Anyone own an Aston Martin??

[skyrex]

Well, a new Bond movie is out, so it has got me thinking of buying an Aston Martin again. Thinking a new toy would be good to distract me from the "fun" of our economy. :wink

Anyway, like everything else I notice prices have dropped considerably on used ones and I feel the need to maybe get a convertible again. I want anyone's input on their ownership experience. Reliability, cost of service appointments, etc....

I have only driven the DB9 (obviously not a GT, but I liked it) and I am looking at that or perhaps a DB7. Any information would be greatly appreciated. We'll see if I get myself an early Christmas gift. :lol

:cheers

 

[fordcapri]

I was reading an article this week on ownership of Aston Martins, and they were looking at the DB9 and the V8 Vantage. Both are classed as extremely good reliable cars, and would not give an owner too many problems to run and maintain. Both cars have to be serviced on a yearly basis at least, and servicing costs are not the cheapest, but apparently specialist garages can cut the servicing costs by half from the Main Dealers. As for the DB7 I would tend to keep away from this as th build quality and reliability are no where near as good as the DB9 or V8 Vantage and apparently the servicing cost of a DB7 can quite frightening.

 

[AlohaGT]

I had to pry my wife away from the DBS yesterday. The salesperson said retail is $270k. The paint color, interestingly enough, is called Casino Royale. He said the same car was driven in Quantum.

Read some reviews after the show. The articles weren't overly kind.

 

[Empty Pockets]

He said the same car was driven in Quantum.

...Did you see what happened to those A/M's in "Quantum"?:lol

 

[skyrex]

I had to pry my wife away from the DBS yesterday. The salesperson said retail is $270k. The paint color, interestingly enough, is called Casino Royale. He said the same car was driven in Quantum.

Read some reviews after the show. The articles weren't overly kind.

The DBS does not look that different to me than the DB9. I like the way the DB9 convertible completely conceals the roof and it does have a nice ride with a little pop in the gas pedal. Plus, like Porsches and Bentley's, you do see A/M's for sale often with some decent miles put on them. That always makes me feel a little better about a purchase because you know A/M's can be driven regular and not be in the shop all the time.

What was the phrase you used EP.....continuous variable money drain option when referring to the F-cars and service. :lol

...Did you see what happened to those A/M's in "Quantum"?:lol

Yes!!! That car (or how ever many they had to kill to get that shot) was not going to fetch much come resale time.

But it is good to know how well the DBS carries cargo in the trunk during rough driving. :lol

 

[Empty Pockets]

The DBS does not look that different to me than the DB9. I like the way the DB9 convertible completely conceals the roof and it does have a nice ride with a little pop in the gas pedal. Plus, like Porsches and Bentley's, you do see A/M's for sale often with some decent miles put on them. That always makes me feel a little better about a purchase because you know A/M's can be driven regular and not be in the shop all the time.

What was the phrase you used EP.....continuous variable money drain option when referring to the F-cars and service. :lol



Yes!!! That car (or how ever many they had to kill to get that shot) was not going to fetch much come resale time.

But it is good to know how well the DBS carries cargo in the trunk during rough driving. :lol

Oh, ya! An' didja notice that not ONE of the 432,365 rounds fired at that Aston penetrated it's trunk? Amazing...uh...LUCK! :rofl

 

[Viper]

Get yourself an old one......they're going up in value.

My old Vantage parked next to my Wife's New DB9. Guess which one is worth more a year on.:eek

 

[Neilda]

Nice V8 Viper! I had one of those, a Volante Vantage (rather than Vantage Volante), quite rare:

Having had a few Astons over the years, I'd say look at getting the DB9 - there are some massive bargains to be had at the moment. Thoughts noted here:

1. Vanquish S - Wonderful, big, muscular, taught, dynamic monster. The best exhaust note on the planet and looks to die for. Shoddy interior (for the money) and the same V12 power plant as the DB9. Quick, but not supercar quick. A manual box married to F1 style paddles - not the ideal marriage, quirky to drive in traffic and a bit of a bitch on hill starts (it will roll backwards in first gear as there's no torque converter). The 'daddy' of the range - hand built in the now demolished factory at Newport Pagnell, so dripping with heritage. $100k could get you one. A mans car!

2. DB9 - More feminine looking than the Vanquish, less evolved somehow. Less planted on the road - more 'floaty' to drive. However, probably rightly viewed by some as being a better car than the Vanquish - an auto box that's beautiful. Same V12 engine, better interior and a pleasure to drive.

3. DB9 Convertible - the jury is out on this. I like it, but many don't. Too much shake, rattle and roll (unlike the V8 roadster which is as stiff as a stiff thing on stiff Sunday). But for straight roads, it's a comfortable and elegant motorcar. European roads being a bit twistier than the US ones have caused many reviewers to criticise the flexible handling.

4. DBS - What's the point?! A DB9 with a body kit. Beautiful but a waste of cash as it does exactly what the DB9 does.

4. DB7 - dubbed the Jag in drag as it's based on the XK chassis. Nice - but a bit yesterday for some tastes.

5. V8 Vantage Roadster (the new one). Naughty. Very naughty. A 911 but with the cachet of being an Aston - beautiful little thing. I want one.

