My first Aston....
Discussion
I have been reading discussions in this forum for a while and picked up a few useful tips on buying a car - so many thanks. From recommendations in this forum, I also purchased Grant Neal's book to get more background info.
In the end, I decided at the start of this year to buy my first Aston, a new Vanquish II. I was asked to spec a car by my local dealer, but I got really confused as to which colour to pick for the inside and outside, what material I should have for the centre facia (piano black or carbon fibre), whether the front grille should be black or silver, whether I should have a painted or carbon fibre roof, what colour seat stitching I should have, what colour Welting (whatever that is), what colour/style wheels etc etc. I really needed to see different examples in the flesh, otherwise it was just guesswork as to what would work for me. I was offered a physical car, the last 100 of 100 Centenary Vanquish II still at the Factory, but, lovely as it was, it did not totally work for me. As I did not have the time to do the necessary research on selecting the options, my decision making stalled.
Then, quite by accident, I was in Central London with time to kill and I stumbled on a brand new dark blue Vanquish II in Aston Martin's own showroom (W-One) in Park Lane. I was told that the Q department had been commissioned to build a car specifically for this showroom, with the remit that it should reflect what Aston Martin stands for, in a "classic but contemporary style". The task was given to a guy called Simon, an engineer, who had been with the Factory for 20 years. He thought and thought and came up with a spec that was approved by the powers that be at Q and was told to get on with it.
Well, as soon as I saw it, I just fell in love with it and tried not to appear too keen (I failed miserably!). I bought the car from Stratstone Mayfair (based next door to W-One) who now owned the car. Nik Boxall, the dealer principal there, could not have been more helpful in concluding the purchasing process. Through the process I also met some of the leading figures of Q and they were equally very informative and helpful, arranging for me to visit the Factory for a tour and to meet Simon; it's nice to be made to feel special!
In relation to Simon's specification, there are so many little touches throughout the car that differentiate it from a standard car and for me the end product worked a treat and the car looks stunning from any angle; I am still undecided which is the best angle to view the car - believe me I have tried! I should say, the car is housed in a brightly lit new heated garage attached to my lounge, separated by a glass panel, so as I sit on my sofa the car is nearer to me than the TV; quite often I prefer looking at the car rather than the TV!
I have only driven the car for 50 miles so far, so really trying to get used to how it feels. Despite owning some of the finest Italian exotica from Bologna, the Vanquish II still moves me inside; which, for me, is vital in a purchase like this.
Well, that's my little story and here is the car:
At W-One:
Prepared for delivery:
At home:
Inside:
Out shopping:
On holiday:
In a car park:
A tree lined road:
In the end, I decided at the start of this year to buy my first Aston, a new Vanquish II. I was asked to spec a car by my local dealer, but I got really confused as to which colour to pick for the inside and outside, what material I should have for the centre facia (piano black or carbon fibre), whether the front grille should be black or silver, whether I should have a painted or carbon fibre roof, what colour seat stitching I should have, what colour Welting (whatever that is), what colour/style wheels etc etc. I really needed to see different examples in the flesh, otherwise it was just guesswork as to what would work for me. I was offered a physical car, the last 100 of 100 Centenary Vanquish II still at the Factory, but, lovely as it was, it did not totally work for me. As I did not have the time to do the necessary research on selecting the options, my decision making stalled.
Then, quite by accident, I was in Central London with time to kill and I stumbled on a brand new dark blue Vanquish II in Aston Martin's own showroom (W-One) in Park Lane. I was told that the Q department had been commissioned to build a car specifically for this showroom, with the remit that it should reflect what Aston Martin stands for, in a "classic but contemporary style". The task was given to a guy called Simon, an engineer, who had been with the Factory for 20 years. He thought and thought and came up with a spec that was approved by the powers that be at Q and was told to get on with it.
Well, as soon as I saw it, I just fell in love with it and tried not to appear too keen (I failed miserably!). I bought the car from Stratstone Mayfair (based next door to W-One) who now owned the car. Nik Boxall, the dealer principal there, could not have been more helpful in concluding the purchasing process. Through the process I also met some of the leading figures of Q and they were equally very informative and helpful, arranging for me to visit the Factory for a tour and to meet Simon; it's nice to be made to feel special!
In relation to Simon's specification, there are so many little touches throughout the car that differentiate it from a standard car and for me the end product worked a treat and the car looks stunning from any angle; I am still undecided which is the best angle to view the car - believe me I have tried! I should say, the car is housed in a brightly lit new heated garage attached to my lounge, separated by a glass panel, so as I sit on my sofa the car is nearer to me than the TV; quite often I prefer looking at the car rather than the TV!
I have only driven the car for 50 miles so far, so really trying to get used to how it feels. Despite owning some of the finest Italian exotica from Bologna, the Vanquish II still moves me inside; which, for me, is vital in a purchase like this.
Well, that's my little story and here is the car:
At W-One:
Prepared for delivery:
At home:
Inside:
Out shopping:
On holiday:
In a car park:
A tree lined road:
Edited by Nick310 on Friday 7th November 17:48
Most excellent Vanquish! Is it Midnight Blue, or some other shade? Like very much how it has only the quilting and not that over-the-top bubble wrap stitching. And I particularly like the wood waterfall; like another chap's Vanquish I've seen (probably the only ones so fitted).
It is difficult to tell in the photos; are the CF diffuser, sills and splitter painted in a dark silver like the mirrors and roof?
And more photos, please!
It is difficult to tell in the photos; are the CF diffuser, sills and splitter painted in a dark silver like the mirrors and roof?
And more photos, please!
Nick310 said:
I should say, the car is housed in a brightly lit new heated garage attached my lounge, separate by a glass panel, so as I sit on my sofa the car is nearer to me than the TV; quite often I prefer looking at the car rather than the TV!
a true petrol head 
sensational looking car .. we need more pics of the special bits please
SFO said:
Nick310 said:
I should say, the car is housed in a brightly lit new heated garage attached my lounge, separate by a glass panel, so as I sit on my sofa the car is nearer to me than the TV; quite often I prefer looking at the car rather than the TV!
a true petrol head sensational looking car .. we need more pics of the special bits please
Congratulations. I hope you appreciate how lucky you are. That is definitely a very special car
Nick310 said:
I should say, the car is housed in a brightly lit new heated garage attached my lounge, separate by a glass panel, so as I sit on my sofa the car is nearer to me than the TV; quite often I prefer looking at the car rather than the TV!
Stunning car.Could we have some pictures of the view from you lounge - I might need to go & rent a disc cutter this weekend
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