Thinking of buying a DBS.

[Jon1967x]

Black is a sod to keep clean, I wouldn't but that colour again if I could avoid it. They look all shiney and mirror finish and stealth when detailed, but it doesn't last.

[J12KJR]

Mr Tank said:

Hi

Funny that I was just looking at a video of the above car, which they sent me yesterday. If it was Black I would be down there tomorrow, but there again the wife says she like's the colour better than black and she didn't scream when I showed her the price.
The cb car at Stratstones is still of interest but looking at a few post on her I am having 2nd thoughts about dealing with them. The car had some damage to the front splitter which I pointed out to them, they said they will sort that, plus the centre consul had a chip out of the piano black surface again they said they would sort that. To me things like this should be sorted before the put them up for sale!
I had driven another DBS there in December and that had crap brakes and crap wheels and so many rattles inside, of course I walked away then and may also with the CB car. I am hoping they say this week these jobs are done so I can go and inspect it before we start talking final money!

Andy

In fairness Andy most dealers, not just AM, will carry out all rectification work/servicing/detailing once a sale has been agreed to ensure the vehicle is in top condition for when the customer takes delivery. Nothing worse than refurbing wheels or splitters for them to be subsequently damaged when the car is on a test drive and have to do it all again.
So long as you get any rectification works to be done agreed in writing I wouldn't see a problem. If they then don't do the work agreed they have failed in their contract with you and you either don't accept the car or again get it in writing that the work will be carried out within a certain time frame or you will return the car for a full refund.

[paddy328]

I think most won't have done the work in the hope that the potential buyer does notice it, but if they notice, then they will fix it. They don't want to spend money if they don't have to. They certainly won't get it detailed properly.

[J12KJR]

paddy328 said:

I think most won't have done the work in the hope that the potential buyer does notice it, but if they notice, then they will fix it. They don't want to spend money if they don't have to. They certainly won't get it detailed properly.

Possibly true of some dealers unfortunately and of course when it comes to detailing there aren't many people around who can detail properly Paddy .

[SFO]

J12KJR said:

most dealers, not just AM, will carry out all rectification work/servicing/detailing once a sale has been agreed to ensure the vehicle is in top condition for when the customer takes delivery.

true, but preparation counts a lot, first impressions more so ...

I went to look at and drive a Virage Volante ... they knew I was coming, they had 1 week's notice. Yet, the interior had missing trim parts, the dash binnacle was loose and folded up on one side, the EML was on and the boot wire was loose, the cap for the wire off the boot lid had come off. The things are bare minimum, the above does not aply.

Edited by SFO on Sunday 1st February 16:05

[cayman-black]

If i went to look at a car and it was as all ( of above) i would be put right off! These are lots of money and should be well looked after. imo.

[J12KJR]

SFO said:

true, but preparation counts a lot, first impressions more so ...

I went to look at and drive a Virage Volante ... they knew I was coming, they had 1 week's notice. Yet, the interior had missing trim parts, the dash binnacle was loose and folded up on one side, the EML was on and the boot wire was loose, the cap for the wire off the boot lid had come off. The things are bare minimum, the above does not aply.

Edited by SFO on Sunday 1st February 16:05

Agreed but most reputable dealers will not have a vehicle in that condition on their forecourt and if they do they are not very reputable.

If they have a car which is going to need some cosmetic items sorting before delivery then so be it you are after all purchasing a used vehicle which is not going to be perfect.
If they can't sort out warning lights then it suggests a don't care attitude and they are best avoided.
Was your experience at a main dealer?

[Mr Tank]

J12KJR said:

In fairness Andy most dealers, not just AM, will carry out all rectification work/servicing/detailing once a sale has been agreed to ensure the vehicle is in top condition for when the customer takes delivery. Nothing worse than refurbing wheels or splitters for them to be subsequently damaged when the car is on a test drive and have to do it all again.
So long as you get any rectification works to be done agreed in writing I wouldn't see a problem. If they then don't do the work agreed they have failed in their contract with you and you either don't accept the car or again get it in writing that the work will be carried out within a certain time frame or you will return the car for a full refund.

Hi Kev

I can agree this with lesser car's like TVR's I expect that and I have had a few as you know. But Aston's should be offered for sale in as near a perfect condition, for the price they are wanting. The main dealers have there slick showrooms and you then go and look at there car's for sale and they are in some case's like an Arther Daily car lot!
Yes it can cost them money, but at time I bet they lose customer's because of it.
Take the DBS I drove at your favourite Aston dealer before Christmas. I had contacted them before hand and made an appointment, first they sit you down offer you tea, coffee etc because the sales person (Being politicaly correct crap) was not ready for us. He then took us to look at the car, great so far. Then he goes to start it to move it forward so Rose and I can get in. Now he knows we are coming so they know it was going on a test drive. yes you guest it. batt as flat as f_ _t so back into the showroom another drink while they try and sort it, half a hour later we can try the car. Then the test drive didn't go well because the car had faults (Suspension appeared to be stuck in sport mode)
Then another dealer I tried, I went to the car and the paint work around the handle was bubbled up. Then yet again to another dealer and test drive, the brakes were grinding etc, then the rattles from the rear, typical salesman blamed it on the trade plates on the rear shelf!
What planet do the think you come from!
After the test drive I then noticed the state of the wheels and made a comment about them. I gave all of these things as a reason why I didn't want the car. I go back 4 weeks later to test the CB car and the first car was beside the CB car and the wheels had been done and it looked like new disc had been fitted.
Now they did that after my test.
So my point is if they had done that first then I may have purchased the car! Instead the car has been sitting around for 4 more weeks (May be longer as I don't know how long they had the car.)

Hope you got your new Porker OK!

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Sunday 1st February 16:38

[whoami]

paddy328 said:

I think most won't have done the work in the hope that the potential buyer does notice it, but if they notice, then they will fix it. They don't want to spend money if they don't have to. They certainly won't get it detailed properly.

Spot on.

[J12KJR]

Mr Tank said:

Hi Kev

I can agree this with lesser car's like TVR's I expect that and I have had a few as you know. But Aston's should be offered for sale in as near a perfect condition, for the price they are wanting. The main dealers have there slick showrooms and you then go and look at there car's for sale and they are in some case's like an Arther Daily car lot!
Yes it can cost them money, but at time I bet they lose customer's because of it.
Take the DBS I drove at your favourite Aston dealer before Christmas. I had contacted them before hand and made an appointment, first they sit you down offer you tea, coffee etc because the sales person (Being politicaly correct crap) was not ready for us. He then took us to look at the car, great so far. Then he goes to start it to move it forward so Rose and I can get in. Now he knows we are coming so they know it was going on a test drive. yes you guest it. batt as flat as f_ _t so back into the showroom another drink while they try and sort it, half a hour later we can try the car. Then the test drive didn't go well because the car had faults (Suspension appeared to be stuck in sport mode)
Then another dealer I tried, I went to the car and the paint work around the handle was bubbled up. Then yet again to another dealer and test drive, the brakes were grinding etc, then the rattles from the rear, typical salesman blamed it on the trade plates on the rear shelf!
What planet do the think you come from!
After the test drive I then noticed the state of the wheels and made a comment about them. I gave all of these things as a reason why I didn't want the car. I go back 4 weeks later to test the CB car and the first car was beside the CB car and the wheels had been done and it looked like new disc had been fitted.
Now they did that after my test.
So my point is if they had done that first then I may have purchased the car! Instead the car has been sitting around for 4 more weeks (May be longer as I don't know how long they had the car.)

Hope you got your new Porker OK!

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Sunday 1st February 16:38

Hi Andy
Poor show reference the test drive especially if booked in advance. As for what they do to a car before it goes on sale that is difficult. They are no different to any other car seller in that if a car doesn't sell it will potentially go to another dealer, auction etc so there will always be an element of deciding what to do on any car and how much money to spend in advance of a sale.
As you know from our discussions at the recent TVR meet there is it seems a limit to how much money they will spend after a sale as well. You know me well enough by now, I am not defending the way they operate but they do have to make decisions based on what is financially viable. At times they get these wrong in our eyes but based on the fact they still seem to sell cars week on week they must have a balance that works for them and the majority of their customers.
Yes have got the Porker and while it isn't an AM it does drive a sight better than my last car and the boss is happy with it which counts for a great deal.

Hope you find the right car soon and look forward to seeing it at one of the Cambridge meets.

Kev

[Jon1967x]

J12KJR said:

. they do have to make decisions based on what is financially viable.

Take a car in for part ex with those faults and they knock it off the price (certainly with scuffed alloys, tyres, cosmetic damage). My heart isn't going to bleed any time soon for a dealer and I agree that some things can wait, other things like flat battery and engine warning lights, possibly a symptom of a flat battery, not having the car ready for a test drive, is shoddy. Go to some well known independents and pretty much every car is permanently fitted to a battery charger.

[Mr Tank]

J12KJR said:

Hi Andy

As you know from our discussions at the recent TVR meet there is it seems a limit to how much money they will spend after a sale as well.

Kev

Hi Kev

Yes that is a bit disturbing, I am surprised they didn't send it to works to see if they could sort the problem, especially as it was a late car! But because of that and they way they handled my test drive it has at present put me off them. If they do come up with a car I want I also would take it else were to get it serviced.

