Auto box in the 4.7 Vantage is awful. Even if you learn to live with it it's a bad compromise.

Vantage S on the other hand...

 

Just get a manual. I love V8 Vantages...

 

I love mine...'10 Vantage w/sport package manual tranny

No issues at all, interior is fantastic. Took it to the track at Mosport, had a blast. Added RSC cats and exhaust and sounds magnificent. Quality is great. Looks are killer...

No, it's not a 911 and really is not an accurate comparison. The Vantage V8 is a GT, they are different tools. I've owned a few Boxster's and 911's and my experience with them was also first rate, also tracked both.

The Vantage is sweet and I have no inkling to get out of it yet after two seasons, not bored with it yet at all!

 

I have had a 4.3 and now the V12. Before, a number of Porsches including 2 TT's one of which was modified to 600HP. I have had other exotics, AMG's and M series BMW's. So at the end of the day, I can say that the AM's are no less reliable or expensive to own. I have similar issues with all of them. My 996TT had a spoiler failure, My CLS55 had a sunroof problem and the AM's seem to have gas lids that stick from time to time. The Lambo of all of the exotics went to the shop the most with electronic problems and e-gear issues. It's interesting because my wife's Audi A6 went to lemon law because of problems as well. So may be shared technology isn't always a good thing. In many ways, the Astons offer a blend of features between looks, style and performance. There is no doubt that Porsche offers a less expensive car that is capable of out tracking it's AM counter-part. It won't out class it in style or looks and there will be tens of thousands of them. Choosing any of these cars comes down to how you will drive them and the other things that the car has to offer. The AM sounds great and the interior is comfortable and pleasing. Porsche has really stepped up their game with the 991. It is better looking and the interior is improved as well. So it is more compelling, but there will still be 20 variants and a million of them.

 

could not have written it better my self!
I´m always asked by friends & aquantances who drive very different brands how I would compare my car (M3E92) to a Porsche or to a R8 i.e.
They´re always trying to compare two absolutely different concepts?
The point is: You buy what you want to buy because it´s your taste & choice. You have to want your purchase & enjoy it for what it is. Every company has it´s own philosophy. So if you´re going to compare do so in a range of other GT´s.

 

If you do TT, make sure you do the GT2 unassisted clutch system upgrade.

The TT clutch is softer than dog excrement, just ask Bonehead.

 

Go for the 4.7L & Manual gearbox. The 4.3L is a bit underpowered.

 

^^^ +1

 

the 4.7 was introduced in 09? along with the addition of the ecu glass key?

 

Correct, Aston Martin made these changes to the V8 Vantage in May 2008 for MY09.