Discussion
Gents
A bit of help. I've done the classics of my youth and others, then TVRs and recently ticked the Ferrari box with a 328 and currently a 355. This is the last good looking Ferrari, I think, and understated in TdF blue. It is also great fun on a drive both for a distance and the twisty bits.
However, not a lot of class.
Thus I have been having bad thoughts about Aston Martins. I have never owned a V12 car and as the early DB9s are now reaching parity with my 355, I wonder whether I should take the plunge. Obviously I need to drive a few but from what I have seen outside and in, they are a fantastic gentleman's carriage. A different machine to the 355 but will I be disappointed? My 355 has not put a foot wrong in 3 years, how strong is the Aston.
All thoughts welcome and thanks in advance.
PS, I know the Vantage is supposed to be the better drivers' car and is a great machine having driven my mates and with a friend at Prodrive, who rates then above a DB9, but it is the V12 thing.
A bit of help. I've done the classics of my youth and others, then TVRs and recently ticked the Ferrari box with a 328 and currently a 355. This is the last good looking Ferrari, I think, and understated in TdF blue. It is also great fun on a drive both for a distance and the twisty bits.
However, not a lot of class.
Thus I have been having bad thoughts about Aston Martins. I have never owned a V12 car and as the early DB9s are now reaching parity with my 355, I wonder whether I should take the plunge. Obviously I need to drive a few but from what I have seen outside and in, they are a fantastic gentleman's carriage. A different machine to the 355 but will I be disappointed? My 355 has not put a foot wrong in 3 years, how strong is the Aston.
All thoughts welcome and thanks in advance.
PS, I know the Vantage is supposed to be the better drivers' car and is a great machine having driven my mates and with a friend at Prodrive, who rates then above a DB9, but it is the V12 thing.
king tastic......I've had my db9 volante for 5 months now and love it. Only ever had positive comment from passers-by, irrespective of which part of town I happen to be driving in.
Having the big v12 provides a lot of contentment. It's just good to have.
On comparison with the V8V, you got to drive a db9 back to back with v8v. It will soon become apparent which one you prefer. I really enjoyed my drive in a v8v, but for me it was nearer 911 territory, which I wanted to move away from. I recommend you try a manual db9 as well.
Go for it, mate. You won't regret joining the Aston family.
Having the big v12 provides a lot of contentment. It's just good to have.
On comparison with the V8V, you got to drive a db9 back to back with v8v. It will soon become apparent which one you prefer. I really enjoyed my drive in a v8v, but for me it was nearer 911 territory, which I wanted to move away from. I recommend you try a manual db9 as well.
Go for it, mate. You won't regret joining the Aston family.
simonpieman said:
I've had my db9 volante for 5 months now and love it. Only ever had positive comment from passers-by, irrespective of which part of town I happen to be driving in.
Having the big v12 provides a lot of contentment. It's just good to have.
On comparison with the V8V, you got to drive a db9 back to back with v8v. It will soon become apparent which one you prefer. I really enjoyed my drive in a v8v, but for me it was nearer 911 territory, which I wanted to move away from. I recommend you try a manual db9 as well.
Go for it, mate. You won't regret joining the Aston family.
I agree with your first statement wholeheartedlyHaving the big v12 provides a lot of contentment. It's just good to have.
On comparison with the V8V, you got to drive a db9 back to back with v8v. It will soon become apparent which one you prefer. I really enjoyed my drive in a v8v, but for me it was nearer 911 territory, which I wanted to move away from. I recommend you try a manual db9 as well.
Go for it, mate. You won't regret joining the Aston family.
I don't think the op is contemplating V8 v DB9, but if he is I will add this:
(and wouldn’t dare start a contentious thread saying this) that in my opinion the DB9 has more presence than the Vantage.
I like the Vantage but would hate people saying the likes of ‘what a beautiful little sports car’ and ‘baby Aston’ - even with the V12 engine (which I know is awsome)
Overall the DB9 seems to be a reliable car, but do have 'niggles' (which for some odd reason AM owners forget.) I too have owned my car 5 months, only done about 2000 miles and had no major problems and the niggles i have had have not spoilt a single mile one jot!
Great car
I went from a TVR Griffith to a DB7 V V and now a DB9 Volante. Just make sure to test drive first so you can live with the squashy suspension (esp on cornering). Comfort and presence unparalleled; great for grand touring however I miss the taughtness of my Griffith for runs out 'with the boys'
I went from a TVR Griffith to a DB7 V V and now a DB9 Volante. Just make sure to test drive first so you can live with the squashy suspension (esp on cornering). Comfort and presence unparalleled; great for grand touring however I miss the taughtness of my Griffith for runs out 'with the boys'
I got a 06 Volante march 09 and sold it July 10 for what I paid, my first Aston and I loved it, it cost ok £ to run and made me feel good using it but it was too old for me and Im now looking to get a DB9 / DBS in the new year hopefully a credit crunch deal like the last one.
I think you should have a go at least once in your life - why not ?
I think you should have a go at least once in your life - why not ?
I totally agree with the below, you get loads of positive comments in the Astons. For example from a biker in my old V8: "I'm more of a bike man, but that is f89king beautiful mate" and in the DB9 I currently own from a guy in a people carrier "that is so lovely, fancy a swap?!".
I also own a 360 Modena (which is a toally different experience to a DB9) in red and whilst it gets a lot of looks, most of them are scornful, which is something you may be familiar with in a 355 (great colour TDF for a 355 BTW).
Also agree with the comment about V8V v DB9, until I drove both back to back, I didnt appreciate how massively different they are - a DB9 is like a very sharp GT car (I was worried it would drive like an old 98 Jag XK8 I had, it didn't!) whilst the V8 is on 997 terrirtory. Drive both! Personally I just prefer the V8, its close, but my background is sportscars rather than GT cars.
