First Aston Martin
Discussion
A lifetime's ambition has come true, and all that on-carpet childhood action with Dinky DB5s has payed off in the end.
Missed out on Aston ownership a few times in the past; my dream DB4/5 was always about twice what I had to spend in the 80s/90s, then they disappeared into the stratosphere. Also passed up a restored DBS6 in 2003 at the bottom if it's depreciation curve (mistake). Next AM on the "list" was a DB9.
I was determined my attainable Aston was not going to be grey and black, no sir. Blue or green or red outside, maybe tan or chocolate or red inside. Oh yes and a convertible roof would be nice and bit different to what I'm used to. A pre-06 would get cheaper car tax to appeal to my inner Scrooge. And the price had to start with a "3" to make sure it stood as little chance of depreciation as possible.
Therefore, with all those pre-requisites out the bloody window, this is my 07, tungsten and black, DB9 coupe:
Sorry for the phone pic in a car park, but it may be a while before a nice photo opportunity presents itself this time of year.
Missed out on Aston ownership a few times in the past; my dream DB4/5 was always about twice what I had to spend in the 80s/90s, then they disappeared into the stratosphere. Also passed up a restored DBS6 in 2003 at the bottom if it's depreciation curve (mistake). Next AM on the "list" was a DB9.
I was determined my attainable Aston was not going to be grey and black, no sir. Blue or green or red outside, maybe tan or chocolate or red inside. Oh yes and a convertible roof would be nice and bit different to what I'm used to. A pre-06 would get cheaper car tax to appeal to my inner Scrooge. And the price had to start with a "3" to make sure it stood as little chance of depreciation as possible.
Therefore, with all those pre-requisites out the bloody window, this is my 07, tungsten and black, DB9 coupe:
Sorry for the phone pic in a car park, but it may be a while before a nice photo opportunity presents itself this time of year.
Edited by Loose_Cannon on Friday 3rd February 12:49
Thankyou. I am having to get used to the sports pack though as the ride is just slightly firmer than I was hoping for.
Before buying I test drove an 05 convertible and was shocked by the scuttle shake. I then took out a regular 07 coupe with a tiny mileage and although it was a lot firmer, it still creaked a bit. If the dealer had budged on the price that one might have been "it".
Then this popped up. It felt tight as a drum with 20k on the clock, and the test drive through a variety of north-west industrial lunarscapes showed it to be firm but not harsh. Either the ecstasy of the test drive has worn off, or the roads around Newcastle must be even worse! I have been feeling quite a lot of bump shock through the steering, worse in the dark when you can't pilot around potholes.
I was planning a change in tyres eventually as I've never liked Bridgestones all that much, perhaps that could help. From experience with other cars a change in brand can make a significant difference (although the dealer did point out the "AM9" moniker that he said was required for insurance purposes, that can't be right as tyre supplies change and run out?). There was also an old thread here which said the sport pack could be specced with slighly larger tyres?
Anyhow, lots to learn, lots to think about, and a roadtrip holiday beckons.
Before buying I test drove an 05 convertible and was shocked by the scuttle shake. I then took out a regular 07 coupe with a tiny mileage and although it was a lot firmer, it still creaked a bit. If the dealer had budged on the price that one might have been "it".
Then this popped up. It felt tight as a drum with 20k on the clock, and the test drive through a variety of north-west industrial lunarscapes showed it to be firm but not harsh. Either the ecstasy of the test drive has worn off, or the roads around Newcastle must be even worse! I have been feeling quite a lot of bump shock through the steering, worse in the dark when you can't pilot around potholes.
I was planning a change in tyres eventually as I've never liked Bridgestones all that much, perhaps that could help. From experience with other cars a change in brand can make a significant difference (although the dealer did point out the "AM9" moniker that he said was required for insurance purposes, that can't be right as tyre supplies change and run out?). There was also an old thread here which said the sport pack could be specced with slighly larger tyres?
Anyhow, lots to learn, lots to think about, and a roadtrip holiday beckons.
Your DB9 looks wonderful Mark.
I love the colour variation in different lights.
Aston have mentioned to me that Tungsten was introduced, because some while ago customers were choosing Grigio Titanio (Ferrari).
Ref. your mention of ride on badly maintained road surfaces.
I would not expect tyre ride differences to be sufficient to compensate for potholed roads. I would think about (in the future), the adjustable damper systems. Best of both then, controlled by the driver these days.
Enjoy your new car.
Any politeness at side road junctions yet?
Not noticed other motorists reactions as not had a lot of wheeltime yet. However driving past the local primary school provoked the same reaction from little lads as you would expect. Hopefully exposure like this will encourage the next generation of petrol heads (or hybrid heads?)
TBH it was hard to prise the keys from my wife for the journey home, it was she who persuaded me to part with a substantial lump more £ for the car than I had planned. If I'm not careful it will become "hers" as a special upcoming 50th birthday present.
Will have to research the adjustable dampers. I've not had a lot of positive experience with factory fit adaptive damping systems so far. If its a simple driver switchable comfort/sport system that would be interesting.
TBH it was hard to prise the keys from my wife for the journey home, it was she who persuaded me to part with a substantial lump more £ for the car than I had planned. If I'm not careful it will become "hers" as a special upcoming 50th birthday present.
Will have to research the adjustable dampers. I've not had a lot of positive experience with factory fit adaptive damping systems so far. If its a simple driver switchable comfort/sport system that would be interesting.
Edited by Loose_Cannon on Friday 3rd February 12:55
Congratulations! Fantastic looking car. And I remember my first drive back from the dealers very well! I deliberately took a non motorway route through the Cotswolds! If I could have found one at the time I think Tungsten would have been my colour of choice. What transmission did you end up with?
As for the sportspack suspension. Yes it is definitely firm, and on the rutted potholed B-roads to my village it's not a particularly enjoyable experience. But on a sweeping A-road it's fantastic. Poised and rewarding. I know there are retro fit adaptive dampers available, but for me, finding a factory fitted sportspack car was important and not something that I'd giving up unless I absolutely had to.
See what you think in the spring when there's more daylight (so you can see those potholes!). Get the road atlas out and pick the twistiest A-road run, and you'll be grinning from ear to ear!
As for the sportspack suspension. Yes it is definitely firm, and on the rutted potholed B-roads to my village it's not a particularly enjoyable experience. But on a sweeping A-road it's fantastic. Poised and rewarding. I know there are retro fit adaptive dampers available, but for me, finding a factory fitted sportspack car was important and not something that I'd giving up unless I absolutely had to.
See what you think in the spring when there's more daylight (so you can see those potholes!). Get the road atlas out and pick the twistiest A-road run, and you'll be grinning from ear to ear!
Thankyou. Astons are jaw-droppingly beautiful aren't they?
Just like 13 years ago when I bought my Esprit, I spent a massive percentage of my disposable cash on this DB9, and just like then had a moment of panic....right car? Should I get something classic that will "appreciate"? Should it be spent on the house? Oh GAWD!
Well I do know classics very well, and with their increasing value come to the conclusion they are no longer worth it, if what you want is any kind of driving experience. A Jensen Interceptor was good fun at 5 grand, but now when a rusty "project" costs the same money as this? No, not unless all you do is totter to car shows.
There was an older article online somewhere that said the DB9 is like a modern day Daytona, which sounds a great analogy.
Just like 13 years ago when I bought my Esprit, I spent a massive percentage of my disposable cash on this DB9, and just like then had a moment of panic....right car? Should I get something classic that will "appreciate"? Should it be spent on the house? Oh GAWD!
Well I do know classics very well, and with their increasing value come to the conclusion they are no longer worth it, if what you want is any kind of driving experience. A Jensen Interceptor was good fun at 5 grand, but now when a rusty "project" costs the same money as this? No, not unless all you do is totter to car shows.
There was an older article online somewhere that said the DB9 is like a modern day Daytona, which sounds a great analogy.
alabbasi said:
Nice buy, I just (last week) picked up an 07 V8 vantage. Why is it that no parts websites sell parts for these cars?
Not very common cars to bother stocking parts for I guess.What kind of parts ? service parts?
www.astonmartinbits.com has a few....
A bit more wheeltime now, and have to say the ride quality is less of an issue. I must have found Newcastle Quayside's worst possible roads on that first day. A pleasant tootle around Teesdale at the weekend was much more pleasant and according to the trip returned 21mpg which was surprising.
I found the tyres quite twitchy on greasy patches, again I can't get these Bridgestones off quick enough. I'm starting to wonder how long they have been on the car as well..... if the 23k mileage has all been motorway they could be ancient. Could they they even be original??
People's reactions, well a bit early to tell but I had a couple of nasty stares from some Gippo family in a white van and some other turd I barely recall. This was nicely balanced by a very attractive age-appropriate lady in the petrol station who smiled across whilst filling up. As the missus was inside buying sweets it was not possible to reciprocate sadly.
I found the tyres quite twitchy on greasy patches, again I can't get these Bridgestones off quick enough. I'm starting to wonder how long they have been on the car as well..... if the 23k mileage has all been motorway they could be ancient. Could they they even be original??
People's reactions, well a bit early to tell but I had a couple of nasty stares from some Gippo family in a white van and some other turd I barely recall. This was nicely balanced by a very attractive age-appropriate lady in the petrol station who smiled across whilst filling up. As the missus was inside buying sweets it was not possible to reciprocate sadly.
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