Racing News: Aston Martin Vantage GT2 Tests For Le Mans

I cannot wait for this to race along side with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR and Ferrari F430 GT cars.

Don't know much about the racing version above the every Aston that they test fail to match its competitors. Seems like they are more of a grand tourer than a asphalt-tearing machine. With that said, I'd still rock on ANYDAY.

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Go Bears!

I wouldn't exactly say they "fail to match its competitors" because some have been in the fray for a long time. Corvette Racing and Pratt & Miller have been a force for a long time, which the accomplishments Aston Martin has achieved in such a relatively short time is commendable considering they haven't raced in years before the DBR9. The DBR9 in the stats department might look weak but throughout its early years were extremely close to the Corvette C5R and C6R racecars.

Then Aston Martin has been racing the N24 V8 Vantage car in the Nurburgring 24 hours for the last two years; the first year was a fantastic result and now the car is in the FIA GT3 class. I have high hopes for this brand new racecar but the GT3 RSR is still my favorite.

I'm talking about the street versions Richard. They are beautiful machines but just aren't as fast nor as nimble as other cars in the same price range. Like I said, I'm not too familiar with their racing history but I know James Bond drove one with a champagne bottle chilled in between the front seats. Now that's class

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Like Ferrari, ownership of Aston Martin extends beyond the purchasing price because both still have build quality issues.

AM is improving and their cars have better dynamics considering Prodrive is the owner of the company. I really hope to see the Vantage become a better competitor to the 911.

I don't know. The 911 has a cult following and there are people who own multiple examples of them (Jerry Seinfeld). Aside from the GT3(RS), GT2 and the Turbo, the rest of the 911 lineup aren't that competitive with other cars in the same class. I've been in many discussions with people on why people love Porsches. I guess some wants that badge, some wants others to see that badge, and a few just want that quarky set-up and the ever-so-slow evolutionary shape. I compare it to Marilyn Monroe- a classic that I just know will turn heads everywhere.

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The 911 Carrera was actually the staple for other manufacturers. It's that the higher powered variants are just that much better. I've been behind the wheel of a 'base' Carrera and its steering input and feedback is unlike anything I have drove then again I haven't driven a Ferrari, Lamborghini nor an Aston Martin but it was an exciting nonetheless.

What makes the 911 so appealling, especially in America, is its price. The cost of a 911 Carrera in North America can get you a Cayman S in Europe. There are other reasons like you mention but price is positioned well... for what it is.

I've driven many 911s in the late '80s (include the famous 4-speed 911 Turbo- what a rush!) and it took a while to get used to- from the way the pedals are positioned to the engine noise in the back. But, I understand its appeal and it's been the target for other manufacturers (Nissan's GTR was built to challenge the 911 Turbo). I don't know if you've been on the Porsche website but I've been there (too many times) "building" my own Carrera 2S. If you want painted Porsche crest on the wheels, it's $175. If you want power or leather seats, it's another couple of grand. After CAREFULLY deleting the options that I don't need (but would be happy to have) such as power seats, navi, full leather, etc. etc., I still ended up with a car with about $10K in options. Would I get it when ready? Absolutely. It sucks that Porsche and BMW are nickel and diming their customers but I guess that's the price you have to pay to put that endless grin on your face.

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Options is what kills the entry price for these cars. There are a few options that I prefer but they are expensive such as the $8,000+ carbon ceramic brake options. I am not too keen on the Sports Chrono package... I think the laptimer is a bit tacky. I have two issues with North American Porsche cars; certain equipment is not available for our market; and all of our performance models have sunroofs while the rest of the world does not. The bucket seats for the GT3 are the same as the Carrera GT but is not an option for us. The GT3 comes with the additional weight of the sunroof package because Porsche never tested a Carrera model without a sunroof during the NHTS crash tests... so pretty much ever Carrera and variants have a sunroof because of this. Lame.