Newer Vantage vs Older DB9 - What to do?
Discussion
I suggest you decide which car you prefer.....for 65k you’re going to pick up an immaculate version of either model from a dealer....also don’t be afraid of a private sale ......at that kind of money it will come with a warranty and you can ring the dealer who has been servicing the car for its history.....before purchase for a couple hundred squid a dealer will look over it for you......probably end up with the same car for 5 to 7k less....you just need to make a little effort
Good luck in the hunting.....it’s half the fun
Good luck in the hunting.....it’s half the fun
Choosing between the two, IMHO, is a little like choosing between a newer Boxster and a slightly older 911.
My Porsche budget would have seen me in a much newer Boxster than 911, however the 911 is the pinnacle of the brand and the breed, it was much more of a car when purchased and represents a better value purchase once second hand.
Yes, the Boxster is the better Sports car, as the Vantage is. But it's a full class or two below the DB9, the original purchase price was half as much again and there isn't much to choose in ownership costs. IMHO.
There is nothing to choose between them in terms of reliability or costs of ownership (a few pounds more to service a DB9? Maybe) and many of the parts are issues (bubbling paint, the odd electrical germlin) are shared anyway. One has a bespoke Aston Martin V12 that was the best petrol-powered engine at Le Mans in the LMP1 and won the GT title in the DBR9, the other one has an ageing Jag saloon engine
Both are fantastic cars however and you won't be disappointed with either. The DB9 is set to feel smooth but will really hustle along when you want it to, the Vantage is set to be hustled along from the off. I guess you're into 4.7 Vantage territory? But also in 470bhp DB9 land... decisions, decisions
Think I'll take the 911 to work today
My Porsche budget would have seen me in a much newer Boxster than 911, however the 911 is the pinnacle of the brand and the breed, it was much more of a car when purchased and represents a better value purchase once second hand.
Yes, the Boxster is the better Sports car, as the Vantage is. But it's a full class or two below the DB9, the original purchase price was half as much again and there isn't much to choose in ownership costs. IMHO.
There is nothing to choose between them in terms of reliability or costs of ownership (a few pounds more to service a DB9? Maybe) and many of the parts are issues (bubbling paint, the odd electrical germlin) are shared anyway. One has a bespoke Aston Martin V12 that was the best petrol-powered engine at Le Mans in the LMP1 and won the GT title in the DBR9, the other one has an ageing Jag saloon engine
Both are fantastic cars however and you won't be disappointed with either. The DB9 is set to feel smooth but will really hustle along when you want it to, the Vantage is set to be hustled along from the off. I guess you're into 4.7 Vantage territory? But also in 470bhp DB9 land... decisions, decisions
Think I'll take the 911 to work today
Edited by yeti on Monday 23 January 10:39
They are as rare as a rare thing. I would have to disagree here, in my admitedly biased state as a V8V owner :-)
The Vantage is not a class below the DB9, it is a totally different car, and I have owned both. Someone rightly said that one is a sports coupe, the other a GT - to me that is correct. All depends what you are after in your Aston.
Fully agreed that you cant go wrong with either, fantastic cars.
The Vantage is not a class below the DB9, it is a totally different car, and I have owned both. Someone rightly said that one is a sports coupe, the other a GT - to me that is correct. All depends what you are after in your Aston.
Fully agreed that you cant go wrong with either, fantastic cars.
yeti said:
Choosing between the two, IMHO, is a little like choosing between a newer Boxster and a slightly older 911.
My Porsche budget would have seen me in a much newer Boxster than 911, however the 911 is the pinnacle of the brand and the breed, it was much more of a car when purchased and represents a better value purchase once second hand.
Yes, the Boxster is the better Sports car, as the Vantage is. But it's a full class or two below the DB9, the original purchase price was half as much again and there isn't much to choose in ownership costs. IMHO.
There is nothing to choose between them in terms of reliability or costs of ownership (a few pounds more to service a DB9? Maybe) and many of the parts are issues (bubbling paint, the odd electrical germlin) are shared anyway. One has a bespoke Aston Martin V12 that was the best petrol-powered engine at Le Mans in the LMP1 and won the GT title in the DBR9, the other one has an ageing Jag saloon engine
Both are fantastic cars however and you won't be disappointed with either. The DB9 is set to feel smooth but will really hustle along when you want it to, the Vantage is set to be hustled along from the off. I guess you're into 4.7 Vantage territory? But also in 470bhp DB9 land... decisions, decisions
Think I'll take the 911 to work today
My Porsche budget would have seen me in a much newer Boxster than 911, however the 911 is the pinnacle of the brand and the breed, it was much more of a car when purchased and represents a better value purchase once second hand.
Yes, the Boxster is the better Sports car, as the Vantage is. But it's a full class or two below the DB9, the original purchase price was half as much again and there isn't much to choose in ownership costs. IMHO.
There is nothing to choose between them in terms of reliability or costs of ownership (a few pounds more to service a DB9? Maybe) and many of the parts are issues (bubbling paint, the odd electrical germlin) are shared anyway. One has a bespoke Aston Martin V12 that was the best petrol-powered engine at Le Mans in the LMP1 and won the GT title in the DBR9, the other one has an ageing Jag saloon engine
Both are fantastic cars however and you won't be disappointed with either. The DB9 is set to feel smooth but will really hustle along when you want it to, the Vantage is set to be hustled along from the off. I guess you're into 4.7 Vantage territory? But also in 470bhp DB9 land... decisions, decisions
Think I'll take the 911 to work today
Edited by yeti on Monday 23 January 10:39
any horror stories on servicing. I had a ferrari 456 which blew a power steering unit, needed a new clutch every few miles and had wonky window regulators which are a 2k fix....
i heard the sat nav is a miserable old ford/volvo unit which is a let down? as a golfer can i practically get two sets of stick in either
i heard the sat nav is a miserable old ford/volvo unit which is a let down? as a golfer can i practically get two sets of stick in either
FWIW, I had been in a similar dilemma, but further including an even older Gallardo in the mix. The Vantage was the only one that could accommodate a full set of golf clubs + a large basket of tennis balls + a 6 tennis racquet case. And with room to spare.
Really shouldn't be the basis choosing such cars, but my previous weekend car (F360) saw little use because I just couldn't get the weekend stuff to fit!
Really shouldn't be the basis choosing such cars, but my previous weekend car (F360) saw little use because I just couldn't get the weekend stuff to fit!
yeti said:
One has a bespoke Aston Martin V12 that was the best petrol-powered engine at Le Mans in the LMP1 and won the GT title in the DBR9, the other one has an ageing Jag saloon engine
Ahem, one has a superb modern dry-sump, variable valve timing, knock sensing V8 and the other has two agricultural Ford Duratec V6 units "bolted" together.Quote from that ever reliable source wikipedia...
Aston Martin hand-assembles a special version of the AJ-V8 for the 2005 V8 Vantage. This unit displaced 4.3 L (4280 cc/261 in³) and produces 380 hp (283 kW) at 7000 rpm and 302 lb·ft (409 N·m) at 5000 rpm. This engine is unique to Aston Martin and features race-style dry-sump lubrication, which enables it to be mounted low to lower the centre of gravity. The engine is assembled by hand at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, which also builds the V12 for the DB9 and Vanquish. The cylinder block, cylinder heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management are all unique to the Aston Martin version.
In May 2008, Aston Martin released a new design that used pressed cylinder liners instead of cast-in liners. This allowed for thinner liners, and a higher capacity of 4.7L for the V8 Vantage. Power output increased to 420 bhp (an 11% increase on the previous 4.3L unit) and peak torque to 470 N·m (350 lb·ft) (a 15% increase).
And to the OP, I own one of these duratec V12s and owned a V8 before. But the character of the two engines is very different. Drive both...
yeti said:
Yes, the Boxster is the better Sports car, as the Vantage is. But it's a full class or two below the DB9
I couldn't agree less, Yeti. Sorry. I agree they are different cars for different purposes. In a different class, sure, but below, no way.I did look at both a DB9 and Vantage before I decided on a Vantage. Going on my previous cars, the DB9 would look, to an outsider, to have been my natural choice. However, I preferred the looks of the Vantage, have no needs for the two rear 'seats' and prefer the running costs of the V8 against the V12, especially as this is my first foray into AM ownership (but definitely not my last, dear god no).
I think the stance of the Vantage is more purposeful than the DB9, whereas the DB9 is sleeker than the Vantage.
OP, I echo that you should definitely test drive both cars and then decide which one you want from that. As has been previously said, one is primarily a GT cruiser and one is a Sports Car, although each one can be made to do the other function with effortless ease.
Whichever one you choose, you'll still have an Aston Martin on your drive, which was nice.
The DB9 feels much quicker than the Vantage because ............it is.......very important you try both out.....ring your local dealer....tell him you have 65k to blow......and im sure he will bring both cars round to your house for you to try...the way the high end market is at the moment he will probably throw in a few sexual favours as part of the deal if your so inclined
My quotes towards the beginners Aston, as ever, were predominantly tongue in cheek
But the DB9 and Vantage are in a different class, and by class I mean price bracket when new. It's like comparing a 3 series and a 5 series. You can argue all day which is better, but the 5 series is in the class above the 3 series. By cost and size alone if nothing else.
Imperious, elegant, timeless DB9 is/was £120k; childlike, stunted, wheezy V8 Vantage is/was £80k (or thereabouts).
But the DB9 and Vantage are in a different class, and by class I mean price bracket when new. It's like comparing a 3 series and a 5 series. You can argue all day which is better, but the 5 series is in the class above the 3 series. By cost and size alone if nothing else.
Imperious, elegant, timeless DB9 is/was £120k; childlike, stunted, wheezy V8 Vantage is/was £80k (or thereabouts).
yeti said:
My quotes towards the beginners Aston, as ever, were predominantly tongue in cheek
But the DB9 and Vantage are in a different class, and by class I mean price bracket when new. It's like comparing a 3 series and a 5 series. You can argue all day which is better, but the 5 series is in the class above the 3 series. By cost and size alone if nothing else.
Imperious, elegant, timeless DB9 is/was £120k; childlike, stunted, wheezy V8 Vantage is/was £80k (or thereabouts).
I know it's all tongue in cheek but wheezy does not describe the V8.But the DB9 and Vantage are in a different class, and by class I mean price bracket when new. It's like comparing a 3 series and a 5 series. You can argue all day which is better, but the 5 series is in the class above the 3 series. By cost and size alone if nothing else.
Imperious, elegant, timeless DB9 is/was £120k; childlike, stunted, wheezy V8 Vantage is/was £80k (or thereabouts).
Now go back to your pipe and slippers and have a mid afternoon nap...
yeti said:
My quotes towards the beginners Aston, as ever, were predominantly tongue in cheek
But the DB9 and Vantage are in a different class, and by class I mean price bracket when new. It's like comparing a 3 series and a 5 series. You can argue all day which is better, but the 5 series is in the class above the 3 series. By cost and size alone if nothing else.
Imperious, elegant, timeless DB9 is/was £120k; childlike, stunted, wheezy V8 Vantage is/was £80k (or thereabouts).
AgreeBut the DB9 and Vantage are in a different class, and by class I mean price bracket when new. It's like comparing a 3 series and a 5 series. You can argue all day which is better, but the 5 series is in the class above the 3 series. By cost and size alone if nothing else.
Imperious, elegant, timeless DB9 is/was £120k; childlike, stunted, wheezy V8 Vantage is/was £80k (or thereabouts).
To use one of my time honoured cliche type thingies. Drive both and let the car choose you.
I first drove a DB9 as I was convinced this was what I wanted. I loved it, but was still left wanting the must have factor.
The 4.7 V8V provided that in spades. I was a drooling, husband cheque book grabbing idiot.
Then I drove a V12V, but thats another story
I loved my V8 Vantage and do sometimes question my sanity in getting the V12V for what I use it for.
Coming from Tuscans and a couple of Boxsters I guess I was more drawn to the compact sporty 2 seater, although with a bonnet that long I don't think a Tuscan can be truly classed as compact.
Plus a lady looks stupid smoking a pipe;)
Good luck.
I first drove a DB9 as I was convinced this was what I wanted. I loved it, but was still left wanting the must have factor.
The 4.7 V8V provided that in spades. I was a drooling, husband cheque book grabbing idiot.
Then I drove a V12V, but thats another story
I loved my V8 Vantage and do sometimes question my sanity in getting the V12V for what I use it for.
Coming from Tuscans and a couple of Boxsters I guess I was more drawn to the compact sporty 2 seater, although with a bonnet that long I don't think a Tuscan can be truly classed as compact.
Plus a lady looks stupid smoking a pipe;)
Good luck.
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