AMOC UK - Worth it?
Discussion
There'll be lots of old threads on here.
My own take is I was a member twice, both times I got it as a freebie when buying the car and kept it going a few years after before letting it lapse both times. I did a few events with them and will say the Northamptonshire/Bedfordshire area chap did a fantastic job of organising things. The magazine you get is very nice and often had interesting articles on the history side of things.
A few problems for me: the first turns out to be not unique to AMOC. Where I live (North Oxfordshire) didn't have any area near me, meaning I couldn't do any of the more informal meet-ups on an evening. And then if I'm not doing many events, why am I paying well over 100 quid each year. There was also the club politics, which got totally wearisome.
Mainly though, I'm not a club sort of person. Particularly one where I felt like I was reducing the average age by about 20 years, and I'm getting on. Just wasn't my scene.
My own take is I was a member twice, both times I got it as a freebie when buying the car and kept it going a few years after before letting it lapse both times. I did a few events with them and will say the Northamptonshire/Bedfordshire area chap did a fantastic job of organising things. The magazine you get is very nice and often had interesting articles on the history side of things.
A few problems for me: the first turns out to be not unique to AMOC. Where I live (North Oxfordshire) didn't have any area near me, meaning I couldn't do any of the more informal meet-ups on an evening. And then if I'm not doing many events, why am I paying well over 100 quid each year. There was also the club politics, which got totally wearisome.
Mainly though, I'm not a club sort of person. Particularly one where I felt like I was reducing the average age by about 20 years, and I'm getting on. Just wasn't my scene.
I made a similar value decision - for the yearly cost I was unlikely to jump on the "dinner in Monaco" type of event.
I also find any politics and having the last say very boring.
I joined AstonOwners.com instead and have been a happy member of the online club.
Still no events in my area but that’s not a big concern for me - had a great driving weekend in Snowdonia last year, also a fun day out at Wood Brothers Distillery at RAF Brize Norton including a runway run, there are 17 AO cars due at Beaulieu on Sunday, and I’m in for a 16 day tour of France, Spain and Portugal next year which, whilst it is a big financial commitment, should be a fantastic time, with all stopovers and events laid on for you.
I also find any politics and having the last say very boring.
I joined AstonOwners.com instead and have been a happy member of the online club.
Still no events in my area but that’s not a big concern for me - had a great driving weekend in Snowdonia last year, also a fun day out at Wood Brothers Distillery at RAF Brize Norton including a runway run, there are 17 AO cars due at Beaulieu on Sunday, and I’m in for a 16 day tour of France, Spain and Portugal next year which, whilst it is a big financial commitment, should be a fantastic time, with all stopovers and events laid on for you.
I’m a member at the moment but TBH I probably won’t be renewing again for next year.
I’m glad I’ve done it for my first year of AM ownership but it’s a big amount of money and I’m just not getting the value from it since im not attending the events.
As a positive, I’ve just fitted 4 new tyres and the Michelin discount I got for being a member was very worthwhile.
I’m glad I’ve done it for my first year of AM ownership but it’s a big amount of money and I’m just not getting the value from it since im not attending the events.
As a positive, I’ve just fitted 4 new tyres and the Michelin discount I got for being a member was very worthwhile.
The monthly club magazine is ok but not a patch on the Porsche clubs one.
The quarterly glossy is ok but usually only a flick through.
You can get a discount at dealers on repairs but not service especially if yours is one of the Gaydon + models.
Generally newer models seem to get frowned upon at meets - maybe it’s just me but certainly they didn’t like my GT8 much at the last scramble I went to.
The politics never seem to improve and the committee appear to run the club as though it is a multi national plc and not a car club.
That all said where the price currently is still makes renewal acceptable but it’s getting closer.
The quarterly glossy is ok but usually only a flick through.
You can get a discount at dealers on repairs but not service especially if yours is one of the Gaydon + models.
Generally newer models seem to get frowned upon at meets - maybe it’s just me but certainly they didn’t like my GT8 much at the last scramble I went to.
The politics never seem to improve and the committee appear to run the club as though it is a multi national plc and not a car club.
That all said where the price currently is still makes renewal acceptable but it’s getting closer.
dibblecorse said:
Cheers for all the advice, will have a think but might start with the astonowners one ...
Worth seeing if they have anything within striking distance: https://astonowners.com/CalendarNothing anywhere near me.
I have a similar problem here in western canada…my two nearest are 4 hours west…or 6 hours east..Vancouver or Calgary..both great well supported clubs..and have been a Vancouver member…but just don’t get any benefit because of the distance…however they did allow me to join them on a more local drive…lovely folks..and very welcoming..not my Porsche club experience…if it’s not a 911…not interested…
Purso said:
Im near marlow, looking for some local drives etc.
I’m probably over generalising and being too simplistic but I see little evidence that the various areas arrange just simple drive outs - they are more likely to drive to a static meet - Area 10 this month for instance has visits to a garden , a lake etc !When I’ve been on Aston drive outs it’s been organised from here although not for a long time or from other local clubs.
Purso said:
Im near marlow, looking for some local drives etc.
im not far from you, if you are interested in drive outs that aren't exclusively Aston i recommend https://www.ottano.uk/Free to join / register and they are a good bunch, a couple are Marlow based.
They have their next drive early 29th Aug from Beaconsfield to C&M The Hut for breakfast, im going.
They also do coffee meets at The Cheese Shed just outside Henley..
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