Comments:
My Garage Queen....maybe it's not meant to be.
I have always own 2 cars at the same time, 1 SUV and 1 other switching between coupe or sedan
In late 2013, I was fortunate enough to get the car of my dreams, a car that combines coupe and sedan beautifully, a car which had Ford Fusion copying the front and Tesla copying the whole theme. We'll skip that debate...it'll never end.
1+ years now....I only drive less than 1200 miles, because this Pacific NW area rains like 6 months in a year...a reason why it's call the "Evergreen State".
It is very tough to maintain a black car looking good and little specks of rain drop and splashes makes me feel uneasy...I'm those hand wash type of owner, never send my car to car wash stations, because I hate the swirls.
The sound of V12, 6.0 liter engine is just intoxicating, addicting, and a good wake up alarm for my neighbors every I started it up 
)
) It is not those straight line fast cars for 0-60, but it is very fun and agile to drive, although it is long at 197.6 in (>5 meters), >3 tons. The comfort and luxury level is unparalleled, with the finest selection of Bridge of Weir leather, heard it takes about 7-10 pieces of cow hides (sorry my moo friends...). If it looks like metal, it is real metal, and cup holders are leather wrapped as well.
The 15 speaker, 1000 Watts Bang and Olufsen sound system is just awesome. The crystal key (ECU) is such a nice touch.
This car is not about racing, its Power, Beauty and Soul...not much high tech gadgets, just pure driving pleasure, with luxury touches.
Sitting in the garage most of the time, and depreciating like crazy without using, that drives my wife really mad....but she sometime comment, "I'll rather you buy watches than cars ...." ) looks like a win-win for me???
) looks like a win-win for me??? So between a very satisfying car to drive but to burn ~$3K USD per month without driving much. If you are born with a silver spoon or already successful business magnates like some forum members, sure you don't mind this is just a weekend car.
But, if you are a white-collar executive like me, will you keep this car?
We'll see how it goes but I can tell you, this is really what James Bond will drive when he is married with kids.
Thanks for reading.
Rgds
Raymond
Awesome car for sure
You always have to do a double take to actually realize is is a four door sedan.
As for the cost vs the pleasure well only you can be the real judge. The car is meant to be driven. Don't worry it wont depreciate any faster driving it. On the contrary driving every weekend will keep the car healthy.
Enjoy that beauty.
Bill
PS you may have to spend a even a little more and get a matching JLC watch.
As for the cost vs the pleasure well only you can be the real judge. The car is meant to be driven. Don't worry it wont depreciate any faster driving it. On the contrary driving every weekend will keep the car healthy.
Enjoy that beauty.
Bill
PS you may have to spend a even a little more and get a matching JLC watch.
Bill, the JLC transponder will really make you look like 007...
I'm glad the new JLC transponder model is made for every Aston, not just for DBS initially, but will be stuck with this car if I buy this watch...
The nearest dealership is 200 miles away, so that makes the servicing or repair really difficult, unlike California. This is one other reason why I'm hesitating now.
I remember or read in some earlier posts you have the DB9, which is awesome looking car my Rapide was based, you must like it so much to pair with the watch.
Happy for you. Hopefully some day we'll do the On Ice...
Rgds
Raymond
You got me ...
The watch matches the DB9.
You are in another realm with magical crystal keys. Us earthing can't match you.
I was hoping Nico would chime in and get yo on the right track.
Right track to be corrupted and have to hunt out the JLC to match your car.
And you thought you would get away with a little sap on the wrist for indulging in auto bliss.... No now you will have the extra expense of the matching watch.
I hope your wife is not aware of this secret site or all is lost.....
LOL
Bill
Just turn the power off and save yourself.
You are in another realm with magical crystal keys. Us earthing can't match you.
I was hoping Nico would chime in and get yo on the right track.
Right track to be corrupted and have to hunt out the JLC to match your car.
And you thought you would get away with a little sap on the wrist for indulging in auto bliss.... No now you will have the extra expense of the matching watch.
I hope your wife is not aware of this secret site or all is lost.....
LOL
Bill
Just turn the power off and save yourself.
I'm a down to earth kinda guy, you're too humble, Bill...
in fact, one of my legs is already buried in earth, haha...Yes, I'm always watching my back when I'm on this forum....)
)I love the JLC AMVOXs...hmm...maybe with the watch, my wife will have no choice but to agree not take more losses.
Thanks for the idea, see if I can poison her with the Rendezvous first.
Rgds
Raymond
Us Aston guys are always low key
James Bond all the way.
Best
Bill
PS I promise not to bore you with my JB accessories --- OK Daniel Craig - stuff
Best
Bill
PS I promise not to bore you with my JB accessories --- OK Daniel Craig - stuff
WOW!!!
that is a beautiful car. glad that there is another person here that washes their cars by hand!!
whether a Ford or a Porsche or Ferrari, i will always wash by hand. brings back fond memories with my dad when we would wash cars on a Saturday morning.
Yes, seeing and washing car with dad is a great experience...
That is a touching moment for you, hope I don't trickle tears.
Rgds
Raymond
Superb! Really superb. I prefer with two doors config, but hey, that is an AM! [nt]
No message body
Thanks Nico, it's really living up to "The most beautiful 4 door sports car" Title.
No message body This message has been edited by Raymond_S on 2015-01-25 22:24:50
What do you think about the Panamera?
I can forget about the 918 
( to match with my other SUV.
( to match with my other SUV.Rgds
Raymond
Not a bad car, but the AM is closer to a coupé, which is important for me. [nt]
No message body
Cool car Raymond!
IMO the Panamera is great but the visibility of the rear window is small due to the sloping angle of the rear. It drives really nice especially for such a big car. One thing about servicing is that for the filter change it's in the front bumper, you need to remove which is a PITA. Will post pics when I do it.
Happy driving my friend!
-MW
Thanks for the info MW, I test driven the Panamera...
before and I do like it as well...with all the nice safety features from Porsche like LCA, reverse camera and LDW, I may not need to look back much )
I'm surprised, respect that you are capable and skillful to do oil change for the Panamera, will look forward to your post.
Thanks my friend.
Rgds
Raymond
Easy Peasy...
Oil changes , serpentine belts, Brake bleeds, and brake pad replacement, are easy. Doing these type of maintenance is really no different on any car. Rhino ramps and jack stands are your friends! LOL! tip: Get a giant oil pan, these P-cars use a lot of Mobil 1!
What's difficult are things like the AOS where you need special tools ( I don't mind buying quality tools but something like that squeeze clamp thingy for the clip is way too expensive to only be used once or twice). I can just cut it but don't want to be hack on this type of car. On the Boxster/Cayman getting to the engine bay is tough due to the mid engine design. Spark plugs are accessed at the wheel well so it's a funky angle to get to it. Biggest issue is usually properly disposing the oil and brake fluid, plus it can get messy and dirty. I like wrenching so to me its a good learning experience and fun.
How do you like your Cayenne? Drives great doesn't it?
-MW
The new Cayennes drives great, and much refined...
than previous model. I had the Cayenne Turbo with 21" rims and was rougher, higher road noise.
Therefore, I traded in for the new S model and I like the new interior as well as the drive train before they changed into a V6 for 2015.
Rgds
Raymond
Just sold my AM
only put 600 miles on the car last year.
Had it for 3 years, only drove 2200 miles total.
Just felt like I need a car that I can feel comfortable everywhere.
Bought a Cayman GTS. The best handling car I've ever driven.
I share your sentiments...the AM does attracts a lot of attention...
and you just cannot park anywhere without worrying.
Thanks for sharing your story, Sten.
This message has been edited by Raymond_S on 2015-01-26 06:59:47
Rgds
Raymond
We recently got a Cayenne GTS too and it drives awesome
Everytime I drive it, I'm always amazed at how smooth and fast it drives. It really drives like a sedan instead of a SUV imo!
- AT
Nice Kestrel interior.
I haven't spent a lot of time listening to the audio system in that car...
But if it's amazing, I want to hear it.
I don't spend a lot of time listening to music. The only time I do is in the car (when I'm not listening to the news on the radio).
A fantastic audio system makes long journeys all the more pleasurable. And I really look forward to listening the audio system in my BMW sedan. I have another similarly sized sedan from Mercedes-Benz, but the audio system isn't quite as good, and there's no car phone, but it's really really fast. So that's kind of my weekend car.
Is that a BMW rubber floormat in that interior photo?
I've always found Aston Martins to be the most beautiful cars on the road. Not necessarily the most interesting to drive, but soul stirring with its enormous beauty. If you like beautiful things and can afford them, then keep it. But at such a great expense, I'd get out of it if I didn't enjoy it (or I'd never have gotten into it). But if you like to look at it, get a glass of wine and just sit down in the garage and admire it, it might be worth it!
Sometimes, I just go into the car and turn on the audio system and play my favorite CD. However since the BMW has a very sensitive electrical system, I don't like to do it because it obviously discharges the battery.
But next time you want to buy a car, make a post on PuristSPro and we'd be happy to give you first-hand experience for your next purchase. Our members and I have driven a lot of different cars and if you tell us what you're looking for, I'm sure we'd find a solution.
Lastly, I will not move from Mercedes-Benz because of the ownership experience. I want a Porsche 911, but I'm afraid I won't like the servicing experience. The BMW has been a bit of an annoyance with switching service advisors. But at Mercedes-Benz I've been with the same service advisor at the same dealership for the past 13 years, he's good, he's fair, the cars haven't stranded me yet, and I understand the process.
A good choice for daily usage in Seattle is actually the Bentley Continental. Rolling sculpture looks, fantastic paint job (I can see the orange peel texture on the paint of a new Mercedes S550 and it just ruins the look), partial German build quality (made in UK of German car parts), and AWD for the rain in Seattle. Get one without an all black interior with a tasteful exterior color and you'll be really happy. If you want to go low key, get the Audi S8, it drives well and feels light on its feet. Compared to the BMW 7 series and Mercedes-Benz S550, the Audi S8 feels much sportier and lighter. The Mercedes-Benz S550 is again the world's best car. Technologically superior, great safety, and from the performance standpoint it's even interesting to drive (although the Audi S8 is the better driver's car).
What's the SUV?
Good eyes...the floor mat was from my 650Ci ...
which I traded in for the Aston.
My other SUV has been the 2004 BMW X5 4.4i, then the 2008 Cayenne Turbo, and latest is a 2014 Cayenne S, posted in another photo here above.
I only joined PuristS forum since last Oct, so I will keep this advice in mind to post questions, Thanks Patrick.
Rgds
Raymond
This message has been edited by Raymond_S on 2015-01-26 15:54:38What year was your 650Ci?
Was it coupe/convertible? How did you like your 650i?
The 650i is a very unique looking car.
It was a 2010 coupe and I like it a lot...
BMW is quite advance with voice recognition software, am quite impressed and sometimes fun to play with.
Check out this link, which I copied from an earlier Dec post of my previous BMWs since 2002 till 2010.
I am currently still a BMW CCA and Porsche PCA member, but not really into the DIY, kind of hands-on guy.
Rgds
Raymond
Good looking BMWs...
All goodies. Great collection of BMWs. And all in nice colors.
I'd really like to have a 2010 650i coupe someday too. Great looking car. Terrible backseat, but a good looking two seater. Yours looks fantastic in white.
You know where you went wrong? On all of your BMWs, you went for the largest engine possible (outside of M territory) except for your 535i. If you had gotten the 550i you wouldn't have had the problems that are exclusive to the 35i problem. But then again, who knew. But if you had kept your 650i, you would've realized the 50i engine (N62TU) leaks oil all over the place (the N62 45i engine was even worse). But I will say this, your 535i was a nice color combo.
I'm active in my BMW CCA chapter, but I'm not a member of the Porsche PCA chapter (I don't own a Porsche).
A worthy garage queen
Wow, your Rapide is stunning in black. And the V12 engine must sound heavenly
Great AM. Who cares about depreciation? Enjoy it and take it for a ride and just have fun.
Regards,
ED-209
Great AM. Who cares about depreciation? Enjoy it and take it for a ride and just have fun.
Regards,
ED-209
Yes, Ed...keeping it is my intention, will see how it goes....
This car has all the oohs and aahs, everything I wish for.
Rgds
Raymond
Ed, I'm jealous you get to drive the 918. I won't even dream...
about sitting in the driver's seat, or see one in my area except car shows.
Who knows I may get the Z06....the new Corvette design is a winner and I like it a lot...often, I thought it was the prancing horse.
Rgds
Raymond