DB9 Coupe vs Volante
Discussion
I currently have an SL AMG and it is a very nice car, however the DB9 has been interesting to me for a long time - absolutely beautiful, and now I can get a 2007 model from AM for sub-50k it seems a great time to buy.
So I recently went and tested out the coupe and it felt good, I was a big fan. But I just know that come summer time I will be kicking myself if I don't have a convertible - especially as it is a feature I use a lot in my SL. So I tested out a Volante last night, but I just couldn't get comfortable. It felt much more cramped than the coupe did and overall a much worse car, more road noise, and just didn't feel 'right' like the Coupe did.
I got into my SL after the volante test drive, and it felt so spacious and luxurious after the Aston. I did spend a bit of time fiddling with the seats in the Volante, but my head was touching the roof (i'm 6'1") or my legs were cramped, or I was at a strange angle leaning back.
So I would love to hear from some people, is this a recurring issue that people notice? Is the general consensus that the Volante is a much worse car? If only it weren't for the fact that I *need* a folding roof, I would take the coupe. But to me, my SL is a far, far better car than the volante.
So I recently went and tested out the coupe and it felt good, I was a big fan. But I just know that come summer time I will be kicking myself if I don't have a convertible - especially as it is a feature I use a lot in my SL. So I tested out a Volante last night, but I just couldn't get comfortable. It felt much more cramped than the coupe did and overall a much worse car, more road noise, and just didn't feel 'right' like the Coupe did.
I got into my SL after the volante test drive, and it felt so spacious and luxurious after the Aston. I did spend a bit of time fiddling with the seats in the Volante, but my head was touching the roof (i'm 6'1") or my legs were cramped, or I was at a strange angle leaning back.
So I would love to hear from some people, is this a recurring issue that people notice? Is the general consensus that the Volante is a much worse car? If only it weren't for the fact that I *need* a folding roof, I would take the coupe. But to me, my SL is a far, far better car than the volante.
sealtt said:
But to me, my SL is a far, far better car than the volante.
Then your decision is made. That was easy 
Sounds to me like you didn't get the seat in the right place for it - other than chassis stiffness (which can be sorted with shear plates) and a lack of rear anti-roll bar (which can be added along with uprated drop links) they're the same car. I guess your SL has a folding tin top? Hell of a feature that and hard to give up, but the Aston ragtop is as good as any... yes the roofline is slightly lower in the Volante than the coupe, but not much. I think you need to fiddle with the seats more, I'm an inch shorter than you but there's bags of room in my Volante!
You can drive a Volante with the roof up, you can't drive a coupe with the roof down...
Interesting to hear you fit in no problem at approx my height, I suppose I will have to go back and ask for the guy to give me 10mins to 'adjust myself'!
I do love the SL a lot, it's the perfect all rounder.... but my girlfriend has a young child so I have a requirement for a 'legal' rear seat - I currently just send them on the train the 1-2 times per month we travel out of the city, but obviously to have all in a car would be better. There is enough space in the SL but no seatbelt unfortunately, whereas in the Aston all 3 of us can fit in all fine & legal.
So if I could just get comfortable it would be a good excuse to buy one!
I do love the SL a lot, it's the perfect all rounder.... but my girlfriend has a young child so I have a requirement for a 'legal' rear seat - I currently just send them on the train the 1-2 times per month we travel out of the city, but obviously to have all in a car would be better. There is enough space in the SL but no seatbelt unfortunately, whereas in the Aston all 3 of us can fit in all fine & legal.
So if I could just get comfortable it would be a good excuse to buy one!
A young child will fit in the back, but there isn't much space - but if you've had a look already, you'll know this!
My old DB7 was very cramped, my hair would touch the roof... the DB9 is much roomier
The seat basetips back and forward, this is how I suspect you'll get your backside closer to the ground! It's very comfortable once you get it right, I have driven from London to Monaco in mine.
My old DB7 was very cramped, my hair would touch the roof... the DB9 is much roomier
The seat basetips back and forward, this is how I suspect you'll get your backside closer to the ground! It's very comfortable once you get it right, I have driven from London to Monaco in mine.
My last car was an SL55 and a mighty damm fine car it is.......my brother also had an SL55 and we were discussing a few weeks ago that we would both be happy to go back to it. I now own a DB9 Coupe which is not my every day car but a toy rolled out when I feel the need. The DB9 is a wonderful piece of kit not least of all because it makes you feel so good driving it.......but......but as an everyday car I would stick to the SL55....it’s more comfortable, marginally quicker than the 450BHP DB9 and also makes just as good a noise when you push the noisy pedal…it has the added advantage of the folding roof…………but its not an Aston Martin
Personally I'd wait until you can afford a 2009MY Volante - improved grunt & economy - more rigid - 20mm more roof height - more refined with extra roof layer - quieter roof motor - improved Touchtronic (faster changes, now as quick as a manual)- new suspension set-up - new centre console... etc etc etc.
Grant3 said:
Personally I'd wait until you can afford a 2009MY Volante - improved grunt & economy - more rigid - 20mm more roof height - more refined with extra roof layer - quieter roof motor - improved Touchtronic (faster changes, now as quick as a manual)- new suspension set-up - new centre console... etc etc etc.
Anyone would think you wrote a book on the bloody subject 
Cockernee said:
Anyone would think you wrote a book on the bloody subject 
Funny you should say that - www.astonmartinreview.co.uk
I've had both, had a 2006 volante in 2009 and now have an immaculate SL55 with a quick Maserati flirt in between.
The DB9 makes you excited when you open the garage door, my SL even with its split rims and shiny blue black paint doesn't do that - but the SL is the better car as a mode of transport if you like forced induction in that I love the supercharged engine hence getting the car.
I miss the Aston, ill have another soonish but I won't have another SL after this one.
The DB9 makes you excited when you open the garage door, my SL even with its split rims and shiny blue black paint doesn't do that - but the SL is the better car as a mode of transport if you like forced induction in that I love the supercharged engine hence getting the car.
I miss the Aston, ill have another soonish but I won't have another SL after this one.
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