Yesterday we ordered a companion car to the 928 stable... a Silver 2007 AM-V8 for January 07 delivery date. Took a demo drive yesterday... much smaller on the outside than the 928's, but feels bigger on the inside... tight and solid like our cars. Unlike the 911 they compare it to, it's got much more torque, in fact I took off in 2nd most of the time, then shifted to 4th and 6th and still pulled strong in Chicago suburban traffic. A lot like our 928's and I'll bet if the 928 evolved, it would have had similar feel and features.

I have a few months to get rid of the Lagonda to make room for the new car. Ordered it in Tungsten Silver (kinda the standard Bond Aston) in a special Aston Tan (custom colors as well as any exterior color can be ordered) which is not offered anymore. The NAV, Stereo upgrade, Cruise (not standard), wood trim in Bamboo (not offered, but can use DB9 parts and dealer install), 19" wheels, red brake calipers, bright grill, etc.



Rick H

 

That description makes my mouth water... Congratulations!!!

 

I saw a Vantage on my way to work yesterday..awesome is the only word to describe it.

 

OK ...."much smaller on the outside than the 928's, but feels bigger on the inside...The wheel base is 102.4 to 98.43 ; length 172.5 to 177.95;wide 73.5 to 72.28 , tall 49.4 to 50.47 So the AM is just about the same size in my opinion with the longer wheelbase giving the potential for for "larger" interior space. With a weight of 3461 should be a fun car and it likes to rev ! Nice car !

 

I have always liked the Aston cars... but my experiences with the Vantage, Virage and Lagonda back in the 80s leaves a lot to be desired. They have always been wild machines with nice looks... kind of an American muscle car in a European suit. Love it or hate it, i loved it. Reliability is typical english car - very bad. i hope the DB9 and V-8 are better than the predecessors. They look awesome. Congrats.

Sincerely,

 

Once an Aston always a Ford - just kidding - wonderful car.
I spent a lot of time at the Aston facility in Newport Pagnell - real artists!
Roger

 

As far as the reliability factor (I budget $1 a mile for repairs on the Lagonda), one reason I bought the car is service... the nearest dealer is 400 miles away until Aston opens a Minneapolis dealer which will happen eventually. In the next 5 years at unlimited miles any warranty work they will send a carrier out, pick up the car and deliver it back to my door fixed... I figure they must be OK now and I've followed the Aston Martin Owners Club (amoc.org) forum and so far the only complaints has been a gas cap that falls apart, buzzing from the speakers (the demo car actually had that problem) that dealers fixed and that seemed to be the only quality complaints.

My orange 928 is in the shop for being repainted as tere were some dimples in the clear coat that were noticeable in dusk light... Vescio's that did the work in Rogers Minnesota resprayed at no charge, now that is standing behind their work!

Rick H

 

Rogers, MN... Home of the Happy Chef! My Grandparents had a farm out in Rogers/St. Michael where I would go snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, etc. It's now part of Fox Hollow golf course. Ahhh the memories. Thanks.

BTW, good score on the AM!

 

I just talked to a friend of my brother's last night. He got a $15k quote for the 'annual service' on his '02 Vanquish. (annual service $ on AM = DR Supercharger in a GT installed plus a new set of 3 piece 18" wheels/tires with gas money left over. Hmmmm)
That apparently didn't sour him on AM, however.
He traded it in on an '06 Vanquish S.
I really want to check out that car.

 

Oh thats my dream car right now after the 928 of course.
My father had an 1973 amv8 and it was the biggest beast i have ever been in.
The sound it made and the power was fantastic.
He did buy 3 928s during and after the aston though.

Tungsten silver is my colour too as i have an importing business we do
tungsten jewellery.
I envy allot those lagonda's are very cool too.
There is a lagonda for sale here in Oz thats has had water damage to it
and is really cheap its a rare series 4 too someone should break it for parts.
I guess it would be too hard to find parts to totally fix it.

Malibu is you want the details let me know.


cheers
Sam

 

I'd be interested in finding out about the Series 4... I think I might know which it is... if there is rust in the frame, it's only good for parts... The Aston Engine in a 928 would be an interesting combination... the engine is fairly bullet-proof stock. As far as the $15K annual work on the Vanquish, that's the reasoning to spend the extra $6K on a 5 year warranty on the Vantage (V8). In the past 15 years I've had three Lagondas... plenty of electrical issues (not bad with the Series 4), the shocks for the Lagondas are terrible (my series 4 had new shocks 5 years ago installed, and I possess the last 3 sill in the box Lagonda shocks in the world for spres).... but I never once had a drvetrain problem.

Rick

 

Lagonda? Wow, there is a unique and unusual automobile! What does one of those go for now?
Mark

 

Congrats, saw the test in "topgear" a few week's ago. The sound was crazy.....anyway, I did something simular 2 weeks ago. Ordered ( or entered the list ) a Panamera - delivery 2009, if I'm lucky. I'm no. 6 on the list, but maybee they will only get 2 or 3 cars the first year here in Denmark, but......I keep my fingered crossed. Pricetag in Euro : 75-150 k ( without tax .....tax = 180 % on top - that's why I'll keep it unlicended = no tax. ), they can't tell right now but in october or november this year they will know. BTW, what year is the Langonda/ how many miles ?

 

Ups, Lagonda............

 

My Lagonda has 11,000 miles... can be seen at
http://www.drautos.com/Search/DRauSe...?itemid=313327

The other Series 4's are going for more than the $60,000 I'm asking for so I think the price is fair.