Discussion
First of all please bear with me with probably dumb questions ,but here goes!
I have been a bit of a Morgan "nut" for about 15 years and currently have a very early Series1 Aero 8 (squint lights1) and also an Aero SuperSports which is quite a rare beast now. I do like Morgans but as the Aero range is a low production car, I find that items such as Power steering pump is not available anymore and so it ends up as a recon unit which is also a long wait to have available. Other issues make me now decide to sell both cars and look now at an AM. I am not that bothered if it is a "rag top" and have focused on either late editions DB9 or DBS.
So, is there anything specific that would point me to one or the other? What about spares availability? I assume the V12 is the same in both?
Many thanks for any response
2H
I have been a bit of a Morgan "nut" for about 15 years and currently have a very early Series1 Aero 8 (squint lights1) and also an Aero SuperSports which is quite a rare beast now. I do like Morgans but as the Aero range is a low production car, I find that items such as Power steering pump is not available anymore and so it ends up as a recon unit which is also a long wait to have available. Other issues make me now decide to sell both cars and look now at an AM. I am not that bothered if it is a "rag top" and have focused on either late editions DB9 or DBS.
So, is there anything specific that would point me to one or the other? What about spares availability? I assume the V12 is the same in both?
Many thanks for any response
2H
I have owned a Vantage for quite a while, but if I wanted to choose one of the bigger brothers, it would be a DBS with a manual gearbox. Quite a rare combination, but worth waiting.
The DBS of course has the Bond film association (although funnily enough the film cars I think, were actually DB9s made to look DBS).
Expect you are doing your research, but here us a random video to watch.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q6zXyYKZRYw
You probably already know this, but just in case, while the V12 is the same in the DB9, the DBS was tuned for 510bhp. The earliest DB9s had 450bhp from memory and this gradually crept up over time to match the DBS on the very latest cars. So depending on what age DB9 you're looking at, take that into account
The DBS also had adaptive suspension (not on the earlier DB9s)
I think given a choice between a same model year DB9 vs a DB9, we'd all go for the DBS (I think it may be the best looking Gaydon-era Aston Martin). But in practice for the same money you're probably looking at a younger DB9. The only thing to keep in mind with that as that we'd probably all expect the DBS to hold its value better over time (it's a future classic imho). But go test drive some and see what you prefer.
The manuals are rare in coupe form but not impossible to find. In Volante form the manuals are like unicorns...
The DBS also had adaptive suspension (not on the earlier DB9s)
I think given a choice between a same model year DB9 vs a DB9, we'd all go for the DBS (I think it may be the best looking Gaydon-era Aston Martin). But in practice for the same money you're probably looking at a younger DB9. The only thing to keep in mind with that as that we'd probably all expect the DBS to hold its value better over time (it's a future classic imho). But go test drive some and see what you prefer.
The manuals are rare in coupe form but not impossible to find. In Volante form the manuals are like unicorns...
Thanks again for all the response.
I spent a bit of time today having a look at some cars, and I did find the DB9 legroom a bit of an issue- maybe seat wasnt back enough?
The DBS is very nice- in fact stunning to look at. I then had a look at a DB11 and that really was another level for me! Not sure still about the rear of it but inside was very nice. However, the car was £105k and just 2 years old with £8k miles - but when you look at the list price then what a hammering in residual! What is the thought of the people here - will it keep dropping?
2H
I spent a bit of time today having a look at some cars, and I did find the DB9 legroom a bit of an issue- maybe seat wasnt back enough?
The DBS is very nice- in fact stunning to look at. I then had a look at a DB11 and that really was another level for me! Not sure still about the rear of it but inside was very nice. However, the car was £105k and just 2 years old with £8k miles - but when you look at the list price then what a hammering in residual! What is the thought of the people here - will it keep dropping?
2H
The DB11 is a car still in production. It will continue to depreciate.
DBSs are arguably collectible. They were, for a while, going up in value. That seems to have stalled or perhaps slid back a bit (similar cars to the one I sold are offered little below where I part-ex'ed mine two years ago).
DBSs are arguably collectible. They were, for a while, going up in value. That seems to have stalled or perhaps slid back a bit (similar cars to the one I sold are offered little below where I part-ex'ed mine two years ago).
2Hooky said:
Thanks again for all the response.
I spent a bit of time today having a look at some cars, and I did find the DB9 legroom a bit of an issue- maybe seat wasnt back enough?
The DBS is very nice- in fact stunning to look at. I then had a look at a DB11 and that really was another level for me! Not sure still about the rear of it but inside was very nice. However, the car was £105k and just 2 years old with £8k miles - but when you look at the list price then what a hammering in residual! What is the thought of the people here - will it keep dropping?
2H
Hell yes the db11s will keep dropping. The db9.2s were £150k ish new and have come down to £60k+ for the very earliest ones MY13 in 5/6 years. The db11s have some way to go. I was offered a 2 year old db11 with 3k miles last week for £109k, had a beautiful spec, but so much to loose still.I spent a bit of time today having a look at some cars, and I did find the DB9 legroom a bit of an issue- maybe seat wasnt back enough?
The DBS is very nice- in fact stunning to look at. I then had a look at a DB11 and that really was another level for me! Not sure still about the rear of it but inside was very nice. However, the car was £105k and just 2 years old with £8k miles - but when you look at the list price then what a hammering in residual! What is the thought of the people here - will it keep dropping?
2H
My understanding has always been (happy to be corrected) that the db9.2 was the successor/evolution of the dbs? The first 9.2s had 510bhp which can easily be upgraded to the GT 540bhp as it is a throttle remap. My 9.2 has been a great car and is surprisingly rare it seems. Very unusual to see another. Went to an aston gathering last year and there were loads of dbs’, vantages and vanquishes, and not another 9.2.
Dbs v db9.2 is really down to personal taste. I would say the db9 is the better sorted car, but the dbs has the bond connection with the hood louvres and rear diffuser (prefer the understated db9 as I find the bond thing a bit cringe).
I agree that from a depreciation perspective the dbs will probably hold its value better if kept low miles compared to a db9.
DB11 is a great car and definitely worth a drive. Very different to the older models so if you try both you will quickly know which you prefer. As an owner of a almost 2 year old DB11 I agree the depreciation has been painful ! They just made too many all at once presumably to get the sales numbers up ahead of the IPO. Now they are concentrating on the Vantage DBSS etc I think the supply of nearly new cars will start to dry up and that will reduce the depreciation hit. Having said that I don’t think £105k DB11 is ever going up in price but hopefully the next 2 years won’t be as painful. I had DB9 before and never drove a DBS but everyone loves them. I think if you want a GT car you definitely need the adaptive suspension so a DBS or later DB9. My 9 didn’t have it and it wasn’t great.
I am surprised no one has been along to recommend a Vanquish yet !
I am surprised no one has been along to recommend a Vanquish yet !
Edited by Westlondondriver on Friday 22 March 18:21
AstonZagato said:
I had three DB9s and then a DBS. The DBS is more than the sum of its parts. I'd choose that over an early DB9. I regret selling mine.
The very last DB9GTs are similar, I guess.
The DBS was so much more than a DB9 that there is no contest. It’s not just the horsepower. Everything is lighter and better balanced. The car is agile as a panther, and easy to drift so long as you are in the dry. I think the manual thing was about lightness and weight distribution. The V12 is so big and flexible that you don’t need to change gear. Stick it in third and you can go from 5 to 150mph without changing. You drive around thinking ‘I haven’t changed gear for a while, maybe I should.’ Seriously. It’s only when you get up to the top of the rev range and are travelling at unearthly speeds that the manual gearbox makes sense. It is a hypercharged ballet dancer of a car. A DB9 isn’t in it, trust me. Get a DBS. The very last DB9GTs are similar, I guess.
cardigankid said:
The DBS was so much more than a DB9 that there is no contest. It’s not just the horsepower. Everything is lighter and better balanced. The car is agile as a panther, and easy to drift so long as you are in the dry. I think the manual thing was about lightness and weight distribution. The V12 is so big and flexible that you don’t need to change gear. Stick it in third and you can go from 5 to 150mph without changing. You drive around thinking ‘I haven’t changed gear for a while, maybe I should.’ Seriously. It’s only when you get up to the top of the rev range and are travelling at unearthly speeds that the manual gearbox makes sense. It is a hypercharged ballet dancer of a car. A DB9 isn’t in it, trust me. Get a DBS.
Indeed. Just test drive a DB9 and then a DBS just after it, and you feel in everything it is a different car (not only more horsepower, also more agile, responsive, etc). And don't forget the DBS has carbon body parts, ceramic brakes (standard) and will hold its value much better. Same for Vanquish 310 probably.
BTW, the new DBSS is even more different from a DB11 in performance, driving and looks (except the somewhat dated interior and MB infotaintment from 7 years ago).
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