Soon-to-be DB9 owner. Advice sought.
Discussion
Greetings to everyone, this is my first post in PH.
I'm in the process of buying a used DB9. Since it's my first Aston, I took my time to do some homework: searched the internet for information, stumbled into PH, bought Grant's book (AKA "Pure Car Porn"
), started testing a few cars while lurking this section and getting a glimpse on how owning an Aston seems to be more an extension of one's life than mere owning and running any other car.
I also enjoyed a lot this PH session, smiling a laughing at your jokes, being delighted in reading about your meetings, and everyday telling myself that yes, I'd be glad to be part of such an experience.
So... after testing four cars I became sure that the DB9 coupé is exactely what I'm looking for, the DBS being for now out of my budget. And here comes the trouble, at least for me...
As you can see by opening the link below
http://www.autoscout24.it/ListGN.aspx?atype=C&...
...there are not so many DB9's currently being sold in Italy. Also, if we restrict the search range into 100 kms from the city I live in (due to the fact that my profession does not allow me enough spare time to travel around Italy and see the cars in person)
http://www.autoscout24.it/ListGN.aspx?atype=C&...
...there are not many options left.
However, my main concern is that there are not so many colour options available. As you can see in the links I posted, they're mainly in tungsten/meteorite or black. I was looking for some more suitable colour, something more "sucidal". While I acknowledge that Tungsten looks stunning under the sun, I'm not 100% convinced by that brownish/reddish shade.
Also, a good 70% of the cars shown abovew is without FAMSH, and that concerns me a lot.
I ended up pointing three cars:
1) 2005, tungsten/iron ore, 1 owner, private sale supported by dealer, Italian owner with French plate:
http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=21373305...
2) 2005, celeste blue/chancellor red, 1 owner, private sale supported by dealer:
http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=21577236...
3) 2008, tempest blue/sahara tan, 1 owner, sold directly from dealer:
http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=20070742...
Car #1 appears to be in excellent conditions, has FAMSH until april 2012 (although - strangely - not all of the FSA were applied), but it's Tungsten. However, price can be lowered by a good 10%.
Car #2 looks excellent too, but a monotone chancellor red interior is a bit too much for me. Also, official service history stops in 2009.
Car #3 appears to be the best choice (it even has extended warranty included), but to me it seems overpriced, especially considering that it does not bring MY09 mods, and TBH I don't see the point in paying a 20k€ extra for bluetooth, premium audio and new seats that some of you state are less comfortable (keep in mind that I'm 194cms tall and weigh some 115kgs).
So I got a bit frustrated especially comparing prices and colour availability with UK cars.
I also noticed, in Grant's book, a Toro Red DB9 wich should be a press car: it's LHD and was also featured in the Italian EVO issue at the time of press launch. That would be a great colour combo (IIRC, interior was black with red stiching). That made me wonder where do press cars end up and wether is possible to get in touch with AM and buy one of them.
And here come my questions: what should I do? Sit and wait for a "better" car to show up? Begin a search in other countries? Get some help in the UK, find out that toro red press car, buy it for the lowest possible price and leave it to BR for a "special" refresh?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
Roberto
I'm in the process of buying a used DB9. Since it's my first Aston, I took my time to do some homework: searched the internet for information, stumbled into PH, bought Grant's book (AKA "Pure Car Porn"
), started testing a few cars while lurking this section and getting a glimpse on how owning an Aston seems to be more an extension of one's life than mere owning and running any other car.I also enjoyed a lot this PH session, smiling a laughing at your jokes, being delighted in reading about your meetings, and everyday telling myself that yes, I'd be glad to be part of such an experience.
So... after testing four cars I became sure that the DB9 coupé is exactely what I'm looking for, the DBS being for now out of my budget. And here comes the trouble, at least for me...
As you can see by opening the link below
http://www.autoscout24.it/ListGN.aspx?atype=C&...
...there are not so many DB9's currently being sold in Italy. Also, if we restrict the search range into 100 kms from the city I live in (due to the fact that my profession does not allow me enough spare time to travel around Italy and see the cars in person)
http://www.autoscout24.it/ListGN.aspx?atype=C&...
...there are not many options left.
However, my main concern is that there are not so many colour options available. As you can see in the links I posted, they're mainly in tungsten/meteorite or black. I was looking for some more suitable colour, something more "sucidal". While I acknowledge that Tungsten looks stunning under the sun, I'm not 100% convinced by that brownish/reddish shade.
Also, a good 70% of the cars shown abovew is without FAMSH, and that concerns me a lot.
I ended up pointing three cars:
1) 2005, tungsten/iron ore, 1 owner, private sale supported by dealer, Italian owner with French plate:
http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=21373305...
2) 2005, celeste blue/chancellor red, 1 owner, private sale supported by dealer:
http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=21577236...
3) 2008, tempest blue/sahara tan, 1 owner, sold directly from dealer:
http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=20070742...
Car #1 appears to be in excellent conditions, has FAMSH until april 2012 (although - strangely - not all of the FSA were applied), but it's Tungsten. However, price can be lowered by a good 10%.
Car #2 looks excellent too, but a monotone chancellor red interior is a bit too much for me. Also, official service history stops in 2009.
Car #3 appears to be the best choice (it even has extended warranty included), but to me it seems overpriced, especially considering that it does not bring MY09 mods, and TBH I don't see the point in paying a 20k€ extra for bluetooth, premium audio and new seats that some of you state are less comfortable (keep in mind that I'm 194cms tall and weigh some 115kgs).
So I got a bit frustrated especially comparing prices and colour availability with UK cars.
I also noticed, in Grant's book, a Toro Red DB9 wich should be a press car: it's LHD and was also featured in the Italian EVO issue at the time of press launch. That would be a great colour combo (IIRC, interior was black with red stiching). That made me wonder where do press cars end up and wether is possible to get in touch with AM and buy one of them.
And here come my questions: what should I do? Sit and wait for a "better" car to show up? Begin a search in other countries? Get some help in the UK, find out that toro red press car, buy it for the lowest possible price and leave it to BR for a "special" refresh?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
Roberto
Regarding seats...
The newer seats are much better suited to larger people than the early type. So, I would think you wouldn't be as comfortable in the 2005 as you would in the 2008. Frankly, you absolutely need to sit in an early vs late seat first before deciding. You might find that this eliminates the 2005/2006 models from consideration (or not...).
The newer seats are much better suited to larger people than the early type. So, I would think you wouldn't be as comfortable in the 2005 as you would in the 2008. Frankly, you absolutely need to sit in an early vs late seat first before deciding. You might find that this eliminates the 2005/2006 models from consideration (or not...).
For what it's worth, wait and get the car you really want, rather than one you are buying because it is the best out of a bad bunch. I suspect if you don't wait, you will always wonder what was better around the corner...
Whatever you do welcome to the forum, and please make sure you sign up for Pipe and Slippers Monthly which often features articles on DB9's. Probably.
Hope you get fixed up
Whatever you do welcome to the forum, and please make sure you sign up for Pipe and Slippers Monthly which often features articles on DB9's. Probably.
Hope you get fixed up
Roberto, I know it's not easy when you have a smaller choice of Aston's to choose from, but I would wait until the right one for YOU comes along... clearly you will have to compromise a bit on colour/spec, but finding the right car is part of the pleasure.
The only thing I would say about Tungsten, Meteorite and other greys/silvers, is they will aid best re-sale as despite the recent PH trend towards other colours, they are still the most popular in the general market and the DB9 looks stunning in all colours.... even green
Best of luck, the guide will give you full details/images on all the MY upgrades and their benefits,so you can decide what is best for YOUR tastes. You will also see that (ideally) you are better off avoiding the earliest 05MY cars, press car's can also have a very hard life, so probably best steer clear! I'm sure the right beast is waiting around the corner
The only thing I would say about Tungsten, Meteorite and other greys/silvers, is they will aid best re-sale as despite the recent PH trend towards other colours, they are still the most popular in the general market and the DB9 looks stunning in all colours.... even green
Best of luck, the guide will give you full details/images on all the MY upgrades and their benefits,so you can decide what is best for YOUR tastes. You will also see that (ideally) you are better off avoiding the earliest 05MY cars, press car's can also have a very hard life, so probably best steer clear! I'm sure the right beast is waiting around the corner
I always hear a lot of problems in France with cars imported from Italy. Namely false mileage. I wonder what your thoughts are as, I presume, an Italian.
In general terms, and regardless of country of origin, I would be very wary of any car not having a very complete service history with receipts.
Could you live with a RHD? You would get a lot more car for your money if you bought in the UK.
In general terms, and regardless of country of origin, I would be very wary of any car not having a very complete service history with receipts.
Could you live with a RHD? You would get a lot more car for your money if you bought in the UK.
I know it sounds a bit "a
se-licking" (as we say here in Italy), but first of all let me thank you for your answers.
Also, apologies if I'm not giving direct answers to direct questions.
Where do I start from? Yes... new style seats: I tested four cars, three of them were My05 an the fourth was a MY08. I fit in both kind of seats, so my only concern is about long distance comfort, since I intend to use the DB9 as a toy and not as a daily car: I am lucky enough to go to my firm by bike or bus, customers/clients come to me rather than me going to them and if I need to travel I use train or plane. I use my cars (currently a 2006 BMW 118d and a 1990 MB R129) only in spare time: the 118d as an all-around multi-tool and the R129 (wich has been tuned up in all of its mechanical compartments) as a 360 degrees tourer.
The R129 - please don't blame me
- is my reference about long distance cruise, almost-GT feeling (at least with the tweaks I've done to it) and all seasons use (eg.: new year's eve 2008/09, went from Padova to Salzburg under snow and with summer tyres and drove it with no concern).
The DB9 would be another step in my garage, and - more important - fulfillment of a recurring dream I started having a few years ago (I'm 37 now) while I was a trainee lawyer with no money and saw my boss running one of the very few NP V8s that came to Italy, then buying a Virage, then a DB7 I6, then a Vanquish, and finally one of the very first DB9s that were imported to my country.
For these, and for many other romantic reasons, the DB9 is going to be a keeper. Fortunately money is not an issue, although I don't want to waste it (but I can't afford a DBS, at least with the prices I see in Italy - almost twice the price than a DB9!). Also, time is not an issue, but I must admit that almost six months have passed since the day I woke up and say "okay, time for a DB9", so frustration found its way into me.
Reading the Aston PH forum provided me with a lot of answers (as did Grant's book) and a lot of questions to be re-routed to dealers. I seldom found the correct answers from official and independent dealers.
Wich leads me to Bingobob's questions: yes, false mileage is quite common here in Italy, and this happened to me also while looking for a DB9 (a fast enquiry to AM via the internet revealed the hoax). For example, the previous owner of my R129 tried to mask some 50k kms, although I had copy of the service book and spoke to the dealer that serviced his car (and saw copy of the bills too). But, to be fair, faking a car's mileage - at least to my knowledge - is also common in France and in Germany (and this comes from professional experience). And no, I can't live with a car with the wheel on the wrong side.
Last... the press car option. I know that press cars are extremely stressed, but... I wonder (dreaming?)... wouldn't it be a way to buy it at an even cheaper rate (at least compared to Italian and even standar UK prices), and then leave it to BR and let them use the money I spared to do their magic?
I know, I know, I'm getting pedant with that Toro Red car... plate was BX53 BYZ IIRC...
se-licking" (as we say here in Italy), but first of all let me thank you for your answers.Also, apologies if I'm not giving direct answers to direct questions.
Where do I start from? Yes... new style seats: I tested four cars, three of them were My05 an the fourth was a MY08. I fit in both kind of seats, so my only concern is about long distance comfort, since I intend to use the DB9 as a toy and not as a daily car: I am lucky enough to go to my firm by bike or bus, customers/clients come to me rather than me going to them and if I need to travel I use train or plane. I use my cars (currently a 2006 BMW 118d and a 1990 MB R129) only in spare time: the 118d as an all-around multi-tool and the R129 (wich has been tuned up in all of its mechanical compartments) as a 360 degrees tourer.
The R129 - please don't blame me
- is my reference about long distance cruise, almost-GT feeling (at least with the tweaks I've done to it) and all seasons use (eg.: new year's eve 2008/09, went from Padova to Salzburg under snow and with summer tyres and drove it with no concern). The DB9 would be another step in my garage, and - more important - fulfillment of a recurring dream I started having a few years ago (I'm 37 now) while I was a trainee lawyer with no money and saw my boss running one of the very few NP V8s that came to Italy, then buying a Virage, then a DB7 I6, then a Vanquish, and finally one of the very first DB9s that were imported to my country.
For these, and for many other romantic reasons, the DB9 is going to be a keeper. Fortunately money is not an issue, although I don't want to waste it (but I can't afford a DBS, at least with the prices I see in Italy - almost twice the price than a DB9!). Also, time is not an issue, but I must admit that almost six months have passed since the day I woke up and say "okay, time for a DB9", so frustration found its way into me.
Reading the Aston PH forum provided me with a lot of answers (as did Grant's book) and a lot of questions to be re-routed to dealers. I seldom found the correct answers from official and independent dealers.
Wich leads me to Bingobob's questions: yes, false mileage is quite common here in Italy, and this happened to me also while looking for a DB9 (a fast enquiry to AM via the internet revealed the hoax). For example, the previous owner of my R129 tried to mask some 50k kms, although I had copy of the service book and spoke to the dealer that serviced his car (and saw copy of the bills too). But, to be fair, faking a car's mileage - at least to my knowledge - is also common in France and in Germany (and this comes from professional experience)
. And no, I can't live with a car with the wheel on the wrong side.Last... the press car option. I know that press cars are extremely stressed, but... I wonder (dreaming?)... wouldn't it be a way to buy it at an even cheaper rate (at least compared to Italian and even standar UK prices), and then leave it to BR and let them use the money I spared to do their magic?
I know, I know, I'm getting pedant with that Toro Red car... plate was BX53 BYZ IIRC...
Edited by maestronakagata on Thursday 23 August 01:54
Edited by maestronakagata on Thursday 23 August 01:57
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