Time For a Change

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Discussion

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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I've thoroughly enjoyed my V12V, it's a truly epic car with bags of capability, road presence and speed. And yet it's time to let her go. My reason? I have a DBS itch that needs scratching and an example has come along that ticks my boxes.

Firstly, thanks to you chaps on here (you know who you are) that have given me your time and advice on DBS ownership. If I were to sum up V12V ownership it would be that, without doubt I would want to go in the V12, but I want Jeeves with a DBS waiting for me at my destination to come home in. In the V12 I find myself driving everywhere like my pants are on fire and it's only a matter of time before one of the roadside photographic societies tells a man in a wig that I would be better off without my license.

The DBS will give me options: An evening out means my significant passenger isn't shaken to bits before we get to the restaurant but I can still have some fun at the press of a couple of buttons (the car not the passenger!) Yeah, OK it's more GT than Sports, but a couple of trips abroad this year, including Le Mans, makes the DBS such a tempting proposition.

Also, now that production has ceased, I feel that the DBS option may pass me by as good examples become scarcer over time. And as Vanquish becomes more affordable, I know that a silver fox Volante with tan leather will be too hard to resist - not that I've thought it through, of course.

So, deal done today and collection scheduled for Saturday. And yes...... It's in Quantum, otherwise known as grey.

It was in the workshop today, so only limited photos I'm afraid - but here's a teaser ahead of the weekend.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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Lotto said:
Congratulations Greg...I'm sure you will enjoy it biggrin

Glass switches?
Successfully negotiated.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
avinalarf said:
Congrats on new car ,Donkey.
Bit confused ,are you saying you know of a Vanquish Volante in silver fox for sale or a DBSV in silver fox,either way if your not buying it will you let me know who is selling ?
Thanks,
Steven
Sorry, the silver fox vanquish Volante is purely a figment of my imagination inspired by the display car at Kensington last summer.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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AndyBrew said:
Wow that looks stunning, great car, can't wait to see the photos proper at the weekend smile
..........It is VERY pornographic.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
V12woollie said:
Congratulations Greg. Two stunning cars in your garage biggrin
......and still room for a BBQ!

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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tonyhall38 said:
Tosser..."
I think he approves.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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yeti said:
Manual box or auto Greg..?
Auto I'm afraid. It just suits me right here and now. After all, it is my fourth Aston in two years.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Padley69 said:
Congratulations and I totally get what you mean about your V12V experience. I understand your choice of DBS too, I'm sure it will suit you well. Did you consider a DB9.2 at all?
I did, but the desire for a DBS has been with me for a while now, so just needed to be done.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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Collecting her Saturday, so just one more sleep based on the fact that I won't see a wink tomorrow night.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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She fits!


Love it, love it, love it.

Full report later - I'm off for a drive.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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Gettoff said:
It looks a million dollars Greg, you must be well chuffed.
Glad it fits in the Garage, that could have been embarrassing..smile

So, is this it? or are you going to be hankering for a Vanquish in 12 months time?
Nah, this one's a keeper. A year you say? Well, it will be service time then and who knows what'll be in the showroom. Now if there happened to be a Vanquish Volante in there in the right spec I may take a look. But right here, right now the DBS is the pinnacle of Aston Martin ownership for me. OK, it's not as sharp as my V12 and nowhere near as brutal, but all that comes at a cost. After a long journey all I wanted to do was get out of it. I'm not suggesting I didn't love it, I'm suggesting that it was supremely good at letting you know the st condition of the roads in the UK. In the DBS.... No such worries. It still feels utterly connected with the road but it's as if someone's been out and filled in all the potholes.

Not really missing the manual if I'm honest - particularly when it comes to maneuvering. The rev matching blip in sports mode on downshifts is needless, but it does add a bit of theatre which is very welcome, especially coming out of the V12. When you're on the paddles, the sequenced red indicators for when you're nearer the top end of the rev range is replaced displaying which gear is engaged. Something I'm going to have to get used to rather than bouncing off the rev limiter!

Other than that, it's the usual Aston Martin fare - a mix of great performance, style, premium materials and the injection of feeling a million dollars from behind the wheel. And then there's the way it looks - I spent a little time yesterday walking round it looking for a bad angle. I can report there isn't one.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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Well, that concludes the first weekend with the DBS. It's tucked away in the garage now until next weekend. Thanks to everyone for your kind words - it's a fabulous machine and I feel extremely fortunate to own such a beauty. Enjoy your Astons everyone!

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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sukh_m said:
Lovely car, congrats :thumbsup:

I'm sure I've seen your old V12V appear on the AM Website this weekend smile
Quite possible - someone's in for great car. Recently serviced and only "Paddied" a few months ago.

Little Donkey

Original Poster:

1,544 posts

142 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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vankypanky said:
Have to say Greg the DBS is still my favourite of that line. i just think they mistakenly got it so right it almost should have ended right there instead keep trying to improve something that didnt need it. it looks classy and subtle. the new Vanquish is nice but a few too many accentuated bits for me. it is trying a bit too hard.
I know what you mean. It's almost as if the Vanquish is ahead of its time in terms of Aston styling. I prefer the DBS over a Vanquish right now although it is growing on me every time I see one. It's just the arse of it I'm not sure about. And no bloody analogue clock!