one of the best comparison tests ive seen in a long time [Archive]

roosterjuicer

10-05-2010, 10:22 AM

911 turbo vs italia vs aston martin vs sls AMG vs r8 v10

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/10q3/2011_aston_martin_v12_vantage_vs._2010_audi_r8_5.2 _fsi_v10_2011_ferrari_458_italia_2011_mercedes-benz_sls_amg_2011_porsche_911_turbo_s-comparison_tests

The only thing missing is the zr-1. However, i still think the porsche would have won handidly.

I must say, ive never been much of a porsche fan, but i really like this new 911 turbo. Not only is it fast as hell, but it is also the least expensive car in this test!

Dino Scuderia

10-05-2010, 11:13 AM

I've driven a few Porsche's and I'm just not a Porsche guy...I'd be torn between the 458 and R8. Aston's bore me and the SLS...not a desire of mine.

Ferrer

10-05-2010, 11:25 AM

I've driven a few Porsche's and I'm just not a Porsche guy...I'd be torn between the 458 and R8. Aston's bore me and the SLS...not a desire of mine.
Exact opposite for me.

(Altough I'm not interested in a Turbo and it's not the Aston I'd really want)

NicFromLA

10-05-2010, 02:58 PM

I've driven a number of Porsche Turbos and I find them startlingly characterless; too firm to be a GT car and too distant to be a sports car. If I'm going to spend my money on a 911 with a wing it's gotta be the GT3.

I think both the SLS and the R8 are weird looking, I do however like the way the R8 Spider looks.

I'm not a fan of the little Aston's looks, and frankly I think Aston should stick to GT cars.

So in the end it's the Ferrari. But than again, isn't it always. Just don't give it to me in red.

aiasib

10-05-2010, 05:09 PM

You should make a poll option.

clutch-monkey

10-05-2010, 05:28 PM

the porsche throws the value of the rest into doubt. but then it's not always about the numbers, and i'd have the aston (merc is ugly as sin and auto, audi looks awkward), 458 close second.

Commodore GS/E

10-05-2010, 06:09 PM

roosterjuicer

10-05-2010, 07:59 PM

You should make a poll option.

done!

I went with the italia.

At the end of the day, ive never been crazy about porsches. They have looked just about the same since i was born (with minor changes of course but the overall shape is unmistakeable) and since i was a kid, ive never thought they were very good looking.

Additionally, i like NA cars. And I like Mid engined cars. And I LOVE Ferrari's.

NicFromLA

10-05-2010, 10:21 PM

SLS for me, mainly because of its glorious engine and its suprisingly good dynamics. Apart from that i like it's looks and it's long disance cruiser abilities. However, the Turbo is without a question the best car in the test.

I wouldn't call the Turbo "firm".

I've spent some time in both he 996 and 997 Turbo and I found stiff springs and short wheel base made it unpleasant for cruising on anything less than perfect roads. Maybe it's just because I don't like the way most new Porsches are set up.

Roentgen

10-05-2010, 10:56 PM

Aston or Ferrari...

Aston is just the cooler option. It's an Aston.

clutch-monkey

10-06-2010, 12:58 AM

done!

Additionally, i like NA cars.

+1 to this. much more 'precise' feel imo, can place the revs wherever, no inertia in the drivetrain/feel or whatever.

ruim20

10-06-2010, 02:44 AM

I would have gone for the SLS not knowing the Aston was the marvelous Vantage V12. Knowing that, it just gets a lot easyer, that v12 sound makes it a lot more special than the 'regular' v8, and imo i believe it to be the best sound of the test group. No, it isn't the fastest, or the lightest, for me it's what i'm looking for in a supercar, fun, manual gearbox, a great interior and an awsome engine.

NSXType-R

10-06-2010, 04:29 AM

I don't know, I'm between the Porsche and the Aston, but I like the DBS slightly more than the Vantage. The R8 I would have considered, but I think if I wanted a V10, I would have gone for the Gallardo (of course, I'm not sure how much of a price difference that is).

So Porsche for me, but honestly, I think I would have saved even more money had I gone for the GT3.

f6fhellcat13

10-06-2010, 06:22 AM

A normal GT3 is $20,000 cheaper than the Turbo and if I was feeling shameless and attention-whorey a GT3 RS can be had for exactly as much as the Turbo.

So I think I'd take one of those.

