Aston driving experience

[Pilchard]

It's my OH's 50th birthday in June and she loves Aston Martins. She literally dribbles each time we go past the local Aston dealer!

It therefore seems a good idea to give her the chance to drive an Aston and whilst there are numerous ones to choose from does anybody on here have any recommendations?

We live in Essex so Brands would be ideal although I wouldn't rule out travelling to a circuit a bit further away for the best experience.

Thanks.

[V12VMan]

Why don't you pop into Grange Brentwood and speak to Gavin Hawkes the dealer principle. He might even be able to offer you as a "prospective" buyer an invite to one of Aston Martin's half days at Millbrook where you get the opportunity of driving a number of AM's finest around the various roads and track. Just a thought

[Pilchard]

That's a brilliant suggestion even if prospective would only happen if 6 numbers came up!!

Thanks.

[alex.mcintosh]

I've done the Aston experience at Brands and it's great...but you don't get enough laps!

[roughrider]

V12VMan said:

Why don't you pop into Grange Brentwood and speak to Gavin Hawkes the dealer principle. He might even be able to offer you as a "prospective" buyer an invite to one of Aston Martin's half days at Millbrook where you get the opportunity of driving a number of AM's finest around the various roads and track. Just a thought

It costs a dealer a LOT of money for the Millbrook events, so i think they would only consider inviting genuine prospective buyers. Silverstone have a couple of V8 Vantages on their fleet, and most of the track experience organisations tend to have an Aston on their fleet, whether DB9, V8 etc...................

[Pilchard]

According to the Aston Martin Experiences on their website Millbrook costs £1,500..... I suppose a cheeky call to the DP at Grange Brentwood wouldn't hurt though.

I have had a look at various circuit experiences - the one at Silverstone looks fairly decent. You get 2 sessions each of 7.9 miles and are there for c.2 hours. Cost is £199 which isn't cheap but as it's her 50th.......

[CSK1]

I think the PDC is only relevant if you own an Aston, to get to know the limits of your car in a safe environment.
If the aim is just to get a feel of what Aston is about, there are probably cheaper alternatives which will suit her better I think.
Also, I think it is a bit cheeky to say you are interested in buying an Aston to get a free PDC, dealers are there to do some business and what's the point in pretending to be interested when you are not. I'm in business too and would not like people pretending they'd be interested just to obtain something I have to pay for. I have no time for time wasters.
Better to say you/your other half are genuine Aston enthusiasts with the goal of owning one in future but not right now and tell the truth about your other half's 50th without pretending to be someone you are not. It may come over way better.

[Pilchard]

CSK1, I certainly wouldn't pretend to be something I'm not. Apologies if my message came across in any other way. The cat would certainly be out of the bag when I rocked up in my Fiesta!!

[CSK1]

A good idea would be to ask for a factory visit at Gaydon combined with a track experience with an Aston, not perse the AML one as there are lots of cheaper alternatives from independent companies organizing such events.
In my business I have learnt not to turn people down because of the way they dress or what car they drive. I have extremely rich clients who don't give a toss about cars and drive an old banger and had bad experiences with impeccably dressed clients driving posh cars who probably spent all their money on external appearance and spent their day wasting other people's time pretending to be someone they're not! Anyway, make the most of her 50th!

Edited by CSK1 on Monday 11th January 14:43

[woodsypedia]

You could also have a look on some of the voucher websites and get a track day. I know they're not typically amazing or brilliant (because they're mainly just a few laps around a circuit), but it might be enough to scratch the initial itch

Chris.

[krisdelta]

Thruxton is well worth a look for driving an Aston, the prices are reasonable and it's a fast circuit so you get some decent speed up and get a feel for the car on some quick and slower corners. This was the mistake I made back in 2009 and ended up buying a vantage Be warned!

[leerandle]

I did the driving day experience at Silverstone and drove around in a V8 Vantage, not realising that a few years later I'd be in a position to buy one. I really enjoyed the day and it was nice just to visit Silverstone. I'm sure a lot of the driving experience days are similar, just need to confirm you'd definitely get the AM to drive.

[SFO]

could you hire one for the weekend?

driving experiences are over in a flash

[JaseB]

I think Motorsport Events still run a DB9 on their airfield days and last time I saw Ed he was running the Aston Millbrook day, could he a good budget option.