Viable AM with a (small) family?

[anonymous-user]

I've been hankering after an AM for a very long time, but having arrived at the point where I can afford one I need to be able to transport my six year old in comfort. Are either a DB9 or Vantage viable? I currently have an e92 M3, so my son has grown accustomed to having plenty of legroom so I suspect I'll get complaints if he feels cramped. Anyone got any real world input?

Thanks!

[Murph7355]

In the back?

I think you'll struggle.

Also, presumably you mean DB7 Vantage...?

[anonymous-user]

Sorry - I actually meant "Vanquish" not "Vantage" at all! I struggle with Vantages being 'baby' astons as they were always big brutes when I grew up!

Any yep, he woudl need to go in the back as we need to be able to get all three of us in for longer trips.

It's a bit of a gutter to be in the market for one (albeit used), but not be able to go for it on grounds of practicality!

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 30th June 13:39

[Zod]

Hoew tall is your wife? A six year old will fit well i the back of a DB9, so long as the front seat passenger is 5'8" or less.

[williamp]

If you wait long enough, a rapide might become within the price range.

As someone else hsa said, the DB9 isnt too bad, but for real room you need to think back to the 70s/80s Astons. These were real 4 seaters, despite being only 2 doors. They did make a 4 door version of the 2 door V8, called the lagonda but they only hade 7 and they are now very expensive

[michael gould]

suggest you take your brood to the nearest AM dealer and try a DB9 out for size......however unless your children have the same problem as Douglas Bader you got no hope.....the back of a DB9 is useless useless and useless

besides that its a great car and can be purchased for as little as 45k

[clorenzen]

My 6 year old daughter refused outright to sit in the back of my db9 after the first and only drive to the countryside. Changed it for a V12 Vantage as the rear seats are useless anyhow.

[rick111s]

are the rear seats really that bad?

[michael gould]

rick111s said:

are the rear seats really that bad?

yes

[Zod]

You might fit a small (very small) adult in. There's very little legroom and the roof is low.

A six year old boy wouldn't complain. A six year old grl is clearly more fussy.

[rick111s]

michael gould said:

rick111s said:

are the rear seats really that bad?

yes

i've obviously not tried to put my son in to the back but when i sat in a db9 2 weeks ago the rear seemed no worse (perhaps better due to not having the large transmission tunnel) then my 996.

my 996 passenger seat has to go as far forward as it can, my wife is quite little but my 3.5 year old (who is tall for his age) sits fine and that's in a normal child seat not one of the booster cushions.

is the rear worse then a 996?

[Zod]

less headroom than a 996 and it does have the large transmission tunnel. I can't see how you could miss it!

[clorenzen]

Yes - worse than a 997. I have a 997tt and there the rear seats are halfway usable but the problem with the DB9 is indeed the transmission tunnel and the coupe roof which is much lower than the Porsche's.

[anonymous-user]

Hmmmm. Doesn't sounds very encouraging. The wife is about 5'7 and my son is tall for a six year old. The e92 has copious amounts of space, so I think I'd complaints in a DB9. It sounds very similar to an XKR which was deemed to be too small...

Zod, are you the same Zod who had a CSL on Mtorque a few years ago?

[WantanewV12V]

weejimmy said:

Hmmmm. Doesn't sounds very encouraging. The wife is about 5'7 and my son is tall for a six year old. The e92 has copious amounts of space, so I think I'd complaints in a DB9. It sounds very similar to an XKR which was deemed to be too small...

Zod, are you the same Zod who had a CSL on Mtorque a few years ago?

I was in Cheltenham last week having a couple of things done on my V12V. I have previously owned an XKR a few years ago and always considered it impossible to use the rear seats for anything. I had always assumed that a DB9 had more room in the back but in wandering around the showroom whilst waiting for my car I took a proper look at a DB9 for the first time. It is almost as bad as the XKR. A 911 gives you the option, albeit cramped, but a DB9 or XK/XKR has no chance for sensible rear seat use.

[WantanewV12V]

To avoid any possible confusion from the above I am neither looking to start a new young family nor am I looking to replace the V12V !

[anonymous-user]

911's dont do it for me ... it's either an AM, or keep the e92 and buy something for the weekend. Having said that I like the Maserati Granturismo so that might be an option...

[sharky67]

My wife used my db9 for 12 months doing school runs.. 5 year old in the back.. 0-12 month old front passenger seat.. no room for another adult.. If you got 1 kid around 4-7 then its a perfect car for 2 adults and 1 child..

[Zod]

weejimmy said:

Hmmmm. Doesn't sounds very encouraging. The wife is about 5'7 and my son is tall for a six year old. The e92 has copious amounts of space, so I think I'd complaints in a DB9. It sounds very similar to an XKR which was deemed to be too small...

Zod, are you the same Zod who had a CSL on Mtorque a few years ago?

Yes. That had usable rear seats, but I didn't have kids then.

The DB9 is smaller than an XKR, so it sounds as if you'd get complaints.

[simonpieman]

I've just bought a DB9. I went for a DB9 instead of a V8V or Ferrari 360 because it has 4 seats. The rear seats are indeed very cramped - smaller than a 911. However, I've been driving my three boys (4, 8 and 9) around in it no problem. Longest journey so far was 70 miles, with no complaints. They love it. I love it.

What other car has the same class and charisma, with four seats?