 

[AlohaGT]

...Did you see what happened to those A/M's in "Quantum"?:lol

Looking forward to seeing it soon.

My buddy just bought a Vantage. He loves it. AMs are a sight to behold. :thumbsup

 

[B O N Y]

great comments Neil

 

[tpraceman]

Get yourself an old one......they're going up in value.

My old Vantage parked next to my Wife's New DB9. Guess which one is worth more a year on.:eek

We got to meet the wife....does she need a driver????????
Give me a hat and somw white gloves and I'm ready.

 

[Viper]

Get yourself an old one......they're going up in value.

My old Vantage parked next to my Wife's New DB9. Guess which one is worth more a year on.:eek

We got to meet the wife....does she need a driver????????
Give me a hat and somw white gloves and I'm ready.

lol......you wouldn't like her, she doesn't like cars.:frown

Neil.......Think you're spot on with your comments.

Shame you sold the Volante. I much prefer the earlier cars without the wider arches. That pic looks sensational.

 

[Kayvan]

Get yourself a Vanquish....for same money; skip 2+2, go with shelf

I heard Jag XK Coupes actually outsold convertibles; b/c people thought coupes looked like the Vantage/DB9

DB7 = Rich man's Jag

 

[nota4re]

Hey Kelvin,

So, based on that first picture can we assume that you are the only ass-man in that group?

 

[skyrex]

Get yourself an old one......they're going up in value.

My old Vantage parked next to my Wife's New DB9. Guess which one is worth more a year on.:eek

Hmmmm, maybe an A/M is not such a good idea. I thought I remember the DB9 I drove having the steering wheel on the left side, not the right like your pic?? :wink

Seriously though, beautiful cars. I do like the looks of the older Vantage.

Nice V8 Viper! I had one of those, a Volante Vantage (rather than Vantage Volante), quite rare:

Having had a few Astons over the years, I'd say look at getting the DB9 - there are some massive bargains to be had at the moment. Thoughts noted here:

1. Vanquish S - Wonderful, big, muscular, taught, dynamic monster. The best exhaust note on the planet and looks to die for. Shoddy interior (for the money) and the same V12 power plant as the DB9. Quick, but not supercar quick. A manual box married to F1 style paddles - not the ideal marriage, quirky to drive in traffic and a bit of a bitch on hill starts (it will roll backwards in first gear as there's no torque converter). The 'daddy' of the range - hand built in the now demolished factory at Newport Pagnell, so dripping with heritage. $100k could get you one. A mans car!

2. DB9 - More feminine looking than the Vanquish, less evolved somehow. Less planted on the road - more 'floaty' to drive. However, probably rightly viewed by some as being a better car than the Vanquish - an auto box that's beautiful. Same V12 engine, better interior and a pleasure to drive.

3. DB9 Convertible - the jury is out on this. I like it, but many don't. Too much shake, rattle and roll (unlike the V8 roadster which is as stiff as a stiff thing on stiff Sunday). But for straight roads, it's a comfortable and elegant motorcar. European roads being a bit twistier than the US ones have caused many reviewers to criticise the flexible handling.

4. DBS - What's the point?! A DB9 with a body kit. Beautiful but a waste of cash as it does exactly what the DB9 does.

4. DB7 - dubbed the Jag in drag as it's based on the XK chassis. Nice - but a bit yesterday for some tastes.

5. V8 Vantage Roadster (the new one). Naughty. Very naughty. A 911 but with the cachet of being an Aston - beautiful little thing. I want one.

Thanks for the detailed comments Neilda. :thumbsup Can never have too much info. Gets me thinking. While I love my GT I do miss having a drop top, so if I decide to make the move it would be for the DB9 convertible. There do seem to be some real good deals out there currently.

Besides I watched the convertibles they had in Entourage a little too much I think. The subliminal advertising between that show and Bond is catching me at a weak moment. :lol

:cheers

 

[fjpikul]

And just which model do the Royals drive?

 

[Neilda]

I had this for a few years too...

Prince Charles drives a V8 Volante Vantage - but a few little tweaks make it known officially as a PoW (Prince of Wales spec). My red V8 was the sister car of the Living Daylights car and one of only two RH manuals produced - it was the precursor of the PoW cars.

Duke of Kent has a DB5 from memory...

And just to bring us back!

 

[RALPHIE]

Neil -

DBR1-300 ?

 

[Neilda]

DBR2.

Actually quite shocking to drive. A 3 series BMW would tower over you - so I felt rather minuscule on the road. That shot is at Goodwood, where something like the DBR2 belongs - I feel nothing but admiration for the chaps that raced them at Le Mans (and elsewhere), we think the FGT's are basic, the DBR2 was bare! :eek

Very quick though. It is thought that mine had a 1959 'spare' race engine, but not sure.

 

[FORDGT001]

I bought my wife a 08 Vantage Vert in Febuary and have 3,000 miles on it with no problems. I am very happy with this car so far. I had a deposit on a DBS but it looks too much like a DB9 and doesn't have enough power.