RacingManiac

10-06-2010, 06:46 AM

Went with the Turbo in the poll just because despite it probably being the least "interesting" on the 5, its hard to ignore the whole price point issue rationally....10-20K is not pocket change, and 100k is a lot of money even for someone who is shopping for a car like this...

I agree with the above though, for the same money I'd probably go with GT3RS...

Cobrafan427

10-06-2010, 11:32 AM

I put looks above every thing else when it comes to cars b/c in the real world your not going to be able to show off at 200 mph. These cars perform nearly the same anyway so that's not an issue. I chose the 458 w/ the R8 2nd, Aston 3rd, Porsche 4th and SLS 5th.

NSXType-R

10-06-2010, 03:28 PM

A normal GT3 is $20,000 cheaper than the Turbo and if I was feeling shameless and attention-whorey a GT3 RS can be had for exactly as much as the Turbo.

So I think I'd take one of those.

Went with the Turbo in the poll just because despite it probably being the least "interesting" on the 5, its hard to ignore the whole price point issue rationally....10-20K is not pocket change, and 100k is a lot of money even for someone who is shopping for a car like this...

I agree with the above though, for the same money I'd probably go with GT3RS...

I agree with you two, the GT3 looks plain livable, day to day. The RS, maybe not so much.

I like how the forum thinks though- no one picked the SLS. The doors were put there as styling cues, not as an engineering necessity.

Besides, from the rear, it looks like nothing special at all.

Commodore GS/E

10-06-2010, 05:41 PM

I have gone for the SLS because i have an irrational love for this thing. I love the engine, the front styling (the rear is really a bit deja-vu-like) and the doors :D
Another reason for this is that I'm neither a Ferrari person nor Aston Guy, while the Porsche would be my second choosing (the Audi is eliminated for being an Audi). That leaves me with the last N/A Mercedes supercar.

clutch-monkey

10-06-2010, 06:03 PM

i would daily drive a GT3RS.

f6fhellcat13

10-06-2010, 06:08 PM

I'm sure your car would try extra hard to kill you if it knew you were cheating on it with a pussified water-cooled car.

Ferrer

10-06-2010, 06:54 PM

A normal GT3 is $20,000 cheaper than the Turbo and if I was feeling shameless and attention-whorey a GT3 RS can be had for exactly as much as the Turbo.

So I think I'd take one of those.

I don't know, I'm between the Porsche and the Aston, but I like the DBS slightly more than the Vantage. The R8 I would have considered, but I think if I wanted a V10, I would have gone for the Gallardo (of course, I'm not sure how much of a price difference that is).

So Porsche for me, but honestly, I think I would have saved even more money had I gone for the GT3.
Then, I want a DB9 hardtop, with the Sports Pack and a manual in BRG.
I like how the forum thinks though- no one picked the SLS. The doors were put there as styling cues, not as an engineering necessity.

Besides, from the rear, it looks like nothing special at all.
I'm going to vote for it then...
I have gone for the SLS because i have an irrational love for this thing. I love the engine, the front styling (the rear is really a bit deja-vu-like) and the doors :D
Damn! Too late.

To be honest though I'm not interested in the car. I just need the engine.

clutch-monkey

10-06-2010, 07:15 PM

I'm sure your car would try extra hard to kill you if it knew you were cheating on it with a pussified water-cooled car.
i'll chance it!
of the cars tested, the aston is the best looking (subjective), has a 6 speed manual, V12 up front and seems to be enough of an 'event' to drive to make up for the numbers. my pick!

karabiner98k

10-07-2010, 12:12 AM

458 Italia & 911 Turbo S > SLS > R8 5.2 > Aston Martin V12 Vantage

You can compare the acceleration times of SLS, V12 Vantage, 911 Turbo S, and R8 V10 in the following test of EVO:

Roentgen

10-07-2010, 01:24 AM

458 Italia & 911 Turbo S > SLS > R8 5.2 > Aston Martin V12 Vantage

You can compare the acceleration times of SLS, V12 Vantage, 911 Turbo S, and R8 V10 in the following test of EVO:

In terms of coolness though... the Aston out-triumphs all of them.

karabiner98k

10-07-2010, 01:31 AM

In terms of coolness though... the Aston out-triumphs all of them.
For me, 458 is the coolest.

roosterjuicer

10-07-2010, 06:55 AM

For me, 458 is the coolest.

