An Aston Martin is a symbol of luxury, a statement about your taste for the finer things. But, like any high-end vehicle, it comes with its own set of challenges that you need to be aware of. In this article, we’ll explore the common issues that Aston Martin owners face, and why you might need to service your car more frequently than you’d expect.
1. Unveiling the Aston Martin Heritage
Aston Martin has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the world’s premier sports cars. With a history dating back to the early 1900s, the British automaker has broadened its horizons to include not only sports cars but also SUVs and hypercars. Despite its iconic status and distinctive designs, owning an Aston Martin may not be as glamorous as it seems.
2. The Hidden Side of Aston Martin Ownership
As an owner, there are certain aspects of owning an Aston Martin that you might not be readily willing to discuss, ranging from reliability issues to outdated technology. Let’s dive deeper into these concerns.
2.1 Aston Martin Early Rusting: A Thorn in the Side
Despite fabricating some of the most iconic cars in the last few decades, Aston Martin has faced criticism for the build quality of its vehicles, particularly their propensity to rust quickly. This issue extends to models as recent as the V8 Vantage of 2006. If you’re considering buying an older model, be prepared to invest in bodywork repairs as part of regular services to maintain your car.
2.2 Aston Martin Engine Concerns: The Old AMG Engines Saga
Traditionally, Aston Martin took pride in manufacturing its own engines. However, financial hardships led to a strategic partnership with Mercedes for their new vehicles. This means that modern Aston Martins come with modified AMG engines. Although this might seem like a great way to boost performance, it could also raise doubts about Aston Martin’s competitiveness in the performance segment, especially since they are using older, less efficient AMG designs.
2.3 Aston Martin Tech Challenges: The Old Mercedes Infotainment System
As part of the Aston Martin-Mercedes partnership, Aston Martin vehicles are equipped with the previous version of Mercedes’ MBUX system. This could be seen as a setback for Aston Martin owners, as they might spend over $100,000 on a new coupe and still lack the basic features you’d expect in an entry-level A-Class.
3. Aston Martin Design Flaws: Bulky Keys, Unusual Gear Buttons and More
Aston Martin is synonymous with sleek, modern design, but some elements, like the bulky keys and unusual gear buttons, might not reflect this brand image. Modern luxury brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini have evolved to have thin, modern, card-like keys. In comparison, the Aston Martin key can appear dated and old.
4. Aston Martin Transmission Troubles: The Shift to Automatic
Like many luxury brands, Aston Martin transitioned to automatic gearboxes in the last decade, retaining manual transmissions only for specific racing cars within the Vantage range. However, the paddle shifters, intended to provide a more premium and sportier feel, have been criticized for being flimsy and slow.
5. Aston Martin and Modern Technology
With the advancement in technology, modern cars have become incredibly sophisticated, especially in terms of security and safety features. New Aston Martin owners may find that while they get all the basics, the brand lags behind some of its rivals.
6. The Price of Uniqueness: High Maintenance Costs
Aston Martin’s uniqueness and rarity come with a price – high maintenance costs. Replacement parts and official servicing are equally unique and rare, meaning that even minor repairs could set you back quite a bit.
7. The Fast Depreciation of Aston Martins
Aston Martin competes with luxury brands in the auto industry, but unfortunately, their vehicles depreciate faster than their German counterparts. This is primarily due to reliability issues and high maintenance costs associated with the Aston Martin brand.
8. Performance: The Slow Pace of Aston Martin
Aston Martin certainly produces beautiful cars, but they lack the performance to compete effectively with other sports cars in the segment. For instance, the Vantage from Aston Martin is significantly slower than the AMG GT and the Porsche 911.
9. Aston Martin and the Lemon Law
If you’ve recently purchased an Aston Martin and are constantly facing issues despite multiple repair attempts, you might have a valid lemon law claim. Lemon laws protect consumers from manufacturer defects in sold vehicles.
10. Common Lemon Law Issues with Aston Martin
The lemon law protects consumers who purchase an Aston Martin with substantial defects that affect the vehicle’s value, use, and safety. Common problems reported by Aston Martin owners include oil leaks, engine issues, electrical problems, power window failure, back-up camera failure, and faulty locks.
Final Thoughts
Owning an Aston Martin is an experience in itself. However, being aware of these common issues and understanding the importance of regular services to maintain your car can help you get the most out of your Aston Martin. If you believe your Aston Martin is a lemon, consider consulting a lemon law attorney to explore your options
