08 Vantage as daily driver?

[suburbanjim]

Greetings all. I'll apologize in advance for the newb question.... I'm considering an 08 Vantage and had a couple questions I was hoping you guys could help me with - 1) thoughts on it being a daily driver (10k miles yr) ? 2) any ideas what I should expect for annual maintenance costs? 3) any Houston readers have feedback on our local dealer? I'm swapping out of an 06 M5 - want something a little less sedan'ish. Thanks again for your help. Jim

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[astondude]

1) daily driving is fine but blind spot is very bad to your right rear...can't see anything on the right rear pulling out of parking lot or changing lanes. I use spot mirror...helps but have to be careful.
2) 08 should still be under warranty...oil change is about 200-300 but most maintenance cost about 2 -4 times compared to bmw, which I also own.
3) I heard Houston dealer is bad according to many of my friends but Dallas (and Austin) dealers are great.
Car is definitely more exclusive/unique compared to bmw M5, porsche etc...it's just a different class...it's fast enough unless you're into racing. Handling is great.

[08TurboCoupe]

Not a bad move.

[Jay_Davis]

I've been driving an 09 every day for 4 months now, no problems. I'm going to have to get something else for snow days (but I'm not going to like it). You won't have that problem.

[XXXAngelXXX]

had 2V8Vs and now a DBS as a daily driver - no probs

and i take them to track days

[porschenaround]

i just test drove vantage09 today, is there a stiffer suspension button available ? felt great but a bit loose imo. what about a db9 or thoughts on a 2006 vanquish s ?

[AstonAficionado]

Originally Posted by suburbanjim

1) thoughts on it being a daily driver (10k miles yr) ?

IMO, it depends upon what kind of driving you're going to be doing. If suburban/rural, then yes, I think the car would be a great DD. If we're talking about daily driving in the city, I would say maybe not, especially during high traffic hours. The car has a relatively heavy clutch that takes effort to depress, and the clutch is prone to early burnout (at least for the 4.3) so constant starts and stops is probably not great. Don't get me wrong, it's a great car and I would recommend it to anyone. However, I must admit that driving through rush hour traffic in it is not so fun.

[astondude]

The 09 Vantage has a sports pack with sports suspension. I won't go with DB9 which is more like grand touring car rather than sports/sporty. I have not driven the Vanquish but I know it cost a lot to fix anything..I heard from dealer it cost over 10K to replace clutch. Vanquish parts are expensive. I would not mess with an Aston that's out of warranty.

[Jason A]

Let me know info on your M5 I may be interested in taking it off your hands

[Lee Willis]

I drive mine to and from work (about 20 miles) three or four days a week, and on errands most weekends. It's a car- admittedly rather rare, very well built, and a bit more expensive to service , but still just a car, and it is very capable of doing the daily driver job well. I really enjoy using as a daily driver, and I realize I will wear it out eventually like this --- but I'll just get another.

[bubba]

Originally Posted by Lee Willis

I drive mine to and from work (about 20 miles) three or four days a week, and on errands most weekends. It's a car- admittedly rather rare, very well built, and a bit more expensive to service , but still just a car, and it is very capable of doing the daily driver job well. I really enjoy using as a daily driver, and I realize I will wear it out eventually like this --- but I'll just get another.

You are 100% correct, good sir. Very well said.