And then they got wise.

 

good car for 50K? No

a 60k car (not a 10k over priced 50k example) is soon much more car. Id get a nice example in the 70-80k range if you can stretch it. You'll have an easier time selling and more time spent driving and enjoying

 

Sad news to report: So I went to the Aston dealership this weekend and unfortunately I just don't fit in the convertibles. My eye line was actually above the windshield in the DB9 and it wasn't much better in the Vantage. I must have fiddled with the seat adjustments for half an hour but there was no magic button. I'm not that tall (6'4") but apparently tall enough not to fit. The hardtop seemed more forgiving, but I was leaning strongly towards a convertible. The upside is there was a Bentley Continental GT next to it and I have to say I may have found a happy backup plan. The interior is unlike anything I've seen before.

 

I have a Bentley Continental GT Speed it is a beautiful and fantastic car. The Aston Martins are a completely different kind of car. I love my Aston but I also love the Bentley. Make sure when you buy either of them that you have access to a complete set of service records. Then have a PPI done, they can cost you an arm and leg if they haven't been maintained. The search for that right car is half the fun. Don't settle get what you want. The one your searching for is out there,just be patient and diligent.

 

I assume you used the seat height adjustment (they're 8-way adjustable, but a lot of people don't realize they'll go up and down because you have to press hard to get them to do so)?

 

Mathman85: Yes, unfortunately I tried every adjustment combo possible.

Gene_G: You're just the guy I need to talk to then! Gun to your head, if you could only pick one between the two which would you pick? Aston has always been the badge of choice of me, but honestly after sitting in them I didn't get quite the "fizz" I was hoping for (not that I didn’t love it). The older models are more like nice race cars than they are luxury sports cars. I expected a little more wood/leather/pizazz. The Bentley is obviously luxury turned up to 11. We recently got the wife a Range Rover and I adore it. Just sitting in the Range Rover, even parked, just makes you feel special. Made me realize I probably care about luxury first and performance second. That might all change the moment I put the Aston in drive and ear the exhaust. Love to hear your thoughts.

 

Start the Bentley - listen to the engine and exhaust

Now go start the Aston - Your decision will be easy There is no other has that growl.

 

If you don't fit the DB9, try a Vanquish. Lot more room.

 

I did try the Vanquish and it had a lot more headroom, but the only one within 200 miles of me is $300,000+. Way outside of my budget. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

I'm 6'6" and fit in my Vantage coupe fine

I do not fit in a DB9 however

 

OK gun to my head would be the Bentley. You can't really compare a Vantage to a Bentley. The Vantage is a wonderful sports car. The Bentley is in a class all by it self. Someone asked on the Bentley forum how a Bentley compares to a Mercedes. The answer was like a Mercedes compares to a Chevrolet. Don't get me wrong they are all nice cars just different. That said my still all time favorite car is my 2005 SL55 AMG a car I will never sell. The interior of the Bentley is over the top. Everything including the headliner is leather. Even the seat tracks are covered in leather. My Bentley has the bespoke leather and wood packages. It is simply the nicest car interior I have ever seen. My wife loves to take her shoes off and run her toes in the shearling floor mats. The Bentley is so over the top in so many ways. If you were going to compare a Vantage the closest car would be a Porsche 911. I also have a 911 it is a blast to drive but the Vantage is a hand built car and the Porsche is a very well built production car. The sound of the Vantage is sooooo sweet, but the Porsche handles better. The Vantage is in my mind the most beautiful car ever built. You are going to have to go look at and drive them all and pick witch one best suits you personality and budget. I wish you all the best on your quest.

 

Literally just went for a drive because of this post.

If what you're looking for is simply "something more luxurious than the Jaguar," then buy the Bentley. Nobody should have to be convinced to buy an Aston Martin. If the experience doesn't make you want it, buy something else.


P.S. The Bentley Continental GT weighs 5000-5500lbs. How important is being able to corner to you? If, as you said before, luxury is more important, then buy the car that has 1000+ lbs more of it.

 

Between the Db9 and the vantage I would go for the Db9, I first rented a Vantage for 1 month and finally purchased a Db9 (gt) because of engine sound (not at all convinced by the 4.7 v8), transmission (I did not like the sportshift single clutch of the vantage and prefer the torque converter of the Db9), and exterior design.
As for luxury, Aston interior may not look as good as Bentley for some, but I think quality is higher (for instance plastic grille on the Continental, aluminum on Aston)

 

What do you AM owners think of the Virage? I really appreciate mine.

 

I can not answer on the car. I wonder if you posted on both AMOC and Piston head websites you would get answers and than blend them together yourself for deciding. Just a thought - Good Luck !!