New to the Marque - Help Please
New to the Marque - Help Please
Author
Discussion

FrankieBee50

Original Poster:

763 posts

152 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Hi all,

I'm considering buying my very first Aston. We've (the misses and I...had to get her buy in) decided on the Vantage V8 roadster, the 2013 model and approx 9 months old.

I have done a fair bit of research, particularly on forums and am, well getting twitchy!

I read quite a bit about problems, water intrusion into door sills sloshing about, badly fitting panels, battery issues, accelerator pedals breaking off, loss of power...etc etc.

Now I am not new to expensive sports cars having owned Ferrari 430 and a couple of 911s but I must admit getting nervous in getting into the Aston brand (cool though it may be) as a few posters have suggested that they are leaving the brand forever!

So I ask for help, good or bad stories regarding Aston ownership please. Why should I have a car with potential problems when I could get into anther 911 and have years of care free and fault free motoring.

Also would like any feedback regarding choice between manual and new 7 speed sports shift II.

Many thanks in anticipation.



X7LDA

940 posts

234 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Quite an interesting debate for me as I bought a new Porsche 14 months ago (in between Aston ownership) and the engine went pop on me within 400 miles. Had the biggest fight with Porsche, lost money on the car and would never ever go back to it.

That said, I've had two Vantages (current is a Roadster) and they have both had their share of problems. Pretty much everything you listed is common - throw in rattles, lights steaming up, tyre monitor sensors, roof problems, tracker problems and worst of all corrosion - then that's probably the worst of it. Some people get one, some get all.

Sounds a lot. And it's a MASSIVE pain in the ass when it feels like one thing after another, however get that top off and grab it by the scruff of the neck ..... cloud9

If you do buy a 9 month old version then a warranty will cover most of it. Definitely an itch you need to scratch I think and a brand that, despite it's troubles, is easy to fall in love with.

mikey k

13,074 posts

246 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
FrankieBee50 said:
Hi all,

I'm considering buying my very first Aston. We've (the misses and I...had to get her buy in) decided on the Vantage V8 roadster, the 2013 model and approx 9 months old.

I have done a fair bit of research, particularly on forums and am, well getting twitchy!

I read quite a bit about problems, water intrusion into door sills sloshing about, badly fitting panels, battery issues, accelerator pedals breaking off, loss of power...etc etc.

Now I am not new to expensive sports cars having owned Ferrari 430 and a couple of 911s but I must admit getting nervous in getting into the Aston brand (cool though it may be) as a few posters have suggested that they are leaving the brand forever!

So I ask for help, good or bad stories regarding Aston ownership please. Why should I have a car with potential problems when I could get into anther 911 and have years of care free and fault free motoring.

Also would like any feedback regarding choice between manual and new 7 speed sports shift II.

Many thanks in anticipation.


You live with an Aston, it has ups and downs wink
Usually the ups massively out way the downs
No one can tell you which gearbox you need to drive both
If you've had a 430 I'd suggest you drive a S rather than a std V8V

GG33

1,224 posts

231 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
I'm also considering a V8V Roadster but havn't owned an Aston previoulsy, so cant answer your question directly. But I am interested to know why you're moving from an F430 to an Aston? (a 430 spyder is very high on my list, but not sure if I want to spend that much). I would certainly choose the manual rather than the sportshift, but thats an individual preference. I dont think the sportshift is as good as the F1 option on the 430..

GG

michael gould

5,698 posts

271 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Frankiebee .....I drive an 9 year old DB9 which I have owned for almost 5 years and have never had a problem apart from changing some brake pads

I have owned 2 Astons previously and had no major issues with either of them

Most of the contributors on this forum are a bunch of old tarts ......but.......almost without exception, they love their Astons.

Go out and buy your new toy with confidence and enjoy it

Good luck with the hunt smile

Bincenzo

2,606 posts

209 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
I think if you dig deep enough, you'll find common issues with most cars just as you will always find a cheaper deal the day after you've bought one. I've, apparently, been very lucky with mine and had none of the common problems other some paint bubbling, but mine is an early V8V. This I managed to cajole AM into helping me out with under warranty (with some contribution from myself).

So, you either want one or you don't, but I've recently posted about my thoughts on my car in a separate thread, and I'd have nothing else given my personal circumstance.

I've driven SS and manual, and with the sport button pressed, I thought the SS to be really very nice. Mine's a manual, though, and I prefer that, but that's just me (could be something to do with my new DBS knob!)

Go for it.

bogie

17,084 posts

302 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
the joys of the internet...usually with support forums populated with customers looking for support, having problems with their products

so youve read about 1/2 dozen owners having issues, whilst the other 13,000 happily enjoy their cars smile

If you look for issues on any car or consumer product for that matter, the internet will be full of stories of people with "issues", quite simply you wouldnt buy anything if you worry about such stuff

0.5% of most consumer electronics will fail in under 12months...for companies with volume like apple , thats a big problem. Ship 5 million products a month and thats 25,000 dead products per month coming back to you

/not worth worrying about, most of brand "quality" is all perception rather than fact. Truth is that if the product really was that faulty the manufacturer would have gone under....just buy what you want, whether it breaks down on you is mostly down to luck......

FrankieBee50

Original Poster:

763 posts

152 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
The Ferrari was an itch that needed scratching and a big, expensive mistake. It sat in the garage for 25 days out of 31, could not exactly nip to Tescos in it although I did! The Ferrari was 4 years ago following a 911 turbo. Should have kept that really!

Now looking to get back into the sports car arena and always wanted an Aston. The V8V roadster is quick enough for me now...while I still have my license!

Have driven soprtshift and don't like it when not in sport, the gear change is awful! Put it in sport and it becomes much better

Bincenzo

2,606 posts

209 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
FrankieBee50 said:
The Ferrari was an itch that needed scratching and a big, expensive mistake. It sat in the garage for 25 days out of 31, could not exactly nip to Tescos in it although I did! The Ferrari was 4 years ago following a 911 turbo. Should have kept that really!

Now looking to get back into the sports car arena and always wanted an Aston. The V8V roadster is quick enough for me now...while I still have my license!

Have driven soprtshift and don't like it when not in sport, the gear change is awful! Put it in sport and it becomes much better
Errrr, just leave it in sport then! Have you tried the manual?

tonyhall38

4,194 posts

246 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Why bother with that v8 stuff....get yourself a nice DBS v12 volante.....the smiles will be bigger and better and people like me in adult cars won't take the piss so much.....


FrankieBee50

Original Poster:

763 posts

152 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Not tried the manual yet. Have one lined up to try on Saturday so will be able to see what it's like.

Thanks for all your help on keeping the sports button depressed...got it!!

mikey k

13,074 posts

246 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Bincenzo said:
FrankieBee50 said:
The Ferrari was an itch that needed scratching and a big, expensive mistake. It sat in the garage for 25 days out of 31, could not exactly nip to Tescos in it although I did! The Ferrari was 4 years ago following a 911 turbo. Should have kept that really!

Now looking to get back into the sports car arena and always wanted an Aston. The V8V roadster is quick enough for me now...while I still have my license!

Have driven soprtshift and don't like it when not in sport, the gear change is awful! Put it in sport and it becomes much better
Errrr, just leave it in sport then! Have you tried the manual?
yes I've done over 23k miles in my two and used D once to try it out hehe

bogie

17,084 posts

302 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
search reliability or running costs on here and there are loads of threads of examples from real world owners ....to offset the negative ones you have read

Ive had my Vantage over 7 years and done 65k miles ish, the most expensive thing thats gone wrong was last year when the aircon compressor leaked. Im still on the original clutch too smile

Neil1300r

5,769 posts

208 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
To the OP

MTFU!
Get it bought
Post some pictures
Get some nice comments back
Come along to a few meets
Make some friends
Have the piss taken out of you
Have a great laugh


Think that sums up ownership on here wink

FrankieBee50

Original Poster:

763 posts

152 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Neil1300r said:
To the OP

MTFU!
Get it bought
Post some pictures
Get some nice comments back
Come along to a few meets
Make some friends
Have the piss taken out of you
Have a great laugh


Think that sums up ownership on here wink
At my age I needed to look up what MTFU meant! Got it now so basically I should grow a pair!!

Bincenzo

2,606 posts

209 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
What Neil said! I see you're in the South Midlands......where abouts? There are a few of us in Warwickshire if you need a look and a natter.

FrankieBee50

Original Poster:

763 posts

152 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Would you believe I'm only 1 mile from the old Aston works! Popped in the other day to their showroom and fell in love again..

Neil1300r

5,769 posts

208 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Bincenzo said:
...if you need a look and a natter.
Is that some weird Navy chat up line for one of your infamous meets in a dodgy layby?
laugh

Bincenzo

2,606 posts

209 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Neil1300r said:
Bincenzo said:
...if you need a look and a natter.
Is that some weird Navy chat up line for one of your infamous meets in a dodgy layby?
laugh
Sshhhh, I'm busy grooming...... hehe

FrankieBee50

Original Poster:

763 posts

152 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Bincenzo said:
Neil1300r said:
Bincenzo said:
...if you need a look and a natter.
Is that some weird Navy chat up line for one of your infamous meets in a dodgy layby?
laugh
Sshhhh, I'm busy grooming...... hehe
So am I!!!