Where'd you get that idea? AM is not going after Jag/BMW owners; it's the other way around. Jag and BMW want to lure AM owners to their brands if they can. And AM is certainly not looking to sell cars at $100K, regardless of what the GT marketing campaign says.

 

I don't see much conflict. We all want solid, raw, lux and style. When tech is there it should be best in class, clean and seamless. In most climates where Astons are sold in North America, bum air would be a welcome addition to the already lux cabin. If a manual option can be maintained along side a brilliant automated tranny (dual clutch), then that should be the option. Aston Martin can not survive on manuals and a sub-par SS.

 

I was at the event yesterday also, in Los Angeles. It's about three main sessions, administered by an independent British agency but there are plenty of Aston folks around to talk with. The conversations are video recorded.

I wish I hammered in the manual transmission thing more than I did, but my biggest beef was the customer service. It needs to improve, because not being able to order the car you want TWICE in two years is entirely unacceptable!

All in all, a worthwhile event to take a day off work to attend.

 

No, I believe it will be a vodka martini, shaken, not stirred.[/QUOTE]

We did get a nice lunch, and a gift bag.
Ron

 

Same View, more extreme.

 

It's the new Vantage pricing. They reduced it $20-30k.

 

Guess I wasn't invited either.

After 5+ years driving my Vantage every day, I have two big issues:
- SportShift: It functions fine, but the wear rate and failure rate is ridiculous
- Service and Support: Horrible. I shouldn't prefer to make an appointment at my dentist than an appointment for my car.

More minor things under the category of things I miss from other cars:
- keyless entry & start
- Integrated electronics (things like tire pressure showing up on the dash)

 

^^^^ Tire pressures already show on the dash information module (DIM) screens.

 

The funny thing about all this is that when Aston Martin becomes very popular then it will loose the single most important thing that drove me to the brand "exclusivity"
Here lies the balance. How do you keep your product exclusive while trying to make it profitable through popularity.
Ferrari has it figured out.
Aston needs to do some soul searching and figure out what type of company they aspire to be.
Producing cars for 100k only cheapens the brand.
Just my 0.02.

 

Geeze Ron, I was in Torrance yesterday~ I could have come over!

 

My 10 Cents:
What made me buy my V8V: Power - Beauty - Soul AND Sound. In my thinking this makes Aston Martin and I hope it stays like that.

Cheers

Christian

 

THIS!!!!
But producing a sub (just) $100k model isn't a problem, they just have to keep the quantity limited.

Ferrari and Hermes are the models here. "Yes, we'd love to sell you a thing, but we're out of them for the year, perhaps you'd like to reserve one?" But Hermes doesn't even do that (anyone else read the article in Fortune? Brilliant company, Aston should study them).

 

Link to the Fortune/Hermes article? I'd like to read it

I think Aston needs to move upscale but maintain its driver-experience orientation. With the AMG drivetrains and electronics, Aston can compete with more performance-oriented cars. But none of those cars can deliver what an Aston does. An AM car is really one of the very, very few cars that is described by everyone as an "event" to drive. I drove a McLaren 12C and was blown away by its performance and comfort. It was an seriously amazing car. But I didn't *want* it. It doesn't bother me that I don't have it. Meanwhile, if I got rid of my Aston, I'd surely regret it.

The pricepoint of the current V8 Vantage is only hurt by the power output of the car and the lack of amenities. But I don't use any of the amenities in my car at all. The Bluetooth sucks, the nav sucks, and... well that's all that's in my car lol.

Make the standard stuff standard - cruise control, memory seats, auto-dimming mirrors, iPod/Mp3 (USB-based) connectivity. Make the Premium Audio system standard. Sure, mark up the base price accordingly - it's all value added. The higher base price and longer list of standard features will raise the status of the car, too.

Otherwise, I'd be perfectly happy with a drop-dead gorgeous, twin-turbo 550-hp V8 Vantage with a manual or dual-clutch transmission (NOTE: I say I'd be happy with either ONLY because I intend on keeping my current V8V so I'll still have my manual!).

I think Aston could sell plenty of V8V's for $160-180k if they're putting out 550-hp and have a nice list of standard features (which are standard on a $15k Kia). They won't be competing directly with the 458's or 650S's, but they'd cost far, far less and still put up a damn good fight.

Someone else said it earlier about electronics being the easiest way to date a car and I've got to agree. What dates the car first is almost always the infotainment. If you get into a car and see an 8-track or tape deck, hooooo boy. CD players will be next. Every nav is always on the cusp of dated design.

 

Sorry, Forbes (I knew it was one of the financial mags that starts with F):
http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanada...secret-empire/

 

A key design rule, KISS!!! (Keep It Simple Stupid)

I like my engines normally aspirated. I like less electronics. I like a manual.

Case in point, this silly meter that lights up on the dash to let you know redline is approaching means I'm always hitting redline, and wondering what the hell was that flash? The old color red on around the face of the tach worked well.