Owning a Aston I London?

[Quitestorm]

Almost ready to purchase (private) a 2007 Vantage (Maybe drophead?)
Just wondering what they are going to be like for heavy city commuting etc. Will be moving to London next month from Cheltenham.
Is a convertible too much of a risk to leave around ?



Many thanks

Should have read "IN" london !

Edited by Quitestorm on Wednesday 23 July 16:56

[lafcadio]

Depends utterly and entirely where you will be living in London! In Kensington AMs and Porks are de rigeur, but leave it in bits of SE London at your peril. Around SW London - mixed area economically where I live - there's been a real change. I'd never have left my Porsche on the street 8 or 9 years ago, the roof would have been slashed, body scratched etc. But now luxury cars are so much more common place, they don't stand out so much. In Clapham near me there's now even a F360 soft top and a 348 parked on the street every night. It's all families round there, no through traffic so the street is safe. The real test is insurers: my Vantage insurance is £800 per year, and that's not garaged, just on the street. They don't think it is too risky.

[Quitestorm]

Thank you
The East end is not really on my Radar !
Its making me wonder if i should buy a small fun car to drive into work each day. Will the Aston be hard work ?

I guess the west end north London etc will be the main areas i will visit// park

I know there are many Astons in London. But to some degree that must mean they do not mind heavy traffic !

[lafcadio]

Well I will let you know in a week's time about using it as a daily driver - I am getting it this weekend and will use it on the commute to West London. I am keeping a runabout too for when it's raining etc. As to parking - with common sense about where you leave it, should be fine

[Grinning]

I use mine as a daily driver/commuter around North London and in particular round a small section of the North Circular (A406) - It's only a 15-20 minute commute but it is usually traffic nose to tail for 10-15 of those minutes. Mine's manual and I'm fine with it - just take it out of gear when sitting in traffic rather than getting cramp from leaving foot extended on clutch.

If you have to do anything over half an hour in proper London traffic (like driving into West End from North London), then take the Tube! We've got an office in Green Park and I'd just be barking mad to drive there from North London in t'Aston. I've done that trip 3/4 times, never in the Aston, and it's just totally unpredictable ranging from 45 mins to an hour and a half. I still find the traffic unbearable despite the Congestion charge.

Get an auto run-around for proper city driving. The upside of doing that would be the extra grin you put on your face when you slide back into the Aston from your Smart car... If the extra run-around is not in budget or Congestion Charge will not be paid by you for reasons of principle, then take the Tube like our Mayor tells us!

[stanwan]

I live in Greenwich and my Aston has been fine here, although I seldom drive it around locally. I find the clutch quite light, but then again I spend a lot of time in the gym!!!

Insurance is £1200 per year with the amoc insurer with an excellent £200 excess. The car's width can make it difficult to tuck into tight parking spaces - be mindful of kerbs!!

[Quitestorm]

wondering if i do plunge for the convertible that i might not want the roof down too much in city traffic? All the pollution etc!
Ive decide on a Grey as i prefer the whole shape in that colour. Just trying to get a nice interior match .

[Quitestorm]

Found the car and the seller seems to be fine. He is thinking about my offer. Car has no marks etc full service history and enough warranty to cover my expected ownership.
Its a 2007 coupe. What i want to know is if the Linn Upgrade can be even more "upgraded"? I am in the music/sound Business and like my music LOUD but with quality>