Early DB9 purchase advice please
Discussion
divetheworld said:
threadlock said:
Harsh! As an IWC owner I totally 'get' the mechanical vs quartz analogy but are the Jag and the DB9 so totally different in that sense? If I were comparing the DB9 and a GT-R then it would make sense but the DB9 can't be that far behind the Jag, allowing for the age difference, surely? 
There are faster cars, better equipped. In fact, as you say, in every measurable way. But equally, its in the unmeasurable that the draw of the Aston gives you something the Jag can NEVER do.
Road presence and the grin it gives to have a real exotic. The glowing reaction of other people, young and old and a cracking chassis that is sooo much fun to drive.
If you don't get that buzz in your belly, then it might not be the right car for you. Leave the specs and numbers for those who play 'Top Trumps'. Get one driven and see if it moves you. If it does, you get 'it'.
Oh, and before I forget, Gaydon Astons are superbly reliable for a real exotic.
Edited by divetheworld on Friday 7th June 21:22
I concur.
A much more helpful reply than those offered earlier.
divetheworld said:
threadlock said:
Harsh! As an IWC owner I totally 'get' the mechanical vs quartz analogy but are the Jag and the DB9 so totally different in that sense? If I were comparing the DB9 and a GT-R then it would make sense but the DB9 can't be that far behind the Jag, allowing for the age difference, surely? There are faster cars, some better equipped. In fact, as you say, in every measurable way. But equally, its in the unmeasurable that the draw of the Aston gives you something the Jag can NEVER do.
Road presence, and the grin it gives to have a real exotic. The glowing reaction of other people, young and old and a cracking chassis that is sooo much fun to drive.
If you don't get that buzz in your belly, then it might not be the right car for you. Leave the specs and numbers for those who play 'Top Trumps'. Get one driven and see if it moves you. If it does, you get 'it'.
Oh, and before I forget, Gaydon Astons are superbly reliable for a real exotic.
Edited by divetheworld on Friday 7th June 21:24
divetheworld said:
I suppose Yeti's comments are one of those things that allow those who 'know' to have a little wry smile.
There are faster cars, some better equipped. In fact, as you say, in every measurable way. But equally, its in the unmeasurable that the draw of the Aston gives you something the Jag can NEVER do.
Road presence, and the grin it gives to have a real exotic. The glowing reaction of other people, young and old and a cracking chassis that is sooo much fun to drive.
If you don't get that buzz in your belly, then it might not be the right car for you. Leave the specs and numbers for those who play 'Top Trumps'. Get one driven and see if it moves you. If it does, you get 'it'.
Oh, and before I forget, Gaydon Astons are superbly reliable for a real exotic.
Yeh!! Wot he said !!^
There are faster cars, some better equipped. In fact, as you say, in every measurable way. But equally, its in the unmeasurable that the draw of the Aston gives you something the Jag can NEVER do.
Road presence, and the grin it gives to have a real exotic. The glowing reaction of other people, young and old and a cracking chassis that is sooo much fun to drive.
If you don't get that buzz in your belly, then it might not be the right car for you. Leave the specs and numbers for those who play 'Top Trumps'. Get one driven and see if it moves you. If it does, you get 'it'.
Oh, and before I forget, Gaydon Astons are superbly reliable for a real exotic.
Yeh!! Wot he said !!^
Edited by divetheworld on Friday 7th June 21:24
Having poked around a DB9 this weekend I'm starting to think that one simply wouldn't be practical enough for my wife, my two small kids and me to use for anything other than very short journeys. The boot space would fit a single large hold-all that would only just be enough for a normal week away for us all, with no space for extras such as welly boots or the kids' scooters. It certainly wouldn't fit their bicycles in the way the Jag's boot did. The kids might fit into the back seats for a year or two longer, but I need to check this at my local dealer.
And although I'm paying cash for the car itself, the running costs of a DB9 are potentially too high for me to feel relaxed taking a risk with an older car. The DB9 might suffer less depreciation than an XKR and therefore the overall ownership costs over a few years might be lower, but I might need to find chunks of money from month to month that could be uncomfortable. £350 for rear brake pads?!
Even if I can resolve the questions of practicality, I'm not sure I'm wealthy enough to handle a DB9 day-to-day if I've spent all our savings buying the damn thing. I get the impression that a 3 year-old Jag would be reliable for a few good years yet.
