Retirement Can Wait!
Discussion
So there are a couple of adages that I have found out to be true in the last 12 months.
1. You don’t know you love something until its gone and
2. We men are all boys at heart
I ventured into Aston Martin ownership a couple of years ago when I bought a SP10 V8V, which lasted all of 9 months before that “free” cup of coffee was offered and I found myself part exchanging the SP10 for the very beautiful DBS. Now the DBS IMHO is the most beautiful Gaydon produced car there is and I was very, very happy and would be for years, or so I thought!
That was until I was offered a Bentley Continental GT Speed to use for a couple of days. To say I was impressed with the car would be a complete understatement. This caused a problem. After driving the GT Speed and jumping back into the DBS, the DBS just felt “dated”. The Bentley is just as fast, has up to date tech, super comfortable and massage front seats…perfect for a 55 year old. I can keep this for years I thought and my back will be forever massaged. So logically I part exchanged the DBS for the Bentley. I did think about a Vanquish but the Bentley was bought largely down to the huge amount of cash Crewe were throwing at the cars at that time. Plus it was a car that I’d always wanted to own.
Adage 1.
Quite a few months went past and I found myself thinking why I am I not super delighted with my car, what am I missing? It dawned on me that the Bentley was faultless and my brain had decided it was the perfect car. Unfortunately my heart didn’t agree. I came to the realisation that of all the cars I have been very fortunate to own none of them had captured my heart like Aston Martin.
So, I needed/wanted to get back into the brand. A visit to Works and one of those “free” cups of coffee later I had two test drives lined up, a DB9 GT and a V12VS. I’d discounted the Vanquish and DB11. The Vanquish due to price as I would ideally want an 8 speed and the DB11 which I think looks stunning, apart from the silly iPad screen and the rafts of hardwood on the doors. Also I would have to wait a while and there wouldn’t be any discount offered so out of price range.
Adage 2.
I test drove the DB9 GT and the V12VS back to back and that was another eureka moment. Now the DB9 GT is a fantastic car and looks great and for those that own them I can see why you love them. But it was the V12VS that really made an impression. It’s just brilliant. The looks, the noise, the tight handling, the scary power laid down on the tarmac through those P Zeros. When driving it I’m no longer that grumpy 55 year old, it makes me feel like I’m 25 again with my favourite toy…albeit without the dark hair! Retirement can wait!
Have I made the right choice? One drive back from Works to home convinced me I have. This was proved in no small part when trying to join the main road when a chap let me out. He didn’t need to as the road was clear after him but he did…that made me smile.
Here are some pictures of the car, which I hope to enjoy for a good few years…
1. You don’t know you love something until its gone and
2. We men are all boys at heart
I ventured into Aston Martin ownership a couple of years ago when I bought a SP10 V8V, which lasted all of 9 months before that “free” cup of coffee was offered and I found myself part exchanging the SP10 for the very beautiful DBS. Now the DBS IMHO is the most beautiful Gaydon produced car there is and I was very, very happy and would be for years, or so I thought!
That was until I was offered a Bentley Continental GT Speed to use for a couple of days. To say I was impressed with the car would be a complete understatement. This caused a problem. After driving the GT Speed and jumping back into the DBS, the DBS just felt “dated”. The Bentley is just as fast, has up to date tech, super comfortable and massage front seats…perfect for a 55 year old. I can keep this for years I thought and my back will be forever massaged. So logically I part exchanged the DBS for the Bentley. I did think about a Vanquish but the Bentley was bought largely down to the huge amount of cash Crewe were throwing at the cars at that time. Plus it was a car that I’d always wanted to own.
Adage 1.
Quite a few months went past and I found myself thinking why I am I not super delighted with my car, what am I missing? It dawned on me that the Bentley was faultless and my brain had decided it was the perfect car. Unfortunately my heart didn’t agree. I came to the realisation that of all the cars I have been very fortunate to own none of them had captured my heart like Aston Martin.
So, I needed/wanted to get back into the brand. A visit to Works and one of those “free” cups of coffee later I had two test drives lined up, a DB9 GT and a V12VS. I’d discounted the Vanquish and DB11. The Vanquish due to price as I would ideally want an 8 speed and the DB11 which I think looks stunning, apart from the silly iPad screen and the rafts of hardwood on the doors. Also I would have to wait a while and there wouldn’t be any discount offered so out of price range.
Adage 2.
I test drove the DB9 GT and the V12VS back to back and that was another eureka moment. Now the DB9 GT is a fantastic car and looks great and for those that own them I can see why you love them. But it was the V12VS that really made an impression. It’s just brilliant. The looks, the noise, the tight handling, the scary power laid down on the tarmac through those P Zeros. When driving it I’m no longer that grumpy 55 year old, it makes me feel like I’m 25 again with my favourite toy…albeit without the dark hair! Retirement can wait!
Have I made the right choice? One drive back from Works to home convinced me I have. This was proved in no small part when trying to join the main road when a chap let me out. He didn’t need to as the road was clear after him but he did…that made me smile.
Here are some pictures of the car, which I hope to enjoy for a good few years…
Congrats on a stunning car and fine choice of Aston with a V12VS!
Any pics of the interior too? I do love the full CF front grille too - lots of cars are specced with the painted inner/vertical bars but I do think the full CF looks the best.
Re the purchase and return to Aston, I know exactly how you feel. I recently downsized from my much loved V12V to a long awaited and planned Cayman GT4. This was on the basis of it being an amazing car which is winning lots of "best drivers car" awards and such, and the fact it was 50% of the cost of a V12VS, so it seemed to make ideal head sense to assist with my retirement plans etc... Well it took about 3 weeks before the heart was telling me no matter how good it was, it just wasn't an Aston Martin and I was really missing being in one. Briefly flirted with the idea of a Vantage GT8 and then came the V12VS Manual announcement, so I knew that was my calling home.
Aston ownership is most definitely one of those things in life where the heart needs to be allowed to overrule the head.
Any pics of the interior too? I do love the full CF front grille too - lots of cars are specced with the painted inner/vertical bars but I do think the full CF looks the best.
Re the purchase and return to Aston, I know exactly how you feel. I recently downsized from my much loved V12V to a long awaited and planned Cayman GT4. This was on the basis of it being an amazing car which is winning lots of "best drivers car" awards and such, and the fact it was 50% of the cost of a V12VS, so it seemed to make ideal head sense to assist with my retirement plans etc... Well it took about 3 weeks before the heart was telling me no matter how good it was, it just wasn't an Aston Martin and I was really missing being in one. Briefly flirted with the idea of a Vantage GT8 and then came the V12VS Manual announcement, so I knew that was my calling home.
Aston ownership is most definitely one of those things in life where the heart needs to be allowed to overrule the head.
Congratulations on your purchase and I hope you enjoy - what am I saying, of course you will enjoy! Your V12VS looks really stunning, loving the colour (Alloro Green?). Hope to see it at Burghley....
I think you're so right about your adages and your comparison with the DB9. With V12V values doing what they're doing at the moment I looked at a DB9 GT last month. Lovely car and probably far more suited to my lifestyle. But....
.... the V12V is so very special. It achieves highs that other cars, including other Astons, just don't hit IMHO. The V12V's rough(er) edges are what give it it's distinctive personality. Needless to say, my V12V is still with me and will be thoroughly enjoyed this weekend. So, if you're in North Norfolk this Bank Holiday and see a black V12V with a driver grinning from ear to ear, that'll be me
I think you're so right about your adages and your comparison with the DB9. With V12V values doing what they're doing at the moment I looked at a DB9 GT last month. Lovely car and probably far more suited to my lifestyle. But....
.... the V12V is so very special. It achieves highs that other cars, including other Astons, just don't hit IMHO. The V12V's rough(er) edges are what give it it's distinctive personality. Needless to say, my V12V is still with me and will be thoroughly enjoyed this weekend. So, if you're in North Norfolk this Bank Holiday and see a black V12V with a driver grinning from ear to ear, that'll be me
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