Daily driving a DB9

[philrs03]

Evening all,

As above, I’m in the fortunate position to consider a DB9 as my “daily” driver. I’ve taken one of these work from home job things, which is new to me, which only really requires airport runs and the occasional cross country trip to the office. So to that end, I’m thinking of putting my car allowance to good use and buying a DB9 (510). Has anyone got any horror stories/advice/experience doing the same thing?

[p102768]

They are best used regularly. I did 12,000kms in my 2011 Virage the first year I had it but now alternate daily driving with my Mustang GT.

I have had five V12 daily drivers over the years and the rest have been V8s. You only get one life so don't drive boring cars!

I have had the Virage over 3 years now and it has mainly just needed servicing. I recently changed all of the hydraulic arms as the bonnet and boot wouldn't always stay open and the door ones needed doing too but the cost was pretty reasonable.

[Simpo Two]

I've had a DB9 as my sole car for 3+ years. It doesn't get used every day because I'm retired, but it does have to live outside and get used in the rain and use public car parks sometimes.

I do fewer long trips than I might if I had a cheap runaround, but I haven't so the DB9 does everything. Luggage space is small of course, but you learn to work round it, or have a friend with an estate car.

The benefits are that (1) it's an Aston (2) people smile at you (3) let you in at junctions (4) you can exhibit it at car shows (5) it's an Aston!

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 10th February 23:00

[LTP]

Simpo Two said:

I've had a DB9 as my sole car for 3+ years. It doesn't get used every day because I'm retired, but it does have to live outside and get used in the rain and use public car parks sometimes.

I do fewer long trips than I might if I had a cheap runaround, but I haven't so the DB9 does everything. Luggage space is small of course, but you learn to work round it, or have a friend with an estate car.

The benefits are that (1) it's an Aston (2) people smile at you (3) let you in at junctions (4) you can exhibit it at car shows (5) it's an Aston!

I think you missed the most important point, John - it's an Aston

[philrs03]

Thank you for all the replies, I wholeheartedly agree. Life is too short. Is there anything to be aware of in your experience in terms of “expensive” wear and tear? The DB9 I’m looking at has the Carbon Ceramic brake option which is helpful, but in terms of engine servicing? I see Bamford rose do what seems like a decent service plan?

[skyebear]

My wife has dailied our Rapide S for the past six months and it's been great. Been a great ice-breaker too when meeting clients some of whom have asked to take pictures of the car.

[philrs03]

skyebear said:

My wife has dailied our Rapide S for the past six months and it's been great. Been a great ice-breaker too when meeting clients some of whom have asked to take pictures of the car.

Great car, I am considering a Rapide too. I did think of the client meeting factor for it, and was on the fence about how it would be perceived. I know if someone rocked up in a DB9/Rapide to a meeting with me I would wholeheartedly approve!

[Simpo Two]

LTP said:

I think you missed the most important point, John - it's an Aston

Sorry, yes I missed that bit!

philrs03 said:

Thank you for all the replies, I wholeheartedly agree. Life is too short. Is there anything to be aware of in your experience in terms of “expensive” wear and tear? The DB9 I’m looking at has the Carbon Ceramic brake option which is helpful, but in terms of engine servicing? I see Bamford rose do what seems like a decent service plan?

I only do about 4K miles a year so can't comment on wear and tear. Things like brake pads and tyres can be dealt with locally, they don't need Aston expertise or AMDS. However be prepared that Astons cost more to run than yer average car and you might get a bigger bill than you thought - eg a shock absorber is £800, and no you can't buy them at Halfords...!

[skyebear]

philrs03 said:

Great car, I am considering a Rapide too. I did think of the client meeting factor for it, and was on the fence about how it would be perceived. I know if someone rocked up in a DB9/Rapide to a meeting with me I would wholeheartedly approve!

We've done 8,000 miles since October 2023 in west of Scotland weather and other than servicing and tyres, it's needed a thermostat and battery.

The rear doors and seats accommodate our child in a booster seat and the boot's taken a big suitcase and a carry-on for an airport run.

I don't think you should have any qualms about people's opinions and go with the one that suits you best.

[M1AGM]

philrs03 said:

Thank you for all the replies, I wholeheartedly agree. Life is too short. Is there anything to be aware of in your experience in terms of “expensive” wear and tear? The DB9 I’m looking at has the Carbon Ceramic brake option which is helpful, but in terms of engine servicing? I see Bamford rose do what seems like a decent service plan?

