Why aren't there more Astons on the road?
Discussion
Hi, I am new to this forum and this is my first post. Since I bought my DB7 (i6) last summer, I am amazed at the number of people that admire my car and say that Aston Martin's are their favourite car. This has got me thinking why there are not a lot more Aston's on the road. For instance, I live in Devon and do a lot of travelling around the Devon area with my job and hardly ever see an Aston on the roads. I might see 2 in a week then not see one for a month. (Since I have had mine I have seen a few DB9's and the odd Vantage but only 1 DB7). Well you could say that it is because they are expensive to buy and run. But I see a about 4 or 5 Porsche's a day and surely they are not any cheaper to buy/run than an Aston. Also, I see many brand new Merc's , BMW's, Audi's, Range Rover's etc etc and maybe I am being biased but I would rather have a slightly older Aston than any of the above, although they are all of course very nice cars and no doubt more practical. What are your thoughts on this?
MollyGTi said:
Someone will be along with the annual sales figures of Porsche compared to Aston - I just know the difference is HUGE ….& thats part of what makes driving an Aston so special. Congratulations - you have now joined an exclusive club 
In the 100th anniversary year, Aston were hoping to finally sell as many Astons over that 100 year period as Porsche would sell in one year.See lots of Astons in Surrey and London
I think the reason for much of this is that an Aston is sometimes a second, third or fourth car for most owners and therefore mainly comes out at the weekend. Porsches are much more likely to be daily drivers and they sell some 10x as many 911's as Aston do Vantages. They sell more cars in the UK in six months than Aston have done in their entire history. Stand to be corrected on that last stat. So the likelihood of seeing one is much lower.
If you want to meet up with Aston owners in Devon and Cornwall just PM me and I will send you details of the meetings/events that AMOC has planned. Our area has lots of DB7 owners that attend meetings so you will not be alone!
If you want to meet up with Aston owners in Devon and Cornwall just PM me and I will send you details of the meetings/events that AMOC has planned. Our area has lots of DB7 owners that attend meetings so you will not be alone!
Just a simple case of production numbers. Porsche per year (and every year for a while) 100,000 cars, Aston per year at their peak, 3000 cars and that's worldwide.
I see more Astons than Ferraris, though that tells you more about how usable they are daily than about production numbers, which are broadly similar.
I see more Astons than Ferraris, though that tells you more about how usable they are daily than about production numbers, which are broadly similar.
I think if they were more common some of the magic would disappear. I remember when I looked twice at a bmw in the car park (although never as longingly as I do an aston). For most people they just can't compute what it might cost to buy and run one, they would understand it was bought with the heart, and it has it's simply iconic.
I believe only Ferrari, Bentley and Rolls are similar. The Ferrari being the out and out racer, the Rolls being the one to sit in the back of and Bentley.. well unfortunately nowadays you're more likely to get asked which club you play for.
I believe only Ferrari, Bentley and Rolls are similar. The Ferrari being the out and out racer, the Rolls being the one to sit in the back of and Bentley.. well unfortunately nowadays you're more likely to get asked which club you play for.
Isn't this just a simple case of Porsche being a mass produced product whereas the Aston isn't?
Different markets, different demand, more exclusive and having both, much more special to drive.
OP, you see far more than I do where I live! and you are right they certainly attract a lot of positive attention. I've even had people wanting to be photographed with it.
I think another question is why, when 911 owners go on so much about the odd .1 of a second, and 3 mph, technology, build quality (arguable) or whatever as their reason for buying one over an Aston, we don't see more Nissan GTRs on the road. Surely brand isn't more important to them is it?
Different markets, different demand, more exclusive and having both, much more special to drive.
OP, you see far more than I do where I live! and you are right they certainly attract a lot of positive attention. I've even had people wanting to be photographed with it.
I think another question is why, when 911 owners go on so much about the odd .1 of a second, and 3 mph, technology, build quality (arguable) or whatever as their reason for buying one over an Aston, we don't see more Nissan GTRs on the road. Surely brand isn't more important to them is it?
mikey k said:
They never built many and a lot of owners don't drive them.
I'm with Mikey here. IanV12VR also makes a valid point about Astons often being a second (treasured) car, driven only on 'special' occasions. PS: Nissan,,I've heard of them,,,don't they make Crew cabs.
Edited by Y100 on Saturday 8th March 12:23
Edited by Y100 on Saturday 8th March 12:24
Y100 said:
PS: Nissan,,I've heard of them,,,don't they make Crew cabs.
Yes you are right, indeed they do! And of course the Porsche killer too which is an elephant in the room for those people who argue the logic of their purchase over an Aston based on facts, figures, technology and supposed quality alone Edited by Y100 on Saturday 8th March 12:23
Edited by Y100 on Saturday 8th March 12:24
Vergis said:
Driving the Aston every day makes it feel less special.
How long did you drive your Aston as a daily driver to make this absolute statement? I've driven Astons everyday for the last 2-3 years and whilst of course it's full potential isn't being found on my daily cross town commute, I refuse to believe it is any less special when I get on a good road and open it up. In fact the daily drive serves to fuel the anticipation of a depressed sport button and an open road. The positive reaction I get from other commuters just further fuels the enjoyment of the car. 
) As many on here have said, I suppose it is a good thing there are not many on the roads. Let's keep the exclusivity to ourselves. Before I bought my DB7, I wanted something different and hopefully not depreciate too much, which is one of the reasons I went for the 7. I also have some friends who shall we say, take the mick. My old E36 Bmw 323 Coupe, which I still use as a daily drive is according to them a 'drug dealer's' car. Another friend of mine has a Sub. Imprezza and is called a 'chav'. Another mate has a MX5, he is apparently a 'hairdresser'. No car it seems was safe from the mickey taking. However, when they saw my Aston, they were just speechless, no mickey taking, just admiration. I don't think there are many cars that have that affect. Oh and Molly, yes, will post pics soon!
I ride my bike home along the Embankment (In London) westbound in the evenings. I'd guess it's a main route to travel from Canary Wharf to Chelsea.
Most evenings I see at least half a dozen Astons and Porsches on that road. The Porsche total usually wins, but only because of Cayennes and Boxsters.
Most evenings I see at least half a dozen Astons and Porsches on that road. The Porsche total usually wins, but only because of Cayennes and Boxsters.
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