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Aston Martin
Aston Martin's history has been marked by several takeovers and bankruptcies, and was finally acquired by the Ford Motor Company in 1987. The Ford Premier Auto Group owned Aston-Martin Lagonda until March 2007 when it was sold to two Kuwaiti investment companies in a deal organized by David Richards of Prodrive Racing. (Richards holds a new Formula One team franchise but has had political problems with the FIA sanctioning body. Perhaps he will put Aston-Martin on the Formula One grid.) The vehicles continue to be manufactured in the U.K. Aston-Martin is known for its sleek designs and lavish engine power. Despite several changes in ownership and appearances in pop-culture James Bond films, the brand has managed to stay true to its elegant look and remains associated with royal families and jetsetters.
Heading Aston Martin's current model lineup is the V8 Vantage coupe sports car (MSRP $110,000). It is followed by the DB9 (MSRP $162,050 - $180,250) coupe and convertible - available with a powerful V12 engine and either manual or automatic transmission. Last in the lineup is the V12 Vanquish coupe (MSRP $260,000), the automaker's flagship vehicle.
Given their price ranges and exclusivity all three compete at varying levels to the, much higher priced, Bugatti Veyron W16.4 (MSRP $1,500,000), Ferrari F430 V8 (MSRP $178,906), Lamborghini Gallardo V12 ($180,500 - $215,000), and Porsche 911 GT3 ($106,000 base) or Turbo ($123,000 base) both with flat 6-cylinder Boxer engines.
The Vantage coupe depreciates at a faster rate than most of its competition, with its 2006 model now valued from $99,600 to $100,000, while the Ferrari F430's resale/used value has climbed to between $230,000 and $265,000.
Aston Martin's British origins are rooted in the early twentieth century, when Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford built the first car in 1913 under the Bamford & Martin brand and groomed it as competition for the Bugatti. The name "Aston" replaced Bamford to memorialize the brand's successes in the Aston Clinton Hill Climb racing competitions. In 1947 the company was purchased by David Brown and the DB nomenclature pays homage to that ownership. Aston Martins, when made available as luxury sports cars, were appreciated for their hand-crafted quality (catering to that over quantity) and how their breathtaking looks translated as works of art. The vehicles remain as front-engine, rear-wheel drive, heavy sports coupes. While this is old-school technology, their designs are timeless.
Models to watch for include the Aston Martin DBS super car, - a cross between a race and a road car - and the Aston Martin Rapide four-door coupe.
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