DB9 to possibly replace my XKR 5.0

[e600]

Buying an Aston is a "heart"choice. There are many good reasons not to do it, there is one overwhelming reason to do it....because you want to. If you are asking you probably won't. Prove me wrong and enjoy your time with an Aston.

[yeti]

ryanjohnstott said:

I realise I'm in the 'Aston' area here but you are hardly being objective! The XKR is in fact aluminium not steel and the supercharger is silent on the newer 5ltr model. The DB7 is great looking, the XKR even prettier and the DB9 better

I know, I modified my comment when I realised what gen we were talking about. Quiet supercharger... What's the point then, are they embarassed about it and are pretending it's normally aspirated? It's choice, currently Astons are all N/A and many like that. It's like they are making more effort

It's still mass production vs hand built. As for boxes, the auto transmissions are the same. I found a manual and love it. Dealers pushed hard for autos as it was an expensive cost option so people ticked the boxes. Also the dealer stock was specced as auto as its what people expect; in fact most don't know the manual exists. The manual turns a big GT into a really sporty car; find a manual and it will drive so differently to your Jag that there would be a point in changing otherwise it's one slush box 2+2 to another.

If you only want Aston as a label, the Jag might suit you better TBH or you face disappointment. Aston is a love thing.. XKR has got more gear on it and is more modern.

Edited by yeti on Friday 28th December 11:39

[AMDBSNick]

The 2010 car at Lancaster Cambridge looks lovely and is spot on for your budget. Go an extra £10k and you could have a DBS

[yeti]

AMDBSNick said:

Go an extra £10k and you could have a DBS

OP, do this

[Vee12V]

The XKR might have been a little more modern in its hay days, but Aston has catched up now on almost any level. I even think they're better put together now, and certainly better finished.

The XK(R)'s interior now feels dated (the infotainment system is painfully slow, the sat nav's a laugh, etc). The XKR-S' interior is a little bit better finished, but you'd expect that for its price. Same could be said for the engine/gearbox, they're both not exactly cutting edge any more these days, are they. Even in 550hp mode. Don't get me wrong. Lovely cars, but they're far from technical tour de forces that many people think they are.

[yeti]

Vee12V said:

Lovely cars, but they're far from technical tour de forces that many people think they are.

Indeed - just looked on the configuratior, thought they had more toys; the old XK8/R had radar guided cruise and so on. This is a pretty stadard list, Merc or BM would have waaaay more toys.

[ryanjohnstott]

If I go to 75k then I just know that I'd start looking at spending a bit more again on a 599 GTB!

The 10 plate manual one in Cambridge is one I have noticed, seems good value really?!

[AMDBSNick]

ryanjohnstott said:

If I go to 75k then I just know that I'd start looking at spending a bit more again on a 599 GTB!

The 10 plate manual one in Cambridge is one I have noticed, seems good value really?!

The 599 is a LOT more

[yeti]

AMDBSNick said:

ryanjohnstott said:

If I go to 75k then I just know that I'd start looking at spending a bit more again on a 599 GTB!

The 10 plate manual one in Cambridge is one I have noticed, seems good value really?!

The 599 is a LOT more

Yep, you'll need 95k. A lot of dosh, but a hell of a car. That's a big money jump.

[AMDBSNick]

yeti said:

Yep, you'll need 95k. A lot of dosh, but a hell of a car. That's a big money jump.

Is it pretty though ?????????

[yeti]

AMDBSNick said:

Is it pretty though ?????????

No... purposeful perhaps but it's no long-wheelbase Aston, looks wise

[ryanjohnstott]

I've seen two 599's at 84k recently. However, 84k is a considerable jump from 65k so I'm not doing it. I also think the DB9 will be more usable on a daily basis. I don't however do a lot of miles and in some respects the idea of a manual DB9 does appeal to me. The paddle shifters can be a little cumbersome to use and auto mode is boring on my shortish pleasure drives.

[AMDBSNick]

ryanjohnstott said:

I've seen two 599's at 84k recently. However, 84k is a considerable jump from 65k so I'm not doing it. I also think the DB9 will be more usable on a daily basis. I don't however do a lot of miles and in some respects the idea of a manual DB9 does appeal to me. The paddle shifters can be a little cumbersome to use and auto mode is boring on my shortish pleasure drives.

They seem very inexpensive.

Ryan - on the Aston front try both. My DBS has been a daily driver for the last 4 months

[yeti]

For 65k (or less) you'll be getting the 470bhp DB9, very little difference between that and the DBS performance-wise really.

There are manual Sports Pack DB9s, I have seen them about and they command no particular premium. An absolute revelation to drive Vs a standard smooth and suave DB9. Don't forget, many had the SP retrofitted when it was released.

[Speculatore]

Ryan,

I had my 2001 XKR for 8 years. I loved every part of it and over the 8 years spent around £23,000 making it the car that I wanted. If you are a member of the XKEC you will have seen it as it won Best of Show in 2002 and again in 2011 and at the 2011 JEC southern meeting at Beaulieu it came second in class (Only because I hadn't done as many miles since the last MOT as the one that came first).

I couldn't bring myself to sell it private so I did a deal with Racing Green who eventually sold it on my behalf (For over double the book price).

While I was waiting for my XKR to go my local main dealer (Harwoods in Chichester) were selling a 2007 manual DB9 with Sports pack with under 17,000 on the clock. Even though my XKR hadn't sold at the time I wanted the DB9 so much I got a bridging loan out and cleared out our 'money for a rainy day'. Not an easy thing to do in todays financial climate and a few months before Christmas. (It also meant that we wouldn't be going away this Christmas and Dubai was planned).

I have now had my DB9 for 3 months and I have done more miles in it than I did in a year in the XKR.... I just find an excuse to go out and drive it. As Yeti said when I first bought it....the difference is 'Night & Day' (and I had the 'Speedshift' system fitted to my XKR so I had control over the gears), and he was right.

I had convinced myself that my XKR drove like a dream and was a pleasure to drive....... and it WAS!!! until I got comfortable with my DB9...I wish I had done it years ago.

I have also driven the 5.0ltr XK and it is an amazing car and really well finished and all the extras, and very nice looking. But, it had no soul and I am glad that I didn't go for my 5th Jaguar and bought the DB9.

Yes, I admit, there is an element of 'Badge Envy' as I could have bought an XKR-S but at the end of the day....it's not an Aston Martin.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that you should take the leap and get an DB9.....Your ONLY decision should be which one... If you can afford a 2009 onwards then perfect...go for it....find a manual with Sports pack...take their arm off and even pay the asking price.

Sorry for the ramble but I was very passionate about my XKR but a very happy man in my DB9.

Happy Hunting

[yeti]

Speculatore said:

...As Yeti said... ...he was right...
...a very happy man in my DB9.

Great post. I have selected bits I especially like

Good to have an opinion from someone who has done the switch. I went from last shape 4.2 XKR with CATS to DB7 and DB9, found the Jaguar a wonderful fast wafter but outclassed even by the 'dressed up XJS' DB9. Not dynamically, not technically, just a desirability and driveability thing really. The Aston WANTS to be pushed hard, the Jag can do it but doesn't seem to want to.

[ryanjohnstott]

Great post Speculator!

Some years ago I also had a 2001 XKR with the handling pack upgrade and a wonderful GT car it was too. However, the new 5ltr XKR is a totally different beast, it really wants to be pushed and technically it's brilliant. Some people here should drive one - not that they'd want to swap one for their Aston. The Aston is just a nicer place to sit and it's an iconic brand

I do think a manual would be my choice, after the XKR I want to take advantage of the manual option I couldn't have previously. What is the sports pack? The Cambridge car doesn't seem to have it.

[MaverickV12]

I see you have had 2 XKR's and considering a third, but you are also looking at Ferrari, and you said you want to tick the brand badge boxes. I have a feeling that you will be disappointed with a DB9 compared to a 5.0XKR, its not a fast, its not as tech advanced, indeed compared to tech now, its almost stone aged. As for a manual, if you use the car as a weekend, "spirited drive", then great, if you're using the car everyday, get the Auto. When you want some fun, turn it into a automated manual.

If you're into your badge brands, you might want to consider the Lambo V10, Audi R8, they will be very fast, have toys and will be more tech advanced than the DB9.

However, I cannot help but notice that you have not considered the Vanquish.

The DB9 is not tech advanced, but if it is something that you are considering, then why not consider the Vanquish. This is a sublime icon, this is one that James Bond did actually drive. People will look at the DB9, but they will, "drool", over the Vanquish. Be warned driving such an Icon, against the tech advances of a R8, Lambo V10 or 5.0 XKR, is like going to be different, they don't all have SatNav etc let alone suspension setup's etc

[ryanjohnstott]

MaverickV12 said:

I see you have had 2 XKR's and considering a third, but you are also looking at Ferrari, and you said you want to tick the brand badge boxes. I have a feeling that you will be disappointed with a DB9 compared to a 5.0XKR, its not a fast, its not as tech advanced, indeed compared to tech now, its almost stone aged. As for a manual, if you use the car as a weekend, "spirited drive", then great, if you're using the car everyday, get the Auto. When you want some fun, turn it into a automated manual.

If you're into your badge brands, you might want to consider the Lambo V10, Audi R8, they will be very fast, have toys and will be more tech advanced than the DB9.

However, I cannot help but notice that you have not considered the Vanquish.

The DB9 is not tech advanced, but if it is something that you are considering, then why not consider the Vanquish. This is a sublime icon, this is one that James Bond did actually drive. People will look at the DB9, but they will, "drool", over the Vanquish. Be warned driving such an Icon, against the tech advances of a R8, Lambo V10 or 5.0 XKR, is like going to be different, they don't all have SatNav etc let alone suspension setup's etc

I've considered a XKR-S and thought about the new F Type (I'd only ever have a coupe though), but the XKR is not giving me that special feeling you get when sitting in a Aston, Ferrari, Lamborghini etc

A friend has a R8 and its amazing but like the XKR it leaves me a little cold once the novelty wears off. The F430, Vanquish and Gallardo are just not practical enough for daily use. I'm self employed so I go for pleasure drives most days and occasionally use the XKR for business use so I need sat-nav etc!

I want a car that's no older than 2009 because cars get less reliable with age as well as mileage. I want a proper warranty as well.

I've just been out for a 2 hour blast around the Mendips and I can't really fault the XKR on anything except the sound of the engine can't be heard properly in the car unless you're really giving it some beans. Do this however and you will arrive at your grim reaper appointment very quickly indeed.

I just want more feeling of being in a special car without needing to lose my licence or life!

If a DB9 doesn't come with cooled seats and heated steering wheel etc then I think I'll manage (though they are nice touches!).

I guess it's going to require me to actually drive a DB9 and S for on an extended test drive to see how they shape up rather than just being a passenger.

[MaverickV12]

ryanjohnstott said:

I guess it's going to require me to actually drive a DB9 and S

I only have a DB9, but from what I can see the difference is not just the 40BHP more, it's the whole car. The S is a mass of Carbon Fibre, making it lighter and much more expensive. Plus the Ceramic Brakes and a better interior.

If you can afford it, go for the S, who would have a 9, when you can have an S ? Having said that I replaced all my brakes for about £1,000.00, which would buy you about 1/2 a ceramic disc from a DBS. But if you don't want to go any older than 2009, I can't see a problem. Most of the 2008 / 2009 DBS come in manual boxes, so they are easier to get hold of than a manual DB9.