Andy

[J12KJR]

Jon1967x said:

J12KJR said:

. they do have to make decisions based on what is financially viable.

Take a car in for part ex with those faults and they knock it off the price (certainly with scuffed alloys, tyres, cosmetic damage). My heart isn't going to bleed any time soon for a dealer and I agree that some things can wait, other things like flat battery and engine warning lights, possibly a symptom of a flat battery, not having the car ready for a test drive, is shoddy. Go to some well known independents and pretty much every car is permanently fitted to a battery charger.

The service I got from an independent was far superior to that I received from a main dealer and I told the AM dealer exactly that.
Totally agree that not being prepared for a pre-booked test drive and having engine faults are not acceptable.
I don't expect your heart to bleed for any dealer but we do at times have to be realistic.
Talking to AM dealers it seems that a lot of the sales they make are customers who just order their new car over the phone and that this does make them lazy. As they are a very aspiratonal marque the cars almost sell themselves and as such some of the sales people don't try very hard.

Edited by J12KJR on Sunday 1st February 19:23

[SFO]

J12KJR said:

Was your experience at a main dealer?

yes.

[J12KJR]

SFO said:

J12KJR said:

Was your experience at a main dealer?

yes.

That is not what you expect.

[franki68]

Mr Tank said:

Hi

Funny that I was just looking at a video of the above car, which they sent me yesterday. If it was Black I would be down there tomorrow, but there again the wife says she like's the colour better than black and she didn't scream when I showed her the price.
The cb car at Stratstones is still of interest but looking at a few post on her I am having 2nd thoughts about dealing with them. The car had some damage to the front splitter which I pointed out to them, they said they will sort that, plus the centre consul had a chip out of the piano black surface again they said they would sort that. To me things like this should be sorted before the put them up for sale!
I had driven another DBS there in December and that had crap brakes and crap wheels and so many rattles inside, of course I walked away then and may also with the CB car. I am hoping they say this week these jobs are done so I can go and inspect it before we start talking final money!

Andy

When I bought mine I first looked at a startstone car,I was genuinely amazed they had the balls to show me it,it was peppered with stone chips,the wheels were kerbed to hell ,the black piano bit inside had some heavy scratches on,in short it was presented the way you'd find a heavily used repo car in an auction.
Whilst they would rectify those issues ,it is very off putting and I compeltely agree with you .I don't think its acceptable from a main dealer ,I ended up buying from an independent ,and the car has been faultless for 3 years ,and still looks new.

[IanV12VR]

franki68 said:

When I bought mine I first looked at a startstone car,I was genuinely amazed they had the balls to show me it,it was peppered with stone chips,the wheels were kerbed to hell ,the black piano bit inside had some heavy scratches on,in short it was presented the way you'd find a heavily used repo car in an auction.
Whilst they would rectify those issues ,it is very off putting and I compeltely agree with you .I don't think its acceptable from a main dealer ,I ended up buying from an independent ,and the car has been faultless for 3 years ,and still looks new.

I quite like the idea of seeing the car how they took it in. It really gives you a feel for how It has been cared for and if in the state you describe tells you even more to steer clear of it. There are lots of very well cared for Astons on the market and it is just a matter of finding the right one.

[J12KJR]

franki68 said:

When I bought mine I first looked at a startstone car,I was genuinely amazed they had the balls to show me it,it was peppered with stone chips,the wheels were kerbed to hell ,the black piano bit inside had some heavy scratches on,in short it was presented the way you'd find a heavily used repo car in an auction.
Whilst they would rectify those issues ,it is very off putting and I compeltely agree with you .I don't think its acceptable from a main dealer ,I ended up buying from an independent ,and the car has been faultless for 3 years ,and still looks new.

There is a big difference between offering a car with some minor marks for sale when they will be rectified before delivery and putting something up for sale that has been trashed.
In my limited experience the service received from the independent I used first time around was much better from point of first contact through sale and aftersales, apart from a bit of high pressure salesmanship that I ignored.The AM dealer had the car I wanted second time round and the salesman was very good but ultimately let down by the back up service.
Must admit that they didn't do anything about bubbling paintwork on the second car even though they picked up the same thing on the first one when they carried out a check on it for me.

[franki68]

IanV12VR said:

I quite like the idea of seeing the car how they took it in. It really gives you a feel for how It has been cared for and if in the state you describe tells you even more to steer clear of it. There are lots of very well cared for Astons on the market and it is just a matter of finding the right one.

true ,but I think the point is a official dealer should not be showing cars in such condition,I've never had a car presente to me by anyone in 20+ years of buying 'nice' cars ,in such poor condition.