Considering leaving Aston...
Discussion
klmc said:
IanV12VR said:
+1 you are probably not helped by being in Monaco as I guess you do not have any alternatives in terms of getting it repaired.
That's right - and it feels like it is coming back with other issues when sending it in.
klmc said:
This is my 3rd Aston and although I really want to love the Aston's perhaps it is time to try something totally different - a Lamborghini Huracan 610-4 is on the cards - thought are welcomed.
Still keeping your Rapide though? Is there a difference build quality wise, and if so it is a Magna built car?Loose_Cannon said:
Still keeping your Rapide though? Is there a difference build quality wise, and if so it is a Magna built car?
Mine now has an Austrian squeak from the rear seat area (especially when the dampers are set to firm) - best solution may be to have the 3 way exhaust switch fitted and simply drown the rotters out!I never had major issues with the Rapide - only squeaky sounds when very hot weather. The "click" sound when accelerating was fixed. The finishing was definitely better than the Vanquish.
I changed the Rapide to Vanquish and just swapped the Vanquish to Huracan.
Maybe I will be back in the future - thanks for the comments.
I changed the Rapide to Vanquish and just swapped the Vanquish to Huracan.
Maybe I will be back in the future - thanks for the comments.
CSK1 said:
I'm sure if this would have been dealt with properly by your dealer, you would have never left the brand. I can't understand why AML keep on working with dealers giving a poor service, especially given how highly Andy Palmer is rating customer service.
I don't think they are sitting on their hands on this. If you look how the UK dealerships are changing confirms that they are looking to change things. It will take time though and depends a lot on what agreements are in place as to how long that will take place.CSK1 said:
I'm sure if this would have been dealt with properly by your dealer, you would have never left the brand. I can't understand why AML keep on working with dealers giving a poor service, especially given how highly Andy Palmer is rating customer service.
That's true - all I wanted was flawless Vanquish but after 4 months of trying I ran out of patience despite Andy pushed and I was contacted from the factory but it was too late for me. Will update about the Lamborghini experience.
I had a DB9 Volante then a Rapide S, both had many many problems and in the 18 months of ownership had as many visits home for fettling.
I bought a new 991, had it 9 months and was bored, no soul, no character; it never broke but never inspired me either. 2 days at Silverstone with it and I realised I could only ever get to 5% on the normal roads.
So now I am waiting on a new Aston again; I have other cars so if it breaks a little I will drive them while it is fixed.
I regret selling my last Aston!
I bought a new 991, had it 9 months and was bored, no soul, no character; it never broke but never inspired me either. 2 days at Silverstone with it and I realised I could only ever get to 5% on the normal roads.
So now I am waiting on a new Aston again; I have other cars so if it breaks a little I will drive them while it is fixed.
I regret selling my last Aston!
^^ Completely on board with the "cars with soul/character" bit. However, this excuse has its limits.
These are expensive cars, and for some of us who live in harsher climates, they cannot be driven year round. Mine was at the dealer last fall for several months (!) getting "fixed" under warranty for an issue that rendered it undriveable (at least with any confidence that the engine would not grenade), and guess what, out of winter storage this spring and the issue has returned. In my experience with multiple, other manufacturers, this inability to both properly diagnose and fix a major issue on a timely basis is unique.
Also, my nearest dealer is several hours and 200 km away. Like the OP, this is my third Aston. These cars are major life purchases for me (I'm doing fine but I am not an ultra high net worth individual), so my tolerance for problems goes only so far, and my eye has been wandering towards Porsche.
These are expensive cars, and for some of us who live in harsher climates, they cannot be driven year round. Mine was at the dealer last fall for several months (!) getting "fixed" under warranty for an issue that rendered it undriveable (at least with any confidence that the engine would not grenade), and guess what, out of winter storage this spring and the issue has returned. In my experience with multiple, other manufacturers, this inability to both properly diagnose and fix a major issue on a timely basis is unique.
Also, my nearest dealer is several hours and 200 km away. Like the OP, this is my third Aston. These cars are major life purchases for me (I'm doing fine but I am not an ultra high net worth individual), so my tolerance for problems goes only so far, and my eye has been wandering towards Porsche.
My Vantage has been impeccably reliable but then I've used it less than any previous fun car over the last 10 years. It's beautiful and a great GT but just not exciting enough.
It's going into the trade next Saturday as the Vantage market is utterly silent at the moment, loosing a chunk of money on it but hopefully the joy of picking up a brand new 570s will erase any negativity. Another British V8 but this one's turned up to 11.
