Aston Martin DBS first impressions

I love the looks and performance of the DBS.
It is definitely on my short list!!

I am currently waiting for the depreciation curve to catch-up with my budget
Hard to find a 2+2, but they are all coming down.

I think it will be as revered as the Vanquish, though IMHO prettier and more refined with far better performance and reliability to satisfy my practical perspective.

 

DBS sounds like a great GT--never driven one though, I have drive the DB9, Vanquish S and DB7 GT, the Vanquish was my fav, it just feels special. I've read a couple reviews on the DB9 with sport pack that are very favorable, (about the same money as a Vanquish too right now).

 

How'd you like the DB7? Unfortunately, it's about all my budget would allow for at the moment.

 

The DB7 is a classy Gran Turismo, not a sports car in any range. I like it, especially the latest models. The DB7 is a reliable car (much more than the XK from that era).

My dream car a few years ago was the Vanquish - I fulfilled the dream and was kind of disappointed. Not a daily driver because of its shi**y gearbox (wasn't a "S") and a very sensitive clutch which is also very expensive.

For me Vanquish is the most british Aston when it comes to the looks. The DB9 is very italian I think.
Had a 2006 DB9 Coupé for a few month and got a 2005 Volante on friday - the DB9 is a great daily driver and a stunning beauty at all.
I only hate the Ford key (with the Volvo remote), but that doesn't make a bad car.

If you want a reliable daily driver, look for a late DB7 or a DB9. If you want a british beast, take the Vanquish (better a "S"!).

The DBS is nice, but, tbh, not worth the price tag for me. I think it's less elegant as a stock DB9, too.

 

Whaaat?!? I have to throw the flag down on this one and defend the car now that I have driven one for more than a day.

I recently added a 2004 Vanq w/SDP to my rolling stock and now with 1200+ mi driven on a long trip and around town I think the Top Gear Clarkson critique and online parroting criticisms of the gearbox are all way over blown and slightly erroneous (you can down shift just fine). I haven't even done the upgrades (magnetic sensors or software) that can smooth out the slight lag issues, which overall I would say are not that bad. Does anyone have the same extreme criticsm of the Maserati and 360 paddles? - they should, they feel about the same to me, although the lag is slightly more pronounced in Vanq IMO. If anyone bashes a Vanq gearbox they need to say the same for the Maser Qporte and some of the other paddle cars, which they oddly haven't. Honestly all 3 feel are similar when driving in city/town traffic. If you're in Astons ASM (automatic - not paddle) mode it's definitely not a fun car to drive with the shift lag feel magnified to an annoying level, but in full manual paddle mode it's just fine and actually feels like the Maser or a 360 in town (slightly more noticeable lag) - on the open road all feel about same.

I also have not fully verified, but I believe the clutch costs about the same for all 3 cars

 

How does the current V8 Vantage (S or non) fit into this preference scale?

 

I don´t give anything on Mr. Clarksons comments, because for me he´s just an entertainer. It wasn´t about the way of shifting, but I´ve had much trouble with the gearbox. It didn´t shift up or down, was stuck in neutral.

But you are right, Clarksons critique was way too much and not fair. If you are not totally stupid the Vanq is easy to shift (well, if it wants to).

I also tested the QP in 2005 for the first time - that gearbox made me buy a Porsche instead of the Maserati.

Now I have a new QP and it´s quite better, far away from perfect, but it´s okay, because it underlines the sporty character of the QP and it´s wanted by Maserati.

 

I just sold my DB7 on Saturday. Is is a Vantage Volante V12. It's a 2001 with 76000+ miles and most of them were trouble free. I put a new top with headliner, new fuel pumps, new coil packs etc. It is a good car and will be at the right money. I don't know what the asking price will be but it's a good one. I sold it to Hayes Harris at wirewheel.com. If you're interested.

 

I just took a look at the DB7 - very clean car, nice colors. The price is very very fair, I think. Living in Europe, you have to pay at least 50 grand for a similar one.