I've been able to find a happy medium for when I drive my DB9 and when I don't...I currently have about 9,500 miles on it and I bought it new in June '09. But I make it a point to remind myself that I'll only live once.

I'm able to have the car because I've worked hard and I'm financially responsible, which is certainly nothing to feel guilty over. I don't drive it every day, but it doesn't go a week without getting driven unless I'm out of town.

I guess I'm just of the mindset that if you have a car like this and you never drive it, it's like being married to a gorgeous supermodel and never having sex with her. That's just a waste.

That car is meant to be driven...so if you're not going to drive it (and I do understand your point of view) then let it go to someone who will.

And if anyone has a gorgeous supermodel just laying around the house not being used either, please PM me!

 

Rapide is really nice and I drove it some months ago and would love it. The problem would be the same. Some years ago we had this flashy A-hole as a tenant in my building and he had a Gembella'd 911 C4S overdone. Plenty of people asked me "How I liked my new car". Since I usually drive my SRT-8 or Saab muscle truck, plenty of people there see one or the other and ask "where's your car/truck?" When I say I left that one home they'll say, "oh how nice you have 2..." If my office was in a more upscale area then the Aston would be looked upon in a positive light but I know it will not where I am now. My new motivation to drive it is that the local "stealer" told me "they'd be check writers at 90K." I responded that it reflects poorly on their product that the car lost 50% of it's MSRP in less than 2 years and 2000 miles. Awaiting the response... If I've learned anything it's that keeping these things perfect with low miles is worth almost nothing. Meaning, a reasonably driven and well-kept car will be worth almost the same as one like mine. I do think this will be my first and last Aston for a variety of reasons ...

 

Wow, no kidding? I was thinking about adding CATS because it was too quiet. lol

 

I agree with that one. The family lawyer said to me his business has always been good because of his exuberant consultation fees. People said to him "you dare charge this amount, you must be damn good".

I drive the AM to work in a working class neighborhood as well, most expensive car in the parking lot in terms of MSRP, but few people in the building including my boss seems to mind. The AM prestige seems to make people respect rather than hate the vehicle. They see me hand wash this weekly and understand it's about my passion for cars, not a display of wealth.

I'd give it another shot, drive it a bit more and see how it feels. A couple hundred miles from now till you make your decision won't hurt resale.

 

You're correct. Condition and mileage have very little effect on the value these cars. There are way too many of them for them to ever be collectable (in our lifetimes).

More importantly, there is no shame in considering these autos as "industrial art". They're beautiful pieces. If they're being enjoyed from the drivers seat, or sitting immaculate in a garage - simply being beautiful. Is one experience more valid than another? So long as they're being enjoyed... Driven or not; why should we care?

I own a few vintage English motorcycles; used to own a bunch. ' sold most of them because I thought (and was often told) it was "wrong" that they weren't all being ridden. Now, almost daily, I regret that flawed mentality. So much so, that I'm actively searching for another Vincent to plop in my living room. To me it'll be the coolest "art" I can imagine.

Just enjoy your Aston.

 

Yep, it's pretty loud. Sounds great!

 

i have had my dbs since december 09, about 8 months and it has 2,700 miles on it.

i just got a scud and have had it under 2 weeks and it now has 1100 miles on it.

enjoy life, who cares what others think. if your employees are giving you some grief about it then you should make the decision for them to go find work elsewhere. if your customers give you a hard time about it then you can tell them you are eating ramen noodles every night to afford it

 

So lets see:
- You bought a car that you never drive.
- Your primary concern is what other people think.
- A dealer tries to do exactly what he's supposed to (try to make money).

This results in the conclusion that this is your last Aston.

Huh? The car is not the problem.

 

Wow, you're helpful Jay. What do you drive a Toyota Prius? To answer your sort of questions, I was expecting to drive the car more than I do. My concern is my clients opinions and not my employees, who already know I have it and don't care. Yes, I do care what my clients think. I've owned nice cars and the thing that irritates me most about Aston is they think you are made of money and therefore stupid or just **** it away b/c you have some. Go contribute elsewhere if you have nothing decent to say ...

 

That's a simplistic view. You must be blessed in some way to have such confidence in your opinion. Or, you could be a hater or a poser. I love when someone without a resume steps up with their "pearls of wisdom". For some of us that have a passion for special cars it can be as difficult as any other personal loss to part with them or experience a negative. But that kind of understanding takes a certain depth with in an individual. May be this thought process is a bit lofty for you sensibility. So I'll do you a favor and translate; you're a tool.

 

Hey Jim, Problem is you probably don't have a nice Aston club like when you had your M5, to go on those early breakfast meets and nice drives so you can put some happy face miles.
I do see your point on not taking it to work. A good friend of mine is in banking and tells me he could never drive a nice car to work, wear a very nice watch it would work negatively for him with his co-workers.
good luck on your decision.

 

Sorry, I call them as I see them. The guy buys a car like this and doesn't bother to drive it. One dealer gives him a lousy offer on buying the car and he done with Astons. Guess what? No passion there. And you call me a tool? Guess where you can go?

 

I can understand where Red Devil is coming from on the concern about others' opinions. While I try to be "devil may care" (pun intended) in regard to others' view of me in general, the reality is that others' opinions do count for something, especially when it relates to business. As an example, I had reservations about buying my Aston over concerns how my business partners would view it. The concern is that they would be jealous and think that I am taking too big a cut out of the distributed profits and maybe the rules should be changed to "remedy" the problem. That may sound paranoid, but I can honestly see that happening. Funny thing is that I can afford an Aston and the other stuff I have because I live relatively simply instead of spending my money on a palace in the burbs, and I don't have 5 kids in private schools. Anyway, I can sympathize. I agree with whoever said just keep the car if it makes you happy owning it. Sure, it'd be better to take her out more often, but if you don't need the money, it's okay if you not "getting your money's worth" out of the car.

 

Guys, I think we need to calm down a bit..

Red Devil, sorry if the thread is taking another direction, I'll try to bring it back..

I think you should put the thought of the sale for few months, cos it won't make a difference in how much it will bring you, and try to use the car more over the weekends.. That's what I do.. I only drive the car over the weekends.. If you have an AM Club, I would suggest you join, and just like RM5 said, those breakfast meeting rides would make a big difference, but if you are like me and don't have one in the area, make your own breakfast ride with your girl, have a nice 3 hour drive outside of the city.. make a habit to go to a local nice classy restaurant or coffee shop in your area on Sundays where you can sit and have coffee or breakfast and look at your car.. I always enjoy looking at it in the sun.. Just create a routine to enjoy it for the next few months during weekends.. try to include loved ones, a best friend, your girl.. in few months, and couple of thousand miles, see if it's time to part..

I hope this helps..

 

All valid opinions but the "tool" who "calls them like he sees them"...
It's about priorities and things we need or would rather do. Back when I got my M5 in 2000, no kids, active car-guys, etc. and we had meets, did weekends, etc. All too often it also led to risk-taking driving on public roads and after M5 & 911 Turbo stuff like, that I decided to distance myself from that. The selcetion of the DB9 over a Gallardo or 430 was also reflective of my attitude change. I'm sure Aston club would be different, but I have no desire to do it anymore. I do enjoy the car sitting there like a work of art on my wall, b/c it is that. Part of me would be happy seeing it forever. The other part of me resents the dealer/marketplace that likes to chew these things up and spit them out. If that treated them better, it wouldn't gall me so much to part with it, and then maybe it goes to a home where it might be used more. For the hit I'd take on it, I'd rather use it occassionally and see it daily ...