The upside of all this was not having to go through the running-in phase, which is a chore at the best of times, let alone when you've got to restrain a socking great V12. Wisely, the factory put the first 1000 or so miles on the clock before releasing the car into TG's grubby mits. By the time I took custody, TFU had covered 2781 miles and has since piled on a further 2000 miles in under a month. I suspect that's more than most Ferraris do in a year, but racking up nearly 5000 miles in a matter of weeks has left little impression on the GT.

It has, however, made a big impression on me. I'm amazed at how quickly and easily I've settled into living with the Aston. It's an effortless car to use daily: comfortable and immensely tractable when you want to waft, engaging and thrilling when you want to get a move on. Reassuringly, familiarity doesn't dilute the buzz. I can't just get out, thumb the remote locking keyfob and walk away - I have to take one last look over my shoulder. Similarly, I can't resist dropping the window an inch before pushing the big, fat red starter button and firing the V12 into life - the noise is from the Gods.

Aside from being on first-name terms with the cashiers at my local Optimax emporium (best mpg so far is 21, worst 16) and getting the bucket and sponge out more than is strictly necessary, Aston 'ownership' has also revealed a previously unseen side to the average British motorist. Every fuel stop results in a conversation across the pumps, mainly of the 'nice car, mate' variety, but surprisingly often I'll be engaged in a knowledgeable interrogation about the GT's upgrades. Clearly, Shell stations are where closet car spods hang out.

Having recently been through the comprehensive Aston Martin Performance Driving Course I'm now fully qualified to comment. Run by Les Goble, boss of Aston's driver training programme, and tailored to specific models in the range, the one-day course is designed to highlight the capability of a Vanquish, DB7 manual or Touchtronic, and soon the DB7 Zagato. Using the safe confines of the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, the course isn't an exercise in gung-ho, on-limit car control, but an insightful lesson in how to get the best from your car while remaining within its limits and, more importantly, your own.

The day starts with a 20-minute drive from Aston's Newport Pagnell facility to Millbrook and is subsequently split between driving on the tricky Outer Handling circuit, rollercoaster-like Hill Route, low-grip surfaces and awesome banked high-speed bowl. The DB7 GT is a big, powerful car and though its well-sorted, friendly dynamics encourage you to enjoy its abundant power and roadholding, it remains a car that demands a certain amount of respect. What Goble and his team aim to demonstrate is how smooth, considered inputs enable the car to deliver its best. Cornering lines and braking techniques are always applied with road-driving in mind, so although some of the principles are similar to those of circuit-based instruction, the emphasis and application ensures what you learn is put into practice every time you drive your Aston.

Having got to grips with the basics on the handling circuit, the course changes pace with a trip to the low grip surfaces to get a feel for traction control and how to get the best from the ABS brakes. There's also a chance to blat down Millbrook's mile straight before taking to the daunting Hill Route. Imagine the greatest, most intimidating road you've ever driven and that's something like Millbrook's fiercest challenge. Once again, Goble doesn't want you to attack the route, but to treat its endless spool of blind crests, awkward cambers and deceptive radius corners as a test of your concentration and self-control, smoothly and maturely stretching the DB7 without ever pushing so hard as to end up fighting the car or getting out of your depth. If you've been listening, it's the point where everything you've been taught gels into quick, confident, controlled handling of your car. Finally, as a special treat, the two-mile bowl beckons for a few 150mph laps.

Like most Aston Martin products, if you have to ask how much it is you probably can't afford it, but suffice to say if you're about to take delivery of a Vanquish or DB7 the Performance Driving Course is a great way to commence life with your new car.