Ok so I have been waiting for the new Vantage hearing of it some three years ago.
as we know the car is out and we can order, in South Africa the dealer is Daytona Group who look after high end brands like AM, RollsR and and they own a big BMW outlet in joburg.

now I have owned my Aston for some 6 almost 7 years had a dealer service every year until 2 years back when it had no warranty left, I had AM put in a new clutch at a cost of R80k +- 6000 USD to you guys.
in simple terms I have paid for this car, I have loved this car and my car is as new inside and out never driven in the rain ever!
i buy a new car every year for myself rewarding myself for working hard, I have always kept my Vantage as it's special trading something lesser,
now I am pedantic with maintenance being a pilot it's just that I believe in basic maintenance and I believe in oil and filter every year irrespective of the km driven between changes.
in this case the car has done 2563km since last oil change some 14 months back

i approached Redpants for a price on filters and also a set of gas shocks for boot and door, got a response email and never got a quote for the bits or the shipping to South Africa... so frustrated I attempted to source an aftermarket oil filter locally with the help from a fellow Aston enthusiast

i exhusted every local possible aftermarket oil filter (cutting open and comparing) GUD,Mann,Baldwin, none looked like OEM.

i approached Aston Martin Cape Town to supply me a filter ....I can get oil and I certainly have the knowledge to do a oil change, they refused saying it must come to them? This is a 7 year old garage queen with 33000km on clock!

i am further frustrated with this attitude and decided right there that I will not add a new Vantage to my toy box in the next 6 months, so a filter cost them a client and sale of a new car !
the manager locally knows me and knows I'm a serious buyer with him having flown with me and seen and driven my other cars, himself knowing I will buy the new Vantage when it's available.

well f$&&k them
I can buy parts for my Italian toys my American toys my Range Rover and even merc if I want too.

so guys I'm out

in the mean time Kirsty at Aston Martin bits U.K. Have confirmed that oil filters and gas shocks for my Vantage are packed and will leave for Cape Town tomorrow

i want to spend my money with people who want it and who need it ....not arrogant companies that are doing me a favour

rant off

That’s a crazy story. Good for you!

I feel approaching the head of the co to moan about a small thing (in this case a filter) is not going to get me the good feelings I have had with AM, when I purchased mine it was special to me a token of achievement ( in SA when I purchased my car one could have purchased a small family home, for similar money) to put it into perspective

if the local dealer is now bullied into providing me a part that as they say goes against their company ethos and business plan then our relationship will be tarnished and I would always wonder how will they look after me with my new Vantage and possibly my last as I'm not getting younger and my working (read income years are limited)

Toby Venter sells 100's of Porsche cars per year in SA, mabye it's time I went to the dark side because after all people buy from people not corporations and I'm right frustrated trying to get a oil filter for a car that is paid and the local dealer has profited from in the past yet they have tea time rules.....no Sir a Vantage locally sells for ZAR 3 million and this is a huge amount of cash.
Possibly a new brand is more hungry? More prepared to just make a plan for a customer...?
i will keep my old one and will now send it to Crosly and Webb if it needs heavy maintenance that I can't do, my relationship with the local dealer is over we have seen their true colors.

one thing the local manager knows me and knows I was keen and knows I have the coin saved for this last splurge before I settle down to full retirement let him remember that when discussing his sales targets.

will I miss the brand ( the new addition) I'm not sure I have had reservations about it being a Mercedes and not a pure AM at heart.

in saying that I was privleaged last week to give my wife her final car we think,.. it is a A class Mercedes and I must say the fit and finish is superb and a 6 year full motor plan included.
things happen in life for a reason and I'm sure as I calm down and dust settles things will be more in focus

in my comments on the new Vantage in other threads I did comment that I felt it's a car that can be driven hard with its merc drive train, something I have been uncomfortable with regarding my 6 speed manual and the weak OEM clutch (locally the agent would not fit an aftermarket clutch) at the time

for you you guys who own the 2019 and who are getting enjoy it ....don't let my comments cloud the waters

just touching on your Ford expierence I must say that I am loving my Ford Mustang GT it's a blue collar working mans car but it's great fun and less than a third the price of a new Vantage I have had it for 15 months now and it's done almost 10000km so I must be enjoying it let's hope the local dealer does not let me down when it needs major service, it's the one car that puts a smile on my face every time I drive it