My first Aston
Discussion
I’m now about 3 months into owning my first Aston and as I enjoy browsing the forum, it seemed only right to share some of the love. My car is MY08 but registered early 2009 – I guess one of the last 4.3 V8’s – Meteorite silver, black leather with silver stitching and all the extras, exactly the car I wanted. It’s had one owner, supplied by the dealer I bought it from, and only 5k miles. I actually put a deposit down before seeing it but knew it was right when I went to see it as it was in the showroom and I assumed it was a brand new car which I admired whilst waiting for the dealer to show me to my car! Anyway, it’s my first proper sports car so I thought I’d share my thoughts for no real good reason other than people might be interested or thinking about buying one.
What I love:
Looks – it’s absolutely stunning – I go in the garage and just stare
Sound – wow, worth the money alone. Why don’t all car manufacturers focus on this. I’ve managed to scare old ladies and people always turn and look when they hear it
How it drives – I understand why people think it’s not fast but I think that’s because the power delivery is so smooth and you don’t get shaken about and so you’re going really fast before you even realise. It’s so nicely balanced that the electronics don’t need to interfere, whereas in my 5-series the traction intervenes every 10 minutes to keep me on the road (mind you, the torque on a BMW 3 litre diesel has to be experienced to be believed – if the road is wet it will wheelspin at 40mph…)
Most of all, there is something intangible that just makes me love going out in it, and everyone else love it. I also thought about a 911 and I know it is probably quicker etc, but as my wife put it, I’d look like I was having a midlife crisis, they’re a bit common and a bit too perfect (sorry 911 owners).
What I don’t like:
The instruments are a load of fiddly buttons that seem to be an accident waiting to happen.
The sat nav – hmm no comment but then I never use it so I might be being a bit unfair although my 12 year old son can’t work it which is a pretty bad sign
Absence of basics – automatic lights, automatic wipers, lights that look point round the corner, a key fob that doesn’t require a separate rucksack
However, that’s all detail, so long as it has seats and a steering wheel, I’ll still love it!
Stuart
What I love:
Looks – it’s absolutely stunning – I go in the garage and just stare
Sound – wow, worth the money alone. Why don’t all car manufacturers focus on this. I’ve managed to scare old ladies and people always turn and look when they hear it
How it drives – I understand why people think it’s not fast but I think that’s because the power delivery is so smooth and you don’t get shaken about and so you’re going really fast before you even realise. It’s so nicely balanced that the electronics don’t need to interfere, whereas in my 5-series the traction intervenes every 10 minutes to keep me on the road (mind you, the torque on a BMW 3 litre diesel has to be experienced to be believed – if the road is wet it will wheelspin at 40mph…)
Most of all, there is something intangible that just makes me love going out in it, and everyone else love it. I also thought about a 911 and I know it is probably quicker etc, but as my wife put it, I’d look like I was having a midlife crisis, they’re a bit common and a bit too perfect (sorry 911 owners).
What I don’t like:
The instruments are a load of fiddly buttons that seem to be an accident waiting to happen.
The sat nav – hmm no comment but then I never use it so I might be being a bit unfair although my 12 year old son can’t work it which is a pretty bad sign
Absence of basics – automatic lights, automatic wipers, lights that look point round the corner, a key fob that doesn’t require a separate rucksack
However, that’s all detail, so long as it has seats and a steering wheel, I’ll still love it!
Stuart
Had my roadster for a few months now....the one thing I always get wrong is the window buttons. They are obviously made to be mounted flat in the ARM of a car and not 'upright' in the way they are. The reason I say this is that I always pull the button to wind the window down.....I will get used to it but it seems counter intuitive. Nothing major and something I will get used to!
Loving the look of the car - and welcome to Aston ownership. as you say it just makes you feel special
Re the buttons - found I got used to them quiet quickly as a lot of them you don't need on a day to day basis anyway. I do like the look of the layout even if its not always totally practical.
re the SatNav - yep we all think the same - just look on the bright side - you weren't the person that had to pay £2k just to have it installed at build time!
the only two really annoying things I find, is no memory seats on mine, and you can't alter the stereo volume off the steering wheel controls. Never understood why not.
Re the buttons - found I got used to them quiet quickly as a lot of them you don't need on a day to day basis anyway. I do like the look of the layout even if its not always totally practical.
re the SatNav - yep we all think the same - just look on the bright side - you weren't the person that had to pay £2k just to have it installed at build time!
the only two really annoying things I find, is no memory seats on mine, and you can't alter the stereo volume off the steering wheel controls. Never understood why not.
Dave_ITR said:
Considering an early V8V towards the end of the year & it's always nice to read comments from new owners.
Do it and don't regret it, but I wouldn't get too caught up on something now that's likely to be 10 or more months away... Keep an eye out for the right car and if it comes along then snap it up!Re the buttons, I agree the interior looks great, and actually the issue is more using a different car for my daily commute and not remembering where things are. I also forget the handbrake on the Aston(the other car is auto so park does the job) - not sure that can be blamed on the car design.
I have memory seats and they are great - my wife even has her own setting - on the passenger seat....
The dealer told me satnav was a must have option that nobody actually wanted in the car!
I have memory seats and they are great - my wife even has her own setting - on the passenger seat....
The dealer told me satnav was a must have option that nobody actually wanted in the car!
Wellcome to the Aston fold ! I take on board your criticisms. I have been totally seduced by my new V8 she is now 18 days old done 550 miles and been washed 5 times. Aston do listen to criticism and do respond. Unlike Porsche who produce 200,000 units a year Aston build 5000 odd. The fiddly buttons are no longer quite so fiddly. The sat nav works fine, the key is shall we say "different". As for Auto lights , wipers and turning headlights the cost to Aston would be vast to install and not necessary.
My dash does not read Power Beauty Soul but Pure Aston Martin which I love . I am sorry for sounding defensive but the truth is I am .
Love your your new car as I do mine.
Regards Rob
My dash does not read Power Beauty Soul but Pure Aston Martin which I love . I am sorry for sounding defensive but the truth is I am .
Love your your new car as I do mine.
Regards Rob
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