Discussion
Hello
After moving on my last car, the garage is looking bare and I need to scratch an itch.
For many years I've looked at an Aston Martin and would really like to look for a DB9 Volante.
I've read the reviews and trawled the internet for information but having been a member of PH for many years have always appreciated feedback from the Forum.
Can the assembled masses please give me some pointers on the DB9 and what I should be looking for and if I can get a good car for £40k or am I looking at the proverbial money pit.( having had TVR's I know the feeling).
Thanks for your help and comments.
Richard
After moving on my last car, the garage is looking bare and I need to scratch an itch.
For many years I've looked at an Aston Martin and would really like to look for a DB9 Volante.
I've read the reviews and trawled the internet for information but having been a member of PH for many years have always appreciated feedback from the Forum.
Can the assembled masses please give me some pointers on the DB9 and what I should be looking for and if I can get a good car for £40k or am I looking at the proverbial money pit.( having had TVR's I know the feeling).
Thanks for your help and comments.
Richard
Parallel lives; I came this way last year. Former owner of three TVRs and numerous Jaguars, big birthday on the horizon, needed to tick the box marked 'Aston' as my entry into the Premiere League. Really wanted a Volante, but couldn't find one in the spec I wanted. Months and a year rolled by.... eventually I compromised and bought a coupe.
I'm not clever enough to give you a list of 'what to look for'; somebody else can copy/paste that. But what I can tell you is that yes, you are in the Premiere League, albeit near the bottom in the grand scheme of things. In my view an Aston is the professional version of a TVR. It's not GRP, it's aluminium and all sorts off other stuff too. Much is unique to Aston Martin, so some parts of a DB9 will be beyond the scope of your usual mechanic. You will have to go to a specialist and you will have to pay £800+ for a service. We know that your local chap could change the oil for a fraction of that, but it's an Aston, and you need the stamp. And to be fair, few places are able to fully understand its quirks. You will encounter 'AMDS', the vastly expensive software that AM uses to keep you trotting back to have your wallet emptied. But note that AMDS needs an experienced operator to be fully useful, as I had the misfortune to discover.
In summary an Aston is not an ordinary car. It's built differently, it's more complicated, many parts are unique. It's a thoroughbred. Driving it, stuff seems in the wrong place. For a while you'll be 20 yards behind the car. It's what a TVR would have been if they were 4x the price.
Do you want an Aston? Well put it this way - it's the only car that my neighbours came round to see and that their children wanted to sit in. It's expensive to run, but it's an Aston. And that trumps pretty much every logical protest.
Yes, you can get a Volante for £40K. But if you see a nice one for £50K you'll find a way to buy it
I've had more than my fair share of great cars from the likes of Aston, Jaguar, Porsche and Ferrari. The best all-rounder I have ever owned was the DB9 Volante. It's easy to drive, comfortable in town, can waft it's way along the motorway effortlessly but still get your pulse racing when you put your foot down, plus it looks amazing and sounds superb. If someone lined up the 20+ cars I have owned in my life and said that I had to pick one to drive every day I would pick the DB9 Volante.
I'd say £40k is plenty to get a good one if you are patient and buy carefully, they didn't hold their value especially well so are pretty good value. Running costs are high, significantly more so than a V8 vantage, but not unreasonable if you are in the position to spend £40k in the first place. The Aston Martin main dealers often have a good fixed price for servicing (good in this case being ~£800) but for absolutely anything more than the service itself find yourself an independent. Main dealers will absolutely take the piss for any additional work; I'm talking £100 to change a cabin air filter, £60 labour to change the wheel nuts when they were already taking the wheels off to inspect the brakes, just insulting if you ask me. The only regular big bill is the plugs and coils every 7 years; it really does need doing and it isn't cheap, i think my indy quoted around £1500.
I also saw the benefit in the 2+2. Everyone says the rear seats are a nicely trimmed luggage rack, but I did find myself using them from time to time. I didn't carry passengers back there very often, and never very far, but i was always happy to have them on those occasions. You definitely want to roof down in that situation though.
If you really want to go in with all the knowledge you can then get the "Definitive Guide" linked at the top of the Aston section. If you fancy doing any maintenance yourself also check out aston1936, it's a goldmine of practical information.
I'd say £40k is plenty to get a good one if you are patient and buy carefully, they didn't hold their value especially well so are pretty good value. Running costs are high, significantly more so than a V8 vantage, but not unreasonable if you are in the position to spend £40k in the first place. The Aston Martin main dealers often have a good fixed price for servicing (good in this case being ~£800) but for absolutely anything more than the service itself find yourself an independent. Main dealers will absolutely take the piss for any additional work; I'm talking £100 to change a cabin air filter, £60 labour to change the wheel nuts when they were already taking the wheels off to inspect the brakes, just insulting if you ask me. The only regular big bill is the plugs and coils every 7 years; it really does need doing and it isn't cheap, i think my indy quoted around £1500.
