Less and less Aston Martins for sale

[MaverickV12]

cardigankid said:

Look at annual production. Look how many are going to China. The days when you could pick up UK spec low mileage Astons cheap are evaporating fast. I wish I had £109,995.

Edited by cardigankid on Monday 4th March 21:03

Where are you getting your figures from?

[Slarti]

yeti said:

Had enough? What's next?

Hey yeti. I've just fancied something a little wild and in-yer-face for a while, as opposed to my tungsten with phantom interior db9v which Im finding a little ...dare I say it, dull. Not dull in the driving sense mind you, its the sleek understatedness that i dont currently want out of my weekend toy. So given that I want something vulgar for a while, I've started looking at red F430s. I did consider a v12v in a garish colour but I thought I might as well scratch the ferrari itch while I'm at it. I have no doubt that I will be back in an Aston at some point if I swap out.

On that note, I've got a set of upgraded 15 spoke alloys (refurbed) and a Dension 500 iPod/iphone/USB kit if anybody is looking to appropriate those.

[yeti]

Slarti said:

its the sleek understatedness that i dont currently want out of my weekend toy... I've started looking at red F430s...

That should be mission accomplished

On the camp site at Le Mans last year was a dark grey spider... to be honest I couldn't stop looking at it, a lot of visual drama and an insane noise on whatever exhaust he had.

Good luck and enjoy

[Slarti]

yeti said:

That should be mission accomplished

On the camp site at Le Mans last year was a dark grey spider... to be honest I couldn't stop looking at it, a lot of visual drama and an insane noise on whatever exhaust he had.

Good luck and enjoy

Thanks Yeti! My biggest regret is that I haven't managed to make a run out with you guys yet. Not sure I'll have the aston in April - how do people feel about having traitors to the brand at meets (provided they stay away from the photoshoots)?

[yeti]

Slarti said:

Thanks Yeti! My biggest regret is that I haven't managed to make a run out with you guys yet. Not sure I'll have the aston in April - how do people feel about having traitors to the brand at meets (provided they stay away from the photoshoots)?

It's a free country... but...

IMHO.

[Richales]

Well there's one more Aston in the Classifieds now, mine!

Sadly after 4 years in the brand I'm having to get proper back seats.

Wonder if I can convince the wife that putting the money into that AM pram is sensible....!

[brakedwell]

Richales said:

Wonder if I can convince the wife that putting the money into that AM pram is sensible....!

It's only got 3 wheels - just like a Reliant Robin

Back to numbers: Aston Martin sales have taken a hammering since 2008, consequently fewer cars have been registered in UK.

[Jon39]

brakedwell said:

Back to numbers: Aston Martin sales have taken a hammering since 2008, consequently fewer cars have been registered in UK.

I think a very large part of the reduction in UK sales, shown by your (SMMT) figures, is due to the Vantage. The initial excitement created by that new model, achieved a UK sales peak of 1500 Vantages in 2006. Last year it was down to about 300.

So, by deducting the Vantage effect, the other models are approximately;

2006 ~ 800
2007 ~ 1000
2008 ~ 730
2009 ~ 540
2010 ~ 660
2011 ~ 670
2012 ~ 620

Remembering that the higher figures in 2006 and 2007, were probably boosted by the last years of the debt boom, it probably shows how important a completely new Vantage model will be, for the total UK sales to increase again.

If the Vantage replacement does excite buyers, sales should be boosted for a couple of years, then begin to slow yet again, as new car customers begin to look around for their latest 'hot metal'.

It just shows what a difficult business, sports car manufacturing is.

Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 6th March 22:31

[MaverickV12]

With the £140k DB9, the £190k DBS and now the £220k Vanquish, whilst they sale well, it looks like they needed the £80k, "base", model.

Whilst its ok having all these high value models, do AM need a £80k model that, "opens up the market", to more people.

Is there something in it? does the £80k model exist now? V12V etc has taken over and they are defo not £80k.

I'm guessing there are more people that can lease a £80k car, than one starting at almost twice that price .........

[yeti]

Lets say it costs roughly the same to make a Vantage as a DB9...

Much as it costs the same to make a Boxster as it does the 911.

One coats half as much again as the other... So where is the most profit..?

Theres no money in the 'cheap' car unless they sell thousands of them, and then the brand image and desirability is destroyed. New Vantage, should they or shouldn't they..? Tough call.

It also lives in a sector with the SL, M6, F-Type/XKR and 911, a sector where people read reviews and then buy the best car. By the time you are talking 310quish money then you buy what you like, stats and reviews don't matter.

And that's how Aston need to sell cars, by being all 'Astony', not by trying to be as good as the 911. Because they'll lose.

[MaverickV12]

yeti said:

Lets say it costs roughly .........

All valid points ......

Are you saying that, why make 4000 cars a year and make x profit, when you can make 1000 cars a year and still make the same (x) profit ....?

Not only that, but if you go for the 4000 cars, you face a stack of competition, in a war you just can't win, let-alone, "want", to compete in?

[Jon39]

Attracting buyers to the 'lower cost' range, can sometimes create extra sales for the upper models.

The previous owner of my 4·7, bought a new V8VR, and then a new Virage.

Presumably this aspect must be one of many, when decisions about a Vantage replacement is / was made.

Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 7th March 10:06

[WhereamI]

It may cost a similar amount to make a cheaper car (emphasis on 'may') but a big cost is the development which is spread over a larger number of cars thus improving their profitability.