thinking about it.

[Chris P Bacon]

Hi all, I'm new here and about to start a mid life crisis. I have 40k to buy a toy, have been looking at the Jag XKR which ticks all my boxes other than its not the ultimate car based on drop dead good looks which is an Aston. I've been reading through some of the old posts but I still have loads of questions, your comments are welcome.

Why is it so expensive to service an Aston? If I don't care about the dealer stamps because I intend to keep the car for the long term would it matter if my local garage serviced it? I there anything they probably couldn't do?

Are Astons 2005/06 generally reliable, has anyone covered over 100k in one? Is the clutch really likely to be an issue before 50k? What else?

I'm going to look like a dicky doo dah asking this, but here goes... I don't understand what the main differences are between the cars in the range, they all look almost identical? are there any with 4 seats? I am probably looking at a 2005 V8 but I'd might go the extra mile for a V12. Is automatic better than manual? What do you prefer.

Sorry lots of questions, but feel free to add what ever you like, thanks.
Chris

[Neil1300R]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Buy it, read it, come back and ask questions not covered in it.

[krisdelta]

And you're young. By a V8V

[bogie]

I have some time

"Why is it so expensive to service an Aston?"

its not relatively speaking.....Ive seen Ford dealers at £100 an hour and Land Rover locally are £120...so a 5 hour service for a Range Rover is similar price to Aston. Use an independant and its £500-600 a service ever 10K miles...dont forget compared to a "normal" car you have 8 or 12 spark plugs, 2 filters etc and near 3 gallon of posh oil

"Are Astons 2005/06 generally reliable, has anyone covered over 100k in one? Is the clutch really likely to be an issue before 50k? What else?"

Ive seen ex hire cars for sale with 100k so im sure theres more. Clutch depends, see other thread. 63K miles here on original from new. Not much else other than niggles and consumables like discs n pads.

"I'm going to look like a dicky doo dah asking this, but here goes... I don't understand what the main differences are between the cars in the range, they all look almost identical? are there any with 4 seats?

DB9 and Rapide have 4 seats of a kind....the rest are styling/engine changes. Some variants setup more "sport" and some more "GT" thats about it really...choose body size (Vantage or DB9) and choose engine (4.3, 4.7 , 5.9) and usually price point of course

"Is automatic better than manual? What do you prefer. "

Used to be manual (mine is) but these days Id go ASM2 which is only on the later cars (I have dodgy feet and hips, prefer auto now)

[yeti]

Just get the Jag, it'll be easier for all of us.

/hangover

[Chris P Bacon]

Thanks Neil for the book recommendation, I shall definatly order a copy. Thank you Bogie for taking the time, that has enlightened me of the basics, I realise I've a lot to learn.

Edited by Chris P Bacon on Friday 21st December 15:35

[Jockman]

Chris P Bacon said:

....Why is it so expensive to service an Aston? If I don't care about the dealer stamps because I intend to keep the car for the long term would it matter if my local garage serviced it? I there anything they probably couldn't do?


Chris

Chris - most of us use Dealers and / or Recognised Indys - some are a slave to stamps, some prefer the more personal approach of the Indy, some use both, depending on the service.

I wouldn't like my car to be used as a guinea pig by a local backstreet garage so I'd steer clear of that for servicing etc.

Mikey, Big T and I were promised some crispy bacon by a young reprobate up in Clitheris a while back.....still waiting

[steveatesh]

Chris P Bacon said:

Thanks Neil for the book recommendation, I shall definatly order a copy. Thank you Bogie for taking the time, that has enlightened me of the basics, I realise I've a lot to learn.

Edited by Chris P Bacon on Friday 21st December 15:35

I suppose you may have already done this but if not, go into a dealers and have a sit in them all, and even drive some. You'll get a feel for the cars and how they drive to see if they meet your personal needs. It's a great problem to have really, so enjoy doing the research. Best of luck with it whatever you pick.

[Chris P Bacon]

Jockman said:

Chris - most of us use Dealers and / or Recognised Indys - some are a slave to stamps, some prefer the more personal approach of the Indy, some use both, depending on the service.

I wouldn't like my car to be used as a guinea pig by a local backstreet garage so I'd steer clear of that for servicing etc.

Thanks Jockman. I've been in the situation where I was paying for the stamp to keep as much value with the car, then I broke down the day after a full service and discovered they hadn't changed the plugs... I run a small fleet of vans and have a very reliable and trustworthy mechanic who does the cars as well, but we don't get stamps.. Anyway I agree I wouldn't want to be a guinea pig at a local backstreet!

[Chris P Bacon]

steveatesh said:

I suppose you may have already done this but if not, go into a dealers and have a sit in them all, and even drive some. You'll get a feel for the cars and how they drive to see if they meet your personal needs. It's a great problem to have really, so enjoy doing the research. Best of luck with it whatever you pick.

Thanks Steve. Your absolutly right I do need to take a test drive, I may not even like it (although thats pretty unlightly) I guess I just wanted to know a little more about them first. Strange really as these cars are all around me but I've never really looked in to them. My neighbour has one and he has never driven it, for him its about owning and not driving. still it takes all sorts.

[krisdelta]

Make sure you test drive a couple and get a feel.

I hated the first one I drove, it felt like the suspension had been removed and I nearly wrote off buying one at all. Then drove another and it was worlds nicer to be in.

[Bravo73]

Chris P Bacon said:

My neighbour has one and he has never driven it, for him its about owning and not driving.

How about asking him to have a good look around it? And then maybe take you out for a drive in it? You'll know for sure then whether to continue your research.

But definitely buy Grant's book. Then come back here with any questions that remain unanswered.



Oh, £40k will buy you a much newer V8 Vantage than an '05. You can easily get a nice '08 model (with AM warranty) for that sort of money.

[robgt]

[quote=yeti]Just get the Jag, it'll be easier for all of us.

Yeti with you on this one!

[F1 NDW]

robgt said:

yeti said:

Just get the Jag, it'll be easier for all of us.

Yeti with you on this one!

Now now you two. I'm already feeling well reprimanded by Bincenzo for taking such an attitude to fuel consumption.

[Jon39]

Chris P Bacon said:

Why is it so expensive to service an Aston?

Are Astons 2005/06 generally reliable.

Take your time to research the cars, especially the 4.3 and 4.7 Vantage model differences.

Servicing - A Ford dealer might service 20 Focus cars each day. An Aston Martin dealer may face similar overheads, but with far fewer customers.

Reliabilty - My 4.7 is now four years old. No faults.
A racing 4.7 Vantage completed the Le Mans 24 hour race this year.

Note - Yeti likes jokes.

Enjoy your car search.

[yeti]

Jon39 said:

Note - Yeti likes jokes.

Yeti likes people who know even the most basic differences between the cars. Or even look at Wikipedia, the Aston website or any one of the other internet based resources where such banal information lives.

But for those I've offended, please, know is the time to dry your eyes... OP, in your price range (based on your preferred car being an 05 Vantage) you have the choice of a 4.3 380bhp V8 Vantage or a 5.9 450bhp V12 DB9.

The V12 Vantage is still 80k+, the Rapide (with a full 4 seats) is the same.

The Vantage has 2 seats, a shorter wheelbase and was cheaper to buy than a DB9. They come with a manual gearbox whcih can either be controlled by a conventional manual 3 pedal set-up or with 'paddle-shift' the Sportshift ASM1 transmission. Which you will prefer depends on which you'd prefer, but the ASM is not useable in auto mode.

The DB9 has 4 seats although the rears are about the same as the XKR, suitable for luggage or small children. The V12 has much more torque and power but the longer wheelbase makes it less agile - more a GT/Sports than a Sports/GT. It has 2 gearbox options, a Graziano 6 speed manual gearbox and twin plate clutch or a full 6 speed ZF (I assume) automatic (same as the XKR). The auto is fitted to 9 out of 10 cars so is easy to find. It has paddle override which is very good with brisk shifts and it blips the throttle for you on downshifts.

You will know which you want after you drive them both, they're very different even though 'they look the same'.

[t1blk]

We all like Yeti

[woolders]

Yeti had a hangover!

[Lunablack]

Chris P Bacon said:

My neighbour has one and he has never driven it, for him its about owning and not driving. still it takes all sorts.

Do you live next door to George..??

[Chris P Bacon]

yeti said:

in your price range (based on your preferred car being an 05 Vantage) you have the choice of a 4.3 380bhp V8 Vantage or a 5.9 450bhp V12 DB9.

The V12 Vantage is still 80k+, the Rapide (with a full 4 seats) is the same.

The Vantage has 2 seats, a shorter wheelbase and was cheaper to buy than a DB9. They come with a manual gearbox whcih can either be controlled by a conventional manual 3 pedal set-up or with 'paddle-shift' the Sportshift ASM1 transmission. Which you will prefer depends on which you'd prefer, but the ASM is not useable in auto mode.

The DB9 has 4 seats although the rears are about the same as the XKR, suitable for luggage or small children. The V12 has much more torque and power but the longer wheelbase makes it less agile - more a GT/Sports than a Sports/GT. It has 2 gearbox options, a Graziano 6 speed manual gearbox and twin plate clutch or a full 6 speed ZF (I assume) automatic (same as the XKR). The auto is fitted to 9 out of 10 cars so is easy to find. It has paddle override which is very good with brisk shifts and it blips the throttle for you on downshifts.

You will know which you want after you drive them both, they're very different even though 'they look the same'.

That is really helpful, just what I was looking for. Thanks.

Jon39 said:

Note - Yeti likes jokes.

I know I've been reading his posts and some of them made me chuckle.

Lunablack said:

Chris P Bacon said:

My neighbour has one and he has never driven it, for him its about owning and not driving. still it takes all sorts.

Do you live next door to George..??

I'm not sure, my neighbour has 14 cars, 4 classic and 10 new top of the range all British but not for driving. Each car has its own carpeted and heated garage and a sort of shrine around them and on the walls. I wouldn't ask to sit in his Aston because I know he wouldn't want me to. ...and I'm not joking.