The Future.....

[CSK1]

Speedraser said:

Rob, yes, Porsche sells many 911s -- and many more Cayennes, Macans and Panameras. And as far as I'm concerned, the brand is massively diluted -- it doesn't feel anywhere near as special to me as it used to. I was a big Porsche fan and I still have a 993, but when I went shopping last time for a new high-end, special sports car, I didn't buy a Porsche -- I bought an Aston Martin. They could (re-)build a very desirable marque/brand in Lagonda, and not sully the Aston Martin marque with an SUV, even if they use Aston Martin Lagonda. I don't love the idea of a Lagonda SUV either, but Lagonda's history suits an SUV much better IMO than Aston's does.

+1. I completely agree with you. I was a Porsche fan myself, my dad was a collector and had several interesting models (356's and 911's mainly, 2.7 RS among others). But Porsche now builds nearly 200,000 cars/year, Aston 3,500/year.
Porsche has lost its exclusivity and has become a Premium brand.
I have lost complete interest in Porsche, I don't like what the new 911 has become, even the Carrera has grown to a big turbocharged GT. OK there are still some great new Porsche's that appeal to enthusiasts like us, GT3, GT3 RS, 911R, 918, Cayman GT4 and a few others but would I buy a Porsche over an Aston: no way!

Edited by CSK1 on Thursday 2nd June 11:25

[RobDown]

To clarify - I was never a big Porsche fan in the first place. Hence why I'm personally unsure as to what impact the Cayenne has had on the brand

[Murph7355]

petop said:

...
People well-to-do still want to say "Ive got a Aston now" or even "lets take the Aston daaahling!".

Doesn't have quite the same ring when talking about a truck though!

[Impasse]

What's not to like?

[Jon39]

Murph7355 said:

petop said:

...
People well-to-do still want to say "Ive got a Aston now" or even "lets take the Aston daaahling!".

Doesn't have quite the same ring when talking about a truck though!

That reminds me of someone who once said to me;
"I've got an Aston Martin. It does 80 mph."

To which I replied, "Did you mean to say 180 mph?"

"No it is not very fast. It is called Cygnet."

Any suggestions what I could have said next?
I was uncertain how to continue.

[66MK]

I'm afraid after the grill at the front the will to live starts to leave me...




Lagonda might have got away with it, but it's just not an Aston is it?

Impasse said:

What's not to like?

[Murph7355]

Impasse said:

What's not to like?

I would propose the exact opposite question.

Jon39 said:

That reminds me of someone who once said to me;
"I've got an Aston Martin. It does 80 mph."

To which I replied, "Did you mean to say 180 mph?"

"No it is not very fast. It is called Cygnet."

Any suggestions what I could have said next?
I was uncertain how to continue.

"Technically 106mph apparently...a bit up on a Toyota iQ?"

?

[Speedraser]

Bincenzo said:

Speedraser said:

Rob, yes, Porsche sells many 911s -- and many more Cayennes, Macans and Panameras. And as far as I'm concerned, the brand is massively diluted -- it doesn't feel anywhere near as special to me as it used to. I was a big Porsche fan and I still have a 993, but when I went shopping last time for a new high-end, special sports car, I didn't buy a Porsche -- I bought an Aston Martin. They could (re-)build a very desirable marque/brand in Lagonda, and not sully the Aston Martin marque with an SUV, even if they use Aston Martin Lagonda. I don't love the idea of a Lagonda SUV either, but Lagonda's history suits an SUV much better IMO than Aston's does.

But do you hate the idea of an AM SUV sufficiently to sell up and move to another brand? I'm afraid that for every one customer that thinks like you do, there will be 10 that buy the crossover.

I doubt I'd sell what I have -- I haven't sold my 993 -- as I love the Astons I have. An Aston SUV could very well cause me to lose interest in buying a new one, though. I love the Aston Martin marque as well as the cars, however illogical that may be. Buying an Aston in the first place is not a logical act -- rather, it's an emotional one, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. I'm a big fan of Lagonda, and I'm certainly not looking to damage that great marque either, but I think it's much better suited to an SUV than Aston. An Aston SUV is massively wrong IMO. There may very well be more people who want one than who feel as I do, but again, marketed well they'd likely buy a Lagonda SUV, and almost certainly an Aston Martin Lagonda (I don't like that, but it's less intolerable than Aston Martin on its own). That would leave Aston Martin to continue doing what made it great without dilution, while also gaining the "benefit" of selling an SUV.

