What should be standard on all Astons?

[KarlFranz]

On the 6-speed forum we were discussing features that are now standard in much lesser cars but are still unavailable or are optional on ours. I started a list of things we think should be standard features on all Astons:

- Cruise Control
- Smart Key entry and ignition
- Homelink
- HID headlights (standard on V12V but not V8V)
- Auto-On Headlights at dusk
- Front Park Assist

It's sad enough to see many of these options available standard on a Jaguar, but now we see many of them on the new USA-spec Ford Focus (which even self-parks!) and on a Hyundai. What other options do you realistically think should be standard on a car of this caliber?

[KarlFranz]

Some more good ones suggested by my friend, Racer_X:

- carpet mats
- two crystal ECUs instead of one
- auto-dimming rearview mirror
- iPod integration
- heated/memory seats
- Bluetooth integration

[Rex Racer]

KarlFranz said:

Some more good ones suggested by my friend, Racer_X

aka "Rex Racer."

[Shmee]

Aren't quite a few of those standard?

But also, auto-wipers

[Rex Racer]

Shmee said:

Aren't quite a few of those standard?

Not for the Vantage according to the AM web site.

[steveatesh]

A sound system that stays on without the key in it so you can listen to audio while polishing etc without fear of it being stolen while you pop back into the garage for a cloth etc.

[Highrisedrifter]

KarlFranz said:

Some more good ones suggested by my friend, Racer_X:

- carpet mats
- two crystal ECUs instead of one
- auto-dimming rearview mirror
- iPod integration
- heated/memory seats
- Bluetooth integration

I'm reasonably sure as of MY08 the iPod connector is standard across all Vantages. However, I may have just dreamt that.

[JohnG1]

Less stuff. I would like the standard model to have pretty much nothing. Then if I want to add things, I will pick from a menu.

Why? I don't want a ton of electrical gizmos and nonsense in the car. I want a stripped out car as the base model and a menu of options as long as your arm.

Ideally that would even go to the level of buying a body in white without panels - so I can get panels build myself from carbon fibre or unicorn horn.

Think big guys - no standards - a really customisable options list!!!

[V8 Animal]

JohnG1 said:

Less stuff. I would like the standard model to have pretty much nothing. Then if I want to add things, I will pick from a menu.

Why? I don't want a ton of electrical gizmos and nonsense in the car. I want a stripped out car as the base model and a menu of options as long as your arm.

Ideally that would even go to the level of buying a body in white without panels - so I can get panels build myself from carbon fibre or unicorn horn.

Think big guys - no standards - a really customisable options list!!!

Should of bought a TVR

For the price of these cars everything should be std!

[George H]

JohnG1 said:

Less stuff. I would like the standard model to have pretty much nothing. Then if I want to add things, I will pick from a menu.

Why? I don't want a ton of electrical gizmos and nonsense in the car. I want a stripped out car as the base model and a menu of options as long as your arm.

Ideally that would even go to the level of buying a body in white without panels - so I can get panels build myself from carbon fibre or unicorn horn.

Think big guys - no standards - a really customisable options list!!!

Nice idea, but some of the creations would be truly awful. Just imagine the truly awful matte black DBS's, chrome V12V's with leapord skin interior, etc etc.

Do Ferrari/Maserati/Bentley etc all have these features as standard? Maybe manufacturers like Merc/Audi/Porsche do, but they aren't in the same league.

[JohnG1]

V8 Animal said:

Should of bought a TVR

For the price of these cars everything should be std!

Why would I buy a kit car from Blackpool?

Just joking people

[peterr96]

Some form of tactical weapon to remove MLMs?
Otherwise I'd rather have a lower start price and tick the boxes of some sensible priced options.

I've never found the effort level of turning lights or wipers on too much to bear so you can keep them and frankly I'd rather decide to put my lights on in daytime fog than become so brain dead as to allow the car not to bother!
Next someone will want forward facing radar cruise control, lane departure warning etc.

[Guycord]

Not arguing the pi55 over a tank of petrol and the tax disc....

Pledge that after sales servicing will yield as much interest for the customer as it did for the salesman, no stupid pricing on service, stop haggling the toss on warrenty issues.....

Edited by Guycord on Wednesday 12th October 12:45

[George H]

peterr96 said:

Next someone will want forward facing radar cruise control...

It is pretty good though, way better than regular cruise control. Plus Mercs had it over 10 years ago, probably about time Aston got something similar.

I would like to see an airscarf type system on convertibles. Maybe not standard, but at least as an option. Same with integrated TV.

[qualityscrew]

peterr96 said:

I've never found the effort level of turning lights or wipers on too much to bear so you can keep them and frankly I'd rather decide to put my lights on in daytime fog than become so brain dead as to allow the car not to bother!

I agree!

How about reomte window closing? TVRs had this years ago, and I found that extremely useful.

Radio on without the key in the ignition is also useful

[peterr96]

qualityscrew said:

I agree!

How about reomte window closing? TVRs had this years ago, and I found that extremely useful.

I agree! The inverse of remote window closing, ie remote window opening by holding down the door unlock button is also rather nice. It allows one to approach the car on a hot sunny day and open the door without getting flashburns

qualityscrew said:

Radio on without the key in the ignition is also useful

Yes... really good when washing the car. Although it might seem a little antisocial the stereo makes for good company.

Point is these are not "options", they are stupid ommisions that would cost £0 to include

[peterr96]

George H said:

It is pretty good though, way better than regular cruise control. Plus Mercs had it over 10 years ago, probably about time Aston got something similar.

In a Rapide maybe.. any other Aston product no chuffing way

George H said:

I would like to see an airscarf type system on convertibles. Maybe not standard, but at least as an option. Same with integrated TV.

Useful for drying your hair? (actually I'm just taking the pi55 there, that is surely a good idea!)
The TV would be good while the perm was setting! (no excuse for watching a TV in the car IMHO. I've got a 60incher in the house, work in the VFX industry and watching anything on a 9 incher is an insult to the effort that goes into making the st3 content that we pump out!)

[George H]

peterr96 said:

In a Rapide maybe.. any other Aston product no chuffing way

Or the Virage/DB9. Big GT cars are ideal for that sort of tech.

peterr96 said:

Useful for drying your hair? (actually I'm just taking the pi55 there, that is surely a good idea!)
The TV would be good while the perm was setting! (no excuse for watching a TV in the car IMHO. I've got a 60incher in the house, work in the VFX industry and watching anything on a 9 incher is an insult to the effort that goes into making the st3 content that we pump out!)

Guess it isn't mandatory, or going to be well used - but Merc/BMW/Audi etc all offer it, why not Aston?

[peterr96]

George H said:

Guess it isn't mandatory, or going to be well used - but Merc/BMW/Audi etc all offer it, why not Aston?

It's a damn disgrace. You're a man of principles!

[George H]

peterr96 said:

It's a damn disgrace. You're a man of principles!

I know! You cannot deny there is something really cool about watching TV whilst stuck in traffic!