My Rant

[rick-derby-]

there is so much talk about what is wrong with Aston Martin currently the dislike of the cygnet although the need for Aston to succeed dictates this course of action , as for the lagonda 4x4 well I should not start swearing, this aside

The Vanquish an absolutely stunning design of a muscle car timeless and special
The DB7 the car that paved the way for the modern Aston It saved the marque and gave us the shape of things to come
The V8 Vantage named by many as the baby Aston which really annoys me, this car can be anything you want a great track car, a garage queen or a daily driver, perfectly balanced, yes you have to rev it to get the performance but what a car my personal favourite,
The DB9 the ultimate GT for long distance cruising, if you really need four seats then the rapide should be your choice. a well set up manual DB9 is an amazing drive
The V12 Vantage, animal springs to mind and the one that I feel gives the best adrenalin rush, this car I feel not so much protected but if I get it wrong it will not be forgiving, so easy to over do it,

So have Aston got it right I think so, if you want aggressive lines and a sheer masculine stance the Vanquish ticks all the boxes, If you want a Gt looks great and performs brilliantly the DB9 will be the car, if you want this style performance and have to fit in the family choose the rapide, if you want something that fits in the middle great day to day, fun when you want it and handles great on the track the V8 Vantage is fantastic both the 4.3 and the 4.7 fit this criteria , Now for an adrenalin rush the V12 vantage is the choice this car will test any driver love it,

If I ever would consider a tattoo Power Beauty Soul would be the one, it does signify what I deem special important and special,

there is a need for the cygnet for Aston to continue sad but true the 4x4 personally do not do it why it is not a sports car,

I love the brand love the cars and for the first time question the direction, I hope I am wrong

[jonamv8]

+1

[RichB]

As has been said call the Cygnet something else like a Tickford and I agree with everything else, so 8/10 from me as rants go

[clorenzen]

I think you all place too much emphasis on the Cygnet. It is just another small call, it happens to have the Aston badge but at the end of the day it is just a blip in the history of Astons. I think the general public will not give toss about it and it is only us Aston aficionados that get upset by it. I also think it will be a commercial non-event as nobody in their right mind will pay 35-40k for a mocked up Toyota anyway. So at the end of the day - should we care ? Probably not as it will blow over.

[michael gould]

Aston Martin is a niche manufacturer and to move forward it has to produce niche cars.......I have no problem with AM building a 4 x 4 and I really don't give a toss if they badge a Toyota with Aston wings on its bonnet.......provided they continue to produce cars like my DB9 and the V12V

On a bad note a MDF board fell on my DB9 last night in the winds and put a nice deep scatch on my front wing......thats far more important than rebadged Toyotas !!!

[clorenzen]

michael gould said:

Aston Martin is a niche manufacturer and to move forward it has to produce niche cars.......I have no problem with AM building a 4 x 4 and I really don't give a toss if they badge a Toyota with Aston wings on its bonnet.......provided they continue to produce cars like my DB9 and the V12V

On a bad note a MDF board fell on my DB9 last night in the winds and put a nice deep scatch on my front wing......thats far more important than rebadged Toyotas !!!

Sorry to hear that.

A re-spray will probably cost you as much as a Cygnet anyway

[Ocean53]

Clorenzen +1, if we stop mentioning it, I dont think any one will notice it

[blackice1]

Taking the words out of my mouth with that statement Rick.

My thoughts actually.

[Neil1300R]

michael gould said:

Aston Martin is a niche manufacturer and to move forward it has to produce niche cars.......I have no problem with AM building a 4 x 4 and I really don't give a toss if they badge a Toyota with Aston wings on its bonnet.......provided they continue to produce cars like my DB9 and the V12V

On a bad note a MDF board fell on my DB9 last night in the winds and put a nice deep scatch on my front wing......thats far more important than rebadged Toyotas !!!

Sorry to hear that, could have been worse.
The bicycle rack attached to the wall for the past 3 years could have decided to break and drop two mountain bikes on the bonnet!

Off to have another cry in the corner..

[Instones ghost]

couple of points,
I would rather put up with the Cygnet,and view it as a niche addition to the brand rather than condemning it and trying to explain to a customer why their latest Aston Martin is a 2.0l V6 diseasel,and anything that keeps the V8 and V12 in production is good by me.


I personally believe that if it is marketed correctly it could sell well esp to wives and as a second car,As for the Lagonda 4x4 afaik the idea has been dropped in favour of a Rapide type car,it was reported in Auto Express not so long ago.The reason stated for the change of heart was down to public opinion -so they do listen.

[michael gould]

Neil1300R said:

michael gould said:

Aston Martin is a niche manufacturer and to move forward it has to produce niche cars.......I have no problem with AM building a 4 x 4 and I really don't give a toss if they badge a Toyota with Aston wings on its bonnet.......provided they continue to produce cars like my DB9 and the V12V

On a bad note a MDF board fell on my DB9 last night in the winds and put a nice deep scatch on my front wing......thats far more important than rebadged Toyotas !!!

Sorry to hear that, could have been worse.
The bicycle rack attached to the wall for the past 3 years could have decided to break and drop two mountain bikes on the bonnet!

Off to have another cry in the corner..

o fooook thats not good .....new bonnet ? lets both have a cry

[Guycord]

clorenzen said:

I think you all place too much emphasis on the Cygnet. It is just another small call, it happens to have the Aston badge but at the end of the day it is just a blip in the history of Astons. I think the general public will not give toss about it and it is only us Aston aficionados that get upset by it. I also think it will be a commercial non-event as nobody in their right mind will pay 35-40k for a mocked up Toyota anyway. So at the end of the day - should we care ? Probably not as it will blow over.

I agree.

There are many ways to look at this...even though we all like to poke a little fun at the Cygnet.

1. AM believe it must be done to achieve "the business plan" i.e. to "survive". At least they are trying to survive when previous AM administrations felt producing cars at twice the cost of sale "was the proper and decent thing to do".
2. We dont actually have to buy it do we? Vote with your wallets!
3. Those that do ...well they will be mocked by all and sundrie!
4. There are those of us who have "real Astons"...and that can be defined depending upon who you talk to as pre-war, 1960's. 70's, the big V8's, the Jag in a party frock DB7 or the current Gaydon bunch. We all have opinions on what a proper Aston is. I'm sure there are plenty of AMOC who think the last true Aston where the ones hand-built in NP!
5. We will all bh and decry the brand if Mercedes, VW, BMW, Nissan or who-ever bought AM's debt when it fails for the nth time. Remember the producers of the Ka have made AM essentially what it is today. Love it or loath it.


At the end of the day...w.r.t the cygnet, point 2 is all that matters. If you dont like it, dont buy it.

G

[Murph7355]

I think Rick started this thread to get away from the flawed arguments on the other one...

[RichB]

Instones ghost said:

As for the Lagonda 4x4 afaik the idea has been dropped in favour of a Rapide type car,it was reported in Auto Express not so long ago.The reason stated for the change of heart was down to public opinion -so they do listen.

Apparently not. This report from 29th Oct 2010 say Bez has had a change of heart and it will go ahead http://www.worldcarfans.com/110102929266/aston-mar...

I think where profit rules CEOs never listen

[RichB]

Murph7355 said:

I think Rick started this thread to get away from the flawed arguments on the other one...

I expect Rick had just had a nice day and wanted to share it with some happy clappers.

[Neil1300R]

So does that mean Rick doesn't like the DBS? No mention of it in his rant.
7/10 rating for the rant, not enough swearing for a proper rant
Don't mind the thought of the Lagonda 4x4 thing, its not an Aston and may help the company to grow into other sectors of the market. It is hideously ugly though, but then they all are - except the FF RR, and even thats now being 'blinged' up for growth markets

[Neil1300R]

michael gould said:

Neil1300R said:

michael gould said:

Aston Martin is a niche manufacturer and to move forward it has to produce niche cars.......I have no problem with AM building a 4 x 4 and I really don't give a toss if they badge a Toyota with Aston wings on its bonnet.......provided they continue to produce cars like my DB9 and the V12V

On a bad note a MDF board fell on my DB9 last night in the winds and put a nice deep scatch on my front wing......thats far more important than rebadged Toyotas !!!

Sorry to hear that, could have been worse.
The bicycle rack attached to the wall for the past 3 years could have decided to break and drop two mountain bikes on the bonnet!

Off to have another cry in the corner..

o fooook thats not good .....new bonnet ? lets both have a cry

May get away with it being repaired according to one Aston approved bodyshop, didn't dent near the normal creases in the bonnet. Getting over it now, thats what insurance is for.
How deep is the scratch - a complete wing respray job?

[RichB]

Neil1300R said:

Don't mind the thought of the Lagonda 4x4 thing, its not an Aston...

That just offends my eyes and it astonishes me how someone gets paid to draw such hideous crap. The fact that Lagondas were such stylish cars historically just adds to my dislike of the thing. That would be the case even if I didn't have an Aston.

[Murph7355]

RichB said:

That just offends my eyes and it astonishes me how someone gets paid to draw such hideous crap. The fact that Lagondas were such stylish cars historically just adds to my dislike of the thing. That would be the case even if I didn't have an Aston.

Shush time Heathen. You'll be burned at the stake for saying such things about the Aston firm in these parts

Agree though. It's an abomination. But will look good sat next to a Cygnet.

[RichB]

Murph7355 said:

RichB said:

That just offends my eyes and it astonishes me how someone gets paid to draw such hideous crap. The fact that Lagondas were such stylish cars historically just adds to my dislike of the thing. That would be the case even if I didn't have an Aston.

Shush time Heathen. You'll be burned at the stake for saying such things about the Aston firm in these parts Agree though. It's an abomination. But will look good sat next to a Cygnet.

The Cygnet I can almost understand being bland, after all no city cars look good, I guess the Smart is still the best in a cute sort of way but big luxury cars give so much scope that I can't believe how wrong it looks.