Time to say bye to the DB9 :(

[DB9Mark]

Well it’s been a fun few months even though we didn’t actually have a summer to speak of, BUT it’s time to part ways with the DB9....
DB9 ownership has been a dream come true for me, but using the car as a daily driver when one drives 35,000 miles a year is perhaps not the best of choices! Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Must admit I’ve enjoyed most of those miles but decided DB9s are really meant for that sort of mileage and are better suited for fewer miles where more “mainstream” cars suit the 35,000 miles better!
So now I discover the wonderful world of deprecation! Having paid £40k for the DB9 in January it is a little surprising to see the rather offensive offers of dealers when looking at PX! I’m sure they all plan on keeping the DB for themselves and never actually selling it on at the prices they offer!

Cost me a few quid in depreciation and servicing and working with Tim at Trinity to make her perfect but I don’t regret it one bit! I hope one day I manage to find a good balance between work horse and weekend car which is where I think I could enjoy the DB9 at its best. For now I’m sure it’s foul language to a lot of you, but I’m heading back into an M5 to handle the many hours on the motorway in slightly more comfort if a little less style and panache! For now I can’t afford to run an M5 and a DB9, but it will certainly plan to be in the position one day

I know it is not allowed to advertise cars for sale here, so I won’t! BUT what I will say is that if anyone is interested in a 2005 DB9 which is totally up together having been looked after by Tim at Trinity I would MUCH rather it went to a good home for £30k than in PX for £30k and would be happy to let someone have her for that price rather than the dealer! If anyone interested do PM me

It’s been a pleasure knowing you all and I’ve enjoyed the banter here even if I am a little quiet and shy! Hope you all enjoy your treasured ownership

Mark

[Jockman]

All the best Mark - don't be a stranger

[Neil1300R]

Mark, it was good to meet you at the Brooklands meet. Will be sad to see a total (shy) nutter leave Aston ownership. Why nutter? 35k+ miles per annum - Aston would not have been my first choice but always had maximum respect for you to having the balls to not only contemplate it but to do it.
Always enjoyed your posts - especially the story of your company and super unleaded! Having been in a similar position in the past it, found it hilarious.

[Behr]

So will you just be Mark from now on then?

[brakedwell]

Behr said:

So will you just be Mark from now on then?

M5Mark would be more appropriate

[DB9Mark]

brakedwell said:

M5Mark would be more appropriate

Was M5 Mark before changing to DB9 mark, so back to M5 Mark again

[ANOpax]

Mark,

I was looking at a 1 owner '05 plate DB9 a fortnight ago(in Tungsten with 44k miles on it and FAMSH). The only extra specced was nav so I walked away. The owner ended up selling to the trade for £26k. If you're being bid £30k by the trade, you should probably take it. Alternatively, now that you've worn the depreciation, keep it and sell the M5...

Good luck, whatever you choose to do,

Reg

[Neilc123]

What did you decide to do in the end with this MarK?

[GingerMunky]

DB9Mark said:

but I’m heading back into an M5 to handle the many hours on the motorway in slightly more comfort if a little less style and panache! For now I can’t afford to run an M5 and a DB9, but it will certainly plan to be in the position one day

What about 520 and DB9? I have 520 and V8V, best of both worlds; 50mpg to and from work everyday or visiting customers (25,000 miles per year) and the V8V for weekends and Fridays (6,000 miles per year)

The 520 doesn't look like I'm making too much money when I pull up at clients whereas the V8V, well...

Get the 520 on the business, even the auto is below 150 CO2, so its not to bad on Benefit In Kind TAX, load it up with lots of spec, then buy it at the end of the contract for buttons (as I did). If you factor in the fuel savings (£4800 per year) it more than pays for the yearly running cost (cheap insurance / servicing / TAX / etc...) of the 520.

DB9 to M5 you'll only upset yourself in the long term

[Zod]

I ran a DB5 and an M5 for 18 months. It was an expensive thing to do and I found I drove the M5 less and less, even though it was a fantastic car.

[Jockman]

GingerMunky said:

....then buy it at the end of the contract for buttons (as I did)...

GM - have they changed the rules to allow Directors to purchase former company cars?......or was a third party involved?

Remember, you could even get the company to contract Hire an Aston for you, though I shudder to think what the BIK would be and you would be unable to claim full tax relief on the monthly premiums

[yeti]

DB9Mark said:

Was M5 Mark before changing to DB9 mark, so back to M5 Mark again

At lesdt you'll have a decent stereo again

Was great to meet you, hope to see you at another PH meet. V10 M5 is what I have in mind for an >ahem< family car should the worst happen...

[GingerMunky]

Jockman said:

GM - have they changed the rules to allow Directors to purchase former company cars?......or was a third party involved?

Remember, you could even get the company to contract Hire an Aston for you, though I shudder to think what the BIK would be and you would be unable to claim full tax relief on the monthly premiums

No rule change, sorry should have been clear, I didn't buy the car with the business. Business Contract Hire, then sold direct to private individual, me. The contract hire company sold it direct to me rather than put it to the auctions or through a re-marketing company. £12k instead of £18k froma dealer. I had originally done the contract hire knowing I would buy it out at the end, so had if fully loaded and all the maintenance and wheel packs, so when I got the car it was perfect.

As for BIK on an Aston, can you imagine