My first Aston has arrived (DB9 Volante)...

[Tempest]

After 6 months thinking, searching, reading PH, thinking, doubting, searching again etc etc, I finally bit the bullet and bought a DB9 Volante. It's a late 57 plate, 2008 model year, car in Onyx Black with cream leather, carbon fibre dash, with all the goodies that came that model year (eg upgraded stereo, ipod, usb, bluetooth connections etc) and, best of all, the fabulous sports pack wheels and red callipers (which I don't like on any other colour but black where they look gorgeous in the flesh). You might guess from this I am happy with it.

Got out for a first real drive this morning in the cold autumn sun. Still speechless. The noise....

Anyway, thanks to all AM PHers who (without knowing it) via their various posts and threads on all sorts of stuff have helped me get here. Some pics below (although just started to drizzle when I took them so not the greatest shots).


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Tempest

[MaverickAM9]

Utterly georgeous. Bet the neighbours love you ........ NOT

[897sma]

Very nice, glad you aren't one of those who's frightened to drive it in winter. I hope it brings as much pleasure as mine does. Ps. Roof only stays up when parked or when in a torrential downpour, otherwise top down.

[MaverickAM9]

I'm serious about the neighbours. They will give you some crap about how nice the car looks, then never talk about it again. I love it when that happens, jealously is a funny thing. You get a nice car and people are jealous, you get a car like your black beast and wow, people will be beside themselves ......

Enjoy every second of it

[MartiniBianco]

Cracking car!

MaverickAM9 said:

I'm serious about the neighbours. They will give you some crap about how nice the car looks, then never talk about it again. I love it when that happens, jealously is a funny thing. You get a nice car and people are jealous, you get a car like your black beast and wow, people will be beside themselves ......

English mentality + English car, I bet you could do a lot worse regarding jealousy. Try owning a Porsche in France for instance.

[MaverickAM9]

France ! Don't get me started about France. Full of peasants, farmers and Policemen that don't like fast cars ....... Especially Englishmen in fast cars, more especially Englishmen in Aston Martin's when all they have are peasant mobiles ...... guess what happened to me in France ?

Anyway enough of this, this thread is about Black DB9 Volantes.

Love the car - don't take it to France

[Wobbly]

Congratulations, looks lovely, hope you enjoy it.

[Gibberish]

Very nice, looks like truffle interior and the last owner put a later grille on for you.

You’ll want for nothing, as far as equipment is concerned, on a MY08 and you still have the traditional starter button. Nice one.

[Jon39]

Tempest - A beautiful car. - You will enjoy your DB9 for a long time.

MaverickAM9 said:

I'm serious about the neighbours. They will give you some pretence about how nice the car looks, then never talk about it again. I love it when that happens, jealously is a funny thing. You get a nice car and people are jealous, you get a car like your black beast and wow, people will be beside themselves ......

Oh dear, - some neighbours can be much more friendly.

I have quite a few neighbours who have asked for a ride. With all the wet weather though, there are still a few rides outstanding. To 897sma - need dry weather really, to demonstrate all of the horspower.

My secret is to always garage the Aston Martin, but keep a really cheap daily driver on the driveway. Neighbours probably feel happier.

[897sma]

Jon39 said:

Oh dear, - some neighbours can be much more friendly.

I have quite a few neighbours who have asked for a ride. With all the wet weather though, there are still a few rides outstanding. To 897sma - need dry weather really, to demonstrate all of the horspower.

My secret is to always garage the Aston Martin, but keep a really cheap daily driver on the driveway. Neighbours probably feel happier.

You may need dry weather to exploit all the horsepower but it's much more fun when it's a little slippery.

[Jon39]

897sma said:

You may need dry weather to exploit all the horsepower but it's much more fun when it's a little slippery.

Very true, but the excitement for my neighbours, is limited to banging their heads on the seat back under acceleration.

[MaverickAM9]

Jon39 said:

My secret is to always garage the Aston Martin, but keep a really cheap daily driver on the driveway. Neighbours probably feel happier.

I'm sorry Jon39;), I'll be damned if I'll pander to my neighbours feelings. I am pleasant, nice, talking etc etc, I'll be damned if I'll put a runaround on the drive and only drive the 9 on an occasion, just so the neighbours, "feel", better. I drive the car as my daily runabout and van

As for driving in the rain. Yes, bril fun, Don't turn the traction control off.

So as for Tempest ...

Do park on your drive
Do drive in the rain
snigger when the neighbours don't talk

Be interested to know what Tempest has to say about his neighbours ...........

[whoami]

MaverickAM9 said:

I'm sorry Jon39;), I'll be damned if I'll pander to my neighbours feelings. I am pleasant, nice, talking etc etc, I'll be damned if I'll put a runaround on the drive and only drive the 9 on an occasion, just so the neighbours, "feel", better. I drive the car as my daily runabout and van

As for driving in the rain. Yes, bril fun, Don't turn the traction control off.

So as for Tempest ...

Do park on your drive
Do drive in the rain
snigger when the neighbours don't talk

Be interested to know what Tempest has to say about his neighbours ...........

What a peculiar post.

[Jon39]

MaverickAM9 said:

I'm sorry Jon39;), I'll be damned if I'll pander to my neighbours feelings.

Oops! - well said Sir.

My basis of motoring is probably quite unusual, but it is not to do with neighbour considerations.

I simply ensure my daily driver is well looked after, then just keep using it. At present, my perfectly good transport just happens to have reached 17 years old. Somehow, even the alloy wheels are still unmarked.

It does make for cheap motoring, because annual depreciation is now zero, but motor dealers would not last long if everyone did this.

.........

You like to use your Aston Martin frequently, but I have noticed on this forum, that there seem to be two groups. The regular users, and those who regard their Astons as works of art, only to be used occasionally. I am in the second group. That probably goes with my keeping cars for a very long time.

.........

By the way - what a great place your home City is. Modern parts with good atmosphere, and the wonderful stone buildings in Clifton. My son has enjoyed his time living and working there.

Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 25th November 20:43

[Tempest]

Thanks for comments. All I have had is one drive in the dry and one brief one in the rain as I had to have a fix with new toy. Must admit drive in light rain was a bit nervy! Won't be doing that again unless I have to. Dry run I took roof down on way back - awesome experience.

Neighbours quiet so far. Some kids round asking its top speed though when they heard it! Not sure other people's 997, maser GT or c63 AMG on our road ever caused that reaction.

[GingerMunky]

Great looking car, finger crossed for some good weather to get the top down.

Edited by GingerMunky on Sunday 25th November 21:15

[MaverickAM9]

Tempest, is your car restricted? I've looked on line to find the fasted DB9 and youtube don't seem to have anything.

Have you made her howl yet .....?

If not, try a tunnel or bridge.

Best research fuse 22, best disconnection i ever did

[t1blk]

Tempest, you have in your possesion a most stunning car, enjoy .

[whoami]

MaverickAM9 said:

Tempest, is your car restricted?

AM don't restrict their cars.

[yeti]

whoami said:

AM don't restrict their cars.

They restricted early Volantes to 165mph due to concerns over roof integrity.