Three legendary sports car brands from three different countries, with different purposes and completely противоположни характери. These are the Ferrari 360 Spider, Porsche 911 (997) Carrera and Aston Martin DB9.
What do they have in common?
All three belong to that category of dream cars from the past decade. Some are more attainable, like the Carrera, which started at around €82,000 when new. Others, like the DB9, are far less accessible, with prices exceeding €150,000.
But that’s not what this is about.
I’m not going to talk about running costs, practicality or reliability. I had limited time on track, and I chose to focus entirely on what these cars feel like.
Porsche 911
I’ll start with the most recognisable name in the sports car world. A model with over 50 years of history, constantly evolving. In this case, however, we are dealing with a Carrera from the 997 generation.
Under the rear sits a 3.6-litre flat-six producing 325 hp and 370 Nm, sent to the rear wheels through a rather old-school five-speed automatic gearbox. Thanks to the Tiptronic, 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.5 seconds. Let’s be honest, that’s no longer impressive for this class.
Still, numbers don’t always define the experience.
I open the door and “drop” into the seat of the car I’ve admired since childhood. Finding a comfortable position takes no time at all. Visibility is surprisingly good in all directions, and I feel like I’m sitting slightly higher than expected.
Interestingly, nothing inside screams “pure sports car”. Except maybe the lack of door pockets, which felt odd.
This particular car is a UK version, so the key goes on the right side of the steering column, removing one of the typical 911 quirks.
I start the engine and set off. The steering is not heavy at all, comparable to a modern BMW with hydraulic assistance. Pulling away is smooth and easy… until I floor the throttle.
Then the Porsche wakes up.
It surges forward with surprising eagerness, accompanied by that unmistakable flat-six sound. Throttle response is instant, which feels fantastic, especially after arriving at the track in a 1.25-litre Fiesta.
Gear changes via the steering wheel buttons are not particularly intuitive, and there is a slight delay before anything happens. The shifts themselves are smooth, but the system feels out of place in this car.
On track, the 911 feels neutral. It is hard to believe the engine sits behind the rear axle. Porsche has clearly mastered this layout. I expected something more нервно, but instead the car feels composed and confidence-inspiring.
What impressed me most were the brakes. Slightly firm, but incredibly powerful and effective. I had heard the legends, and they are true.
Overall, the 911 feels like a very complete car. I can easily imagine using it daily. But somehow… it feels a bit sterile. As a childhood hero, I expected a bit more character.
Maybe the older 993 or 964 would suit me better.
Aston Martin DB9
Not many people remember, but back in the mid-90s in Bulgaria there was a magazine called Auto Svyat, essentially a translated version of Auto Bild.
I still remember seeing the Aston Martin DB7 there for the first time. I probably didn’t understand much back then, but the elegance of that car left a lasting impression. It even played a role in my decision years later to study automotive engineering in England.
The DB9 is its successor, and it carries that same elegance.
It is a classic grand tourer. Fast, powerful, comfortable and designed for long journeys. Unfortunately, my time with it was limited to the track, which is not really its natural environment.
The interior appeals to me more than the one in the 911. It feels special. Instead of plastic, you are greeted by wood and metal. It simply feels more appropriate for a car like this.
The downside is the seating position. I struggled to find a truly comfortable setup, and visibility is not great.
On track, I switch the six-speed automatic into manual mode and use the paddles. With 470 hp and 600 Nm, the DB9 should reach 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds.
I didn’t quite feel that.
The V12 engine, despite its huge 5.9-litre displacement, builds revs slowly and does not encourage aggressive driving. It behaves exactly like a grand tourer should.
I like the characteristic Aston Martin sound. It brings back memories from hours spent playing Need for Speed. I also appreciate the comfort.
But the brakes are disappointing, especially after the Porsche. And in corners, the car feels less stable, with the rear giving the impression it might step out if pushed too far.
The DB9 is exactly what I expected. It has its own character and feels different. I suspect I would appreciate it much more on public roads than on a track.
Ferrari 360 Spider
Finally, a classic sports car with a mid-mounted V8, rear-wheel drive and one of the most iconic badges in the automotive world.
Ferrari is inseparable from motorsport, and it shows.
The 360 arrived in 1999 as a replacement for the F355. Back then, I didn’t find it particularly beautiful, and my opinion hasn’t changed much. Visually, it’s not my favourite Ferrari, nor is the F430. Thankfully, things improved with the 458 Italia.
Out of the three cars here, the 360 looks the most focused. It also looks the least suitable for everyday use.
The engine is a 3.6-litre V8 producing 400 hp at 8,500 rpm and 373 Nm. Power goes to the rear wheels through a six-speed electrohydraulic manual gearbox.
0 to 100 km/h takes 4.6 seconds.
Inside, there are no surprises. The cabin is simple, covered in leather, and entirely focused on driving.
The seating position is excellent. Time to go.
Unlike the other two cars, here you need to be careful with the throttle at low speeds. Otherwise, the car becomes jerky. But low speeds are not the point.
I floor the throttle.
Acceleration is sharp, immediate and accompanied by that unmistakable Ferrari sound. The kind you recognise from streets away. Inside the car, it’s even better.
The gearbox is slow, unrefined and kicks between shifts. And I absolutely love it. At least on a track.
The handling is slightly nervous but secure. The 360 encourages you to drive faster than the other two. It gave me the most confidence to push harder, and at the same time, the most excitement.
Maybe my expectations were lower, but Ferrari proved exactly why it holds such a reputation.
Conclusion
There isn’t much to think about.
Out of the three cars, the Ferrari 360 Spider was the most impressive in terms of driving experience. Everything about it on track felt right.
The 911 and DB9 behaved more like refined, almost normal cars. The Ferrari felt completely different.
And when you’re on a track, looking for excitement, that’s exactly what matters.
Eng. Tsvetan Iliev
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