DB9 Facelift years and prices..

[silverback mike]

Hi all, time is getting closer for me to purchase a DB9 Volante, and conscious that ?2008 was a facelift year. Is it worth paying a little extra for a facelift model? Mind you saying that i'm still umming and arring about a vantage roadster! I've got approximately 45k and as ever I'm fannying around wondering which I want.

Any hints and help gratefully received. Looking to buy before Christmas. The local dealer have been fantastic and keeping their eyes peeled too.

Missing the TVR but I *think* I'm leaning to DB9

[AMVSVNick]

Vastly different cars, you MUST test drive all 3:-

DB9 Volante Auto
Vantage Roadster Sportshift
Vantage Roadster Manual

[silverback mike]

I've driven both vantages and much prefer the manual. Haven't driven a db9 yet must admit. I've always had TVR but a bit of a dodgy knee I'm leaning for a GT Auto. It won't be a show queen as the Mrs and I plan to put some european miles on so that's the thought process for an auto.....I think.....

Edited by silverback mike on Monday 30th September 15:43

[AMVSVNick]

silverback mike said:

I've driven both vantages and much prefer the manual. Haven't driven a db9 yet must admit. I've always had TVR but a bit of a dodgy knee I'm leaning for a GT Auto. It won't be a show queen as the Mrs and I plan to put some european miles on so that's the thought process for an auto.....I think.....

DB9 sounds the better option for big Euro trips but be warned it's more a wafter than a sports car. Coming from a TVR it is vital you go have a drive.

Heading down to the Monaco Historique 2016

[Westlondondriver]

I had a 2005 DB9 Volante which was a great car but my feeling was the suspension was too hard for the car it was. Everyone I know who moved to the later model with adaptive suspension felt it was far superior so I think I would go for the facelift model. Vantage is a very different car, not for me, but personal taste so you have to drive both to know.

[Ian350]

I've driven both quite extensively. They are very different.

I wanted a smaller sportscar so went with the Vantage but I must admit that I sometimes wish I had given more thought to that V12 engine that automatically comes with the DB9.

[Sebastian Tombs]

The 2008 facelift gives you:
Revised (i.e. properly sorted) suspension.
Nicer centre console.
HDD nav rather than DVD. Not that the nav is anything to write home about.
The glass "Emotional Control Unit" key.
White illumination for the dash displays
A power increase to 470bhp
Updated gearbox software.
Nicer seats.
Bluetooth integration for your phone
Better stereo as standard
iPod/iPhone integration for the stereo
Volvo mirrors replacing Jaguar ones.

Some of this stuff came earlier, e.g. the seats, but as a complete package the 2008+ models are a significant improvement on early cars and fix most of the issues.

[Jon39]

It might be a surprise, but the DB9 boot, is smaller than a Vantage.

[stevenotwet]

this one has been with castle motors in Cornwall for nearly 2 years , I've been over it had a test drive, it has the B&O system in it. I know its not a volante , but lets you gauge what's out there ,private sales

[dwell]

Jon39 said:

It might be a surprise, but the DB9 boot, is smaller than a Vantage.

I was looking for a DB9 for European touring - for the above reason I ended up with a V8Vantage Coupe - it makes an excellent grand tourer, and we have been all over Europe in it for up to three weeks at a time - great fun. Dave

[silverback mike]

Thanks for the help folks. Great inputs.

[chriscmore]

The post-facelift, but pre-9.2 (Gen4) from the years '09-'11, Volante, 6-sp manual exist but are unicorns. I've only seen three here in the US (one '09, two '11).

If you must have a manual Volante and your budget can handle a DBS, the supply opens up to a few more since the manual take rate on the DBS was higher. Still unicorns, though.

[Squaremeal]

For DB9 definitely the facelift. Oh and get BR to fit the underbody strengthening plates. They dramatically improve rigidity, handling and ride.

[Green9]

Two quick questions:

1). I didn’t realise that manual DBS Volantes existed? Anyone know numbers? Roughly what prices are they now?

2). Anyone know the cost of having the BR strengthening plates fitted? Presumably they’d fit my ‘06 Volante?

Thanks!

[Noogly]

The 2010 DB9 Volante had Aston's factory under body strengthening and adjustable suspension. I believe the hardtop had three settings whereas the soft top has two. That is usually enough!

The Volante boot is quite small, but you can put bags on the back seats if you run out of space. Just don't put anything there that'll blow away. : )

I had a couple of TVRs before the DB9 and although I loved the TVRs, the DB9 is on a different scale altogether. The Chim 500 was probably quicker 0-60 but the 9 does everything else so much better.

Edited by Noogly on Wednesday 2nd October 23:08

[AMVSVNick]

Green9 said:

Two quick questions:

1). I didn’t realise that manual DBS Volantes existed? Anyone know numbers? Roughly what prices are they now?

2). Anyone know the cost of having the BR strengthening plates fitted? Presumably they’d fit my ‘06 Volante?

Thanks!

1) 8 RHD cars worldwide. 7 UK 1 SA. I sold mine 18 months ago. Price would depend on how much you wanted one , that's if you could fine one. I know the whereabouts of three.
2) Not a clue

[Green9]

Thanks - very interesting Nick - think I’ll have to stick to upgrading my manual DB9 Volante to as near to DBS-spec as possible as I certainly wouldn’t be able to afford a “unicorn” one of only 7 cars...