Intrigued by Aston Martin
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A lot actually. Its like a factory extended warranty but it can only go up to 10 years. So a 2009 or older car is now exempt.
Yes but its essentially a glorified oil and filter change. There is about 10x dealer markup. Do it yourself if you like to get involved.
Aston Martin is a publicly traded company (ARGGY). Buy their cars or stock if you want them to survive.
We share 98% of our genetics with apes. Its that 2% that make us human. No one ever complains about the Camry engine in a Lotus or the BMW engine in a Morgan. There is still a waiting list for their cars. An Aston Martin is greater than the sum of its parts.
They have absolutely no marketing department. James Bond is it. They rely entirely on nostalgia. And once the boomers die they will really need to reinvent the brand.
This is quite funny because everyone on here will tell you the opposite. People who have owned British cars will always tell you Italian cars are far less reliable and more expensive to maintain. I suspect the reality is that with modern computer controlled and high regulated cars there isn't a significant difference in maintenance for any modern car. Its just a function of complexity x brand markup.
The last Cars & Coffee I went to I counted 8 McLarens. Its like they had a buy one get one free sale at WalMart.
For what its worth, with a budget of $150k and you want an Aston, get yourself the best manual DBS out there. NA V12, manual gearbox, rear wheel drive, won't get any better than that. The last dinosaur that roamed the Earth.
Yes but its essentially a glorified oil and filter change. There is about 10x dealer markup. Do it yourself if you like to get involved.
Aston Martin is a publicly traded company (ARGGY). Buy their cars or stock if you want them to survive.
We share 98% of our genetics with apes. Its that 2% that make us human. No one ever complains about the Camry engine in a Lotus or the BMW engine in a Morgan. There is still a waiting list for their cars. An Aston Martin is greater than the sum of its parts.
They have absolutely no marketing department. James Bond is it. They rely entirely on nostalgia. And once the boomers die they will really need to reinvent the brand.
This is quite funny because everyone on here will tell you the opposite. People who have owned British cars will always tell you Italian cars are far less reliable and more expensive to maintain. I suspect the reality is that with modern computer controlled and high regulated cars there isn't a significant difference in maintenance for any modern car. Its just a function of complexity x brand markup.
The last Cars & Coffee I went to I counted 8 McLarens. Its like they had a buy one get one free sale at WalMart.
For what its worth, with a budget of $150k and you want an Aston, get yourself the best manual DBS out there. NA V12, manual gearbox, rear wheel drive, won't get any better than that. The last dinosaur that roamed the Earth.
= there is much truth in his public informational 
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I have been thinking about adding a 3rd car to the stable - to compliment Macan (for spouse) and 970.2 Panamera GTS (mine). It needs be a phenomenal GT car. This thread captures my thinking - https://rennlist.com/forums/panamera...-panamera.html
At this level, I feel there are very few marques available that provide exemplary GT experience. The usual suspects include
Bentley Continental - too big and heavy for my tastes
F12 - ideal choice that is above my budget of 150K
FF/Lusso - nice choices. I can live with the looks.
Cali T - decent choice. But somehow, Cali has always lacked road presence and sense of occasion
Mclaren/458/Huracan - too hard core, not enough GT appeal
Aston Martin - the preferred choice if only they were more reliable. That's the purpose of this thread
I am very intrigued by Aston Martin. They make the most beautiful cars by a large margin in my books, elegant, phenomenal sounding engines, great handling for a GT car.
Eg. who would not want a car like this 2014 vanquish - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UYigKAG8VU.
Or a DB11 like this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjo7rVx--ik
The thing I am having a hard time to digest is the general perception about their poor reliability. Unplanned breakdowns, very expensive repairs, dealers taking advantage of owners since no other mechanic can service these cars, delays in procuring parts. I have also heard things like buy maintenance plan for $5000/year. I have few questions around this topic
1. How much do these maintenance plans really cover? What things fall outside of them? (besides brakes, tires wear and tear)
2. I understand there is annual servicing of about $1500/year
3. How are the maintenance costs in comparison to recent model Ferraris and Bentleys?
4. Almost all the exotic brands are part of larger companies like VW, BMW etc. That's how they are able to survive, benefit from innovation in tech etc. How will AM survive without such a parent?
5. It seems like AM is always behind the curve in adopting the latest transmissions, tech. Now they even have to procure engine from AMG for the Vantage. Does it bode well for AM to survive as an independent company?
6. I am in early 40s. Is AM winning younger generation of customers in late 20s, 30s?
7. Lambo, Ferraris seem to have the halo that attracts younger fans who become future buyers, not so much for AM. They seems to be resting on their laurels a lot.
8. Are British exotic brands like AM, Bentley significantly less reliable, more expensive to maintain than their Italian counterparts like F, L?
9. In the world of exotics, I see far fewer AMs than F and L cars.
At this level, I feel there are very few marques available that provide exemplary GT experience. The usual suspects include
Bentley Continental - too big and heavy for my tastes
F12 - ideal choice that is above my budget of 150K
FF/Lusso - nice choices. I can live with the looks.
Cali T - decent choice. But somehow, Cali has always lacked road presence and sense of occasion
Mclaren/458/Huracan - too hard core, not enough GT appeal
Aston Martin - the preferred choice if only they were more reliable. That's the purpose of this thread
I am very intrigued by Aston Martin. They make the most beautiful cars by a large margin in my books, elegant, phenomenal sounding engines, great handling for a GT car.
Eg. who would not want a car like this 2014 vanquish - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UYigKAG8VU.
Or a DB11 like this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjo7rVx--ik
The thing I am having a hard time to digest is the general perception about their poor reliability. Unplanned breakdowns, very expensive repairs, dealers taking advantage of owners since no other mechanic can service these cars, delays in procuring parts. I have also heard things like buy maintenance plan for $5000/year. I have few questions around this topic
1. How much do these maintenance plans really cover? What things fall outside of them? (besides brakes, tires wear and tear)
2. I understand there is annual servicing of about $1500/year
3. How are the maintenance costs in comparison to recent model Ferraris and Bentleys?
4. Almost all the exotic brands are part of larger companies like VW, BMW etc. That's how they are able to survive, benefit from innovation in tech etc. How will AM survive without such a parent?
5. It seems like AM is always behind the curve in adopting the latest transmissions, tech. Now they even have to procure engine from AMG for the Vantage. Does it bode well for AM to survive as an independent company?
6. I am in early 40s. Is AM winning younger generation of customers in late 20s, 30s?
7. Lambo, Ferraris seem to have the halo that attracts younger fans who become future buyers, not so much for AM. They seems to be resting on their laurels a lot.
8. Are British exotic brands like AM, Bentley significantly less reliable, more expensive to maintain than their Italian counterparts like F, L?
9. In the world of exotics, I see far fewer AMs than F and L cars.
Aston as a business is on life support but it’s recent assistance with MB should help some, but they will always be around IMO. These cars have the typical British quirks, which are minor but can be pesky. I’ve never had anything major happen to any of mine, just the typical Emissions warning, gas cap stuck, etc. Maintainace is just like any other exotic, similar to Lambo and Ferrari. I’ve gone through the V8V, V12VS and 2 DBS and love them as daily drivers, especially as a GT car.
Of the Ferrari choices you mentioned, F12 is nice but yes is still above $150k but it continues to depreciate, will follow the curve of the 599. I tried to but hate the looks of the FF, Lusso or Cali...Lambo more sporty and not really GT or great daily.
As as far as justifying....I have 10 cars and yes it’s a bit of a hassle as some don’t get driven as much but 3 should be great, as you’ll have a nice weekend car as well. I say just do it, live only once.
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I have found my V8 Vantage to be superb. perhaps one day a Ferrari, but with my other hobbies and cars likely no time soon...
I justify my "toys" based on passion and fun and budget (always pay cash...) you can get into a nice V8 vantage for well under $60k, why budget more? especially for fun car...
I have DD Volvo SUV, pick up truck, BMW for a couple of track days a year and AMG wagon for road trips...
none have warranties... just buy them right, take care of them and fix what breaks.
my vantage gets about 3k miles a year. get collectable car insurance... mine cost about $6-700 year
I justify my "toys" based on passion and fun and budget (always pay cash...) you can get into a nice V8 vantage for well under $60k, why budget more? especially for fun car...
I have DD Volvo SUV, pick up truck, BMW for a couple of track days a year and AMG wagon for road trips...
none have warranties... just buy them right, take care of them and fix what breaks.
my vantage gets about 3k miles a year. get collectable car insurance... mine cost about $6-700 year
curious who do you ensure with which collector car? Was it stated value ? I was quoted high rates...
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