Clearly things have improved with the latest generation, no doubt with the benefit of Mercedes technology.
The reason for my comments were based on bodyshops and detailers who heavily criticised the paintwork as being well below standard, although they were equally critical of Ferrari. And the ownership experience of a client who bought a Vantage from new:-
The brake discs needed to be continually skimmed to stop them from squealing like you were dragging an unfortunate pedestrian underneath the car. AM told him it was a sports car and unless you drive aggressively this can be expected.
The rear diff also made some terrible sounds when the car was driven slowly on full lock.
Various electrical gremlins including inoperative Sat Nav.
Then, when as a courtesy to him, I would arrange the garage visits - from memory possibly Stratstones ( you had to do anything you could to keep your clients happy as a Currency Broker ), I questioned the cost of the service when the car was a month old, as so little work was being done, and the advisor agreed and said but we can charge that because our customers can afford it!!
Perhaps to put some clarity into what I said, AM is by its nature not a company with the resources to thoroughly develop out all the little issues that one of the big boys VAG or BMW with Bentley Lamborghini or Rolls Royce can afford to do. This is why previous gen AM's would rely on out of date switchgear and controls from say a Jaguar. Thankfully as I say with Mercedes input these issues are clearly being sorted.
I think Aston's are great British cars, and can definitely take the fight to Ferrari as is the case with McLaren, but when I looked at a Rapids (IMO one of the most stunning four door cars on the road) and discovered a Manuel fly off hand brake and an ex Jaguar Manuel steering wheel adjustment lever I realized they simply didn't have the money behind them to make something truly modern and competitive. But from what your saying it appears they have turned a corner.
Whilst criticised heavily in the U.S the latest Maserati s benefit from the thoroughly developed tech of Chrysler, which is maybe why in my case in nearly four years my Ghibli has remained pretty much fault free.
In summary a small manufacturer needs the benefit of big producer and deep pockets to get all the details right.
