please tell me your thoughts on the 2007 aston line.

I think they look good, are well built, but lack the punch to attract performance-oriented enthusiasts. If performance is not your priority, they do have more style and uniqueness than the competition...

I totally agree. They are some of the most beautiful cars on the road. They sound amazing, and look just as good. While they may not have super car status they are not exactly slow. What is not to like about them, other than maybe the price....?

My next door neighbor has a DB9 Volante and like the SL65 they have dropped like a rock. They still have room to go down but will soon be decent deals. They have great looks but lack a few simple things like garage door openers and auto dimming rear view mirrors and Sat radio (his complaint) The vantage looks more like the Vanquish and is cheaper but now you can get a used DB9 for the same money and you get the V12. Personally I thing the Bentley Cont.GT is a better made car with a nicer interior but the Astons have the looks over pretty much everything out. As far as service Aston comes to his house to pick his car up for anything. He hasn't had any real problems but hasn't put many miles on either.

I bought an '06 V8 Vantage. It is a great car. Easily one of the best looking cars on the road. Fit and finish is great, the interior is a work of art........and did I say that it sounds incredible......well it does.

From the performance side, their target was he 911.....and I think that they hit it.....spot on. If you think 380hp is slow...perhaps I missed you racing last weekend on TV. As an FCA track events coordinator and instructor, I have seen the quality of the drivers of most high performance, high HP cars...and I can tell you that they don't need more HP, they need driver's schools.

before you jump on me for asking whether any aston could be used for a daily driver...

my GF's finally over her lexus sc430...which is just fne by me. the tough part is deciding what should replace it. she really likes the astons. and what better resource is there for honest info than you?

awaiting your replies.

thanks.

The DB9 gets 1/2 the attention the Bentley gets even though IMO the AM looks better and the Bentley is more common here in LA....The Vantage looks GREAT...but is kinda small...still I may take a look at one.

I drove the DB9 and the V8 Vantage. I'd say the Vantage is a proper and practical Daily Driver™. The DB9 felt, for me, too hardcore. And too stiff and unrelaxed. DB9 is beautiful of course, but the V8 Vantage was so easy to drive and comfortable. And it's just as pretty.

And, without wanting to imply anything, I reckon a V8 Vantage (convertible?) would fit a girl/woman better than a DB9 (or Vanquish). I think it owuld be the perfect car for your GF

How is the reliability of Astons?

more of the same. they got it right in the looks dept., and theyr holding on to it for dear life. but even the vanquish 6.0, 12 cyl, 520hp, 0-60 in 4.8sec - thats kind of slow. all the other models do it in 4.9sec. in order to be successfull they have to break the 3 sec mark, at least with the vanquish

4.8 to 60 is slow? Have you ever experienced it? Unless I missed you racing on TV last weekend, you have no idea what you are talking about. There is also more to the driving experience than 0-60...or just hammering the gas. These are sports cars that shine in the hands of a good driver on a windy road.......as does the SL55.

I agree this is how it should be but like others I am guilty of looking at the 0-60, 1/4 mile etc. at all the cars in the category I am interrested in and even though in the real world it doesn't mean anything, psychologically I would have a problem if the car I wanted was slower than the rest of the competition especially in the 200k category. Sometimes there is no chance to test these cars before buying and that is all their is to go by. The Vanquish is by no means slow but compared to a 599 or an SL65 it would come in last in everything.

0-60 in 4.8 seconds is what an M3 can do, so yes, it is slow. In the 1/4 mile, DB9 is stuck in 13's, so it is slow compared to its competition. When you have similar priced gallardos, Ford GT's, and 911 turbo's that do 0-60 in 3's and 1/4 mile in 12 flat (or even faster), DB9 doesn't look very appealing from a performance perspective. Also, DB9's handling does not even come close to cars like Gallardo, Ford GT, and 911 turbo. Have you never read a DB9 comparison? Its always last.

But damn they are beautiful.

Vanquish S on a highway roll is probably some beast.

Just ended a relationship with a DB9 Volante. It belonged to my boss, but I bought and sold it for him and drove it on more than one occassion. It is beautiful to look at and I found the interior quite comfortable although the visibility fore and aft and side to side is poor. The Limm audio system is a disappointment and this car had the most expensive version. More rattles and buzzes than I expected. Handling was not good, although the more recent cars with the sport package is supposed to be better. The DB9 seems reluctant at first turn-in and the weight makes tight cornering a chore. Steering is heavy and lifeless. The engine makes great noises but the weight retards acceleration. Brakes have a wooden feel that is not pleasant in operation. I wondered why the car was supplied with a trickle charger for the battery and two days after we took delivery, the battery died. Of course, the battery is located in the trunk and the lock is electrically activated, so the rear seats had to be removed to open the trunk to jump start the car. Lack of a sunroof in the interior made it feel like a cave. The leather on the seats was plush and thick, but also very hot in the summer. The starting sequence makes little sense- why insert a key in the ignition and turn it only to have to push a button to complete it? Opening the doors from the exterior took patience because of the very small lever.

My advice is to buy yourself a picture of an Aston Martin and hang it in your living room.

Have you considered the BMW 6 series for your girlfriend? Sure, they are pretty ugly from the rear but they do drive well.

Lack of a sunroof in a Volante?

Sorry, I was thinking of my experience in the DB9 coupe I almost bought.

the choice of car isn't mine, though i'd prefer she get something somewhat less exotic, somewhat more durable, and of course more practical in the real world as a daily driver.
but what do i know?

So very very true. Lateral Gs are much more fun and also require more skill. Also require a track day from time to time to keep the skills honed.

my quickest is 4.2 sec, by manufactures claims and a couple other 4.5-4.9's. but from that price range i'd expect a little more. just my opinion

I'm pretty much the same way... though in the end, I think many of these cars owners end up driving the cars slow... as in "head turning slow".

~ Ian

My dad has a '06 V8 Vantage that he uses as a DD except during Winters (Boston) So sweet. Would take over an SL any day. The inside is spectacular, as is the audio system. Have had no problems as of yet, with 4,500 miles on it already. He has black/black, loaded. The sound the thing makes is real nice. Transmission so smooth. Can drive in 4th gear at 15 mph if you want and it doesn't even flinch. There's just too many SL's out there if you ask me, although I'd take one in a second lol

thanks for the positive testimonial, which i just forwarded to my GF.

we were in palm beach for the weekend and intended to visit jasguar/aston on quadrille, near the courthouse, but we were late leaving the hotel on tuesday morning and had to boogie back to lauderdale.

we'll get in a test soon.

thanks again.

Yes, I would certainly reccomend a test drive (although my Dad didn't...took one look at it and said 'Sold') because the biggest thing you have to get used to is the windshield/point of view. Its different from the SL and many other cars, can seem of awkward at first. Just be forwarned- you very well may go in intending on a test drive, and walk out with the keys to it.