I would agree with you if it came with a manual transmission option.

(of course i still voted for it haha)

IBrake4Rainbows

10-07-2010, 07:32 AM

The SLS and R8 are ugly in this competition, so they're out.

The Aston Martin isn't really in this purely because it's too unfocused - it's a jack of all trades, but excellence is required.

The Porsche is probably no. 2 because while technically proficient and a great tool for what it does, somehow I can't get excited about it, and it's...I don't know, not exotic enough in this company? Whatever it is, it's just not stirring enough visually for me. Whatever, I'm shallow.

So I guess thats the 458, which is by a long way the prettiest, not too shabby on most other aspects, and is suitably exotic.

Ferrer

10-07-2010, 10:19 AM

I would agree with you if it came with a manual transmission option.

(of course i still voted for it haha)
Nah, it would still be uncool.

NSXType-R

10-07-2010, 04:08 PM

Then, I want a DB9 hardtop, with the Sports Pack and a manual in BRG.

I'm going to vote for it then...

Damn! Too late.

To be honest though I'm not interested in the car. I just need the engine.

Haha, isn't the DBS just a smashed DB9 anyway?

I would agree with you if it came with a manual transmission option.

(of course i still voted for it haha)

The Porsche should come with a manual too.

Ferrer

10-07-2010, 04:49 PM

Haha, isn't the DBS just a smashed DB9 anyway?
No, it's more like a tackier, ghastly DB9.

pimento

10-07-2010, 05:50 PM

It's the AM V12 Vantage, not the DBS.

crisis

10-07-2010, 10:19 PM

Aston or Ferrari...

Aston is just the cooler option. It's an Aston.Im a sucker for Astons. Ooze class. That Ferrari is however the best looking Ferrari to my eyes ever. And in the end of the day seperating these kind of cars comes down to more than top speed or how they perform on a track for the "avaerage" buyer, if there could ever be such thing. Few will ever regularly be able to exploit the last degree of awesomeness from any of them so whichever does the very best by a puffteenth of a second fades into obscurity. For me when you have just about everything else it comes down to how cool it looks and feels and in the end the Aston is the perfect blend of brutality and class.

Ferrer

10-07-2010, 11:13 PM

It's the AM V12 Vantage, not the DBS.
Which still is a mish-mash of parts from the Aston shelf...

NicFromLA

10-08-2010, 10:57 PM

Which still is a mish-mash of parts from the Aston shelf...

Say what you want, I still think the DBS is the best looking new car you can buy*.

*That's assuming you can't still buy an Alfa 8C coupe.

clutch-monkey

10-08-2010, 11:17 PM

i actually thing the V12 vantage looks a little 'cleaner' than the DBS, bar the bonnet vents, but then they both have those..

Ferrer

10-09-2010, 01:17 AM

Say what you want, I still think the DBS is the best looking new car you can buy*.

*That's assuming you can't still buy an Alfa 8C coupe.

i actually thing the V12 vantage looks a little 'cleaner' than the DBS, bar the bonnet vents, but then they both have those..
I prefer the standard, elegant and subtle DB9.

Which is one of my very favourite cars on sale today.

Commodore GS/E

10-09-2010, 07:22 AM

The DBS is overstyled for an Aston. I don't like it very much, the standard DB9 and the regular Vantage look much better. And the 1-77 is godlike.

NSXType-R

10-10-2010, 06:06 AM

The DBS is overstyled for an Aston. I don't like it very much, the standard DB9 and the regular Vantage look much better. And the 1-77 is godlike.

I disagree with the 1-77, it's so overstyled and has so many vents it looks like a boy did the design.

You can argue about its rarity, but I don't like it. :D

Commodore GS/E

10-10-2010, 04:14 PM

I disagree with the 1-77, it's so overstyled and has so many vents it looks like a boy did the design.

You can argue about its rarity, but I don't like it. :D

I like the Countach as well, that may explain it :D

P4g4nite

10-13-2010, 07:42 PM

They're all so far from reality for me and I can't really imagine being more excited to wake up owning anyone over the other.

NicFromLA

10-14-2010, 05:33 PM

I prefer the standard, elegant and subtle DB9.

Which is one of my very favourite cars on sale today.

My mother (who has very good taste) agrees with you. I just like the bulldogged out styling of the DBS, it reminds me of the way the 288 GTO is bulldogged out over the 308GTB.

