Vanquish S or late DB9
Discussion
Never owned an Aston, but really fancy one.. must be that time of life! 
Have owned plenty of Italian/German stuff, but now want a subtle luxury cruiser.. with bags of character, pedigree and an epic soundtrack. The ladies lurve Astons.......!
So heart tells me Vanquish S.. Head tells me late DB9.
All input greatly appreciated, not too worried about running costs, as will be weekend and European jaunts only. Am interested in reliability issues, and (64 million dollar question) potential residuals/ resale ability. Also the technology advances between the 2 cars. Demo'd a Vanq S, and thought the gearbox was ok..ish, but nowhere like the 430F1 I've owned previously.
Cheers
Rob
Have owned plenty of Italian/German stuff, but now want a subtle luxury cruiser.. with bags of character, pedigree and an epic soundtrack. The ladies lurve Astons.......!
So heart tells me Vanquish S.. Head tells me late DB9.
All input greatly appreciated, not too worried about running costs, as will be weekend and European jaunts only. Am interested in reliability issues, and (64 million dollar question) potential residuals/ resale ability. Also the technology advances between the 2 cars. Demo'd a Vanq S, and thought the gearbox was ok..ish, but nowhere like the 430F1 I've owned previously.
Cheers
Rob
Vanquish S.
IMHO it looks 10 times better, sounds 5 times better and is 20 times rarer (maths might be off a bit there)
On the other hand, the Vanq interior is much outdated (do try hard for the updated dash version from late 06 I think - which brings it a lot closer), the driving position is poor (way too high) and it requires servicing every 6 months if you stick to the book - expensive and a pain.
I had one for six months and loved it -- still thinking about going back to one...
There's probably more a little tech in the DB9 - but I think the engines are close and the gearboxes are different so cant compare (man v auto). Also,
you need to find one with a proper service history - I looked at 6 or 7 and found only one with a regular service in the right places (which I bought).
The Vanq prices are falling fairly quickly (around GBP 10k - 15k has come off S versions in a few months) - but I think should settle between 110k and 130k for the late dash models, maybe until a few more DBSs hit the market
Hope this helps. If you can't get an S version, be sure to get a SDP version of the previous model -- big difference.
Do check AMOC.org -- the place for all Vanquish chat
ps. I really didnt see what all the fuss about the gearbox was -- found it fine when using the paddles (auto mode was indeed hopeless)
IMHO it looks 10 times better, sounds 5 times better and is 20 times rarer (maths might be off a bit there)
On the other hand, the Vanq interior is much outdated (do try hard for the updated dash version from late 06 I think - which brings it a lot closer), the driving position is poor (way too high) and it requires servicing every 6 months if you stick to the book - expensive and a pain.
I had one for six months and loved it -- still thinking about going back to one...
There's probably more a little tech in the DB9 - but I think the engines are close and the gearboxes are different so cant compare (man v auto). Also,
you need to find one with a proper service history - I looked at 6 or 7 and found only one with a regular service in the right places (which I bought).
The Vanq prices are falling fairly quickly (around GBP 10k - 15k has come off S versions in a few months) - but I think should settle between 110k and 130k for the late dash models, maybe until a few more DBSs hit the market
Hope this helps. If you can't get an S version, be sure to get a SDP version of the previous model -- big difference.
Do check AMOC.org -- the place for all Vanquish chat
ps. I really didnt see what all the fuss about the gearbox was -- found it fine when using the paddles (auto mode was indeed hopeless)
Edited by polar8 on Friday 18th July 10:52
Edited by polar8 on Friday 18th July 10:54
I have been driving my DB9 for 3.5 years and it is a great car. I have been tempted by the darker side and driven a couple of Vanquish S' but ultimately it comes down to what you need it for. For the occasional week-end trip the Vanq. S is just great. You have to be "engaged" when you drive so for the daily commute into London, say, it is utterly cumbersome. Walking from a Vanq. S into a DB9 feels like a time-warp. The cabin in the DB9 is more spacious and much more contemporary - almost timeless whereas the Vanq. is dated. If you are tall it is difficult (I find) to find a good driving position in the Vanq. The gearbox is poor - but some find that charming. As with the bits and pieces that go wrong (mostly electronic)- some again find that it gives the car character.
A frequent visitor to these pages once described the two cars as you being Brad Pitt going out with either Jennifer or Angelina. Angelina would at some point tempt you away and blow you over - but you would never really know what you are in for.
A frequent visitor to these pages once described the two cars as you being Brad Pitt going out with either Jennifer or Angelina. Angelina would at some point tempt you away and blow you over - but you would never really know what you are in for.
You summed it up yourself with heart vs head. On any tangible driving criteria (except out and out top speed), the DB9 is better car. But the Vanquish has a certain something that the DB9 doesn't have. I have owned three DB9s and came VERY close to buying a Vanq S instead of an 09MY DB9 just recently. The Vanq just didn't quite get me there (and was £40k more expensive).