I also saw the benefit in the 2+2. Everyone says the rear seats are a nicely trimmed luggage rack, but I did find myself using them from time to time. I didn't carry passengers back there very often, and never very far, but i was always happy to have them on those occasions. You definitely want to roof down in that situation though.
If you really want to go in with all the knowledge you can then get the "Definitive Guide" linked at the top of the Aston section. If you fancy doing any maintenance yourself also check out aston1936, it's a goldmine of practical information.
Simpo Two said:
Snow Mole said:
Its the 2 +2 seats that help my decision plus I still think that they are an iconic car.
Best of the bunch IMHO. However, the main function of the back seats is to make the car the right length. Don't expect to sit in them... 
I've had my 2006 DB9 Volante for eight years now, and it's been far more reliable and easier to work on myself than I expected. Here are some things you are likely to encounter:
1) If the convertible roof module hasn't ever been replaced, it will need to be at some point. it's not just a matter of the roof not working, it makes most of the instrument panel gauges go haywire. The replacement is an easy DIY job, but SOMETIMES the new unit will need to be flashed by a dealer's AMDS system. If that is inconvenient for a while, you can return the gauges to working order simply by removing the CRM connector (of course, the roof will then no longer work until you finish the job).
2) The coils (all 12 of them) and plugs will need to be replaced, typically between 25,000 and 50,000 miles. You can do the job yourself if you're reasonably handy, and there's plenty of online guidance available (see Aston1936.com).
3) Brake work is pretty standard, as are oil changes.
4) I'd recommend adding a rear anti-sway bar from a DB9 coupe if you get an early car. Again, it's an easy DIY job.
5) The struts that hold the doors, bonnet, and boot open will fade and need replacing. Pretty easy.
6) Watch that you never let the battery go flat. Keep it on a maintenance charger.
7) The Linn 950w audio system can be problematic and is very difficult to replace. I actually haven't had a problem with mine, knock on wood.
8) Speaking of wood, look for cracks in the center waterfall and fading in wood everywhere. It can be refinished, but use a specialist. A furniture restorer is unlikely to be successful (I know...).
9) Aston Martin used a somewhat untested ecologically-friendly glue to attach leather to plastic backing panels, and it often fails and lets go when leather shrinks. If you have to replace leather, make sure that the colour you need is still available.
10) Read #6 again. And again. And again...
I've only had my Volante in to a dealer or mechanic once, and that was to flash the convertible roof module. A DB9 Volante is a gorgeous, solid, reliable, and fulfilling car to own.
1) If the convertible roof module hasn't ever been replaced, it will need to be at some point. it's not just a matter of the roof not working, it makes most of the instrument panel gauges go haywire. The replacement is an easy DIY job, but SOMETIMES the new unit will need to be flashed by a dealer's AMDS system. If that is inconvenient for a while, you can return the gauges to working order simply by removing the CRM connector (of course, the roof will then no longer work until you finish the job).
2) The coils (all 12 of them) and plugs will need to be replaced, typically between 25,000 and 50,000 miles. You can do the job yourself if you're reasonably handy, and there's plenty of online guidance available (see Aston1936.com).
3) Brake work is pretty standard, as are oil changes.
4) I'd recommend adding a rear anti-sway bar from a DB9 coupe if you get an early car. Again, it's an easy DIY job.
5) The struts that hold the doors, bonnet, and boot open will fade and need replacing. Pretty easy.
6) Watch that you never let the battery go flat. Keep it on a maintenance charger.
7) The Linn 950w audio system can be problematic and is very difficult to replace. I actually haven't had a problem with mine, knock on wood.
8) Speaking of wood, look for cracks in the center waterfall and fading in wood everywhere. It can be refinished, but use a specialist. A furniture restorer is unlikely to be successful (I know...).
9) Aston Martin used a somewhat untested ecologically-friendly glue to attach leather to plastic backing panels, and it often fails and lets go when leather shrinks. If you have to replace leather, make sure that the colour you need is still available.
10) Read #6 again. And again. And again...
I've only had my Volante in to a dealer or mechanic once, and that was to flash the convertible roof module. A DB9 Volante is a gorgeous, solid, reliable, and fulfilling car to own.
Edited by Zuman on Friday 11th November 18:19
+1 on the post above. I've been to the dealer once to have my CRM flashed. Everything else, including engine out rebuilds is easily accomplished if you have a lift. I have a "MaxJack" which lifts the car about 3' off the garage floor and makes working under it and around it reasonably enjoyable.
I have found it to be a remarkably simple car and very pleasant to drive with the top down at speeds below 60mph. Above that the wind noise and road noise make it less fun but still a thrill.
I have found it to be a remarkably simple car and very pleasant to drive with the top down at speeds below 60mph. Above that the wind noise and road noise make it less fun but still a thrill.
No clue about the differences... But, the CRM is a standard tier 3 part that is encoded by the enduser (in this case AM) for the car. The primary flaw is that it's not ruggedized particularly well (it's a $100.00 part in other cars) and thus prone to failure.
Someone on one of the two AM forums showed how he opened it up (easily done) and potted it with standard electronics potting plastic to help protect it from shock/vibe. That's probably a good idea and is on my list of things to do.
Someone on one of the two AM forums showed how he opened it up (easily done) and potted it with standard electronics potting plastic to help protect it from shock/vibe. That's probably a good idea and is on my list of things to do.
I have had a DB9V now for 10 years and the only failure was the boot catch saying a closed boot was open. Annoying because then the roof will not operate.
I do all my own maintenance so don't suffer the Aston Effect when visiting dealers.
In my honest opinion, the Volante is a more special car than the Coupe, but in almost all respects the Coupe is a better performer. If you want to feel a million dollars, cruise around on a beautiful day with the roof down, if you want every last ounce of performance, buy a Coupe.
With the authorities getting every penny out of drivers possible, you may as well just cruise around, look good and enjoy the view.
I also find the general public also respect the cars more whereas the Porsches, Ferraris, Bentleys etc get a less appreciative audience.
I do all my own maintenance so don't suffer the Aston Effect when visiting dealers.
In my honest opinion, the Volante is a more special car than the Coupe, but in almost all respects the Coupe is a better performer. If you want to feel a million dollars, cruise around on a beautiful day with the roof down, if you want every last ounce of performance, buy a Coupe.
With the authorities getting every penny out of drivers possible, you may as well just cruise around, look good and enjoy the view.
I also find the general public also respect the cars more whereas the Porsches, Ferraris, Bentleys etc get a less appreciative audience.
Many thanks for all the comments - I think I need one in my life.
I will start looking within the next week or two for a good example.
Needs to be Blue/light colour with a light interior as SWMO doesn't want a dark car with dark interior.
If anyone know of any coming onto the market - please let me know.
Any recommendations on insurance companies?
Many thanks
Richard
I will start looking within the next week or two for a good example.
Needs to be Blue/light colour with a light interior as SWMO doesn't want a dark car with dark interior.
If anyone know of any coming onto the market - please let me know.
Any recommendations on insurance companies?
Many thanks
Richard
Snow Mole said:
Any recommendations on insurance companies?
Manning UK work well for me - equal best price but no need for a tracker (under £75K), very good service and Agreed Value. https://manninguk.com/Snow Mole said:
Needs to be Blue/light colour with a light interior as SWMO doesn't want a dark car with dark interior.
If anyone know of any coming onto the market - please let me know.
I think this is the closest at the moment: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234774081784If anyone know of any coming onto the market - please let me know.
Blue in any shade is pretty rare.
Hi Richard,
It’s not near Sheffield, but it’s in the right colours:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210010...
Enjoy the hunt!
Sean
It’s not near Sheffield, but it’s in the right colours:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210010...
Enjoy the hunt!
Sean
RATATTAK said:
I've had one ... and now I've got a 911. I won't go back.
Different cars with a different brief. One is a rear engined 6 cylinder sports car, the other is a 12 cylinder front engined GT car. Comparing a 911 to a DB9 is like comparing a sandwich toaster to an air fryer; both very useful things but they do different jobs.This does raise a good point though, if the OP wants a sports car they should look elsewhere. The DB9 is a magnificent car, but it isn't a sports car. That goes double for the volante.
murphyaj said:
Different cars with a different brief. One is a rear engined 6 cylinder sports car, the other is a 12 cylinder front engined GT car. Comparing a 911 to a DB9 is like comparing a sandwich toaster to an air fryer; both very useful things but they do different jobs.
This does raise a good point though, if the OP wants a sports car they should look elsewhere. The DB9 is a magnificent car, but it isn't a sports car. That goes double for the volante.
That is such a good point: a DB9 is a GT car (pretty quick and handles OK), but know what to expect!This does raise a good point though, if the OP wants a sports car they should look elsewhere. The DB9 is a magnificent car, but it isn't a sports car. That goes double for the volante.
I wanted a fast and beautiful GT car, I've had my DB9 Volante for 8 years and there is still nothing I'd rather have. There are some ridiculously expensive cars I'd have in fantasy land, but I'd be too scared to drive them! A DB9 is the perfect compromise.
Note that 2011 MY Volantes were stiffer and have adjustable suspension, so can be a bit more sporty if you feel the need, but they are never going to be a track missile!
Andy
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