Aston newbie requires peer pressure to order car of dreams!

[James1927]

Evening all

At the tender age of 17 I made myself a promise - a promise I would own an Aston Martin by the time I was 30...and it's all I've ever dreamed of since!!

I'm 30 in June and decided last weekend I'd better start looking if I was going to turn the dream into reality!!

I've gone new and built the car I want - V8S Roadster | Manual | B&O | etc. etc. but just wanted a final nod from a group of AM enthusiasts telling me there's no way in hell I'm going to regret my decision..!!

Sell it to me guys - I'm going in Monday to finalise the deal...!!

Cheers and thanks in advance

James

[VEIGHT]

I had the same dream. You WILL not regret it!

You have asked a stupid question - just go and buy one!

[IanV12VR]

My deadline was a bit later than yours at age 50 but in the six years since then I have had four and never regretted a single minute. Met some fabulous people, obviously excluding those her on PH and done some great drives. Mind you doubt I will ever change my current one!!!!

It is all about how special they make you feel. The noise is intoxicating and the reaction from others, especially abroad, is just brilliant.

ENJOY!!!!!!

[MollyGTi]

IanV12VR said:

………………..never regretted a single minute. Met some fabulous people, obviously excluding those her on PH and done some great drives. Mind you doubt I will ever change my current one!!!!

It is all about how special they make you feel. The noise is intoxicating and the reaction from others, especially abroad, is just brilliant.

ENJOY!!!!!!

+ 1

[Retman]

James, last three cars I have purchased I came out of the showroom having paid the deposit thinking s**t what I have I done? Within 5 minutes of collecting each car I knew I had done the right thing. A bit of agonising is good, shows it means something to you - be a shame if it didn't. Only my experience and only you can make your decision. Now get the bug*er bought.

[Jon39]

I bought my V8V about two years ago. The initial thrill has not worn off yet. Every drive feels special, and you don't need to go fast to enjoy the car. When you do press the throttle to the floor though, Wow.

With a new order, you might even be able to see you own car on the production line.

Lucky you. Lucky all of us.

Enjoy, you will.

[avinalarf]

When I was 23 years old I put down a deposit on a Pontiac Firebird ,specced it and awaited it's arrival from the States in 2 months. Quite by chance a friend told me about an acquaintance of his ,a Julian Cutts that worked at HR Owen who sold Aston Martins. So I paid him a visit ,in the showroom there were a DB5 in silver birch and a DB6 in caribbean pearl .
I fell in love with DB6 ,cancelled the order for the Pontiac and that began my association with Aston Martins.
I had so much fun with that car and still remember it fondly. Many cars and years later,6 years ago I felt the urge to get back into Astons as they do get under your skin.
You are very fortunate at your young age to contemplate buying an Aston so treat yourself, get it bought and enjoy it.

Edited by avinalarf on Saturday 22 February 22:57

[Jon39]

avinalarf said:

So I paid him a visit ,in the showroom there were a DB5 in silver birch and ...

So, you declined a DB5 in Silver Birch.

Hindsight is truly wonderful.

Oh dear.

[MrBGR]

Hi James,

I had the the same dream for a TVR Griffith when I was 28, I was a late starter - ;-)

So the TVR Griffith is in the stable and more recently I bought a 911 C4S, however it was sold as soon as I bought my V8 Roadster Sportshift 8 months ago, the 911 is an awesome car, but not for for me.

Be careful though as I will never look back and I am focused on how I can work harder to justify a Vanquish Volante!

You mentioned a manual but don't dismiss the Sportshift, maybe I am just getting old and lazy but you may want to give both a try before you make you mind up!? (Apologies if you have already done so!)

Regards

Steve

[justin220]

Have you driven one? Out of interest, whats your car history?

[bananarob]

I had a similar dream to own a Porsche by the time I was 30. I made that dream a reality and after 2 relatively short ownerships, I left the brand.

Aston Martins had been a little out of my reach back then. By the time I hit 35 my circumstances allowed me to make a dream I hadn't even dared dream come true and I bought a new 4.7 vantage straight from the showroom.

Im 3 cars in now, having owned a DBS and more recently a vanquish. Although I've had some niggles with the latter and perhaps miss the manual box, I concluded this weekend I own an awesome supercar and one of the best looking cars on the road today.

Join the AM brand, make that dream reality...

[James1927]

Thanks for all your comments guys – Retman you hit a cord when you said it’s important to agonise over the decision – it’s literally the choice of Aston vs house – which I’ve been stewing over for months - but being single there’s no need to settle and plenty of time for my own house! :P

Some great stories, it’s so nice to know I’m not alone in feeling like a kid every time I even think about driving around town in one!

Jon – my dealer has mentioned a visit to Gaydon – would be immense! Has anyone been and have any experiences to share?

Steve/Justin – I have driven the V8S, but the Sportshift II, and I really didn’t like the lurching on down-shifts at lower speeds. I’m coming out of a Merc auto which is silky smooth but am more than happy to go back to a manual stick! Haven’t had many cars but here goes:

Corsa 1.6 16v (06-08) | Golf GTI (08-09) | Audi S5 Coupe (09-12) | Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe (12-) | …………..

From what I can gather you guys do quite a lot of meets – would be really cool to come along, especially on any trips planned across Europe! #buggersbought!

Cheers

James

[mikey k]

OP the S roadster is a great choice
I got one of the first out the factory and love it
Don't bother with the B&O you won't use it
Spend it on light weight seats and lots of hats
You see and hear so much more in a roadster and the exhaust sounds fantastic with the roof down


Jockland 469_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

[hashluck]

James1927 said:

Thanks for all your comments guys – Retman you hit a cord when you said it’s important to agonise over the decision – it’s literally the choice of Aston vs house – which I’ve been stewing over for months - but being single there’s no need to settle and plenty of time for my own house! :P

Hmmmm I am going to be the boring voice of reason. Appreciating (most likely) asset versus depreciating asset (most definitely)? For now I would get yourself in some bricks and mortor and then save for that Aston again. The Aston will always be there and not getting any more expensive (in real terms).

[Jon39]

James1927 said:

Jon – my dealer has mentioned a visit to Gaydon – would be immense! Has anyone been and have any experiences to share?

Cheers

James

I remember two forum contributors wrote about seeing their cars being built.
Do not know the internet links, but others may be able to help you find them.

One was X100, who bought a new DB.2.
The other was a gentleman from Holland, who even signed the components being assembled. Now that really is transporting.

Jon.

Edited to say. Sorry about typing errors. Trying to master tablet typing.

Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 23 February 22:42

[Jon39]

hashluck said:

Hmmmm I am going to be the boring voice of reason. Appreciating (most likely) asset versus depreciating asset (most definitely)? For now I would get yourself in some bricks and mortor and then save for that Aston again. The Aston will always be there and not getting any more expensive (in real terms).

Aston Martin need every new car sale they can get, but I agree with hashluck.

I have an unmarked, as new car. It is in every detail, exactly the car that I would have ordered new.
BUT, I paid Pounds 44,000 less than the new price.

There are many as new pre owned cars available. On with the dateless plate and who knows it is not brand new?

Decisions, decisions!

[paddy328]

Jon39 said:

I remember two forum contributors wrote about seeing their cars being built.
Do not know the internet links, but others may be able to help you find them.

One was X100, who bought a new DB.2.
The other was a gentleman from Holland, who even signed the components being assembled. Now that really is transporting.

Jon.

You mean Y100. One of the nicest blokes you could ever meet and probably loves his car more than anyone ice ever met.

To James, looking at your car history, I can see when the money started coming on lol. The merc will be much fast than a vantage s, but the vantage is a stunner. You will enjoy the factory tour. I've you do get one, I would say to get a colour combo you really want, not what you think will sell better when you come to change it.

Francis

[mikey k]

Jon39 said:

I remember two forum contributors wrote about seeing their cars being built.
Do not know the internet links, but others may be able to help you find them.

One was X100, who bought a new DB.2.
The other was a gentleman from Holland, who even signed the components being assembled. Now that really is transporting.

Jon.

Y100 & Vesivius
Alwin and his blue V12VR

[IanV12VR]

Thoroughly recommend the factory visit and should be easily arranged via your dealer. I have had the pleasure of doing four of them, including seeing our V12VR being built which was just fabulous. It was really emotional seeing your own car coming to life - neither of us wanted to leave her!

At the time of our last visit we saw 8 other V12VR's being built, including Alwins, and it was just brilliant to see how different they each were.

[williamp]

Great idea. When I was 18 I made 3 promise to myself by the time I was 30. One was to own an aston, and at 28 I bought this:



So it can be done. Keep working hard, keep the goal in mind and I'm sure you will achieve it. Good luck