I ran a db9.2 for 4/5 years as a (mostly) daily. The carbon brakes were not an option, they were standard on this model. As long as they have been looked after and dont need replacing they will last a long time, there are many threads on the carbon discs if you want every opinion on their wear and how to judge it. Discs are expensive to replace, possibly £10k for a front set, so worthwhile giving them a close inspection.

I used BR for a few years of the servicing and had no complaints. They also did the primary decat/remap which is a worthwhile investment if you plan to keep the car for a while, out of warranty.

The weak points are the paint (many VH2 era cars had paint issues around the door handles and under the side mirrors), the rear lights which tend to get moisture in them and need resealing or replacing (£1k a side iirc), and the leather areas around the windscreen and rear parcel shelf if left out in the summer sun unprotected can shrink and deform. So mainly cosmetic, mechanically not much to worry about if serviced etc.

Beautiful car, I miss mine. Enjoy.

[NDA]

philrs03 said:

I did think of the client meeting factor for it, and was on the fence about how it would be perceived. I know if someone rocked up in a DB9/Rapide to a meeting with me I would wholeheartedly approve!

I remember when I was working that my finance director said (when I was similarly concerned) that 'clients would expect the boss to arrive in an Aston' which was all the encouragement I needed.

[Simon_GH]

A colleagues used his V8 Vantage as a daily for the three years he owned it based on advice that it’s the best way to keep the car running well and reliable. It didn’t miss a beat during his ownership, it’s got to be worth a shot. I think Aston’s gain approval from people who would see many cheaper vehicles as vulgar.

[philrs03]

Again all, thanks so much for the comprehensive replies. Really informative and much appreciated. I felt like I was leaning on a slightly open door anyway, but reading this thread has cemented my decision.

Really appreciate the input. It’ll take the sting off of needing to sell my Caterham 310R for sure!

[AstonZagato]

I had several DB9s in period. In fact, my first was allegedly one of the first 10 customer cars in the UK.
I would drive it almost all year round. I used it as my station car. Never had a problem.

[magycks]

AstonZagato said:

I had several DB9s in period. In fact, my first was allegedly one of the first 10 customer cars in the UK.
I would drive it almost all year round. I used it as my station car. Never had a problem.

You're a brave man! I used a Porsche as a station car for ~4 years and by the end of it I think almost every panel had been hit - best of all a tow bar through the rear bumper leaving a 12" tear (no note, naturally! and they couldn't be bothered to check more than 1hr of CCTV footage from nor allow me to have it)

[M1AGM]

magycks said:

AstonZagato said:

I had several DB9s in period. In fact, my first was allegedly one of the first 10 customer cars in the UK.
I would drive it almost all year round. I used it as my station car. Never had a problem.

You're a brave man! I used a Porsche as a station car for ~4 years and by the end of it I think almost every panel had been hit - best of all a tow bar through the rear bumper leaving a 12" tear (no note, naturally! and they couldn't be bothered to check more than 1hr of CCTV footage from nor allow me to have it)

The difference between an Aston and a Porsche I guess?

[AstonZagato]

magycks said:

You're a brave man! I used a Porsche as a station car for ~4 years and by the end of it I think almost every panel had been hit - best of all a tow bar through the rear bumper leaving a 12" tear (no note, naturally! and they couldn't be bothered to check more than 1hr of CCTV footage from nor allow me to have it)

I did have a spot against a wall where it was almost impossible for another car to hit mine

[Simpo Two]

M1AGM said:

The difference between an Aston and a Porsche I guess?

Another difference is negotiating traffic. I was fighting my way through the Colchester scrum today; found myself needing to get into the lane on my left, put the indicator on - and the car on my left stopped immediately to let me in

Was surprised to pass a DB11 on the way home - can't remember the last time I saw another Aston on the road apart from car shows.

[Jay_Davis]

One thing to remember is the age of the car. Regardless of the car itself, an older car is going to become less reliable, and thus more of a problem to be a car you can depend on every day. At this point, many DB9s are getting old enough that having to count on them every day might not be a good bet.

[jazz.cat]

I've just started dailying a DB9 (about 3 weeks now.)

I mainly work from home but it will commute 1.5 hrs round trip on country roads each week. The rest is shopping, pleasure and leisure.

It'll share duties during the summer with my R129 Mercedes SL, which has 109k miles on the clock and never skips a beat.

I have a single garage which they'll have to fight over!

One advantage is that my friend's teenage daughter doesn't fit in the back

I wish us both luck, although I don't think we'll need it

Edited by jazz.cat on Saturday 22 February 09:15