Now an Aston owner...
Discussion
Cross post with the AMOC site...
Well, picked it up today. What can I say but - absolutely brilliant!
First up, HWM (supplying dealer here in the UK) have been excellent. Bryan has been superb throughout, and a big deal seemed to be made when I picked it up. So much for it being the baby Aston.
My experiences previously with "high end" main dealers (Ferrari) were woeful. This has thus far changed my view completely.
The car...
Some pictures below. Quite a few more here : www.c7photography.com/Resources/Galleries/Aston/index.htm
Not a single problem with it (so far! And touching wood). No rattles, no issues outside or in, no strange gurgling. Nothing.
It holds the road very well and is very confidence inspiring. The controls are lovely - only critique would be a slightly "dead" off-centre steering feel (only for the first half degree or so either side) and the throttle could be a bit heavier for my tastes. The gearbox doesn't like being taken liberties with too, but I very much like the action of it.
Overall the feeling is of a car that's exceptionally well balanced. Everything about the way it goes is extremely well matched. Really makes the car feel special. And makes you feel that you really have to drive it to get the most out of it.
Have also found it doesn't particularly hide speed. This is something I'm really happy about! The 355 didn't feel like it was doing anything until the speeds were North of 80mph (on autobahns of course). You know when you have a good rate of knots on in the Aston (again, everything tells you this).
The exterior and interior are exceptionally well executed. Just beautiful! The small buttons on the centre console that always get a mention don't detract in use IMO. I even found the SatNag OK (curiously found the bloke's voice a better choice - the woman sounds more like an East European shot putter than a nymphette).
Very, very, very pleased with the car. Definitely a good move.
Wish more manufacturers would concentrate on the "interaction" qualities of sports cars rather than getting embroiled in power wars.
Reckon I'll need to be in for my 1k mile check in about 10 days!
Oh, and saw a Roadster in the flesh today. Not a fan of droptops really, but this one looks very neat. Anyone on the list is due a treat!
Well, picked it up today. What can I say but - absolutely brilliant!
First up, HWM (supplying dealer here in the UK) have been excellent. Bryan has been superb throughout, and a big deal seemed to be made when I picked it up. So much for it being the baby Aston.
My experiences previously with "high end" main dealers (Ferrari) were woeful. This has thus far changed my view completely.
The car...
Some pictures below. Quite a few more here : www.c7photography.com/Resources/Galleries/Aston/index.htm
Not a single problem with it (so far! And touching wood). No rattles, no issues outside or in, no strange gurgling. Nothing.
It holds the road very well and is very confidence inspiring. The controls are lovely - only critique would be a slightly "dead" off-centre steering feel (only for the first half degree or so either side) and the throttle could be a bit heavier for my tastes. The gearbox doesn't like being taken liberties with too, but I very much like the action of it.
Overall the feeling is of a car that's exceptionally well balanced. Everything about the way it goes is extremely well matched. Really makes the car feel special. And makes you feel that you really have to drive it to get the most out of it.
Have also found it doesn't particularly hide speed. This is something I'm really happy about! The 355 didn't feel like it was doing anything until the speeds were North of 80mph (on autobahns of course). You know when you have a good rate of knots on in the Aston (again, everything tells you this).
The exterior and interior are exceptionally well executed. Just beautiful! The small buttons on the centre console that always get a mention don't detract in use IMO. I even found the SatNag OK (curiously found the bloke's voice a better choice - the woman sounds more like an East European shot putter than a nymphette).
Very, very, very pleased with the car. Definitely a good move.
Wish more manufacturers would concentrate on the "interaction" qualities of sports cars rather than getting embroiled in power wars.
Reckon I'll need to be in for my 1k mile check in about 10 days!
Oh, and saw a Roadster in the flesh today. Not a fan of droptops really, but this one looks very neat. Anyone on the list is due a treat!
Edited by murph7355 on Saturday 17th March 23:18
Edited by murph7355 on Saturday 17th March 23:19
Thanks Steve.
Reminds me - close ups of these...
www.c7photography.com/Resources/Galleries/Temp/AstonStoneguards/index.htm
Will let you know how the rear wings look later.
Reminds me - close ups of these...
www.c7photography.com/Resources/Galleries/Temp/AstonStoneguards/index.htm
Will let you know how the rear wings look later.
Murph congratulations.
Looks exactly like my car which I picked up a couple of weeks ago.
Big differences in that mine has been back with Aston Martin for a week (and counting) for:-
- Various paint issues
- gearchange issues
- Replacement leather cover for passenger airbag
- various (loud) rattles
- misfunctioning airconditioning
- bonnet won't "click" shut properly
- passenger door
- problem with two speakers
- inside of headlight covers completely fully of condensation
- passenger door doesn't stay open (strut faulty)
Looks exactly like my car which I picked up a couple of weeks ago.
Big differences in that mine has been back with Aston Martin for a week (and counting) for:-
- Various paint issues
- gearchange issues
- Replacement leather cover for passenger airbag
- various (loud) rattles
- misfunctioning airconditioning
- bonnet won't "click" shut properly
- passenger door
- problem with two speakers
- inside of headlight covers completely fully of condensation
- passenger door doesn't stay open (strut faulty)
Looks great Murph. Glad things are going well. I can only echo the comments about HWM: they have been excellent with me too. The service guys have been helpful as well - they fixed my handbrake light a couple of hours after I phoned them up - "Just bring it in any time and we'll have a look". It was staying on when it shouldn't and had got progressively worse until it stayed on almost permanently (which resulted in almost constant nagging beeps), but they fixed it whilst I waited. Not quite as salubrious as the sales premises, but they got the job done.
I've had the car for just over a week and 400 miles now (mostly with a big grin on my face) and no stone chips on the rear arches yet, so the guards have been doing their job. And that's after going down several less than ideal back roads (almost dirt tracks in fact, which resulted in much cursing of the SatNav!).
I've had the car for just over a week and 400 miles now (mostly with a big grin on my face) and no stone chips on the rear arches yet, so the guards have been doing their job. And that's after going down several less than ideal back roads (almost dirt tracks in fact, which resulted in much cursing of the SatNav!).
murph7355 said:
whoami said:
...Big differences in that mine has been back with Aston Martin for a week (and counting) for:-
Sorry to hear about these.
Did they show up quickly after you drove it off the forecourt? Best put some miles on mine to see if it has issues.
Most of the issues were there from the start.
It's very disappointing that they were not picked up during the PDI (or were ignored).
Most worrying are the paint and gearbox issues.
I may well reject the car.
We'll see what happends tomorrow.
Edited by whoami on Sunday 18th March 17:49
Congrats!
Had mine a week now and it's going from strength to strength... gearbox, clutch and engine are loosening up nicely and more power keeps coming -- now on a bit over 4000km. I've been issue free for now, with the exception of the plastic windscreen vents rattling, as well as the centre speaker grille.
Had mine a week now and it's going from strength to strength... gearbox, clutch and engine are loosening up nicely and more power keeps coming -- now on a bit over 4000km. I've been issue free for now, with the exception of the plastic windscreen vents rattling, as well as the centre speaker grille.
jus said:
Congrats!
Had mine a week now and it's going from strength to strength... gearbox, clutch and engine are loosening up nicely and more power keeps coming -- now on a bit over 4000km. I've been issue free for now, with the exception of the plastic windscreen vents rattling, as well as the centre speaker grille.
Had mine a week now and it's going from strength to strength... gearbox, clutch and engine are loosening up nicely and more power keeps coming -- now on a bit over 4000km. I've been issue free for now, with the exception of the plastic windscreen vents rattling, as well as the centre speaker grille.
Crikey Jus - have you put all those miles on it? 2.5k miles in a week!?
Congratulations on the Aston - I've been a fan (and owner) for many years.
I was overtaken recently by a new V8 (I was in a Range Rover with the window open), I could see him coming up fast, I moved a fraction left and BLAP, he was past.
Great sound when angry, as most Astons are. A really angry bark.
Drive it carefully and enjoy the moment!
murph7355 said:
jus said:
Congrats!
Had mine a week now and it's going from strength to strength... gearbox, clutch and engine are loosening up nicely and more power keeps coming -- now on a bit over 4000km. I've been issue free for now, with the exception of the plastic windscreen vents rattling, as well as the centre speaker grille.
Had mine a week now and it's going from strength to strength... gearbox, clutch and engine are loosening up nicely and more power keeps coming -- now on a bit over 4000km. I've been issue free for now, with the exception of the plastic windscreen vents rattling, as well as the centre speaker grille.
Crikey Jus - have you put all those miles on it? 2.5k miles in a week!?
Ah yes, I should've mentioned that I took it on a ~2000km roadtrip from the principal dealership up-country to get it home
Ive got a nice plate from DVLA, tried to sell it for a while but no takers so put it on my current car this week
Was straight off the DVLA site. So not as expensive as it could have been. But I'm always doubtful as to the value of these things - still, it had to be done.
murph7355 said:
sjp63 said:
Yes great plate - expensive?
Was straight off the DVLA site. So not as expensive as it could have been. But I'm always doubtful as to the value of these things - still, it had to be done.
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