Parking a Vantage on the drive?
Discussion
Hi all. I'm considering taking the plunge and buying my first Aston, an early V8 Vantage.
But, it will have to live outside, on my driveway. I live in a small village out in the sticks, I'm not in London. It's going to stick out like a sore thumb here.
I'm sure there are a few cars in this area of a similar value (Audis etc.) BUT it's the perception. It's only going to be worth a couple of grand more than the car it's replacing. Is it going to get keyed? Am I going to get burgled?
Also, it will be my only car and used as a daily (which it why I'm going for an older car). I'm willing to accept 99% reliability... Should I do it?
But, it will have to live outside, on my driveway. I live in a small village out in the sticks, I'm not in London. It's going to stick out like a sore thumb here.
I'm sure there are a few cars in this area of a similar value (Audis etc.) BUT it's the perception. It's only going to be worth a couple of grand more than the car it's replacing. Is it going to get keyed? Am I going to get burgled?
Also, it will be my only car and used as a daily (which it why I'm going for an older car). I'm willing to accept 99% reliability... Should I do it?
Yep, absolutely no reason why not. Early model should have had all of the wrinkles ironed out, and they are a very reliable car. The engine is good for many miles. As for the perception, only you can tell that knowing your neighbourhood as you do. If some one is going to key it, then it'll happen, not much you can do about it. Overall though, the public perception seems to be much more of admiration than jealousy, certainly in my experience. Go for it.
No worries. Plenty of threads on buying used AMs here, so have a trawl and get a feel for the known things to look for. Oh, and buy Grants book......it's the best £20 you will ever spend. They are fabulous cars and I've certainly never regretted buying mine. Ignore the V12 mob who'll be along soon, they're just under endowed in other areas! 
Johnny42 said:
Is it going to get keyed?
In a totally unofficial and unrepresentative sample of one (ie me!), I would reckon that (in most parts of the UK, at least), an AM is far less likely to be keyed or subjected to random damage than an Audi or a BMW of equivalent value.When you buy your Aston, you will find that this carries across to how the car is perceived by other drivers and members of the public. Other cars will let you out at junctions, random admirers will stop for a chat, people will ask to have their photo taken with the car etc etc.
You won't get a similar reaction if you are driving something from Germany or Italy.
BravoV8V said:
In a totally unofficial and unrepresentative sample of one (ie me!), I would reckon that (in most parts of the UK, at least), an AM is far less likely to be keyed or subjected to random damage than an Audi or a BMW of equivalent value.
When you buy your Aston, you will find that this carries across to how the car is perceived by other drivers and members of the public. Other cars will let you out at junctions, random admirers will stop for a chat, people will ask to have their photo taken with the car etc etc.
You won't get a similar reaction if you are driving something from Germany or Italy.
Mine got keyed, climbed on, badly parked against, and wingmirrors decapited. In Central London.When you buy your Aston, you will find that this carries across to how the car is perceived by other drivers and members of the public. Other cars will let you out at junctions, random admirers will stop for a chat, people will ask to have their photo taken with the car etc etc.
You won't get a similar reaction if you are driving something from Germany or Italy.
Whilst I agree that the general public probably views Aston Martin as less "show offy" cars than Ferraris/Lambos, there will still be people jealous of what you have and who will act upon it.
Just get some floodlights for your drive?
Well Ive had mine 8 years now and lived the first 2 near London, with it on the drive. Never any bother then and none since I moved back up north in a village.
Wouldn't worry about it, just buy it and enjoy. No more hassle or cost to run than a premium German car with a big engine. Actually my Vantage has cost me about 50% of what my old RS6 did over a similar amount of mileage/year/use
Wouldn't worry about it, just buy it and enjoy. No more hassle or cost to run than a premium German car with a big engine. Actually my Vantage has cost me about 50% of what my old RS6 did over a similar amount of mileage/year/use
), so I parked my DB9 there too, until the day I found a metre long, deep keying scratch on the bonnet. After that, it stayed in the garage, as does the V12V.Now I will temp fate.... I had exactly the same dilemma a you. Went ahead and bought the car and it stands out in the area but for all the right reasons. I have had nothing but compliments and the only light banter I get is because I'm always out cleaning it! It stays under a cover when I'm not using it but so far no problems at all. Something tells me that you are going to have to scratch that itch... you know you want to! 
Having owned many of the German brands including Mercedes, Audi and Porsche my experience is that people love the cars but hate the people who drive them. With the Aston my experience has only been positive. Generally speaking people respect the marque and simply admire the car and want to know more about it.
Go for it get the AM. You wont regret it.
Go for it get the AM. You wont regret it.
I was told by 4 dealers that they have never had an Aston keyed when asking a similar question... Its a respected sportscar not just a show off bling 'look at my wad' machine...
I used to worry the same with a flash bespoilered Subaru STi 10 years ago... Life is too short - just let everyone out when you are driving it and we will all be OK ;-)
I used to worry the same with a flash bespoilered Subaru STi 10 years ago... Life is too short - just let everyone out when you are driving it and we will all be OK ;-)
I collected my Vantage last weekend and it will live on my drive as I don't have a garage. I live close to the centre of a town just outside London and I had the same thoughts as you but ultimately the desire to own and Aston and live life rather than worrying about what might happen (and I can be a bit of a worrier) overcame any concerns that I had.
As others have already said, do it, you won't regret it.
As others have already said, do it, you won't regret it.
Your predicament is interesting. I almost had the opposit outcome with mine, in that no one even notices it as they are so common where I live, in Wimbledon. The other day, I was driving maybe 2 miles and in that time I saw two Vantage's a DB7 Vanquish and a Rapidde. Mine is parked outside and initially I was a little concerned, but not anymore. I do notice the however when I drive out of London towards the sticks it gets ALOT more attention! If I park it outside a pub in the villiage I grew up in, people are constantly standing around it and when I come back to it, it's covered in finger marks. It seems to be admiration more then envy, but if it were keyed, isn't that what insurance is for? I wouldn't worry to much about the perceived values... Most people are aware you can pick these up now for c£30k and in fact you'll probably get most people asking "so what did you pay for it, £30k?" even if you might have spent a lot more!!
Don't worry about these things and just get the car you want.
Don't worry about these things and just get the car you want.
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