What would your last AM drive be?

What would your last AM drive be?

Author
Discussion

nickv8

Original Poster:

1,342 posts

82 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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It’s been a privilege to have two V8 Vantages over the past 3 years. From the memorable collections at AM Bristol to the feeling when I look out of the window each day to see that gorgeous shape (duck tail spoiler is my favourite bit, I think!).

But on Tuesday I’ll put it up on AT. Not desperate to shift it, so I expect it’ll take a couple of months at worst case.

Therefore I have a chance for a last blast or two.

As I don’t really want to stay overnight anywhere at present, what drives / routes would you take in a single day?

I’m lucky to live by the Welsh border (south) and they are opening back up tomorrow. Evo Triangle still needs ticking off. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

chesby

476 posts

223 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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No use to you but I’m intending my last drive in an Aston will be to the crematorium.

nickv8

Original Poster:

1,342 posts

82 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
biggrin

I’ll bear it in mind. Any preference on the exhaust noises and flames for the special day?

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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I love these 'nudge, nudge', soon I intent to --- topics.
Yours is one of the best wordings I have seen. Very subtle.

Are you really leaving our passion, Nick. Only 3 years, ticked the box twice, and I'm off.
What has tempted you away?


anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
As above, my last drive (or journey) of whatever AM I have will be when I’m dead.

Evo Triangle and Bala as you say.

Head up from the South until appx Welshpool and then head West to Harlech / Barmouth, then plan a route round Snowdonia, heading towards Beddgellert & Beths-y-coed.

Nice bit of the A5 takes you from there to either Ruthin (A494) or straight through to Llangollen where you can turn off just before and head over the horseshoe pass.

You can’t really go wrong up here ...


nickv8

Original Poster:

1,342 posts

82 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
Jon39 said:

I love these 'nudge, nudge', soon I intent to --- topics.
Yours is one of the best wordings I have seen. Very subtle.

Are you really leaving our passion, Nick. Only 3 years, ticked the box twice, and I'm off.
What has tempted you away?
It wasn't meant to be a sneaky way to say anything else. I genuinely wanted suggestions on great drives in the Aston, preferably around Wales, Gloucestershire, Somerset way.

Strange how things change. Before Christmas I was all ready to step up a gear with Aston ownership. A V12VS was in my sights and Vanquish S' were looking tasty. I even put a deposit down on a new Vantage but SHMBO and junior talked me out of it as they preferred the older style Vantage.

But the reality over the past months is that it's simply not getting used now. There's always been the problem that it's a two-seater, but with junior at home from school for what will be 6 months on total, the opportunities to enjoy it are largely shot. The business is also more demanding and time-consuming.

A Rapide is too big for the lanes around here and junior isn't 1ft tall, so the 2+2's won't work either.

I have utterly loved the experience and would recommend a Vantage to everyone. It's compact, amazing fun, reliable, stylish, etc. But it's also something that needs using and I don't want it to go to waste.

May as well return to the fold when the time is right.

For now, we just ordered a motorhome so that I can slow all you lucky so-and-so's down wink

nickv8

Original Poster:

1,342 posts

82 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
Lord.Vader said:
As above, my last drive (or journey) of whatever AM I have will be when I’m dead.

Evo Triangle and Bala as you say.

Head up from the South until appx Welshpool and then head West to Harlech / Barmouth, then plan a route round Snowdonia, heading towards Beddgellert & Beths-y-coed.

Nice bit of the A5 takes you from there to either Ruthin (A494) or straight through to Llangollen where you can turn off just before and head over the horseshoe pass.

You can’t really go wrong up here ...
Thank you Mr L. Vader!

It's an area I've very rarely passed by, so will take your advice. Might just mix it with some nice remote lanes which run down the border or centre of Wales. Always loved how the previous Vantage is compact enough for every road in Britain!

Photos when it happens smile

DickyC

49,547 posts

197 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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DBR1.

Don't care where or when.

cayman-black

12,625 posts

215 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Here is your new forum Nick, enjoy.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...

Seriously though there are some real motorhome experts here.

nickv8

Original Poster:

1,342 posts

82 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
cayman-black said:
Here is your new forum Nick, enjoy.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...

Seriously though there are some real motorhome experts here.
weeping

Never aspire to become a motorhome expert, I have to admit.

cypriot

475 posts

98 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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take the vantage to scotland. do the Cairngorms and the NC500. spectacular! did this last year, and the vantage was the perfect car for it.

Dewi 2

1,304 posts

64 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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nickv8 said:
cayman-black said:
Here is your new forum Nick, enjoy.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...

Seriously though there are some real motorhome experts here.
weeping

Never aspire to become a motorhome expert, I have to admit.

Sorry that you are leaving the AM 'fold', Nick, but your reasons make perfect sense. Maybe you will return in the future.

