NOTKTS

This past week I was at my dealership in Naples I had a chance to get behind the wheel of the Aston Martin Vanquish S this weekend. I was dropping of the Lambo for an oil change. My salesman came over to me and said you have to see this I was reluctant because I just wanted to get home. But I did walk with him to the truck; there it was brand new right off the truck (2ed in the US). Black on Black, the best looking car I have ever encountered the extra horsepower that Aston put into it pulled me away from the 575. The cars sound is simply amazing and I can’t help but rev the engine and makes me want to sell my 500 in a second. Though there is a HUGE gripe the gearbox, where the hell is the manual ??? I found myself trying to figure out reverse in this thing, my salesman didn’t even have the famous idea. I did figure it out after pulling and pushing a few things in the car, but this is going to be my daily driver and don’t know how I'd deal with this 3 days out of the week. They also had just gotten a trade in on a Brilliant Silver on Ash SL65. This is what caught my eye, I have read so much about it in these post and magazines but noting compares to 604 Hp on tap... All I have to say is raw brute power with the luxury of a S600. I couldn’t believe it hit a 125 by the end of the on-ramp ... might I add with the seats gently massaging my back. My gripe with this is the trunk space, with the top down I can’t get 2 sets of golf clubs in the things though for Florida the conv. season has just started... Anyways just wanted your opinion is the Astons gearbox worth it or is the SL’s trunk space a equal compromise?
Might I add I can still get the license plates AM 007. Sorry I love James Bond. :p

sprins

Car magazine (UK, March 2005) has a nice article (Euro trash: International Playboy GT Shoutout) that compares Ferrari 612, Vanquish S, Bentley GT and SL65. I know it's only a magazine article, but it may help you with your decision. And it's a nice read too

I can fax it to you if you like.

IanSL55

Maybe you carry those giant leather staff bags to your club but I can get two stand bags into my SL55 as long as I pull the woods out of the bags...

I see the SL as being a better daily driver than the Aston Martin. People ask me why did I get the AMG when for a few bucks more I could have gotten into a Ferrari. The answer for me is that I wanted a high end car that I could take to Starbucks or to the corner store without causing a fuss, yet had anough 'curb appeal' for the valet guys to leave it out front when I'm out on the town.

~ Ian

Schiznick

I have to pull the woods out to get two bags in the trunk but I do it all the time.

The SL65 is the ultimate daily driver. As you described it is hard to beat the luxury and all out performance when you want it. The SL65 is a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing as many people mistake it for a SL55 until you vanish in front of them.

It is incredible having 604 HP on tap at the touch of the throttle and I get 20+ MPG while cruising at 80.

Schiz

dinko

Which dealer had the Aston? Maitland or S. Orlando? Who is your Salesman?

dinko

elbimmer

Of course take the Vanquish S...

NOTKTS

No... it was my Lamborghini dealership in Napels.

NOTKTS

You cant help but love the looks of the Aston, and yes I do worry about the daily drivablity of it. It cant be to bad, its made by ford . Thats what pulled me away from the Ferrari 575 and 612. I need a daily driver and I dont feel the need for another 220K + car at this point. Can you guys put the top down with the woods out of the bag or do you have to ride with it up? Thanks

Schiznick

With small bags you can drive with it down although yuou need to put the top up to get them out.

treynor

They're both gorgeous cars, but the Aston has a history of reliability issues which makes the Mercedes look like a Lexus. That, and the SL65 will suck both the Vanquish's doors off and spit them out without raising a sweat

I chose the SL over the Ferrari, Porsche, et. al. because (a) it's a wonderful car to drive day-in, day-out and (b) it's blisteringly fast. Having had mine for 6 months I do not regret the choice one iota.

NOTKTS

I've decied Im going with the SL65.... I dont see having another 200K car parked out front when I need a daily driver. Treynor everyone talks about your vids but I cant find them when I search, can you point me in the right direction.

treynor

Good choice Here's what you have to look forward to :

http://www.treynor.com/Mercedes_Carnage.wmv
http://www.treynor.com/Mercedes_Carnage_2.wmv
http://www.treynor.com/SL65_stock.wmv

andy-sl55

for what its worth - here in England, the Vanquish has a bad reputation for its gearbox - f1 transmission and clutch issues. Otherwise supposed to be great tho. The sl65 has a reputation of being too powerful - the electronics never let it get going properly as they keep cutting in to maintain traction. Also at $70000 over the sl55 they arent selling many. I would still like one tho!

pinoyamg

I would concur with your decision. Sl65 is the way to go. One other point, with the rides you have, buy 4 sets of clubs, leave them at the CC's. They even polish and take the grass out of my shoes! I never have to load my clubs into the trunk!

IngenereAMG

I think that the Vanquish S would be the choice. You've had an SL...it's time to try something very cool....and besides you can get the cool plate to boot!

naadp

I love the DB9, but not so much the Vanquish. There's a lot of guys over on the Aston forums complaining about major, repeated issues with the transmission.

vraa

And here too!

The DB9 looks sick, and is sick. Get the DB9

NOTKTS

I would love to get the DB9, but I need a drop top in the collection and the DB9 is just to long of a wait for the conv... I feel the need for something new.

NOTKTS

To powerfull??? There is no such thing as being to powerfull :v. I know about the Astons gearbox it is amazing stupid!! Where are the good ol' manuals these days?

NOTKTS

I know but I still travel alot to other golf clubs when the clients invite me to their clubs. Its a cat and mouse game with my clubs so I just leave them in the trunk.

vraa

If it's the drop top you need, get the SL. Nothing can ever, nor will beat the R230 in style, performance, and what not.

Doctodd33

The drop top is the biggest diffference. That should be the dealbreaker or not.

T

Lexani

NOTKTS:

Why is this even hard for you? You had better get that SL65, or else no more

:p

Just messing with ya, but you know, what other vehicle can give you a massage while runnning high 11s through the 1/4 mile blasting the AC?

NOTKTS

I decided that I’m getting neither of the two (65 or Vanq S). My dealership in Naples came to me and asked me if I wanted a F430 Spider 1st run build spot. I jumped on the chance knowing even if I didn’t want it, I could still sell it for 50% mark up in Dupont Registry. So I put down the deposit today and expecting a early January delivery.

This was the deciding factor....
F430 Spider
(Steaming Video)

Lexani

Bring that down here too-- Im going to enjoy digging into that one :v

Actually though, we are expecting a F430 at our meet down here, and... well, Probably get a video of that posted up here.