Memebers,

I have always owned Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche in the past and thinking about getting into Aston Martin...

I love the the look of the car but dont know too much about them. How are the just in general? are they reliable car? does it cost lot of money to maintain and to be serviced once the warranty expire? do they break down alot? lots of minor problems?

should I get in or not? I love the design of the car...

 

I have the exact question and would like to hear some responses from others.

 

I have a 2007, relatively high mileage. (relative is the key here, 29,400 miles)

I've only had it for 4 months, but so far it's been very reliable. Maintenance could cost you 4 to 5k a year if you go with the dealership and their super aggressive recommended intervals, but if you don't track and go with your local performance shop, probably 1.5 or 2k a year would cover it. This is based on my cousin's recommendations, he's built a few cars in his spare time and saw the workshop manual.

 

Don't really understand this as with my '09 Vantage they said once a year or 10k miles (as does the manual) and said it would run about $1200.00 or so. Unless this has changed since the '06-'07's????

 

well, they do "recommend" quite a bit. New rotors, tires, brakes (they look fine, really)..... fix any rim scuffs, new spark plugs, new clutch fluids, new brake fluids, etc.

I guess I was trying to point out how expensive it was. The first time I took the car in for an estimate, the price was a bit unsettling. There's also the clutch, which when it goes is about 5k. Recently I had a dead CD changer, another $1000+ repair.

I would say it's definitely more expensive than $1200 per year though if you go the dealer route. Do it at a third party shop, and it's usually not too bad.

 

The AM dealer here in Chicago isn't too bad. They have never recommended things get done or fixed unless specifically recommended by AM. I think generally $750 - $1,500 per year is about right. Obviously clutch and rotors, etc. will be more but not more than a Porsche or other high end car.

The car is quite reliable. Very, very well made.

 

I apologize if my reply made it look like I'm not recommending this car, I absolutely love it. The reliability has been great, but the cost of maintaining it will be higher than that of a Porsche. With production numbers about 1/10th of Porsche's 911, things just tend to cost more.

I suppose it all comes down to "just because you can, doesn't mean you necessarily need to". People who go to the NY dealer probably say yes to everything. I'm not going to get new plugs at 30,000 miles for normal daily driving.

 

Just happened through here as I like the AM brand. My experience from about a year of ownership: great looks, never got tired of the lines of the car and I cant tell you how many times people walked up and looked at the hood badge with me in the car, trying to figure out what it was!
Great seats, awesome exhaust note, esp with quicksilver exhaust that I added. Decent storage and an allright dd candidate.
Things I did not like, horrible wind buffeting with drivers window open, bad gas mileage (worst of any car except sc'ed viper), had a few more service issues than a new car should. I would bet later years worked those things out. On the plus side, regarding the service, AM is the only brand that would come with a single car flatbed, pu the car and return it when finished. Awesome service, without wasting my time or miles.
All in all a very worthy car, fun to drive, not real quick but solid and great handling car. I would buy again, but probably only the 4.7. Good luck with it! John

 

I'm looking at a 2006 model as well. Not sure about reliability, but the dealer said $1200/yr would take care of maintenance.

 

John, I saw that you owned a 360 also. Could you compare upkeep to the two? I drive the vantage almost everyday, could you do that with the 360-comfort wise....

I think a 430 or gallardo will be my next car. Nice to have insight from someone who's had an AM also!

Thanks

 

If you are purchasing an Aston out of warranty to the service at any nice performance shop. One with a good rep that handles high end cars such as Porsches and the such. The maintenance is similar, brake fluid flushes, dry sump oil changes, some rubber care, spark plugs etc.

 

According to my Ferrari shop the 360 engine is very very reliable. Out of warranty, I would think they would be comparable in costs per year. The 360 is easy to use as a daily, though harder to park and leave safely as it attracts more attention for some reason. 360 is bit more driver oriented while the AM is more up to date and comfortable to use. Pretty close imo.

 

Have had my 07 Vantage since new, no major issues, all about the same as the many P-cars I have ownws over the years. No issues as a dailey driver ... if you want to track the car that is no issue, just are only a few after market parts - not like the many different choices you have w/ a P-car. There is about 1 AM on the road for every 10,000 P-cars ... exclusive. I even see more F-cars than AMs in the Tampa Bay area !

 

My 2007 V8V roadster has about 6k miles and so far not a problem. Nothing.
The 2003 DB7 I had before, averaged $10k a year, including the warranty, the new one is a very well made car and is showing the thought they put into it this time.