Db9 or Vantage please help

[John800]

I have a problem, I owned a db9 (55 plate) 2 yrs ago and sold it as my job changed, worst decision ever!! the car was in my eyes faultless. I'm now considering another aston martin to fill the void the db9 left, however I can't make up my mind between the db9 or a vantage my budget is around the £35k mark. I would really appreciate some advice on the subject

[kensilver]

While I haven't owned a DB9, I had a 2003 Vanquish a few years back and now own a 2008 V8VR. And as I've test driven some newer DB9's, I can say all the comments you'll hear about the DB being a cruisy GT and the Vantage a responsive sports car is true.

I just couldn't love the Vanq because it was not nimble enough, but when I tapped the go-pedal on the V8V it was a totally different animal despite similar paddle systems. Cornered better, felt lighter and more connected to the road.

You'll probably find that same difference when you test a Vantage, but I have been really surprised at the large handling gap between them. And it all depends which personality you prefer. I know I'm loving the lighter V8V more than many other cars I've had.

[michael gould]

your going to end up with a 4.3 Vantage within your budget ..........it lacks performance compared to the DB9

[Neil1300r]

Vantage is the sharper handling, steering of the two. Although the DB9 isn't bad. Have been the passenger in a DB9 on B roads in France, was pleasantly surprised at how well it handled. In the Vantage I would have had to work the gearbox a lot to stay with a DB9 - torquey V12 engine vs high revving V8. the4.3 needs to be rev'ed to get the most out of it - you need to be in the right gear all the time.
Most DB9's will be auto, in your price bracket all Vantage's will be full manual - gearstick and a clutch pedal.
Vantage has more load carrying capacity.
Vantage more aggressive looking.

DB9 - you need a pipe and slippers
Vantage - you need a shellsuit and baseball cap on backwards

Think that covers it

[burnout3]

DB9 if you're 50+
Vantage if you're under 50

[leman600]

I have owned a 4.3 Vantage 07 and a DB9 11 and although the DB9 was a truly great car and makes you feel very special another Vantage will be my next car. The manual gearbox in a 'drive to enjoy' car I see as almost compulsory.
I remember test driving the Vantage and almost walking away due to the initial impressions but after a few weeks of ownership they begin to feel the excellent car that they are.
Both superb but quite different and the Vantage gave me more fun. (And I am over 50)

[John800]

Thanks for all your comments and please keep them coming, I'm now looking to Increase the budget to £40-45k with that in mind I'm thinking about adding a R8 into the mixer. As I mentioned I have had a db9 previous and I just love the look of the car, I don't do too many miles as I live close to work and have another car for day to day. I'm about to turn 40 so as I'm not in the cigar and slippers click just yet nor am I in the shell suit crew either I'm in definitely somewhat of a dilemma, my heart says try a vantage but the look of a db9 is stunning and then you have the R8 to consider...help

[burnout3]

I love an increasing budget, man-maths at their finest. I started at £20kish looking at old 997s, before eventually ending up spending mid-30s on a Vantage. Best decision ever. If I'd bumped mine up further, I would have looked at the R8 too - I've had 4 different fast(ish) Audis and love them generally ... but they do lack a bit of soul. The best thing is that an old Aston still potentially offers great reliability (fingers crossed at this stage for mine, only had it a few weeks!), which would have been the only factor to sway me towards an R8. There are 2 Vantages and a couple of R8s nearby me. I know which ones turn way more heads when they drive past, the Astons!

[AdamV8V]

John800 said:

I'm now looking to Increase the budget to £40-45k

*goes off to classifieds*

[AdamV8V]

AdamV8V said:

John800 said:

I'm now looking to Increase the budget to £40-45k

*goes off to classifieds*

Comes back with this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

This will get you within budget (with a bit of haggling - don't forget it's the end of the quarter!) and it's a 4.7 manual - a rare beast and the best (non S / V12) Vantage ever, in my humble.

If you've experienced the pull of the DB9's V12 I think the 4.3 may be a little underwhelming / even annoying to have to thrash the whole time. Whilst the 4.7 got another 40 ponies over the 4.3, it's actually the torque increase that's most noticeable (I've had a 4.3 and now on my second 4.7).

Yes, this example is leggy, but it looks like it's had every option thrown at it including Sport Pack, the much-coveted lightweight seats and (maybe over-rated) B&O hi-fi.

Plus it was inspected by Barry Griffin, which everyone knows is worth £5k come resale

If the car's a keeper and you can deal with being the bloke who takes it over 50k miles, it's worth throwing into the mix.

Have fun shopping. And don't buy the Audi

[hashluck]

It is a very personal thing but I test drove DB9, Vantage and R8 prior to my purchase. Have had Audis for years but did not get on with the R8 at all.

Preferred the Vantage to the DB9 for all the reasons stated below. Overall I prefer the looks of the DB9 but not the drive.

I am bang on 50.

When I say I prefer the Vantage this is the V8V S which I think addresses many things it sounds like I would not have liked about earlier Vantages so that is my only caveat and again it is a personal thing. Only other marque that came close for me was Maserati (GranTurismo)


Good luck

[michael gould]

auto DB9 no new clutch bill which you will almost certainly get with a Vantage of that age (if not already done) .......so factor in the 3k .........4.7 Vantage is more "on power" with the DB9............4.3 Vantage is a bit like a Honda S2000 .....goes well provided you keep the revs up