Just cancelled my AMV8 order...
Discussion
JEBLondon said:
- The Sat Nav is crap and straight out of a Volvo S60
- The interior looks great but the facia is cheap plastic and the buttons feel cheap
- You get a better standard stereo in a VW
Perhaps instead of the Satnav, they should have put in the stereo from the Volvo instead! I can assure you the premium V70/S80 kit is amongst the best manufacturers fitted kit available. 
:J: said:
g55dxb said:
JEBLondon said:
- You get a better standard stereo in a VW
The premium stereo is very good, better than the premium system in our new S-Class
I have heard the stereo in the V8 and must say that I am very interested in which VW has a better sound system ?? Could you let me know please JEB, thanks
I am also interested in how you ended up with Mondeo switch gear in your V8 as I was sure it wasn't the same ? Maybe not ??
As for the key, the the Mondeo one is the same as my Focus, and yet when I look at my key next to the AMV8 one, they are totally different ??
We managed all the way to Le Mans and back in a V8 and not one rattle ? In fact, I have not noticed a rattle in any of the V8's I have been in ??
I think you may have trying to sell you a dodgy car as the one you looked at seems to be different to all the other V8's ??
Maybe you should look into this, doesn't seem very good practice, it's a bit concerning.
Are you sure you weren't in a DB7 and got mistaken that it was a V8 ?
Edited by :J: on Wednesday 16th August 14:20
What he said (except the Le Mans bit).
Just to clarify..
I had a small prang in my 911. I have a funky insurance policy that means that they have to replace with a similar level of car - they didn't have a 911 so gave me an AMV8 instead for the two weeks that my 911 was being resprayed.
As I said, I'm sure people are very happy in their AMV8s and can see how you'd fall in love with it (I went as far as ordering one..) but ultimately found it too much of a compromise. I therefore cancelled my order and upgraded my 911 for a 997C2S.
It may be that the loan car I had was a bad example but it seems that buying an Aston is a bit too much of a lottery.
In defence of some of my comments:
-Driving styles are driving styles but there is no disputing simple lack of bhp (especially low down power)
-My car had tons of niggly faults again highlighting that buying an Aston is too much of a lottery
-Not the sound but the actual stereo itself I found to be cheap and nasty when compared with the total multifunctionality of Porsche's PCM
-I had a Volvo S60 as a hire car once and opening the SatNav on the AMV8 was just a huge letdown - reminded me of a sh1t diesel Volvo - shouldn't be the case in a £85-90k car
-The interior looks fabulous but on mine tapping the central dash where the stereo sits it was obvious it was nasty cheap plastic
-I like a reassuring 'click' for my buttons/switchgear and Porsche is miles ahead here - gives a general feeling of quality
-If you can afford a 90k car then fuel economy is prob not that important but for the two week period I had the car my digital readout gave an average of 12mpg and that's just piss poor
It may be the case that the car I had was a 'lemon' in which case its a shame as it caused me to cancel an order. However, I don't disagree that its a beautiful car - given my total experience I just can't justify paying the massive premium over a new 911.
As a final dig though :wink: ... just wait till Ford sells AM to Oleg Deripaska.... It'll be a different tune then...!!
I had a small prang in my 911. I have a funky insurance policy that means that they have to replace with a similar level of car - they didn't have a 911 so gave me an AMV8 instead for the two weeks that my 911 was being resprayed.
As I said, I'm sure people are very happy in their AMV8s and can see how you'd fall in love with it (I went as far as ordering one..) but ultimately found it too much of a compromise. I therefore cancelled my order and upgraded my 911 for a 997C2S.
It may be that the loan car I had was a bad example but it seems that buying an Aston is a bit too much of a lottery.
In defence of some of my comments:
-Driving styles are driving styles but there is no disputing simple lack of bhp (especially low down power)
-My car had tons of niggly faults again highlighting that buying an Aston is too much of a lottery
-Not the sound but the actual stereo itself I found to be cheap and nasty when compared with the total multifunctionality of Porsche's PCM
-I had a Volvo S60 as a hire car once and opening the SatNav on the AMV8 was just a huge letdown - reminded me of a sh1t diesel Volvo - shouldn't be the case in a £85-90k car
-The interior looks fabulous but on mine tapping the central dash where the stereo sits it was obvious it was nasty cheap plastic
-I like a reassuring 'click' for my buttons/switchgear and Porsche is miles ahead here - gives a general feeling of quality
-If you can afford a 90k car then fuel economy is prob not that important but for the two week period I had the car my digital readout gave an average of 12mpg and that's just piss poor
It may be the case that the car I had was a 'lemon' in which case its a shame as it caused me to cancel an order. However, I don't disagree that its a beautiful car - given my total experience I just can't justify paying the massive premium over a new 911.
As a final dig though :wink: ... just wait till Ford sells AM to Oleg Deripaska.... It'll be a different tune then...!!