Best of luck, you wont regret getting an Aston, they are terrific cars to own, and generally speaking ok to run (though be prepared for disgraceful mpg, think 12 mpg around town in DB9, a little better in Vantage). I would recommend an AM warranty for full peace of mind, some private sellers will have a warranty and you can transfer it to another private owner.
I also own a 360 Modena (which is a toally different experience to a DB9) in red and whilst it gets a lot of looks, most of them are scornful, which is something you may be familiar with in a 355 (great colour TDF for a 355 BTW).
Also agree with the comment about V8V v DB9, until I drove both back to back, I didnt appreciate how massively different they are - a DB9 is like a very sharp GT car (I was worried it would drive like an old 98 Jag XK8 I had, it didn't!) whilst the V8 is on 997 terrirtory. Drive both! Personally I just prefer the V8, its close, but my background is sportscars rather than GT cars.
Best of luck, you wont regret getting an Aston, they are terrific cars to own, and generally speaking ok to run (though be prepared for disgraceful mpg, think 12 mpg around town in DB9, a little better in Vantage). I would recommend an AM warranty for full peace of mind, some private sellers will have a warranty and you can transfer it to another private owner.
simonpieman said:
I've had my db9 volante for 5 months now and love it. Only ever had positive comment from passers-by, irrespective of which part of town I happen to be driving in.
Having the big v12 provides a lot of contentment. It's just good to have.
On comparison with the V8V, you got to drive a db9 back to back with v8v. It will soon become apparent which one you prefer. I really enjoyed my drive in a v8v, but for me it was nearer 911 territory, which I wanted to move away from. I recommend you try a manual db9 as well.
Go for it, mate. You won't regret joining the Aston family.
Having the big v12 provides a lot of contentment. It's just good to have.
On comparison with the V8V, you got to drive a db9 back to back with v8v. It will soon become apparent which one you prefer. I really enjoyed my drive in a v8v, but for me it was nearer 911 territory, which I wanted to move away from. I recommend you try a manual db9 as well.
Go for it, mate. You won't regret joining the Aston family.
oblio said:
Great car
I went from a TVR Griffith to a DB7 V V and now a DB9 Volante. Just make sure to test drive first so you can live with the squashy suspension (esp on cornering). Comfort and presence unparalleled; great for grand touring however I miss the taughtness of my Griffith for runs out 'with the boys'
The test drive was what made me buy a sports pack car with a manual box. It's a different car. The new ones have that problem sorted with the much improved suspension, but they have only just come out.I went from a TVR Griffith to a DB7 V V and now a DB9 Volante. Just make sure to test drive first so you can live with the squashy suspension (esp on cornering). Comfort and presence unparalleled; great for grand touring however I miss the taughtness of my Griffith for runs out 'with the boys'
Firstly, very good choice on the 355! I've got one and although I've driven much better/newer/more expensive cars nothing puts a smile on my face quite like the 355 does.
The DB9 is great, I use one a couple times a week and it's very comfortable, yet very quick when you are "making progress". The car feels much heavier than the 355 and not so chuck-able, but I would say equally as fast. As for reliability, no major problems in 2 and a half years, but one or two little niggles. The battery isn't great, if it's left for more than say a week it goes flat. Then the seats won't move so you have to reset them which is an absolute pain. The electronics can be a bit temperamental, it was saying something like Alarm System service or something not long after we got it, put it back to the dealer and they sorted that out and it's never come back. Other than that it's been fine. Great GT car, eats the miles, but not quite as good as the 355 to drive in my opinion.
The DB9 is great, I use one a couple times a week and it's very comfortable, yet very quick when you are "making progress". The car feels much heavier than the 355 and not so chuck-able, but I would say equally as fast. As for reliability, no major problems in 2 and a half years, but one or two little niggles. The battery isn't great, if it's left for more than say a week it goes flat. Then the seats won't move so you have to reset them which is an absolute pain. The electronics can be a bit temperamental, it was saying something like Alarm System service or something not long after we got it, put it back to the dealer and they sorted that out and it's never come back. Other than that it's been fine. Great GT car, eats the miles, but not quite as good as the 355 to drive in my opinion.
I've got a 2006 DB9 convertible with manual gearbox.Fantastic, love the feel the noise the looks,but it's not a drivers car - it's a gentlemans hot rod with presence that makes you feel great.Had it three years circa 5k miles a year - completely reliable and no such issues with a flat battery despite intermediate use. If you want to go fast around corners though buy a porsche or stick with the 355.
I moved from various F cars and a lambo to the V8V
For reliability Im sure you will not be dissapointed- they seem to have less 'issues' than f or even p cars.
I could not get on with the DB9 at all- it might be a gentlemans carriage but the handling is dire compared to what you have been driving- the vantage runs rings around it in my opinion.
if you have got the speed out of your system then it might be agood choice- just use your 355 for the last time before you px it and realise what a real sports car is
For reliability Im sure you will not be dissapointed- they seem to have less 'issues' than f or even p cars.
I could not get on with the DB9 at all- it might be a gentlemans carriage but the handling is dire compared to what you have been driving- the vantage runs rings around it in my opinion.
if you have got the speed out of your system then it might be agood choice- just use your 355 for the last time before you px it and realise what a real sports car is
355f said:
I could not get on with the DB9 at all- it might be a gentlemans carriage but the handling is dire compared to what you have been driving- the vantage runs rings around it in my opinion.
I agree with that. I had a Vantage Roadster for a week and loved the handling. Then I drove a couple of standard DB9s and found them too vague. Driving a Sports Pack car was a completely different experience though. It is much, much sharper.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff