AMV8 - Ordering Advice/Dealer Recommendations
Discussion
... since the first time I saw a Vantage V8 as a scholboy I've wanted an Aston but have been unable to justify (ok lets be honest afford it)....
But now I think AM is on the verge of something big and I'd like to know how to go about getting my name of the waiting list for an AMV8. Advice would be very welcome wrt
- Can I order direct from the factory rather than a dealership. Any contact no's/names.
- If I must go via a dealer can you recommend one either nr Leeds or Milton Keynes.
- Is there a deposit to pay to get on the list. If so how much
- Is the estimated lauch price still c.70k and if I place an order now could I get a car sometime in 2006.
Any advice most welcome.
But now I think AM is on the verge of something big and I'd like to know how to go about getting my name of the waiting list for an AMV8. Advice would be very welcome wrt
- Can I order direct from the factory rather than a dealership. Any contact no's/names.
- If I must go via a dealer can you recommend one either nr Leeds or Milton Keynes.
- Is there a deposit to pay to get on the list. If so how much
- Is the estimated lauch price still c.70k and if I place an order now could I get a car sometime in 2006.
Any advice most welcome.
apex said:
...
- Can I order direct from the factory rather than a dealership. Any contact no's/names.
- If I must go via a dealer can you recommend one either nr Leeds or Milton Keynes.
- Is there a deposit to pay to get on the list. If so how much
- Is the estimated lauch price still c.70k and if I place an order now could I get a car sometime in 2006.
Any advice most welcome.
You have to order through a dealership and in that area you are either with JCT600 in Leeds or Paramount Derby.
Launch time for the car is circa end of 2005 but I doubt whether or not you would get a car in 2006 now. Every dealer is different but my local one is not accepting deposits (factory line) and reckons to have over 350 names against the car. Projected price is said to be nearer £80k.
I have had my deposit in over here for a while now on the V8 Vantage. Like many people, I found it the most stunning car I had seen in ages. We are living through a remarkable period in automotive design unlike any I have seen since, perhaps, the 60's. Then, you had the Ferrari Dino, California, Lusso, Daytona, 250 SWB, Masterati Ghibli, Merak, Porsche 356C, 911, Jaguar XKE, Lotus Elan, AC Cobra 289 and 427, a passel of American muscle cars, including the Shelby Mustang, Hemi's, Corvette Stingrays, etc, etc.
Then came the 70's best-forgotten era of inane bumpers and low horsepower and tacky plastic. Not much of real interest except hang-over/hold-over stuff. The Lambo Countach stood out (in original P400 Periscopo form), but there really wasn't a lot for a long time. Ferrari still had the Daytona, Dino, later the 308's and BB. But, there wasn't that much else of interest.
Now we have a lot of cars to choose from in what is arguably a reachable exotic class from $75,000-125,000, including the Porsche GT3 and TT, the -- used BMW Z8 --, the Ferrari Modena, Jaguar XK8R, Maserati V8, and many others. They all do 0-60 in the 5-ish range and 0-100 in the 10-ish range. And there are many that look beautiful. Unfortunately, the Porsche got bloated and lost its distinctive and beautiful looks -- though they are getting back to it with the 997.
Then, along comes Fisker with the V8 Vantage and DB9 and they leave all but the Ferrari Modena way, way back there. Sure, the Porsche's, especially the GT3, still perform remarkably and are a joy to drive and I'll be keeping my 94 3.6 Turbo, thank you. But, I need one of these new Astons to cruise into my 60's (like, right now, in 4 years). I loved the V8 the moment I saw it. Everyone has said its gorgeous and muscular, though some nimrods complain about the headlight openings, which are entirely unecessary functionally, since the best new headlights only require about a 2 inch hole in a panel... Fortunately, these latter haven't gummed up the ordering by staying clear of it all.
But, what clarity of line. Fisker said in an interview that he was very conscious of shut-lines in the design process and so there are only the minimal required to construct the body parts and join them. To appreciate this, just look at any other car and see how many shut-lines there are, especially at the front and rear bumpers and side lower valances. Look at the way the lower front bumber spoiler lip extends cleanly through the wheel well and tapers to end blending into the upward curve of the rear door opening. Look at the fact that the front fenders hump upwards and crease as they hit the flat front hood opening to define the traditional Aston grille opening.
Yet the overall lines of the car and its massing remind one of imaginary new Pininfarina designs they can no longer seem to produce. Even the Modena, which is there best design in many years, loses in comparison and the newer 456 replacement and four door aren't worth discussing in the same breath. While it is easy to see the resemblance between the 993 Porsche, which Bez worked on, and the V8, the Zagato influence is also there more inconspicuously. But, it manages to remain an Aston and very British at the same time.
