Standard DB9 purchasing questions
Discussion
Hey folks
We're in the market for a used Db9 for (Mrs Luffield)and are seeking some basic advice on what we should be thinking about and not thinking about when selecting a car.
Basically, I have a few relatively simple questions that I'd like to get some thoughts on from more experienced and knowledgable folk.
We'd like to try and keep the cost below £40k, but this could buy anything from a low mileage 2004 through to a higher mileage 2008. What determines pricing for these cars? Age? Mileage ? History? I guess all 3, but it's hard to gauge, as the prices seem all over the place. What criteria should we be basing our search on?
Do people think the older cars are at the bottom of their depreciation curve, or are they likely to get cheaper? I can remember seeing original vanquishes around £45k not so many years ago, but they're way up again now. I guess that's the Newport Pagnell factor? Do people see DB9's going up in the future or are they too numerous to do that?
We live very close by to Appleby Engineering and not too far from Aston Martin Works and to be honest I'd be happy to get it serviced at a recommended specialist, but in reality does it affect the resale value significantly for cars like this? I get my (old) C4s serviced at a specialist, without too many concerns, but would this reduce the desirability for future AM buyers? Should we beware of non dealership stamps when looking at potential cars?
Looking at colour combinations, the cars on the market seem to be affected by colour combinations, with plenty of silver/ blue, grey/ grey etc. Do colour combinations affect the value? We have pretty much agreed onyx, obsidian and piano, but there are fewer examples. Is that from desirability or the opposite? We also really like the dark grey cars with black grill, wheels and dechromed window surrounds, but again are concerned that (eventual) resale value will be affected. Are we right in thinking to avoid coloured interiors?
Finally, we have a relatively sporty car, so we aren't looking for the Aston to be 'racey' and neither of us would 'hate' a volante. Apart from the same reason we got a 911 coupe rather than a convertible (they just look better) early volante's get terrible reviews regarding the driving experience. Are they really a poor drive compared to the coupe, or is it just over enthusiastic journalists?
I'm looking forward to all your informed advice and experience.
Thanks
Matt
We're in the market for a used Db9 for (Mrs Luffield)and are seeking some basic advice on what we should be thinking about and not thinking about when selecting a car.
Basically, I have a few relatively simple questions that I'd like to get some thoughts on from more experienced and knowledgable folk.
We'd like to try and keep the cost below £40k, but this could buy anything from a low mileage 2004 through to a higher mileage 2008. What determines pricing for these cars? Age? Mileage ? History? I guess all 3, but it's hard to gauge, as the prices seem all over the place. What criteria should we be basing our search on?
Do people think the older cars are at the bottom of their depreciation curve, or are they likely to get cheaper? I can remember seeing original vanquishes around £45k not so many years ago, but they're way up again now. I guess that's the Newport Pagnell factor? Do people see DB9's going up in the future or are they too numerous to do that?
We live very close by to Appleby Engineering and not too far from Aston Martin Works and to be honest I'd be happy to get it serviced at a recommended specialist, but in reality does it affect the resale value significantly for cars like this? I get my (old) C4s serviced at a specialist, without too many concerns, but would this reduce the desirability for future AM buyers? Should we beware of non dealership stamps when looking at potential cars?
Looking at colour combinations, the cars on the market seem to be affected by colour combinations, with plenty of silver/ blue, grey/ grey etc. Do colour combinations affect the value? We have pretty much agreed onyx, obsidian and piano, but there are fewer examples. Is that from desirability or the opposite? We also really like the dark grey cars with black grill, wheels and dechromed window surrounds, but again are concerned that (eventual) resale value will be affected. Are we right in thinking to avoid coloured interiors?
Finally, we have a relatively sporty car, so we aren't looking for the Aston to be 'racey' and neither of us would 'hate' a volante. Apart from the same reason we got a 911 coupe rather than a convertible (they just look better) early volante's get terrible reviews regarding the driving experience. Are they really a poor drive compared to the coupe, or is it just over enthusiastic journalists?
I'm looking forward to all your informed advice and experience.
Thanks
Matt
Thanks for the sound advice. All very helpful. It made me laugh about the exhaust, as I have a pse on my 911 and set off car alarms as I drive through the village most days. The Porsche one is always on and you have to turn it off, which I seldom do...
To be honest, we're buying one as we love them, have always wanted one and both the coupe and the convertible are drop dead gorgeous. Reading my original post, it does seem that I'm obsessed about the value, which isn't the case, I just wouldn't want to expect to lose 2/3rds of its value in just a couple of years (like our Range Rover or X5 did).
I guess the target should be as low mileage as possible on a well specced car in a decent colour set, which makes sense. My only concern is that some of these cars are 10 years old and have done such low mileage they seem a bit of a risk (certainly in the porsche world, cars that sit around in garages tend to be the ones that develop problems whilst the ones getting used don't develop them, or get them resolved under warranty. I'd expect this to be the case with AM's being hand built super cars as well. Is that generally the case or am I way off? Would we be safer with a car with a full dealer history and 40,000 on the clock over one with less? (it's amazing how many there are with ridiculously low mileage).
All experiencecand advice welcomed.
To be honest, we're buying one as we love them, have always wanted one and both the coupe and the convertible are drop dead gorgeous. Reading my original post, it does seem that I'm obsessed about the value, which isn't the case, I just wouldn't want to expect to lose 2/3rds of its value in just a couple of years (like our Range Rover or X5 did).
I guess the target should be as low mileage as possible on a well specced car in a decent colour set, which makes sense. My only concern is that some of these cars are 10 years old and have done such low mileage they seem a bit of a risk (certainly in the porsche world, cars that sit around in garages tend to be the ones that develop problems whilst the ones getting used don't develop them, or get them resolved under warranty. I'd expect this to be the case with AM's being hand built super cars as well. Is that generally the case or am I way off? Would we be safer with a car with a full dealer history and 40,000 on the clock over one with less? (it's amazing how many there are with ridiculously low mileage).
All experiencecand advice welcomed.
Edited by Luffield on Saturday 25th July 07:41
More great advice. Thanks.
A couple more questions if I may. I've seen a few manual gearbox cars around, which claim to be rare or desirable in the adverts. Usually they have had a new clutch by 40,000 miles. Is that about the expected life span of a v12 clutch? Are they more desirable than the auto units?
I guess we need to have a look at a few and decide whether we want a coupe or a volante. I think we are pretty set on the colour set and don't want to compromise on it, although I'd be prepared to swap out wood trim for piano black if it was the right car otherwise.
A couple more questions if I may. I've seen a few manual gearbox cars around, which claim to be rare or desirable in the adverts. Usually they have had a new clutch by 40,000 miles. Is that about the expected life span of a v12 clutch? Are they more desirable than the auto units?
I guess we need to have a look at a few and decide whether we want a coupe or a volante. I think we are pretty set on the colour set and don't want to compromise on it, although I'd be prepared to swap out wood trim for piano black if it was the right car otherwise.
we're quite liking the look of this. 2007 with 47k on the clock with AM service history. In the for sale seaton of PH.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Seems reasonably priced to me.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Seems reasonably priced to me.
Edited by Luffield on Monday 27th July 22:05
Yeah, still umming and erring about whether it should be a convertible or not. Ceratinly she likes them, but as with all convertibles, they dont quite have the lines of a coupe. They're still beautiful of course.
I like the fact that everyone feels free to express themselves with their colour choices. I like the bright silver, grey and black, but Helen doesn't think she could live with a blue, iron ore or even light grey or cream interior, which is common with them. Dark grey or black inside and out is really what she wants and I can understand that. It's a dream to own one, so might as well get her what she wants.
I love the fact that you guys have varied taste and aren't scared of a bit of colour though. Not every AM needs to be grey and black.
I have another quick question as well. Do the cars drive significantly different with larger wheels on? Do 19's or 20's make the ride harsher or noisier. They look better in my opinion, but do they reduce the ride quality? We have a C4S for shaking our fillings loose..
I like the fact that everyone feels free to express themselves with their colour choices. I like the bright silver, grey and black, but Helen doesn't think she could live with a blue, iron ore or even light grey or cream interior, which is common with them. Dark grey or black inside and out is really what she wants and I can understand that. It's a dream to own one, so might as well get her what she wants.
I love the fact that you guys have varied taste and aren't scared of a bit of colour though. Not every AM needs to be grey and black.
I have another quick question as well. Do the cars drive significantly different with larger wheels on? Do 19's or 20's make the ride harsher or noisier. They look better in my opinion, but do they reduce the ride quality? We have a C4S for shaking our fillings loose..
Dewi 1 said:
What might Mrs Nuffield think of this colour?
One of her customers is Aston Martin Works on Tickford street, so she's spent a lot of time eyeballing cars over the past couple of years and has a pretty clear idea on what she wants.
Monochromatic colour scheme all the way.
JulianPH said:
Having just been through the same process you are going through I'm happy to throw my thoughts into the hat.
Like you and your good lady I wanted nothing other than silver/grey with black and black. I was also looking for an early model DB9 as an entry point to the brand (I was originally going to get a DBS - but that is another story of a dreadful Stratstone experience!).
First piece of advice I would give is wait until you have found the right car - it will turn up. I looked at some that were almost - but not exactly - right and nearly gave in just to have one. So glad I didn't!
I ended up going for one with 60,000 miles as it obviously really knocked down the price, was in immaculate condition, had a full AM service history, came from a great AM dealer with a one year AM warranty and as I would do so little mileage in it anyway it will start to balance out after a few years.
Secondly, do by Grants book and also take into account the generous feedback here.
Third thing - buy from a good dealer. I got mine from HWM Aston Martin and they were nothing short of brilliant. Call Stuart and let him know what you are looking for and he will find it for you (obviously there are other great dealerships - this is just my experience).
It also had the clear rear lights (I really think this is important as the red ones do age the car in my opinion) and the added benefit of Tony's knobs! We agreed £34K (including a new grill, refurbished alloys, 12 moths MOT and AM Warranty and upon delivery (flatbed lorry) they gave me invoices for £6,000 of service work they had done to bring it up to AM warranty level.
I would personally put things in the order of (1) right spec, (2) condition and service history, (3) mileage and (4) age. That is just me though.
Obviously mileage is very important, but a low mileage car in the wrong spec, or not in great condition, or with an incomplete service history is not a good buy.
I can assure you that owning an Aston Martin is unlike owning any other car. Find it and buy it!
Great Post! Thanks for your advice.Like you and your good lady I wanted nothing other than silver/grey with black and black. I was also looking for an early model DB9 as an entry point to the brand (I was originally going to get a DBS - but that is another story of a dreadful Stratstone experience!).
First piece of advice I would give is wait until you have found the right car - it will turn up. I looked at some that were almost - but not exactly - right and nearly gave in just to have one. So glad I didn't!
I ended up going for one with 60,000 miles as it obviously really knocked down the price, was in immaculate condition, had a full AM service history, came from a great AM dealer with a one year AM warranty and as I would do so little mileage in it anyway it will start to balance out after a few years.
Secondly, do by Grants book and also take into account the generous feedback here.
Third thing - buy from a good dealer. I got mine from HWM Aston Martin and they were nothing short of brilliant. Call Stuart and let him know what you are looking for and he will find it for you (obviously there are other great dealerships - this is just my experience).
It also had the clear rear lights (I really think this is important as the red ones do age the car in my opinion) and the added benefit of Tony's knobs! We agreed £34K (including a new grill, refurbished alloys, 12 moths MOT and AM Warranty and upon delivery (flatbed lorry) they gave me invoices for £6,000 of service work they had done to bring it up to AM warranty level.
I would personally put things in the order of (1) right spec, (2) condition and service history, (3) mileage and (4) age. That is just me though.
Obviously mileage is very important, but a low mileage car in the wrong spec, or not in great condition, or with an incomplete service history is not a good buy.
I can assure you that owning an Aston Martin is unlike owning any other car. Find it and buy it!
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff