Advice on DB9 Volante 2006/7 please

Advice on DB9 Volante 2006/7 please

Author
Discussion

911dg

Original Poster:

17 posts

115 months

Friday 12th August 2016
quotequote all
Hi Guys,

I have finally decided to move away from my beloved 911's and go for a DB9. I want to spend around the £40k mark and there seems to be some great ones out there for around that price from 2006/7 with fairly low mines, by which i meant between 40,000 - 50,000. In won't do huge miles - 5-7,000 per year max. I even saw a 2004 model with 13k miles on the clock - barely touched.

Can anyone offer any advice? They look to my untrained eye, 'almost' identical do the 2015 models, am i wrong? The shape seems to be exactly the same, except perhaps a more aggressive skirt or front bumper? I am sure there has been a lot of changes under the hood etc - any major ones?

Most seem to have either a full AM service history or from an Indy but are there any major things i should look out for? Most look absolutely mint inside and out. My last 911 was my everyday car and it was a 1999 C4 and still drove beautifully when i sold it a few months back so i'm ''hoping'' a DB9 will be the same.

ANY thoughts / advice / comments really appreciated. (And yes, Must be a Volante smile

Cheers

Dan.

avinalarf

6,438 posts

142 months

Friday 12th August 2016
quotequote all
I have had a DB9V ,2006 for the past 3 years,now on 20K mileage.
I do about 1500 mpa
As of now no problems, great car, lots of fun.
I bought from Grange,fair price,serviced by them,except for one service by Chiltern.
Came with warranty,I didn't renew warranty.
Service about £950.
With renewing tyres and pads etc. works out circa £1500/2000 p.a. that's including the service.
Most common gripe is bubbling paintwork, Grange sorted that for me when I bought it.
Good luck.

Rappa

625 posts

270 months

Friday 12th August 2016
quotequote all
What Avin' said.

I went from a 996 Cab to DB9, you won't regret it, lots on here with people quoting stuff that searches will have you reading until the end of the Olympics.

The rear is less practical than the 911. It is less economical regarding MPG and only pennies more to service and maintain due to slightly bigger wheels and discs, but essentially a very different feeling car to drive and more importantly to own.

But to answer your question get the book and the changes in your price category came in 2007.

But as they all say, buy on condition not mileage.

Enjoy the search.

Sean

Edited by Rappa on Monday 15th August 10:41

Zuman

188 posts

113 months

Saturday 13th August 2016
quotequote all
I also have a 2006 DB9V. Mine just reached 45,000 miles.
Look for cracks and chips in the wood. Also check that the air conditioning is cold. The convertible roof module eventually goes bad in most early DB9Vs, so if you can find one that's already had it replaced, that's a bonus.
There was a service advisory or recall to replace the dipstick with a shorter version to reduce the risk of low oil levels. If the car you select has the shorter stick there's a better chance that it's never run low.
The washer fluid reservoir tends to crack near the top mounting bolt.
Ensure that the sound from the stereo system isn't unusually sloppy or intermittent, especially if it's the 950 watt Linn system...you do NOT want to replace it because it's not just a matter of switching one component out for a newer one.
If the car has Bridgestone tires you will experience a revelation by swapping them out for Michelin Pilot Sports.
The car's chin tends to make contact with parking bumper blocks. They'll nearly all have scrapes, but look out for cracks.
If your car doesn't come with a "wind-stopper" screen, don't worry about it. I can tell no difference with it in place at 30mph, 60mph, or 90mph.
Learn how to change your own oil. It is not that much of a challenge and it will save you hundreds.
Your brakes will probably squeal at some point. Find some BG Stop Squeal on eBay and you'll go 5,000 miles before needing another application.
If your car doesn't come with the battery tender, get one and use it religiously. When the battery gets too low, it allows demons, goblins, and gremlins to enter the car and possess every function from the door locks to the misfire correction system. They will make you hate puppy dogs and rainbows and you will die bitter and broken. Just get the battery tender and plug the damn thing in at night.
My DB9 makes me happier than any other car I've ever owned. It's wonderful to drive, to sit in, to look at, or just to know that you actually own one. Not only that, it makes other people smile, too.

Edited by Zuman on Saturday 13th August 01:42

DAMIT

341 posts

163 months

Saturday 13th August 2016
quotequote all
Buy the Book:- The Definitive Guide to Gaydon-era ASTON MARTIN

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


911dg

Original Poster:

17 posts

115 months

Saturday 13th August 2016
quotequote all
Some GREAT advice guys - exactly what I was looking for - thank you.
Given all of that I'm going to go ahead for sure.
Just a matter of time and finding the right one smile

Cheers

Dan.

skeena river rover

57 posts

101 months

Sunday 14th August 2016
quotequote all
I use to drive a 964 C2. Sold it and went to a 2007 DB9 sports pack. It is the best choice i made so far. Great car and always special to drive. The 964 was cool. But the DB9 is just a completely different league. Maintenance is not that bad.

911dg

Original Poster:

17 posts

115 months

Monday 15th August 2016
quotequote all
Excellent - thats great to know. Exciting !!! smile


Robbo1969

167 posts

95 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
Great to read all the positive advice above! I'm 46 & 1/2 (the half makes all the difference!), father to three children, oldest 13. I have a gap between school fees and uni fees, so now is the time to live my boyhood/adulthood dream. I've ummmmed and aaaaared and researched for a year or four and feel spending around £50k on a decent sounding DB9 is now imminent.
I'm looking at dealerships and specialists such as Mcgurk and as always see a slight premium.
Any warnings / advice appreciated!
Cheers and I look forward to joining you all soon.
Guy

Robbo1969

167 posts

95 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
Great to read all the positive advice above! I'm 46 & 1/2 (the half makes all the difference!), father to three children, oldest 13. I have a gap between school fees and uni fees, so now is the time to live my boyhood/adulthood dream. I've ummmmed and aaaaared and researched for a year or four and feel spending around £50k on a decent sounding DB9 is now imminent.
I'm looking at dealerships and specialists such as Mcgurk and as always see a slight premium.
Any warnings / advice appreciated!
Cheers and I look forward to joining you all soon.
Guy

DSLiverpool

14,744 posts

202 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
Do not buy one with the standard stereo it's inaudible with the roof down, 5 spoke sport pack alloys transform the look - regret selling mine !

hartley

703 posts

199 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all
Zuman said:
I also have a 2006 DB9V. Mine just reached 45,000 miles.
Look for cracks and chips in the wood. Also check that the air conditioning is cold. The convertible roof module eventually goes bad in most early DB9Vs, so if you can find one that's already had it replaced, that's a bonus.
There was a service advisory or recall to replace the dipstick with a shorter version to reduce the risk of low oil levels. If the car you select has the shorter stick there's a better chance that it's never run low.
The washer fluid reservoir tends to crack near the top mounting bolt.
Ensure that the sound from the stereo system isn't unusually sloppy or intermittent, especially if it's the 950 watt Linn system...you do NOT want to replace it because it's not just a matter of switching one component out for a newer one.
If the car has Bridgestone tires you will experience a revelation by swapping them out for Michelin Pilot Sports.
The car's chin tends to make contact with parking bumper blocks. They'll nearly all have scrapes, but look out for cracks.
If your car doesn't come with a "wind-stopper" screen, don't worry about it. I can tell no difference with it in place at 30mph, 60mph, or 90mph.
Learn how to change your own oil. It is not that much of a challenge and it will save you hundreds.
Your brakes will probably squeal at some point. Find some BG Stop Squeal on eBay and you'll go 5,000 miles before needing another application.
If your car doesn't come with the battery tender, get one and use it religiously. When the battery gets too low, it allows demons, goblins, and gremlins to enter the car and possess every function from the door locks to the misfire correction system. They will make you hate puppy dogs and rainbows and you will die bitter and broken. Just get the battery tender and plug the damn thing in at night.
My DB9 makes me happier than any other car I've ever owned. It's wonderful to drive, to sit in, to look at, or just to know that you actually own one. Not only that, it makes other people smile, too.

Edited by Zuman on Saturday 13th August 01:42
I also have a 2006 Volante - 31k ,manual - great car .However I am interested in your comment about the roof module going . My roof works fine but it thinks it is not closed when it is so I have to turn off the engine and start again to clear the 'bongs' . Mechanism has been looked at and it is fine .Is the only solution to replace the module ? If so where do I get one ,what is included and what do they cost - any special equipment needed to instal it or can an indi do it ? Thanks


hartley

703 posts

199 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all
Zuman said:
I also have a 2006 DB9V. Mine just reached 45,000 miles.
Look for cracks and chips in the wood. Also check that the air conditioning is cold. The convertible roof module eventually goes bad in most early DB9Vs, so if you can find one that's already had it replaced, that's a bonus.
There was a service advisory or recall to replace the dipstick with a shorter version to reduce the risk of low oil levels. If the car you select has the shorter stick there's a better chance that it's never run low.
The washer fluid reservoir tends to crack near the top mounting bolt.
Ensure that the sound from the stereo system isn't unusually sloppy or intermittent, especially if it's the 950 watt Linn system...you do NOT want to replace it because it's not just a matter of switching one component oukot for a newer one.
If the car has Bridgestone tires you will experience a revelation by swapping them out for Michelin Pilot Sports.
The car's chin tends to make contact with parking bumper blocks. They'll nearly all have scrapes, but look out for cracks.
If your car doesn't come with a "wind-stopper" screen, don't worry about it. I can tell no difference with it in place at 30mph, 60mph, or 90mph.
Learn how to change your own oil. It is not that much of a challenge and it will save you hundreds.
Your brakes will probably squeal at some point. Find some BG Stop Squeal on eBay and you'll go 5,000 miles before needing another application.
If your car doesn't come with the battery tender, get one and use it religiously. When the battery gets too low, it allows demons, goblins, and gremlins to enter the car and possess every function from the door locks to the misfire correction system. They will make you hate puppy dogs and rainbows and you will die bitter and broken. Just get the battery tender and plug the damn thing in at night.
My DB9 makes me happier than any other car I've ever owned. It's wonderful to drive, to sit in, to look at, or just to know that you actually own one. Not only that, it makes other people smile, too.

Edited by Zuman on Saturday 13th August 01:42
I also have a 2006 Volante - 31k ,manual - great car .However I am interested in your comment about the roof module going . My roof works fine but it thinks it is not closed when it is so I have to turn off the engine and start again to clear the 'bongs' . Mechanism has been looked at and it is fine .Is the only solution to replace the module ? If so where do I get one ,what is included and what do they cost - any special equipment needed to instal it or can an indi do it ? Thanks


hartley

703 posts

199 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all
Zuman said:
I also have a 2006 DB9V. Mine just reached 45,000 miles.
Look for cracks and chips in the wood. Also check that the air conditioning is cold. The convertible roof module eventually goes bad in most early DB9Vs, so if you can find one that's already had it replaced, that's a bonus.
There was a service advisory or recall to replace the dipstick with a shorter version to reduce the risk of low oil levels. If the car you select has the shorter stick there's a better chance that it's never run low.
The washer fluid reservoir tends to crack near the top mounting bolt.
Ensure that the sound from the stereo system isn't unusually sloppy or intermittent, especially if it's the 950 watt Linn system...you do NOT want to replace it because it's not just a matter of switching one component oukot for a newer one.
If the car has Bridgestone tires you will experience a revelation by swapping them out for Michelin Pilot Sports.
The car's chin tends to make contact with parking bumper blocks. They'll nearly all have scrapes, but look out for cracks.
If your car doesn't come with a "wind-stopper" screen, don't worry about it. I can tell no difference with it in place at 30mph, 60mph, or 90mph.
Learn how to change your own oil. It is not that much of a challenge and it will save you hundreds.
Your brakes will probably squeal at some point. Find some BG Stop Squeal on eBay and you'll go 5,000 miles before needing another application.
If your car doesn't come with the battery tender, get one and use it religiously. When the battery gets too low, it allows demons, goblins, and gremlins to enter the car and possess every function from the door locks to the misfire correction system. They will make you hate puppy dogs and rainbows and you will die bitter and broken. Just get the battery tender and plug the damn thing in at night.
My DB9 makes me happier than any other car I've ever owned. It's wonderful to drive, to sit in, to look at, or just to know that you actually own one. Not only that, it makes other people smile, too.

Edited by Zuman on Saturday 13th August 01:42
I also have a 2006 Volante - 31k ,manual - great car .However I am interested in your comment about the roof module going . My roof works fine but it thinks it is not closed when it is so I have to turn off the engine and start again to clear the 'bongs' . Mechanism has been looked at and it is fine .Is the only solution to replace the module ? If so where do I get one ,what is included and what do they cost - any special equipment needed to instal it or can an indi do it ? Thanks


Jon39

12,827 posts

143 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all

Zuman said:
My DB9 makes me happier than any other car I've ever owned. It's wonderful to drive, to sit in, to look at, or just to know that you actually own one. Not only that, it makes other people smile, too.

Brilliant, Mike.

Your words are now in my collection of COMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS, joining Mr. Victor Gauntlett's quote, "It's because they are thoroughbreds, that people have tried so hard to keep the marque alive".




avinalarf

6,438 posts

142 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all
Jon39 said:
Zuman said:
My DB9 makes me happier than any other car I've ever owned. It's wonderful to drive, to sit in, to look at, or just to know that you actually own one. Not only that, it makes other people smile, too.

Brilliant, Mike.

Your words are now in my collection of COMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS, joining Mr. Victor Gauntlett's quote, "It's because they are thoroughbreds, that people have tried so hard to keep the marque alive".

Well Jon,I'm a miserable old git that doesn't like making other people smile.
However I still get a thrill out of my DB9V,it also makes me happy,happy,happy.

Jon39

12,827 posts

143 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all

avinalarf said:
Jon39 said:
Zuman said:
My DB9 makes me happier than any other car I've ever owned. It's wonderful to drive, to sit in, to look at, or just to know that you actually own one. Not only that, it makes other people smile, too.

Brilliant, Mike.

Your words are now in my collection of COMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS, joining Mr. Victor Gauntlett's quote, "It's because they are thoroughbreds, that people have tried so hard to keep the marque alive".


Well Jon,I'm a miserable old git that doesn't like making other people smile.
However I still get a thrill out of my DB9V,it also makes me happy,happy,happy.

I think that you do like making people smile, Steven.
What is your joke of the day?

You will have to do better than 'happy, happy, happy', but I see that you already have two entries on my COMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS, with wonderful quotes.

Maybe I should publish the quotes in a book one day, and then we can all share the (probably non-existent) royalties.



avinalarf

6,438 posts

142 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all
Jon39 said:

I think that you do like making people smile, Steven.
What is your joke of the day?

You will have to do better than 'happy, happy, happy', but I see that you already have two entries on my COMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS, with wonderful quotes.

Maybe I should publish the quotes in a book one day, and then we can all share the (probably non-existent) royalties.
Here's a few....
"Know thyself "
" always leave a bit for the next man"
" turnovers vanity ......profit is sanity "
Not humerous but useful to remember in one's daily dealings.

avinalarf

6,438 posts

142 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all
Jon39 said:

I think that you do like making people smile, Steven.
What is your joke of the day?

You will have to do better than 'happy, happy, happy', but I see that you already have two entries on my COMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS, with wonderful quotes.

Maybe I should publish the quotes in a book one day, and then we can all share the (probably non-existent) royalties.
Here's a few....
"Know thyself "
" always leave a bit for the next man"
" turnovers vanity ......profit is sanity "
Not humerous but useful to remember in one's daily dealings.

Zuman

188 posts

113 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
quotequote all
Hartley-
Your problem does not sound like the CRM to me (although I CERTAINLY could be wrong!). Every episode I've heard of preceding or involving CRM failure also includes issues such as the gauges ceasing to function, turn signals not working, and the reception of strange error messages (such as paddle shifts not working or brake failure).
Also, if you DO buy a new CRM, you'll need to get a re-flash by a dealer or an independent with AM's computer system (I don't think there are many of those). If you buy a used but functioning CRM, you probably won't need the re-flash and can do the job yourself (it's not too bad...the biggest pain is removing the left-rear wheel well liner).
If you want to learn more about the convertible roof system, shoot me your email and I'll send you Aston Martin's Technical Guide on it.
There are Hall Effect and other switches that assure that all movements of the mechanism happen in the correct order and that "D" doesn't occur before "A" "B" and "C" finish.