First let me say, it is obviously a different thought process, for those with a growing family compared to (how should we say) older folk.

I did so much research, that I nearly became a motorhome expert.
The final conclusion was eventually reached, about whether we should buy a motorhome:-

VW Camper (about £ 50k) - Sensible size and pleasantly car like to drive; have to dismantle the dining room every time a bedroom is needed; too small to live in for a fortnight.

Hymer (£ don't ask) - Wonderful, perfect inside dimensions for long holidays, but too big to drive along narrow country lanes; noticeably a caravan, so have to park at night on a camp site (described in detail on Top Gear involving toilets, dressing gowns and cooking fires).

An alternative plan was then hatched, which surprisingly turned out to be cheaper than a Hymer.
Bought an Aston Martin (keeper) and have holidays in a lovely old house, where they make your bed and have chefs and waiters.






anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Nick, just buy a tent and a 4x4. Keep the Aston. Don’t go balls deep without ‘try before you buy’.

If they really really love the outdoors/camping site thing you can always get a motorhome next year, or the year after, or maybe when the kids are 18? smile

W12GT

3,502 posts

220 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
Dewi 2 said:

Sorry that you are leaving the AM 'fold', Nick, but your reasons make perfect sense. Maybe you will return in the future.

First let me say, it is obviously a different thought process, for those with a growing family compared to (how should we say) older folk.

I did so much research, that I nearly became a motorhome expert.
The final conclusion was eventually reached, about whether we should buy a motorhome:-

VW Camper (about £ 50k) - Sensible size and pleasantly car like to drive; have to dismantle the dining room every time a bedroom is needed; too small to live in for a fortnight.

Hymer (£ don't ask) - Wonderful, perfect inside dimensions for long holidays, but too big to drive along narrow country lanes; noticeably a caravan, so have to park at night on a camp site (described in detail on Top Gear involving toilets, dressing gowns and cooking fires).

An alternative plan was then hatched, which surprisingly turned out to be cheaper than a Hymer.
Bought an Aston Martin (keeper) and have holidays in a lovely old house, where they make your bed and have chefs and waiters.


Where is this? Looks beautiful.

Dewi 2

1,304 posts

64 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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W12GT said:
Where is this? Looks beautiful.

Rhinefield House Hotel, New Forest.

nickv8

Original Poster:

1,342 posts

82 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
LOL! Thanks for all the advice wink

NC500 - wanted to do that for the past few years. That’s where the problem of 2 seats comes in when there a family; hard to say “toodle pip”* for a week just to have a jolly in a fast car.

Now, before we even take delivery of the motorhome, we’re set for the NC500 tour and more.

When you’re all blasting around, look out for the oversize mobile margarine tub with the writing on the back “I was once like you”.

It’s a different adventure. Not sure if it’s for us, but you gotta try everything once, etc.

But even worse news than being restricted to 20mph and relying on Fiat quality to get you there? It seems I’ve already agreed the sale of the Vantage, which is departing tomorrow morning. Only one last blast of great but familiar roads first things.

Toot when you blast past me.

  • I have NEVER uttered the words “toodle pip” biggrin

W12GT

3,502 posts

220 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
Dewi 2 said:

W12GT said:
Where is this? Looks beautiful.

Rhinefield House Hotel, New Forest.
Thanks...we love the New Forest but have never seen this on our travels; one day when the world is in a better place I think we’ll give that a try!

Mr.Tremlini

1,460 posts

100 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
Wow, Nick, that was quick, from what`s the best last drive, to, it`s on it`s way in the morning, all in about 24 hours!

Aston owners come and go, I will fit this category I am sure, but you`ve been a good participant in the forum and will be missed, so all the best and enjoy the camper, a different way to travel but still not a bad thing, and in a few years who knows.

Sounds like you last drive will not be an epic one, so be sure to put a big screen in the camper, and watch this at a reasonably high volume from camp ground to camp ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAT82-R0S8

oilit

2,618 posts

177 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
Mr.Tremlini said:
Wow, Nick, that was quick, from what`s the best last drive, to, it`s on it`s way in the morning, all in about 24 hours!

Aston owners come and go, I will fit this category I am sure, but you`ve been a good participant in the forum and will be missed, so all the best and enjoy the camper, a different way to travel but still not a bad thing, and in a few years who knows.

Sounds like you last drive will not be an epic one, so be sure to put a big screen in the camper, and watch this at a reasonably high volume from camp ground to camp ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAT82-R0S8
Great video Mr T. - Thanks - the NC500 is something I really want to do - and this doesn't help dispel those feelings and desires...

JB65

145 posts

71 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
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Appreciate being a roadtrip rookie still, but have to say the Sustendrive we covered last year under Deans guidance must be up there... Sky opening up later in the video... mindblowing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03uxEbjFA4s