Impasse, about the DBX and what's not to like: EVERYTHING. It's awful.

[Jon39]

Murph7355 said:

Jon39 said:

That reminds me of someone who once said to me;
"I've got an Aston Martin. It does 80 mph."

To which I replied, "Did you mean to say 180 mph?"

"No it is not very fast. It is called Cygnet."

Any suggestions what I could have said next?
I was uncertain how to continue.

"Technically 106mph apparently...a bit up on a Toyota iQ?"

?

Probably true, but the story doesn't work as well using 106 mph.

Let's assume that the owner was never brave enough, to drive their 'Aston Martin' at more than 80 mph.

[George29]

Bincenzo said:

But do you hate the idea of an AM SUV sufficiently to sell up and move to another brand? I'm afraid that for every one customer that thinks like you do, there will be 10 that buy the crossover.

Would there really though? If Bentley, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Lamborghini and whoever else all release 4x4s, who's going to buy them all in the vast quantities that everyone predicts? And as per my point above, why would anyone have one over a Range Rover for half the price?

[Neil1300r]

George29 said:

Bincenzo said:

But do you hate the idea of an AM SUV sufficiently to sell up and move to another brand? I'm afraid that for every one customer that thinks like you do, there will be 10 that buy the crossover.

Would there really though? If Bentley, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Lamborghini and whoever else all release 4x4s, who's going to buy them all in the vast quantities that everyone predicts? And as per my point above, why would anyone have one over a Range Rover for half the price?

Don't have a problem with it, if it enables AM to not go bust regularly / survive / have money for future investment. Don't get the old fogies that would prefer AM to go bust trying to sell only sports / GT cars with no money.
Its not an SUV, AP has stated they have missed that market. Its aimed at Yummy Mummies / the rich who live in Cities (hence first one being electric) who like the high driving position of an SUV type car. Will need to have a lot of space in the back for the owners to sit in. Go into Mayfair and see the large number of Range Rovers, then spot that the majority of them are parked up with a driver, awaiting the owners return.

[V8Chris]

IMO the interior is terrible. I hate every bit of it including the color

66MK said:

Impasse said:

What's not to like?

[George29]

Neil1300r said:

Don't have a problem with it, if it enables AM to not go bust regularly / survive / have money for future investment. Don't get the old fogies that would prefer AM to go bust trying to sell only sports / GT cars with no money.
Its not an SUV, AP has stated they have missed that market. Its aimed at Yummy Mummies / the rich who live in Cities (hence first one being electric) who like the high driving position of an SUV type car. Will need to have a lot of space in the back for the owners to sit in. Go into Mayfair and see the large number of Range Rovers, then spot that the majority of them are parked up with a driver, awaiting the owners return.

I just can't see there being any market for it. I understand the point you're making about struggling to survive on sports cars alone, but I can't see this being the answer.

I'm also in agreement they should market it as a Lagonda to not ruin the AM name.

[Jon39]

Neil1300r said:

Will need to have a lot of space in the back for the owners to sit in.

Go into Mayfair and see the large number of Range Rovers, then spot that the majority of them are parked up with a driver, awaiting the owners return.

Go to a school at delivery and collection time, in the Kent and Surrey commuter towns.

Will need an enormous vehicle, preferably one that is too big for any parking space, and with two parked on opposite sides of the road, can block the road completely.

Must have a lot of space in the back, so that the one small child can be made to feel special.

As George says, a Range Rover will be half the price, but so yesterday for this purpose, and Porsches too are becoming far too common. When a certain statement needs to be made to other mothers, an Aston Martin Lagonda should have just the right image, and be perfect for the 2 mile trip to and from school.

...........................................

I read this week that the Bentley (Vantage copy) car exhibited at Geneva, might be going into production. More sports car competition for AML perhaps.

Edited by Jon39 on Friday 3rd June 20:10