db9 or v8 ? also costs

[silverfox_6]

going to buy my first aston.. had a gallardo but just not practical enough,,
cant decide between the better looks of the v8 or the greater road presence of the db9.
would love some views of people who have owned both..

also whats the service intervals/cost difference of the two cars.

[JohnG1]

I switched from a 997 to a Vantage V8 and a Gallardo is next on my list. Just curious about what you did not like about the Gallardo?

My view is that the DB9 is a bit less reliable (second hand) whereas all Vantages are of a better build quality. Also, the DB9 is a bit too big - it's about as wide as a Gallardo whereas a Vantage is about 2 inches narrower. Hence I went for the Vantage rather than the DB9.

You will get equally awful fuel consumption if you hoon around - I was showing a friend the handling of the Vantage at the weekend and I was running at about 6.2 mpg...

[AstonZagato]

V8 will be cheaper to service than the V12. Service intervals the same. I think that the DB9 is actually better on fuel if you drive it hard.

Umm but I think this is the last of you worries - they will both do their nuts in depreciation.

[Triple7]

The AMV8 will also be more practical, as the boot can actually fit something in.

G

[Grant3]

They both look great & sound great & will loose a fair chunk of cash, but it comes down to what you want from the car.......

Better more involving drivers car: V8
Better GT, with two rear seats & torquey V12: DB9

[silverfox_6]

JohnG1 said:

I switched from a 997 to a Vantage V8 and a Gallardo is next on my list. Just curious about what you did not like about the Gallardo?

My view is that the DB9 is a bit less reliable (second hand) whereas all Vantages are of a better build quality. Also, the DB9 is a bit too big - it's about as wide as a Gallardo whereas a Vantage is about 2 inches narrower. Hence I went for the Vantage rather than the DB9.

You will get equally awful fuel consumption if you hoon around - I was showing a friend the handling of the Vantage at the weekend and I was running at about 6.2 mpg...

nothing wrong with the gallardo apart mechanically in fact it was superb on open roads. just had very heavy steering and extremely low clearence which made it just a little too impractical as an everyday car round town..

in regards to depreciation probable lookin at a 04 db9 or 06 v8.. hopefully the main chunk of depreciation will be taken by the first owner!!

[hartley]

If you want something exclusive go for the db9 the Vantage is a little too ordinary.If you want to engage with the machine get the manual it's great and the noise is fabulous ( better still if you get the volante).I drove both and don't regret going for the db9 manual volante - it is not happy to be thrown around but as a ' gentleman's hot rod' it's unbeatable. Fuel consumption is no problem if you use the torque and keep the revs down - a whole new way to drive !

[JohnG1]

silverfox - that was a lovely G you had - Caelum blue? Nice!

[threesixty]

Been out in both recently on test drives, I'd go with the vantage everytime.
For me its better in every aspect. A much more thought out and better put together car than the db9.

[augkuo]

[quote]
nothing wrong with the gallardo apart mechanically in fact it was superb on open roads. just had very heavy steering and extremely low clearence which made it just a little too impractical as an everyday car round town..

in regards to depreciation probable lookin at a 04 db9 or 06 v8.. hopefully the main chunk of depreciation will be taken by the first owner!!

[/quote]

The Vantage is the more practical car - you'll have a real boot (trunk) plus you'll have the same low clearance problem in the db9. They have about the same road height but the DB9 is longer in the front. The rear seats in the DB9 are for small children so you might consider that if you have kids.

[jus]

Grant3 said:

Better more involving drivers car: V8
Better GT, with two rear seats & torquey V12: DB9

Well summed up. The Vantage is a sportscar and the DB9 a GT. You may find both of them a bit down on power compared to the Gallardo but far more feelsome, characterful and involving to drive, as well as much more comfortable. Personally I find Gallardos a bit hard, uncomfortable and remote.

The Vantage fits loads of stuff into the boot and behind the passenger seats so it's pretty practical, although the long bonnet takes some getting used to with pulling up to kerbs and the like!