Aston Martin DB11 Volante Review: A £100,000 Porsche Beating Luxury Bargain 

The infotainment screen looks like a glued on after thought….I hate it soooo much! What they have done in the DB12 fills my heart with joy!

Picked one of these up in the same colour about five months ago. Brow beat the dealer into fitting CarPlay and changed out the squealing brake pads for a set of Porterfield R4S. It’s truly a magnificent car. And I totally agree… the steering is the highlight. It just feels absolutely fantastic to drive. When I can pick up a DB12 Volante for under 100k, I’ll consider it. Until then, I’ll cherish every minute behind the wheel of the DB11.

I live in the US and if I could, I would subscribe 1000 times over… I love your reviews. I don’t miss one single video and I am watching the older videos. Keep up the great work!!!!

DB11 is still one of my personal favorites for design.

Hi, I have a DB11 Volante had it for 15 months and used it most weeks it’s almost my daily. I really enjoyed your review and as I had hose the Aston in an attempt to buy British I also use my Defender 110 D300 which I have had from new January 2121 it has been used most days has 23000 miles and I am offering it you you to review. Thank you for all of your RU-vid car reviews I enjoy them all 👍

You've made my day! I have been lucky enough to own a DB11 Volante, my 5th Aston after a DB9, Rapide, Rapide S & Vanquish, and it was, and still is the best Aston I have owned, I literally shed a tear when I had to get rid.. I'm currently looking for another one, and also toying with the idea of a DBS Volante, I hope someone can offer you one to test soon, to help me make the decision! Great video as usual, and thank you for not ripping the 11 Volante a new arse! Drive safe..!

This channel has quickly become one of my top 5 automotive shows. Love it.

Good honest review James - as ever 👍 I will have to quibble with you on the engine, though, which to my ears is a very rough thing compared to the AM V12’s and their own V8’s in the Vantage, for that matter. The DB11 you really need to try if there’s a generous viewer out there is the AMR - they got the handling set up just right, combined with that fabulous V12 and , yes, the ZF 8 speed really works like a dual clutch in manual

Love the colour, (and the video) so good to see an Aston not in the usual grey/silver

Thanks JamEmm. I purchased a lovely DB11 coupe v12 for a shade over £80k. A lot of money but it is such a joy to drive. Yes the infotainment is rubbish but you can use your phone on a mount now. It is quite a step up from a BMW - I now have to think about tight underground car parks and potential hazards to such a nice machine, but driving it certainly brings a smile. You also don't see too many on the road compared to my old car or competitors such as Porsches. One thing you might cover is the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) since you have done a few AM videos now - that certainly adds another social/networking dimension to ownership

I might be one of the few people who thinks the DB11 looks better then DB12. I wish they hadn't given the DB12 so much lip filler. Taking away the V12 and the clamshell bonnet also took away some appeal. If the DB11 had the DB12's interior at launch, AM might have been able to sell a whole lot more of them.

Please, test a Fiat Multipla - that would be hilarious to watch!

Great video - as were the ones with the DB11 v8 coupe & DBS - I have a 2017 v12, and have thoroughly enjoyed the last 24k miles I’ve covered in the 18 months I’ve had it. Adding Apple CarPlay made a big difference, but moving to Michelins has transformed it.

Great review, James, and some beautiful sounds. Interesting you say you would have this over a 911 Turbo for driving pleasure. That would be the key comment that would make me shortlist and test drive one.

Every fiber of my being saw the color of that car and heard James May bickering "it's brown"

Great review, agree re finance and costs, DB12 looks incredible but going to be a while before in the reach of most normal people though will definitely be interested in swapping my DB9 volante for a 12 when it becomes more affordable.

I saw this car for sale shortly after I bought mine in Devine red. It's the best drive I've ever had, everyone looks, never feel the need to go fast, 6ft4" very comfortable and in London everyone lets you out of junctions because they want to see it closer. Always get looks in the right way and smile on my face every time I take it out. I paid too much at £150 k, from a dealer, do I care, not at all

I know a friend who has a DBS volante in the same colour as this DB11….he also has a C63s AMG Estate, a Bentley Flying Spur … the original Bentley press car, as seen on Harry’s Garage, it’s fully loaded…. And a Ferrari 355 Testarossa…that’s just been fully restored….I’m sure he would be up for letting you drive one or more of them…👍🇮🇲👌

I want of these, agree, any day over a Porsche convertible. love the colour.

Hi thats a very interesting car from a viewpoint of sb not having deep enough pockets. Actually as you said people criticizing the 8spd and you disagreeing i got curious and looked up google ..and bingo the zf8...so it made me chuckle even more as the zf8 is now swapped into everything on the youngtimer market and absolutely worshipped. What i find extremely interesting is that it has a mercedes engine but a zf box...thy for your insight!

Great review. Even your shirt matches the car!

Coupe for me One of the best looking cars out there

Like the matching shirt !!

Nice video James....thoughtful as always. Did you choose your shirt colour before or after you saw the car? 😁

Great videos! I wish you would give them a rating at the end of video to compare to other models

Hi Jay, the wallet touching the seat adjuster wouldn't be a problem for me 😂.

Interesting video as usual. I agree DB11s are excellent value and there is something special about Astons. You should definitely try the 11 v12 as selfishly I’d like to know what you think of it!

Great review and a good looking car.

TY J 🙏🙏

Gorgeous looking things, if somewhat common on the roads - certainly wouldn’t say no!

I will go for the 911 it is way lighter and agile and all around a nice vehicle

I’m literally 3 years ownership of a c8 z51 fe4 1lt to the day and I love this car as my daily driver with now about 28k miles. Fast fun good looking to most except on the internet for a few …it’s a great sports car. I like the lotus too…and many other sports cars I admire.I daily mine in all four seasons and it’s great, sadly as summer comes to an end shortly the targa roof will stay on and I’ll miss the visceral sound of the engine. Closed cabin this generation corvette is almost Lexus quiet inside which is not exactly what I’m after but hey doing too good a job of engine sound isolation is by engineers considered an achievement attribute and not a detriment. The c8 z51 fe4 mrc is a great sports car, great grand tourer right from the factory. I think the z06 is needed for a little more aural sound acoustics in side the cabin in sport mode compared to the closed cabin lt2 powered versions. Of course the after market borla attak seems to resolve the issue and seems to offer a nice touring mode and nice sport mode. Anyways sorry for going off on a rant. Great review. Many of my vette friends enjoyed the review as did I . Having the lotus was fun too. An amazing strictly focused sports car is always fun!

Brilliant review… I think the V12 DB11s will be the first to see a bump in price as the DB”12” is a V8 🥲

Beautiful car, and glad to see you dressed to coordinate 🤣

For me the DB11 falls down the crack slightly between the beautiful and very successful DB9 and the gorgeous and almost certainly successful DB12. However, the one element that would prevent me buying on is the front hinged bonnet. As a keen home mechanic I love to work on my cars and a front hinged bonnet is a major pain, restricting access to the engine compartment. Removal is usually a two man job and then you have to store it.

I agree, Volante is better looking than the coupe. Matching shirt too!

The DB12 has a mighty big gob

Hi and it sounds amazing and love it

Squeaky brakes on my DB11 was a nightmare at first, the pads are track rated and Aston only provides one size fits all. After endless research I fitted Portfield RS-4 all round, not a peep, don't expect Aston to solve it. This is the solution, I was going crazy

The value of this is going to drop faster than Russell Brand's pants.

Funny you mention the brakes, I just saw one yesterday and it was wailing like a banshee

10:01 It's brown! (I've just watched that episode of the Grand Tour where Jeremy drives a brown DB11 across Italy)

There are more financially sound options than an Aston or Ferrari or what have you, but there is no point convincing buyers of these cars to consider something else: they obviously have their eyes set on these cars and are ready to put up with it, and simply put, nobody, especially people on the internet, have any say in what one's money should be spent on. To prospect owners of "cool" cars: - Ignore "Ooo you should've gotten something else, you car's gonna break every other week" comments, they are likely made by those who never owned such cars before. - Prepare to pay accordingly in services and repairs, and as with any other cars, do your due dilligence. - If you want it and can buy it, just buy it and enjoy. You are the one driving, not random people over the internet. I'm a happy owner of a 2011 Virage for 3 years, 1900EUR in maintainence over these years and enjoyed 13,000 regret-free miles. I am forever glad that I made this "non-sensical" decision.

DB12 is the most beautiful car in the world right now.

Not sure I could give up the noise of my 14 V8 for the turbo units. They just don’t sing. The earlier ones (pre 2019/2020) sound good and the early turbo Vantages sounded like artillery fire. But yea don’t have that revability!

Nice colour, that.

I would much rather have a V8 Vantage from 2005 onwards; in my opinion the best looking Aston since the DB5, and still looks way better than anything Aston has made since. Those DB11 headlights are ghastly!

The drive yep!

Brilliant and Beautiful!!!!

Way out of my price range but looks like you had fun James 👍

I have the best conv ever: 2004 BMW 645Ci M Sport SMG....$12,000cdn...WONDERFUL

Have you noticed how many good bargains there seems to be these days…leasing cost a bit too high maybe, or the return of normality with new car prices dropping the moment you drive away from the dealer. Good times are coming back for buyers. DB9 owner since 2005, many long trips, all good for now

At the money paid for this car that is a lot of car. It would great next to my Lexus in my dream garage.

I had the opportunity to buy either a 2018 DB11 V12 or a 2015 Vanquish for the same price. I went with the Vanquish, but the DB11 was very tempting. I can say that I wouldn't buy one with the V8, though. I didn't like it in every Mercedes, and I didn't like it in the DB11. It's farty and sounds like a Ford F-150 whose muffler broke off.

I’ve got the coupe v8 - which I think is beautiful. It’s fantastic. Balances fun and comfort perfectly. Two things transform it - getting CarPlay installed fixes most of the infotainment issues - switching PS4s transforms the traction. The other thing about driving an Aston in the UK is the positive reaction you get from everyone - I think people realise you could have picked a Porsche but chose not to! My only regret with it is that I didn’t pick the volante! But that might be happening! (The DB12 is fantastic but the cost of change is more than I paid for my DB11 in total which is crazy!)

We're riding with ya.

Or try a Maserati grancabrio....looks better, sounds better, has larger rear seats and is about as reliable as any Aston Martin.

What were your thoughts on the wind noise? I know you found Lexus LC to be quite loud when top down. Would like to hear your thoughts on how this one compares.

New DB12 at Goodwood revival,a thing of beauty.. Depreciation??

@JayEmm - love the content as always. You mentioned you'd have this over the Targa and the DB12 is a lot more money - both fair points. What about the facelifted mercedes s63 2 door cabriolet? Same price bracket and (for me) better exterior and (for everyone) a much better interior. Also would suggest it has superior performance as well.

the DB 11 Volante is the perfect compromise between a Ferrari and Bentley, the former too harsh and too loud, the latter too comfortable and too quiet. I own the car since 3 years, not the slightest issue, not the most powerful not fastest among this segment of cars, but the most stylish, and that's what counts at the end. The only drawback is this horrible plastic infotainment screen, happy to see that the new DB12 got finally rid of it. And - one of the best car channels around, by quite a margin. Cheers from CH

epic car

God..this guy loves the old top gear.

The front grill on the DB 12 is just too big. Why manufacturers now insist on putting huge grills on the front of their cars is beyond me. The one on the DB 11 is better. And better still the one on the DB 9.

You can get a really nice Bentley GTC for that money! No comparison.

Ashanti and Starbucks wow 🤩

The back end of that car will always be sexier than a California.

yessss ten times more beautyfull as the porsche

ahhh. i really thought i was in there for ten for a minute.

I've just never warmed to the 11. I think it looks awkward especially at the rear. The 12 is a big improvement to my eye. I'd probably do a California T in this segment.

I'll keep my 718 Spyder thank you.🥵🥶

I followed a DB11 V8 of some description for a few miles and while it sounded glorious on throttle the pops and bangs were frankly obnoxious

How’s it compare to the Lexus LC500 ?

I prefer the DB7, a nice one which can be had for 1/5 the price of the 11. Of course, I being an owner of a Jaguar XK8, would like, as they are related through having been designed by Ford in the late 90s.

It's a nice car, but the prices are still going to drop and drop. Astons always go down to Lidl prices before they go back up again. You could get yourself in a DB7 for £20k. Yes it's a much older car, but it's not exactly ugly, and most people will think you paid a lot more than you actually did.

Only 100k, commo people, let's get in line

I investigated the DB11 in detail and I was extremely tempted to buy. But I just can't justify it.... that interior is awful and will date badly, and you can get all of the 'specialness' (and more) from a DB9 or even Vanquish. Which are both cheaper!

Outside of Cheshire and the Peoples Republic of China 🇨🇳 , no one buys Aston Martin 😮

6:23 - "design" "language"

Pretty car but I cannot support the entities that make up Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC in good conscious.

IMO, when you buy an exotic car, you should be buying an exotic engine. An Aston with an AMG engine just isn't right for me. If I wanted this engine and a similar interior I'd buy an AMG GT and save a load of cash. I'd have gone with a Ferrari California or Cali T if I wanted a convertible, because I prefer a hard-top. I'm not an Aston DB11 hater, though; I think a V12 coupe is a bargain, and it's got a pukka Aston engine, too...maybe the last Aston-engined Aston. Yes, the DB12 interior is much nicer, but I wouldn't pay a lot more just for that, and I personally don't think the DB12 looks much different than the DB11, and anyway I have always been a fan of the exterior design of the DB11. As always, YMMV.

Hmm! 265 bhp per ton as it weighs 1900 kg (Lotus Elise territory).

Cracking car. Always liked an AM Volante even if they all (historically) were a bit floppy!

Engine Sound is I realise one of personal taste, but this version sound a bit uncouth and too shouty for a gentleman’s grand tourer, which is the traditional Aston Martin customer, definitely looking to appeal to the younger maturing hot hatch generations….

Please, test a Fiat Multipla - that would be hilarious to watch!. I have the best conv ever: 2004 BMW 645Ci M Sport SMG....$12,000cdn...WONDERFUL.

Great car but Vanquish 2 is more beautiful and more special for the money

Why buy this when there's the lc500? Looks better, drives better, better build quality and it won't break down every 5 miles. Oh and better value retention...

Tell me you chose the shirt to match the car! 🤩

Am I the only person in the world who hates the slurred exhaust sound of an automatic gearbox .....to me the Aston sounds like my grandad's Allegro Vanden Plas automatic with a broken exhaust pipe.

DB12 front end is not Aston at its finest, while the DB11 is a far finer exterior

The DB11 is the better choice than the DB12! Here is why: The DB11 Interior is Classic and timeless. DB12 looks like a Porsche. No one buys a AM because of the newest Technik. Then you buy Porsche or what ever. The DB11 hood is one pice of art with softclose. DB12 ist just a normal boring hood. The DB11 before 2018 has the better engine sound without OPF. Compare the side Mirrows: DB11 looks like Catseyes. DB12 are too small. Last but not least the price. You find a low mileag car for half the price.

18:45: "DB11 are a great financial investment and you'll likely make money". Understood.

Mmm but when you can get a nice Jag F type for 60k and a 718 Cayman for 40k then the Aston doesn't seem worth it, it would do if it had Bentley quality interior, but it doesn't. However that new DB12 is in a different league and I think they will put the V12 in it once they have sold all the older run of V12 Vantages, IF the regulator will let them. Aston must know that they woould fly-out. People know that fun cars with souls are becoming ever rarer, i think the market is changing and that new buyers of something like a DB12 V12 wouldn't be looking to upgrade soon or maybe never. Keep for life because new isnt going to be better or more fun. The Thought & Fun Police will make sure of it.

I'd take a manual DBS Volante anyday, even if they cost the same. This just isn't special enough with such a common engine and I'd still take a bad manual over a good auto

Am I the only one who thinks that "DB11" logo here and there looks very unserious? lol

Tell me a 2015 XKR convertible won't be 90% of the DB11 Volante for 20% of 👛

If you have this amount to spend on a convertible, forget the Aston, you're paying for the name. Look instead at the Lexus LC500. It'll still be running and giving you pleasure while the Aston is either back at the workshop ( again ) or gone to that great scrapyard in the sky!

Great presentation..BUT..got to say..German in a British Marque? Subjective of course...also..apart from main dealer..WHERE is one going to get one serviced at an independent? Of course..subjective and no reflection on Jay

2:38 I mean look how frikkin high it is, there is absolutely nothing elegant about the clearances of that car, and thats what killed its legacy run for the most part imo, it looked like a "mistake". Look at DBS, exact same chassic but some how they managed to make the ride height, overhangs and wheel well work perfectly with thee then design.

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