Discussion
After having driven my DB12 for several weeks in California sunshine and, over the past few days, through torrential downpours, I can confirm that reflections onto the screen are a complete non-issue. It's bright, clear as can be, and superb at keeping the reflections off. It can be a bit fiddly with small icons being easy to miss while driving, although that's every touchscreen ever made (perhaps aside from Tesla's). The displays do not dim sufficiently at night, although I'm told that fix is coming in a future software update. Overall, the screens work very well!
kbaillie said:
The displays do not dim sufficiently at night, although I'm told that fix is coming in a future software update. Overall, the screens work very well!
Oh nice! I noticed on my DB12 that the dimmer wheel (under the fog light button) affects all the dashboard/button lights but NOT the screens. Unlike my Merc GLE where the screens dim nicely along with the dashboard lights. I hope you are right about the software fix.I can also confirm reflection is not an issue, although I always wondered about that for the Volante version...
Note from OP - thanks very much to all you guys who have actually bought one and are being kind enough to upload your comments on here. Apart from one dubious poster, it’s great to see that the vast majority of comments from owners are positive and you guys are happy. Well done AML, we are now very much looking forward to the Vantage next week 
Budweiser said:
Paid a visit to Grange Brentwood ...
They had a couple of nice DB12s in the showroom, so thought I’d post the pictures for you all to drool over.
They had a couple of nice DB12s in the showroom, so thought I’d post the pictures for you all to drool over.
Are they hoping to sell that DB12 Volante?
A quarter of a million Pounds and they don't even include an engine or transmission.
( Retail is supposedly all about the detail. )
ZT260SE said:
I don’t want to sound like a Luddite, and as a previous owner of a Meteorite Silver car and a current owner of a Magnetic Silver car…. How much for silver paint? Blimey - I’m out of touch…
Aston Martin are now an Exclusive, High Performance Ultra-Luxury Brand, supplier of rare bespoke motor cars to the discerning few and Royal Warrant holder since 1982 (don't you know).
We apologise for publishing the price list that you refer to, mistakenly revealing the extra £8,200 for paint and another £6,290 for a radio. Our leader, he who must be obeyed (not of course the CEO, who is quite old and usually has a nap after lunch) now insists on at least a 40% profit on every car we build to order.
It is now considered most distasteful to mention prices, and of course our new type of customers have no need to even ask how much their car will cost.
Thank goodness those old VH days are behind us, when we were just a maker of sports cars and sold to anyone with a passion for Aston Martins, but who showed no interest at all in ultra-luxury brands.
Jon39 said:
Aston Martin are now an Exclusive, High Performance Ultra-Luxury Brand, supplier of rare bespoke motor cars to the discerning few and Royal Warrant holder since 1982 (don't you know).
<snip>
Jon39 said:
Thank goodness those old VH days are behind us, when we were just a maker of sports cars and sold to anyone with a passion for Aston Martins, but who showed no interest at all in ultra-luxury brands.
An Auto Express review from 2015 of the DB9 GT quotes the following ...'... some of the £21,000-worth of extras added to the list price included special Scintilla Silver paint at £3,495, £995 Bronze Metallic leather upholstery and an upgraded carbon fibre front splitter and rear diffuser for £3,995.'
A TG review in 2015 of the same car quotes a B & O upgrade of almost £6,500.
So yes; thank goodness those old VH days are behind us.
That's fairly usual for a high end stereo, I had to pay the thick end of £5k for a Burmeister system in my Macan and it's a similar cost option in a top end 911.
Also, the B&O was always an expensive upgrade on the later VH cars, I'm sure it was around £5k.
Every manufacturer is at it with paint colours, I was really miffed having to pay £850 for metallic paint on my old Range Rover Sport - you'd think they would at least include black metallic paint on an £80k car! It was even more to have a colour. To compare to Porsche again, only limited colours are available as lower cost options (£1-2k) otherwise PTS is £8k, so I really don't think Aston are too far out with those option costs - have a look at an invoice for a new Ferrari if you want to be really shocked.
Also, the B&O was always an expensive upgrade on the later VH cars, I'm sure it was around £5k.
Every manufacturer is at it with paint colours, I was really miffed having to pay £850 for metallic paint on my old Range Rover Sport - you'd think they would at least include black metallic paint on an £80k car! It was even more to have a colour. To compare to Porsche again, only limited colours are available as lower cost options (£1-2k) otherwise PTS is £8k, so I really don't think Aston are too far out with those option costs - have a look at an invoice for a new Ferrari if you want to be really shocked.
AMV93 said:
Every manufacturer is at it with paint colours ...
Talking about paying extra for various paint colours.
I think the following might still be applicable.
Did you know that drivers of white Teslas, might be considered cheapskates ?
Tesla charge extra for every colour, except white.
AMV93 said:
That's fairly usual for a high end stereo, I had to pay the thick end of £5k for a Burmeister system in my Macan and it's a similar cost option in a top end 911. Also, the B&O was always an expensive upgrade on the later VH cars, I'm sure it was around £5k.
Amazing though isn't it. Pay £60k for a Volvo and you get it as standard, pay £180k for a top end car and you're expected to pay more for it. 
LTP said:
Jon39 said:
Aston Martin are now an Exclusive, High Performance Ultra-Luxury Brand, supplier of rare bespoke motor cars to the discerning few and Royal Warrant holder since 1982 (don't you know).
<snip>
Calinours said:
The warrant was from Charles as POW - he’s always been an AM fan, like many of his age he was smitten with the DB5 in the 1964 bond film when he was 16, the reason his mum bought him a DB6 Volante for his 21st, which of course he still has to this day. He’s had others, most long since sold for charity, notably a 1988 V8 Vantage as a 40th from middle eastern royalty.
Indeed. And as Charles is no longer PoW the warrant has expired. I don't think William is quite such a fan, although I recall him borrowing one of his dad's cars for his wedding.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff