You pay a premium for their product and then they also expect you to pay a premium for any costs related to it. Personally, I resent that attitude and find the service costs a real negative to ownership. We all know what to expect but it doesn't mean we have to like it. Oh, and their "basic" warranty should be better...

 

Generally, exotic car dealers don't make much money in sales but in service. The high cost of the annual service (probably 1000% mark-up) is just the price you have to pay for owning an AM. Keep in mind that dealers only service a very small pool of cars, so they have to make up for it by charging huge mark-up. It's no use complaining as it will never change. I think most AM owners are aware of the service cost before we bought the car.

 

I finally figured why they have a build in pen... to write check for the service department. ; D

 

You can't go to an independent shop to change the oil? What type oil is it?

 

I have a great Ind'y shop in Tampa - V8V is not a hrad car to work on .... reliability has been as good/better than any new/used Porsche I have ever owned; Main. costs are about the same and the Vantage can certainly be a daily driver

 

A bit of common sense can go a long way in helping keep costs down. Needed a turn signal flasher module for my Ferrari 308, 30 years ago (I was still a kid then), and dealer quoted $90 for the flasher and $160 labor. Drove a few blocks away to An import auto parts store, pulled the flasher out, had them match the pin configuration and installed it. Worked great! Total cost $8. Actual install time, only a few minutes.

 

I am lucky enough to have both options, a great indie shop and a dealership I like dealing with. To the point, while it's under warranty it will go to the dealer and afterward, it will go to the indie.

So far the only negative I have experienced with my dealer was an e-mail that went unanswered (which will get addressed on my next visit). And if I want to be really picky I could complain about the Mercedes C300 loaner. For that kind of service cost, I admit, I expect better.

And because I agree about the costs I will add that I have taken it a step further and investigated having a nice 2 post lift installed in my garage. They are surprisingly affordable if you have the space and the desire to get your hands dirty.

 

This is an old post. Annual service for my DBS is $2200. Still way cheaper than my Ferrari 13 years ago.

 

Purchasing a used 07 DB9 coupe albeit only 7k miles but having a desire to enjoy a lot of hard driving miles makes having a lift very attractive. As well as an option to invite like minded friends to visit and use the lift. Even if only to polish all that stainless exhaust underneath. LoL

 

Had my 09 DB9 in for service at the dealer in March, got a Toyota Corolla in need of a wash and an interior cleaning - as a loaner. I thanked them and promptly drove it home where I stuck it in my garage until I needed to use it to get back to the dealership. They apologized for the car, I was happy they had anything at all available.

I guess they have about 3 loaner cars in the pool to go around.

 

Exactly the reason why I work on my own car. Not only that is adds additional fun to the ownership experience. I have had bad experiences with people working on my car in the past so now I know it gets done right!

 

the costs can be expensive compared to many cars, especially when serviced by the dealership but not necessarily when compared to other exotics. dealership maintenance is comprehensive, not just an oil change. and for some buyers, the dealership's stamp in the service history is just as important as the service itself.

i've had maintenance performed by Motorcars of Georgia (ATL) and Aston Martin of Washington (DC) and both took excellent care of me, and each has tossed me discounts or freebies along the way.

 

I too mix my mtce with an after market shop. I use the ASton dealer for the oil change and annual maintenance, minus the brake fluid part. I run my v8v on the track and my after market shop puts in the Motul 600 and new pads for way cheaper than the stealer. The dealer does not use Motul or the porterfield pads anyway. I still get my stamp for annual maintenance for $850 at the dealer, essentially an oil change and the inspection.

 

As was mentioned earlier, Aston and exotic dealers are low volume sellers which means low volume service departments. In order to service "us" to the level of quality we expect, the cost has to come from somewhere. I do think they bloat the price but they also bloat the price of the car. In the end, if you are looking for a bargain get a Corvette. Pound for pound they are incredible. If you are looking for an exotic, you have to be willing to pay a premium.

 

Not complaining.