DB9 as 10k miles per year Daily Driver
Discussion
Hi Everyone!
I previously posted a question about using a V8V as a daily driver. After all of the awesome feedback from this community, I decided it wouldn't be a good fit for me for one main reason - I drive 10k miles a year mainly in semi-heavy to heavy traffic and would like an automatic car and the V8V Sportshift does not really do it for me (especially in traffic).
I am now considering an Aston Martin DB9 Volante. So as I said before, I would be driving this car 10k miles a year (65 mile round trip per day) in Los Angles mainly in traffic. My main concern with the DB9 is its RELIABILITY as I have read in many posts that the DB9 has some reliability issues, even as compared to the V8V.
I would need this car to be rock solid and not break down often. I have a budget of up to $5k per year to spend on maintenance and repairs. Would this be reasonable for this car? What's the most expensive repair you guys have had to make on this car? I would bring the car to an independent mechanic for repairs and just do not want to ever have a $10k repair bill that I wouldn't be able to pay...
The other car I am considering now is a Maserati GT (2014 and later). For those of you who know, is there a big difference in reliability/maintenance costs for these cars? I would DEFINITELY prefer the Aston Martin, but if it is not reasonable as a DD, I would look towards the GT.
Thank you guys so much in advance and I look forward to this conversation!
I previously posted a question about using a V8V as a daily driver. After all of the awesome feedback from this community, I decided it wouldn't be a good fit for me for one main reason - I drive 10k miles a year mainly in semi-heavy to heavy traffic and would like an automatic car and the V8V Sportshift does not really do it for me (especially in traffic).
I am now considering an Aston Martin DB9 Volante. So as I said before, I would be driving this car 10k miles a year (65 mile round trip per day) in Los Angles mainly in traffic. My main concern with the DB9 is its RELIABILITY as I have read in many posts that the DB9 has some reliability issues, even as compared to the V8V.
I would need this car to be rock solid and not break down often. I have a budget of up to $5k per year to spend on maintenance and repairs. Would this be reasonable for this car? What's the most expensive repair you guys have had to make on this car? I would bring the car to an independent mechanic for repairs and just do not want to ever have a $10k repair bill that I wouldn't be able to pay...
The other car I am considering now is a Maserati GT (2014 and later). For those of you who know, is there a big difference in reliability/maintenance costs for these cars? I would DEFINITELY prefer the Aston Martin, but if it is not reasonable as a DD, I would look towards the GT.
Thank you guys so much in advance and I look forward to this conversation!
Edited by manu100 on Thursday 27th August 19:34
I had a 2009 DB9 Volante for 4 years. Averaged about 8k a year. General maintenance was about 1500 a year if that. I went through the coil issue having to replace them at about 32000 miles. But generally I wouldn't hesitate to hop in it and take off to wherever. I can think of worse ways to get to work and back 
old phart said:
I had a 2009 DB9 Volante for 4 years.
Sounds as though you have sold your DB9 Steve. Perhaps explains why you have not posted lately.
Have you replaced your Aston Martin with something interesting?
Think an auto fashion difference has developed between UK and USA. Here SUVs are currently popular, whereas I believe for USA it is giant pickups.
I haven't personally owned a Maserati, but a good friend of mine has one. I can say without question that he always "seems" to be spending far more on routine maintenance on it than I do (or have) on any of the 4 Astons I've owned. I'm not saying that's how it should be, and maybe he has a lemon, but he's forever wincing when it goes into the garage for a service.
I have no doubt that others on here may say that's not the case and have a different experience, so the above is just my two cents worth.
IMHO, the Maserati really doesn't feel very special either. it's sounds great I'll give it that, but I've certainly never thought hmmm, maybe I should get one. Still, horses for courses and all that. It's a nice dilemma to have though.
I have no doubt that others on here may say that's not the case and have a different experience, so the above is just my two cents worth.
IMHO, the Maserati really doesn't feel very special either. it's sounds great I'll give it that, but I've certainly never thought hmmm, maybe I should get one. Still, horses for courses and all that. It's a nice dilemma to have though.
I am sure you have already seen the quote: Definition of an optimist… "A person who thinks he can just afford to run a second-hand Aston Martin"
But seriously, I have had relatively good luck with reliability of my 2008 DB9 Volante in almost 2 years of ownership. I regularly drive in heavy traffic, although less so since COVID. Of course, normal wear and tear repairs are pricey (eg, the rear brakes I needed at 25,000 miles). I have had some other minor glitches which have cost more to repair than you would expect. That said, I LOVE the car. A $5,000 per year budget should be reasonable.
But seriously, I have had relatively good luck with reliability of my 2008 DB9 Volante in almost 2 years of ownership. I regularly drive in heavy traffic, although less so since COVID. Of course, normal wear and tear repairs are pricey (eg, the rear brakes I needed at 25,000 miles). I have had some other minor glitches which have cost more to repair than you would expect. That said, I LOVE the car. A $5,000 per year budget should be reasonable.
I owned a Maserati GranTurismo for 4 years prior to my current N420, you can read my thoughts here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Great write-up EVR.
I looked at a Granturismo or two prior to settling on the Vantage and apart from the fantastic rear seats (very tempting!), the interior I found a let down and for the examples I saw did not age well, in taste or robustness. It is a very sexy sound, oh yes! The Aston is a classier place to be... as EVR says it depends if you want Italian brio or English cool?
There is such excellent and solid advice in these threads, I hope it will go to good use... bellissimo! ;-)
I looked at a Granturismo or two prior to settling on the Vantage and apart from the fantastic rear seats (very tempting!), the interior I found a let down and for the examples I saw did not age well, in taste or robustness. It is a very sexy sound, oh yes! The Aston is a classier place to be... as EVR says it depends if you want Italian brio or English cool?
There is such excellent and solid advice in these threads, I hope it will go to good use... bellissimo! ;-)
vernierMike said:
Great write-up EVR.
I looked at a Granturismo or two prior to settling on the Vantage and apart from the fantastic rear seats (very tempting!), the interior I found a let down and for the examples I saw did not age well, in taste or robustness. It is a very sexy sound, oh yes! The Aston is a classier place to be... as EVR says it depends if you want Italian brio or English cool?
There is such excellent and solid advice in these threads, I hope it will go to good use... bellissimo! ;-)
Grazie amico! I looked at a Granturismo or two prior to settling on the Vantage and apart from the fantastic rear seats (very tempting!), the interior I found a let down and for the examples I saw did not age well, in taste or robustness. It is a very sexy sound, oh yes! The Aston is a classier place to be... as EVR says it depends if you want Italian brio or English cool?
There is such excellent and solid advice in these threads, I hope it will go to good use... bellissimo! ;-)
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