Considering departing the family for a while (Maser v Aston)
Discussion
Time to change up the garage... The DBS and the M6 are to go, and I need something interesting to use daily. Cars on the cards currently are a lightly used 08 DB9 or a new Maser GT S. This car really superseded my expectations on test drive and eradicated all my prejudices about Maser and the GT range... It is fantastic and has a truly great Ferrari engine which makes an epic noise that makes Fuse 22 seem tame. I do still love Aston though (have been through three so far)...
Thoughts..?
Thoughts..?
Edited by jus on Sunday 30th January 19:20
I know it might be blasphemy to some but I went through the process of testing Aston vs Maserati GTS (my two favourite brands) and ended up buying a Jag XKR.
I can send you a link to my analysis if you wish.
There's been plenty of discussion on PH regarding DB9/DBS vs XKR and people basically fall into 3 groups:
- believe XKR is clearly the better car in all respects and bought it
- believe XKR is the better car but bought Aston due to brand/image/more soul etc....
- believe Aston is clearly the better car in all respects and bought Aston
I can understand all viewpoints but it was the slow movement of some previously diehard Aston people I know buying XKR that got me interested and in the end I felt it was the better all round package , despite my attraction to Aston Martin.
My car is here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Cheers.
I can send you a link to my analysis if you wish.
There's been plenty of discussion on PH regarding DB9/DBS vs XKR and people basically fall into 3 groups:
- believe XKR is clearly the better car in all respects and bought it
- believe XKR is the better car but bought Aston due to brand/image/more soul etc....
- believe Aston is clearly the better car in all respects and bought Aston
I can understand all viewpoints but it was the slow movement of some previously diehard Aston people I know buying XKR that got me interested and in the end I felt it was the better all round package , despite my attraction to Aston Martin.
My car is here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Cheers.
Edited by bl5150 on Monday 31st January 03:46
I gave the XKR a try and it is sort-of in the running, but it doesn't seem like the dealer will be able to come to the party with as competitive a p/x offer on the M6 and DBS.
I was impressed by the XKRs value and how fully spec'd it is, and it's grunt. The black/speed pack editions look really good too. It's just not as much of a driver's car though, I found it to have less seat-of-the-pants feedback and more distant steering feel with a bit much power assistance, and the noise it makes can't really touch the Aston and the Maser. It's just not quite in the same league, it's more of an everyday car whereas the other two are proper exotics and you can just sort of feel it. Perhaps because of the compromises. The Jag's certainly has the most comfortable seats, the Maser by comparison is like sitting on wood.
I was also a bit let down here or there by the quality of some items in the XKR interior, such as the painted plastic surround and buttons around the LCD screen.
That said, it is probably the most sensible buy and the best priced offering out of the three. The trouble is I tend to buy more with my heart and less with my head!
But in this case, I think that simple economics are going to be preclude me from considering it anyways. Both Aston and Maser have got similar offers on the table which I don't think Jag can match...
Edit to add: That said.. they have a black/black speed/black edition on the way arriving in March... and if they somehow DO pull a good offer out of the rug, I'll simply have to consider it again more closely!
I was impressed by the XKRs value and how fully spec'd it is, and it's grunt. The black/speed pack editions look really good too. It's just not as much of a driver's car though, I found it to have less seat-of-the-pants feedback and more distant steering feel with a bit much power assistance, and the noise it makes can't really touch the Aston and the Maser. It's just not quite in the same league, it's more of an everyday car whereas the other two are proper exotics and you can just sort of feel it. Perhaps because of the compromises. The Jag's certainly has the most comfortable seats, the Maser by comparison is like sitting on wood.
I was also a bit let down here or there by the quality of some items in the XKR interior, such as the painted plastic surround and buttons around the LCD screen.
That said, it is probably the most sensible buy and the best priced offering out of the three. The trouble is I tend to buy more with my heart and less with my head!
But in this case, I think that simple economics are going to be preclude me from considering it anyways. Both Aston and Maser have got similar offers on the table which I don't think Jag can match...
Edit to add: That said.. they have a black/black speed/black edition on the way arriving in March... and if they somehow DO pull a good offer out of the rug, I'll simply have to consider it again more closely!
Edited by jus on Monday 31st January 08:33
Fair enough. I agree that the steering on the XKR is more GT than sports car for sure and that's a common complaint from those who want a sporty ride - doesn't bother me. Having said that it's only marginally slower than the DBS off the line and marginally faster in the mid range.
The Maser surely sounds faster than the lot but in reality it doesn't have the grunt of the XKR or DBS.
As far as the interior goes there are a couple of cheaper parts here and there in the XKR , but on the other hand it is MUCH more functional , better equipped and you're not getting the embarrassing sat nav in the Aston which is a shocker at that sort of price point.
Each car has its advantages for sure - I just find the XKR the best all rounder.
I sent you a msg - hopefully it gets to you.
Regards.
Best of luck.
The Maser surely sounds faster than the lot but in reality it doesn't have the grunt of the XKR or DBS.
As far as the interior goes there are a couple of cheaper parts here and there in the XKR , but on the other hand it is MUCH more functional , better equipped and you're not getting the embarrassing sat nav in the Aston which is a shocker at that sort of price point.
Each car has its advantages for sure - I just find the XKR the best all rounder.
I sent you a msg - hopefully it gets to you.
Regards.
Best of luck.
Edited by bl5150 on Monday 31st January 10:37
Jus,
I test drove the Maserati Granturismo S a while a ago and I was blown away. It is an epic machine and comes with one of the most beautiful cabins that I have ever been in. It sounds incredible and I found the gearbox to be pretty good and the blip on the downshift makes this car an absolute must.
Also, Maserati always have the nicest promotion ladies on their stand
edited: I have just looked on the Maserati website and the matte paint costs 15K extra!!! Still, looks awesome though
Chris
I test drove the Maserati Granturismo S a while a ago and I was blown away. It is an epic machine and comes with one of the most beautiful cabins that I have ever been in. It sounds incredible and I found the gearbox to be pretty good and the blip on the downshift makes this car an absolute must.
Also, Maserati always have the nicest promotion ladies on their stand
edited: I have just looked on the Maserati website and the matte paint costs 15K extra!!! Still, looks awesome though
Chris
Edited by toohuge on Monday 31st January 11:48
sjp63 said:
Jus
out of interest whats wrong with the DBS?
Nothing at all, it's the best Aston I've ever driven -- in my opinion, the best car they've yet made. Fantastic car. Just not suited to being used as a daily, it's a "fun car" only. I want to go from having two fast cars to one, which can be used as a daily.out of interest whats wrong with the DBS?
Also considering a 2009 Vantage 4.7 with Sportshift...
Edited by jus on Monday 31st January 15:11
Don't Do It !
If you are looking for a daily driver Maserati is not the place to be shopping.
4 Years ago the dealership that sold me my Aston lent me two 4200gt's over a period of 6 months whilst my Aston was having a million and one warranty issues. The first car had covered just 1800 miles when I got it and the second car only had 220 miles on it. Both cars had the paddle shift gearbox and I covered about 6000 miles in the two cars.
They were both good fun to use but everything fell of them, interior and exterior trim would just fly off. When the headlights were on if you washed the screen then the headlight washers would pop up if this happened when you were doing over 50 MPH then the washer covers would fly off and disappear over the roof. The first time this happened I telephoned the dealer that had loaned the car to explain and sort of apologise, he laughed it of and admitted that it happened all the time.
Great cars but not daily drivers.
If you are looking for a daily driver Maserati is not the place to be shopping.
4 Years ago the dealership that sold me my Aston lent me two 4200gt's over a period of 6 months whilst my Aston was having a million and one warranty issues. The first car had covered just 1800 miles when I got it and the second car only had 220 miles on it. Both cars had the paddle shift gearbox and I covered about 6000 miles in the two cars.
They were both good fun to use but everything fell of them, interior and exterior trim would just fly off. When the headlights were on if you washed the screen then the headlight washers would pop up if this happened when you were doing over 50 MPH then the washer covers would fly off and disappear over the roof. The first time this happened I telephoned the dealer that had loaned the car to explain and sort of apologise, he laughed it of and admitted that it happened all the time.
Great cars but not daily drivers.
DSLiverpool said:
To seal the deal for the XKR deduct 20% from list and then see whats value - I am seriously considering a factory build to my spec XKR speedpack over a used lightly DBS Volante and saving £50k
dont be daft Dave....you will drop so much money on the Jag it will make your nose and ears bleed......may i remind you how much money you lost on your last previously owned Aston MartinI had 2 4200's as daily drivers and they were fine and totally reliable. Both wore out clutches (paddle shift) within 12K miles but they were changed under warranty. I sort of like the GT but its a bit big and rather girly looking!
Im trying to decide between a DBS, Vanquish S or a Rapide as my next car - I guess the Rapide is the "safer" option and the Vanquish the riskiest.
Im trying to decide between a DBS, Vanquish S or a Rapide as my next car - I guess the Rapide is the "safer" option and the Vanquish the riskiest.
I like the Maser GT S a lot. And yes, it has a beautiful interior. But, that interior has FAR more plastic in it (as does the exterior, for that matter) than the Aston's does. It's also more of a GT (wonder where they got its name from...) than the DBS, and certainly more of a GT than a V8V -- which may be good or bad depending on what you're looking for. All in all, though, it's hard to go wrong with any of these choices.
michael gould said:
DSLiverpool said:
To seal the deal for the XKR deduct 20% from list and then see whats value - I am seriously considering a factory build to my spec XKR speedpack over a used lightly DBS Volante and saving £50k
dont be daft Dave....you will drop so much money on the Jag it will make your nose and ears bleed......may i remind you how much money you lost on your last previously owned Aston Martinmichael gould said:
DSLiverpool said:
Well Im struggling to get a DBS for £125k, I was lucky with the DB9 I think but I will have a long test drive in the XKR and a Grancabrio (lovely interior and noise) and decide in the next few months.
Dave there's loads for sale sub 100k on AutotraderGassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff