Test drove my first Aston yesterday

[mujiburc]

Hello all,

I've been lurking for quite some time on this forum and have been really impressed by the level of cooperation and support on show! I've been the owner of a 2005 997 Convertible for the past 5 years and fancy a change, and so hopped over to Stratstone Wilmslow AM. They very kindly let me drive a MY07 V8V in Meteorite Silver.

I have to say that I'm left dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of the thing! I've always thought they looked lovely in the pictures, but the contours, shape and lines simply don't hit you unless you're looking at one in the metal. Beautiful. Anyway, let's see how things go. They've offered me some money on my porker (not quite enough and I'm pushing for more) so provided we can agree on a deal I might end up joining the heady ranks of AM ownership before Friday comes round!

First impressions on the v8v,

1. Jaw droppingly beautiful - more baby one77 than baby aston
2. Not as responsive or as involved a driving experience as the pork
3. Interior: elegant simplicity - more bells, whistles and flashing lights in the pork
4. Switchgear a little flimsy?
5. My wife complimented the v8v. She's never done that to a car before

Take care all!

[michael gould]

Get it bought

[steveatesh]

Welcome. On top of what you said there's the additional stuff not immediately apparent such as people wanting to take photographs of it, the thumbs up from pedestrians you get when driving, the comments in the garage when you fill up etc. Oh and the buzz every time you get into it too!

Hope it works out for you

[Jockman]

Slarti, if you trawl the forum over the last 4 weeks you will find a few postings vis a vis Am / Porker. All are very honest and complimentary, affording a genuine juxtaposition between the 2 vehicles.

You are currently the owner of a fabulous car.

You now need to take the next step to become the proud owner of an iconic car.

Do not live your life in fear

[JohnG1]

+1 to the Scotsman.

I had a 997 C2S. Sold it to buy a 4.3 V8 Vantage.

I liked to drive the 911, I liked the performance and it was handy to have rear seats sometimes. But I'd bought the V8 after 90 seconds on the test drive with the windows down, pedal to the metal in 2nd.

Do the trade and enjoy...

Oh - you'll get let out in traffic in an Aston. That does not happen in a 911...

[Jockman]

JohnG1 said:

Oh - you'll get let out in traffic in an Aston. That does not happen in a 911...

Just be careful that they don´t rear-end you in the process

[robgt]

When we originally went to test drive an Aston, Broughtons laid on a 911 as a comparison. Molly drove both, I drove the Aston didn't bother with the 911. Then ordered our first Vantage!
To conclude hit the selling dealer with a revised offer and get it bought!
Looking forward to the pictures
Regards Rob

[JohnG1]

Jockman said:

Just be careful that they don´t rear-end you in the process

I am actually pretty good humoured about this. I thought I would be absolutely fuming. I must be getting older and wiser. Well, older for sure.

[Jockman]

JohnG1 said:

I am actually pretty good humoured about this. I thought I would be absolutely fuming. I must be getting older and wiser. Well, older for sure.

It´s called a sense of perspective.

Some people do not walk away from an RTC.

You did.

And to be attended to by the tooth fairy...the Gods were looking down on you Mr G1

[SL500UK]

Like many of us, I too have had several 911s and they are brilliant cars but I find driving the Aston V8V a completely different experience. As you're still interested in changing after having taken a test drive, I'm certain that you'll be pleased to have made the decision to change.

[KEFKEF]

I sold my 996 GT3, owned from new for 6 years, to get into a V8V, never looked back.

[mikey k]

KEFKEF said:

I sold my 996 GT3, owned from new for 6 years, to get into a V8V, never looked back.

Now that's interesting
That was only my list I managed to side step it though

[sadlerj]

I came from a 911 and I love 911's, there is nothing like a flat out drive down a bendy b-road or track in a NA RWD 911. Also I am in the 'twilight years' where I have two kids who can fit in the back of a 911 but don't have any guff to carry around. But after having my V8V there is simply no way I can change her to a 911. They don't drive as well as a 911 at 10/10ths, but when you are not at 10/10th (most of the time) they are so much better in many aspects, ones which they don't necessarily write about in magazines (apart from when someone runs one in a long term test). Do it, you'll never regret it... (ps I have never once found mine 'slow', all those who thing that just don't know how to drive them properly)

[Predator247]

Mujiburc

Have you just purchased this car? Someone has

If it was you, congrats, mate

John

[Slarti]

Hello again all. Thanks for the encouraging words, I'd expect nothing less than 'get it bought' from this forum, I'm avoiding the pork forum for the very reason they might tell me otherwise.

The deed is done! I handed over my deposit and I'm now waiting to get the paperwork so that I can complete the transaction.

Predator - yes, I may well have bought the same meteorite grey MY07/56 plate you were looking at. Sorry. But there's plenty(ish) more where that one came from! It's embarrassing that I was totally unable to get a penny knocked off the sticker price! Wilmslow are however giving me an umbrella, writing off the handover fee (100quid, incudes full tank of fuel and probably nothing else given the cost of fuel) and something called superguard which is supposed fo protect my interior and exterior from dirt etc (although I'm a tad sceptical of it). I tried to get a set of updated Nav discs thrown in but to no avail - on principal I refuse to pay the ludicrous prices for update CDs (if anyone has copies I will pay).

So all in all I'm excited and having trouble containing myself. Looking forward to years of fun motoring, supermodel sleepovers and wondering whether I should take my wife, daughter or neither on my next road trip.

[Predator247]

Hi,

It's great you got the car mate. Don't be ashamed you didn't get anything off. In my eyes it's the best priced and spec car available on a 56 plate that's a MY2007. You got a great car there!

I'm as pleased for you, as I am gutted for my self.

Take care,
John

[Slarti]

You make me feel bad! How about when you get yours I buy you a congratulatory beer?

[Predator247]

Slarti said:

You make me feel bad! How about when you get yours I buy you a congratulatory beer?

LOL, No worries. You just concentrate on enjoying the car and maybe we can link up at an event some time. I'll show mine, if you show me yours! PMSL

John

[Slarti]

steveatesh said:

Welcome. On top of what you said there's the additional stuff not immediately apparent such as people wanting to take photographs of it, the thumbs up from pedestrians you get when driving, the comments in the garage when you fill up etc. Oh and the buzz every time you get into it too!

I see that. When I bought the pork, I was buying a good looking, brash sports car. This time, I'm buying a car that almost gives me goose bumps whenever I see it. I'm sure it's a great machine, but I'm buying on emotion and I just don't care!

[Little Lofty]

You wont regret buying it.I bought mine just over 1 month ago and I'm loving every second of it.Just be carefull of your speed ,I've had cars just as powerful as this one, but the Vantage seems to egg you on all the time so that to give it some wellie(probably the noise they make)I got stopped for speeding the other night for my very first time in over 26 years of driving,luckily they were just plod not traffic, so I just got a friendly warning. The policeman was VERY complimentary of the car.