Apothecary Terry, I’ve only driven one once, I didn’t think much of it. Didn’t like the interior or gearbox. May have been the wrong Aston but the Ariel Atom I drove later was a hoot. That helped the day.
@@sparky4878 I've only driven one as well - not accidentally of course! It was a 2009 V8 Vantage on slicks that I did a few laps round a track in. The engine sounds great and I like the interior in those older cars, although it wasn't exactly a good track car- far too heavy. I'd spent the day drifting in a stripped out MX-5 to be fair though so my dinner was heavy compared to that. It's a good brand though, wouldn't mind owning one just so I can say I've got one...could never afford to drive it of course.
@Apothecary Terry my experience was a V8 Vantage on a track too. Was the auto and perhaps wasn’t suited for that driving. But the interior wasn’t what I expected of an Aston. Just seemed bland. Maybe my aspirations for it were too high.
@@sparky4878 Ah, I drove the manual which was pretty good (although nowhere near a 997 C2S for example). I like the design of the interior but the screen and some of the switchgear is definitely pretty cheap. It's no Bentley for sure, that new Conti GT interior is incredible.
My biggest issue with the new AM's is the screen doesn't fold away in any of them. The fact that the old models all had foldable screens meant their interiors didn't date as quickly as other car their age. The Bentley's folding screen with the clocks on the other side was a stroke of genius. The DBS needed something special adding to the interior to stand it apart from the DB11. To me the interior is fine for the DB11 and where that sits but for an over £200k car in DBS form they really needed to mix it up a bit. The Bentley (and now the Roma) are far ahead in terms of their interior. However, this is definitely the prettier car exterior wise & having driven one at Millbrook there's definitely an extra summin summin, an extra fizz to the DBS that you feel immediately over the DB11. I'm sure you sit lower to the ground in it, seating position etc feels much sportier. To me AM have always felt a generation behind haha but there's still always something to love about them.
JayEmm on Cars He hasn’t said. He’s no doubt been trying to fill your time with Porsche’s😂. I look forward to sorting out the arrangements and seeing the review. I’m sure it won’t disappoint. I’ve a lovely 981 Spyder too if you’ve never tried one. Keep up the great content.
@@JBthemanwithcars If he doesn't reply DM me directly! Use insta or my email. I know he is currently working out a schedule, he is very busy on my behalf!
JayEmm on Cars I’m at a track day with George on Monday, so he’s probably waiting to tell me then. No problem, I’m sure the Vantage will be enjoyed on the amazing A93. Let’s hope the weather is kind.
Lots of complaints for a car you seem to really like. I love my older V12 Vantage but AML needed to evolve from the photocopier. I agree the step up in price has not done much for new sales or residuals.
Truthfully, there's no bad car in the Aston lineup currently, but where other car makers are excused for things, Aston faces heavy critique - like the interior. The DBS is very similar to the DB11, and because it's not all cloaked technology and the infotainment screen doesn't fold away, it's universally judged as being terrible. In the real world, I've never really noticed it while driving - it's easy to read, it's not an eyesore, and it works a hell of a lot better than the old Volvo derived technology. The last gen DBS and DB9 had near identical interiors, but rarely received poor feedback; it was all nice looking, albeit didn't work very well. Back to the DBS; the stitching is all optional, and plain Jane non-fancy stitching is an option in the DBS, so it's not a complete show stopper. Steering wheels are a very marmite thing, the sports wheel (used on Vantage, DB11 AMR and DBS) feels great in the hands, but looks a bit odd. The standard DB11 wheel (often called the Austin Allegro wheel) is the same - feels fine, looks odd. The DBX comfort wheel is where things might head; a good old-fashioned, round wheel. Back in 2019 I drove a factory demo DBS on an extended test drive - outstanding bit of kit; much like the Vanquish, it felt more like a Vantage than the GT car it sat above (DB9 back then, DB11 now). There was just a sense of frustration because you cant really deploy all the power routinely, or in full potatoes fashion. They're all quite wide now, and the first few miles certainly feel it, but while the DBS is the widest of the bunch, it felt barely any wider than the Vantage - the chassis under it has some very well judged damping, but they all do. Even my 'old' DB11 - which the internet would tell you is a boat, is balanced, well damped, and if you're in the mood, has enough go to be intoxicating and great fun on the road. They're just much better cars than some would have you believe, it's a pity minds are made up before even sitting in them. For many Aston owners, it's often more about looks, and these current cars are more about driving. I don't find any of them ugly, but aesthetics are a subjective measurement. The AE31 V12 sounds wonderful though, and makes a great noise for a turbocharged engine. It's something that never gets praise, because it's only ever compared with N/A Ferrari V12's, and turbochargers are like gaffa taping over a singer's mouth and expecting them to sound the same. It's a mighty performing, mighty sounding engine, from a company that are punching above their weight. The pricing - already touched upon in the comments, but the list price starts at £225k for the coupe. A well specced car will top out at £272k if you select every single option, but like most of the range, it's really just extra toppings to the pizza, the core equipment you'd expect, comes as standard. Comparisons are always made against Ferrari's, but while some would use the 812SF, I liken it more to the GTC4 Lusso V12 (2+2 Hyper GT). That starts at £231k, but with options...who knows. The 812SF starts at £263k and with some carbon bits becomes a £350k car moments later. I expect a Lusso with the 'normal' options, is a £300k+ car. I'd love a DBS, but for now, the little brother will more than suffice. Good review, Mr. Martin.
It's not 300k!! That's the bond edition one, they start at 225k (so 50k with options). Good review though. The best judged super GT in my opinion and others who know a lot more 😂
I have 2009 DB9 I love it, but I’m jealous right now, sounds incredible, looks great, interior is perfect With respect to the door handles the answer is yes......
All cars have compromises, it's a joy to find 1 that trys it's hardest to make you forget them & that DBS does that with it's engine & noise 😍. Awesome video 👍🏻.
I prefer the Older shape, who knows it might come into it's own in years to come. The Handles are cool and distinctive. What I do like is your Vids. Keep it up, Thanks 👌
Hi Jay, I agree with everything you said in the video. I think the exterior of the DBS is stunning with fantastic performance but it’s so let down by the interior. When you get into a Bentley GT it makes you realise how out dated badly designed the Aston is. I know the loud peddle is important but it is not everything. If your going to keep and drive that car for the next say 50000 miles the environment of a car is very important. I just couldn’t live with it. That is the same with all new Astons .The designers of the interior need to be given a good head bashing and look at what the competition is doing.cheers Phil 😀
Personally I find the Bentley interiors very chintzy and kind of like Aston's simple look. If they had just made the screen able fold away then I reckon it would date better than the Bentley.
Surprised you didn’t go for an AM over the Ferrari as they seem a perfect fit... you love British and you love a GT. You’re really flowing in these review now Jay good work and kept them coming 👏
Do you want the first thing you touch be the same as.... YES. The doors also open at the same angles. See how it works? Some things stay the same. ;) Other than that, I get your gripes... don't think they matter to me though. I still love cars from the mid to late 60s so.... yeah, I don't chase "new". I just have to like what i "have". Cheers!
The DBS SL is ~AU$800k+ new in Aus, an 812 SF is ~AU$900k+ (both including taxes) Used is a different story: 2019 DBS SL list from AU$460k. 2018 812 SF list from AU$600k on the used market. While the 812 SF is cool, there's just _something_ about the Aston that I can't resist! (Well, couldn't resist, if I had the cash! LOL)
I think you're spot on Jay, the DBS is bite the back of the hand beautiful on the outside but the inside is shocking and is the same as you get in the DB11 which is bad enough before you add the sizeable premium for this car over the 11. I love the drive though, it's fabulous and the punch is something else considering it's a big GT car. Nearly bought one but could bring myself to do it with that interior, bought an AMR Rapide instead!
I dont think the interior is *that* bad to be honest. Its not as nice as say a 992 911 or Continental GT, but apart from that I'm struggling. Mercedes are too tacky for me
One of my colleagues just got a black DB11 a couple weeks ago and while it's a nice car, I am glad he got it because I now know for sure I wouldn't but one. Every time I look at it the first thing I think is that the DBS looks so much better and meaner and that's what I would rather have. I have a feeling he won't be keeping it long, probably go back to a Ferrari. Another guy just got a Huracan EVO and that's a much nicer looking car for similar money, to me that's the best buy in this range at the moment.
Here in the States, one can buy a low mile DB11 for half off the DBS price. There cannot be that much difference. But dealers tell me the DBS is the easier sale. If you want an Aston, you know who you are and if budget is a concern. Recent road trip splitting time between DB11 and V12 Vantage S reminded me of my priorities in a car. I'll take the one that can GT, but doesn't err on that end of the spectrum.
The OHMS Limited Edition version might well be 300K but the ‘standard’ version is some 70k less. A quick Google search before the test would have established that.
