Why do we upgrade our Astons - discuss please
Discussion
Jockman said:
George29 said:
I wouldn't have expected you to know what Sailor Jerry's was.
Is it similar to Seaman Stains....or Roger the Cabin Boy ???BTW, how's your application going for the next Blackburn Rovers Manager ???
Have they short-listed you ???
Edited by Bincenzo on Sunday 30th December 16:46
if you change your car for something better you are in for around a 10k hit for dealers margin .So for me if you can avoid changing by upgrading within that sort of budget it makes some sort of financial sense.
The worry for me is that a car brand is a balance of attributes and what you must not do is change that balance too much or you lose something. For me Aston's are beautiful and understated ( ie not Ferrari's) so go faster stripes don't do it for me but I also see them as powerful and a bit of a handful so more power seems consistent with the brand. I also see them as luxurious so improving the ride also appeals to me as I think it is a bit crude ( in the older cars ) for the image.
if you follow this line of thought what mods would you do to your Aston to make it more of an Aston than it is ?
The worry for me is that a car brand is a balance of attributes and what you must not do is change that balance too much or you lose something. For me Aston's are beautiful and understated ( ie not Ferrari's) so go faster stripes don't do it for me but I also see them as powerful and a bit of a handful so more power seems consistent with the brand. I also see them as luxurious so improving the ride also appeals to me as I think it is a bit crude ( in the older cars ) for the image.
if you follow this line of thought what mods would you do to your Aston to make it more of an Aston than it is ?
B4rnst4ble said:
Please jockman , I respect anyone who can keep their chopper up for a full shift
What happened to finbarr Saunders and his double entendres??
Yo Mike - hope you and Jules had a good Christmas !!What happened to finbarr Saunders and his double entendres??
Remember, if you're in Formby there is a veritable 'gaggle' of us common Astonauts nearby
I've never felt the need to modify a car I've owned before, but the V8V just feels like its got more to give somehow. It's also the heaviest car I've owned, so I guess that might have something to do with it?
So far I've only got a BR clutch, but the exhaust and manifold will probably find their way into my car soon. The only thing that's holding me back is the sound - I really love the stock 4.3 sound, I would mind more volume (valves open), but I wouldn't want the character to change too much.
- Steve
So far I've only got a BR clutch, but the exhaust and manifold will probably find their way into my car soon. The only thing that's holding me back is the sound - I really love the stock 4.3 sound, I would mind more volume (valves open), but I wouldn't want the character to change too much.
- Steve
michael gould said:
I think the guys that modify are the type of guys who change their cars every 6 months........they/you are never happy with their lot.......and so instead of changing the car they modify .........and good luck to them if it makes them happy..........but we all know it never will.........you will always want more
Hmm, doesn't apply to many I know who have done BR mods to their Aston, most seem to be in it for the long term or consider them a keeper. I've had mine 2 years now and really have no intention of ever selling!As to the wanting more, there is always the chance of cacthing that bug. But there is a point where I will consider my car 'finished' as I have with my Maserati, Marcos, Alfa and Lotus, the other cars I have seriously modified. It will have the Bamford Rose 6.5 litre engine, a different front and rear end, the back seats removed and some pimptastic quilted leather on the seats and door cards.
Then I am done, and will enjoy it every time I drive it... while spending the modding money on the future E-Type instead
yeti said:
michael gould said:
I think the guys that modify are the type of guys who change their cars every 6 months........they/you are never happy with their lot.......and so instead of changing the car they modify .........and good luck to them if it makes them happy..........but we all know it never will.........you will always want more
Hmm, doesn't apply to many I know who have done BR mods to their Aston, most seem to be in it for the long term or consider them a keeper. I've had mine 2 years now and really have no intention of ever selling!As to the wanting more, there is always the chance of cacthing that bug. But there is a point where I will consider my car 'finished' as I have with my Maserati, Marcos, Alfa and Lotus, the other cars I have seriously modified. It will have the Bamford Rose 6.5 litre engine, a different front and rear end, the back seats removed and some pimptastic quilted leather on the seats and door cards.
Then I am done, and will enjoy it every time I drive it... while spending the modding money on the future E-Type instead
Most of my cars have been kept for around 3-4 years and I've made subtle cosmetic upgrades to a few of them. The reason being, for me, is purely to personalise it and make it my own.
yeti said:
Traditionally perhaps. But the whole path is now laid out for Gaydon Aston Martins, no luck required. The work has been thoroughly researched and proven by a team of ex-Aston factory engineers. There are no losses in other areas; would you care to elaborate on what you mean?
My comment was not specifically aimed at mods that you or others on this forum have made eg. Bamford Rose, and indeed, it sounds like those mods are well thought out and perhaps a win-win, based on testimonials. Not having tried them for myself (and unfortunately, residing in North America, unable to practically do so), I reserve judgment. Based on my experiences with past cars, a few examples are: suspension mods might improve track or smooth road handling or give a better stance, at the expense of rough road (most roads around here) handling and ground clearance; exhaust might subjectively improve sound at idle or WOT, at the expense of drone at cruising speeds (I realize a 'switchable' valve can address this); engine mods might alter the hp/torque balance one way or the other, rarely both (desireable in some situations but not others), at the expense of emissions/ability to pass required tests.yeti said:
No-one is talking about going ever faster, it's about enjoying the improvements to the car, enjoying the fact that your car is better to drive. Obviously a superior driver could punt a Honda Civic everywhere faster than I could my DB9... I'll bet money I have more fun in my DB9, smug driving superiority isn't that fun I don't think.
Hmmm - quoted a bit out of context. My example was a standard car vs. a modded car. While I have no doubt that you are having more fun in your modded DB9 than a standard DB9 (all that money spent has hopefully put a bigger smile on your face), I imagine it would pale in comparison to the experience of going from a Civic to an Aston! And who said anything about smugness? My comment was addressed to those who wish to gain maximum bang for the buck in extracting more enjoyment from driving their car, not to those who think driver training is a means to lording it over others.quench said:
My comment was addressed to those who wish to gain maximum bang for the buck in extracting more enjoyment from driving their car, not to those who think driver training is a means to lording it over others.
Well that successfuly killed that thread, thanks 
Upgrading the driver is no doubt the best way of going faster for the money.
But it doesn't make your car perform better than the manufacturer did; the upgrade path actually improves the car which is the original aim.
If you wish to improve the driver... that's a topic for another thread I would imagine.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff