This isn’t a car I have talked much about when it comes to hacks in the Aston Martin realm 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 market from 2017 and just had its reign ended in 2023 with the announcement of the DB12 in May of 2023.
It is offered in both a coupe and volante (convertible) variation and still boasts a true 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 something worthy of being added to the small list of good hackable Astons.
Driving Experience
So there are a few variations of the DB11 floating around out there and obviously which version you get will slightly change the drive experience.
The DB11 V8 is the base model variation, it is 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. These stats prove this car is not a race car but exactly what it states itself to be: a grand tourer. It is fun to drive around and go cruising, but don’t pull up to a stop light and think you’re going to 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 the 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 are going to 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 or not, before buying, ALWAYS get a PPI performed.
Whilst Astons are generally reliable cars throughout their lifetime, they can break, and when they do, it is insanely costly.
Differential issues plague this generation of Aston Martins in general… usually the rear but both can be affected.
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 usually require a whole leather dash replacement.
Electrical issues are also reported to have happened when it comes to start-up 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 all together.
These issues can seem daunting, but you have to remember that every car can have issues whether it is a Honda Civic or a Bugatti Chiron. Sure the price in replacement ranges, but 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 personally go for the V12, I like the added power and draw. Plus, it boasts a higher sticker, which strengthens the depreciation curve as the car ages. If you can find an AMR, let me know, and I will buy it.
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. A lot of these cars can end up looking very old man-ish and that really isn’t what you want for resale. Because while some look older, some can look very 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?” and 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, I will say 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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