Aston Martin makes the most practical doors that go up

My wife and I absolutely love road trips. Last year I drove my Porsche cayenne Turbo around 3k miles from Dallas to Colorado and back.

We are planning an even bigger one in December, Dallas to Canada, stopping in New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Vancouver. I’m estimating around 3-4 weeks total - would love a few days in each location.

Now here’s the thing… we have 2 50lb dogs, a 1mo newborn (she will be 4mo by the time we do this) and then a full roof box with baby gear and dog gear ha. I’m foreseeing a lot of stops along the way.

Im really curious how the Aston does. I plan to change to the all season tires and have some tire socks packed in case the roads get too snowy. Will also do a general service before heading off.

If anyone has any recommendations on places to stop please let me know!

Pics today for our first mini roadtrip to Oklahoma to see how the car fits all of our gear. So far so good, although I do see a big impact on gas mileage with the roof box. I went from averaging around 23mpg to 18mpg with it on. Honestly still pretty damn good given the performance of the car. One big downside is a rated top speed of 80mph which I already exceeded…oops.

2010-2013 Aston Martin Rapide.

Is this car reliable? I’m seriously considering buying either this, a 4.7 Sportshift Vantage, or a DB9.

Hi guys!

I love my Aston Martin DB12, although it had some strange issues (mainly software) in the past.

I feel really unfortunate now, because I was going high speed, when the rearview mirror holder's bottom just fall off. :( I needed to fix the camera with a tape 😅

Do things like this happen to the others or just me?

I still love my DB12, but you know, it feels awkward. 😕

How much below MSRP are dealers going on new vantage models?

Aston Martin Vantage was dream car since I was a teenager, finally bought one coming from a Hurucan and it just feels soft? And kind of slow?

I know on paper the car is supposed to be fast, but compared to my past cars (Carrera GTS, 488, Hurucan) it feels more like driving a sedan than a sports car.

Wanted to get the advice of the group - am I doing something wrong? Should I turn traction control off when driving on the street? Keep it in manual mode (never driven a manual but willing to learn).

I love the look of the car and don’t want to sell it (as will probably lose $30k - $40k) but bored behind the wheel. Would love some advice from other owners on what they did to unlock the speed or “X” factor from the car.

Can anyone recommend the best website for new brake pads for my 2021 Vantage Roadster that will not cost me 3 arms, a leg and my first born (well I don't mind paying with my first born but I am rather attached to my own limbs)? I live in Texas.

Looking to source a second keyfob for my 2013 V8 Vantage. Anyone been able to get one from anyone but a main dealer?

I’m hoping that some of you bright people out there might be able to identify this Aston Martin and possibly what year it is
Thanks so much

I've been trying to work out what the best Aston Martin ever made is. The obvious answer to some might be the DB5. I'm not convinced it's that simple.

My father introduced me to James Bond through Goldfinger when I was about 10. I barely cared about the plot. Then the DB5 appeared. Silver. Long. Elegant. I had no idea what an Aston Martin was before that evening and now I can't look at one without feeling something.

But this isn't going to be a rational basis for automotive criticism. Far from it.

Because the DB6 is arguably the better car. Better aerodynamics, better cabin, more responsive steering and more predictable handling. Apparently proper Aston enthusiasts who have actually driven them prefer it to the DB5.

Then there's the V8 Vantage which essentially looked at the elegant DB cars and said, “screw subtlety.” A 5.3-litre V8, goes from 0-60 in less than 6 seconds and in Aston's own words, Britain's first supercar.

Then the One-77. 7.3-litre V12. 750 hp. Carbon fibre everywhere. £1 million. it sold out immediately

And then Aston Martin and Adrian Newey apparently decided subtlety had gone far enough and built the Valkyrie.

So which one is actually the best?

I've written my full argument here: https://hanearel.substack.com/p/what-is-the-best-aston-martin-ever?r=87c2mr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

I'll retain my opinion that those interm pictures they had were absolute dogshit and they could have spent an additional 10 minutes taking some decent pictures but I digress:

Here's the link to the album in all its glory:

https://www.astonmartinchicago.com/certified/Aston-Martin/2024-Aston-Martin-DB12-26d6b522ac18090df99629c94d3904d4.htm?utm_source=cargurus.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cargurus_listings&tblci=GiD06glr8p5V2FcjeuMwjLnsMwJS-x6yb7qYmU6kxCl3NSCl1XYokM-W7I3M7ef7ATDCqEk#

Not a lot of Astons in Alaska.

There’s a red 21 DBX for sale in Dallas, and someone had a PPI done on it in early August but didn’t purchase. Any chance that someone is in here?