Vantage vs. GranTurismo
 

http://www.quicksilverexhausts.com/b...ismo-1-big.jpg
http://www.exoticsandluxury.com/wp-c...o-interior.jpg
http://static.cargurus.com/images/si...pic-19697.jpeg
http://www.astonmartinw.com/wp-conte...e-interior.jpg

Maserati is big on the looks, but lacks in technology, heavy, and doesn't have nearly the amount of refinement inside. Only the seating surfaces and steering wheel are leather; the rest is vinyl.

I'd take the Aston in a manual!

I don't have any driving experience with the GranTurismo, but I have had some wheel time with a manual V8 Vantage. The AM is an absolutely wonderful car. It has enough power to keep you happy, the interior is incredible and the handling is fantastic for a GT car. The stock suspension is just stiff enough to give you confidence while you carve through the turns, but soft enough to drive on a daily basis. Let's not forget about the looks - I personally feel as though there simply aren't any cars on the road that compare the to the looks of an Aston. Although I prefer the DB9(/DBS) in terms of looks the Vantage doesn't let you down. It is simply stunning. The AM is hand made and it shows if you ever try to dig into one. I encountered many over-tightened screws and bolts. I found a couple of stripped screws as well. I guess you could chalk it up to character? It just wasn't what I was expecting from such a brand. While I was in the midst of installing an aftermarket exhaust on one I gave the car a few revs without the rear muffler section - what a glorious sound it made! Granted it was 'just' a V8, but it was spine tingling good.

This is the one that I've had my hands on:
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/...633510cb_z.jpg

Lowered on RSC springs, Vorsteiner wheels (prototyped on this car), Vorsteiner exhaust (prototyped on this car), black vinyl wrapped trim, LED interior and license plate lights.

Aston Martin all the way - not even a question in my mind. Better looking inside and out and (from what I've READ), better to drive, too.

I thought this would be a much more difficult decision than it ended up being.

Aston Martin.

I'm a huge Ferrari fan, and drove the GT w/ the sport package (larger displacement engine with more power), and was not impressed. Never driven the Aston, but based on my experience with the GT, I'd have to say it's probably better.

Used to have a V8 Vantage manual...looked and sounded fantastic, bit of a shame that the E92 M3 that replaced it handles much better and is faster.
I had the 4.3 though, they bumped the power from 380-420 so that would have made a decent difference.