Aston Martin as a First Car?
 

Hi all,

I was wondering if any of you guys have any information about the maintenance and running costs of owning an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. I'm currently looking at a couple of cars before heading to university (Toronto) this fall.

Please note that I will be paying 100% for this vehicle and have no issues doing so. I currently have 3 years of driving experience coming from Singapore and Beijing.

I'm currently looking at an Aston Martin V8 Vantage 2008, Audi R8 2008, Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 2009, Range Rover Sport 2012 & Porsche Cayenne 2012.

Let me know of anything else that I might need to look into before getting the car. But more importantly the maintenance cost, and I'm slightly worried at the number of issues with the clutch on the V8 Vantage.

Much appreciated!

There is a vast amount of information on this website that will answer your questions. Use the search function and you'll have all the info you need.

I have been lurking on it for quite some time now but am unsure about the frequency of which the clutch breakdowns happen.

I put over 22K miles on my 07 through 3 years of ownership with no issues at all. The car was very reliable although expensive as I had it serviced at my "local" Aston dealership. I wouldn't recommend the car in the snow as that would be just wrong! (IMO).

The V8V is a great car and definitley daily driveable... But unless your university has a garage spot for you... I personally wouldn't want to just leave an Aston out in some random parking lot. Definitley not in winter. Perhaps see what school life is really like first?..... (my college car lot was a mile off campus, and freshmen couldn't have cars.) As far as a college car I'd probably go more in the direction of the SUV options. Not sure I can fit a keg in my V8V.

With that said... for the $$$ perhaps look at a new 2014 Jeep SRT-8. I love my 2008. AWD, Brembo brakes, and faster than most sports cars! Have fun car shopping.

An Aston Martin as a college car?? Must be nice. I personally enjoyed the multi-functionality of my '80's Pontiac wagon with faux wood paneling back in the day. That car got absolutely destroyed though and it makes me cringe to think of a work of art as a college car. And winter would be awful. Plus, that's setting the bar quite high. I guess you could get a New Vanquish when you graduate?

Yeah the issue of setting the bar high has come across my mind several times and I guess it'll be sitting in the back of my mind.

It helps when you've started a business at the age of 16 with a high profit margin haha and sold it before I entered the army.

I mean I obviously wouldn't be driving the car when its snowing and what not. Would never subject to something this immaculate to something brutal and cold like a blizzard/slush.

As for parking... I'll most likely be getting a permit which to be honest isn't that bad in price. I come from a country where the Aston Martin would cost me 500,000 USD not including what they call "Certificate of Entitlement" (Which is around 75000 USD). A brand new Toyota would cost 60,000 USD or so.

Many years ago (2007) while on the AMOC forum, there was another college student with a new Vantage - shortly after he began posting, he inserted a picture of the car with it's wheels and tires missing being stolen from his parking lot. Other than that I don't remember too much of the posts.

I'm a college student and I drive mine to school some days. So far, so good. I definitely wouldn't do it every day due to weather and whatnot. Nor would I leave it overnight. But so far I haven't seen anyone messing with it or anything like that.

Here is a big issue. Besides snow and salt, the summer tires generally don't do well when the temps are below about 45F.

In the northern US and Canada, that means you'll be very limited on driving from November to April. That's also generally when school will be in session. As long as you don't need reliable transportation during those months, and have very secure parking, I guess you'd be ok.

If you were going to school in California, or Florida, it'd certainly be a different story.

Laila, welcome to the forum and may I also say congratulations on being successful in business at such a young age. It is a lot of work and takes a lot of guts to step out on your own. When I first started Velocity in 2007, I was also working full time and living in a Pub that a friend was running!

As much as I love Astons & would love to suggest that you pick one up, I also know what the weather can be like in Toronto (I am Canadian.) If your living arrangements are such that a big dump of snow or nasty weather means you just don't take the car out for a few days or a week or two at times, then go for it. If you are going to need to get around in the car all the time, get to school, go grocery shopping etc, I would consider something that will A. Be easier to drive in the snow, and B. You won't worry about getting a little messy.

