996TT for sale/what next?

[Grant]

After 3 1/2 years of loving the 996TT I am being tempted into something else. The Turbo is such a very hard car to replace I'm still not 100% sure, but the looks and craftmanship of the AMV8 are stunning, so I have a deal on the table.
I have popped my car into the clubs on line classifieds but will probably trade it as the easier option, BUT I am having sleepless nights wondering why I am even thinking about making the move! New GT3 was the no1 choice, but a years wait, the new 997TT will be fantastic, but over a year wait & too similar in looks to the 996. So it may be Aston here we come, talk me out of it!!!
The joys of being a car nut!!!!!

 

[Chris5150]

If you can afford it why not drive the Aston for a year & put your name down for a 997TT...after a year in the Aston you will fall in back in love with an old friend when your 997TT turns up...have a Porsche out year!!why not

 

[Rotorhead]

I saw the AMV8 at the Geneva motor show earlier this month (having gone to check out the new GT3).

Astons aren't really my taste, but I was very impressed and arranged a test drive at my local AM dealership. It really does look stunning and I thought the interior was superb. The ride and handling appear to have been set up to suit UK roads and the performance is more than adequate, but not exceptional. Overall it looked and felt far more 'special' than any of its German competitors and it's much more tasteful than a Ferrari or Maserati.

I've been invited to a test day at Millbrook, but I have a few reservations.
1. I'm waiting for the first 997GT3 road test reviews
2. I still think a standard 997 or 997S is better value, has better dynamics and the 2+2 configuration
3. The AMV8 is still very new with a few minor niggles. I reckon that, by next year, it will be better developed, further improved and even more attractive.

 

[Guest]

AMV8 is not the same performance, a Vanquish would be closer but is serious money.
I'd miss the shove in the back.
I have heard a few comments about reliability of the AM's. I'm not convinced it would be perform as well as the Porsche for everyday usage.

The reason the 996TT has been so successful is that there is no real alternative.

If I was to replace it, I would struggle.
I am not sure what Audi's coupe efforts will be like, but I think it is still some way off.

 

[Grant]

Thanks guys.

Oliver: I am with you on the new GT3, providing the suspension is more road orientated (which the PASM spec suggests it will be) it is going to be a stunner, but my dealer is quoting a year+ for deliver. I can get an AMV8 now & although they aren't quite as good as a 997S in the "together" department, the looks & detailing are simply fantastic. It is a car that would give me great pleasure to clean, look at & own as well as drive, the image is also better than Pork.
My idea was to put an order in for the 997GT3 & then run the AM for a year. The only thing that is causing me to pause is the depreciation issue.

Stuart: I agree with you about the Turbo I still love it, but have driven her daily for over 3 1/2 years now, so simply want a change, I just thought that the Aston would be something totally different, there is no doubt a Turbo will leave it for dead on the twisty stuff, but the sound, feel & LOOKS are fabulous...for a change. But I'm still not sure, value they are not!!!

 

[sniper]

Stay away from the Aston AMV8 - too "soft" a car in my opinion, and not that quick in comparison to a 996TT. Will no doubt hold it's value well though.

What about a

1)Lamborghini Gallardo - high running costs mind.

2) BMW M5 perhaps

3) Audi RS4 or S6

4) Bentley GT to be different?

5) DB9

 

[Rotorhead]

See if your AM dealer can get you on one of their 'test drive plus' events at Millbrook, where you spend a 1/2 day with a professional (race) driver. That should confirm how good the new AMV8 really is. And, from my brief experience, I reckon it will be pretty impressive, and it certainly isn't 'soft'.

With a German management team (ex-Porsche) and Ford ownership, AM are determined to make the AMV8 a real challenge to the 997. And, in most respects they are very close. But in terms of the aura of quality, detail and exclusivity, I think they way are ahead.

By contrast, I really did not like the Vanquish or DB9. Both reminded me of the big, heavy, 'old school' Astons.

I think there is a GT3 item in next week's Autocar and the first driving impressions follow in early April.

 

[Guest]

Endorse all that Oliver has said here. I went to Geneva as well and also test drove an AMV8 subsequently. And ordered one. (I currently have a GT3 Mk1) Interested to hear that you can get one straight away. I was quoted minimum 12 months delivery (which suits me better). I'd say it's definitely worth looking at some of the threads on the AMOC site, however. There are quite a few scary stories at the moment, including a 0 miles new car requiring a new engine before delivery(!). As for alternatives suggested, IMHO:

Lamborghini Gallardo - fantastic, but suppose you're stuck in traffic and you catch sight of your reflection in a shop window. What's your instant thought? 'Cool car' or 'Midlife crisis?' I think you have to be Italian.
BMW M5 - a triumph of electronics over physics. It's too big and too ugly.
Audi RS4 or S6 - saw one the other day and very impressive. Cooler, certainly, than a M3 or M5.
Bentley GT - footballer's car.
DB9 - dressed up Jaguar. You must play golf.

