My first Aston Martin purchase - Any feedback very welcome!

[JulianPH]

Hi again

Not found anything else yet - also not got my deposit back as they want me to prove I paid it!!!

I asked them to return it to the card they took it from, but no - I have to provide them with evidence of which account it came from first.

So despite the fact that the salesman confirmed the transaction went through at the time, the invoice showed the deposit as a credit against the balance of payment and he subsequently was able to recall the name of the bank I paid from, I now have to prove I made the payment before they will return it!!!

I have been so busy before Christmas and then with the family holiday itself that I haven't had the time to dig through statements yet, but obviously I am going to have to now.

So even though they are still sat on a £1,000 of my money and have managed to knock a further £3,500 off the price (when they couldn't budge by a penny when I was trying to buy it) I just can't bring myself to consider purchasing it.

Still looking though, also considering a Vanquish S again - any thoughts on this one:

http://www.portlandautos.co.uk/used-cars/yorkshire...

Cheers all and happy new year!

[JulianPH]

IanV12VR said:

No doubting that this Vanquish has had a good life. 78k miles in 8 years and £65k spent on it's upkeep. IIRC that was about your budget for the DBS but your running costs are going to be a lot higher than the DBS. Hopefully someone with Vanq experience will come along with a view on buying with 78k on the clock and say what you need to budget to keep it going.

Hi Ian

I've just had a call from Grange about this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Looks to be very good value, any thoughts?

[JulianPH]

IanV12VR said:

Agree that this looks to be very good value and low mileage as well. Far better value that the Stratstone car you were looking at. Younger, lower mileage and cheaper.

I have bought four Astons from Grange in Exeter and always found them very decent to deal with. Who are you speaking to? Lloyd or Jamie? Both good guys.

Hi Ian

Just got off the phone with Lloyd, was originally speaking with Will at Brentwood.

Both are absolutely excellent guys.

Also could be interested in this:

http://www.grange.co.uk/used-car-details/aston-mar...

How is the stick shifter? What about residuals? I am getting high again on Aston now I have found a great dealership (even though that is going to put the indoor swimming pool back a bit )

Cheers

Julian

[JulianPH]

Ken Figenus said:

SELON said:

Julian,

Your negotiation is going well...it's now http://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Details~6...

Update Julian! Is the Bentley gone? Call the comedy business up with 90k and an offer of a group hug

Hi SELON and Ken, Yes - negotiations do seem to be going rather well!

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

The Bentley is still on my drive and I have decided to keep it no matter what I buy. I've actually come to realise that I really like it and it really is a great car. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and so to let it go for so little just makes no sense to me.

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

I've even considered getting an old DB9 just to get the ball rolling before going into something pricey. Marlow have this http://www.marlowcars.co.uk/aston-martin-db9-v12-i... and at that money I can at least get into an Aston whilst I wait for my 'ideal' car without worrying about losing a fortune - though at that mileage there could be some expensive bills I suppose.

Any thought?

[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...

[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

[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

[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

[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...

[JulianPH]

Ken Figenus said:

Well done Julian - enjoyed the journey! Ohh and thanks so much for mentioning the rugby (well especially the second miserable half )!

I think you have a seminal car with an iconic engine for a very low outlay and first year risk. Ohh and I can assure you 'Pratstone' do read these threads (all this free and invaluable marketing feedback...) but I remain staggered that a serious buyer (like I was with them too) could again be totally let go. I'd be bankrupt with a similar approach in my business! What are the interest payments incurred on the value of a depreciating DBS over 4 months... Nuts, and this is why good people can do business and deals with each other...usually.

Enjoy!

Hi Ken, I am sorry I mentioned the rugby too, it was all going so well...

As if the second half wasn't painful enough to sit though, I then got the usual texts and calls from my gloating English supporting mates (one of whom wouldn't speak to me for 3 days after their 2013 30-3 drubbing) rubbing my nose in it.

When it comes to 'Pratstones' they evidently have no idea what they are doing. They have lost £2,333 a month (nearly £600 a week) on their DBS by messing around a serious customer who had agreed to pay asking price.

I still have not got my deposit back and I am going to call them tomorrow and say that if it isn't returned by close of play I will apply for a CCJ to recover my money. I can't believe they are asking me to prove I paid it when their own records clearly show I did.

On the plus side, I am now awaiting delivery of a lovely DB9 to start my Aston Martin ownership experience. I certainly intend to enjoy it!

[JulianPH]

bentley01 said:

Great looking car you have chosen and it must be nice to think that it is not you feeling the sting of a 7k loss over the last few months. Best colour for an Aston as well but then I am biased.