However, if the kids do fit easily into a DB9 then my heart may still overrule my head!
And although I'm paying cash for the car itself, the running costs of a DB9 are potentially too high for me to feel relaxed taking a risk with an older car. The DB9 might suffer less depreciation than an XKR and therefore the overall ownership costs over a few years might be lower, but I might need to find chunks of money from month to month that could be uncomfortable. £350 for rear brake pads?!
Even if I can resolve the questions of practicality, I'm not sure I'm wealthy enough to handle a DB9 day-to-day if I've spent all our savings buying the damn thing.
I get the impression that a 3 year-old Jag would be reliable for a few good years yet.However, if the kids do fit easily into a DB9 then my heart may still overrule my head!
If I had a wife and 2 growing children I would buy an XFR, the DB9 does not have enough space. An older DB might enjoy lower depreciation than a newish XK/XKR, so it will probably cost the same to run, but it will need more ready cash to maintain it properly. I have owned my early DB9 for three years and it has been brilliant. I like it more and more as time passes and the biggest problem will be finding a replacement, other than another Aston. I have decided to buy a new RR Sport in March 2015, which should cope with our deteriorating potholed "roads". The DB9 will be used on special occasions and trips to the Continent, and to maintain a grin on my ugly face 
what with paint bubbling issues,crap seats,bad sat nav poor radio reception and i-phones dont work,plus ridiculous switch gear on the dash,why have an early DB 9.only plus point is it looks great.also rather like owning a time bomb waiting for the bang.this was my experience of a low miles 06 volante. jag a safer bet but do neither and buy a Bentley GT--totally different class for the same money. people who decry the GT just have'nt lived with one. Harry.
[quote=hdiam1950]what with paint bubbling issues,crap seats,bad sat nav poor radio reception and i-phones dont work,plus ridiculous switch gear on the dash,why have an early DB 9.only plus point is it looks great.also rather like owning a time bomb waiting for the bang.this was my experience of a low miles 06 volante. jag a safer bet but do neither and buy a Bentley GT--totally different class for the same money. people who decry the GT just have'nt lived with one. Harry.[/quot
That'a a bit harsh. The seats in my DB9 are very comfortable, the paintwork and interior are as good as new and the satnav, although basic, works a damn sight better than the Denso offering in both my XF's since the 2010 Volvo mapdisc update. i may be biassed, but I also have a lot of time for VAG products.
That'a a bit harsh. The seats in my DB9 are very comfortable, the paintwork and interior are as good as new and the satnav, although basic, works a damn sight better than the Denso offering in both my XF's since the 2010 Volvo mapdisc update. i may be biassed, but I also have a lot of time for VAG products.
brakedwell said:
hdiam1950 said:
what with paint bubbling issues,crap seats,bad sat nav poor radio reception and i-phones dont work,plus ridiculous switch gear on the dash,why have an early DB 9.only plus point is it looks great.also rather like owning a time bomb waiting for the bang.this was my experience of a low miles 06 volante. jag a safer bet but do neither and buy a Bentley GT--totally different class for the same money. people who decry the GT just have'nt lived with one. Harry.[/quot
That'a a bit harsh. The seats in my DB9 are very comfortable, the paintwork and interior are as good as new and the satnav, although basic, works a damn sight better than the Denso offering in both my XF's since the 2010 Volvo mapdisc update. i may be biassed, but I also have a lot of time for VAG products.
You forgot the iphone does work for phone integration with the Aston DB9!That'a a bit harsh. The seats in my DB9 are very comfortable, the paintwork and interior are as good as new and the satnav, although basic, works a damn sight better than the Denso offering in both my XF's since the 2010 Volvo mapdisc update. i may be biassed, but I also have a lot of time for VAG products.
Edited by Neil1300R on Monday 10th June 20:16
I've considered the Continental GT, and for sure it's more practical than both the XKR and the DB9, but I just can't get my head around the footballer image and the 2.3 tonnes of mass. I haven't driven one yet though.
For what it's worth I've also looked at a Ferrari 456M GT, and pondered the GranTurismo too... The DB9 has come closest to the XKR to being a realistic every day proposition for me and the family.
