A New Friend in the Garage
Discussion
For 5 months I've been running the V8 Vantage as my only car; a roadster bought in November at the start of winter but it's been doing incredibly well and I've had a lovely 4k miles with it so far including 2 trips to Paris.
Now that summer has come around though my mileage goes up significantly and there's no way I can clock perhaps 20k miles a year on the Aston so I have opted for the first time to run on a second car.
I wanted something quite fun, a little controversial, reasonably pokey but really just practical and not too expensive to run. I took a lot of test drives in cars including Audi A1, BMW X1, VW Golf and the one I chose, a Mini Countryman (or "Maxi"!).
It's a Cooper S ALL4, 5 people can ride in it in comfort, the economy is pretty decent comparatively and servicing is included for 5 years - running costs including insurance are spectacularly tiny for a car that is really quite fun to drive albeit in a completely different way to the V8 Vantage of course. I'm hoping the drama and sense of occasion of the Aston will now shoot up a little bit as I clock in various long trips in the "Biggie" rather than my usual daily driver. It's also obviously going to make me happier parking it in less safe places overnight and on the street etc not to mention it will hopefully be drivable when the inevitable bad weather comes in next winter - rather than failing to even be able to get out of the garage!
After 2 days and 400 miles I'm very happy with the "Not-so-Mini"; such great usability in a tiny package and I think it's set to be a great second car to run alongside the V8 Vantage for now, and who knows maybe a DBS Volante next...
Just wanted to share!
Now that summer has come around though my mileage goes up significantly and there's no way I can clock perhaps 20k miles a year on the Aston so I have opted for the first time to run on a second car.
I wanted something quite fun, a little controversial, reasonably pokey but really just practical and not too expensive to run. I took a lot of test drives in cars including Audi A1, BMW X1, VW Golf and the one I chose, a Mini Countryman (or "Maxi"!).
It's a Cooper S ALL4, 5 people can ride in it in comfort, the economy is pretty decent comparatively and servicing is included for 5 years - running costs including insurance are spectacularly tiny for a car that is really quite fun to drive albeit in a completely different way to the V8 Vantage of course. I'm hoping the drama and sense of occasion of the Aston will now shoot up a little bit as I clock in various long trips in the "Biggie" rather than my usual daily driver. It's also obviously going to make me happier parking it in less safe places overnight and on the street etc not to mention it will hopefully be drivable when the inevitable bad weather comes in next winter - rather than failing to even be able to get out of the garage!
After 2 days and 400 miles I'm very happy with the "Not-so-Mini"; such great usability in a tiny package and I think it's set to be a great second car to run alongside the V8 Vantage for now, and who knows maybe a DBS Volante next...
Just wanted to share!
Good choice.
I have been on at my OH that we really need a winter car as the V12V is a bit scary on those cold icy mornings, so we have put a reservation on the Evoque, subject to seeing/driving one.
It seems the perfect time as we wont need until September when the initial demand has hopefully died down. Also we just fancied something a bit different.
Di
I have been on at my OH that we really need a winter car as the V12V is a bit scary on those cold icy mornings, so we have put a reservation on the Evoque, subject to seeing/driving one.
It seems the perfect time as we wont need until September when the initial demand has hopefully died down. Also we just fancied something a bit different.
Di
lady topaz said:
Good choice.
I have been on at my OH that we really need a winter car as the V12V is a bit scary on those cold icy mornings, so we have put a reservation on the Evoque, subject to seeing/driving one.
It seems the perfect time as we wont need until September when the initial demand has hopefully died down. Also we just fancied something a bit different.
Di
If the Evoque had been available right now, that is what I would have bought. I'm thinking I may change to one in about a year or so but for now this is absolutely great and a good entry into a 2 car world.I have been on at my OH that we really need a winter car as the V12V is a bit scary on those cold icy mornings, so we have put a reservation on the Evoque, subject to seeing/driving one.
It seems the perfect time as we wont need until September when the initial demand has hopefully died down. Also we just fancied something a bit different.
Di
Quinny said:
Is it right that a mini look twice as big as the Aston
It's funny isn't it; it is about 30cm shorter though and a fair bit narrower, it's just the height and appearance of bulk that makes it look so dominating. Obviously the positives of that are the space available inside with everything fitting so upright.
The mini looks like good fun, I understand the need for a winter car along side the Aston, that's why I have a Full Fat Range Rover V8 Supercharged that has 400bhp and does less mpg than the Aston!
There are number of people who have opted for the same combo...maybe we like petrol stations!
There are number of people who have opted for the same combo...maybe we like petrol stations!
AMD1 said:
The mini looks like good fun, I understand the need for a winter car along side the Aston, that's why I have a Full Fat Range Rover V8 Supercharged that has 400bhp and does less mpg than the Aston!
There are number of people who have opted for the same combo...maybe we like petrol stations!
Hehe seems that way! I wanted something that would be a lot easier for driving around and parking in central London while also being a good long-hauler and this seemed like the best placed in the middle. Having a Range Rover as a 3rd car would be good fun, but I think that's unreasonable haha.There are number of people who have opted for the same combo...maybe we like petrol stations!
DB9VolanteDriver said:
What are those 'things' in front of each car? At first I thought it was a jack of some kind, but obviously not. Curious....
Posts that lock upwards if the cars aren't there to prevent anybody else using them - it's in a semi-public car park (building residents and guests but there is a hotel annexed that uses the car park)Shmee said:
Posts that lock upwards if the cars aren't there to prevent anybody else using them - it's in a semi-public car park (building residents and guests but there is a hotel annexed that uses the car park)
Damn you've spoilt the illusion Shmee - I had it down as your under-the-house car park, painted for each car in it's place and with your central heating pipes in the background.... 
Spoke to my dealer yesterday and going to spec the Evoque tomorrow. Asked when I could see one in the flesh and was told August 
, though they may have it at Goodwood, so flying blind here.
Anyway, enough of Evoques, this is, after all the Aston Forum.
20 degrees, sunny, but can't go topless!! Arrrrrrrrrrrrgh.
For us roof off lovers this is a huge quandry. And one I dont know the answer to yet. Keep me away from the V8V S!!
Nah, just started my baby and all is well with the world again.
Di
, though they may have it at Goodwood, so flying blind here.Anyway, enough of Evoques, this is, after all the Aston Forum.
20 degrees, sunny, but can't go topless!! Arrrrrrrrrrrrgh.
For us roof off lovers this is a huge quandry. And one I dont know the answer to yet. Keep me away from the V8V S!!
Nah, just started my baby and all is well with the world again.
Di
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