Good day all,

Decided to join the AM ‘owner’s club’. Apart from being clear it has to be a V12 6.0 Coupe, been ‘all over the place’ as to what to get. Started looking online at DB9, then settled on 2011/2012 Virage and now focusing on DB7 Vantage (huge cost variations between these models too I know).

Bought the definitive Aston Martin guide although that was before focusing on the DB7 which pre-dates that guide pretty much (guide is for Gaydon onwards cars really). Also, researching via numerous buyers guides that are online.

It won’t be used much at all and will be mollycoddled in our garage. So perhaps prudent not to be outlaying 2011/ 2012 Virage money just yet and to plan to ‘build up’ to that sort of ‘investment’.

To focus the mind on the Coupe DB7 Vantage even bought a ‘private plate’ for that very model… looked at one yesterday with a good history and less than 40k miles but in truth, was a bit disappointed with its condition which was by no means bad but it didn’t wow me… think this going to be a lengthy process!

I roamed this site and other AM sites for years before I brought my car. By the time I was ready I knew or heard of every problem. Watch Redpants and Bamford Rose for even more information.

Take your time. It took me a year and a half to find the right car, and it's now the best vehicular investment I've ever made, with respect to driving enjoyment and monetary value.

One caution: these cars don't like to sit in a garage, they develop "garage rot", meaning things will break simply because of disuse. They need to be driven to stay in good working order. So don't coddle it too much, or your experience with an Aston will be disappointing.

Good luck with your search.

Mine spends most of its life in the garage it’s a manual….in our traffic and with my other cars being auto I seldom use it, it has had a battery and a thermostat and a clutch no other problems so the come t they don’t like to stand is subjective …mine does less than 2000km a year