How many Astons can you have?

[CitySlicker]

I really like the previous century Astons (using their marketing lingo) and I recently purchased a V12 Vantage S and I need to find a daily with better ground clearance than the vantage, more tolerable box (for the wife), more supple suspension and a boot big enough to fit a full size suitcase. Will the Rapide S fit the bill or should I be more sensible and get one of the more usual saloons or even an SUV....

Is the rapide and vantage v12 to close together in terms of experience and usability?

[Graze01]

DBX?

[Olas]

Don’t compromise your Aston with things like ground clearance and a manageable gearbox, have a snotty old diesel c class for things like that.
Driving something as remarkable and iconic as an AM car should be a theatre, not a convenient daily for the newspaper and bottle of milk errand. Disagree all you like but I feel the more we see special cars out and about in everyday contexts the less special they become. 20 years ago you only saw two or three Lambos out in traffic per year but now you see more than that each day - they’ve lost the myth-like appeal.

[kipv12]

Rapide S as a daily, superb and easy to drive. Db9V for trips out and europe when the sun is shining, totally different driving experience.

[alan powley]

Rapide every day it drives so well.

[ds666]

I have a friend with a db 2/4 , db4 ( x2 ) , db5 , db6 , db7 gt , dbs , vantage x pack , oh and a db3s .

So the answer is " you can never have too many Astons " apparently ....

[murphyaj]

Olas said:

20 years ago you only saw two or three Lambos out in traffic per year but now you see more than that each day

I'm guessing you live somewhere like Knightsbridge or Dubai. I live in a large town in the South of England and I can't remember the last time I saw a Lambo. I occasionally see another Aston, but it's once or twice a week.

There is an argument for driving something crummy and boring like a Merc as your daily to make the Aston feel more special, but not everybody will want to do that.

[CitySlicker]

ds666 said:

I have a friend with a db 2/4 , db4 ( x2 ) , db5 , db6 , db7 gt , dbs , vantage x pack , oh and a db3s .

So the answer is " you can never have too many Astons " apparently ....

Wonderful collection! How on earth does he chose what to drive?

DBX is a good call and I'll certainly consider it seriously in a couple of years on the second hand market. The rapide looks like excellent value these days; I've never driven one and concerned whether the ride will be too stiff as a daily and struggle over speed bumps like the vantage does.

[Aldhun]

There some great Value Rapides about but I find my Mondeo Estate 2.2TDi Titanium X Sport does a fantastic job for day to day stuff. 112k miles now and still drives like new.

[vpr]

I have 3 now. I don’t use any of them enough really. The last one I bought was a V12v which I hate getting dirty

[Rob F]

I use the DB11 as a daily driver for the commute and it’s great! Personally I quite enjoy the fact that I get to drive such a special car at the start and end of the day - it makes going to work a bit more enjoyable !

[ianking]

ds666 said:

I have a friend with a db 2/4 , db4 ( x2 ) , db5 , db6 , db7 gt , dbs , vantage x pack , oh and a db3s .

So the answer is " you can never have too many Astons " apparently ....

You and I have the same friend. I was over at his between Christmas and New Year for a tour around the cars.

[ds666]

ianking said:

ds666 said:

I have a friend with a db 2/4 , db4 ( x2 ) , db5 , db6 , db7 gt , dbs , vantage x pack , oh and a db3s .

So the answer is " you can never have too many Astons " apparently ....

You and I have the same friend. I was over at his between Christmas and New Year for a tour around the cars.

I'd be selling tickets !!

[Jon39]

ianking said:

ds666 said:

I have a friend with a db 2/4 , db4 ( x2 ) , db5 , db6 , db7 gt , dbs , vantage x pack , oh and a db3s .

So the answer is " you can never have too many Astons " apparently ....

You and I have the same friend. I was over at his between Christmas and New Year for a tour around the cars.

Not sure which DBS that is, but is the DB7 GT the youngest car ?

Does your friend like the more recent models ?

[ds666]

Jon39 said:

ianking said:

ds666 said:

I have a friend with a db 2/4 , db4 ( x2 ) , db5 , db6 , db7 gt , dbs , vantage x pack , oh and a db3s .

So the answer is " you can never have too many Astons " apparently ....

You and I have the same friend. I was over at his between Christmas and New Year for a tour around the cars.

Not sure which DBS that is, but is the DB7 GT the youngest car ?

Does your friend like the more recent models ?

Old DBS - no moderns

[Lawts0908]

vpr said:

I have 3 now. I don’t use any of them enough really. The last one I bought was a V12v which I hate getting dirty

Same cer, EXACTLY the same problem. I’m hoping the new PPF (being fitted as we speak) will help.....

[LTP]

murphyaj said:

I live in a large town in the South of England and I can't remember the last time I saw a Lambo.

A thought struck me. Do you think people buy exotic based on how close they are to a dealer for servicing, repairs, etc? I know in my case that while I'd always wanted an Aston (I'd also always wanted a Porsche 911 as the "practical supercar" until I actually drove one) the fact I have a dealer within 20 mins was a definite tick-in-the-box.

CitySlicker said:

How many Astons can you have?

To keep on topic, if space and money were no object probably about four or five:
DB5
Newport Pagnell V8 Vantage
V12V
new Vantage
DB11
plus a DBX as a daily

as it is I can only afford the one and, having found a pretty good pre-owned one that is almost my perfect spec, I'd be reluctant to part with it to try something else

Edited by LTP on Thursday 30th January 12:29

[CitySlicker]

Went to view the Rapide S which I was eyeing up, what a waste of time! Complete dog, been involved in a major accident with a dodgy repair. Nevermind, guess will settle with something a bit more mundane.