I got the opportunity to buy a mint Aston Martin Virage last week so now have two black coupes! It is covered from nose to tail with paint protection film so is in amazing condition.

They are very different to drive and it is interesting to compare them side by side. On paper the Virage is slightly quicker than a standard 5 litre XKR but mine leaves it for dead with the mods I have done to it.

The first thing I did was pull fuse 22 which controls the exhaust valves so I can now hear the V12 symphony all of the time.

 

Congratulations. Use it well and in good health!!

 

I’m curious to hear long term maintenance and experiences with the Aston. Hopefully you’ll be willing and able to share more as you’ve had them longer!

Have a blast!

 

Nice! Always been a fan of those tail lights.

 

That Aston is sweet! Congrats on that find. Please do post your experiences with her.

 

Nice... you done well!

 

Very nice, congrats!
What year?

 

You are so wrong; yes you can!
I have a wife of 42 yrs who still drives her XK8 Conv. at 92 and I have a 2007 XK Coupe. Who can beat that combination!!!

Love your Aston Martin too; enjoy.

Cheers and Happy New Year, Adrian

 

Absolutely stunning but how do you decide which one to drive? I think I would stand still for an hour every morning trying to decide.

 

Congratulations on your new purchase! It's a beautiful car even if I actually prefer the XKR. I like the headlights and many aspects of the interior as well as the sound of the exhaust of the Aston, while I like the exterior shape of the XKR a bit more. And I've never cared for the way Aston exits their exhaust tips at the rear of any of their models, it seems an afterthought. Like yours, my car has been modified with a pulley and tune, and I think even with the V12, your XKR will provide more performance. Nevertheless, it's an exceptional car and I hope you enjoy it for years to come. Tough decision going out to the garage every day.

 

The pictures are stunning, love it! Congrats.

 

Aston is such as nice car. I would get one if I had extra room in my garage and a trusted shop nearby. I am not ready to give up up my Jag just yet.
Congrats!

 

Thanks! 2011.They only made them for the 2011 and 2012 model years and just over 1000 were built. The 2013 DB9 then took on most of the design and other improvements.

They were priced half way between the DB9 and DBS (the engine power is half way between as well) but had most of the bits and pieces from the DBS, e.g. the carbon ceramic brakes. The ride is less harsh so it is a great compromise between the two models.

I am still in the honeymoon phase so the Aston of course! The XKR is also now 'her' car so I will have to ask to borrow it. If it means we get to keep it then I will toe the line.

If I go for a long, fast run with the car and coffee guys the XKR would probably be my first choice as there isn't much it won't keep up with and I would be less bothered about putting the miles on it. Time will tell though.

For sheer feel good value and the insane V12 soundtrack, the Aston wins! I glanced in the rear view mirror a couple of days ago and spotted that the guy in the car behind me had his phone out videoing me. I am used to getting compliments in the Jag but nothing like that.

Thanks. The Aston is deceptively quick but the punch from the supercharger in the XKR takes it to the next level. The Aston feels a lot more planted and leans less in the corners but the XKR is a much quicker car and easier to drive fast. That may just be because I am used to it though.

I had the pleasure of driving a DBS Superleggera a couple of weeks ago (715bhp/900Nm) and that was even wilder, almost too much power.

 

Same here, I looked at getting a Vantage before I bought my current XK but read that they were always getting problems, nothing serious just niggling little things that spoilt the enjoyment.

 

The more you drive the Aston, the more you'll appreciate and understand where the extra money goes in buying one. They XKR and Virage will become further apart beyond looks as the miles count. Either one and you're already winning.

Go for the remote valve control instead of removing the fuse. https://www.cccharger.co.uk/

 

My Aston's have been as solid as any Jaguar I owned. Obviously parts cost more on an annual service, but that's true for any car at a similar price point.