On the road again - Robb's Aston Martin Adventures

I’m always interested in good back and forth in all threads.

This is similar to my main Ferrari thread but from the British point of view on my experiences of ownership and all the paths that it leads to during my travels.

I owned a 328 - it was my first Ferrari - and I think the Aston is very timeless and has beautiful lines as well. Most US 308 and 328 owners would like a little less 4x4 in those gaps, and many prefer those euro bumpers... that’s the way I am looking at the Aston.

I’m a fan of keeping cars within the oem standards to most degrees. Stick with me and I think you will find that I am simply tightening up the look to bring out it’s best aspects. It won’t look like a ‘ricer’ when I am finished.

The clear tail lights became an option in 2010 and standard in 2012, so I’m trying to go with things that I like for the look within the original offerings.

Robb

 

Forgot to post that I removed fuse 22 which will keep the exhaust valves in the open position full time...

Robb

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I don’t think I will be carrying the pump / fix a flat with me in lieu of good roadside assistance from USAA. It really just takes up space. I don’t think I would use it even if I got a flat. (Knock on wood)

Robb

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Dropped off the car to THE specialist in our area for all things British. They are the one US outfit partnered with the storied Bamford Rose shop from the UK.

Nice to have them about 30 min away...

I’ll post up the servicing they are doing for me and the costs to assist with others wondering what their cars or potential purchases might need.

Robb

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The indie’s labor rate is $130 per hour. The Penske dealer charges $190 which seemed really high to me.

It’s my busy time of year so I’d rather have them set the car up for me with my line items to get a solid start to the ownership and I can supplement work in the winter when needed again. Some of these are typically done each year or alternating. The battery was doing fine but was the original unit and I know from experience that even on a tender and being driven, AZ eats batteries... so I wanted to be good from the start. I followed the manufacturer line items for years and miles for service items. It has had annual services for all years on the 1st ownership.

Here is the work I am having the indie complete:

Engine oil and filter change $400

Replace cabin filters $191 and $302 for engine air filters

Brake fluid change $130

Coolant flush and change $148

Transmission fluid change $650

New battery $348

Fix sticking gas cap door - no charge

a/c recharge- $182

Install owner supplied 3-rear clear tail lights $104

Install owner supplied Velocity AP lowering springs $1300 (10hrs total 5 front/5 rear)

Replace Door struts $288 while all fender liners are already off for the suspension installation since this makes access easier and saves time.

2 Key fob batteries $12

Separate from this work, I got 4 new Michelin ps4s tires for around $ 1400 all in.

Hope this helps others with some costs at an indie looking at purchasing a vantage.

Robb

 

I’ll be looking at installing the Fabspeed 200-cell cats and X-pipe myself when I get time on the lift at home.

Since I don’t have the Aston Martin Diagnostic Tool, which you need for some work, I’ll work with the Indie on these items and manage other regular items back to our garage in the future.

Robb

 

Layover in Palm Beach...

Dropped into the Aston Dealer.

Nice place. Plethora of DB11. In certain color combos, they’re growing on me.

Robb

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Volcano Red. Still not a fan of the bicolore black roof...

Robb

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Frosted glass blue...

Robb

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Lightning Silver...

Robb

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Stratus or Lunar White

Robb

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Vanquish in Meteorite Silver had a fantastic chestnut tan interior...

Robb

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And it had gorgeous 10-spoke rims

Robb

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Didn’t check on this color name but it was a citrus black/ bronze. Probably the most captivating db11 in the showroom.

Robb

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Not generally a fan of blue interiors. This one better than most but I’d still pass.

Robb

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Here’s the interior of that citrus black

Robb

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I read on some of the UK forums that it is possible to activate the daylight running lights on the vantage headlights by a quick software code update.

So that has been added to the indie’s work list.

Who doesn’t like those Aston LED’s?...

Robb

 

DRL’s on a v12 roadster.

Robb

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I like the clamshell hood and headlights. I’m good with the hood vents. The side vent seems a bit out there as is the one separating the top and rear shoulders. Everything out there seems angular at this time on all the Marques.

I kind of like their tech advances but seems like you could do it in a bit more timeless design vocabulary. Some of it is a bit ‘fussy’.

Robb

 

Ronnie,

I lived in Denver for 25 years before moving to AZ. Definitely things to consider before pulling the trigger in that market. If you are keeping your Ferrari F430 and adding another car to be next to it, then that is one factor. Aston Dealer is in Broomfield and seems very small - not sure I would rely on them and would search for an indie. Their Parts Dept is rediculously expensive and makes Penske seem like a bargain.

Both really cool cars. Porsche also has nice fit and finish and is a little bit lighter. Aston is mid engine in the front. Very well balanced. With adding new headers, cats, x-pipe, muffler, the 2009+ v8’s can push 460+ hp. I’m not a fan of later Porsche sound. Owned an 83SC that was bored out. I like the air cooled 911’s. Aston really is one of the best engine noises out there in a brutish muscle car ‘in a suit’ kinda way.

Porsche makes how many cars and 911 a year?... Aston in the last 20 years has produced from less than 3k to 5k cars per year total. That’s more exclusive than Ferrari by a ways. So if exclusivity matters to you, you know which way to go. If it’s a daily driver, both work but the Porsche edges out a bit better with its extra creature comforts like a/c seats, nav screens, etc. and the pdk is great for traffic and modern smoothness and speed. The Aston SS is a manual like the F1 Ferrari’s. So you have to drive them only with the paddles and lift at gear shifts to be smooth. You have to think a bit more to drive the Aston I think. Porsche seems to have endless grip but the electric steering is pretty numb. Aston is great in that feedback dept. The 700 watt stereo is also really awesome and interior a great place to be. Better than anything Porsche or Ferrari has - if that matters to you for longer trips.

If you want a 12 month car in Denver, then hard to beat the 4S with proper rubber. If you intend to be in the car regularly in heavy traffic then I’d also give that one to Porsche.

To me the Aston is more of a special car that you treat kind of like the Ferrari but has more comfort for longer drives. So if it’s an April to Oct car, I’d go Aston with your F430.

Robb