Is anyone tempted by a used Aston Martin?
02-18-2009, 11:55 AM
#32
Too true Dave...
Apparently when British Leyland had to bring the MGB in line with US regs in 1975, specifically bumper height they simply jacked the suspension up - using timber blocks!
Apparently when British Leyland had to bring the MGB in line with US regs in 1975, specifically bumper height they simply jacked the suspension up - using timber blocks!
02-18-2009, 12:58 PM
#33
Track Day
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My father purchased a 2008 AM Vantage V8 last year. It's absolutely drop dead gorgeous from any angle. I have a 1997 Carrera S. They are completely different cars. The 993 is a car you can easily drive every day. With the Aston, you probably still need another daily driver. Yes, visibility and practicality are lacking in the Aston, but who the hell cares? It looks and sounds gorgeous, and there is a great sense of occasion and drama when you get in and start the engine. I'll never part with my 993, but the Aston is a very special car.
02-18-2009, 02:09 PM
#34
Burning Brakes
I love Aston's. Was considering picking up this little number...http://www.huntingridgemotors.com/ca...d=2242&subcat=
02-18-2009, 03:17 PM
#35
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I love Aston's. Was considering picking up this little number...http://www.huntingridgemotors.com/ca...d=2242&subcat=
02-18-2009, 10:30 PM
#37
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The exterior design is breath taking. The looks of the car makes me ache with longing. I want one. But...
The visibility is awful when you compare it to any 911. So is most of the interior.
I love the dials, but the rev counter turns in the opposite direction that one would expect. And there are other unconventional traits. The sound is simply awesome.
And, ultimately, I can't get service within nearly 300 miles. Aston pulled out of Pittsburgh, despite major sports franchises and other obligations. That's not cool.
Any other thoughts would be welcome,
Matt
02-19-2009, 01:40 AM
#38
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I am going to sell my AMG C63 and get a 911 Probably a 2007 TT. But I am going to have to go to
Aston and Drive a vantage. It is a drop dead gorgeous car. Now its up to 420hp? that would make it
worth the drive.
Aston and Drive a vantage. It is a drop dead gorgeous car. Now its up to 420hp? that would make it
worth the drive.
02-20-2009, 03:29 AM
#39
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I drove with some friends from Seattle to Monterey last spring. We brought some 993's, a Vantage and an E39 M5 to drive at Laguna Seca. The drive to and from there was probably best in the A-M. But at the track the 993's played hard all day, the M5 cooked its brakes and the Aston Martin had to stop early because pieces of its brake pads were coming off in chunks.
Last edited by mcpiaseczny; 02-20-2009 at 03:32 AM. Reason: it was a Vantage, not a DB9...
02-20-2009, 11:32 AM
#40
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Simply a gorgeous piece of rolling art; and yes, qualifies as a "sexy" car. So while none of this is "news" to you, I think the obvious answer is YES!!! I'd love to own one as a weekend/occasional short-tour car with the wife. But the real determining factor is if I could afford the upkeep down the road. Think of parts and labor costs, your DIY-ability, factor in your discretionary income, then figure in your desire ===> whether you should get one. If I could do it, I'd have one in a heartbeat ...that and an old-school Ferrari 328 (or a 360, but that's just dreaming for me!! 
).
Edward
).Edward
03-04-2009, 07:01 AM
#41
03-04-2009, 08:03 AM
#42
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That's interesting.
On the one hand, I worry about parts availability and service. Especially since my local dealership disappeared.
On the other hand, I think AM will always be OK if Ulrich Bez is at the helm, regardless of who the owners are. And it's not like the cars are still being made in Newport Pagnell.
On the one hand, I worry about parts availability and service. Especially since my local dealership disappeared.
On the other hand, I think AM will always be OK if Ulrich Bez is at the helm, regardless of who the owners are. And it's not like the cars are still being made in Newport Pagnell.
03-04-2009, 04:52 PM
#44
I love AMs. New ones are nice but I'm particularly smitten by the 1962-era DB4 GT Zagato. It's my all-time favorite car lust. There were 19 made but don't know how many survive. I've seen two in the flesh and met the long-time owner of a third one. Before the economy tanked, these were $3-4MM cars. Even at 10% of that, they're still way out of my league.
03-04-2009, 05:27 PM
#45
The latest issue of Motor Trend magazine has a review of the new 4.7 V8 Vantage and they were pretty unimpressed. The transmission broke during testing, and the dual-clutch was a pain. There were other downsides as well, but for $140K for a new one, there's no question there are way better cars out there; the 2009 Porsche Turbo comes to mind.
The AM is drop dead gorgeous, no doubt, but what price beauty if it's a pain all the time? That's a question I shoulda asked myself before I dated my last girlfriend too, alas...
The AM is drop dead gorgeous, no doubt, but what price beauty if it's a pain all the time? That's a question I shoulda asked myself before I dated my last girlfriend too, alas...