When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I let my daughters 22 year old boyfriend drive my Aston Martin Virage and Jaguar XKR back to back. He thought the Aston was nice and luxurious but didn't want to give the keys to the Jag back!
It takes some time to build to appreciating an Aston Martin. They're not generally a younger man's car. They'll want a Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren...
"Aston Martin owners prefer to have their brand names on the inside of the garment; not the outside", paraphrasing a previous AM CEO describing an Aston Martin customer.
I think he was just intoxicated with how much power my XKR has and how easy it is to use it.
I took the Virage on a cross country 1,500 km road trip recently with 4 other cars, most of which was done at indecent speeds, and I was really impressed with how well it performed and handled.
That seems to be its more natural habitat as the suspension is stiffer than the Jags so is not so pleasant to drive around town.
I think he was just intoxicated with how much power my XKR has and how easy it is to use it.
I took the Virage on a cross country 1,500 km road trip recently with 4 other cars, most of which was done at indecent speeds, and I was really impressed with how well it performed and handled.
That seems to be its more natural habitat as the suspension is stiffer than the Jags so is not so pleasant to drive around town.
Yes, and the sound is stunning! It doesn't seem to distort regardless of the volume setting and has a huge thumping bass.
The motorised tweeters that pop out of the dash are pretty cool too.
B&O is a must have option for me on an Aston. My Vantage had the mid tier sound system. Sounded fine enough, but no drama of the speakers rising in the dash.
Looks gorgeous!I say an Aston Martin DB9,DB11,DBS is the only predecessor to an XK after the last Gen for sharing a similar look and performance of these
Well, a year and a half later, with much soul searching, this car is now sitting in our garage.
We have named him "Marty".
One factor that gave me pause when considering an Aston was the "limited use of wood," but I must say, yours boasts an abundance of it and looks absolutely stunning! Congratulations, you have yourself a truly magnificent machine!
One factor that gave me pause when considering an Aston was the "limited use of wood," but I must say, yours boasts an abundance of it and looks absolutely stunning! Congratulations, you have yourself a truly magnificent machine!
My XK is black on black, and I was really wanting to do something different. Saw this car and loved the interior. The wood really offsets all the black and makes it look very cozy. The "gold" stitching is beautiful too.
I considered one a few years ago, but if I remember correctly, the V12 was not an option on the convertibles so I passed.
This is true. There are no DB11 V12 convertibles. The MB AMG V8 is probably a fine engine, but I did not want to compromise. My XK is not an XKR and I've always somewhat regretted not splurging. This time I was not going to regret my engine choice.
Personally, I'd have a hard time getting an AM in any colour other than 'James Bond silver'*, but that black looks amazing, especially the contrast with the wood trim inside.
*I'd like to think that I'm not being serious, but...
btw - after reading the initial posts you made on this topic, I'm glad you decided to 'go nuts' rather than take the safe option.
Last edited by rowlands; Sep 22, 2023 at 03:12 PM.
Personally, I'd have a hard time getting an AM in any colour other than 'James Bond silver'*, but that black looks amazing, especially the contrast with the wood trim inside.
*I'd like to think that I'm not being serious, but...
btw - after reading the initial posts you made on this topic, I'm glad you decided to 'go nuts' rather than take the safe option.
You certainly aren't the only one. Seems like fully half of the Aston Martins on the market are silver.
The only Aston Martin I was ever truly in love with was the 'Oscar India' DBS Vantage. Ideally, a 'Prince Of Wales' spec Vantage Virage in Balmoral Green of course.
I nearly bought a OI Vantage once. It was red, manual (of course) and wonderful. My test drive left me open-mouthed, and I remember that the dealer was including a "mandatory" track lesson with the car. I'd have needed it. It looked like this (although this one is actually the 'prototype' for the series 2 version that I was was looking at).
It was the early '90s and my financial director talked me out of buying it on the basis that classic car values were about to crash.
This is true. There are no DB11 V12 convertibles. The MB AMG V8 is probably a fine engine, but I did not want to compromise. My XK is not an XKR and I've always somewhat regretted not splurging. This time I was not going to regret my engine choice.
DBS is V12 and comes in a convertible. I am test driving the DB12 next week!
What did you think? I tried one on Wednesday and was pretty impressed. Not quite as accomplished or special as the DBS but I wouldn't be too upset to own one!
Pics of it next to my car:
I still haven't warmed to the front end of the Vantage. The lights are quite similar to the last iteration of the F Type and there is something not quite right about them.
I still haven't warmed to the front end of the Vantage. The lights are quite similar to the last iteration of the F Type and there is something not quite right about them.
It's because they're like the rest of the car: godawful.