Brilliant video as always. I'm an Aston Martin enthusiast and I think this is the only current Aston which will be looked back on in say 10 years and be appreciated. I'm a Vantage fan myself (I wish it had the V12) but I know many are not and I dont think the DB11 has done enough
DB11 always seemed to me to have been designed almost with this car in mind. It's as if they thought "let's not make it too good, we'll make a proper car later". No idea why anyone would buy the DB11 to be honest- the Vantage is all the sports car anyone needs and there are far better GT cars than a DB11, some for a lot less money- the LC500 beat it in a "best driver's car" contest when it came out (911 Turbo S > LC500 > 570GT > GT-R Nismo > DB11 apparently). Being British, I'd take a Bentley GT.
@@ApothecaryTerry I'll be honest I'm an Aston Martin fanatic so I'd chose the Aston over everything but I do agree with you, I dont know why anyone would have a DB11 when this existed. My issue with the Vantage is that AMG derived V8, maybe my opinions are too strong but
@@graygamingps4503 Astons are a brand I always want to love, especially being British, but almost all of their cars have something that puts me off. The grunty Merc V8, the square wheel, the "why bother" DB11, the price on the DBS... but if I could afford to run one I would love an older Vantage. It's just one of those cars that you'd always feel proud telling people you own. If someone says they own a 911 or any other fast German car my first thought is "what a cock" (especially the guy I saw slide his into a kerb earlier), if they have a McLaren I think "good luck" but with an Aston I can't help but like them. Disclaimer: Today and tomorrow for me involves test driving 2 fast German cars. If I buy either I will indeed think "what a cock" about myself every time I go near it, but they make a nice noise...
@@ApothecaryTerry Yeah I do like the old Vantage, they do have a very good image in comparison to German competition. Did you end up buying either car?
One of your better "reviews" JayEmm. Your ability to flow the talk and capture the feeling of the drive is exceptionally good and goes a long way to explaining your success. You captured the thrill and excitement of a thrilling and exciting car exceptionally well - maybe you should do more impromptu tests? And I'm STILL waiting for a proper review of a Rapide S :)
Just bought a 20plate demo DBS Volante (under 100 miles), new OTR price £272k, for £198k. Dealer had to get rid due to a new demo arriving. Like it so much that I've ordered a new 1 (March delivery) to my exact spec with a £38k 'discount' on the OTR price of £293k. A colleague is buying the current car next month for £210k.
I see what you mean about the interior. Its like one of the suits from higher up the corporate ladder walked in, when the design team was putting together a mood board to start finalising the design for the interior. "All of that, YES"
This really proves that cars are so much about how they make you feel. Doesn’t like the interior, doesn’t like the trim, doesn’t really like the brake or steering feel (doesn’t mind them though), thinks it is laughably expensive. Still would have one. And I couldn’t agree more
By a strange quirk of fate, OHMSS was on tv last night. So you want to get your hands on the George Lazenby era DBS...... I reckon that someone, somewhere, will make one available to you. Look on the bright side; you had some fun there..... and so did I 👍
I honestly don't know why the car community seems to be so harsh on the DBS... Let's take a look at the bigger picture: is it 'superlight'? No - but it IS light for the class of GT car. A Continental GT is approximately 2200Kg!! This is FOUR HUNDRED KG lighter! it weighs 200KG less than an S63 AMG, and it is lighter than a GT500!! it's even lighter than the RWD V6 F-type !! Personally, I highly value light cars - and whilst I think the DBS Superleggera's wet weight of 1814Kg is still on the heavy side - it's actually an easy leader within its class. I've never driven either of them, but i've never heard someone say that a Mustang is 'too heavy' to handle well (despite the fact that many will say the Mustang has great handling) - and journalists are now calling cars like the Urus 'agile'. So where are people getting off chastising AM for calling-out a large twin-turbo V12 GT coupe for not driving like a GT3?! This is a large (yet relatively light weight) British muscle car that has style, class, and status in the same league as Rolls Royce and Bentley. I can believe that it isn't as agile as it could be, and it's a bit coumbersome having a huge twin turbo V12 connected to the rear wheels from the front of the chassis - and it probably doesn't handle as well as it maybe should - but the DBS is SPECIAL. Whilst the AMG GTR is perhaps the best 'driver focused' GT car (and impressively weighs less than 1600KG), the DBS is the middle ground between that and the Bentley. It's not an M4, it's not a Mustang, and it's not a Nissan GTR. It's a freaking 715hp Aston Martin lol. It's made for eating up long stretches of road with 0 effort, launching whilst rolling, having your hands full whenever your right foot gets heavy (which I think is an understatement considering how torquey this thing is), and pulling up in style. And no other car does that better than the DBS. It's the ultimate 'style' car to flex on everyone else with. It's like the original Aventador of the GT world - it makes sense despite the fact that it doesn't make sense.
Powerful and lovely. The New vantage is also nice but much more a re-skinned AMG. the DBS is truly a special thing. DB11 w a 12 wasent bad.. but the way the excitement went down or the specs without BEO we saw land on our lot was tragic. the grey or fiber carbon look wasent at the level in base pattern.
I absolutely love that ending music 🎵 Big word but perfect 👌🏻 Utterly besotted with the Aston Martin, simply stunning ☝️ Would I have it over a Ferrari or a Bentley? Wouldn’t drop 300k on a car.
Would rather have the old one.silver with black alloys plz.im sure the new one is a better car allround but looks wise and with a v12 the old one is just a thing of beauty.
If I could find a green one, I’d buy it. $250,000 USD is pretty much the going rate for a 2019. Slightly more for a 2020. All in either black, silver or red. Boring!!! I agree about the goofy stitching on the seats. Not real sure what, or who, they were aiming at with that mess. I have no issues with the center stack or controls. Have you tried an Audi? They are horrible!
Actually love that Aston but for me the old 60’s Vantage would be my car of dreams - lottery win permitting. Jay, yes you do come across very Clarksonesque which I quite like. Also, and finally, do you have any Matchbox cars at all - I mean what started off your interest in cars. Love to know if you collect or have any old toy cars there.
No James, it would be a terrible car for the NC500 as most of the roads are only 8ft wide. You need a small sports car like an MX-5 (modified of course) or an Elise.
I love the look of these cars, though I would never get me a coupe. If the weather is good enough to drive a car like this, I want the roof down as well. My only worry would be the width of these cars. Thought my BMW 6 (model F12) convertible was too wide already.
Have you driven the new GT Bentley speed there must be a big difference between that one on the normal one as such as the Aston Martin DBS on the normal Aston Martin DB 11
Subarno Sinha correct!!! And the 812 has fiat parts behind the dash AND I don’t see any specific 812 only bits on show... same as the Portofino. They all do it but vloggers lick Ferrari backside
Great car and great review well done ! Could you tell us what is the phone holder model we can see at 6:42 and what is the cable for in the small case below center console. I think there is no connector there...? Thanks in advance.
@@chrisogrady28 things might change if a new buyer comes forward for aston martin as they are currently having massive financial issues which haven't really gone away from the previous financial issues several years ago, they've already had a change of director "I believe wks back" I'd doubt a DBS manual would appear due to the costs in a new manual box design, unless they steel one from another vehicle, this could/would have an impact on owners... ie merc engine/electronics & alot of interior then another manufacturers gearbox "parts bin anyone" Aston need to either have a sports GT car or a luxury GT car & equip the vehicles appropriately not only with an appropriate engine but interior & exterior styling.. not forgetting loosing alot of weight, which is where aston pile the lb's on.. as I mentioned previously with plans on the DB11 to have limited models with manual gearboxes expect nothing special except overly priced, overly hyped cars which the hype with die off quickly along with the values "as an example GT8, AMR pro to mention a couple" the DB11 performance range of current model cars has already proven to have failed.. again mixed branding components & excessive social media hype & the all famous excessive price. as a general piece of advice, buying a new/near new model aston will do little except loose alot of value, even rare models ... buying a used older model would be best as they've pretty much been hit with all the depreciation you'd expect.
I like the Aston Martin of the old generation I can't digest the dashboard as I appreciate mechanical dials rather than electronic a simple comparison to the subject would be the diffrence between a digital watch and a mechanical one ...Electronics need a dry cool stable invuonerment cars are a moving object that moves therough different invuonerrment sometimes so rapidly it can get very damp or very wet or hot or very hot or very cold in one cycle this for sure isn't good for electronics screens and the like but also manufacturers tend to use plastics for weightloss and profit margins
It simply isn't best at any of the things to warrant the price. The Conti GT ought to eat it as a GT, and there are multiple true sports car options that would be better. Hell, the 911 Turbo S is an obvious option that comes to mind. I will confess I've never understood the point of Aston as they all seem to suffer that problem of there being simply superior options for the money.
One of the most beautiful GTs on the market but of course the fact that they did not improve or try to do anything with the central interface is a real disappointment and frankly almost an insult to their clients for that price. I don't mind the Mercedes system but it's the fact that it is still so badly integrated without any class (and the big plastic air vents) and unchanged for a decade plus. That being said, I did not notice that on their latest DBX SUV they managed to finally modify and integrate that system in a better fashion, which is also frustrating because it means that could have easily done the same for the Superleggera.
Noticed that brakes on the modern cars are either grabby or squeak. Do you think the brake pad compositions have changed due to legislation and concern about brake dust?