As if that was not enough, the interior is truely bespoke and uses quality materials everywhere. The recognition of the need for the interior to exude a jewel-like, Breitling-watch-like quality on the instructments and switch gear, plus the use of full, traditional british leather inside make it something you know will always be beautiful and that will achieve a patina with age that only comes from the gross rejection of plastic and plastic like parts.
(Sit in an Aston V8 or DB9, play with the steering wheels, adjust the Linn stereo knobs, raise and lower the windows, then hop into a new Porsche and repeat the process. Assuming nothing falls off, and that your nostrils don't curl at the plastic smell, the overall cheapness of the interior will be a glaring fact that will prevent you from buying it on grounds other than pure performance. Do the same on any new BMW and, while the materials are better than the Porsche, the iDrive alone will put you off and make you long for a damn stereo control knob to twirl.)
And, speaking of performance, the basic car should perform at least as well as a stock Porsche 911, while rumored performance Vantage variants should perform as well as Porsche GT3/TT variants.
I think this (or "these two") new Astons are the best of the best for years to come.
Gordon
Then came the 70's best-forgotten era of inane bumpers and low horsepower and tacky plastic. Not much of real interest except hang-over/hold-over stuff. The Lambo Countach stood out (in original P400 Periscopo form), but there really wasn't a lot for a long time. Ferrari still had the Daytona, Dino, later the 308's and BB. But, there wasn't that much else of interest.
Now we have a lot of cars to choose from in what is arguably a reachable exotic class from $75,000-125,000, including the Porsche GT3 and TT, the -- used BMW Z8 --, the Ferrari Modena, Jaguar XK8R, Maserati V8, and many others. They all do 0-60 in the 5-ish range and 0-100 in the 10-ish range. And there are many that look beautiful. Unfortunately, the Porsche got bloated and lost its distinctive and beautiful looks -- though they are getting back to it with the 997.
Then, along comes Fisker with the V8 Vantage and DB9 and they leave all but the Ferrari Modena way, way back there. Sure, the Porsche's, especially the GT3, still perform remarkably and are a joy to drive and I'll be keeping my 94 3.6 Turbo, thank you. But, I need one of these new Astons to cruise into my 60's (like, right now, in 4 years). I loved the V8 the moment I saw it. Everyone has said its gorgeous and muscular, though some nimrods complain about the headlight openings, which are entirely unecessary functionally, since the best new headlights only require about a 2 inch hole in a panel... Fortunately, these latter haven't gummed up the ordering by staying clear of it all.
But, what clarity of line. Fisker said in an interview that he was very conscious of shut-lines in the design process and so there are only the minimal required to construct the body parts and join them. To appreciate this, just look at any other car and see how many shut-lines there are, especially at the front and rear bumpers and side lower valances. Look at the way the lower front bumber spoiler lip extends cleanly through the wheel well and tapers to end blending into the upward curve of the rear door opening. Look at the fact that the front fenders hump upwards and crease as they hit the flat front hood opening to define the traditional Aston grille opening.
Yet the overall lines of the car and its massing remind one of imaginary new Pininfarina designs they can no longer seem to produce. Even the Modena, which is there best design in many years, loses in comparison and the newer 456 replacement and four door aren't worth discussing in the same breath. While it is easy to see the resemblance between the 993 Porsche, which Bez worked on, and the V8, the Zagato influence is also there more inconspicuously. But, it manages to remain an Aston and very British at the same time.
As if that was not enough, the interior is truely bespoke and uses quality materials everywhere. The recognition of the need for the interior to exude a jewel-like, Breitling-watch-like quality on the instructments and switch gear, plus the use of full, traditional british leather inside make it something you know will always be beautiful and that will achieve a patina with age that only comes from the gross rejection of plastic and plastic like parts.
(Sit in an Aston V8 or DB9, play with the steering wheels, adjust the Linn stereo knobs, raise and lower the windows, then hop into a new Porsche and repeat the process. Assuming nothing falls off, and that your nostrils don't curl at the plastic smell, the overall cheapness of the interior will be a glaring fact that will prevent you from buying it on grounds other than pure performance. Do the same on any new BMW and, while the materials are better than the Porsche, the iDrive alone will put you off and make you long for a damn stereo control knob to twirl.)
And, speaking of performance, the basic car should perform at least as well as a stock Porsche 911, while rumored performance Vantage variants should perform as well as Porsche GT3/TT variants.
I think this (or "these two") new Astons are the best of the best for years to come.
Gordon
Aston aren't officially taking orders for the AMV8 yet as far as I know however they would say that wouldn't they LOL
gmonsen - The AMV8 is based on an awesome handling platform derived from testing a highly modified Radical kit car, test drivers have made comments such as "the only car that handles better is a rally car" and it's already been lapping the Nürburgring a lot faster than it's equivelent Porsche so you might want to get a for sale sign up in yours LOL. Will also be built to 6-Sigma standards.
gmonsen - The AMV8 is based on an awesome handling platform derived from testing a highly modified Radical kit car, test drivers have made comments such as "the only car that handles better is a rally car" and it's already been lapping the Nürburgring a lot faster than it's equivelent Porsche so you might want to get a for sale sign up in yours LOL. Will also be built to 6-Sigma standards.
Investigated a bit today...
Am told that most dealers have similar numbers of "letters of intent", around the 350 mark.
Was told that they would expect half or so of these to materialise into actual orders. Which I thought was very high, but the source seemed very genuine.
Letter of intent in now would probably mean a car in 2007.
Expect 90%+ of exterior and 70%+ of interior to remain as per the concept.
And then I saw an Antrim Blue Vanquish...lottery ticket tomorrow I think. I've seen a couple of these but this one was the business. Lovely looking car. Didn't like the interior 100% (too many obvious bits from other Fords that aren't well disguised), but what a car..
Am told that most dealers have similar numbers of "letters of intent", around the 350 mark.
Was told that they would expect half or so of these to materialise into actual orders. Which I thought was very high, but the source seemed very genuine.
Letter of intent in now would probably mean a car in 2007.
Expect 90%+ of exterior and 70%+ of interior to remain as per the concept.
And then I saw an Antrim Blue Vanquish...lottery ticket tomorrow I think. I've seen a couple of these but this one was the business. Lovely looking car. Didn't like the interior 100% (too many obvious bits from other Fords that aren't well disguised), but what a car..
.. I have a letter of intent in with Aston now (via a dealer). Seems this gets us on Astons radar and whether you have sent a letter of intent a year or a day ago makes no difference (this is the official line anyway). Once Aston release the car the stampede will start to get a deposit down quickly. This is what dictates where you will sit in the queue...
apex said:
.. I have a letter of intent in with Aston now (via a dealer). Seems this gets us on Astons radar and whether you have sent a letter of intent a year or a day ago makes no difference (this is the official line anyway). Once Aston release the car the stampede will start to get a deposit down quickly. This is what dictates where you will sit in the queue...
My local Aston Martin dealer have had my letter of intent for 16 months now and I am one of the first 20 at this particular dealership. I have been told that the dates on the letter of intent will determine who gets the chance to place a deposit first??
Mike
No way!
Guess I'm going to have to pay a premium to a speculator once my six numbers come up. Hope someone's already ordered one in my spec then - titanium with a black interior please
Let's hope Aston don't get tempted to ramp up production too much. That's part of their unique appeal to me, the fact that you hardly see that many around and about.
Any idea when the production model is due to be launched? I know it's due in '05, but wondered what show it'll debut at. (I'm guessing Geneva).
Guess I'm going to have to pay a premium to a speculator once my six numbers come up. Hope someone's already ordered one in my spec then - titanium with a black interior please
Let's hope Aston don't get tempted to ramp up production too much. That's part of their unique appeal to me, the fact that you hardly see that many around and about.
Any idea when the production model is due to be launched? I know it's due in '05, but wondered what show it'll debut at. (I'm guessing Geneva).
Twin Turbo said:
No way!
Any idea when the production model is due to be launched? I know it's due in '05, but wondered what show it'll debut at. (I'm guessing Geneva).
They have to launch the AMV8 before Spring 2005. After that the EU (those muppets) are about to change the law on front bumper crumple zones, and Aston's don't wish to re-design the AMV8.
>> Edited by shadytree on Friday 30th April 12:36
Twin Turbo said:
No way!
Any idea when the production model is due to be launched? I know it's due in '05, but wondered what show it'll debut at. (I'm guessing Geneva).
As shadytree said its planned for Spring 2005 because of the EU legislation, but no plans for a motor show launch as yet. I did ask this morning about whether the car might be at this years British Motor show and he said he doesnt think so.
Regards
Mike
Twin Turbo said:
That's a shame.....guess I'll just have to make do with the DB9 at the NEC later this month
I am off to see the new DB9 this thursday evening at the official launch, I am looking forward to it, just hope it doesnt have me wanting a DB9 instead of the AMV8??? Although I am sure I could sell my slot if needed!! Looking forward to it as it looks a beautiful car!
Mike
Lucky man. Where's the launch? Is it at Gaydon?
As for v8 Vantage v DB9.......as long as they keep the detailing (front lights/swage line etc) I think the v8 is even better looking than the 9. Still, that V12 will take some beating, so I hope they make a good job of the new 8 cylinder jobbie
As for v8 Vantage v DB9.......as long as they keep the detailing (front lights/swage line etc) I think the v8 is even better looking than the 9. Still, that V12 will take some beating, so I hope they make a good job of the new 8 cylinder jobbie
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff