Early DB9 purchase advice please

[cardigankid]

threadlock said:

Really? (Can't tell whether you're being facetious or whether the DB9 really isn't well suited to regular use on a 15-mile commute. Would be grateful for clarification if poss please.)

I don't know any car that is going to take well to a 15 mile commute, week in week out, even a diesel VW Golf.

[Boshly]

threadlock said:

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

Isn't it a shame that you have to reject a car because of perceived owner demographic? Though I understand your feelings.

I nearly didn't buy my GTC Speed because my wife had the same feelings as you do. I have always however 'thrown caution to the wind' on my car choices current and previous (Morgan Aero 8, BMW X6, Smart Fortwo, American Truck, Subaru Tribeca etc) and ignored what others think as I just loved the cars myself.

Having bought the Speed I am now kicking myself for not doing it earlier. It is, IMHO, probably the best all rounder that I have ever owned (and I've owned a few). It is not a proper sportscar of course (but by God is it fast and capable) but I am lucky enough to have a new Morgan Plus 8 for the raw driving experience.

Saying all of the above I have never owned an Aston Martin (nor a Jag!!) so can't add anything to that side of the discussion. The only thing I will add, and this was highlighted by a friend who ran 2 DB7's and a DB9 as everyday cars, is that using a nice car everyday makes it kind of .......... less special?

[e600]

I think it's a bit like if you have to ask....then don't. I always wanted an Aston but circumstances were never right. I had Jags Porsche and Mercs and then one day just pulled the trigger and haven't regretted it. It is a warts and all experience so if you are questioning it then don't ........for now.

[N7GTX]

threadlock said:

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

Sounds like a case of head v heart which most here would relate to. As this is an AM forum then it is bound to be leaning heavily towards the brand. Reading all your posts, your hesitation seems a fight between a car you find very attractive and which you are trying to make fit your circumstances (kids, luggage etc) as against the reality of owning a car that you feel you could not relax with as you imagine big costs with an older car.

If it is the case that you are stretching yourself to have a DB9 then perhaps now is not the time to take the plunge. It is easy for wealthy people to say go ahead but the reality is you would be lying awake thinking how bloody nice the car is and I want to go for a blast in it right now, but at the same time worrying yourself to death, convinced the car will break down tomorrow.

If you can live with this inner turmoil then go with your heart otherwise, head rules. Ok?

[Russwhitehouse]

I've recently bought a 2005 DB9 and love it to bits. Reliability wise I put over 700 miles on it in the first few days driving it down through France and it never missed a beat. Starts every time first time and is a delight to drive. Go out and buy one immediately, you will love it. All I would say is if you can go the extra mile and buy from an independant Aston specialist it will give you a little peace of mind if you are worried about reliability. History, history.history is all important, and if they will provide a warranty ( as opposed to a crap insurance policy dressed up as a warranty ) as mine did, you should be fine. You only live once, spoil yourself!

[Big Brin]

I bought my DB9 'on a whim', on a day off to mark my 10th wedding anniversary. I suggested to my wife we go an look at a DB9 (we had a beautiful Merc at the time and both loved it....). We drove the '9 and made a silly offer... the blasted dealer only went and said yes!! There was no logic to it, arguably it was border line reckless. There was no agonizing about back seats or mpg, or analysis. Heart ruled the head. Just had to once I'd driven it.

Did have some problems at first, even though it was bought from reputable main dealer. Was all sorted, in time. Aston Martin is about how you feel. At first I did sleep uneasy knowing how much money was in the garage, and I worried about what might happen and worried about how it wasn't big enough to take the family out and about. All of that goes the minute you see it in your garage, get in it, start it up, drive it a bit and get admiring glances.

Aston Martin is 'royalty'.

[threadlock]

Thanks to everybody for the replies.

This one in particular struck a chord:

N7GTX said:

threadlock said:

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

Sounds like a case of head v heart which most here would relate to. As this is an AM forum then it is bound to be leaning heavily towards the brand. Reading all your posts, your hesitation seems a fight between a car you find very attractive and which you are trying to make fit your circumstances (kids, luggage etc) as against the reality of owning a car that you feel you could not relax with as you imagine big costs with an older car.

If it is the case that you are stretching yourself to have a DB9 then perhaps now is not the time to take the plunge. It is easy for wealthy people to say go ahead but the reality is you would be lying awake thinking how bloody nice the car is and I want to go for a blast in it right now, but at the same time worrying yourself to death, convinced the car will break down tomorrow.

If you can live with this inner turmoil then go with your heart otherwise, head rules. Ok?

I think I was using the relative impracticality of the DB9 as an excuse but the truth is I don't think I'm wealthy enough to feel comfortable taking a risk with an expensive older car, whether it's a DB9, a Continental GT or anything with an equal potential for ruination. I'm using all of our savings for this purchase, leaving nothing spare for big bills until I sell the Audi. The XKR may not have the exclusivity or the prestige of the alternatives I've mentioned but I feel more comfortable with it as a daily ownership proposition.

I'm only 40. I can wait for the exclusivity until later in life. On Saturday I bought an XKR.

[Jockman]

Congrats - lovely car.

Now get yourself over to the Jag forum for some useful tips and advice

[kalibre46]

threadlock said:

I think I was using the relative impracticality of the DB9 as an excuse but the truth is I don't think I'm wealthy enough to feel comfortable taking a risk with an expensive older car, whether it's a DB9, a Continental GT or anything with an equal potential for ruination. I'm using all of our savings for this purchase, leaving nothing spare for big bills until I sell the Audi. The XKR may not have the exclusivity or the prestige of the alternatives I've mentioned but I feel more comfortable with it as a daily ownership proposition.

I'm only 40. I can wait for the exclusivity until later in life. On Saturday I bought an XKR.

Congrats on the purchase, and well done on not getting carried away with the man maths.

I started looking at DB9s and quickly came to the conclusion that I needed to get into a more secure financial situation and it would be too risky to buy for another year because of everything going on in my life.......so I bought one the next week.....never had any will power when cars were involved. Some days I think 'why have I taken on the extra burden' that is until I look at it and drive it, then those thoughts melt away.....

[Jockman]

I think that finding a forum of like-minded people can help too. Takes the worry away of "what have I done !!!"

The DB9 was the first car I've ever owned, coming from a 5 series company car, and I now know that I made a few mistakes at the purchase point.

That's why there are 17 people on here coming with me when I upgrade

[Riccardino]

Would be interested to know the mistakes just not to potentially do the same and eventually find help and support should I finally buy one

[PiloteAM]

Yeah, the "warts and all" experiences on here are one of the things that made me comfortable my an Aston. It's the most I've ever spent on a car by a huge margin.

Unlike other brands it's very rare to see tales of huge bills unless the owner did something truly stupid... you know who you are ;-)

Of course, the constant niggles get expensive to fix, but that's expected with low volume, hand built machinery.

[fuzzy01]

We are doing about 1000 miles a month just at weekends and have done since we bought our 04 db9 in March. Driven sensibly it uses less petrol than our daily drive ( Range Rover Autobiography), driven with some serious enthusiasm I don't care because the whole experience is wonderful....and the noise oh the noise. Bad bits...the parcel shelf stats to rattle over rough surfaces and we seem to have a loose screw in my door !!!, the only real hiccup was the paddle shift decided it didn't like my gearshifts and stopped working but a simple switch off and back on and all is well with the world. We were looking to buy another boat and just popped in the have a look at a DB9. Best thing we have ever done.