It's going into the trade next Saturday as the Vantage market is utterly silent at the moment, loosing a chunk of money on it but hopefully the joy of picking up a brand new 570s will erase any negativity. Another British V8 but this one's turned up to 11.
I think with any brand and any marque there is a bit of luck involved with reliability - other than one electrical fault my Rapide has been 100% reliable for 3 years (well OK the piano black ski slope is cracked around the sat nav hatch...). For those eyeing Porsches the grass may not be greener - they have historically had far more serious issues of bore scoring, IMS and RMS failure and a mate has just had the engine out of his GT3 for top end issues. They often say 'tough luck' too - the thread here on the Cayman owner with a shot engine due to bore scoring at 20k miles is very sad indeed. Just trying to add perspective - they remain cracking cars 
quench said:
^^ Completely on board with the "cars with soul/character" bit. However, this excuse has its limits.
These are expensive cars, and for some of us who live in harsher climates, they cannot be driven year round. Mine was at the dealer last fall for several months (!) getting "fixed" under warranty for an issue that rendered it undriveable (at least with any confidence that the engine would not grenade), and guess what, out of winter storage this spring and the issue has returned. In my experience with multiple, other manufacturers, this inability to both properly diagnose and fix a major issue on a timely basis is unique.
Also, my nearest dealer is several hours and 200 km away. Like the OP, this is my third Aston. These cars are major life purchases for me (I'm doing fine but I am not an ultra high net worth individual), so my tolerance for problems goes only so far, and my eye has been wandering towards Porsche.
I really get it; was at the end of my tether with both of mine; sold the DB9 back as it was so squeaky and electrically compromised. The Rapide S continually went flat; one wet night I pressed unlock and all the windows came down and it died: in the rain. It was when taping bin bags around the windows that I decided it had to go.These are expensive cars, and for some of us who live in harsher climates, they cannot be driven year round. Mine was at the dealer last fall for several months (!) getting "fixed" under warranty for an issue that rendered it undriveable (at least with any confidence that the engine would not grenade), and guess what, out of winter storage this spring and the issue has returned. In my experience with multiple, other manufacturers, this inability to both properly diagnose and fix a major issue on a timely basis is unique.
Also, my nearest dealer is several hours and 200 km away. Like the OP, this is my third Aston. These cars are major life purchases for me (I'm doing fine but I am not an ultra high net worth individual), so my tolerance for problems goes only so far, and my eye has been wandering towards Porsche.
The 911 was great but after 9 months it went back for a minor service and they asked if I wanted to sell; the price was £3k less than I paid new 9 months and 9,000 miles earlier so I was happy to let it go.
I now have a new Vantage on order as nothing else comes close to the style and class. I just could not see myself in anything Italian and Mclaren's are a little too firm for me.
If you can get it sorted I would stay with the Aston; but 200km is a big PITA with issues!
Edited by madcal on Saturday 6th May 14:14
So it has been 3 months and 4,500 flawless kilometers in the Huracan. Is is definitely not an Aston Martin, the excitement and emotions around the Lamborghini brand are tremendous and more intense. Not sure what expect, but it has all been smiles and positive reactions (from what I have seen at least).
Most importantly - I have not had any issues with the car at all except for the telephone directory not always syncing but both the deal and the factory has been on it to find a solution. The drive is amazing, the feeling and the experience is so different and I am confident it was was the right choice to take a break from Aston Martin.
So long...
Most importantly - I have not had any issues with the car at all except for the telephone directory not always syncing but both the deal and the factory has been on it to find a solution. The drive is amazing, the feeling and the experience is so different and I am confident it was was the right choice to take a break from Aston Martin.
So long...
The Surveyor said:
My Vantage has been impeccably reliable but then I've used it less than any previous fun car over the last 10 years. It's beautiful and a great GT but just not exciting enough.
It's going into the trade next Saturday as the Vantage market is utterly silent at the moment, loosing a chunk of money on it but hopefully the joy of picking up a brand new 570s will erase any negativity. Another British V8 but this one's turned up to 11.
Turned up to 11 today by the looks of it.It's going into the trade next Saturday as the Vantage market is utterly silent at the moment, loosing a chunk of money on it but hopefully the joy of picking up a brand new 570s will erase any negativity. Another British V8 but this one's turned up to 11.
Well impressed and it's got me thinking.....
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