Ferrer

10-14-2010, 11:22 PM

My mother (who has very good taste) agrees with you. I just like the bulldogged out styling of the DBS, it reminds me of the way the 288 GTO is bulldogged out over the 308GTB.
Yes but you see in the Ferrari case I agree with you. In fact I would say that the GTO is better looking that the 308.

The DBS though, they've gone too much over the top for my liking. And it is Aston, which means that while it may have the speed elegance and subtelty should always be part of the menu as well.

The DBS, like the V12 Vantage, is too shouty for an Aston.

pimento

10-14-2010, 11:24 PM

I kinda like the shouty Astons...

Ferrer

10-14-2010, 11:28 PM

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be upset if I had one.

But given the choice...

DesmoRob

10-14-2010, 11:29 PM

I kinda like the shouty Astons...

shouty astons do sound good, I'll give them that. Heard one in Sydney (f*** you guys have a lot of nice cars over there).
What's with the doors and how they open? I saw the guy step out of it and they swing different from anything else I've seen. Kind of up and out.

Kitdy

10-14-2010, 11:47 PM

DesmoRob

10-15-2010, 12:00 AM

Come to TO - it is decent here.

I have seen heaps of R35s here.

Been to TO and love it :D. My wife did some modeling there in 2007 so I went to see her a couple times. I felt the traffic was far lower than that of Vancouver, but maybe I was just in a quieter part of the city. I can't remember what our street was called where we stayed, but the CN tower was fairly close.
The night life there is crazy, and the place is always bustling. I saw my first R8 there.

clutch-monkey

10-15-2010, 02:48 AM

NicFromLA

10-15-2010, 02:04 PM

shouty astons do sound good, I'll give them that. Heard one in Sydney (f*** you guys have a lot of nice cars over there).
What's with the doors and how they open? I saw the guy step out of it and they swing different from anything else I've seen. Kind of up and out.

Aston Martin makes the best doors in the automotive world - hands down. The angle they open looks beautiful and is great for ingress/egress and for clearing curbs. And they hold steady at any degree of ajar but never feel overly heavy to close.

I honestly can't think of any feature common to all cars where one company for far exceeds the rest of the automotive world.

Magnum9987

10-15-2010, 02:14 PM

This was a really tough one for me. I LOVE Aston Martins, they are just beautiful cars, but they have never been the greatest performers. I've always thought of them as playboy cars.

I Love the SLS AMG. it has a great motor, it looks fantastic IMO, but again, I have to agree with Jeremy Clarkson. "If you have doors that open upwards, you will get less sex." It offers stellar straitline performance, but Mercedes' have never been known for cornering dynamics. And I feel the interior is lacking considering it is a Mercedes.

Both are brilliant, but both have their own flaws, so i voted for the Porsche 911 Turbo. It may not be a great GT car, or a purist sports car (if I wanted a Purist sports car, I'd buy the 911 GT3 RS, or the Boxster Spyder), but they have insane straitline speed, and cornering is none too shabby as well. And its the cheapest of the group.

Commodore GS/E

10-15-2010, 05:55 PM

I still want the SLS, but now in a different type. I want the GT3 version. Sounds godly, corners godly... it's only problem is it's very functional, but nevertheless HUGE rear wing. Which doesn't put it off my "want" list.

Ferrer

10-17-2010, 02:00 PM

Aston Martin makes the best doors in the automotive world - hands down. The angle they open looks beautiful and is great for ingress/egress and for clearing curbs. And they hold steady at any degree of ajar but never feel overly heavy to close.

I honestly can't think of any feature common to all cars where one company for far exceeds the rest of the automotive world.
I hate Aston's doors. Even if they are the most practical ever made.

NicFromLA

10-17-2010, 02:44 PM

I hate Aston's doors. Even if they are the most practical ever made.

Why?

I think you're starting to turn into a curmudgeon.

Ferrer

10-17-2010, 02:49 PM

They look awful to me. But of course they wouldn't be enought to make me not choose an Aston Martin.

DesmoRob

10-17-2010, 02:54 PM

I hadn't even stopped to consider that they open that way for practicality's sake (curbs and such). I just thought they wanted to be different from everyone, using an angle that hadn't been done yet, which made it come off as somewhat flamboyant. Given that its actually got a purpose though, I'll let it pass.

personally, I like my doors traditional. Everything else seems like it was made to excite young children.