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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  Aston Martin Strikes Back - 2004 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By FRANKIE - June 28 - 9:36 am

  This car is by far the top automobile on anyones list. After driving this very rare and stylish car it is hard to find any manufacture that can match or exceed the Vanquishs potiental. Its smooth handeling and break-neck speeds make it one of the funnest cars to drive. Stylish in both interior and exterior design it looks as good as it performs.

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  Third one - 2002 Aston Martin DB7
  By AstonThree - June 6 - 10:00 am

  I just ordered my third one. Obviously I like the car. I think these cars are with out a doubt the sexiest looking cars on the road. They arent flashy, like Ferrari. "I would be embarrassed to drive a Ferrari" Class not flash! This car turns many heads “I get a thumbs up at almost every intersection from someone that spots the car". People always try to egg me on to race, I always ignore them.

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  Excellent - Best Sports Car I Have Owned - 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
  By GK - May 28 - 1:43 pm

  I have had a Porsche and numerous BMWs. For me, this is the treasured prize. The quality of the interior and refinement of the exterior combined with the reliability I have experienced to date make this the finest auto I have ever owned. One article described it best - it is 95% of the performance and 200% of the "WOW" factor of the Porsche Carrera. The cornering and straight acceleration are a notch inferior to the Porsche, but the pride of ownership and fit and finish ar far superior than anything else. Try it... youll like it.

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  just got a 2011 vantage! - 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
  By johnred14 - April 12 - 9:31 am

  i just bought this car and love it. it puts a smile on my face every time i get in the car. it has the nicest interior of any car in its price range and drives perfectly. my biggest complaint is that i am now spoiled when it comes to other cars.

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  Vanquish Rocks - 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By InuYasha510 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  The V12 Vanquish is the best car Ive ever seen or drove. It is just the perfect vehicle. It has a beautiful exterior design.

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  Bobs review - 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By bobs mom - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This car rocks!!! I suggest to every one to go out and buy it.

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  This is not a car ... it is a Dream !! - 2005 Aston Martin DB9
  By Peter Afeiche - December 26 - 1:20 am

  Aston Martins have always had a distinct allure for me ever since seeing the DB5 in Goldfinger and seeing an Astin Martin Lagonda back in the 80s. The DB9 was the dream car for me to own and it took me a good 2- 3 weeks to fully realize just what a splendid car I was driving. Sexy, elegant, powerful, responsive, distinctive and manly are just some of the adjectives I can attribute to this car.

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  A keeper - 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
  By tim s - December 13 - 4:30 pm

  Have had Porsches, every thing from Boxster to TurboS, two 355 Ferraris and a Ferrari F430. This goes way past the Porsches and just under the 430.

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  greg - 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By Donald Fann - September 29 - 10:00 am

  I have street raced in it,I have also put an Nitrus Oxide system in it and I find it drives well

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  WOW - 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
  By Bryan Fletcher - August 16 - 8:56 am

  Truly the most exciting car out there in its price range. Not seen everyday like its competitors. The craftsmanship is out of this world. Power, beauty, soul and if you buy one then you will know what I mean.