V8V Vs DB9?

[Zanderman]

Hi All,

I was hoping for a little advice. I have had a lot of cars over the last few years and have never stuck with any of them, my list looks something like this:

991 C2S
E350 Sport
C63 AMG
Cayenne Turbo S
Jag XFR
996 C2S

This is over about 5 years and has cost me a fortune constantly swapping and changing. I am looking for something that is fairly rapid (near to 4.5 ish - 60 I guess), handles well and has a nice sound, fun to drive and is comfortable (getting older and fatter so becoming more important as time moves on.......). I want a 2010 + car and budget will depend on the car but no more than early 60's (less would be better!)

So I have looked at all the usual suspects:

Bentley Continental GT - too expensive for what I am looking for, like the look but maybe a step too far in terms of a gentleman’s car?

Maserati granturismo - Like the look and it seems to tick all the boxes, for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on but they don’t quite float my boat, no idea why....

Porsche Panamera - like these buy would want a turbo and again just not sure they feel all that special

AM Rapide - not sure I get these at all, like a stretched DB9

So I come to the V8V (4.7) or the DB9, having read up on them both it seems like the real difference from some of the cars I have owned above is the sense of occasion and that undefinable something that makes people fall in love with them. I want that!! It looks like they will tick pretty much all the boxes but not sure what the real difference is between the 2.

Looks like I could get a V8V for early £50's which appeals but not sure they are as nice in profile as the DB9, they look a little squashed?? I am assuming the V8V is a better driver’s car and would be a little more exciting? Are they too sporty though? (Considering that I think I really want a GT car). There seems to be a lof of love on here from owners though so there must be something special about them.

Is the DB9 getting a little old now in terms of a platform (been around for a while and not sure they have had much in terms of updates?). Looks like a decent DB9 would be mid £60's so would need to be much better for me to justify the extra £'s........... My gut feel is that a DB9 would be a better match considering what I have said above but stretching the budget a bit and I am not sure if they are as good as the V8V?

Essentially I don’t know much about either car so you will have to forgive my ignorance, I am not making any statements above simply asking questions from those of you that know better and have them.

So any thoughts greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[steveatesh]

Good problem to have Isn't it!

The are both beautiful, special cars. My suggestion is Simple, arrange back to back test drives at your nearest dealer and decide for yourself, and enjoy

Best of luck with it.

[divetheworld]

Zanderman said:

Hi All,

I was hoping for a little advice. I have had a lot of cars over the last few years and have never stuck with any of them, my list looks something like this:

991 C2S
E350 Sport
C63 AMG
Cayenne Turbo S
Jag XFR
996 C2S

This is over about 5 years and has cost me a fortune constantly swapping and changing. I am looking for something that is fairly rapid (near to 4.5 ish - 60 I guess), handles well and has a nice sound, fun to drive and is comfortable (getting older and fatter so becoming more important as time moves on.......). I want a 2010 + car and budget will depend on the car but no more than early 60's (less would be better!)

So I have looked at all the usual suspects:

Bentley Continental GT - too expensive for what I am looking for, like the look but maybe a step too far in terms of a gentleman’s car?

Maserati granturismo - Like the look and it seems to tick all the boxes, for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on but they don’t quite float my boat, no idea why....

Porsche Panamera - like these buy would want a turbo and again just not sure they feel all that special

AM Rapide - not sure I get these at all, like a stretched DB9

So I come to the V8V (4.7) or the DB9, having read up on them both it seems like the real difference from some of the cars I have owned above is the sense of occasion and that undefinable something that makes people fall in love with them. I want that!! It looks like they will tick pretty much all the boxes but not sure what the real difference is between the 2.

Looks like I could get a V8V for early £50's which appeals but not sure they are as nice in profile as the DB9, they look a little squashed?? I am assuming the V8V is a better driver’s car and would be a little more exciting? Are they too sporty though? (Considering that I think I really want a GT car). There seems to be a lof of love on here from owners though so there must be something special about them.

Is the DB9 getting a little old now in terms of a platform (been around for a while and not sure they have had much in terms of updates?). Looks like a decent DB9 would be mid £60's so would need to be much better for me to justify the extra £'s........... My gut feel is that a DB9 would be a better match considering what I have said above but stretching the budget a bit and I am not sure if they are as good as the V8V?

Essentially I don’t know much about either car so you will have to forgive my ignorance, I am not making any statements above simply asking questions from those of you that know better and have them.

So any thoughts greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I didn't get the Rapide until I drove one in sport mode 'like I stole it'. Very capable, but it does insulate you from the 'action'. Double glazing and other stuff will do that. I don't think you'd get shaky hands until it was going quick enough to spend time at Madges pleasure.
It sounds like you're into the DB9, go with what makes you smile. There isn't a better car. The V8V and 9 are different tools for different jobs.
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If it matters how you arrive, get the 9. If it matters how you get there, get the V8.

[Chris Hinds]

divetheworld said:

If it matters how you arrive, get the 9. If it matters how you get there, get the V8.

I like that quote! I think the best option clearly is to have both so you can ask your good wife "Which Aston shall we take tonight?"

[Brakke]

Well it can be made even easier:

If you want a manual : your chances with a V8V are better as DB9 Manuals are priced high(er) and are not abundantly available.

If you dont per se want a manual; then youre still stuck with the original question

[Zanderman]

So how do they compare in terms of comfort and sporty-ness?

I want something that is less sporty than the 911 but more than a XFR/E63 AMG etc.

[12pack]

Zanderman said:

So how do they compare in terms of comfort and sporty-ness?

I want something that is less sporty than the 911 but more than a XFR/E63 AMG etc.

Well, they'd both fit in between a 911 and a powerful saloon. You're just going to have to drive them back-to-back as suggested. For me, the DB9 is just too big for a two-seater with limited cabin space. The Vantage hit all the right "sportiness" buttons. But then you don't get the V12 - not yet anyway in that price range.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Speculatore]

Zanderman said:

So how do they compare in terms of comfort and sporty-ness?

I want something that is less sporty than the 911 but more than a XFR/E63 AMG etc.

I have sent you an email via Piston Heads

[Zanderman]

You did indeed, thanks

Speculatore said:

I have sent you an email via Piston Heads

[Buster73]

I road tested both , the DB9 is a superb car but just not what I expected it to be.

Road tested a Vantage , almost identical inside , more room in the boot , the V8 has more than enough power and a damn fine looking car but and a very big but is the price point. It's the best part of £50 k cheaper , I genuinely don't think the DB9 is worth the extra.

[jshell]

Zanderman said:

Maserati granturismo - Like the look and it seems to tick all the boxes, for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on but they don’t quite float my boat, no idea why....

Rear wheel arches not quite full? That's my main reserve, something just not 'right' there.

[Zanderman]

I rather like this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Thoughts?

[blade runner]

It's black so you'll spend your life cleaning it!

Boot lid alignment looks way off. A bit suprised they put a close up picture of this in the advert. I'd certainly ask to have that resolved if you were thinking of making an offer.

[timbals]

For that money I'd be looking at a 2012.25 MY car as the differences are significant.

[Zanderman]

Not just a bit more though is it......... Really like this one as well. Seems a lot more modern, I am assuming they had a facelift in 2012? Also what is the auto box like in these? Dont see any paddles which is unusual for a auto sports car??

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

timbals said:

For that money I'd be looking at a 2012.25 MY car as the differences are significant.

[Buster73]

Zanderman said:

Not just a bit more though is it......... Really like this one as well. Seems a lot more modern, I am assuming they had a facelift in 2012? Also what is the auto box like in these? Dont see any paddles which is unusual for a auto sports car??

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

timbals said:

For that money I'd be looking at a 2012.25 MY car as the differences are significant.

Definitely paddles on show there mind , spec savers calling ?

[Zanderman]

Doh........ I can see them now.

Anyone have any views on the auto box? Dont suppose its a dual clutch jobbie??

Buster73 said:

Definitely paddles on show there mind , spec savers calling ?

[timbals]

Zanderman said:

Not just a bit more though is it......... Really like this one as well. Seems a lot more modern, I am assuming they had a facelift in 2012? Also what is the auto box like in these? Dont see any paddles which is unusual for a auto sports car??

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

timbals said:

For that money I'd be looking at a 2012.25 MY car as the differences are significant.

It's more than just a cosmetic face lift, steering rack, tyre widths and brakes were changed to match the Vantage S. That advert is a 2012.25 MY car (you can tell by the different front splitter and extended rear spoiler). It's probably worth buying Grants book to read up on all the differences.

In terms of the Automated manual "Sportshift" gearbox. I've heard Sportshift 1 (6 gears) wasn't very good and Sportshift 2 (7 gears) was much better. I've owned and driven Sportshift 2 and based upon that I wouldn't consider Sportshift 1. Sportshift 2 is decent and a great event, but it has to be driven as a manual without a clutch rather than as a real auto or dual clutch and it can be jerky especially at low speeds.

[Jon39]

Zanderman said:

I rather like this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Thoughts?

If you like your audio, I don't think this car has the popular option - Premium Audio. The standard audio is 160 watts, Premium is 700 watts.

Whether to have an Automated Manual (Sportshift), is a Marmite choice (love it or hate it). I very much enjoy the driver involvement of the 6 speed manual gearbox. The 4.7 anyway has enough torque, so if you don't want to change gear much, you do not have to. Someone even said used manuals are now being priced higher than Sportshift.

If you are looking for a black car, there should be a good choice. Sorting the Pe-owned list by Colour, often shows about one third of all V8 Vantages on offer are black. My car is twinkly gun metal. Perhaps boring, but hardly ever needs cleaning.

Sorry to say I had a slightly smug smile when I read your comment, This is over about 5 years and has cost me a fortune constantly swapping and changing. Bought my 4.7 Vantage about 5 years ago, and main dealers are still asking almost the same prices.

Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 31st August 20:08

[arp489j]

Zanderman said:
I rather like this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Thoughts?

Strange spec. Such as no cruise control....