My first Aston Martin purchase - Any feedback very welcome!

[johnxjsc1985]

How about keeping the Bentley,buying the Aston from Marlow and then buying an F type now that would be a nice problem to have.

[Salterns]

JulianPH said:

£6,000 off what I would have paid when there was not a penny margin in the car!

It is obviously tempting to revisit the Stratstone DBS, but I just can't bring myself to do business with them.

I'd be terribly tempted to go back and gloat about how much the car has lost in value since they messed you about, I'd be seriously rubbing their nose in it. I might even offer them a below price offer again.

[johnxjsc1985]

Salterns said:

I'd be terribly tempted to go back and gloat about how much the car has lost in value since they messed you about, I'd be seriously rubbing their nose in it. I might even offer them a below price offer again.

Yes a nice take it or leave it offer then when they agree just say no and give no reason.

[Ken Figenus]

Life is too short guys!

Get a DB9 and a 12m warranty and have a look again in 9 months maybe?

[JulianPH]

Ken Figenus said:

Life is too short guys!

Get a DB9 and a 12m warranty and have a look again in 9 months maybe?

I have found one at HWM - March 2005, 60k miles, FAMSH, 12m warranty, £35k. Pictures attache.

Seems to me to be a great entry into the world of Aston Martin...

[Ken Figenus]

Make sure of the exclusions on the warranty (there will surely be lots) but its the price of a FWD hatchback and looks to be in great condition with FAMSH. Get it before the weekend I say!

[SELON]

Lovely looking car and nothing visually wrong with it. Lovely. But...

Personally, if you set your heart on the full fat version and can go for that, then stick it out and go for the DBS, otherwise you will go through another round of selling and buying in the near future.

Weather will be brightening up soon...

[JulianPH]

Hi All

SELON - My heart was always divided between the old Vanquish S and the DBS, but 90% of this was based upon styling alone (yes, I can be that shallow!!!). My primary goal was to be in an Aston as I have never owned one before.

Ken - Good point about the warranty, I had not even considered there could be exclusions and thought that all AM warranties would be the same. That may be a bit late now, as I have bought it!

New radiator grill
12 months road tax
New MOT
Full service
Alloys refurbished (choice of staying with the gunmetal or going for silver - I actually like the gunmetal which was an optional extra - any thoughts anyone?)
Lorry delivered
£34k

To my mind this was a no brainer as I get to keep the Bentley, start on my Aston Martin journey and save myself £50k finance (that I would have had with the DBS).

As well as it being a lovely clean car that I really like, it also gives me a benchmark to compare future Aston's with. So I am a happy chap!

Cheers everyone - enjoy the rugby tonight

Julian

[SELON]

Sound logic. Have a good drive of it and have fun.

Buy buy buy buy buy buy ...

[tonyhall38]

Even has my upgrade knobs....buy buy buy....

[JulianPH]

Bought, bought, bought!

It has been a journey, I have gone from one thing to another, but I have bought my first Aston Martin and am over the moon about it. Whether I keep it or trade it in is not relevant. I ended up with a great car at small (comparatively) price and am very happy.

I am no longer in a rush and will learn more about the marque.

Thanks everyone, would be great to hear back from you all and meet up sometime soon.

Julian

Edited by JulianPH on Friday 6th February 21:10

[johnxjsc1985]

I think its great when someone achieves such an ambition and owning an Aston Martin is definitely a worthy ambition well done.

[hashluck]

Great stuff and the Pratstones DBS is stil sitting there

[johnxjsc1985]

hashluck said:

Great stuff and the Pratstones DBS is stil sitting there

maybe someone should let them know.

[JulianPH]

johnxjsc1985 said:

hashluck said:

Great stuff and the Pratstones DBS is stil sitting there

maybe someone should let them know.

Pratstones (like it hashluck!) have just knocked another grand off it too. It is now £7,000 less than I was going to pay when we fell out over a £145 'used car administration fee' (well that on top of everything else).

I am so glad I didn't buy that car, there were so many warning signs and I can't believe I held out as long as I did with problem after problem.

Stuart at HWM has just been fantastic with this DB9 - I wouldn't touch the DBS at Pratstones regardless of price now.

Any thoughts anyone on the alloys on the DB9 - keep with the original anthracite or go for silver? If they hadn't given me the option I wouldn't have even considered it, but as they have I am wondering if there is a reason to change the finish...

Cheers

Julian

[Bincenzo]

Julian, for me the anthracites really suit the car and complement the clear rear glass. I'd stick with them as I can't remember seeing any DB9s with that combination.

[avinalarf]

I'd leave the alloys,they look ok.
You're bound to kerb them, so ask the dealer to give you the option of refurb and colour change when that happens.

[JulianPH]

Thanks Bincenzo & avinalarf, you have confirmed my thoughts completely (I wondered if I was missing something!).

I don't know why you might think I would curb them though avinalarf, I've never done that before...

[hashluck]

Agree, wheels look great as they are

[wokkadriver]

JulianPH said:

Pratstones (like it hashluck!) have just knocked another grand off it too. It is now £7,000 less than I was going to pay when we fell out over a £145 'used car administration fee' (well that on top of everything else).

I am so glad I didn't buy that car, there were so many warning signs and I can't believe I held out as long as I did with problem after problem.

Stuart at HWM has just been fantastic with this DB9 - I wouldn't touch the DBS at Pratstones regardless of price now.

Any thoughts anyone on the alloys on the DB9 - keep with the original anthracite or go for silver? If they hadn't given me the option I wouldn't have even considered it, but as they have I am wondering if there is a reason to change the finish...

Cheers

Julian

Bravo, chap - I've never really seen eye to eye with that motoring group either!

As to the wheels - I like the anthracite but find the centre caps 'pop' a little as they're a different colour. Maybe it's just me but it really stands out and is a bit incongruous to my eyes...