What's the Deal with Aston Martin's 'Special' Options Packages?

I'm not surprised by the complexity of Aston Martin's options packages. It seems they're using a similar strategy to luxury watch brands, where bespoke features are used as a sales tool rather than an actual value-added service.

I recently had the opportunity to look at an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, and I was surprised by the sheer number of special options packages available. While some might view this as a positive, I couldn't help but feel that it detracts from the overall elegance and sophistication of the car. As someone who's been following Aston Martin for years, it seems to me that they're trying to appeal to a broader market by offering an array of bespoke options. However, in doing so, they risk diluting their brand identity. I mean, when you can have a car with everything from a champagne cooler to a Bang & Olufsen sound system, does it truly feel special anymore? I understand that some owners might want to customize their vehicles to the nth degree, but for those of us who appreciate the understated nature of Aston Martin's traditional designs, these options packages can be overwhelming. It would be great to see them offer a more streamlined approach to customization, one that stays true to the brand's heritage while still catering to owner preferences.

I'm not sure what's more astonishing, the prices or the exclusivity of some of these options - it feels like they're just trying to make a quick buck on already pricey cars. Can't help but think some of them are a bit gimmicky too

I've always found it fascinating how Aston Martin's bespoke options packages can sometimes feel like they're trying to milk customers for every last penny. Take the example of the Vulcan - a car that starts at around $2 million and then suddenly becomes "even more special" with the addition of, say, a diamond-encrusted gear knob or some other similarly extravagant feature. While it's true that these cars are already extremely exclusive and expensive, I'm not sure that I'd want to be the owner who stands out even further from their peers just by virtue of having one of these over-the-top options. And yet at the same time, there must be some people out there who genuinely appreciate the added level of opulence and uniqueness. Does anyone else have thoughts on this? Are there any examples where you think Aston Martin has really gone above and beyond with their special options packages?

I'm not sure why people get so worked up over the bespoke options available on an Aston Martin. Yes, they're pricey, but that's kind of the point - if you want a truly one-of-a-kind car, you have to be willing to pay for it. And let's be real, the DBS Superleggera doesn't exactly come with a base price that's friendly to the wallet anyway. I think what really gets people riled up is that they feel like they're being nickel-and-dimed by Aston Martin, with each additional feature or upgrade costing an arm and a leg. And I get it - that can be frustrating, especially if you've already sunk a significant amount of money into the car in the first place. But at the same time, if you're buying an Aston Martin, you should probably expect to pay extra for things like bespoke interiors or advanced infotainment systems. It's just part of the package - no pun intended.

I completely agree that Aston Martin's special options packages can be infuriating, especially when they're added as a courtesy at a later date and then refused to remove them. It feels like nickel-and-diming customers for upgrades that were supposed to be included in the initial purchase price.

I've had my share of disappointment when trying to configure an Aston Martin. It seems like they're not too keen on making their bespoke options packages available as standalone choices, even if you're not buying a car off the lot. The DBS Superleggera Volante, for example, is only offered with the 'Q' package at specific dealerships, which means it's not something you can get added to your order later on. The same goes for some of their other models, like the Vantage and the Rapide. It's worth noting that these packages often come with a hefty price tag, so it might be more cost-effective to buy a car that already has them included. However, if you're looking to get something truly unique, you might have to compromise on another aspect of your purchase. Overall, I think Aston Martin should consider making their options packages more readily available or at least provide customers with clearer guidance on what they can and cannot add to their orders.

I've always been fascinated by the bespoke nature of Aston Martin's special options packages. It seems like every time I look at their configurator, there are new and intriguing combinations popping up that supposedly make each car truly unique. While it's great to have the ability to customize your ride with things like bespoke color schemes and intricate interior details, I'm not convinced that these "special" options packages are actually all they're cracked up to be. Some of them seem like nothing more than a marketing gimmick, designed to separate wealthy buyers from their cash. Take, for example, the recent launch of the new DBS Superleggera's 'Ameris Special Edition'. On the surface, it looks like a really cool limited-edition model with unique styling cues and interior trim. But when you dig deeper, you realize that most of these "special" options are simply rehashed from previous models or other Aston Martin production cars. So, what's the deal with all this? Is Aston Martin genuinely committed to providing customers with truly bespoke experiences, or is it just a way to get people to pay more money for the privilege of owning an Aston Martin? I'd love to hear from anyone who has actually worked with the company on building one of these special cars.

I've always been fascinated by the way Aston Martin presents their special options packages. It seems like every model year, there's a new "limited edition" or " heritage" trim that's supposed to be some sort of exclusive upgrade. The problem is, these packages often end up being the same old features re-packaged with a fancy name and a hefty price tag. I've seen people get taken in by this marketing ploy, only to find out they're paying thousands more for something that could have been had as standard equipment on a different model.