DB9 to possibly replace my XKR 5.0

[ryanjohnstott]

I currently have a XKR 5.0 which is a brilliant car and has all the toys you could want as standard.

However, I have a DB9 scratch to itch! So, what model year and extras should I look out for in order that I don't miss anything from my XKR?

[vankypanky]

how much do you want to spend would be the question

[jamesc12]

Firstly, if you're even contemplating a Gaydon-era Aston, get Grant's book: http://www.astonmartinreview.co.uk.

Well worth the money for any potential purchase.

Secondly, depending on how much you want to spend (if it's < 50-60k) then there was a reasonably big update in 2009 which revamped the interior, new seats and some tweaks to exterior. Anything earlier than that can be bought up to a good standard with some interior kits & bits if interior is important to you - knobs, stalks etc that you will read about on here.

[michael gould]

ryanjohnstott said:

I currently have a XKR 5.0 which is a brilliant car and has all the toys you could want as standard.

However, I have a DB9 scratch to itch! So, what model year and extras should I look out for in order that I don't miss anything from my XKR?

What toys are a must have.........anyway I guarantee you will feel so much better in the Aston............just get on with it

[brakedwell]

I went from a 4.2 XKR via 2X XF's to my DB9, which I have now owned for 2.5 years, and do not regret it. There are some good value DB9's for sale at the moment.

Edited by brakedwell on Thursday 27th December 12:20

[franki68]

I was going to tease and say ..'not sure if the db9 has an option to reduce steering feel to zilch'

[AdamV8V]

franki68 said:

I was going to tease and say ..'not sure if the db9 has an option to reduce steering feel to zilch'

I think you just did

[cowman1960]

well after going from a fully loaded range rover vogue se to a db9 you know what you can do without, ie heated steering wheel ( i kid you not) i have never regretted it.
but the whole point surely of buying a Aston are the looks, the engine, and the way it makes you feel when driving it, range rover was luxury but the Aston is enjoyment.

[yeti]

If you want radar guided cruise control, a DAB radio, voice activation or a heated brake pedal then stick with the Jag. Aston don't do toys, they're Driver's cars and don't have Range Rover to filch from

The Aston has a normally aspirated V12, an aluminium chassis, aluminium and composite body panels and your mission could be the option of a manual gearbox should you choose to accept it. The Jag is a forced induction whining lump of mass-produced wannabee, drawn by the guy who drew the DB7. Everything about it is derivative. Construction is the same but the Jag is let down by details, details everywhere. It seems, as it is of course, to be cheap.

Drive the DB9 and if you're not convinced by the time you operate the clever handle to lift open the damped ally-skinned 'swan' doors, sit in the Bridge of Weir leather seats and then press the start button... Well, you're dead inside. Get a 911.

Edited by yeti on Thursday 27th December 19:02

[yvr]

My 2001 XK8 had way more electronic and automatic doo-dads than my 2006 DB9. Some of the bells & whistles have come to Aston in more recent model years, but the Jag will still come out ahead in the gadget race.

Don't care one bit -- the DB9 is so much better to drive and be in.

[ryanjohnstott]

yeti said:

If you want radar guided cruise control, a DAB radio, voice activation or a heated brake pedal then stick with the Jag. Aston don't do toys, they're Driver's cars and don't have Range Rover to filch from

The Aston has a normally aspirated V12, an aluminium chassis, aluminium and composite body panels and your mission could be the option of a manual gearbox should you choose to accept it. The Jag is a forced induction whining lump of mass-produced pressed steel drawn by the guy who drew the DB7. Everything about it is derivative.

Drive the DB9 and if you're not convinced by the time you operate the clever handle to lift open the damped ally-skinned 'swan' doors, sit in the Bridge of Weir leather seats and then press the start button... Well, you're dead inside. Get a 911.

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 again!

I'm looking at a budget of 65k and would consider a manual but they seem very rare? The XKR and DB9 are both GT's therefore toys are not a crime in my view ;-)

[AMDBSNick]

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 again!

I'm looking at a budget of 65k and would consider a manual but they seem very rare? The XKR and DB9 are both GT's therefore toys are not a crime in my view ;-)

I'm sorry the modern XKR can never be described as pretty

[MaverickV12]

ryanjohnstott said:

I realise I'm in the 'Aston' area here but you are hardly being objective!

I understand what you mean, the problem is that you're trying to compare a car with an icon. The jag is technically brilliant, it will beat the DB9 hands down in virtually everything, indeed i can't think of anything it would lose on ...

But if its performance, then go for the 911 or the Jag, if its luxury and toys, then go for the Range Rover, if it's insanity and traction, then go for the Nissan GTR.

If you want an Iconic car of the 21st Century, go for the DB9, it won't have the toys of the Jag, the luxury of the RR or the performance of the GTR.....

..... but you WILL be James Bond, you will feel brilliant, people will wave you out at junctions, children will stop and get their camera phones out, people will ask you to rev your engine for no reason other than to hear it ......

I've had luxury and I've had speed, but I never understood what Aston was about, until I got one.

I drive my DB9 every day and i wouldn't swap it for anything.

[ryanjohnstott]

Looks are subjective I guess but I get so many looks and nice comments about the XKR that I think the general view is that it is indeed a pretty car! Not that I wouldn't expect as many comments or more if I change to the DB9.

The steering feel is actually very good in the 5ltr XKR particularly in Dynamic mode. It's a great car and in many ways I should be satisfied but its not an Aston and doesn't make me feel quite special enough.

I'm pretty much set on a DB9 but I do want the toys and speed of my XKR so I think I'm looking at a 2009 onwards model? Any advice on what to look out for and what comes as standard etc would be welcome.

I don't want to visit a dealership yet because I will come home with the first car they show me

Oh, the Jag warranty is fantastic - is the approved Aston one very good?

Thanks everyone!

[awg454]

Keep the XKR they are all brainwashed on here;)

[ryanjohnstott]

awg454 said:

Keep the XKR they are all brainwashed on here;)

Ha! Some are, certainly. But then, it's nice that people are passionate about their brand of car

I'm just a badge snob really and fancy ticking another prestige brand 'box'!

Why are there so few manual DB9's about? Is the paddle shift as good as the XKR system? Or is the DB9 manual box not very good? Just seems odd to me that more people didn't tick the manual option when ordering DB9's.

[Neil1300R]

Buy a XKR-S.

[F1 NDW]

MaverickV12 said:

ryanjohnstott said:

I realise I'm in the 'Aston' area here but you are hardly being objective!

I understand what you mean, the problem is that you're trying to compare a car with an icon. The jag is technically brilliant, it will beat the DB9 hands down in virtually everything, indeed i can't think of anything it would lose on ...

But if its performance, then go for the 911 or the Jag, if its luxury and toys, then go for the Range Rover, if it's insanity and traction, then go for the Nissan GTR.

If you want an Iconic car of the 21st Century, go for the DB9, it won't have the toys of the Jag, the luxury of the RR or the performance of the GTR.....

..... but you WILL be James Bond, you will feel brilliant, people will wave you out at junctions, children will stop and get their camera phones out, people will ask you to rev your engine for no reason other than to hear it ......

I've had luxury and I've had speed, but I never understood what Aston was about, until I got one.

I drive my DB9 every day and i wouldn't swap it for anything.

Maverick you've got it there 100%.
There's a guy in the Amoc who's just sold his Vanquish and Bought some sort of dead donkey. I can't even start to understand him. Straight to the funny farm , I'd say.

[ryanjohnstott]

Neil1300R said:

Buy a XKR-S.

That's exactly what I was going to do. I've been offered a good deal on a 11plate XKR-S in French Racing Blue.

Very tempting but I figured that I might still have the Aston itch and regret buying my third Jag.

[Speedraser]

The auto 'box in the DB9 is excellent -- same transmission, IIRC, as the Jag's. However, the manual 'box is fantastic.