Don't get me wrong, I loved the Aston and every three months or so feel the temptation to return.
But £2500 for an annual routine service and £3500 for a new clutch at 28k miles!!!
Running costs of the Aero have been, annual service and MOT circa £400, new battery circa £150 and new MAF and Heater control valve were around £120 each, so three years of aero < one year of aston.
The story with the new clutch at £28k is what did it for me. I had the semi automatic clutch on the Vantage, essentially a manual style friction clutch operated by very basic electronics. When in it went in for its service at 28k, was told by Aston that it would need it's second clutch. I said what do you mean a second clutch it's only done 28k of largely motorway miles. Sir we have never heard of anyone getting more than 20K out of one of these clutches you have done very well - and that will be £3500!!!
Notwithstanding Aston's still beautiful to look at and beautiful to drive but not an Aero