Now, looking at second hand values, if looking at £ for £ cars, the Vanq has already done a huge chunk of its depreciation whereas the DB9 is still on a steeper curve. So if you are contemplating, say, a £95k car, the Vanq will probably do a little less of its money (but cost you more in maintenance and will be out of warranty sooner as it will be older).
Now, looking at second hand values, if looking at £ for £ cars, the Vanq has already done a huge chunk of its depreciation whereas the DB9 is still on a steeper curve. So if you are contemplating, say, a £95k car, the Vanq will probably do a little less of its money (but cost you more in maintenance and will be out of warranty sooner as it will be older).
AstonZagato said:
You summed it up yourself with heart vs head. On any tangible driving criteria (except out and out top speed), the DB9 is better car. But the Vanquish has a certain something that the DB9 doesn't have. I have owned three DB9s and came VERY close to buying a Vanq S instead of an 09MY DB9 just recently. The Vanq just didn't quite get me there (and was £40k more expensive).
Now, looking at second hand values, if looking at £ for £ cars, the Vanq has already done a huge chunk of its depreciation whereas the DB9 is still on a steeper curve. So if you are contemplating, say, a £95k car, the Vanq will probably do a little less of its money (but cost you more in maintenance and will be out of warranty sooner as it will be older).
How are the revisions? Now, looking at second hand values, if looking at £ for £ cars, the Vanq has already done a huge chunk of its depreciation whereas the DB9 is still on a steeper curve. So if you are contemplating, say, a £95k car, the Vanq will probably do a little less of its money (but cost you more in maintenance and will be out of warranty sooner as it will be older).
(Worthless without pics, by the way ;-))
Chaps, thanks for the replies!
Some very interesting points..
I was not aware that the Vanquish S needed servicing every 6mths, is this still the case on the latest 06/07 models? A service every 6 months in this day and age, where most modern cars can go 2 years, is ridiculous!
I agree that the DB9 cabin, is a much nicer enviroment. It feels like it has been designed for the modern age, and is very pleasing to the eye. The Vanq cabin, although nice, does not have the same ambience. I also feel the Vanq interior has a more "TVR build quality" feel, although obviously of much higher quality. My salesman nearly choked, when I mentioned this. lol
Gearbox on the Vanq, is certainly not a 430F1, but I adjusted to it fairly easily. And was soon pulling both levers for neutral on coastdown, to reduce clutch wear. DB9 box is an auto-blipper, easy to use and worked well.
Handling, on both cars, is soft compared to a sports car. Not an issue for me, as I am not too concerned with razor sharp turn-in, etc.
Performance, on my limited drives seemed very similar.
Looks.. Vanquish wins hands down (IMO)
Noise.. Vanquish wins hands down, although a Quicksilver system would improve the '9.
If both cars were sitting in my drive, as I type.. and I had to drive to the Nurburgring in the morning, I know I would take the Vanquish.. which pretty much sums it up, I suppose!
Rob
Some very interesting points..
I was not aware that the Vanquish S needed servicing every 6mths, is this still the case on the latest 06/07 models? A service every 6 months in this day and age, where most modern cars can go 2 years, is ridiculous!
I agree that the DB9 cabin, is a much nicer enviroment. It feels like it has been designed for the modern age, and is very pleasing to the eye. The Vanq cabin, although nice, does not have the same ambience. I also feel the Vanq interior has a more "TVR build quality" feel, although obviously of much higher quality. My salesman nearly choked, when I mentioned this. lol
Gearbox on the Vanq, is certainly not a 430F1, but I adjusted to it fairly easily. And was soon pulling both levers for neutral on coastdown, to reduce clutch wear. DB9 box is an auto-blipper, easy to use and worked well.
Handling, on both cars, is soft compared to a sports car. Not an issue for me, as I am not too concerned with razor sharp turn-in, etc.
Performance, on my limited drives seemed very similar.
Looks.. Vanquish wins hands down (IMO)
Noise.. Vanquish wins hands down, although a Quicksilver system would improve the '9.
If both cars were sitting in my drive, as I type.. and I had to drive to the Nurburgring in the morning, I know I would take the Vanquish.. which pretty much sums it up, I suppose!
Rob
I really like the MY09.
A few hundred miles in, I don't really have any major impressions other than it is sex on wheels - Onyx black in the strong sunlight is to die for.
The car feels more solid and the damping is more fluid (it doesn't "crash" over big potholes like the old one). I haven't caned it (much) so the extra power hasn't really made itself apparent but it is there...
The throttle has been remapped to be less aggressive but I don't like it. I got used to the old one where a small prod would send the car off like a scalded cat. Now it needs a big push to get past an initial "dead" zone and I am finding it difficult to modulate. Perhaps this is just a question of familiarity. I might even see if I can adjust it. It conspires to make the car feel slower when one moves from a trailing trottle to accelerate (the old car gave an immediate response but this one almost feels like "turbo-lag" in comparison). Something in the middle would probably suit as if you let anyone else drive the Aston, they inevitably would depart in a cloud of tyre smoke...
The technology (bluetooth, iPod, etc) is excellent. The satnav is a bit better (it has the option of ETA as well as remaining time to destination, the graphics are half a notch better). I'm told that 6 digit postcode programming is probably on the way and it will be only a question of pluging in the car to upgrade.
Most of the facelift details I like - the interior is still a bit poor though. Looks fabulous, feels too cheap. Aston, you need to borrow a Conti GT (or better an Arnage) to feel the quality of the "touchpoints". Metal and leather, please - NOT plastic (although I think the volume / temp knobs are metal but they feel and look like plastic close up - bizarre). A bit fiddly too but I am getting used to it.
Oh and a note to the factory. The aerial in the front screen is exactly as useless as the one in the boot/rear wheel arch. I lose R4 in the same places as I used to in the 05MY. Every other car I have holds onto it in those places.
It was NOT worth deleting the very useful heated front screen to achieve.
Here's my new toy. Third DB9 and I still love it.
A few hundred miles in, I don't really have any major impressions other than it is sex on wheels - Onyx black in the strong sunlight is to die for.
The car feels more solid and the damping is more fluid (it doesn't "crash" over big potholes like the old one). I haven't caned it (much) so the extra power hasn't really made itself apparent but it is there...
The throttle has been remapped to be less aggressive but I don't like it. I got used to the old one where a small prod would send the car off like a scalded cat. Now it needs a big push to get past an initial "dead" zone and I am finding it difficult to modulate. Perhaps this is just a question of familiarity. I might even see if I can adjust it. It conspires to make the car feel slower when one moves from a trailing trottle to accelerate (the old car gave an immediate response but this one almost feels like "turbo-lag" in comparison). Something in the middle would probably suit as if you let anyone else drive the Aston, they inevitably would depart in a cloud of tyre smoke...
The technology (bluetooth, iPod, etc) is excellent. The satnav is a bit better (it has the option of ETA as well as remaining time to destination, the graphics are half a notch better). I'm told that 6 digit postcode programming is probably on the way and it will be only a question of pluging in the car to upgrade.
Most of the facelift details I like - the interior is still a bit poor though. Looks fabulous, feels too cheap. Aston, you need to borrow a Conti GT (or better an Arnage) to feel the quality of the "touchpoints". Metal and leather, please - NOT plastic (although I think the volume / temp knobs are metal but they feel and look like plastic close up - bizarre). A bit fiddly too but I am getting used to it.
Oh and a note to the factory. The aerial in the front screen is exactly as useless as the one in the boot/rear wheel arch. I lose R4 in the same places as I used to in the 05MY. Every other car I have holds onto it in those places.
It was NOT worth deleting the very useful heated front screen to achieve.
Here's my new toy. Third DB9 and I still love it.
Kurgen said:
Never owned an Aston, but really fancy one.. must be that time of life!
Have owned plenty of Italian/German stuff, but now want a subtle luxury cruiser.. with bags of character, pedigree and an epic soundtrack. The ladies lurve Astons.......!
So heart tells me Vanquish S.. Head tells me late DB9.
All input greatly appreciated, not too worried about running costs, as will be weekend and European jaunts only. Am interested in reliability issues, and (64 million dollar question) potential residuals/ resale ability. Also the technology advances between the 2 cars. Demo'd a Vanq S, and thought the gearbox was ok..ish, but nowhere like the 430F1 I've owned previously.
Cheers
Rob
Recently got a DB9 and i just love it. I would suggest a DB9. The gearbox on the vanquish is jerky as hell also in my opinion the DB9 has a far nicer interior than the Vanquish. Have owned plenty of Italian/German stuff, but now want a subtle luxury cruiser.. with bags of character, pedigree and an epic soundtrack. The ladies lurve Astons.......!
So heart tells me Vanquish S.. Head tells me late DB9.
All input greatly appreciated, not too worried about running costs, as will be weekend and European jaunts only. Am interested in reliability issues, and (64 million dollar question) potential residuals/ resale ability. Also the technology advances between the 2 cars. Demo'd a Vanq S, and thought the gearbox was ok..ish, but nowhere like the 430F1 I've owned previously.
Cheers
Rob
The DB9 has to be the sensible choice.
I had one of the early Vanquishes and loved it - muscular, taught and with a howl akin to Tom Jones stubbing his toe in the shower. More presence on the road and felt more planted to drive.
It's also rare - the last of the Newport Pagnell monsters.
BUT......
As mentioned earlier it's not the easiest beastie to live with and the interior is crap when compared to the DB9's elegant design. The clutch and gearbox felt fragile (to me) and it's not an easy daily driver. The DB9 is much more usable, hop in - go. Much less fuss and drama.
Faced with your choice between and S and a 9 I would really struggle - but having had a succession of cars where either 'the weather's not been quite perfect' or 'too much hassle to get it out of the garage' and then subsequently regretting not having used them.....? I'd go 9. I think.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff