Aston Martin with an F Type and then stylized by Ferrari. Does look great. Got me thinking down the road...

 

This article targets Aston rather directly with the Ferrari Roma.

It is a beautiful looking car.

https://apple.news/ALkK-rjdSQ1umEY5oLd0pLQ

 

It's price higher than the Vantage, but most of the new Vantages my local dealer has are all like $220K, so maybe they are direct competitors?

 

... because Ferrari has such a great reputation for how they treat their customers...

 

They're doing you a favor by selling you a car. They do have better resale values FWIW.

 

I went to the preview of the C8 Corvette in person, was 95% sure I was going to get it as the daily driver and was convinced by the pictures and specs's it might be a better car than my V12S as far as looks and interior update and how it would absolutely destroy Aston martin Vantage sales. This is what I took away from seeing it in person. First impression - has the presence of the Hurcan, pretty impressive first take. Then I sat in it - much more comfortable than the Vantage and pretty cool from the drivers seat. Even though it was not production, fit and finish pretty impressive. Now the negatives. This is a big car - at least it feels big. The dash to where the windscreen hits the body can best be described as 'acreage'. The Vantage dash to windscreen is huge - this is much greater volume and distance. You still see the Corvette wheel humps - something I never did like. Then I sat in the passengers seat - not a place I'd want to be at any long period of time - all the room they gave the driver they took away from the passenger - very claustrophobic. There is zero visibility to the rear - and there is a lot of car behind you. That is my main concern, and why I'm now maybe 30% sure I'd switch out my SLK55 for the C8. Because they are so different, I don't think the C8 will destroy the V8 vantage sales any more than they are already bad, but I think the new Ferrari Roma will do that job. As far as the C8 - a hell of a car for the money - not so sure it's for me tho.

 

They have to sell lot of DBX cars. it doesn't look good.
https://www.theguardian.com/business...antage-dbx-suv

 

The DBX will be a big hit with the female LA crowd IMO

The Cullinan and Bentayga are terrible looking new Cayenne isn't all that good looking either, only real competition is the Lambo Urus and thats a whole nother price point and buyer and also looks pretty terrible in person IMO

 

The DBX assumes that women like the same bragging rights as men - drifting a SUV, not sure that's a big bragging point. I think the market is for those that want to impress, yes, but the interior is not that elegant, the rear end looks like two ducks mating, and the market is soon to be filled with elegant electric SUV's that are much cooler looking (inside and out) with more features and safety benefits than the DBX. Again, Andy Palmer's changes are not keeping up with the times, and the styles are just a wee bit odd, not elegant or 'wow' cool. They are also making the Aston dealers pre-order stock on the floor, and again, how many dealers will be pissed off looking at two million dollars of SUV's on their floor they can't move?

 

The interior is amazing on the DBX what are you talking about, its probably the best feature of the car, and its far and away the best looking SUV in its price range
nobody gives a crap about these soulless electric SUV's that may or may not be made some day, some women still enjoy a loud V8
you really love to complain about the new astons dont you

 

Actually - I hate complaining about Aston Martin - as an Aston owners for the past 32 years it pains me to see the company changing in the wrong direction with dealers holding stock that needs to be given away at cost just to get rid of the cars. As far as the best looking SUV, its not bad, but it could have been much better. Being the best looking compared to the others (Rolls, Bentley, Lambo, Porsche) was not a difficult task. It had to outdo Mercedes interiors, electronics, and features and it did not. To compete Aston has to 'out- Aston' the Roma which will kill both DB11 and Vantage sales, if they can deliver in volume and get more national service centers. There is a reason the stocks plummeting. My 2017 Vantage is the last truly elegant sports car Aston made, now its going to continue in the form of Ferrari. I wish I had many more great things to say about the brand, but I can't think of much. Apparently, from what I heard recently from my dealer, is that there are changes Aston is making to service existing customers better, lately things that should have been covered under warranty without question have been more irritating to get fixed. I guess they took notice, hopefully.

 

It's a real problem when the existing or former owners of a car manufacturer's brand are not on board with the next generation of cars.

This almost happened with Porsche, but they would cater to their existing customers with the GT3, RS, 911R, etc. As a current and former Porsche owner, I wouldn't mind getting into one of their cars in the future.

My friends who own Ferrari and Lamborghini love the new models. Some of the Ferrari owners had issue with the 488 going turbo, but they remain loyal to the brand and were made happy with the Pista and F8 Tributo.

As was mentioned above, Aston needs to out-Aston themselves: offer more beautiful cars than the previous generation, with more analog feel and sublime handling, an improved luxurious interior, and 6- or 7-speed manuals or dual clutch transmissions.

I don't think any of us would have any issues if this were the case. We can easily be their brand ambassadors and share enthusiasm, if treated correctly and shown our feedback is valued.

Even a new company like Tesla has a die hard following of owners that volunteer and provide orientation to new owners during end of quarter deliveries. Aston needs to step up!

 

Not sure if anyone else noticed but this happened recently:

https://www.holmesreport.com/latest/...chrysler-comms

Whatever you regard as "Leaving". But I personally don't think he has done a great job at marketing the new line of cars.

I currently have a 2020 new Vantage for an extended test drive. Drove it daily and in the canyons. I get this car. You can't possibly not get it as a gear head. It's not a replacement for my V12 dogleg. It can't be. Different animals.

It is in fact a perfect complement to the previous Vantage.

The drivability of the new Vantage, IMO, is far more superior than the V12 dogleg. Suspension that actually absorbs the horrendous road conditions in LA. Easier to maneuver and more nimble. If I want something with more rumble without being feeling too hurried, I have the V12. Else I can drive the new Vantage any time.

 

Probably NO Chinese Bond villains any longer. https://www.autoblog.com/2020/01/10/...DGtC8_5EjUlOKU

 

I think the DBX is too late to the SUV party in the USA... the market is too saturated with high end SUVs...

one good aspect of the DBX is that it is not a redressed corporate platform but custom... but that drives the cost and service way too high...