JEBLondon said:
-I had a Volvo S60 as a hire car once and opening the SatNav on the AMV8 was just a huge letdown - reminded me of a shit diesel Volvo - shouldn't be the case in a £85-90k car
Yeah I can see what you mean, just because the Volvo "satnav" is perfect at directing the route doesn't mean it's acceptable in a £85k car... Edited by richb on Wednesday 16th August 15:59
richb said:
JEBLondon said:
-I had a Volvo S60 as a hire car once and opening the SatNav on the AMV8 was just a huge letdown - reminded me of a shit diesel Volvo - shouldn't be the case in a £85-90k car
Yeah I can see what you mean, just because the Volvo "satnav" is perfect at directing the route doesn't mean it's acceptable in a £85k car 
Actually when i first saw the sat nav i though 'what a bag of crap' but since using it i personally prefer it to the porsche or the BMW system, i was suprised, although entering the street names is a bit dodgy when you are driving
GetCarter said:
:J: said:
g55dxb said:
JEBLondon said:
- You get a better standard stereo in a VW
The premium stereo is very good, better than the premium system in our new S-Class
I have heard the stereo in the V8 and must say that I am very interested in which VW has a better sound system ?? Could you let me know please JEB, thanks
I am also interested in how you ended up with Mondeo switch gear in your V8 as I was sure it wasn't the same ? Maybe not ??
As for the key, the the Mondeo one is the same as my Focus, and yet when I look at my key next to the AMV8 one, they are totally different ??
We managed all the way to Le Mans and back in a V8 and not one rattle ? In fact, I have not noticed a rattle in any of the V8's I have been in ??
I think you may have trying to sell you a dodgy car as the one you looked at seems to be different to all the other V8's ??
Maybe you should look into this, doesn't seem very good practice, it's a bit concerning.
Are you sure you weren't in a DB7 and got mistaken that it was a V8 ?
Edited by :J: on Wednesday 16th August 14:20
What he said (except the Le Mans bit).
what he said including the Le Mans bit and mine was faster.
v8tvr said:
richb said:
JEBLondon said:
-I had a Volvo S60 as a hire car once and opening the SatNav on the AMV8 was just a huge letdown - reminded me of a shit diesel Volvo - shouldn't be the case in a £85-90k car
Yeah I can see what you mean, just because the Volvo "satnav" is perfect at directing the route doesn't mean it's acceptable in a £85k car Actually when i first saw the sat nav i though 'what a bag of crap' but since using it i personally prefer it to the porsche or the BMW system, i was suprised, although entering the street names is a bit dodgy when you are driving
With my 997 i dont think i could enter the postcode to find an address??????? This to me makes the aston slag nav better by far.
rich1231 said:
I agree with the original poster on a few things
the car could do with a few more ponies
And the electronics could be integrated alot better, but they are minor niggles and its still a great car.
Having said that im soon back to land of porc
the car could do with a few more ponies
And the electronics could be integrated alot better, but they are minor niggles and its still a great car.
Having said that im soon back to land of porc
but how soon rich i thought you was waiting for the aero kit and power up grade?
bund said:
v8tvr said:
richb said:
JEBLondon said:
-I had a Volvo S60 as a hire car once and opening the SatNav on the AMV8 was just a huge letdown - reminded me of a shit diesel Volvo - shouldn't be the case in a £85-90k car
Yeah I can see what you mean, just because the Volvo "satnav" is perfect at directing the route doesn't mean it's acceptable in a £85k car Actually when i first saw the sat nav i though 'what a bag of crap' but since using it i personally prefer it to the porsche or the BMW system, i was suprised, although entering the street names is a bit dodgy when you are driving
With my 997 i dont think i could enter the postcode to find an address??????? This to me makes the aston slag nav better by far.
There's a 'Plus' version of the SatNav for a 997 that includes postcode entry.
one wonders what is the world coming to?997 must be a shed load better than the 996 then (I've seen but not used).
I sold my 2003 £105k 996tt and sitting in the 2006 £85k Aston is a world apart, and so much nicer. From the start I found the inside of the Pork bland - buttons too small to use at speed and not at all what one would expect for that money. Dark, dreary and 'mass produced'
Don't get me wrong, the car went like stink and is in another dimension speed-wise. Point to point 450 bhp and 457 ft of torque in a lighter car crushes the Aston. But I didn't buy the Aston to beat speed records! (I would have bought the 997 turbo, a Caterham 260 or an FQ Evo to do that)
How anyone can think the Aston is cheap plastic inside (compared to a Porsche) just baffles me. I suspect drugs or blindness
I sold my 2003 £105k 996tt and sitting in the 2006 £85k Aston is a world apart, and so much nicer. From the start I found the inside of the Pork bland - buttons too small to use at speed and not at all what one would expect for that money. Dark, dreary and 'mass produced'
Don't get me wrong, the car went like stink and is in another dimension speed-wise. Point to point 450 bhp and 457 ft of torque in a lighter car crushes the Aston. But I didn't buy the Aston to beat speed records! (I would have bought the 997 turbo, a Caterham 260 or an FQ Evo to do that)
How anyone can think the Aston is cheap plastic inside (compared to a Porsche) just baffles me. I suspect drugs or blindness
grant3 said:
Sorry chaps I must be missing something, everytime I sit in the Astons cabin I find it a fabulous place to be, it is Classy with a capital C, hand stiched leather, aluminium milled dials only Bentley can top an Aston interior & that has some VW parts!
The only shared parts I was aware of is the sat nav system from a Volvo (ditto the remote!) but hey at least we have a James Bond flip up from the dash. I really don't see this parts bin count thing, Lamborgini has Audi bit's, Pagani Merc,Bentley VW, Maserati Fiat, so what it's the overall effect that is important & they are all fabulous!
Bottom line is there is no need to justify the interior, if some one doesn't like it fine, taste is personal, but it's definitely "class"!!
The only shared parts I was aware of is the sat nav system from a Volvo (ditto the remote!) but hey at least we have a James Bond flip up from the dash. I really don't see this parts bin count thing, Lamborgini has Audi bit's, Pagani Merc,Bentley VW, Maserati Fiat, so what it's the overall effect that is important & they are all fabulous!
Bottom line is there is no need to justify the interior, if some one doesn't like it fine, taste is personal, but it's definitely "class"!!
Couldn't of put it better myself, your right Aston Martin's have always been & always will be class with a capital ''C''. And given the choice of a Porsche or Aston, the Aston would win hands down everytime for me. But at the end of the day it's just personal preference, we can't all have a passion for the same things in life.
Was aware that a lot of the switches are Ford, but I thought most car nut's knew this already. I must admit I am quite biased having worked for AM in the past.
for me a porsche is fast-reliable-ugly and as common as sin and overpriced, the vantage is just about fast enough-reliable-stunning looks (inside and out)plus its a real head turner slightly overpriced
Every time i go out in it i cannot stop smiling.
P.S Also the Porsche dealership that i have used dont give a monkeys about the punter,where as my local Aston dealership treats me like a customer should be treated
I'll get my coat
Every time i go out in it i cannot stop smiling.
P.S Also the Porsche dealership that i have used dont give a monkeys about the punter,where as my local Aston dealership treats me like a customer should be treated
I'll get my coat
Edited by v8tvr on Wednesday 16th August 19:38
Anyway , you come on here , a place where us John Bull Aston boys have a jolly old time comparing our relative experiences , a Johnny foreigner upstart with your Volkswagon clone engine -in -the wrong -place bolide, and have the affrontery to tell us ( among other things) that you don`t like it and didn`t buy one because it rattled and returned 12 miles to the gallon , I`m apoplectic with rage and after my cocoa I will lie in a darkened room until I am calm.
Angry from Tunbridge.
Angry from Tunbridge.
GetCarter said:
How anyone can think the Aston is cheap plastic inside (compared to a Porsche) just baffles me. I suspect drugs or blindness
mikial said:
Anyway , you come on here , a place where us John Bull Aston boys have a jolly old time comparing our relative experiences , a Johnny foreigner upstart with your Volkswagon clone engine -in -the wrong -place bolide, and have the affrontery to tell us ( among other things) that you don`t like it and didn`t buy one because it rattled and returned 12 miles to the gallon , I`m apoplectic with rage and after my cocoa I will lie in a darkened room until I am calm. Angry from Tunbridge.
Edited by grant3 on Wednesday 16th August 20:06
I took delivery of new £83k 997C4S a month ago - done 1200 miles. On second day of ownership it went back for an electrical fault (lose wire on the relay for the ignition) for over a week. The dealer response was great. It has two sqeaks/rattles which are annoying but I have not had the time to go back and get it fixed. I have great admiration for the car - the shape is iconic and you cannot knock the mechanical genius of Porsche in making it so good with the engine in the wrong place. The drive is so versatile and the controls are well thought out. Perhaps it is too good for its own good. It is the wife in doors cooking a reliably nutritious meal, when what you really want is a take away and a bit of skirt - ie it doesn't turn you on. Also, and unfairly in my view, you know that most people on the road think you are an arse.
With the AMV8 I can't get the grin off my face, which is why I am prepared to accept those few niggles that I expect will come with ownership. I ordered my AMV8 three months before the 997 and it arrives in November. I will sell the 997 and may have a period of overlap. Only time will tell, but I am reasonably confident I know what the outcome will be.
With the AMV8 I can't get the grin off my face, which is why I am prepared to accept those few niggles that I expect will come with ownership. I ordered my AMV8 three months before the 997 and it arrives in November. I will sell the 997 and may have a period of overlap. Only time will tell, but I am reasonably confident I know what the outcome will be.
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