 3,000 mile continental holiday with ease and comfort.
Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 22 April 19:11
cheers pugsey
I see 997 as everyday car and I don't mind turning up at customers in it - V8 is not an everyday car IMO.
Budget is not an issue as it is which one to give up in return for something more practical - but the porsche can do two duties - the aston only one - aston is as pr everyone on here would agree - big status, big fun, porsche is subdued even if it is faster and "blokier"
If you mean a 430/360 could replace the V8 then it is a separate decision having binned the 997........
Damn this is hard.............
I see 997 as everyday car and I don't mind turning up at customers in it - V8 is not an everyday car IMO.
Budget is not an issue as it is which one to give up in return for something more practical - but the porsche can do two duties - the aston only one - aston is as pr everyone on here would agree - big status, big fun, porsche is subdued even if it is faster and "blokier"
If you mean a 430/360 could replace the V8 then it is a separate decision having binned the 997........
Damn this is hard.............
it can trail brake into roundabouts much faster than a v8
it can get small rug-rats in the back
it can not break if you leave it out in the snow
it can turn up at customers and not put their back up (less at least)
it can pull hard out of corners and not wait for 6k revs
it can make you excited about driving it other than it's noise / image
but it can't
stop an entire high street at the blip of a throttle
engage the whole world in conversation at the petrol pump
be the car anyone has always wanted
not knocking either car they are just so different
it can get small rug-rats in the back
it can not break if you leave it out in the snow
it can turn up at customers and not put their back up (less at least)
it can pull hard out of corners and not wait for 6k revs
it can make you excited about driving it other than it's noise / image
but it can't
stop an entire high street at the blip of a throttle
engage the whole world in conversation at the petrol pump
be the car anyone has always wanted
not knocking either car they are just so different
chumley-warner said:
cheers pugsey
I see 997 as everyday car and I don't mind turning up at customers in it - V8 is not an everyday car IMO.
Budget is not an issue as it is which one to give up in return for something more practical - but the porsche can do two duties - the aston only one - aston is as pr everyone on here would agree - big status, big fun, porsche is subdued even if it is faster and "blokier"
If you mean a 430/360 could replace the V8 then it is a separate decision having binned the 997........
Damn this is hard.............
Hard isn't it! But fun.I see 997 as everyday car and I don't mind turning up at customers in it - V8 is not an everyday car IMO.
Budget is not an issue as it is which one to give up in return for something more practical - but the porsche can do two duties - the aston only one - aston is as pr everyone on here would agree - big status, big fun, porsche is subdued even if it is faster and "blokier"
If you mean a 430/360 could replace the V8 then it is a separate decision having binned the 997........
Damn this is hard.............
What I'm saying is forget the 997 or (IMO) the V8 being everyday cars. For you why do they need to be - you'll have a RR for that so why make this a consideration at all? You can now choose something entirely with the heart. Ditch both Porsche AND Aston and get something more exciting - F430 or similar. God man I'm trying to rationalise your fleet and save you money here!
For me one of the beauties of running an X5 is that it matters not one jot what other cars I buy. If I suddenly fancy a Caterham or Cobra that's cool. Which is why I'd never go back to something with a practical biase like the 997 or V8 - unless I happened to love it for other reasons of course.
Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 23 April 09:56
I have taken 2 years to get used to my V8 over my last 911, I actually find the V8 slightly better to drive now I have learnt how to drive aroud the 'issues'
"it can trail brake into roundabouts much faster than a v8" - really? I found the V8 very good at this too, although if you trail brake too much on track the brakes doo start to complain.
"it can get small rug-rats in the back" - agreed (and drunk bigger friends!)
"it can not break if you leave it out in the snow" - mine V8 was very good in the snow in scotland this year, I found the 911 rubbish in the snow as not having any front end grip caused issues with steering and braking.
"it can turn up at customers and not put their back up (less at least)" - suppose that depends on the customers!
"it can pull hard out of corners and not wait for 6k revs" - but I find the V8 you can get on the power earlier in the corner so when you are exiting the V8 is at 6 rpm no issues
"it can make you excited about driving it other than it's noise / image" - I often take the V8 out for a hammering where no-one can see me, with the fantastic stereo on, and it makes me very excited, like driving a big caterham
"it can trail brake into roundabouts much faster than a v8" - really? I found the V8 very good at this too, although if you trail brake too much on track the brakes doo start to complain.
"it can get small rug-rats in the back" - agreed (and drunk bigger friends!)
"it can not break if you leave it out in the snow" - mine V8 was very good in the snow in scotland this year, I found the 911 rubbish in the snow as not having any front end grip caused issues with steering and braking.
"it can turn up at customers and not put their back up (less at least)" - suppose that depends on the customers!
"it can pull hard out of corners and not wait for 6k revs" - but I find the V8 you can get on the power earlier in the corner so when you are exiting the V8 is at 6 rpm no issues
"it can make you excited about driving it other than it's noise / image" - I often take the V8 out for a hammering where no-one can see me, with the fantastic stereo on, and it makes me very excited, like driving a big caterham
Edited by sadlerj on Wednesday 23 April 10:07
Not going to get involved in the good natured 'what each car can do' battle above. BUT, Sadlerj - if you really can get back on the power earlier in the V8 either you ain't driving the 997 properly or you know something we don't! Getting it's power down early (very early) is one of the 997's great strengths and also the key to driving a 997 quickly. The Aston isn't bad at this at all but in common with most rear wheel drive/front engined cars - irrespective of weight distribution etc - it still has an element of "wait for it, wait for it" when it comes to applying the power. All at the ultimate limits of course which won't be quite so noticable on road but still enough of a difference for the Porsche to score in this area. Mind you, nothing wrong with a bit of RWD tail end friskiness IMO! After all fun on the road isn't about lap times is it.
Getting it's power down early (very early) is one of the 997's great strengths and also the key to driving a 997 quickly. The Aston isn't bad at this at all but in common with most rear wheel drive/front engined cars - irrespective of weight distribution etc - it still has an element of "wait for it, wait for it" when it comes to applying the power. All at the ultimate limits of course which won't be quite so noticable on road but still enough of a difference for the Porsche to score in this area. Mind you, nothing wrong with a bit of RWD tail end friskiness IMO! After all fun on the road isn't about lap times is it. Maybe its a bottle thing, I have confidence in nailing V8 the earlier in the corner and catching the tail if/when I am a little early, but in the 911 I always found myself waiting for the second nod from the front end to assure me the back was hooked up, (I have a few old 964/993 ghosts in my closet!).
Having a 997 and a V8 makes you a very lucky man, I have to make do with a deisel estate for the second car...although I am now getting a 535D M-Sport wich really did suprise me on the test drive.
Having a 997 and a V8 makes you a very lucky man, I have to make do with a deisel estate for the second car...although I am now getting a 535D M-Sport wich really did suprise me on the test drive.
Edited by sadlerj on Wednesday 23 April 11:16
sadlerj said:
Maybe its a bottle thing, I have confidence in nailing V8 the earlier in the corner and catching the tail if/when I am a little early, but in the 911 I always found myself waiting for the second nod from the front end to assure me the back was hooked up, (I have a few old 964/993 ghosts in my closet!).
Having a 997 and a V8 makes you a very lucky man, I have to make do with a deisel estate for the second car...although I am now getting a 535D M-Sport wich really did suprise me on the test drive.
Yep - I reckon it's the ghosts of those 964s and 993s affecting your confidence. Turn a 997 in early using the rear to steer the front then power EARLY and rather than going suddenly like RWD the back kind of 'smears' across the road. Mind you if you find yourself picking hedge out of your teeth don't say it was my fault!Having a 997 and a V8 makes you a very lucky man, I have to make do with a deisel estate for the second car...although I am now getting a 535D M-Sport wich really did suprise me on the test drive.
Edited by sadlerj on Wednesday 23 April 11:16
BTW the 535D M-Sport will be great. I've just got the X5D M-Sport (although whether an 'M' should ever be attached to any 4x4 is questionable I guess) and the motor is awesome with more torque than an M5. DMS will find you another 80bhp for a few quid too! Enjoy.
Lots of VERY embarrassed/confused 'hot' hatches round my way at the moment...... Pugsey said:
Hard isn't it! But fun.
What I'm saying is forget the 997 or (IMO) the V8 being everyday cars. For you why do they need to be - you'll have a RR for that so why make this a consideration at all? You can now choose something entirely with the heart. Ditch both Porsche AND Aston and get something more exciting - F430 or similar. God man I'm trying to rationalise your fleet and save you money here!
you sound like a mate of mine - the Aston is still definitely the dream car (I genuinely prefer it over the more expensive models) - which is why it was the weekend car - I'm just used to using the 997 as a shopping trolley in the best sense of the word.What I'm saying is forget the 997 or (IMO) the V8 being everyday cars. For you why do they need to be - you'll have a RR for that so why make this a consideration at all? You can now choose something entirely with the heart. Ditch both Porsche AND Aston and get something more exciting - F430 or similar. God man I'm trying to rationalise your fleet and save you money here!
I still stand by every statement I made - not looking for an argument though.
Ditch Porsche, upgrade power (supercharger or prodrive) and possibly suspension too and get a cheaper shopping trolley.
Pugsey said:
BTW the 535D M-Sport will be great. I've just got the X5D M-Sport (although whether an 'M' should ever be attached to any 4x4 is questionable I guess) and the motor is awesome with more torque than an M5. DMS will find you another 80bhp for a few quid too! Enjoy. Lots of VERY embarrassed/confused 'hot' hatches round my way at the moment......
Similar idea to a chipped RR / Sport plenty fast enough. I did have a a new Cayenne S for a week last week and it was so composed at strong motorway speeds I was staggered - I figure the RR / X5 would be pretty similar. Lots of VERY embarrassed/confused 'hot' hatches round my way at the moment...... I have had a go in the 535M and it was very quick - but I like the high up airline seats, turbo diesel power (the cayenne was doing about 14mpg and the pay at pump at tesco would only get 2/3rds of a tank of fuel - felt like I was living there) and practicality.
C-W
What i think i would do if i were in such a privileged position is to ditch both and if the budget accommodated, purchase an Aston Martin DB7 Zagato, it may not 'drive' as well as the others mentioned but it's an incredibly special car and depreciation would not really be an issue. Plus they are certain to stop the whole world at the traffic lights!
My confusion has been settled! Bought a Vantage last week and am picking it up this Friday!
OK so it's not as fast as my 997 Turbo BUT its so much more of an occasion. On the test drive we must have seen at least 10 Porsches - 911's, Boxsters and Cayennes. How many Astons? 0
Just hope it's a good-un! Porsche reliabilty has been outstanding - just a bit too teutonic? And dare I say 'boring'?
Needed a change as well!
G
OK so it's not as fast as my 997 Turbo BUT its so much more of an occasion. On the test drive we must have seen at least 10 Porsches - 911's, Boxsters and Cayennes. How many Astons? 0
Just hope it's a good-un! Porsche reliabilty has been outstanding - just a bit too teutonic? And dare I say 'boring'?
Needed a change as well!
G
I sold a 997S to buy a Vantage V8 - you can see a thread on here about this from September 2007.
All the main bits are on this, but the thing I notice is you get treated a lot better in the Aston on the road. I have been blasting along and had trafpol pull along side in the Aston and just have they wave down - telling me to slow down. I am sure I would have been pulled over in the 911. And people like Aston Martins. I am a pretty crap driver so I never get near the limits of what the cars can actually do but I just get a warm fuzzy glow washing over me when I get in the Aston which I never got in the 911.
Good luck and happy driving!
All the main bits are on this, but the thing I notice is you get treated a lot better in the Aston on the road. I have been blasting along and had trafpol pull along side in the Aston and just have they wave down - telling me to slow down. I am sure I would have been pulled over in the 911. And people like Aston Martins. I am a pretty crap driver so I never get near the limits of what the cars can actually do but I just get a warm fuzzy glow washing over me when I get in the Aston which I never got in the 911.
Good luck and happy driving!
Hi, just an outsider looking in,
I have driven both the AM V8 and 911s.
The 911 is the quicker through the twisties IMO.
The 911 is a special car it's just that the market is saturated with them so they don't turn heads like they used to.
The Aston has more presence as it is prettier and a rarer sight...for now.
I owned a new 911 Turbo for about a year and I got maybe two or three admirers stop to talk over that period.
I bought a Noble M400 and I literally got two or three people a day stopping me asking questions, camera phones on the motorway etc,etc.
So in essence so long as your not driving a pig ugly motor and its not as common as a 911 you'll get some attention.
Unless you buy a F430 then everybody hates you.
F.C.
I have driven both the AM V8 and 911s.
The 911 is the quicker through the twisties IMO.
The 911 is a special car it's just that the market is saturated with them so they don't turn heads like they used to.
The Aston has more presence as it is prettier and a rarer sight...for now.
I owned a new 911 Turbo for about a year and I got maybe two or three admirers stop to talk over that period.
I bought a Noble M400 and I literally got two or three people a day stopping me asking questions, camera phones on the motorway etc,etc.
So in essence so long as your not driving a pig ugly motor and its not as common as a 911 you'll get some attention.
Unless you buy a F430 then everybody hates you.
F.C.
F.C. said:
Hi, just an outsider looking in,
I have driven both the AM V8 and 911s.
The 911 is the quicker through the twisties IMO.
The 911 is a special car it's just that the market is saturated with them so they don't turn heads like they used to.
The Aston has more presence as it is prettier and a rarer sight...for now.
I owned a new 911 Turbo for about a year and I got maybe two or three admirers stop to talk over that period.
I bought a Noble M400 and I literally got two or three people a day stopping me asking questions, camera phones on the motorway etc,etc.
So in essence so long as your not driving a pig ugly motor and its not as common as a 911 you'll get some attention.
Unless you buy a F430 then everybody hates you.
F.C.
I have to agree with all of that - I'm sure pugsey will tell you how great the 430 is to drive though having owned all three - I have never driven nor really been able to afford the fezza though......I have driven both the AM V8 and 911s.
The 911 is the quicker through the twisties IMO.
The 911 is a special car it's just that the market is saturated with them so they don't turn heads like they used to.
The Aston has more presence as it is prettier and a rarer sight...for now.
I owned a new 911 Turbo for about a year and I got maybe two or three admirers stop to talk over that period.
I bought a Noble M400 and I literally got two or three people a day stopping me asking questions, camera phones on the motorway etc,etc.
So in essence so long as your not driving a pig ugly motor and its not as common as a 911 you'll get some attention.
Unless you buy a F430 then everybody hates you.
F.C.
chumley-warner said:
F.C. said:
Hi, just an outsider looking in,
I have driven both the AM V8 and 911s.
The 911 is the quicker through the twisties IMO.
The 911 is a special car it's just that the market is saturated with them so they don't turn heads like they used to.
The Aston has more presence as it is prettier and a rarer sight...for now.
I owned a new 911 Turbo for about a year and I got maybe two or three admirers stop to talk over that period.
I bought a Noble M400 and I literally got two or three people a day stopping me asking questions, camera phones on the motorway etc,etc.
So in essence so long as your not driving a pig ugly motor and its not as common as a 911 you'll get some attention.
Unless you buy a F430 then everybody hates you.
F.C.
I have to agree with all of that - I'm sure pugsey will tell you how great the 430 is to drive though having owned all three - I have never driven nor really been able to afford the fezza though......I have driven both the AM V8 and 911s.
The 911 is the quicker through the twisties IMO.
The 911 is a special car it's just that the market is saturated with them so they don't turn heads like they used to.
The Aston has more presence as it is prettier and a rarer sight...for now.
I owned a new 911 Turbo for about a year and I got maybe two or three admirers stop to talk over that period.
I bought a Noble M400 and I literally got two or three people a day stopping me asking questions, camera phones on the motorway etc,etc.
So in essence so long as your not driving a pig ugly motor and its not as common as a 911 you'll get some attention.
Unless you buy a F430 then everybody hates you.
F.C.
Though comparing them is pointless as they are poles apart in terms of status / quality.
Having said that there are a few rough edges on the F430.
I'm just biding my time for the new Noble to arrive, things look like they're moving again at the factory so if the deposit holders test drives were anything to go by it should be one really amazing car.
F.C.
F.C. said:
Hi, just an outsider looking in,
I have driven both the AM V8 and 911s.
The 911 is the quicker through the twisties IMO.
The 911 is a special car it's just that the market is saturated with them so they don't turn heads like they used to.
The Aston has more presence as it is prettier and a rarer sight...for now.
I owned a new 911 Turbo for about a year and I got maybe two or three admirers stop to talk over that period.
I bought a Noble M400 and I literally got two or three people a day stopping me asking questions, camera phones on the motorway etc,etc.
So in essence so long as your not driving a pig ugly motor and its not as common as a 911 you'll get some attention.
Unless you buy a F430 then everybody hates you.
F.C.
Agree with some of that - although not all!I have driven both the AM V8 and 911s.
The 911 is the quicker through the twisties IMO.
The 911 is a special car it's just that the market is saturated with them so they don't turn heads like they used to.
The Aston has more presence as it is prettier and a rarer sight...for now.
I owned a new 911 Turbo for about a year and I got maybe two or three admirers stop to talk over that period.
I bought a Noble M400 and I literally got two or three people a day stopping me asking questions, camera phones on the motorway etc,etc.
So in essence so long as your not driving a pig ugly motor and its not as common as a 911 you'll get some attention.
Unless you buy a F430 then everybody hates you.
F.C.
Certainly only ever had very positive reactions/attention when in my AMV8.
997S just seemed to slip under everyone's radar - no bad thing sometimes! No adverse reactions though.
997GT3 attracted a bit more attention than the S - but primarily from real Petrolheads.
BUT, real suprise to me was the F430. Only EVER had positive experiences. People would come up and ask to take pics., ask me to cane it and give me the thumbs up when I did, etc etc etc. I have NEVER had a car that got so much - or such positive - attention.(See PS!) I was very suprised as it wasn't what I was expecting but I can only say that was my experience.
The 997S is a very different driving experience to the AM. Point to point there is very little in it - the AM will make it's driver sweat occassionally and so will the 997, they'll just do it on different bits of the same road. The 997 is the tiniest shade quicker BUT only if it's pilot knows how to make a 911 dance. Even in it's latest incarnation the 911's handling can spook some people.
In reality the F430 is of course on another planet by virtually any measurable criterior to both the 997S and AMV8. Quite apart from being MUCH faster - grunt, grip, handling, brakes, you name it, it can also be thrown around like a toy - almost Caterhamesque with it's systems set to the right settings and put into and retrieved from the most amazing angles. A truly amazing car IMO.
PS. Oh, with the exception of both my - considerably cheaper (and slower!) ClioV6s!!
Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 27th May 20:39
Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 27th May 20:44
Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 27th May 20:47
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff