Vanquish or DB9
Discussion
decided to sell my 996 turbo and finally buy an Aston, ive seen a few for sale but cant decide between a DB9 or Vanquish.
The Vanquish is better looking, but Ive been told the DB9 is easier to live with.
I intend on using the car as an everyday car, as I have done with my 911, please can owners of either car give advice on following;
commomn faults, how easy to drive during rush hour, servicing and what to look out for etc.
appreciate any advice offered
The Vanquish is better looking, but Ive been told the DB9 is easier to live with.
I intend on using the car as an everyday car, as I have done with my 911, please can owners of either car give advice on following;
commomn faults, how easy to drive during rush hour, servicing and what to look out for etc.
appreciate any advice offered
Maddalambo said:
decided to sell my 996 turbo and finally buy an Aston, ive seen a few for sale but cant decide between a DB9 or Vanquish.
The Vanquish is better looking, but Ive been told the DB9 is easier to live with.
I intend on using the car as an everyday car, as I have done with my 911, please can owners of either car give advice on following;
commomn faults, how easy to drive during rush hour, servicing and what to look out for etc.
appreciate any advice offered
Well i bought my DB9 in the summer and haven't had any major problems with it. It is very easy to drive, the visibility is great and the gearbox is brilliant (it's an automatic, but with paddles on the steering wheel so you get the benefits of a smooth drive every day but you can have a bit of fun with the paddles if the opportunity arises.) The Vanquish however has a terrible gearbox, it's just to jerky in my opinion to live with comfortably. The DB9 also has a far nicer interior.The Vanquish is better looking, but Ive been told the DB9 is easier to live with.
I intend on using the car as an everyday car, as I have done with my 911, please can owners of either car give advice on following;
commomn faults, how easy to drive during rush hour, servicing and what to look out for etc.
appreciate any advice offered
The boot is a decent enough size, you could easily get a set of golf clubs in. The rear seats though are very very small, you can fit kids in but there's not much chance of an adult getting in there.
As for servicing etc I'm not sure i haven't had to have mine serviced yet. I would suggest you test drive both, you may find that there's one you instantly prefer. If i were you i would go for the DB9, honestly it is all round a far better car.
If you have any more questions just PM me and I'll try and help
With regards the Vanquish gearbox, I seen a leaflet whilst at Aston Works that was offering an upgrade to sort the apparent issues.
Can't comment on either car as I've never owned them, however, I have been having a look at both and whilst I prefer the beefy look of the Vanquish I feel the more modern DB9 would be the better choice.
Vanquish also has the option to not have the back seats, what does that actually offer instead - a bigger boot?
Can't comment on either car as I've never owned them, however, I have been having a look at both and whilst I prefer the beefy look of the Vanquish I feel the more modern DB9 would be the better choice.
Vanquish also has the option to not have the back seats, what does that actually offer instead - a bigger boot?
The Vanquish is getting cheaper now.
I would be tempted to get a Vanquish and then have the factory carry out their manual gearbox conversion. It costs £12-15k I gather , but that would put the car into a very rare and desirable bracket IMO. They upgrade the interior with the latest centre consol and nicer switches as well I gather.
The vanquish is much rarer than the DB9. A manual one fully sorted by the factory could cost the same as a good DB9 and it would be even rarer.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrive...
I would be tempted to get a Vanquish and then have the factory carry out their manual gearbox conversion. It costs £12-15k I gather , but that would put the car into a very rare and desirable bracket IMO. They upgrade the interior with the latest centre consol and nicer switches as well I gather.
The vanquish is much rarer than the DB9. A manual one fully sorted by the factory could cost the same as a good DB9 and it would be even rarer.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrive...
XXXAngelXXX said:
Vanquish - as a collectable car 
DB9 - as a daily driver
I agree with Angel. They are very different cars, I bought one of the last Vanquish, a 2007 car, with a view to keeping it, and whilst you could use it every day, to me it is far too special for that.DB9 - as a daily driver
Edited by XXXAngelXXX on Tuesday 3rd February 11:54
The gearbox software on the later cars makes the shifts absolutely fine and with a bit of practice, very smooth full bore shifts can be achieved. This is one area where it scores over an automatic DB9 for me as there is none of that slushbox slur into the next gear. The gear engages crisply and as often as not is accompanied by a bit of unburnt fuel igniting in the exhaust which is superb.
Around town the Vanquish is smoother than my old 360 (which had the latest gearbox software) but I concede that an automatic DB9 would probably be preferable.
The whole driving experience, the noise, the road presence, knowing that you are in the last of the handbuilt cars and the general sense of occasion is what sets the Vanquish apart.
For every day use though - get a DB9
If you want to use the car as a daily driver there is no doubt that a DB9 is the better option. I have used mine over the last 4 years in and out of London and it i simply superb. There have been no problems at all. It has had its annual service and that is it. It is still quite an occasion to drive and still feels crisp and new inside out. These are great cars and I think that the broader audience are finally turning to these cars as second hand values are coming down steeply and Astons notorious reliability issues can be laid to rest for good. Do it - you won't regret.
Vanquish on the other hand is a different kettle of fish. Great looking and great sounding but reliable it isn't (which I guess is part of it's charm for the true masochists amongst us). It requires half-annually services and repairs and spare parts are as hand build cars tend to be - expensive. From a 996 to a Vanquish is a step too far in terms of everyday usability.
Vanquish on the other hand is a different kettle of fish. Great looking and great sounding but reliable it isn't (which I guess is part of it's charm for the true masochists amongst us). It requires half-annually services and repairs and spare parts are as hand build cars tend to be - expensive. From a 996 to a Vanquish is a step too far in terms of everyday usability.
Dont forget you can get a manual DB9...
Everyone's right. They are very different cars, built very differently, to different budgets to suit different owners. The best thing you can do is to drive vanq S and non-S, manual and auto DB9. Only then will you know which one ir right for you. Buy the wrong one, and you'll regret it.
But why stop there? V8 vantage, N24, N400, Prodrive, DB9 with the handling pack, Vantage (twin screw), Lagonda, DBS V8, Virage 6.3 etc etc etc!
Literally weeks of ahead of you...
Everyone's right. They are very different cars, built very differently, to different budgets to suit different owners. The best thing you can do is to drive vanq S and non-S, manual and auto DB9. Only then will you know which one ir right for you. Buy the wrong one, and you'll regret it.
But why stop there? V8 vantage, N24, N400, Prodrive, DB9 with the handling pack, Vantage (twin screw), Lagonda, DBS V8, Virage 6.3 etc etc etc!
Literally weeks of ahead of you...
thanks for the advice, although the consensus is the DB9 would be better as a daily car, Im more attracted to the Vanquish!
seen one on autotrader for£58K, 2004 with 22K on clock.
the only thing that concerns me is the car was ownedd by Aston Martin themselves for the first three years as a "press car" according to the owner, during which time it covered 15000 miles.
im woried it was an ex demonstrater.
also the gear box had been during this time.
what do you think?
seen one on autotrader for£58K, 2004 with 22K on clock.
the only thing that concerns me is the car was ownedd by Aston Martin themselves for the first three years as a "press car" according to the owner, during which time it covered 15000 miles.
im woried it was an ex demonstrater.
also the gear box had been during this time.
what do you think?
Maddalambo said:
Im more attracted to the Vanquish!
Good man 
Purchases like this should be ruled by the heart not the head.
The AMOC forums are a good source of info if you haven't been there already. They have one forum devoted to the Vanquish. Clutch life is not the issue it was on early Ferraris and to a certain extent the software can be updated although I'm not sure if earlier cars can be brought up to S spec without major expenditure.
http://www.amoc.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&a...
Morning - my first time on here as I usually haunt the FLMB forum.
I am in a real quandry ... I was planning on swapping my F348 for an F550 some time this year as I do love the Ferrari, I love GTs and the 550 is the modern Daytona in my eyes and, whilst it may drop another 10-15% before it hits base, it will not lose much more.
I then had the really daft idea of getting a Diablo, as the 550 might be just a touch too conservative as a weekend fun car. The Diablos are probably as low as they will go now and have a huge pull on the heart in terms of sheer presence, but... I don't think that it will physically fit through the garage doorway! (so that might have to wait for the new house in the next year or two).
Then there's Aston Martin. It is an itch that is always there, plus the wife would absolutely love one.
The DB9s are now very attractive at around £50k, but still have plenty of depreciation as any popular model will. I also worry that it is not "special" enough as a weekend event.
The Vanquish however is another matter. My question is, how low do we think these might drop? A tricky one I know, but at around £50k they are very tempting and just that bit different and rare to make them special as a weekend/Le Mans/EuroHoon car. However, I cannot afford to consider one if in two years it is going to be worth only £28k. I simply don't have the income to buy a "toy" that will lose £10k a year in depreciation (running is a separate issue which I accept).
So, apologies for the rambling (wanted you to at least know that some thought was going on!) but what I am asking is opinions from you guys that have a better idea than me as to how low you think a Vanquish will drop and how quickly?
Hopefully it might be of interest to the OP also
I am in a real quandry ... I was planning on swapping my F348 for an F550 some time this year as I do love the Ferrari, I love GTs and the 550 is the modern Daytona in my eyes and, whilst it may drop another 10-15% before it hits base, it will not lose much more.
I then had the really daft idea of getting a Diablo, as the 550 might be just a touch too conservative as a weekend fun car. The Diablos are probably as low as they will go now and have a huge pull on the heart in terms of sheer presence, but... I don't think that it will physically fit through the garage doorway! (so that might have to wait for the new house in the next year or two).
Then there's Aston Martin. It is an itch that is always there, plus the wife would absolutely love one.
The DB9s are now very attractive at around £50k, but still have plenty of depreciation as any popular model will. I also worry that it is not "special" enough as a weekend event.
The Vanquish however is another matter. My question is, how low do we think these might drop? A tricky one I know, but at around £50k they are very tempting and just that bit different and rare to make them special as a weekend/Le Mans/EuroHoon car. However, I cannot afford to consider one if in two years it is going to be worth only £28k. I simply don't have the income to buy a "toy" that will lose £10k a year in depreciation (running is a separate issue which I accept).
So, apologies for the rambling (wanted you to at least know that some thought was going on!) but what I am asking is opinions from you guys that have a better idea than me as to how low you think a Vanquish will drop and how quickly?
Hopefully it might be of interest to the OP also
Saw a DB7 Volante today and whilst I still love the Vanquish I think time may make it appear rather flabby (I'm afraid I feel the same way about the old Virage/Vantage - all of them are big cars as well). The DB7 was pretty much perfectly proportioned and looked lean and incredibly modern (still). Has something the DB9 doesn't.
I think the V8 Vantage Roadster is the best-looking current Aston model...
I think the V8 Vantage Roadster is the best-looking current Aston model...
Interesting points
No, I have driven neither 550 or Vanquish, in fact the only Aston I have driven was Shadytree's V8 somewhere in the Alps!
I have no qualms about the F550. I know that it is a superbly engineered, good handling, very fast GT. But it may, just may be a little conservative for me as a weekend car.
The Vanquish's appeal is that it is such a bruiser of a car. It has a presence that other Astons do not, apart from the Zagatos. I currently drive an F348 so silky smooth, lightning quick gear shifts are not really a requirement. I don't mind sharp shifts, but it would annoy me if it didn't select a gear when I want it to.
As it is my fun car, and as i don't have wads of cash to chuck away needlessly, I would prefer to find a car that has done most of its depreciating. That rules out the DB9. I do love the DB7 Vantage shape but, I think that would definitely be too subtle for me
No, I have driven neither 550 or Vanquish, in fact the only Aston I have driven was Shadytree's V8 somewhere in the Alps!
I have no qualms about the F550. I know that it is a superbly engineered, good handling, very fast GT. But it may, just may be a little conservative for me as a weekend car.
The Vanquish's appeal is that it is such a bruiser of a car. It has a presence that other Astons do not, apart from the Zagatos. I currently drive an F348 so silky smooth, lightning quick gear shifts are not really a requirement. I don't mind sharp shifts, but it would annoy me if it didn't select a gear when I want it to.
As it is my fun car, and as i don't have wads of cash to chuck away needlessly, I would prefer to find a car that has done most of its depreciating. That rules out the DB9. I do love the DB7 Vantage shape but, I think that would definitely be too subtle for me
burriana said:
Interesting points
No, I have driven neither 550 or Vanquish, in fact the only Aston I have driven was Shadytree's V8 somewhere in the Alps!
I have no qualms about the F550. I know that it is a superbly engineered, good handling, very fast GT. But it may, just may be a little conservative for me as a weekend car.
The Vanquish's appeal is that it is such a bruiser of a car. It has a presence that other Astons do not, apart from the Zagatos. I currently drive an F348 so silky smooth, lightning quick gear shifts are not really a requirement. I don't mind sharp shifts, but it would annoy me if it didn't select a gear when I want it to.
As it is my fun car, and as i don't have wads of cash to chuck away needlessly, I would prefer to find a car that has done most of its depreciating. That rules out the DB9. I do love the DB7 Vantage shape but, I think that would definitely be too subtle for me
No, I have driven neither 550 or Vanquish, in fact the only Aston I have driven was Shadytree's V8 somewhere in the Alps!
I have no qualms about the F550. I know that it is a superbly engineered, good handling, very fast GT. But it may, just may be a little conservative for me as a weekend car.
The Vanquish's appeal is that it is such a bruiser of a car. It has a presence that other Astons do not, apart from the Zagatos. I currently drive an F348 so silky smooth, lightning quick gear shifts are not really a requirement. I don't mind sharp shifts, but it would annoy me if it didn't select a gear when I want it to.
As it is my fun car, and as i don't have wads of cash to chuck away needlessly, I would prefer to find a car that has done most of its depreciating. That rules out the DB9. I do love the DB7 Vantage shape but, I think that would definitely be too subtle for me
- cry*
My gut feel is the Vanq has another £10k to drop, but it is the S you want to keep your tabs on. It is a different car to the normal Vanq and it is monumental. I drove the Vanq and the S back to back and drove my Sagaris there and on the way back so I had an immediate hit of different driving experiences. The analogy I used at the time to the salesman between the Sag and the Vanqs was using the old Foreman and Ali gag. The Sagaris was Ali - like being hit by a Ferrari at 100mph, the Vanqs were like Foreman - like being hit by a Cadillac at 50mph. Even if you arrive in something quick and special, the Vanquish gives you a hit that is massively unique and special in its own way. Rather than whizz bang of the sports car hit, you feel like a VERY solid fist is pushing you in the back in a very smooth but VERY firm way. You gather speed but in a very solid way and the V12 sounds stunning. Step into an S and its a different ballgame again. The torque goes up and that fist in your back becomes even bigger and even more insistent. You dont want to get out of an S.
I think the cheapest S is about £60k at the moment and by the end of the year I think we may just see them dip below £50k whilst normal Vanqs possibly dip below £40k in which case I would not hesitate to recommend the S.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff