Would you buy a red Aston?
Discussion
Forget the "goodwill" rubbish - haggle on the price or walk away. As others have said with winter coming on it will be more difficult to shift a roadster plus (having tried both boxes for some time) the SS is pants. Unless you are 100% sure this is the car for you then wait a bit - the right car will come along. Good luck though in whatever you decide 
Thanks for the comments guys and please keep them coming.....but perhaps I'd better put a bit of history and clarity to this and where I am now just to make it clear as to why and I am considering this....
Been looking for about 10 months..ish and considered most of the variants here is why we haven't gone for the others.
4.7 Coupe....probably the next one after this to be honest but love convertibles and wanted another before going for a coupe.
4.7 Roadster....although we can afford it I wasn't comfortable spending 50k plus with perhaps a bit more slippage on the depreciation to come. I drove a 4.7 with SS2 and it was great but the AM dealer in Chichester said that I should try the 4.3 with SS1 to make sure in my mind of the difference...so I did.
4.3 Roadster SS1..... I was actually pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting because if it had have been I prob would have gone for the SS2.
Driving style and the Mrs.......Controversially I expect but I do not drive like a boy racer anymore and speed and handling, although important, are not the priority. I drive Fire Engines on Blue lights for a living so I don't need that buzz from a car anymore so I just want the prestige and luxury that an Aston can bring. Flying through the gears with a manual may bring a driving experience but it's not for me. Also, the Mrs doesn't like manual much and as she'll be driving to work in it on occasion I was happy with the SS.
I've also been to see a few of these now and believe me this is by far the best one and I am pretty picky. Others that I've looked at have been poorly presented and have had a few issues including stonechips, scratched leather, kerbed alloys and higher mileage and with pointless warranty. The prices haven't been that much different either.
I've not had an Aston before and never ever bought from a dealer so this experience is new to me. I also thought it best to have the backing of the Aston warranty and dealer should anything go wrong....although it does go against the grain for me. I appreciate all your comments as this is how i learn so please keep them coming...
Been looking for about 10 months..ish and considered most of the variants here is why we haven't gone for the others.
4.7 Coupe....probably the next one after this to be honest but love convertibles and wanted another before going for a coupe.
4.7 Roadster....although we can afford it I wasn't comfortable spending 50k plus with perhaps a bit more slippage on the depreciation to come. I drove a 4.7 with SS2 and it was great but the AM dealer in Chichester said that I should try the 4.3 with SS1 to make sure in my mind of the difference...so I did.
4.3 Roadster SS1..... I was actually pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting because if it had have been I prob would have gone for the SS2.
Driving style and the Mrs.......Controversially I expect but I do not drive like a boy racer anymore and speed and handling, although important, are not the priority. I drive Fire Engines on Blue lights for a living so I don't need that buzz from a car anymore so I just want the prestige and luxury that an Aston can bring. Flying through the gears with a manual may bring a driving experience but it's not for me. Also, the Mrs doesn't like manual much and as she'll be driving to work in it on occasion I was happy with the SS.
I've also been to see a few of these now and believe me this is by far the best one and I am pretty picky. Others that I've looked at have been poorly presented and have had a few issues including stonechips, scratched leather, kerbed alloys and higher mileage and with pointless warranty. The prices haven't been that much different either.
I've not had an Aston before and never ever bought from a dealer so this experience is new to me. I also thought it best to have the backing of the Aston warranty and dealer should anything go wrong....although it does go against the grain for me. I appreciate all your comments as this is how i learn so please keep them coming...
If its the right car for you, its the right car. Of course we all want to get a bargain, but life is too short to worry about whether you could have got another £500 out of them only to lose the car and have to spend another 6 months looking for another that meets the requirements.
Having said that, I would ask them if they could swap the F1 paint, interior leather treatment for something a little more useful - an extra year on the warranty maybe?
Having said that, I would ask them if they could swap the F1 paint, interior leather treatment for something a little more useful - an extra year on the warranty maybe?
RobDown said:
If its the right car for you, its the right car. Of course we all want to get a bargain, but life is too short to worry about whether you could have got another £500 out of them only to lose the car and have to spend another 6 months looking for another that meets the requirements.
Having said that, I would ask them if they could swap the F1 paint, interior leather treatment for something a little more useful - an extra year on the warranty maybe?
Yes I agree, to be honest I poo pooed paint thing and mentioned that a mate of mine that has a Porsche said it was crap and not worth the money...the Tickets to the factory were a bit of a red herring too as the pro driver said I could contact him for some if I wanted before I went in with them. The dilemma I have is that I have seen several of them now and this car reflects the 24k it's done. I maybe paying a little over the odds but a mate of mine said earlier how much better has the next one got to be for it to be better than this.? Good point I thought as apart from a scratch on a dashboard button and a mark on the roof lining it really is faultless......I'm talking myself into this aren't I. Having said that, I would ask them if they could swap the F1 paint, interior leather treatment for something a little more useful - an extra year on the warranty maybe?
Clumsy said:
...
4.3 Roadster SS1..... ... it wasn't as bad as I was expecting...
...
Damning wit faint praise! Not as bad as you were expecting. So not outright brilliant? Not set the world on fire? Not make you want it more than a threesome with Kylie Minogue and Taylor Swift? On a car that will cost you 45k...4.3 Roadster SS1..... ... it wasn't as bad as I was expecting...
...
Clumsy said:
......Also, the Mrs doesn't like manual much and as she'll be driving to work in it on occasion I was happy with the SS. ...
Suggests she'll likely drive it in auto? Walk away if so. It's bad in manual mode. It's bloody hopeless in auto mode!!For the use you've mentioned, have you considered a DB9?
Clumsy said:
I do not drive like a boy racer anymore and speed and handling, although important, are not the priority.
Murph7355 said:
For the use you've mentioned, have you considered a DB9?
I was thinking exactly the same. I'm sure you could find a red DB9 Volante with a proper auto box that would fit the bill perfectly. Have you considered this option Clumsy?LordBretSinclair said:
Forget the "goodwill" rubbish - haggle on the price or walk away. As others have said with winter coming on it will be more difficult to shift a roadster plus (having tried both boxes for some time) the SS is pants. Unless you are 100% sure this is the car for you then wait a bit - the right car will come along. Good luck though in whatever you decide
^^^ what he said ^^^ 
V8V Pete said:
I was thinking exactly the same. I'm sure you could find a red DB9 Volante with a proper auto box that would fit the bill perfectly. Have you considered this option Clumsy?
Yes that's not a bad shout and not really considered it due to the expected running costs of a 6.0 V12!....maybe it would suit us better and not ruled it out for the future maybe but thought that a "baby" Aston is the best way to dip our toes into the AM world? Also, (and I expect to get flamed here) but it's got a bit of a fat ar5e compared to the Vantage.....reminds me of the Mrs....V8V Pete said:
Clumsy said:
I do not drive like a boy racer anymore and speed and handling, although important, are not the priority.
Murph7355 said:
For the use you've mentioned, have you considered a DB9?
I was thinking exactly the same. I'm sure you could find a red DB9 Volante with a proper auto box that would fit the bill perfectly. Have you considered this option Clumsy?Have a look at the DB9, they are beautiful and I'm not sure about running cost comparison, but it's certainly not horrendous.
Bincenzo said:
Wise words men. The Vantage is a sports car and if appreciating the balance and handling is not your thing, then a DB9 is likely to be a much better option. You'll need to get the pipe, slippers and driving gloves to accompany your purchase though. The dealer will normally throw them in with the deal, along with the red trousers. Furthermore, be very careful about abusing your wife's posterior on here, you're only a passing glimpse away from a sore nose!!
Have a look at the DB9, they are beautiful and I'm not sure about running cost comparison, but it's certainly not horrendous.
Ha ha...thanks for the wife advice....luckily I have a Mrs that doesn't take life too seriously so hopefully I'm pretty safe....just had a look at the DB9's in more detail and I sort of had the same impression as you.....pipe, slippers, red trousers (like that one)... and although I may drive like an old man I am only? 48 so not quite ready for that yet maybe......surely The V8V can still be enjoyed and appreciated at low cruising speeds rather than thrashing it about at top revs? I'd have gone for a Lotus Elise if I was going to do that. Joking aside, for me it's a great looking car that is just as good posing...there, I said it,.....and burbling along the country roads and seafront as well as on a track? Have a look at the DB9, they are beautiful and I'm not sure about running cost comparison, but it's certainly not horrendous.
Take a test drive in a DB9 is my advice, they are gorgeous and can certainly be driven in a very spirited fashion if desired, they have a real balance, I had one at the tender age of 40.
A DB9 is a GT with some serious sporting ability, a Vantage is a sportscar with some serious GT ability, take your pic, I've had both and am leaning back towards a DB9... The paddles are surprisingly effective especially when pressing on.
Not much between them in real terms maintenance wise either.
A DB9 is a GT with some serious sporting ability, a Vantage is a sportscar with some serious GT ability, take your pic, I've had both and am leaning back towards a DB9... The paddles are surprisingly effective especially when pressing on.
Not much between them in real terms maintenance wise either.
Edited by JaseB on Monday 17th October 20:13
My first Aston was a V8V, which I'd wanted for years. It was everything I'd ever wanted in a car, especially after I'd had some mods done by BR to bring it to where I thought it should be performance wise. They are stunning to look at and a surprisingly accomplished and quick sports car. I still miss the balance of that chassis. I too am 48, so we're the same age. You know at the moment what you want, so go for it. All we're saying here is not to discount the DB9 before you've had a look at one. Don't think for one minute they are a slow car, and they look beautiful (I was joking about the pipe and slippers.....especially as I have a DB variant).
Have a look, unless of course you're absolutely sold on the V8V, in which case get one and enjoy it. But don't compromise, as this is a big investment and the last thing you want to be doing in 2 years time is thinking 'I should have bought xxxx instead'.
Anyway, good luck and keep asking questions, there's a huge amount of experience on here and whilst they may not tell you exactly what you want to hear, at least you'll be better informed when you pull the trigger.
Have a look, unless of course you're absolutely sold on the V8V, in which case get one and enjoy it. But don't compromise, as this is a big investment and the last thing you want to be doing in 2 years time is thinking 'I should have bought xxxx instead'.
Anyway, good luck and keep asking questions, there's a huge amount of experience on here and whilst they may not tell you exactly what you want to hear, at least you'll be better informed when you pull the trigger.
Bincenzo said:
My first Aston was a V8V, which I'd wanted for years. It was everything I'd ever wanted in a car, especially after I'd had some mods done by BR to bring it to where I thought it should be performance wise. They are stunning to look at and a surprisingly accomplished and quick sports car. I still miss the balance of that chassis. I too am 48, so we're the same age. You know at the moment what you want, so go for it. All we're saying here is not to discount the DB9 before you've had a look at one. Don't think for one minute they are a slow car, and they look beautiful (I was joking about the pipe and slippers.....especially as I have a DB variant).
Have a look, unless of course you're absolutely sold on the V8V, in which case get one and enjoy it. But don't compromise, as this is a big investment and the last thing you want to be doing in 2 years time is thinking 'I should have bought xxxx instead'.
Anyway, good luck and keep asking questions, there's a huge amount of experience on here and whilst they may not tell you exactly what you want to hear, at least you'll be better informed when you pull the trigger.
Wise words and thanks......I'm not completely sold on the Vantage but it seems to be the best fit for now.....It wasn't long ago that I ruled out the Porsche 911 (997) which is a different beast again. It's daft to think that I'm already potentially planning the next one...a 4.7 Coupe but we want to have a summer or two in a roadster first. I post on hear to get honest opinions from those that know more than me and I can choose to take the advice or not but I certainly value it and don't expect people to tell me want I'd like to hear...otherwise there will be no point in posting. Still in negotiation with the dealer at the mo....Have a look, unless of course you're absolutely sold on the V8V, in which case get one and enjoy it. But don't compromise, as this is a big investment and the last thing you want to be doing in 2 years time is thinking 'I should have bought xxxx instead'.
Anyway, good luck and keep asking questions, there's a huge amount of experience on here and whilst they may not tell you exactly what you want to hear, at least you'll be better informed when you pull the trigger.
Clumsy said:
...it's got a bit of a fat ar5e compared to the Vantage.....reminds me of the Mrs....
Ignoring that you won't need to worry about her needs much longer.... The V8V is 33cm shorter, 0.5cm narrower, 1.5cm lower and 80kg lighter.
The nature of the car is, of course, very different and will belie those minor differences to an extent. But then if you really want a car for driving as you note, the DB9 is the more suited to it. Torquey, silky smooth V12, proper auto box...
northernmedia said:
Have the same colour but in a V8. You notice the pictures show a slightly richer red than the video which seems slightly washed out. Hard to colour to appreciate without seeing it in the flesh.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff