Aston Martin vs Bentley vs Porsche
Jancik
Posts: 87MI6 Agent
Hiya all !
I am gathering materials for my dissertation work in which I would like to focus on James Bond as (global) brand.
My aim is to discuss his brands and why he chooses them, their history and present.
Since I've noticed there are some car aficionados as well, I give it a try and open a topic on the car-matter (since my knowledge and expertise on the subject is quite limited).
From what I see, Aston Martins makes the most beautiful cars ever made. The new Vanquish and DB11 are work of art. Like the Bentley GT/Speed visually as well, but not that much.
However, somehow (and that's where I need your help) the Bentley is always considered more superior. Why is that so? I have watched many-many videos, read many-many articles, but somehow I don't understand. Also never heard of anyone using his Bentley GT as for example Dough DeMuro, who uses his AS as an everyday car and recently did a 6,000+ miles tour across the USA with it (no breaking down). I am not trying to argue over AS's superiority. What I am interested in is an a genuine opinion and/or point of view on the matter on these two.
About the Porsche - it is not a Bond car and never liked them, never was interested in them. Up until the point where I first saw the Boxster 2000's-ish. Really fell in love with it. My question on them is regarding its quality. From every video/test/article I read in Porsche in general they where considered superior to any other contender and always being highly praised.
I've seen there are quite some Porsche owners here, I am interested in what you are saying, what makes the brand so appealing (to you) and is their quality really one of the bests? (Really thinking about buying a 2.7l Boxster in the future).
Many thanks for your help :-)
I am gathering materials for my dissertation work in which I would like to focus on James Bond as (global) brand.
My aim is to discuss his brands and why he chooses them, their history and present.
Since I've noticed there are some car aficionados as well, I give it a try and open a topic on the car-matter (since my knowledge and expertise on the subject is quite limited).
From what I see, Aston Martins makes the most beautiful cars ever made. The new Vanquish and DB11 are work of art. Like the Bentley GT/Speed visually as well, but not that much.
However, somehow (and that's where I need your help) the Bentley is always considered more superior. Why is that so? I have watched many-many videos, read many-many articles, but somehow I don't understand. Also never heard of anyone using his Bentley GT as for example Dough DeMuro, who uses his AS as an everyday car and recently did a 6,000+ miles tour across the USA with it (no breaking down). I am not trying to argue over AS's superiority. What I am interested in is an a genuine opinion and/or point of view on the matter on these two.
About the Porsche - it is not a Bond car and never liked them, never was interested in them. Up until the point where I first saw the Boxster 2000's-ish. Really fell in love with it. My question on them is regarding its quality. From every video/test/article I read in Porsche in general they where considered superior to any other contender and always being highly praised.
I've seen there are quite some Porsche owners here, I am interested in what you are saying, what makes the brand so appealing (to you) and is their quality really one of the bests? (Really thinking about buying a 2.7l Boxster in the future).
Many thanks for your help :-)
Comments
10,000 words, 2 days, 4hrs sleep, 16ltrs of Asda energy drink.
Result: D.... but it was a pass
Conclusion: the brands mirror each other.
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.org
... and yet you've managed to do it with a single brand -{
Would you mind sharing it?
That was easy. Having said that, Porsche produce a very popular, good reliable sports car which is excellent build quality, fast, good handling and usable daily. Despite pricing, I wouldn't put it in the same premium band as Aston Msrtin. It's too popular. Maybe a victim of its own success.
Bentley and Aston Martin are premium brands but very different vehicles. The Aston Martins are more sports car orientated (even the DB9, DB11, which are seen as Grand Tourers) but not as focused a sports car as say a Ferrari or Lamborghini.
I certainly would never describe a Bentley as superior to Aston Martin, it's purely a Grand Tourer. And in the UK at least it has the image of being a footballers car. Not a good image.
For example, I had a BMW Z4 convertible, because I wanted the open air roadster experience...
Then I had the Porsche cayman, because I wanted the racecar, hug the corners feel...
Not sure what experience I crave next, but you can bet it will determine the choice.
Very reliable and safe car.
However, like The Mantis, I'm thinking about changing to another brand...
Various TV motoring programmes, so here goes .....
Porsche, is a sports car you can use every day, very reliable
Bentley, unfortunately is now seen by many as a " footballer's" car which
Has hurt their image, slightly.
Aston Martin, still has loads of credibility as a sports car, and somehow
Is untainted by the " Footballer's" car syndrome ( even though, many are bought
By footballer's )
The first car that caught my attention and was the Z3. Then I saw the Boxster 2000-ish and fell completely left in awe. I would like to use it as an everyday car and taking it to long road-trips. Having read your comment I assume Porsches are not fragile types, apart from - let's say - Ferraris. How about the "fragility" of AM or Bentley? Could the withstand the pressure? I have seen some 10-11 years old going for considerably cheap prices and low mileage. I wonder if it has to do with the previously mentioned issue.
David, being a Bond fan, weren't you never tempted of owning an Aston? Or have you driven some, which left you unimpressed?
I've been in or driven models from each marque but never owned one except a db7. Ive driven a boxster, cayenne and a 911 turbo. Been a passenger in a continental and driven a db9 and a dbs. Astons have always been my favourite cars the Bentley was a lovely place to be and has a certain air about it but just isn't my sort of thing. My friends cayenne I borrowed for a while was problematic, from the door mirror glass falling out when I shut the door to the heater fan sounding like a grasshoppers party to massive gearbox problems. I drove the db9 and dbs on driving days and had no complaints, I like a traditional gt car styling and I've also been a long term fan of a certain Italian marque and drive one of their practical gt's
Aren't they good daily drivers? Or is it the fact it would drop its residual value?
I am sure there are more of us who would be thrilled to see a vlog you having the car with initial thoughts at some point :-)
If it's not an open Question I apologise for butting in.
First of all, if buying one of those new, be prepared to take a massive hit financially over the first 4 years.
If you are buying used, be prepared for some very expensive repairs. Maintanance cost will be outrageous on a Bentley and AM and even Porsches are very costly compared to "normal cars" like BMWs or Audis.
As an example, you'll need around 8 litres of oil on a Porsche compared to 3 liters for a VW Golf.
When you are thinking about getting a mid-engined Porsche (imo better than the 911), you are a bit too late.
Cayman and Boxsters are now 4 cylinder Turbos and demand for the "old" flat 6 engined cars has increased, so pricing is very high in the last 2 years. On the other hand, you lose very little money with a flat six Cayman or Boxster compared to the other brands.
I am personally underwhelmed by the DB11 design, others may have a different opinion.
Bentleys are really heavy cars and due to that it needs bigger axles, stronger suspension, larger brakes, calippers, even wheel bolts - rims, tires all must be heavier to cope with the higher weight and to compensate this, you need heavier engines, heavier bettaeries and due to that bigger brakes, wheels etc. so it's a spiral upwards.
In short words, you need a lot of money and alloy to cope with the higher weight and that will effect in more cost for maintenance etc.
Imo, Porsches are the very best value for money - the sound of the flat 6 is addictive and value remains stable. You can find qualified specialist independents that repair them and spare parts are accessible and relatively cheap.
When going for an AM, it's a different league but for a very high price.
I won't get a Bentley.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
In those 7 years I had no problems with the car whatsoever
Having said that, I didn't use it a lot but I know some use their Vantages daily. It's a tough, usable car, utterly stunning.
Being critical, it's old school technology. The satnav was ancient and it didn't even have iPod connection (2007 MY). Things have improved now though.
I heard it has/had to do with the fact, that Aston is a small company on its own, without the protective (financial) wings of bigger brother, like BMW for Bentley or Rolls-Royce.
Beautiful car, by the way :-)
The V8 Vantage was designed and built when Aston Martin had Ford backing and it used some bits from the Ford (and Volvo) parts bin. Because of limited R&D budgets, development of new models and new technology has been slow. But now Aston Martin are in a partnership arrangement with Mercedes Benz and will use their technology for future engines, electronics, info systems.
They do make beautiful cars but I too prefer the old DBS to the new DB11.
We can expect to see some DB10 DNA in the new Vantage in a year or two..... B-)
Heading to Glen Etive late Oct in my V8V for some Skyfall pics
DBS was a sensational car but dont "worry" about the V8V in car parks so much
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
Would you worry about leaving the car in a public parking?
I ended up parked between a Bentley Continental and a Maserati Quattroporte ! In my ten year old Nissan
Primera
A popular car for Grooms to arrive in.
Locally, you'd see a Bentley once in a blue moon, an Aston occasionally, but you'll see loads of Porsches.
Like Hinks, I too would rather have a Jag.
I've had a few sports cars as comparisons. I currently have a Porsche macan turbo, a lambo lp640 and a Ferrari testarossa, all very different cars to drive for various reasons
Testarossa -{ Being a huge Miami Vice fan it is one of the most beautiful cars for me. It ultimately defines the 80s like no other -{
Alas, apart from its cult and visual do not know much about them :-/
1. CR. 2. TSWLM. 3. LTK. 4. GF. 5. SF.
I won't get a Porsche. I know an idiot who has one.
I occasionally see an Aston Martin parked on the street in New York City, and more often I see Bentleys parked on the street. I'm not sure how I'd feel about leaving such car on the street overnight, but quite a few people do it where I live. I'd assume that they don't live there because I'm sure they can afford the 700USD a month for a garage.
I am also hearing that it's a lady car in these days
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!