Discussion
Hello,
New to this section, having just purchased a DB9.
I'm really impressed with the car although one area is a slight concern. The brakes feel, well, terrible really. To be fair I have come from a Porsche GT2 with carbon ceramic stoppers which were sublime, but even so I find that I'm braking much, much earlier than I want to in order to set the car up properly for a corner. It's only done 7k, and the discs look mint.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
New to this section, having just purchased a DB9.
I'm really impressed with the car although one area is a slight concern. The brakes feel, well, terrible really. To be fair I have come from a Porsche GT2 with carbon ceramic stoppers which were sublime, but even so I find that I'm braking much, much earlier than I want to in order to set the car up properly for a corner. It's only done 7k, and the discs look mint.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
simonharrod911 said:
Hello,
New to this section, having just purchased a DB9.
I'm really impressed with the car although one area is a slight concern. The brakes feel, well, terrible really. To be fair I have come from a Porsche GT2 with carbon ceramic stoppers which were sublime, but even so I find that I'm braking much, much earlier than I want to in order to set the car up properly for a corner. It's only done 7k, and the discs look mint.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Sorry mate but welcome to Aston M world! I suspect there's not much wrong with your brakes - you're just expecting a bit too much after your GT2's carbon ceramics - in truth not much out there will compare well with those. When I moved from a 997S to a V8V I had to adjust to the fact that Aston just don't put the same investment or developement into the the pure driving elements of their cars as Porsche. Just brake earlier but arrive in SOOOOOOOOO much more style! New to this section, having just purchased a DB9.
I'm really impressed with the car although one area is a slight concern. The brakes feel, well, terrible really. To be fair I have come from a Porsche GT2 with carbon ceramic stoppers which were sublime, but even so I find that I'm braking much, much earlier than I want to in order to set the car up properly for a corner. It's only done 7k, and the discs look mint.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Pugsey said:
simonharrod911 said:
Hello,
New to this section, having just purchased a DB9.
I'm really impressed with the car although one area is a slight concern. The brakes feel, well, terrible really. To be fair I have come from a Porsche GT2 with carbon ceramic stoppers which were sublime, but even so I find that I'm braking much, much earlier than I want to in order to set the car up properly for a corner. It's only done 7k, and the discs look mint.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Sorry mate but welcome to Aston M world! I suspect there's not much wrong with your brakes - you're just expecting a bit too much after your GT2's carbon ceramics - in truth not much out there will compare well with those. When I moved from a 997S to a V8V I had to adjust to the fact that Aston just don't put the same investment or developement into the the pure driving elements of their cars as Porsche. Just brake earlier but arrive in SOOOOOOOOO much more style! New to this section, having just purchased a DB9.
I'm really impressed with the car although one area is a slight concern. The brakes feel, well, terrible really. To be fair I have come from a Porsche GT2 with carbon ceramic stoppers which were sublime, but even so I find that I'm braking much, much earlier than I want to in order to set the car up properly for a corner. It's only done 7k, and the discs look mint.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
How's about fitting aftermarket Ceramic discs? The only problem I foresee is the exorbitant cost....
Correct me if I'm worng Pugs, but I've always believed that most components of modern cars are outsourced. For example, Porsche would license the ceramic from Brembo. If one looks at the component list of the V8, most of it is outsourced and then reassembled at the factory, subframes, bushes etc.. appear to be made elsewhere.
AFAIK the V8s brakes are brembo 4 pots. I find them a little under servo'd but they seem to stop pretty well compared to the brakes on our 996.
The db9 is a damn heavy car - maybe that is the issue?
Edited by stanwan on Wednesday 25th April 21:13
Edited by stanwan on Wednesday 25th April 21:38
Pugsey said:
simonharrod911 said:
Hello,
New to this section, having just purchased a DB9.
I'm really impressed with the car although one area is a slight concern. The brakes feel, well, terrible really. To be fair I have come from a Porsche GT2 with carbon ceramic stoppers which were sublime, but even so I find that I'm braking much, much earlier than I want to in order to set the car up properly for a corner. It's only done 7k, and the discs look mint.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Sorry mate but welcome to Aston M world! I suspect there's not much wrong with your brakes - you're just expecting a bit too much after your GT2's carbon ceramics - in truth not much out there will compare well with those. When I moved from a 997S to a V8V I had to adjust to the fact that Aston just don't put the same investment or developement into the the pure driving elements of their cars as Porsche. Just brake earlier but arrive in SOOOOOOOOO much more style! New to this section, having just purchased a DB9.
I'm really impressed with the car although one area is a slight concern. The brakes feel, well, terrible really. To be fair I have come from a Porsche GT2 with carbon ceramic stoppers which were sublime, but even so I find that I'm braking much, much earlier than I want to in order to set the car up properly for a corner. It's only done 7k, and the discs look mint.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
simonharrod911 - Pugsey, he talk sense..
I made the same move from a 997s to an AMV8 (only a few weeks ago) and feel the same way. The brakes are perhaps the weakest part of the cars composition and highlights the 911's superiority as a true driver's car.
That said, the car is intoxicating in many other ways and I look forward to hearing how you find the DB9.
I did drive a DB9 with the initial view that it was the car I wanted. However, I did find the V8 to be (subjectively) the better car overall.
Edited by whoami on Wednesday 25th April 22:09
I find the brakes excellent - but my other car is an unservoed Elise...(with AP 4 pots and big disks)...it stops quicker than most stuff but it requires a good shove on the pedal.
Maybe its just that - the way they are set-up is to feel near to unservoed (great for me - I like em) and you are just used to over servoed cars (never driven 997 so cant compare directly, only a 996) ?
in mag tests the stopping distances for AMV8 from 100mph are the same as a (servoed and ABS) S2 Lotus Exige @ 950Kg so they cant be that bad surely - maybe its just a perception thing?
sticking big ceramic disks on there may not help anyway - I find it mostly tyre grip and weight of vehicle that affects distance - as long as the brakes will lock up you have enough power (and they are resistant to fade)...if you are locking the tyres you need stickier rubber.....
sticking a bigger servo on there would give you less effort (and the perception of more powerful brakes), but wouldnt stop you any quicker....
edited to add:
would be interesting to do a side by side comparison maybe at Vmax or somehwhere - put the same tyres on both cars, same calipers etc and just change the disks - i bet theres no difference
carbon jobbies give less fade for sure, but they cant make a 1.5ton car stop 200m shorter - thats limited by grip
so as for the DB9 - if you cant break traction/get the ABS to kick breaking hard in the dry from a ton, then yeah, maybe its underbraked - stick some bigger disks/calipers/different pads on there - if you are getting fade after 3 of 4 laps of track use then do the same...you need to figure out what the weak point is in the equation
Maybe its just that - the way they are set-up is to feel near to unservoed (great for me - I like em) and you are just used to over servoed cars (never driven 997 so cant compare directly, only a 996) ?
in mag tests the stopping distances for AMV8 from 100mph are the same as a (servoed and ABS) S2 Lotus Exige @ 950Kg so they cant be that bad surely - maybe its just a perception thing?
sticking big ceramic disks on there may not help anyway - I find it mostly tyre grip and weight of vehicle that affects distance - as long as the brakes will lock up you have enough power (and they are resistant to fade)...if you are locking the tyres you need stickier rubber.....
sticking a bigger servo on there would give you less effort (and the perception of more powerful brakes), but wouldnt stop you any quicker....
edited to add:
would be interesting to do a side by side comparison maybe at Vmax or somehwhere - put the same tyres on both cars, same calipers etc and just change the disks - i bet theres no difference
carbon jobbies give less fade for sure, but they cant make a 1.5ton car stop 200m shorter - thats limited by grip
so as for the DB9 - if you cant break traction/get the ABS to kick breaking hard in the dry from a ton, then yeah, maybe its underbraked - stick some bigger disks/calipers/different pads on there - if you are getting fade after 3 of 4 laps of track use then do the same...you need to figure out what the weak point is in the equation
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 25th April 23:52
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 25th April 23:58
stanwan said:
Correct me if I'm worng Pugs, but I've always believed that most components of modern cars are outsourced. For example, Porsche would license the ceramic from Brembo. If one looks at the component list of the V8, most of it is outsourced and then reassembled at the factory, subframes, bushes etc.. appear to be made elsewhere.
You're not wrong stanwan but of course the full story is that those outside suppliers will still make kit - brakes for example - to Porsches exacting spec., ie they won't be 'off the shelf'. So, it will still be down to how high a spec. is requested. Porsche outsource their gearboxes for example but they are still unique to them. Crickey BMW make body panels for Porsche but you don't see many 997 front wings on 3 series! Similarly the new paddle shift gearbox in the V8V is from the same source as Ferrari use in the F430 but you can bet it's pretty different. Most of your cheque to Porsche goes on the driving elements of the car - certainly not the interior! Your Aston money goes elsewhere and you end up with a car that rewards at least as much as a Porsche, just in different ways.
Edited by Pugsey on Thursday 26th April 09:27
Many thanks guys, particularly Pugsey who I believe has hit the nail squarely on the head.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
simonharrod911 said:
Many thanks guys, particularly Pugsey who I believe has hit the nail squarely on the head.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
Aye it's one of those brands that seems to transcend all those logical parameters used to select a car. The modern astons aren't really class leading in terms of technical prowess, but seem so achingly desireable - you buy with your heart, not your head.....
simonharrod911 said:
Many thanks guys, particularly Pugsey who I believe has hit the nail squarely on the head.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
Very well summed up! Which is why after my 997GT3 I'm coming back for a second dose - with a V8V Roadster in June/July. Will it be a sharp a 'driving' tool as a cooking 997 let alone the GT3? Of course not. But every mile will be a pleasure - and you're dead right about the ladies!
Pugsey said:
simonharrod911 said:
Many thanks guys, particularly Pugsey who I believe has hit the nail squarely on the head.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
Very well summed up! Which is why after my 997GT3 I'm coming back for a second dose - with a V8V Roadster in June/July. Will it be a sharp a 'driving' tool as a cooking 997 let alone the GT3? Of course not. But every mile will be a pleasure - and you're dead right about the ladies!
Interestingly a friend asked me the other day what could possibly replace the DB9. Gallardo, 430 or a 997GT3. How good are they Pugsey?
In my opinion the brakes are the only thing that really let this car down. Even bearing in mind that this is 1800kg car they are still woefully bad (the 575 Maranello weighs the same and its standard brakes put the DB9's to shame). For a car with a 6.0 litre V12 and 450 bhp, the guy that signed off the brakes at Aston should be shot - they give the driver no confidence whatsoever. You either have to be on the brakes very very early or virtually stand on them to stop from high speed. I recently had all 4 pads changed and the improvement was very marginal. I'm looking into the Pagid/AP route the downside being I can't stand brakes that squeal all the time so its going to have to be a fast road setup at best. Hopefully this issue is something the chaps at Prodrive will be straight on to when they take over the reins in full and future models will have much improved stopping power.
Like some of the guys here I too went from a Porsche to the Aston - a MK2 GT3 in fact. I knew they were going to be totally different cars built for totally different purposes so the drama of owning each is very unique to each car. IMO I'll sum up what it is:
GT3- Fantastically well built with an awesome engine and brakes (mine had ceramics). For the track you will be hard pressed to find anything else that is so well accomplished. Handling awesome (after a minor tweek from Parr), steering great and most importantly sticks to the road when you need it too. Yes having no PSM/traction control means you have to build your confidence but this car really does teach you how to drive, something a lot of modern day rivals dont do well (too much computer aiding). My reasons for selling it? IMO the car is impractical if you are using it on the road a lot. Road surfaces in the UK aren't the best and you would feel any bumps etc unsettling the car. Also no rear seats (should it matter to you), the car does require all your concentration and get tedious on long journeys, not the most comfortable either!
DB9- Fantastic as a tourer (what the car was built for), long journeys no problem, I find the seats comfortable with the lumbar support (others I know do not). Fantastic amount of torque- I'm sure if the TT gearbox would let you you could easily pull away in 3rd or even 4th from standstill. Nice amount of features, ergonomics of the cabin aren't amazing but few cars have this nailed. Handling I have to say I find ok for a car of this size and the steering is good (feedback lacks a bit). On to the main reason why i bought it - the looks. Every person who has commented on my car, male/female, young/old has said that it stunning and it is. The design is very freeflowing and there is not a single angle where IMO the car looks bad or the design is flawed - it is one sexy looking car. Yes to some it may not stand out as much as the Ferrari/Lambos of the world but for me thats what makes it special. You can arrive anywhere, a nice restaurant, the gym, Waitrose and the car looks good and makes you feel good for owning it.
Ideally for me having both cars would be perfect. The GT3 for the track/Sunday hoon and the DB9 for all else (which is why im looking at a 997 GT3 to add to the stable)
Just my 2p worth...
and BTW its is true... Astons get a lot more love on the road than Porsches!
Like some of the guys here I too went from a Porsche to the Aston - a MK2 GT3 in fact. I knew they were going to be totally different cars built for totally different purposes so the drama of owning each is very unique to each car. IMO I'll sum up what it is:
GT3- Fantastically well built with an awesome engine and brakes (mine had ceramics). For the track you will be hard pressed to find anything else that is so well accomplished. Handling awesome (after a minor tweek from Parr), steering great and most importantly sticks to the road when you need it too. Yes having no PSM/traction control means you have to build your confidence but this car really does teach you how to drive, something a lot of modern day rivals dont do well (too much computer aiding). My reasons for selling it? IMO the car is impractical if you are using it on the road a lot. Road surfaces in the UK aren't the best and you would feel any bumps etc unsettling the car. Also no rear seats (should it matter to you), the car does require all your concentration and get tedious on long journeys, not the most comfortable either!
DB9- Fantastic as a tourer (what the car was built for), long journeys no problem, I find the seats comfortable with the lumbar support (others I know do not). Fantastic amount of torque- I'm sure if the TT gearbox would let you you could easily pull away in 3rd or even 4th from standstill. Nice amount of features, ergonomics of the cabin aren't amazing but few cars have this nailed. Handling I have to say I find ok for a car of this size and the steering is good (feedback lacks a bit). On to the main reason why i bought it - the looks. Every person who has commented on my car, male/female, young/old has said that it stunning and it is. The design is very freeflowing and there is not a single angle where IMO the car looks bad or the design is flawed - it is one sexy looking car. Yes to some it may not stand out as much as the Ferrari/Lambos of the world but for me thats what makes it special. You can arrive anywhere, a nice restaurant, the gym, Waitrose and the car looks good and makes you feel good for owning it.
Ideally for me having both cars would be perfect. The GT3 for the track/Sunday hoon and the DB9 for all else (which is why im looking at a 997 GT3 to add to the stable)
Just my 2p worth...
and BTW its is true... Astons get a lot more love on the road than Porsches!
speedstar said:
In my opinion the brakes are the only thing that really let this car down. Even bearing in mind that this is 1800kg car they are still woefully bad (the 575 Maranello weighs the same and its standard brakes put the DB9's to shame). For a car with a 6.0 litre V12 and 450 bhp, the guy that signed off the brakes at Aston should be shot - they give the driver no confidence whatsoever. You either have to be on the brakes very very early or virtually stand on them to stop from high speed.
DB9- Fantastic as a tourer (what the car was built for), long journeys no problem, I find the seats comfortable with the lumbar support (others I know do not). Fantastic amount of torque- I'm sure if the TT gearbox would let you you could easily pull away in 3rd or even 4th from standstill. Nice amount of features, ergonomics of the cabin aren't amazing but few cars have this nailed. Handling I have to say I find ok for a car of this size and the steering is good (feedback lacks a bit). On to the main reason why i bought it - the looks. Every person who has commented on my car, male/female, young/old has said that it stunning and it is. The design is very freeflowing and there is not a single angle where IMO the car looks bad or the design is flawed - it is one sexy looking car. Yes to some it may not stand out as much as the Ferrari/Lambos of the world but for me thats what makes it special. You can arrive anywhere, a nice restaurant, the gym, Waitrose and the car looks good and makes you feel good for owning it.
Ideally for me having both cars would be perfect. The GT3 for the track/Sunday hoon and the DB9 for all else (which is why im looking at a 997 GT3 to add to the stable)
Just my 2p worth...
and BTW its is true... Astons get a lot more love on the road than Porsches!
DB9- Fantastic as a tourer (what the car was built for), long journeys no problem, I find the seats comfortable with the lumbar support (others I know do not). Fantastic amount of torque- I'm sure if the TT gearbox would let you you could easily pull away in 3rd or even 4th from standstill. Nice amount of features, ergonomics of the cabin aren't amazing but few cars have this nailed. Handling I have to say I find ok for a car of this size and the steering is good (feedback lacks a bit). On to the main reason why i bought it - the looks. Every person who has commented on my car, male/female, young/old has said that it stunning and it is. The design is very freeflowing and there is not a single angle where IMO the car looks bad or the design is flawed - it is one sexy looking car. Yes to some it may not stand out as much as the Ferrari/Lambos of the world but for me thats what makes it special. You can arrive anywhere, a nice restaurant, the gym, Waitrose and the car looks good and makes you feel good for owning it.
Ideally for me having both cars would be perfect. The GT3 for the track/Sunday hoon and the DB9 for all else (which is why im looking at a 997 GT3 to add to the stable)
Just my 2p worth...
and BTW its is true... Astons get a lot more love on the road than Porsches!
What he said
simonharrod911 said:
Pugsey said:
simonharrod911 said:
Many thanks guys, particularly Pugsey who I believe has hit the nail squarely on the head.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
What an amazing experience this car is. Not only do I love it for what it is, but has made me appreciate just how fantastic my Porsches were. The DB9 is not a sportscar. It's slow, the brakes are woeful, the turn in is sloppy, the grip is pathetic, handling is coach like (the executive ones with the toilets on board). It's also unreliable (2 new faults and one trip to a dealer in 5 days). I like the steering.
So why do I love it. This is going to be a weak analogy, but I feel like I've got an original Van Gogh in my living room. It's the only car since my first 911 that makes me get up in the evening, walk out of my house and just go and look at it. Everyone else loves it too. As a Porsche owner I'm used to being subjected to all kinds of verbal and physical abuse. Fellow road users rehearsed the old nescafe adverts at me on a near hourly basis. In the DB9 there's none of that, just lots of smiles, waves, pointing fingers, and more smiles.
Then there's the dealers. You actually get treated like a customer, rather than a nuisance. They make you feel, and I'm sure this isn't true, that there only purpose in life is looking after your pride and joy, and sharing in your love of the Aston Martin heritage.
There's little pleasure to be had in driving it quickly, but there's so much pleasure to be had driving it. Also, and this is purely an observation rather than a requirement, if you EVER have that feeling that you're just not getting any attention from the opposite sex anymore, buy an Aston Martin DB9.
Very well summed up! Which is why after my 997GT3 I'm coming back for a second dose - with a V8V Roadster in June/July. Will it be a sharp a 'driving' tool as a cooking 997 let alone the GT3? Of course not. But every mile will be a pleasure - and you're dead right about the ladies!
Interestingly a friend asked me the other day what could possibly replace the DB9. Gallardo, 430 or a 997GT3. How good are they Pugsey?
As you now know yourself none of them will be a straight 'replacement' as the DB9 really is a big old GT. IMO they're all good cars. Perhaps suprisingly the Ferrari is, maybe, the easiest of the lot to use day to day (ride, controls etc.) and is probably the biggest 'event' too. Mind you if it's used hard it'll be expensive to run - the clutch seems marginal and the steel brakes don't last well - carbons might be better though. Paintwork is rubbish too and really suffers on the nose. The Lambo is blindingly fast and makes a fab noise too but I'm not sure that it would offer much 'driveway appeal' after a week or so's ownership - it's quite an understated shape. Again expensive to run if used hard. And then the 997GT3 - I think it feels the most focused drivers car of the three, especially in Clubsport spec. Feels like it's hewn from rock too, and probably is. 20,000 miles a year including a few trips to the 'Ring? Probably no probs - just throw a few sets of tyres at it. Funnily enough the most exclusive too, numbers wise - they're not taking any more RS orders and I hear the GT3 is about to follow suit. All IMO of course based on a fair few miles with Lambos and Ferraris and knowledge of mates cars plus my own ownership of a 997GT3. If you're mates just interested in driving I'd say GT3 otherwise F430. Residuals are obviously going to be good on the Porsche and they're still incredibly strong on F430 (Maranello in Egham alone have over 200 unfulfilled orders for new cars I hear). Not so on Lambo. but then that means he could get a bargain I guess.
Edited by Pugsey on Thursday 26th April 15:05
Edited by Pugsey on Thursday 26th April 15:08
simonharrod911 said:
When are you selling the GT3? Is it as good as expected?
It's gone! A nice Independent gave me list for it and promptly put it up at £5k over! I should worry though - that was 5 months and 3000 miles free motoring for me! It was better than expected - I'm sure you've read all the reviews. But therein lay it's problem. It was rabidly fast but unless you drove it like that - difficult 99% of the time on road - it was pointless. In normal road conditions an AMV8V won't really be that far behind and gives you so many other pleasures in it's ownership which I'm beginning to think are just as important (I don't really care which car can brake one metre later at the end of the dual carriageway as I tend to save that for the track). I've got more extreme weapons for track days etc. so it wasn't going to get used there regularly either. So really it was becoming a weekend toy and I'd rather see something more exotic when I open the barn door, preferably red - which is why I'm off to look at a F355 tomorrow. Plenty fast enough for a Sunday blatt, and already a classic that won't cost a fortune or loose much over the next year or so either. V8V Roadster and BMW X5 will be my everyday tools. The GT3 was truely awesome though - it does what it says on the tin and more - just turned out to be neither fish nor fowl for me that's all.
Edited by Pugsey on Thursday 26th April 18:08
Edited by Pugsey on Friday 27th April 08:05
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