IS AML MOVING FURTHER UP MARKET?

[V8LM]

StephenP said:

JohnG1 said:

Could we please see a photo of your fuel filler cap? I'd love to see what >£900 gets you in terms of fuel filler caps...

That's £900 in 2001 ....

It's not really the cap, rather the flap over the top ...



(Looking at the photo, it looks like it could do with a clean too!)

Made to look like the fuel filler cap of the Vantage Le Mans:

[StephenP]

V8LM said:

Made to look like the fuel filler cap of the Vantage Le Mans:

Looking at it closer, I think it is the same part (or started out as such) with the addition of the painted outer section.

You learn something new every day!

[StephenP]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

The armrest is from an XK8. It is modified to fit the DB7. Can be done by any handy DIYer.

So it is I had an XKR and hadn't even noticed the similarity. Apparently it wasn't an option ticked by many DB7 buyers - can't think why!

[medieval]

Ahem....£587 for an ashtray alternative.

Out of interest, what would an alternative be?

[StephenP]

medieval said:

Out of interest, what would an alternative be?

Not having an ashtray

Joking aside, can't actually remember what is there or how it differs from a similar car without the option. I'll have to take a picture ...

[V8 Vantage GT]

I thought this might be an interesting thread about wether or not Aston needs to move upscale and what it could mean for their future. Instead it's about gas caps, cup holders and ashtrays.

[williamp]

StephenP said:

medieval said:

Out of interest, what would an alternative be?

Not having an ashtray

Joking aside, can't actually remember what is there or how it differs from a similar car without the option. I'll have to take a picture ...

Its a coin holder. I've got the works service options for the DB7. Different rear lights, storage bins in lieu of rear seats etc

[Jon39]

V8 Vantage GT said:

I thought this might be an interesting thread about wether or not Aston needs to move upscale and what it could mean for their future. Instead it's about gas caps, cup holders and ashtrays.

Hello, OP here. Yes it started off well, with the bottom of the range Vantage (I love them), being replaced as the 'floating' on the water exhibit at Gaydon, by the top of the range Vanquish. Hidden message there I thought.

Anyway, we have all had a laugh at the outrageous prices charged for DB7 options. Mind you, the same pricing philosophy probably still applies, especially some of the GT8 options.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Jon39 said:

V8 Vantage GT said:

I thought this might be an interesting thread about wether or not Aston needs to move upscale and what it could mean for their future. Instead it's about gas caps, cup holders and ashtrays.

Hello, OP here. Yes it started off well, with the bottom of the range Vantage (I love them), being replaced as the 'floating' on the water exhibit at Gaydon, by the top of the range Vanquish. Hidden message there I thought.

Anyway, we have all had a laugh at the outrageous prices charged for DB7 options. Mind you, the same pricing philosophy probably still applies, especially some of the GT8 options.

It should have always been the top of the range model in the floating pool. Why promote the beginner model? You display the aspirational Aston and then offer the Vantage option only when the buyer is hooked on an Aston but is of 'insufficient means'...

[V8LM]

StephenP said:

V8LM said:

Made to look like the fuel filler cap of the Vantage Le Mans:

Looking at it closer, I think it is the same part (or started out as such) with the addition of the painted outer section.

You learn something new every day!

Made to look the same. The LM's are proper fuel fillers (I'll take a photo when I get the car back at the weekend) whereas the DB7's were just made to look like them:

[telum01]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

It should have always been the top of the range model in the floating pool. Why promote the beginner model? You display the aspirational Aston and then offer the Vantage option only when the buyer is hooked on an Aston but is of 'insufficient means'...

Astons are all typically aspirational cars. The V8V made them far more feasible to enter the brand. Putting it on display like that was a say to let people know that affordable ones exist. Aston needs sales, so putting a car on display that says, "yes, we're an aspirational brand, now look at this aspirational car floating on water - you can afford it" was likely meant to help with that. Just my thoughts.

[Jon39]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

It should have always been the top of the range model in the floating pool. Why promote the beginner model? You display the aspirational Aston and then offer the Vantage option only when the buyer is hooked on an Aston but is of 'insufficient means'...

I agree with your point Steve, but your mention of 'insufficient means', made me wonder about multi-millionaire owners, who like their Aston Martin to be a Vantage.

[medieval]

williamp said:

StephenP said:

medieval said:

Out of interest, what would an alternative be?

Not having an ashtray

Joking aside, can't actually remember what is there or how it differs from a similar car without the option. I'll have to take a picture ...

Its a coin holder. I've got the works service options for the DB7. Different rear lights, storage bins in lieu of rear seats etc

Excellent - not sure I would have any coins left to put in the "alternative" to be frank at that price

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Jon39 said:

DB9VolanteDriver said:

It should have always been the top of the range model in the floating pool. Why promote the beginner model? You display the aspirational Aston and then offer the Vantage option only when the buyer is hooked on an Aston but is of 'insufficient means'...

I agree with your point Steve, but your mention of 'insufficient means', made me wonder about multi-millionaire owners, who like their Aston Martin to be a Vantage.

'Twas' a tongue in cheek for our Mr Gould...