RE: Aston Martin DBS | Spotted

[Jimbo89]

I think it depends what you want it for.

I don't think many people buy a DBS to spank it hard on track or on b-roads. I had the pleasure of riding in one from the south of Portugal back to the UK (via the ferry at Santander) and it was comfortable, fast, sounded glorious and looked even better. Yes the SatNav is crap and the interior dated but a brilliant GT despite that.

The 599 is also a lovely car and if I was looking for the better car at 10-10ths then it would be the Fez. How often do you drive a big GT at the limit though? I think a lot of people have an image in their head of how they would use a supercar or GT but in my experience the reality is a lot more sedate.

At the end of the day, look at it! DBS, Casino Royale, James Bond. It could drive like my grandmothers old Metro and I'd still love it.

[Greg the Fish]

AdamV12AMR said:

British Beef said:

Was Bonds manual or auto?

Manual.

It also had the very rare option of the CF lightweight seats, more often seen in the V12 Vantage.

And then he totalled it.

• nerd mode on* And holds the record for the highest number of barrel rolls for a film stunt. *Nerd mode off*

[AmosMoses]

Adore the DBS, one of the great modern Astons in my opinion.

[MrJerv]

Truly stunning car, probably my favorite Aston and certainly one of the best looking cars this side of 2000.

As much as I would love one, I would be really concerned about running costs especially if out of warranty. Anyone had any experience with one?

[Nors]

Since this came out, it's been my number 1 on my lottery win list and even now it still is.

It's got to be on most peoples top 10 best looking cars ever!

Personally, I can't think of a better looking car full stop. V12 is the icing!

I thought the this DBS only came with a manual gearbox?

[Mosdef]

Gregor-lun1d said:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I agree that based on current trends, the mid-naughties offerings were not the prettiest.

In its defence, the 599 has an Enzo engine and won Evo’s CotY in 2006. That Lawton Brook car has been sliding, price-wise for months and is very low on carbon, relatively high on miles.

I’ve yet to have a tough time/negative reaction to my 599.

The DBS looks nice but the engine feels incredibly average compared to a 599. I was surprised at how muted the one I've been out in was and the lack of crescendo at higher revs. Maybe it wasn't in the right mode but it just didn't really excite. This might be why it's probably a better GT than the 599 but if I were in the market for a dramatic V12 super coupe, I'd want something that made the hairs on my neck stand up.

[CSK1]

Mosdef said:

if I were in the market for a dramatic V12 super coupe, I'd want something that made the hairs on my neck stand up.

You should go for a V12 Vantage S fitted with the Performance Pack.
The titanium exhaust and back box will have that effect on you!

[CSK1]

Love the DBS but many owners traded theirs for the V12 Vantage, same engine in a shorter wheelbase, it felt much more alive and involving.

[Greg the Fish]

CSK1 said:

You should go for a V12 Vantage S fitted with the Performance Pack.
The titanium exhaust and back box will have that effect on you!

No. You need a Mazda 3. You're clearly an idiot.

[Edward Robbins]

What a machine. Yes the Ferrari is probably better but just look at the Aston!!! The looks alone make my knees wobble and coupled with the sound of that wonderful V12 it’s very high up on my dream garage list. Gotta be the manual and if you can find one with the CF lightweight seats that’d be the one to own. The bond association, that opening sequence in Quantum of Solace and the fact that since this car Aston hasn’t offered a manual in their flagship supercar makes this one hell of a buy. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!

[MDL111]

Greg the Fish said:

CSK1 said:

You should go for a V12 Vantage S fitted with the Performance Pack.
The titanium exhaust and back box will have that effect on you!

No. You need a Mazda 3. You're clearly an idiot.

Brilliant!

[MDL111]

For me it would probably be between a manual DBS or a 550. 599 too expensive as manual and I agree with others that it is not as pretty - that engine though ....
Astons do look and sound very nice

[Pvapour]

CSK1 said:

Love the DBS but many owners traded theirs for the V12 Vantage, same engine in a shorter wheelbase, it felt much more alive and involving.

I’ll give that a go..

Its very different to dreaming when you’re actually in the market to buy a car like this, you become far more fussy with what you’ll accept and when you drive all the different options within your budget, the db9 isn’t not that magical anymore, unless you’re ‘only’ bothered with looks, which you wont be if you’re a car enthusiast.

I’ll be interested to see how much better the vantage is.

[chelme]

WCZ said:

Gameface said:

Looks are the only department it betters the 599.

Everything else about it was old or not up to scratch, even at launch.

I'd take the Ferrari.

gets much less hate and abuse on the roads, which is nice

Only if you care what others - complete strangers no less - think of you.

I'd take a Ferrari -even a 456 GT Manual - over this pretender any day.

[Pvapour]

chelme said:

WCZ said:

Gameface said:

Looks are the only department it betters the 599.

Everything else about it was old or not up to scratch, even at launch.

I'd take the Ferrari.

gets much less hate and abuse on the roads, which is nice

Only if you care what others - complete strangers no less - think of you.

I'd take a Ferrari -even a 456 GT Manual - over this pretender any day.

Not a chance, 456 interior looks and feels sooooo dated, 70s dated, the drive is nowhere near as good as db9.