I can't thnk of any others!

 

[lee fulford]

Gusto....Think you summed it up perfectly.

Use to like the Bentley for the first 6 months of it's life....but without wishing to be a snob you do tend to see a few unsavoury characters driving them lately.

Simply speaking there is no comparable car to any 911.

 

[Grant]

Thanks guys for your input, I really am finding this hard, stupid it's only a chunk of metal, but we all tend to bond with our Pork!!
The Turbo just hasn't got a direct competitor which is why it is so hard to replace, but as two of you have agreed the AMV8 is a stunning looking car, that has a"special" feel & is still very good to drive, although ultimately not as "together" as a 997S, it would be something different where as another Porsche would be very similar. Trouble is I have had various forms of Pork for many years, so am having sleepless nights, must be mad!

 

[Guest]

Why don't you consider what is actually important then.

1. Exclusivity
2. Number of seats
3. Performance (0-60, 0-100, top speed)
4. Running costs
5. Main usage (road, track, occaisional, fun)
6. Reliability.
7. Depreciation

Then consider what might meet those criteria.
This way you might turn up something less obvious, or convince yourself that there is no point changing.

The alternative would be to find another hobby to spend cash on, so that the road car is not the only focal point.
E.g. get a quad bike, or snowmobile, sports boat, cart, track car, or something different to go fast on.

 

[MikeO]

There seem to be a few poor reliability stories about the AMV8. Heard on another forum about someone who Aston has bought his car back off him for full price cos it was so bad.
Also remember when the DB9 came out that it broke down on every TV programme that tested it.

 

[Grant]

ORIGINAL: MikeO

There seem to be a few poor reliability stories about the AMV8. Heard on another forum about someone who Aston has bought his car back off him for full price cos it was so bad.
Also remember when the DB9 came out that it broke down on every TV programme that tested it.

Yes but at least an AMV8 will still look fantastic broken down on your drive.
Joking aside I hear what you are saying Mike, but think build is far better than it used to be, but that is one reason why Porsche have a hold on the market, generally they will take all that you throw at them!

 

[ashtrans]

My pal speced a new AMV8 a few months ago and I went with him for the factory tour, my impression after the visit was they undoubtedly look very nice but the build quality and design were poor compared to porsches, for 80K I expect them to work perfectly every day I was not convinced they would.

Although to be fair my pal has been thrashing it for about 6 weeks now and it hasn't broken down yet but I recon it won't be long, his last TVR was towed into the dealer 9 times in 6 months !

Dave

 

[pvernham]

But after the TVR, Aston reliability would probably be a big positive move.

It's almost certain to be the opposite going from a Porsche.

 

[Guest]

after a TVR I should think a Trabant would be a positive move...
Does anyone know what happened to the 'TVR centre' at Chiswick. One day it was there, the next it wasn't. Is this symptomatic of the company as a whole?

 

[Rotorhead]

TVR is a cottage industry.

Porsche is the pinnacle of Teutonic efficiency.

Aston Martin are chasing Porsche. I don't like the DB9 or the Vanquish, but the AMV8 is in a different league and it delivers in a lot of areas where Porsche's products don't.

 

[Guest]

Quite agree. Teutonic efficiency would never allow for a glass 'Engine Start' button. It's completely pointless. But very very cool.

 

[Grant]

Still can't decide what to do about the AMV8, I still think it is stunning to look at, in the meantime have bitten the bullet & put a deposit on the new 997GT3, may just wait & see what the expected delivery times will before before jumping!!!

 

[tallmat]

ORIGINAL: gusto

after a TVR I should think a Trabant would be a positive move...
Does anyone know what happened to the 'TVR centre' at Chiswick. One day it was there, the next it wasn't. Is this symptomatic of the company as a whole?

Landord took it back after refusing to accept rubels for the rent....

Client of mine bought AM V8 and he adores it. Not a track day car but what a noise and you can't deny it's a looker. He traded in a year old 997 partly because (here in London at least) there are so many 996s and 997s (which only the dedicated can tell apart), whereas the Aston does stand out.