This isn’t a car I’ve talked about much in terms of Aston Martin brand hacks or Grand Tourer body style. And I’m not entirely sure if I regret that or not. Maybe you can let me know what you think when you’re done reading.
Developed to replace the DB9, the DB11 had been in production since 2017 and only ended in 2023 with the announcement of the DB12 in May this year.
It is offered as both a coupe and a Volante (convertible) and still features the typical Aston Martin design throughout the body and interior. By this I mean absolute luxury with a touch of sportiness and elegance.
Now let’s see if this car is “PJ approved” and worthy of inclusion in the small list of good hackable Astons (unlike its predecessor).
Experience behind the wheel
So there are a few variations of the DB11, and of course the driving experience will vary slightly which version you buy.
The DB11 V8 is the base model and features a twin-turbocharged engine that produces 503 horsepower and 498 pound-feet of torque, a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-60 acceleration of 4 seconds. By no means a racing car, but exactly what it claims to be: a grand tourer. It’s fun to drive around and cruise, but don’t roll up to a stoplight knowing you’re outrunning the man next to you in a Ferrari 488.
There is also the V12 variant DB11, which came onto the market alongside the V8. It also has a twin-turbo engine, but has far more impressive stats than its V8 brother. It has a power output of 600 horsepower, 516 pound-feet of torque, a top speed of 200 miles per hour, and a 0-60 acceleration of 3.8 seconds. Again, you still won’t be able to beat an Aventador, but this is certainly more for the driver who wants to feel true British racing power when behind the wheel.
This V12 later became the DB11 AMR, the more powerful and powerful variant of the car, which was tuned to be quicker than the other variants of the model. It produces 630 hp, reaches a top speed of 330 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. This car can be recognized by its more aggressive exhaust note, black roof, dark interior and 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
Aston Martin DB11 General problems
Given the different years of production of this particular model, you will notice that some devices are still under warranty, while others have been out of warranty for quite some time.
Regardless of whether your potential DB11 is under warranty or not, ALWAYS have a PPI done before purchasing.
Astons are generally reliable cars for life, but they can break down and when that happens it can be incredibly expensive.
Differential problems generally plague this generation of Aston Martins.
Another problem is the interior: the leather of the dashboard and sometimes even the doors can crack and form large, unsightly bubbles that are NOT cheap to repair and may require a complete leather dashboard replacement.
Electrical issues have also reportedly been encountered when it comes to the DB11’s startup sequence, with some systems simply not turning on with the car, such as the air conditioning or radio/navigation system. Some even reported that the car wouldn’t start at all.
These problems can seem discouraging, but you have to remember that any car can have problems, whether it’s a Honda Civic or a Bugatti Chiron. Sure, the price of replacement parts varies, but do you know what also varies? How much fun you have while driving.
Preferably Aston Martin DB11 Buy
Among the engine options I would choose the V12, I like the additional power and pulling power. Additionally, it has a higher sticker, meaning the depreciation curve increases as the vehicle ages.
Otherwise, when it comes to options, Astons aren’t like Ferraris or McLarens in the sense that each option has to be selected individually. There are very few upgradable options in DB11. This means that the car has what it has across the board.
What matters most about the DB11 is a strong color specification. Many of these cars ended up looking very old, and that’s really not what you want for resale. While some look like something an old banker would drive, others, when done right, can look artistic and elegant. Aston also has beautiful colors and shades; Anything in white, black, silver, red, and even some shades of blue will work as long as it is paired with a bold interior, typically saddle brown interior (beige is too pale and makes the car look dated), red interior, or black /gray are also good options.
If you’re looking at a DB11 and are curious about whether it’s hot enough to consider, just ask yourself, “Would PJ choose this spec?” that will be your answer.
Diploma
It’s not a car that many think of when they talk about Aston Martins, especially now with the release of the V12 Vantage and DB12. But all in all, it’s a strong example of luxurious performance rooted in grand tourer body style.
But what do you think?
Is the Aston Martin DB11 a car that you think I should talk about and mention more when talking about hackable Astons?
Let me know in the comments below.
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