Having said all that, the clutches aren't known for being enormously long-lasting. However, if you are sensitive in the way that you drive, pay attention and do a few important things like don't use the creep function, do regular clutch learns, there are plenty of people out there who have achieved very respectable mileages with both the manual and paddle shift cars. It is harder to do in city driving, but overall, the cost of maintenance on an Aston should be in the same ballpark as most of the other vehicles you've mentioned, given a similar age, mileage and condition.

Highly doubt if that's true, there is no shame in saying your parents paid for it. There are a lot of rich Chinese exchange students in North America. Anyways, it's a horrible idea. Here is why.

My parents worked hard and saved a lot of money for my College tuition. Then I got a 4 year scholarship and they gave me every single penny of it. I went to the nearest BMW and order myself a brand new M3. All I did was parked that car on campus to collect dust. College life is hectic with classes, exams, midterms, friends, girlfriends, part-time job, and college life itself. I never really enjoyed my car, didn't have time for it. My brother in high school took it most of the time to keep the battery from dying. Unless you like to showoff, it's a horrible idea.

It's a terrible idea. I had the opportunity to go off to college with a Lamborghini Gallardo (thanks to mom and dad, not my imaginary teenage tech empire).

Here is my biggest recollection of driving it in college:

1) "Sorry, I can only fit one other person"

2) "Dude, you better not puke in here"

3) Being 15 minutes late to class because I had to find a parking spot where ditsy sororities/other late students wouldn't open their door into it

4) The fact that there's nothing enjoyable about driving an exotic in 2 mile bursts 15 times a day

5) You learn to live without ever eating food because a) fast food smells up the car and b) you can't fit any groceries in it

6) Lastly, and I can't stress this the most, looking like an asshat because everyone else drove normal cars. It's college, not a yacht club.


If I did it all over again, I would have gotten a practical car and spent more time enjoying the actual college experience.

I hate you - but want to be your adopted brother.

I already have an adopted brother, but I'll see what their return policy is.

hilarious

The only thing my parents are paying for is tuition and accommodation, that's pretty much it. I have a partial scholorship, but that can only pay so much. And in regards to my business, there's plenty of market in China for programming and the use of VPNs to bypass censorship, and I have taken the opportunity to distribute a VPN to bypass censorship and allow others to access social media websites and websites blocked within China.

Like I said in the other post, the issue of getting such a car is still on my mind; and yes I am still thinking of what my other options are.

I think some of your initial thoughts were good; Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne. The ability to haul stuff around, plus 4 people when necessary, along with 4 wheel drive would seem very handy.

If you are set against an SUV, maybe something like an Audi A7 would provide some utility, AWD and still a spory car.

The other recommendation if you want more of a performance type car; porsche panamera. 4 seats, available AWD, hatchback for some utility. Admittedly maybe not the prettiest car (some might say ugly), but it probably wouldn't draw as much attention as an aston, and I think that would be good in a college setting

Enjoy your search

I agree with this. Especially if it's your only vehicle, get something with utility. There are plenty of vehicles out there that offer style, utility, and sportiness. An Aston Martin is a great car that can be driven comfortably any day, but it isn't very practical year-round, let alone when you need extra space.

Doesn't matter how much money you have, that kind of car does not belong in a college setting. I have an Aston and even at my age, 46, there is still some uncomfortable situations with strangers. Do yourself a favor, and get something that is very cool, fun, and will be understated and stay off the radar. I agree, Range Rover sport supercharged, Porsche cayenne turbo, BMW X5 M, even a MB G65 would be a great, cool, and exclusive choice.

I drove a very cool car (Lancia Scorpion) (well it was cool at the time) whilst in college and I simply made it work for me. It was rear-wheel drive (the equivalent of $35,000 in todays dollars)… and I could care less what folks thought of me. I was on an athletic scholarship so I was able to save my parents $$$ in tuition. So just do what you want and live your life.

My wires drives the A7 and it is nice car that gets plenty of complements. I would recommend looking into the S7 since funds seem to be available and it probably competes well agains the V8v, except it hauls stuff and is awd.

The question of wether the V8v belongs on a college campus is debatable but I would submit that a very expensive flashy car might cause you to be judged in a way that could be hurtful. Trust me about this it has happened to me. Be careful about thinking it will not bother or affect you. You might be mistaken.

Since you asked this on the forum you must be open to advice Consider advice carefully before discarding it.

I agree with everyone on Page 2, get an SUV, getting an Aston will make you cool for about a week, then it's all downhill from there. It will cause too much stress. A nice SUV will be perfect, your friends could come along, it's practical, you can go on a nice weekend trip to get away, etc.

I had a hard time wrapping my head around the OP choosing between an SUV and AM???:confused: They are polar opposites.

http://www.businessinsider.com/outra...photos-2013-12

I have a better suggestion. Transfer to Dubai and problem solved.

Please reconsider
 

College student, Toronto winters and an Aston Martin Vantage do not go together. If you absolutely have to a car let me suggest something with four wheel drive, substantial ground clearance and snow tires.

There are many good, knowledgeable responses above...the most applicable from blue skies.

I am in college with a DB9 and I would most definitely recommend it. I too am Canadian and from near Toronto (since relocated to BC). That being said nobody should own an exotic as their only car. Normally I drive an Evoque. Without a doubt you need a second car at least. If you're only looking to buy one car I'd suggest the range rover.

To answer your question. As clutches go it's fairly normal. Thrash it and it will break. Drive like a normal person and it will be fine. Maintenance is fairly inexpensive in comparison to the price, about $1000 for a regular service. Budget $3-5k for incidentals and you're set.

You can only have an Aston when your young once! Compromise now and it may become a habit. Buy a practical beater for those times when the Aston isn't practical

Times have changed, now half of the college kids do not have a driver's license, and most of the young people have no interests in cars. To them, an Aston is just another car. Car thefts have decreased significantly in the past few years, professions still steal them for parts and export, young kids do not steal them for joy ride anymore.

The media keeps on harping on the idea that young people don't want cars. I don't think this is true though. While younger people aren't buying cars it's in large part an economic problem. Most young people would love to have a car but simply can't afford one.

I didn't have anywhere near the caliber of exotics you guys did when going to College but I did have a Porsche 944 Turbo. I learned that even though it was a "cheap Porsche" people thought I was a kid born with a silver spoon. I also had a few issues with people messing with it (keyed) at College. If you can put up with immaturity that sometimes goes with College life than by all means drive the Aston but carry good insurance. If I were you, get two cars -- one can be your everyday car and the other can be your fun car. Secondly, theres no way a Vantage or DB9 would make it through a Canadian winter. Shoot.. I bet these cars would have a hard time making it through wet grass.

What he said :)

I heard the Chinese special crime unit is still looking for you…:p

You will have much more fun and it will be more practical to get a M3 or 911.

Blue,
Great summary that I can relate to, even if I was living month to month with an old Golf GTI when I was at college :)

I'd suggest a 911. It's objectively better to drive than the Aston (but is obviously missing the style, character, and charm) and it's pretty low profile. It's a pretty good winter car because it has the engine over the driven wheels (even if you don't get a 4S), it's really reliable, and it can fit a drunken friend in the back. they'll have to be drunk to contort for the duration of the trip.

lol!

911 also has all the latest technologies and more up-to-date features.

...and is completely anonymous, enabling you to disappear into the herd like a Honda Civic on the 405 Freeway..

or more to the point, a university parking lot.

I wish I could buy an AM when I was in college, you are lucky just being able to afford a car like this while in college. If you are worry about maintenance for the car, I don't think you should get an AM. SUV would fit and treat you much better while you are in school.
Regarding Porsche vs Vantage, they are both fine cars, each has pro and con. Porsche is an iconic sport car with 50 years in the making and still looking fine on the road, AM is more flashy and look at me status, I like both :)
Every man have different taste in woman and cars, nothing is wrong with Porsche or AM gentlemen