997 Carrera S what car next????

[Kiergrills]

Hey Guys

Small bit of advise needed, I will change my Carrera S in the next few months value around 35,000- 40,000 Euro and add around another 15,000-20,000 to the pot.





Of course in the running would be R8 V8 (V10 too expensive for now), a 2009- 2010 GTR, Merc C63 AMG, Aston Martin Vantage 4.3 v8 any other suggestions for me?? It can be a two seat or four not really bothered but would of course like something for a bit of fun. I am leaning towards the R8 or the Aston as I have the Supercharged RS4 for a good blast and I need something with a bit of luxury to keep the missus happy because she wont drive the RS anymore. Any good or bad points about the suggested cars above would also be appreciated.

[S4Player]

If your after luxury then the Aston, driving pleasure the r8. The gtr with just a few grand spent on it leaves literally everything for dead but as for luxury it's not really that great plus it makes a lot of shakes and rattles, you can hear the diff's and gearbox really working

[HYFR]

^^ good summary.

just go R8 V10, remap it to 580PS and then you have the best of all worlds.

a mapped V10 R8 will keep up with a midly tuned GTR ... clearly GTR's can go tuning crazy for no much money, but if thats your thing, then thats your thing.

[Kiergrills]

Thanks for the input guys!

S4Player
I am just back from a test drive in a 2010 GTR and my f**k is it fast. S4player you are bang on just to many rattles and lack of visual quality for me(or the missus).

DK
I would love to get a V10 but I plan on keeping the APR RS4 as a project and the V10 is just a little to far out of my budget for now, the max I can spend this time around will be around the 60,000 euro mark (Unfortunately). But of course this is my goal that is why I am leaning towards the R8 V8 and then when I do manage to change over to the V10 it shouldn't come as such a shock or maybe she wont even notice .

I will try and organize a test drive in the Aston Martin next but with my budget I am not getting the version I want (4.7 Vantage S) and I am worried that I will get sick of the power to quickly with the 4.3. Has any one got experience driving an Aston? And are they really worth the extra over a Porsche 997? I must say I find it hard to pick just going on looks they are both beautiful cars!

[S4Player]

I would say you've answered your own question then go Aston martin. My own 2010 gtr is running 650r package plus suspension and brake mods and it's stupidly quick BUT its for sale as its awful as a daily. Your rs4 I'd be hounding apr for the bigger blower upgrade its just set a new world record in its testing phase

[Kiergrills]

I would say you've answered your own question then go Aston martin. My own 2010 gtr is running 650r package plus suspension and brake mods and it's stupidly quick BUT its for sale as its awful as a daily. Your rs4 I'd be hounding apr for the bigger blower upgrade its just set a new world record in its testing phase

Didn't know you had a GTR nice!
Yea I must drive an Aston to see what they are all about never had the opportunity to drive one and have only seen them parked up on garage forecourts and I do like the look. Interesting that nobody is even suggesting the R8 v8. Regarding the APR upgrade I am still fighting with them but man they really are not fast with the exchange of information. My tuning guy is fighting my corner for me so I am kinda taking a back seat for the moment and trying not to loose the plot with the lack of feedback from them. Do you have a link for "this blower upgrade its just set a new world record in its testing phase" ?

Thanks again

[S4Player]

Check the b7 section on here. They just ran a 10.6@130mph pass with their rs4 and 1740supercharger upgrade

[adsgreen]

Astons' are a different proposition to something like an R8.
The 4.3 is simply woeful - I really really wouldn't bother looking at one as you'll just walk away shaking your head.
The 4.7 is a much better car and the power is more balanced... but even then this is seriously "old school" tech and you may still find it wanting. It's not as sharp, precise or "sporty" as some of the other suggestions however you could easily use it every day (bar the fuel costs which are worse than the rs4) and you will get noticed which is more the point of the car. You can't help but smile when you catch a reflection in a Shop window or something. That's what the aston is about. It's tue also what Clarkson says... there really is something odd (in a good way) about when your wife says "we need to go to the shops" and you reply "shall we take the aston?".

Always comes back to what you are looking for (and budget). If you want something that is fast then the gtr is pretty much untouchable at this price bracket.
Bit of a curve ball but worth looking at an Evora S as they have a reasonable bit of go (same as an R8 v8 and way way faster than aston), usuable everyday but different enough to be special... And I would say a better driving "feel" car than Porsche, audi and gtr. If you want to forgo the luxury then the Exige V6 is frankly bonkers.

[Graeme4130]

If agree entirely with Adsgreen about the Aston, you'll be bitterly disappointed if you're looking for anything that remotely resembles a 'driving experience'. Sure, it's an occasion to drive one, but you'll constantly be wanting more power, better turn in and bits of trim that don't rattle or fall off
I've a good mate who put a lot of cash into a recent V8 Vantage, and it's an utter bag. It's been back to the dealers 4 or 5 times in the first year and a bit and my RS4 can leave it for dead in most situations. It depreciating quicker than he's paying it off and the factory are arguing every warranty issue.

However, if you want the cool image that goes with driving the same brand of car as James Bond, then an Aston is for you, and he only ever gets positive comments on it.

Try a C63, it's a great sounding hooligans car and if you can sell of a kidney, child or the ice to step up to a V10 R8, thorn it's a great car
Have you considered a 997turbo or an early 997 GT3 ?

[adsgreen]

And the dials are annoying in the Aston. Dials go clockwise! End of!

[Rick_RS4]

wouldnt go jap, the gtr looks a beast but the interior is made from old washing machines and the maintenance costs are too high.
astons are poor too, they are a posh ford, really not a fan and the wheel choice is baaaaad. and are a bit late mid life crisis
id go r8 v10 allllllllll day long,

anything will be better than the interior on a porsche and the tag its labelled with so you cant loose

[S4Player]

Gtr hasn't cost me a penny more in maintenance than my b7 did so imo that bits bollocks. Gtr owners don't follow the 6 month service interval pish they recommend, read the forums. I've had mines since april spent a few quid on it love it but I'd have my b7 back every day of week. Sure the gtr is quicker with new age tech but pure pleasure that b7 made me laugh. The 997 turbo shout is a very good 1 but for your budget I think its the tip tronic gearbox not the PDK and that PDK is a work of art. Map a 997 gen 2 and your 650/750r gtr's don't have a look in. Weird hearing the Aston comments always loved them never drove one, kind of put me off slightly

[adsgreen]

Don't get me wrong - Aston is fine and a nice car... But even the V8V is more a GT than a sports car. it makes you smile when you start it up an the noise out if the box (esp with fuse 22 removed) is really nice.
But they are showing their age - the f-type is a much better car and very un-jag like (not a bad thing) but it's still hard to get away from answering the 'what do you drive?' question... Aston martin drips brand more so than any other car.
When the new amg power plants hit the Aston range then thing may change but try defiantly have to upgrade their chassis tech too.

GTR's are nice but I found them to be too quick too easy. Quick doesn't always equate to fun. But wouldn't criticise someone for owning one - each to their own.

[drcarrera]

I used to have a 997 Carrera S and changed it for .... a B7 RS4! I had quite a few Porsches before but found the 997 experience rather anodyne. However, I also run a 4.7 Vantage. I think some of the "heresay" comments above are wide of the mark (or the marque!). I've had my Vantage for nearly three years and it's been very reliable, with no major rattles and nothing's "fallen off"! General running costs and depreciation have both been quite high, though. It's a lovely car, though - stunning exterior and very special interior, and it's this latter aspect that really sets it apart from the R8 in my opinion. Sitting in the R8 just doesn't feel as special.
A couple of points above I do agree with, though. The Aston driving experience is a bit "old school", and it is erring towards the GT side of the sports car spectrum. I got mine as a frequent use car, and it's proven very practical in this respect. Very comfortable, all the "tech" you need, and a decent size boot - which is another advantage over the R8.

I wouldn't rule out a 4.3 Vantage, though - there are plenty of after market upgrades you can get which bring the engine up to and beyond the 4.7. More of an issue for me would be the improvement of the interior and overall build quality of the later 4.7s.

Engine wise, though, regardless of which Vantage, I think the R8 wins hands down. Better sound and much more characterful. A marginally better driving experience all round, really.

IMO opinion both are streets ahead of the 997 in terms of "fun", "specialness". and character. If I was choosing between a 4.3 Vantage and an R8, I'd probably go for the R8. With the later 4.7, the decision would be much harder.

[Silverfox42]

I went from an S4 cab to a 4.3 V8 Vantage and the noise of the Aston was immense, and for a short period that contributed to it feeling faster than it was. After a year of the Aston a 'shall we go to the shops' vehicle became my wife's then BMW X5 as you could you jump in that and go, with the Aston it seemed an effort from getting it/parking/worrying it would be keyed/cleaning! The Aston interior was a lovely place to be, and a big head turner, and thankfully nothing went wrong on mine. Aston parts/servicing/repair costs are very steep, fuel consumption similar to most V8's - looking at your fleet I am sure that is not in the equation! Best bit about my Aston was the sounds - both inside and outside the car, the stereo system was awesome, but as has been mentioned, the tech was dated and that was 4 years ago. I drove a 4.7 and it was a little quicker and the engine a little more refined, but there was quite a price hike for the difference at the time.
I then moved to my RS4, and that is as comfortable, sounds almost as good and handles and goes quicker than the Aston.
Sounds like you have the RS 4 for speed, so why not go for the R8 V8 and upgrade to a V10 when budget allows?