This isn’t a car I have talked much about regarding hacks from the Aston Martin brand or the Grand Tourer body style. And I am not entirely sure if I regret that or not. Maybe you can tell me your thoughts when you finish reading.
Created as a replacement for the DB9, the DB11 circulated through the production line since 2017 and just had its reign ended in 2023 with the announcement of the DB12 in May of this year.
It is offered in both a coupe and volante (convertible) variation and still boasts a proper Aston Martin design throughout the body and interior. By this, I mean absolute luxury with a hint of sportiness and edge to it as well.
Now let’s see if this car is “PJ-approved” and worthy of being added to the small list of good hackable Astons (unlike its predecessor).
Driving Experience
So there are a few variations of the DB11 floating around out there, and, obviously, which version you buy will slightly change the drive experience.
The DB11 V8 is the base model, sporting a twin-turbocharged engine giving off 503 horsepower and 498 pounds of torque, a top speed of 187mph and a 0-60 time of 4 seconds. Not a race car by any means, but precisely what it states itself to be: a grand tourer. It is fun to drive around and go cruising, but don’t roll up to a stop light with the confidence that you’ll pull away from the guy next to you in a Ferrari 488.
There is also the DB11 V12 variation that launched alongside the V8. It, too, is twin-turbo, but boasts much more impressive stats than its V8 brother. It has a power output of 600 horsepower, 516 pounds of torque, a top speed of 200mph, and a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds. Again, you’re still not going to beat an Aventador, but this is certainly more for the driver who wants to feel true British Racing Power when he is behind the wheel.
That V12, later turned into the DB11 AMR, which is the car’s more performance and power-based variation that is tuned to be faster than the other variations of the model. Making 630 horsepower with a top speed of 208mph and a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. This car is discernible by its more aggressive exhaust note, black roof, dark interior trim, and 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
Aston Martin DB11 Common Problems
Given the range of production years with this particular model, you will find some units with warranty still intact with others out of warranty for quite some time.
Whether or not your potential DB11 has a warranty, ALWAYS get a PPI performed before buying.
Astons are generally reliable cars throughout their lifetime, but they can break, and when they do, it can be insanely costly.
Differential issues plague this generation of Aston Martins in general.
Another is an interior issue: the leather of the dash and even sometimes the doors can pull and create massive unsightly bubbles that are NOT cheap to fix and may require a whole leather dash replacement.
Electrical issues are also reported to have happened when it comes to the start-up sequence of the DB11, with some systems just refusing to turn on with the car, like air conditioning or radio/navigation. Some even reported the car refused to fire up altogether.
These issues can seem daunting, but you must remember that every car can have issues, whether it is a Honda Civic or a Bugatti Chiron. Sure, the price in replacement ranges, but do you know what also ranges? The amount of fun you have while driving.
Best Aston Martin DB11 To Buy
Between the engine trims, I would go for the V12, I like the added power and draw. Plus, it boasts a higher sticker, strengthening the depreciation curve as the car ages.
Otherwise, when it comes to options, Astons aren’t like Ferrari’s or McLaren’s in the ala carte sense that each option has to be picked one by one. In the DB11 there are very few upgradable options. This means the car comes with what it has across the board.
When it comes to the DB11, it is all about having a strong color spec. Many of these cars ended up looking very old man-ish, and that really isn’t what you want for resale. While some look like an old banker drives them, others can look artsy and elegant if done correctly. Aston has gorgeous colors and shades as well; anything in white, black, silver, red, even some blues work so long as they are paired with a strong interior that is typically in the saddle brown interior (beige is too pale and makes the car look dated), red interior, or black/gray are good options as well.
If you’re looking at a DB11 and curious if it is hot enough to consider, just ask yourself, “Would PJ pick this spec?” that will be your answer.
Conclusion
It is not a car many think about when discussing Aston Martins, especially now with the release of the V12 Vantage and the DB12. But all in all, it is a strong example of a 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 more about and mention more when discussing hackable Astons?
Let me know in the comments below.
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