Cheers mate, you can't believe how revealed I was when I originally walked away - let alone now it has dropped by £7k in 13 weeks and they still can't shift it! Everything felt wrong (including the issues with the cars itself) and yet my heart kept me in the game right up until they had messed me about so much I couldn't continue on principle.

I am so glad to have had the various voices of sanity point this out to me on this forum - otherwise I could have been sucked in!

I take it (from your user name) that you are also a Bentley...?

The great thing with getting this DB9 (rather than the DBS) is I can also justify keeping my Bentley GT!

[JulianPH]

bentley01 said:

Actually Julian my user name comes from the name of my dog a Springer Spaniel. For me when I am doing a deal over a car if the dealer refuses to move at all and plays hardball I walk away. It would annoy me beyond belief to pay an arrangement fee on a car costing as much as that DBS. Enjoy your new car and bring it along to one of the summer meets like Hever

Embarrassed reading back the typos in my last message!

I was annoyed beyond belief at being asked to pay an admin fee on the DBS and am very happy I finally walked away. That is now in the past, I have a great DB9 coming and would very much enjoy coming along in it to one of the meets.

When the right DBS comes up I will still go for it, but there is no self created 'urgent' hurry now.

[JulianPH]

Hi All

Just had some great news.

Apparently the pipe and slippers that came with my Bentley GT are compatible with my new BD9....

My friends are really great

[JulianPH]

Hi all,

Just wanted to announce - at long last - the delivery of my first Aston Martin this morning!

Beautiful early DB9 from HWM is on its way to me as I type - I'll post some photos later.

My journey begins....!

[JulianPH]

Here are some photos!

Couldn't manage to send any yesterday as I was to busy enjoying her!

I couldn't be happier and HWM were fantastic. Stuart came up with the car, and a full tank of petrol and big bunch for flowers for my wife to apologise for the delay - to be honest the receipts for £6,000 of work they did on the service before delivering (that resulted in the delay) was more than enough compensation though!

I think it is safe to say that I would not even consider buying my next one from anywhere else!


















Thanks once again everyone for your help and comments. I saved over £60k not buying the DBS from Pratstones and have a fantastic DB9 to get going in before I decide what to move onto next - Cheers!

[JulianPH]

avinalarf said:

Car looks very good and the alloys contrast well with the body colour.

Thanks, they alloys looked a bit darker than in the original photos I saw, but HWM matched the centre caps so they didn't stand out and I think this works quite well!

Edited by JulianPH on Friday 6th March 09:45

[JulianPH]

tonyhall38 said:

looking good....think it has some of my knobs.....you will need sill plaques next...

Hi Toni [EDIT - Tony!]

Yes, I always thought I could do with a knob upgrade!

What sill plaques do you have?

Edited by JulianPH on Sunday 8th March 20:45

[JulianPH]

IanV12VR said:

Your DB9 looks fabulous and the house doesn't look too shabby either

It's all about service and HWM now have themselves a loyal customer. Hate to ask but did you ever get your deposit back from Stratstones?

Thanks, its not a bad old gaff!

HWM certainly do have a loyal customer, I've not had the time to follow up on the Stratstone deposit but will do and keep you posted!

[JulianPH]

SELON said:

What colour is it? Looks great.

Smashing car and £60k better off as well. That's a good day...hopefully you will have a weekend of sunshine to enjoy it.

It is Tungsten with Obsidian leather - I know people say you should not go for these way out colour combos but I thought I would take the risk

It does look a bit darker than Tungsten though (I even checked in the handbook to make sure) and maybe that is something to do with the anthracite alloys?

Cheers!

[JulianPH]

Jon39 said:

After so many difficulties, I am glad that you now have your beautiful Aston Martin.

The forum contributors certainly helped along the way.
What a disgraceful way, to treat a potential customer of an expensive car.
I gather that your DBS dealer has now realised 'in their pocket', that they slipped up badly.

Your decision to have an Aston and the extra £60k must be right, because you can now take your time with future decisions.

Ask your dealer for a Gaydon tour. A wonderful experience. All part of the 'Aston Thing'.

Enjoy your car.

Yes, it has been an interesting journey, Stratstones to HMW are polar extremes.

At the end of the day I would have always felt unhappy buying a £97k car with a terrible experience, now I feel like I have been treated like a customer buying a £97k car (absolutely brilliantly) but have saved £60k at the same time. Win win!

I'll enquire about a Gaydon tour, that would be very interesting.

I'm enjoying it even when it is parked on the drive thanks