Any thoughts on Aston Martin as a DD? | FerrariChat

Any thoughts on Aston Martin as a DD?

Discussion in 'British' started by arachnyd, Aug 28, 2020.

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  1. arachnyd

    arachnyd Karting

    Feb 5, 2016
    129
    Springboro
    I was thinking about picking up an older Vantage V8 (2007-2008 based on my research), or possibly a DB9 (but I think the vantage is a better DD?)

    Don't know anyone who has ever had one except the DB7s- Seems like they hold up well as a DD, and have a manual transmission which is one of my requirements.

    Thought I'd ask on here!
     
  2. calder1

    calder1 F1 Rookie
    Sponsor Owner

    Aug 26, 2006
    2,829
    Redondo Beach
    Full Name:
    Craig
    I drove a rapide for a couple of years as a dd and it was fine apart from a couple of minor electrical issues.
     
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  3. Countachqv

    Countachqv Formula 3

    Apr 25, 2007
    2,343
    USA/France
    could you expand? what year, how many miles, how much maintenance/ cost, like best, like worst as a DD?
    that would be great info. 4 doors rapide in my list
     
  4. calder1

    calder1 F1 Rookie
    Sponsor Owner

    Aug 26, 2006
    2,829
    Redondo Beach
    Full Name:
    Craig
    My car was a 2012 with about 28k miles . Drive it 2 years as dd and to be honest the maintence was low . The issues I had was the passenger door window would go down when the door was opened but always got stuck and would not go back up , I had to the boot the battery every time . Towards the end I had an issue with the main dash not powering up when I started the car then would come back to life about 5 minutes into the drive . Those were the 2 issues other than that I enjoyed the experience .
     
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  5. Zeus

    Zeus Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2007
    1,072
    Palm Beach
    Full Name:
    Lawrence
    I use my manual V8 Vantage as a DD for 7 months a year (and store it for the other 5 months on a battery tender). No mechanical or other issues whatsoever. Just annual services, that's about it. Bulletproof reliable!
     
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  6. JohnnyRay

    JohnnyRay F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 2, 2014
    2,863
    Central FL/NW WI
    I've got a DB9 Volante with a manual transmission. Lovely ride. No issues. Have a DB7 Vantage as well. A whole different ride - a bit retro. No real issues with it either. Both are V12s and pull like freight trains. Not quite the same as the 550, but close enough and sound great. You can still smell the leather in both cars - even with the tops down. Astons are always a class act...
     
  7. JOEA2

    JOEA2 Formula 3

    Feb 2, 2006
    1,160
    Staten Island, N.Y./ Sea Girt,N.J.
    Full Name:
    Joe A
    I traded my 2005 DB9 with 47,000 miles. I now have a 2012 Virage with 30,000 miles. No problems with either one.

    Joe
     
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  8. Alpintourer

    Alpintourer F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 20, 2013
    3,337
    The Low Country
    Full Name:
    Dave Steven
    If I'm not hauling a trailer with bikes or kayaks, or taking two more couples out to dinner in my Ford Flex, my 2009 DB9 is a DD with a 360 Spider being my primary exotic. The DB9 is a joy to drive, lots of luggage room if you add in the rear sets and quite comfortable on long weekend getaways.
     
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  9. montegoblue

    montegoblue Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 7, 2009
    531
    East TN
    Had a DB9 as a daily for about a year — mechanically reliable, just annoying electrical gremlins : Dead battery for no reason, door / trunk open light would come on at random times ( inclusive at high interstate speeds, always fun), radio wouldn’t work at times. All very random and dealership could never sort them out. Car always plugged in charger. Figured it was too finicky for me as a daily. Newer ones may be very different, mine was a 2006. Also found the seats uncomfortable for long rides but believe they updated seats in 2008 or 2009(?).
     
  10. JohnnyRay

    JohnnyRay F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 2, 2014
    2,863
    Central FL/NW WI
    Yup. 2007 or newer...
     
  11. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2013
    1,588
    AZ
    Full Name:
    Rick
    I have an ‘07 with a manual transmission. It’s fantastic and you could definitely daily it. So much bang for the buck at current values.
     
    Robb likes this.
  12. Graz

    Graz Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2012
    2,289
    New Jersey and Florida
    Full Name:
    Graziano
    I used to daily drive an Aston DB9. No issues. I recently purchased a 2009 DBS manual and I'm really excited to take delivery in about a week or so. And yes I will be driving it on a regular basis.
     
  13. plastique999

    plastique999 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 9, 2008
    8,539
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Edward
    Congrats!!! One of the best!

    I’ve daily driven and now on my 5th Aston: V8V Nurburgring Edition, Casino Royal DBS manual, V12 VS, DBS morning frost white, Vanquish morning frost white.
    As others have said, overall, it’s an elegant car with occasional quirks.
    Pros: the paint is something special, several layers and definitely recommend a pearlescent finish.
    Aston leather has that unique smell of class.
    The NA motor purrs with symphony.
    Cons and what to look for:
    Check swan door struts as they may go bad.
    Make sure the gas cover opens and works (had 2 cars with this issue)
    Check for the notorious “Emissions Service” CEL.
    Inspect and smell the beautiful leather.

    I love my Vanquish and Aston, as it is a sophisticated marque.


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  14. Graz

    Graz Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2012
    2,289
    New Jersey and Florida
    Full Name:
    Graziano
    Thanks Edward. Beautiful assortment of exceptional automobiles. Mine is Storm Black with Black leather/Red Alcantera inserts. I'll post some photos as soon as it arrives. Kudos to you for excellent taste!
     
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  15. absent

    absent F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Nov 2, 2003
    8,810
    illinois
    Full Name:
    mark k.
    My wife had a Volante in 2006 as a daily driver.
    She put around 10k miles with Zero issues, car was in service only for oil change and to swap the tires for Winter, Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  16. ThePusher

    ThePusher Formula Junior

    Aug 27, 2004
    264
    I had a 2005 V8 Vantage manual for almost 3 years and used as my daily driver. Put about 8,000 miles per year on it (Meteorite Silver over Black Leather). One of the first cars in the US. Bullet proof besides squeaky brakes and had some leather pieces shrink on the dash (replaced for free under warranty). Navigation system was pretty poor etc but I didn't use it much. Loved the experience and if you care more about driving etc I am not sure you can find a better cost/smile ratio.

    Have since cycled through BMW M3 convertible (E90), Ferrari Scuderia, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, and a Porsche 911 Turbo S. Hanging on to the Porsche which is a shockingly good DD also but picked up an Aston Martin V12 Vantage S (dogleg manual) because I have such fond memories of the V8. So I drive the Porsche and AMV12 daily depending on the day, mood and where I am headed.
     
  17. plastique999

    plastique999 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 9, 2008
    8,539
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Edward
    That is one I need to get into .... manual V12 VS


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  18. RDHNoVA

    RDHNoVA Rookie

    Jan 3, 2021
    2
    Northern Virginia
    Full Name:
    Ryan Hill
    I daily my 2016 V8V GTS...I love it! Makes the most mundane errand fun. I can fit a standard size golf bag or a week's worth of groceries in the trunk. The only inconvenience I've had so far is the cup holders are tiny, so got to make sure drinks have a secure lid as they'll go flying once the fun begins. I got mine CPO, so the warranty gives me peace of mind, however I haven't had to use it yet

    Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
     
  19. ThePusher

    ThePusher Formula Junior

    Aug 27, 2004
    264
    It is worth it... the slowest car in my stable but puts the biggest smile on my face every time. Pulled out of a soccer practice drop off and my friend was behind me in a pick up truck. Spun the tires in first, second and third... next day he had this HUGE smile on his face saying it was the most amazing sound he ever heard from an automobile :)
     
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  20. gougoul

    gougoul Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2004
    1,304
    Geneva, Switzerland
    i had one when they were new...
    slow car but flows nicely through corners.
    Reliable but battery used to drain quickly (british car ?)
     
  21. 95spiderman

    95spiderman F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    15,057
    ny
    my biz partner had several vantages back in day. auto, manual, coupe, cab. all fine as a dd. no issues at all. but dealership was only half hr away and was on warranty so....
     
  22. Stealthssfc

    Stealthssfc Rookie

    Jan 30, 2019
    16
    San Diego, Ca
    Full Name:
    Scott “Angry Donut” Constantine
    I have a 2011 Vantage S and have daily driven the car for 3.5 years and around 40k miles. Also taken the car on several road trips, the longest being 2k miles. Each with no issue. I love this car!

    Mine is also highly modified with just about every performance part made for these cars short of a supercharger and still super reliable. I had an electrical issue early on that needed sorting but once fixed it has been amazing!

    I also play hockey twice a week. The trunk is large enough to fit my equipment bag and two hockey sticks!
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  23. sainthoo

    sainthoo Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 20, 2007
    1,886
    Full Name:
    Christian
    Can someone point me to a resource to start reading up on models/ years, pros and cons? Don’t even know where to start.
    Is a manual the only way to go/ are the automated gear boxes okay?
     
  24. Zeus

    Zeus Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2007
    1,072
    Palm Beach
    Full Name:
    Lawrence
    This book by Grant Neal is considered required reading before purchasing any Gaydon era Aston. It explains all the differences in the various models and production years.
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  25. BDubbs

    BDubbs Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 9, 2019
    143
    WA State
    Full Name:
    B Dubbs
    6speed forums have a wealth of knowledge! Also checkout the Redpants website.(yes, its called red pants, theres a story behind it on the site) Rich has a great site dedicated to Aston ownership. The Vantages are bulletproof and a great value. Personally I'd go with 2009 and up, just for the larger engine. The older ones are still fantastic cars. I had a manual V8 vantage and never had an issue. Maintenance was about 1400 a year at the dealer. Or Redpants website walks you through everything to do the service yourself for a few hundred bucks if you want. Of course, if something does go wrong, it could get expensive fast. But, for the most part, they are very reliable cars.

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