Affordable Dream Car: Why Aston Martin's DB11 Was a New Failure, But Used Bargain 

I personally think the DB11 is one of the greatest looking cars of all time, simply timeless

I do like the look of the DB11 overall, It’s rather pleasant. However: it’s not as pretty as the old Vantage and DB9 based cars. The older ones were just cleaner, simpler, classier and weirdly more timeless.

I really like the looks of the DB11. The earlier cars were all starting to look the same - good looking but slightly resized clones. The DB11 also has some fascinating details which really work for me. The front end is conventionally handsome but the rest is more adventurous. The vent on the side behind the front wheel and the rear upper panel and light arrangement are particular highlights and even the c-pillar works brilliantly in my opinion. I guess part of it too is the fact it moves away from their existing design language - I think very successfully.

The DB11 was interestingly the first Aston Martin I ever laid my eyes upon and I was blown away. As a result, I have a soft spot for the DB11 as I personally believe that it is pretty elegant. I will say that you need to option it in a dark color since it's not meant to be some flashy sports car. I especially like the Aston Martin DB11 in Buckinghamshire Green.

I’ve got a DB11 and love it!! Yes there’s not much room in the back, yes the boot is a bit small and the entertainment system is not great but you know this when you buy it. The performance and looks are awesome and more than compensate for its shortcomings. I don’t understand the negative comments from people who have never driven one or even sat in one!

Got to be honest I absolutely love the looks of the DB11, I personally think it's aged well too. I particularly like the look of the Volante, roof up or down. I'd happily put up with the nowhere near as good as a Bentley interior for the exterior looks alone.

I don't get it. The DB11 is astonishingly beautiful.

I think the DB11 is one of the most divisive and subjective cars they’ve released. In the wrong colour combination it’s gopping. I’ve seen one in silver with the roof and strakes colour matched and the bright grill and thought it looked a stunner. The two tone exterior really doesn’t suit it.

My ex partner bought a DB11 Volante brand new, and it was a real disappointment to be honest. I never liked the looks much and it just didn't feel that special. It was quite numb and forgettable to drive, after her previous V8 Vantage S and late model DB9. It was very quick and very capable, but just left both of us completely cold.

I remember seeing one in silver when it came out and I still think it's superb. Big, elegant, an instant classic.

before reading the comments I would have never believed that I was in the minority that thinks the db11 is absolutely beautiful

I agree about that rear end. they made all that effort to avoid a wing or duck tail, yet the latter is exactly what it needs. I simply prefer the old Vantage's coke bottle shape and tail.

Maybe it’s the Bond fan in me, but the DB11 is a work of art to me. Great commentary and video as usual Jay, even though I’m in the other camp on DB11 looks!

Bought my launch edition V12 in Diavlo red 2 years ago and I have loved it every day. Great fun to drive and looks so good I sometimes take a bottle of red into my garage just to enjoy looking at it. V12 on sport plus sounds amazing! one of the few cars I've owned that still brings strangers across to comment/congatulate, everyone loves and respects an Aston V12!

I think your assessment is accurate when applied to the Aston lovers - they wanted something more. As a newcomer to the Aston club (me), I thought the Aston DB11 was the best looking car on the road. However, the deal breaker for me, and why I did not buy a DB11, was a 2nd generation infotainment system in a $200K car.

I don’t have one but my friend has just bought a 5 year old same model as you’re driving in the video. He loves it.

Although £90K is still a lot of money to spend on a car when I was in the market for one earlier this year I settled for a launch edition V12 which I love. I think JM nails it, although it has its imperfections and idiosyncrasies as a used car at this price point it strikes the right balance of being special yet usable. Great review JM 👍

I think the DB11 looks pretty good outside, but not on the same level as the previous generation. Where I think the DB11 really lost its looks is the dash and center console. It ruins the interior for me. Though, I like the new Vantage interior.

I love mine but it's the V12. Huge turbos stock on that car. A small increase in boost via an ECU tune and you have a Superleggera for half the price. ZZ2 makes a wireless CarPlay module for that Mercedes unit as well.

Long time listener, first time caller. I have always loved the lines on the DB. For me, it is the side profile that is unappealing. I feel that the front and rear of the DB 11 still present as an homage to earlier DBs but because of how the rear is sculpted The greenhouse is just doesn’t work. The side profile just doesn’t have the right lines and almost rides to high. I agree that it looks elegant still but not as good looking as it’s predecessors. Keep up the excellent commentary Jay!

I was never much of a fan of how it looked online but I saw one in person at a cars & coffee and after having a proper look at one in person I like it a lot more. And I think the DBS superleggera is my favourite Aston Martin ever I love how that looks with the more aggressive style

Following a difficult start to this video, JM shines once again as very knowledgeable & informative, giving a nuanced & close-up review of another desirable A-M. 'Would much prefer a potent, normally-aspirated V8. Or - an LC 500 - an outstanding competitor for A-M at much less cost, w/ Lexus reliability & buckets of panache.

I've always thought a V12 DBS would be an awesome car with better wheels, tune, upgraded turbos, downpipes, and intake would have be alot of fun. Extremely powerful twin turbo V12 and a comfortable tourer. I feel certain it would give the owner "the fizz"

Man, I love your reviews. I LISTEN to them back to back on my commutes. I like the way you talk, I learn a lot of the English Language

As an ftype owner, I'm a big fan of the DB11s external styling. I like it's muffin top bottom, with the bulging lower and ridged / flat top. The thing I hated about it was the merc infotainment and the engine sound - because (to me) I think touch screens and less buttons feel more modern.. I also feel as though if you're spending 200k on a car it should feel a bit better than a merc parts bin, an amg engine and some pretty features. It makes the ftype look much better value for money and is one of the reasons I haven't looked to get one.

I think it looks good. It did when it first came out and it still does.

Bought a 2017 Launch Edition car when it was 2 and kept it 2yrs despite originally thinking it would be a keeper. Poor build quality - buzzes and rattles from both doors and rear shelf, and sat nav screen on certain roads. Panel gap issues around the boot/bumper join. Have you knocked a knuckle on the door trim? Sounds like a Fischer-Price item. Have you poked the headliner? A floating piece apparently unattached to anything. It all looks nice, til you live with it. Very wide, like a barge down a country lane. A slight lateral movement at the rear, a yawing moment on bumpy roads when pushing on. Exhaust farts were copy and pasted every time, clearly fake and without variation to cover that up. Sounded good on full throttle, but otherwise quiet. On full throttle you have 5 seconds before the speed is silly for UK roads. So 5 seconds of fun. Merc infotainment woeful, and my other modern car was a Jag - far better features in the Jaaaag. In fact I decided to dump the boring old man V12 DB and go for a V8 convertible F-Type which arrived this March. Build quality is far superior, infotainment 150%, steering is 93% brakes are 87% power delivery is on par, fun factor is 200%, noises are 400% cost was 65%. Stop driving what you think you should and drive what’s actually good. For a sporty GT the F-Type got my vote over the DB, and even over the Vantage since I considered that too. Will never go back to Aston.

I’ve always thought the DB11 is a looker! I also think the F-Type Coupe is a looker 😁

Wasn't sure about the looks at first, but in the right colour I think it looks awesome. Pearl white with the black roof 👌🏾

I see a black one regularly and think it looks very special! Inside looks a mess tho! Would be tempted by the V8 as the AMG unit is pretty bullet proof! Great work as always!

I own a DB11 V8 - Concours Blue and at least in Europe, people find it to be a stunning car. In times where Porsches seem to be found inside cereal boxes, it's a refreshment to many people to see an Aston (maybe it's different in the UK). Cargo space fits a month of clothes (for two people), Merc-engine is reliable, comfy car to drive for 6+ hours straight and handling is superb in scenic roads around Norway, Montenegro, Switzerland and the likes. Jay was spot-on the analysis. If you care a bit about money, this is probably one of the best used exotics in the market right now. Buying one brand new? No thanks, as with every other exotic car.

Compared to the db9 or dbs it was a huge step back in looks

I didn’t like the DB11 styling until I saw one in the flesh. I agree with you about the rear and the roof but overall it’s still a pretty car. Not keen on the brogueing on the leather either

A freind of mine has one, lovely car but my main issues with it are the engine being turbocharged and the size of the bloody thing, it's absolutely huge. I wish they would just keep making db9s, I want one but not as a used car

I've had quite a few Astons. I love the older Vantage V8's. Had three of them. Had the new Vantage and loved it, but wanted a GT and had a go in the DB11 V12 and a -17 Vanquish S. It was a no brainer.. The Vanquish S just feels so much more special in every way. But yeah, if I could afford it.... I wouldn't mind having a DB11 V8 as a daily. ;) And thats the thing isn't it? The new generation of Astons are more capable for daily use, and the older gen. really wasn't? Greetings from Norway.

Seen a few of these in person, colour is important as with any Aston. I'm somewhat biased as i only got my DB9 6 weeks ago but this is nowhere near as good looking. I really like the new DBS though that looks like it has purpose. This kind of looks like an unfinished first glimpse at a motor show.

I did not like the db11 when it was released. Not as special or good looking as the db9 it replaced. However, when the new Vantage was released, suddenly the db11 looked a lot better in my eyes.

DB11 Styling - not my taste which is disappointing because I think the VH cars are among the most beautiful ever. I even owned a V8 Vantage for a number of years.

Absolutely gorgeous car. I’m picking up my V12 AMR on Friday!! Has been my dream car for years.

Moved from a Booster to a V8 vantage. 12 months later I got the chance to buy a V12 Virage DB9. Had a DB11 as a courtesy car. Sooo pleased to be back in my V12 Virage. Does everything and more. The best ever.

Jay, Your videos are more cinematic than you get credit for and the comment was less about letterboxing or widescreen and more about fetishizing the cars by taping them 90% of the time. That does not make anything cinematic, so please just ignore such claims and keep ups your great work.

Widescreen is very good. I remember cinema in the distance past with tinny advert music and tinny adverts for local shops. Very good.

I have a DB 11, 2018. Formally driven Porsche 911 Turbo cars. Porsche, great car. So far, enjoying the DB 11, V 8.

It was missing some important features to compete as a GT, it was missing character to compete as a sports car. It lacks the performance to be a "jack-of-all-trade". The style is not up there to warrant pricing alone. It's like this car get a 7/10 on everything.

Just traded in my 3 year old C8 Corvette for a 2019 DB11 V8. Gorgeous car. Great exhaust note great handling. Not much less power than the Corvette if any other than 0to 60. Car handles great and my Premium interior is insane with over 5 different kinds of leather. 2 tone Dark and Beige with inlays galore. Best interior on any car I've seen. Fit and Finish outstanding. Your complaint about parking sensor shut them off until parking that's what they're for. Same as auto stop shut off after starting.

Real world reality check. Jay, you forget that you are deeply immersed in the upper echelons of automotive beauty. Us mere mortals drool over cars like the DB11 and would give at least seven pints of blood to drive one, let alone own one.

The AM Vanquish, DB9, DBS, Rapide were the last beautiful ones. Modern AM design is not on par aesthetically. I suppose it’s difficult to stay with fresh design though, if that’s necessary. Porsche hasn’t needed to with their iconic and little changing 911 design over 60 years.

The V12 is a reduced capacity version of the n/a 5.9unit, but a manufacturer downsizing as well as adding and validating turbos and intercoolers is no small thing. Despite what you 'think', the AE31 V12 is a pretty much all new Aston designed and developed engine, with all new block, forged rods, crank, cams, heads, pistons etc. The only thing carried over from the last of the n/a 5.9 was the VVT system. AML did not 'cancel' or 'end' or 'drop' the V12 DB11 after 18months. It was simply realised post launch of the V8 with slightly updated chassis that the gap between V8 and V12 was too small, the V8 was well recieved so the relatively minor V8 chassis tweaks were carried to the V12, a minor software recalibration was done to hold the V12's sandbagged 700Nm torque peak for an extra 500rpm to give an extra 30hp, some silly cosmetics were made options and the V12 was for some strange reason renamed the AMR. If you had done your research properly, you would have seen that AML recognised the error and from earlier this year (2022) changed the DB11 AMR name back to DB11 V12 - the 2022 spec cars keep the same 630hp map as AMR, but revert to the softer 2017 DB11 V12 chassis set up. Thus, a 2017 car with the reflash, now just £1200 from AD is the exact same mechanical spec as the 2022 V12. You were correct about the ZF8 as being the limiting factor for the V12, it cant take more than 750Nm, where the updated version of the same 'box in the DBS is rated at 900Nm which the AE31 was recalibrated to with a simple map. We know you've driven a DBS, but please do a bit more reading and actually drive the DB11 V12 before you leap to all your conclusions.

My neighbor has one a few houses down the road and I always stare at is as I pass by, it’s a stunning car.

Cinematic on YT means something completely different than what it in your old profession. It could be length or angles or filter or video quality on YT.

In photos it’s beautiful,in reality it’s super gorgeous!

I think the looks are stunning; unfortunately I'll never be in the market for one.

The DB11 is one beautiful car. Love, love, love the design.

In going through the cars for c. £100K, you could go for a 2018 S63 V8 Bi-turbo coupe with a little change to spare, usable rear seats, a load of fun to drive, and looks that grab's attention in a very good way.

I absolutely love the db11 (rag top of course), in particular the front keeps the db9 heritage alive while the back is a refreshed modernisation to finish off the fleeting image of a gorgeous car as it passes you by leaving you clutching that lottery ticket

DB11 is genuinely beautiful. Any angle - perfect.

Excellent video; you are if anything too kind. I tried to fall in love with my DB 11 Volante for 2 years and failed. Its far too wide for town, the interior is undistinguished, the infotainment ghastly; the boot got stuck closed often until Works sorted it and the sound was a bit sad. A pity really as it was pretty and the performance just right. There are a huge number for sale on the Aston approved used website-rather says it all!

I love the look of the DB11, especially in the Volante and I particularly like the look from the rear where I think it makes even the last of the Vanquishes look dated. I really don't like the new Vantage though - I don't even think it looks like an Aston. Looks are subjective of course.

I am considering a v12 DB11 or a late DB9. Pros and Cons. I think the DB9 is more timeless but I really do think the DB11 is also gorgeous and more usable.

1969 DBS and DBS V8. The DBS was the 4.0 6 from the DB6 in standard or Vantage tune (SU or Webers). The DBS V8 had a mechanical fuel injection V8 was replaced with the AM V8 (Series 2), same car & engine with the later nacelled headlight front end. When this happened the DBS (6) also got the later front, was renamed Vantage, and stayed on wires wheels until 1973. As you say. A long time ago.

I believe for a brief period of time the DB7 was available in both I6 and V12 hence rendering this only the second flagship Aston to be had with two completely different engines!

to my humble opinion, I think what killed that sales wasn't the exterior as much as the central console for 1. being cheap looking 2.old 3. not special and bespoke like the astons that came before. (like the db9 which had an amazing one back in 2003) and especially if compered with the likes of Bentley .

The head of engineering for the DB11 headed up the Dyson car project.

DB7 was available with a choice of i6 or v12 for a short time, but v12 quickly outsold i6 to the point it wasn’t worth continuing production. DB11 is very colour sensitive - if you can hide the black bits around the c pillar it looks pretty good. Have a look at an all black car or all lightening silver and it works.

Tough for me to reconcile a non Vantage AM without a V12, but I do like the looks of this over a few of the old cars, which could look thin at times. But a V12 would be mandatory. If I have this powertrain/interior I'd rather have an AMG GT.

I love the looks of the db11, I remember how special it looked when I occasionally saw a white one on my bus journey to college a few years back

I agree that the VH architecture cars looked pretty similar, especially the DB9 and all its spin-offs! (Like Porsche 911). The problem was, the DB9 was such a good looking car, its really hard to change it (enough). From that point of view, I think the DB11 was a real success.

I own a DB11 V8 and it is a charm to live with. No issues so far (3y), stunning to look at it and can be a fantastic GT but also a sports car when you want it. I do agree you need the apple carplay retrofit as it takes away a lot of frustration.

I like the presence of some styling cues like the awesome bonnet arrangement, but altogether it's not very well mixed. To me the rear came out better than the front, which in turn looks like melting

The DB11 reminds me of the Centenario, not in terms of similarity but that there are some lovely individual styling features, but when put together as a whole they simply don't work. But at least this isnt just another rebodied Aventador for people with more money than sense.

Somewhat like a Maserati, it's tough for me to really feel much towards an Aston that's lacking in beauty. This feels like Aston took the classic, gorgeous shape and sent it to BMW to be "sportz car-ified" with garish slashes/creases/acute angles. It lacks the timeless grace of say a DB9.

Shame that Android Auto and Apple Carplay are not as standard. Love the red colour of this. The interior is very drab in the black makes it look incredibly cheap. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

I really enjoyed this review James. Not that I don't normally, but for some reason this had an air of something different about it, can't explain it. Nice one in any case

It looks amazing to me front and rear

An aston martin in my mind should be like a well tailored suit. It should transcend what is 'stylish' and simply be understated but irrevocably, timelessly put together. It is the automotive equivalent of a polished pair of black oxfords.

The 2 most beautiful Aston for me with the DBS... mostly because of the back side... I just love it. Totally different...

I had a Launch Edition DB11 - enjoyed every single mile in it. Of the 3 Astons I've owned, it was my favourite. The infotainment I found to be fine (compared to the system in the Vanquish prior to it). I'd have another, probably an AMR as that took the handling improvements of the V8 and the AE31 V12 for propulsion. Sadly, because of the infotainment system, purists decree it's not a proper Aston, and that it's merely a 'Benz with an Aston badge'. It's nonsense really, particularly when you see how much Ford, Volvo, Mazda and Jaguar parts were used in the previous gen VH cars, but there's a lot of diatribe out there about anything that comes out of Gaydon these days. I miss the DB11 more than I do my old Vanquish - it was a better car, despite others telling me it looked 'hideous with a ghastly interior'. I thought the car was superb to drive and I thought it looked great (but as one last gen Aston told me - my opinion...was wrong). In both V8 and V12 form, they're excellent and good value today. It's a shame they didn't sell in better volumes when new.

I think that the DB7 could be had with either a 6 or a 12 cylinder engine towards the end of its run

The DB11 is pure eye candy! That's all there is to it! So much so that I just bought one!

DBS was ace. DB11 is a no from me. Even if they were £50k, I think I’ll pass

When it was launched I remember thinking that if it had a Vauxhall badge on the front, I wouldn't have been surprised. It's slightly grown on me, but an F-Type is much better looking.

The sleek simplicity of it and almost all astons is what makes them look amazing

I miss the db9. They've lost that elegance and sophistication in their design lately

I like the DB11 shape. Especially in Green colour. Having a V12 with 2 big turbos is a marvellous idea.

Looks are obviously subjective and the DB11's definitely look better in the metal than in pictures. I have a DB11 V12 with the AMR Performance Pack upgrade. I previously had a V8 Vantage 4.3. Performance is superb and the ride in GT mode is really smooth and comfortable. I've done a few longer trips with it and it's a brilliant GT, even returning close to 30mpg. It sounds great, other drivers seem to like it and give plenty of room, it's comfortable, the B&O sound system is superb and every drive feels like an event. I'd always wanted a V12 so this has not disappointed. Negatives, the interior is very nice (certainly very comfortable and everything works nicely) but it lack the visual drama of the previous Astons. The rear seats are strictly for children or very small adults and the boot is a little snug, although it's accommodated all our luggage for a 5 night trip away so not too bad. As you pointed out, it's also a wide car so you have to be careful on the back roads. Other than that, I can't really think of anything else and I absolutely love the car.

The DB11 and the DBS are some of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen. If I had the money I would definitely buy one, probably the DBS but they are both stunning

Thanks J, sadly I've not seen many 'new' Astons on the road at all. Enjoyed this review! 🙏

The DB11 in black in a certain spec is a beautiful car. I came across one when they first game out and what a beautiful car it was.

I loved that cinematic intro

I think it is a looker! But maybe not quite as much as the late DB9, and later Vanquish, and Vantage from 2006-2016

Personally I love the DB11. Visually, the problems I see as: It wasn't long before the best looking wheels were discontinued, which re-appeared on the DBS. And the choice of wheels left really fell short in looks. Also, due to the amount of personalisation of both interior and exterior, which is no bad thing, the car can end up looking extremely plain and unimpressive, or it can end up looking very vulgar. Getting the spec right is crucial to it looking great.

To understand the db11 one must understand how and why it came about. It was supposed to be a refined and improved version outside on the db10 that was featured in spectre but yet is let down by poor power train and awful infotainment. Would have done better to just have an old fashioned radio panel and a Bluetooth receiver so you can send music from your phone to your car. Phone mounts are just too cheap and easy to get and allows for more flexibility with NAV Apps

Everyone loves the badge. The infotainment put me off so I bought an M8 😎

A family friend has a (2nd gen) V12 vanquish, loved it, bought one of these in V12 guise as well, ended up selling it a few years later and still has the vanquish. Tells you all you need to know really, didn't realise they did an AMG V8, they also somehow made it worse looking?

I am an extreme fan of the 1993-2000 V8 Vantage. Everything about that car is perfection. Nothing since offers me any degree of satisfaction. ✌🏻🇺🇸

The DB11 suffered from not photographing as well as it looked on the road. It's a lovely car, the biggest mistake on AM's behalf is they didn't fold away the sat nav and the centre console of the DB11 & DBS just looked a bit tooooo merc. Now they've got a better deal with Merc regarding infotainment I'm sure they can stand themselves apart better. Best colours seem to be bright silver & black. Some of the colourful colours don't help. I test drove the DB11 AMR & the Vantage F1 back to back at an event and the AMR sounded great and the engine felt stonkingly strong. It broke traction easy in third and fourth gear but it also felt massive. The vantage didn't feel as strong but it felt the right size. Just needed the proper hunter grill back on it. The new one they did to try placate the grey haired mob wanting it to look more classic just looks even more like a catfish. Interested to see which direction the brand goes in going forward. The Valhalla looks stunning but unfortunately well out of my reach. Shame OPF's have killed the noise of the turbo'd cars even more since 2020.

Just about every Aston before the DB11 had a timeless design to me, sometimes I see a DB11 I like the look of, but it’s just not timeless in the same way. It’s going to date badly imo. That’s the biggest problem to me.

It's gorgeous, one of the best looking especially the volante

Enjoyed the drive and the review,yes it's a very different car from my old DB7 5.3 V12, I was really impressed the way you explained the difference of later cars 4.0 litre V8 is good thanks very much..

I agree totally. I daily the last Vanquish (240k km to date and no worse for wear) still gives me a fizz every time I drive it. Great on the autobahn and amazingly nimble on the alpine twistiest I call home. To top it off you get the most amazing sounding V12 especially if valved. ;))