Year round usage?
Discussion
When I bought the V12S the idea was to put it away over the Winter months, even bought a cover for it!
However, the more I've driven the car that plan has disappeared into the distance and have sold the cover
I appreciate my circumstances are different to others i.e 70 next year and tbh resale value isn't really relevant so got around to thinking just use the thing. If It's icy / snowy then it'll stay in the garage otherwise it'll be out. The only place I won't take it is into town (have a Smart car for that) and it'll be religiously looked after, both mechanically and cosmetically.
This got me thinking, does anyone else use their car all year round?
However, the more I've driven the car that plan has disappeared into the distance and have sold the cover
I appreciate my circumstances are different to others i.e 70 next year and tbh resale value isn't really relevant so got around to thinking just use the thing. If It's icy / snowy then it'll stay in the garage otherwise it'll be out. The only place I won't take it is into town (have a Smart car for that) and it'll be religiously looked after, both mechanically and cosmetically.
This got me thinking, does anyone else use their car all year round?
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 19th November 13:02
Yes I do. I bought my aston as a daily driver but since covid the commute has meant it isn’t used daily. I use it for any journey I dont need the practicality of the family bus. Every mechanic I have spoken to about these cars repeats the same guidance, that cars that are left sitting in garages for long periods suffer more issues than those used regularly.
Last year I had a sudden and unexpected health event where I nearly died. I remember thinking if I got out of the ICU I wouldn’t ‘put off’ using the Aston for ‘another day’ ever again if I have the practical choice to use it. Infact I’m off to pick up some paint this afternoon and will be taking the aston!
If it’s worthless by the tIme I move it on (if ever) then I really dont care.
Last year I had a sudden and unexpected health event where I nearly died. I remember thinking if I got out of the ICU I wouldn’t ‘put off’ using the Aston for ‘another day’ ever again if I have the practical choice to use it. Infact I’m off to pick up some paint this afternoon and will be taking the aston!
If it’s worthless by the tIme I move it on (if ever) then I really dont care.
A number of PH members here have mentioned year round use and some as daily drivers.
Recent winters in the UK (south anyway) have mistly been milder than average, so plenty of opportunities to enjoy winter drives.
Damp roads can sometimes unexpectedly even add to the fun !
Wonder if it might be worthwhile having the rear subframe treated with a protective potion of some sort ?
Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 19th November 13:48
All year round but don't drive in the wet if I can avoid it.
I thought about only taxing it for six months but if you get a nice day in autumn or spring then you really need to drive it.
With modern tech one should be able to tax and insure the car just for the days it is driven on the road.
I thought about only taxing it for six months but if you get a nice day in autumn or spring then you really need to drive it.
With modern tech one should be able to tax and insure the car just for the days it is driven on the road.
Yup use both of ours as Dailies - 2017 V12VSM and a 2020 AMR Rapide. Both go to work as needed, to the supermarket for shopping or the garden centre for a bag of soil! I always look after them that said but never shy away from using them come rain or shine. Ok heavy (and I mean heavy not the usual 1cm we get) then I dont drive them as they are both terrible in the snow, but that's so rare these days it hardly impacts life at all.
Lifes too short and with the whole eco EV thing we soon wont be able to use them at all, so why waste 50% of the time not driving it and putting up with something that isnt enjoyable. Puts a smile on my face all year round....
Lifes too short and with the whole eco EV thing we soon wont be able to use them at all, so why waste 50% of the time not driving it and putting up with something that isnt enjoyable. Puts a smile on my face all year round....
M1AGM said:
Yes I do. I bought my aston as a daily driver but since covid the commute has meant it isn’t used daily. I use it for any journey I dont need the practicality of the family bus. Every mechanic I have spoken to about these cars repeats the same guidance, that cars that are left sitting in garages for long periods suffer more issues than those used regularly.
Last year I had a sudden and unexpected health event where I nearly died. I remember thinking if I got out of the ICU I wouldn’t ‘put off’ using the Aston for ‘another day’ ever again if I have the practical choice to use it. Infact I’m off to pick up some paint this afternoon and will be taking the aston!
If it’s worthless by the tIme I move it on (if ever) then I really dont care.
Sorry to hear your bad news, I hope your ok now? I haven't seen you for a while as I had to drop out last minute on the last run out.Last year I had a sudden and unexpected health event where I nearly died. I remember thinking if I got out of the ICU I wouldn’t ‘put off’ using the Aston for ‘another day’ ever again if I have the practical choice to use it. Infact I’m off to pick up some paint this afternoon and will be taking the aston!
If it’s worthless by the tIme I move it on (if ever) then I really dont care.
My DB9 goes into the garage over the winter, I do have mechanical problems with her still, been going on for around a year now, I've even been to an Aston independent 3 times still and no joy, I'm gunna strip her down again over this winter, hopefully get it sorted and back out as normal next year fingers crossed.
Edited by paulrog1 on Saturday 19th November 20:04
paulrog1 said:
I do have mechanical problems with her still, been going on for around a year now, I've even been to an Aston independent 3 time and no joy
Time to find another independent? Note that when my car had a fault that an independent with AMDS couldn't find, it was eventually found by an expert without AMDS who was just very good at diagnosing things.moktabe said:
This got me thinking, does anyone else use their car all year round?
Once they start gritting the roads I put mine in the garage for the duration of the winter.But should I need to use it, as I did last year, I just made sure once the salt had been washed away to take it out in the pouring rain to clean the underside.
AM's are no more prone to rust from road salt than any other car, but the difference are not often the first choice to drive when it is pouring.
I put 87k miles on my first Vantage, used it all year around for commuting. I Have had my current Roadster 7 years now but its a 2nd car. I dont take it off the road as such, but if its icy n damp and I will take a 4 x 4 by preference. There are often some lovely dry but cool winters days that make for nice driving, particularly in recent years.
M1AGM said:
Yes I do. I bought my aston as a daily driver but since covid the commute has meant it isn’t used daily. I use it for any journey I dont need the practicality of the family bus. Every mechanic I have spoken to about these cars repeats the same guidance, that cars that are left sitting in garages for long periods suffer more issues than those used regularly.
Last year I had a sudden and unexpected health event where I nearly died. I remember thinking if I got out of the ICU I wouldn’t ‘put off’ using the Aston for ‘another day’ ever again if I have the practical choice to use it. Infact I’m off to pick up some paint this afternoon and will be taking the aston!
If it’s worthless by the tIme I move it on (if ever) then I really dont care.
Glad to hear you are back on your feet sir and I agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly . I can never understand these Cars with five previous Owners and 4,000 miles covered , Porsche seem to be amongst the worst for this .Last year I had a sudden and unexpected health event where I nearly died. I remember thinking if I got out of the ICU I wouldn’t ‘put off’ using the Aston for ‘another day’ ever again if I have the practical choice to use it. Infact I’m off to pick up some paint this afternoon and will be taking the aston!
If it’s worthless by the tIme I move it on (if ever) then I really dont care.
Cold said:
Ditto with the Sottozeros, although I have summers on my Sportspack rims. This car is not a daily but it is regularly driven (5-6000 miles per year) and stays on the road through the winter. Salt/grit does not deter me, so it does get an underside wash a few times over the winter. I know I will need to drop the sub-frame for rejuvenation at some point, but yeah, so far so good. Re-sale value concerns have never been a real consideration for me as I bought it to enjoy and get the most from.I am not prepared to lose numerous months of driving experiences and pleasure with this car and wrap it up over winter, it`s too much fun and you`re a long time dead.
I’ve always used my Aston’s all year round. The only thing stopping me will be snow and ice as I can’t find any winter tyres to fit the DBS. Had Sottozeros fitted in the winter to my DB9 and ran it all weathers including a couple of trips to the Alps.
As others have already said, the point of owning this type of car is to enjoy it as much as possible, not to keep wrapped in cotton wool for someone else after I’ve done with it. Resale is irrelevant as I’ve already paid for it and as far as I’m concerned that money is spent. Any residual if I ever sell it will be a bonus.
As others have already said, the point of owning this type of car is to enjoy it as much as possible, not to keep wrapped in cotton wool for someone else after I’ve done with it. Resale is irrelevant as I’ve already paid for it and as far as I’m concerned that money is spent. Any residual if I ever sell it will be a bonus.
Edited by 4Q on Sunday 20th November 08:41
Edited by 4Q on Sunday 20th November 08:41
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