For what it's worth I've also looked at a Ferrari 456M GT, and pondered the GranTurismo too... The DB9 has come closest to the XKR to being a realistic every day proposition for me and the family.
F.W.I.W my (5'7") wife travelled for a short distance in a back seat of our XKR once and we had one hell of a job extracting her from the car! There is no way she can even get into the back seat of the DB9.
I didn't want to bring up fussballers, but I feel the same.
I didn't want to bring up fussballers, but I feel the same.
Edited by brakedwell on Tuesday 11th June 07:48
threadlock said:
I've considered the Continental GT, and for sure it's more practical than both the XKR and the DB9, but I just can't get my head around the footballer image and the 2.3 tonnes of mass. I haven't driven one yet though.
For what it's worth I've also looked at a Ferrari 456M GT, and pondered the GranTurismo too... The DB9 has come closest to the XKR to being a realistic every day proposition for me and the family.
If it's space you're looking for, the GranTurismo easily wins it. For what it's worth I've also looked at a Ferrari 456M GT, and pondered the GranTurismo too... The DB9 has come closest to the XKR to being a realistic every day proposition for me and the family.
Even I (6ft5) can sit comfortably in the back of it.
brakedwell said:
Vee12V said:
If it's space you're looking for, the GranTurismo easily wins it.
Even I (6ft5) can sit comfortably in the back of it.
I'm 6'2" and I could comfortably get into the back of the Continental GT too. Was amazed. I haven't got close to a GranTurismo to try one but thanks for the info.Even I (6ft5) can sit comfortably in the back of it.
threadlock said:
I'm 6'2" and I could comfortably get into the back of the Continental GT too. Was amazed. I haven't got close to a GranTurismo to try one but thanks for the info.
I drove a GT Speed recently and whilst undoubtedly a lovely car, it is a completely different drive/market to an Aston. You need to ask yourself why you like an Aston in the first place, what is the motiviation behind buying the car, is it the drive? If so, then drive the GT and you'll realise they're chalk and cheese.Jockman said:
Indeed. If rear space utility is a priority then forget the Jag or the Aston.
Rapide anyone ??
A Rapide would be lovely, but not affordable in this life.Rapide anyone ??
I've tried an XKR for 24 hours and the kids did fit in the back. That's the only reason I'm even considering this. The DB9 looks smaller, though, but I haven't had chance to test one yet.
kalibre46 said:
I drove a GT Speed recently and whilst undoubtedly a lovely car, it is a completely different drive/market to an Aston. You need to ask yourself why you like an Aston in the first place, what is the motiviation behind buying the car, is it the drive? If so, then drive the GT and you'll realise they're chalk and cheese.
For me, the Continental GT has prestige but the brand is diminished by my perception of the owner demographic. Either older gents or new money. And I'm neither.The DB9 is understated and classy; a little bit under the radar. The XKR is less so but I do quite like choosing something a bit dramatic having been driving a brilliant but dull Audi A6 for the last three years. The whole point of this purchase is that it must be antithetical to the Audi. The ownership and driving experience must be involving, exciting and rewarding, and I'm not sure the Continental GT can deliver on the first two of those. And the potential risk to our day-to-day finances of buying an early DB9 means that I may not be able to relax enough to find ownership rewarding. Although I'm sure it'd be exciting
We have a DB9 and 1 x 3 year old and 1 x 6 year old.
The 6 year old goes behind mum and fits fine.
The 3 year old goes behind me with his legs crossed or draped over the central hump.
This will become a problem as he gets bigger!
The boot is fine - we fit luggage for weekends and scooters with no problem.
Other than that the car is fantastic, and the nay sayers re paint etc seem to have stuff a bit out of hand in my view! They are second hand cars do bear in mind.
However if you don't have another car to use as a family run about and the kids are much bigger than mine then it will be a problem.
The 6 year old goes behind mum and fits fine.
The 3 year old goes behind me with his legs crossed or draped over the central hump.
This will become a problem as he gets bigger!
The boot is fine - we fit luggage for weekends and scooters with no problem.
Other than that the car is fantastic, and the nay sayers re paint etc seem to have stuff a bit out of hand in my view! They are second hand cars do bear in mind.
However if you don't have another car to use as a family run about and the kids are much bigger than mine then it will be a problem.
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