AMOC - is it worth it?
Discussion
I'm thinking of joining the AM Owners Club. I'm specifically interested about the "member benefits" for events like the upcoming racing at Snetterton. Despite a couple of conversations with the club, I can't get a straight answer about whether you get a discount for spectating etc. Also, because it's halfway through the year, they only offer 18 months membership at the minute (£45 for the rest of 2014, £95 for 2015 and £30 "joining fee" (for which you get a key fob and a window sticker!) total £170).
In your opinion, is it worth joining the club? And what are the real member benefits (I know about the newsletter etc)?
Cheers, Shunter
In your opinion, is it worth joining the club? And what are the real member benefits (I know about the newsletter etc)?
Cheers, Shunter
The AMOC website is a very good resource for info on your Aston.
They have regular monthly regional meets and events,where you will meet a friendly bunch of Aston enthusiasts,that will give you advice,if required.
Post your specific query on the AMOC website,someone will be able to give you an answer.
Whether it's worth the money is up to you.
They have regular monthly regional meets and events,where you will meet a friendly bunch of Aston enthusiasts,that will give you advice,if required.
Post your specific query on the AMOC website,someone will be able to give you an answer.
Whether it's worth the money is up to you.
Edited by avinalarf on Monday 28th July 11:36
If you're only interested in balancing the cost of membership against the discounts available and what you get in monetary terms then don't join because I can't imagine there's £90 worth of discounts available throughout the year. On the other hand, the publications are excellent, you mention the newsletter but the glossy AM Quarterly and the annual "Aston" Heritage mag/book is again excellent, particularly if you're interested in the history of the mark. I've been on several club runs and tours and met some lovely people. As has been said there's the monthly meetings if you're into that and the web site is a good resource and complements Pistonheads where the chat is mostly about Bamford Rose, carbon fibre and wraps 
- Can't tell you much more but if you're a car club type person, have a broader interest in the mark and like doing things then AMOC is one of the best. All I can say is give it a go for a year and see what you think.
- Can't tell you much more but if you're a car club type person, have a broader interest in the mark and like doing things then AMOC is one of the best. All I can say is give it a go for a year and see what you think. Edited by RichB on Monday 28th July 11:54
Thank you folks for your replies. As a tight Yorkshireman, the cost:benefit equation is quite important, so "trying it for a year" at £170 seems quite pricey to me. I am more interested in attending motorsport events than club meets - do you know if entry tickets are discounted?
And are there other aspects of AMOC membership that would sway it for me? For instance, at the Snetterton event, does membership allow you to do the parade lap, or is that just open to all Astons?
And are there other aspects of AMOC membership that would sway it for me? For instance, at the Snetterton event, does membership allow you to do the parade lap, or is that just open to all Astons?
If I were in the UK, I absolutely would have an AMOC membership, they've got loads of great events that'll I'll never get to go to.
I'm in the southeast US and unfortunately it's a vast wasteland in that region in terms of AM events. Northeast US seems to be very well served by AMOC there.
Chris
I'm in the southeast US and unfortunately it's a vast wasteland in that region in terms of AM events. Northeast US seems to be very well served by AMOC there.
Chris
I honestly don't know because if I fancy a race meeting I just buy my tickets and go without noticing the 'on the gate' price at the track. Regarding parade laps I reckon probably everyone piles in (or at least they did at Brands last summer 
) and it's hard to imagine they check membership cards at the track barrier.
) and it's hard to imagine they check membership cards at the track barrier. Edited by RichB on Monday 28th July 15:45
There are a few benefits:
1. There's an AMOC discount insurance scheme with Locktons (but how much that is worth depends on whether Locktons is the cheapest for you anyway)
2. Some dealers give a labour rate discount for AMOC members, check with your local one on that
AMOC usually gets discounts on tickets to to a few events (eg I think i got half price to the classic car show last year)
Parade laps - sometimes. I think for example at the Silverstone event in April, AMOC members got to use one of the grandstands and then there was a parade lap for all the cars. At the Silverstone classic last weekend there was a parade lap specifically for DB7s (an anniversary for them).
1. There's an AMOC discount insurance scheme with Locktons (but how much that is worth depends on whether Locktons is the cheapest for you anyway)
2. Some dealers give a labour rate discount for AMOC members, check with your local one on that
AMOC usually gets discounts on tickets to to a few events (eg I think i got half price to the classic car show last year)
Parade laps - sometimes. I think for example at the Silverstone event in April, AMOC members got to use one of the grandstands and then there was a parade lap for all the cars. At the Silverstone classic last weekend there was a parade lap specifically for DB7s (an anniversary for them).
Edited by downr on Monday 28th July 16:04
I don't think there is any discount on race event tickets as the gate money goes to the circuit, not the club (and the club has to pay the circuit for the privilege).
ETA: For me AMOC membership is most definitely worth it. Some of my best friends have been made through the Club. One gets out what one puts in. For me, it's Concours.
ETA: For me AMOC membership is most definitely worth it. Some of my best friends have been made through the Club. One gets out what one puts in. For me, it's Concours.
Edited by V8LM on Monday 28th July 14:39
shunter450 said:
Many thanks for all your replies. As my focus is Motorsport, I think that as there's no discounted tickets it's probably not worth joining.
Just one final one, can anyone give a definitive answer about the parade lap at Snetterton - do I need to be a member or not?
Cheers.
In the past, and I see no reason for this to have changed, is that any Aston Martin/driver can take part and passengers 16 and older. Just need to 'sign-on' at the start of the day.Just one final one, can anyone give a definitive answer about the parade lap at Snetterton - do I need to be a member or not?
Cheers.
Send a PM to annereed here, or better still post on the AMOC forum in an open area (some are members only).
When we bought our first Aston I joined the AMOC. Apart from a monthly meet we never did anything or went anywhere. Subsequently changed from a Vantage to a V8S and started doing drive outs via Piston Heads and proper tours with Petrol Head Nirvana. Out of loyalty I renewed my membership but do not feel inclined to even attend the monthly meets. I believe that my area hold an occasional static event but that is not for us. As a consequence I have cancelled our membership.
Pearl my V8S is now 14 months old and has now clocked up 16000 of the most fun miles ever.
To conclude if you want to get the best out of your car do not bother with AMOC stick on this forum where there seems to be nearly always something going on.
Pearl my V8S is now 14 months old and has now clocked up 16000 of the most fun miles ever.
To conclude if you want to get the best out of your car do not bother with AMOC stick on this forum where there seems to be nearly always something going on.
robgt said:
To conclude if you want to get the best out of your car do not bother with AMOC stick on this forum where there seems to be nearly always something going on.
Although that's not an absolute fact. I have done some fantastic tours with AMOC including 2,500 miles last summer on a wonderful tour to the Schlumph Museum, the Zagato Factory, the Mille Miglia Museum and an afternoon track day at Monza! 
Yes it was one of the best times I've had behind the steering wheel. FoxyGTO3R said:
It depends on which AMOC area you're in, some are really active and some (like mine) don't seem to arrange anything!
It might be worth mentioning you are welcome to attend events in other areas, other than the one HQ allocate you to.Not sure which part of East Anglia you are in but we (Area 3, adjoining the north of your area) have a number of people from your area come to our events and even some meetings. Your welcome to send me your email address at area3@amoc.org if you want me to add you to our monthly email newsletter list.
I joined AMOC a few years before I bought my first AM, back in the days when a new AM was in excess of £80,000 when that was A LOT of money.
The best answer that I can give to this important question is that you get out what you put in. In my case, I've put in a fair amount in time and energy, but have been 'repaid' handsomely
Before I joined, I hadn't really travelled the world or met many like minded people. I live in a relatively isolated part of the UK, in the North as it happens. Now I have a great network of friends around the world. I have attended and been part of events that as a teenager, I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams. Prestigious world class events that I have been proud to represent the club and the marque. I've participated in concours on both sides of the Atlantic and driven race tracks (at my own modest pace) in exotic, for me, places. Not to mention meeting important and interesting people who have guided AML, people I only read about in books and magazines.
Other people I have had the privilege to meet have guided be through my expanding collection. Advice freely given that has been welcomely received and save thousands of pounds. Kindness and hospitality have been unbounded even from people I have initially met on-line. For geographic reasons, my local group meet at some distance, so I, rather oddly have much closer ties with an overseas area. Such is the power of the internet I guess.
If I get a 10% Insurence discount, which I probably do, this nicely exceeds the membership fee, not that I have ever thought about it.
In cold financial terms, I guess I have spend £2,000 on membership over 17 years, but it would be impossible to quantify the combined value of 'money just cannot buy' experience during that time. Even if I pick a figure of £250,000, it's just not close. I've had so much fun, and continue to have fun. One day I might even achieve the upper echelons of 'pipe and slipper' status, one day.......but not quite yet.
The best answer that I can give to this important question is that you get out what you put in. In my case, I've put in a fair amount in time and energy, but have been 'repaid' handsomely
Before I joined, I hadn't really travelled the world or met many like minded people. I live in a relatively isolated part of the UK, in the North as it happens. Now I have a great network of friends around the world. I have attended and been part of events that as a teenager, I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams. Prestigious world class events that I have been proud to represent the club and the marque. I've participated in concours on both sides of the Atlantic and driven race tracks (at my own modest pace) in exotic, for me, places. Not to mention meeting important and interesting people who have guided AML, people I only read about in books and magazines.
Other people I have had the privilege to meet have guided be through my expanding collection. Advice freely given that has been welcomely received and save thousands of pounds. Kindness and hospitality have been unbounded even from people I have initially met on-line. For geographic reasons, my local group meet at some distance, so I, rather oddly have much closer ties with an overseas area. Such is the power of the internet I guess.
If I get a 10% Insurence discount, which I probably do, this nicely exceeds the membership fee, not that I have ever thought about it.
In cold financial terms, I guess I have spend £2,000 on membership over 17 years, but it would be impossible to quantify the combined value of 'money just cannot buy' experience during that time. Even if I pick a figure of £250,000, it's just not close. I've had so much fun, and continue to have fun. One day I might even achieve the upper echelons of 'pipe and slipper' status, one day.......but not quite yet.
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