Overview & Reviews

Born in England, Aston Martin makes cars that place equal emphasis on high-thrill performance and discreet British elegance. The manufacturer's lineup is small and highly specialized; you'll only find sports cars on the Aston Martin roster. Still, the brand has made an incredible name for itself, and is known worldwide as a purveyor of sleek, top-of-the-line, road-hugging machinery.

Founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford started Aston Martin in 1914. The two had seen some success selling Singer racing cars, but wanted to craft their own vehicles, with an emphasis on sophistication and refinement. The brand took its name from co-founder Martin and the Aston Clinton Hill Climb, where the duo's Singer cars had competed.

Originally, Aston Martin was known chiefly in racing circles. By the 1920s, the brand had made its first appearance overseas, participating in the French Grand Prix; it also participated in the Le Mans 24-hour race. The marque saw its share of financial difficulties during the '20s and '30s, undergoing numerous changes in ownership. Still, it made a name for itself with popular racing cars like the streamlined 1934 Ulster.

The postwar years saw the brand change hands once again. Aston Martin was sold to David Brown, an industrialist with a successful tractor company. After purchasing the company in 1947, he set his sights on developing new models. The first was the DB1 (named after his own initials), introduced in 1948. It was soon followed by the DB2 and DB3.

The 1950s saw Aston Martin establishing itself as a winner on the track, with the DB2 placing in its class at Le Mans. As the decade drew to a close, the brand had launched yet another model -- the DB4 -- and scored wins at the World Sports Car Championship, the Nürburgring and the RAC Tourist Trophy.

During the 1960s, Aston Martin began production on the DB5. The low-slung coupe looked glamorous enough to be in the movies, and soon it was; the DB5 was the vehicle of choice for Sean Connery's James Bond in 1964's Goldfinger. By the time the '60s came to a close, the Aston Martin family had grown to include the DB6 (which stands as the first four-seater produced by the marque) and DBS V8.

The 1970s were a rough decade for Aston Martin. The brand was sold by David Brown in 1972, and then once again was passed from owner to owner. Still, a new model, the V8 Vantage, was launched in 1977. Ten years later, Ford Motor Company purchased Aston Martin and invested millions in research and development in hopes of restoring the brand to its former glory.

By the 1990s, Ford's considerable efforts had begun to pay off. The handsome DB7 debuted mid-decade and was a hit with both critics and buyers. Aston Martin's fortunes continued to soar in the 2000s, with the launch of the successful V12 Vanquish, the DB9 and the V8 Vantage. Still, subsequent financial trouble at Ford led to the sale of Aston Martin in 2007 to a group of investors, which include a pair of Kuwaiti investment companies.

Aston's recent models include the exotic DBS (a more muscular version of the DB9), the four-door, four-seat Rapide, the Virage (which slots in between the DB9 and DBS) and a pair of ultra-low-production sports cars — the V12 Zagato (named after the design house that penned its body) and the One-77 (only 77 produced with a price of nearly $2 million each). As you'd guess by now, the current Aston Martin lineup comprises some of the world's most desirable cars.

User Reviews:

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  Not for the faint - 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
  By Booboo - July 29 - 10:43 am

  This is my 2nd Aston which I purchased new and some things never change. The Aston is a high performance car for sure with a reliable and truly excellent engine the rest does not live up. The road holding is OK and no problem on regular highway driving, but the suspension is an issue because there is no "ABC" feature that inspires confidence, so in fast and tight corners, an average driver will have to deal with a nervous car and will be more shaken than stirred. It is an unsophisticated car with a washboard ride, but I buy one again!

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  Always Broke - 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By Marlon - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This thing has been back to the dealer 8 times in three weeks. My VW diesel is faster. Sorry I bought it, and the dealer knows less about it than I do.

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  The Greatest - 2002 Aston Martin DB7
  By Hoss Boss - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This would be my 12th one and i really love them, i couldnt ask for anythign else from this car. I would recomend that everyone should get one someday. I can do anything i want and go anywhere i want to with these cars.

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  Prettiest Car on the Road - 2006 Aston Martin DB9
  By meteoritedb9 - April 5 - 3:57 pm

  I bought my used 06 DB9 about 3 weeks ago with 1890 miles on it. Owning and AM has been a dream of mine & Im thrilled that I decided to spring for one. I love this car! It is beautiful inside & out. The power is awesome and the experience of driving it is pure heaven. Theres not a better looking car on the road.

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  Not one of the "crowd" anymore! - 2005 Aston Martin DB9
  By sjc-dal - April 3 - 5:06 pm

  I was driving an "03 SL500 Sport. I had ordered this silver beauty 1.5 years before they started arriving. Really a nice car, but in North Dallas, I passed 13 Sls in 2.5 miles to work...and 8 were silver. So...Aston Martin as a little more "independent" make. I thought the beautiful but classic styling might blend in without causing the over-the-top hoopla of a Ferrari, or Lambo. WRONG. Everywhere I go it gets comments. I really rarely use the 900watt+ stereo, because I am hooked on the sound of the engine! It IS hard to stay within speed limit. This car DEMANDS that you remain engaged in your driving...even if just going to the closest 7-11. So far so good!

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  I Love my Vantage - 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
  By Dave_Car_Guy - March 8 - 9:26 am

  I took delivery of my Vantage in December 2006 and have put 7000 miles on the car so far (as of June 2007). I absolutely love the ride, the quality, and the beauty of the car. I have owned Porsches, BMWs, and a Ferrari, so my expectations for the Aston were high. I can say that the car has met and exceeded those expectations. The biggest surprise has been the handling, which is better than I hoped. Although not as tight as the Carrera, it is extremely easy to drive the car on winding roads with lots of confidence. I have not driven the car on the track as I did the Porsche, so I cant compare hard-driving experience, but that isnt what I bought the Aston for.

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  World most amazing GT - 2008 Aston Martin DB9
  By astonman - October 17 - 3:36 am

  I always wanted an Aston but wasnt sure of the build quality. When I walked into the showroom the salesman urged me to just drive one and I was sold. I could feel this was a solid car and I was right. It has been the most reliable car I have ever owned and I have owned several exotics. It is also the biggest head turner anywhere. Superb fit and finish. Amazing engine, perfect wood grain, the finest leather. Dont even think of comparing this in any way to the much lesser poser car the Vantage--the DB9 is a true Aston. If you can afford it, buy it - you will be glad you did.

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  V12 - 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By isaac - October 5 - 10:00 am

  the V12 is absolutely the funest, nicest, fastest car I have ever owned. there is not one thing i can say about it that would bring it down in any way. i wish everyone on earth could have the chance to own or at least drive one.

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  V12 - 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By Isaac - October 5 - 10:00 am

  the V12 is absolutely the funest, nicest, fastest car I have ever owned. there is not one thing i can say about it that would bring it down in any way. i wish everyone on earth could have the chance to own or at least drive one.

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  good car - 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By brando hilderbrand - September 3 - 10:00 am

  very nice