RE: Aston Martin DB9 | The Brave Pill

RE: Aston Martin DB9 | The Brave Pill

Author
Discussion

markbmw

119 posts

183 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Much like Boxster owners (probably unfairly) judged as 'not able to afford a 911', I suspect Jaguar owners fear being judged as 'not able to afford an Aston'.

Whether either is true or not is a moot point as the judging is usually done by those of us who cannot afford either.

tberg

568 posts

60 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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markbmw,
Maybe those of us who chose the XKR over the DB9 chose as a result of research and driving the cars, and scouring reviews of the cars that were calling it the Best GT available at the time on earth (Smoking Tire review of 2010 XKR, Carsource, Car and Driver...). And maybe we chose the XKR because in every single side by side comparison although the praises of the DB9 were always sung, the XKR was always the car of choice by the reviewer. And maybe we chose it for the price differences as well, is that a crime? Don't get me wrong, I love the DB9 as I love the XKR, and I wouldn't kick one out of my garage if it was put there, but it doesn't mean that for two cars that have so many similarities that in making a choice you shouldn't at least look and drive the two. And yes, as someone posted I had some body customization done on mine. I put a rear bumper/diffuser from an aftermarket company because I liked it and I wanted something a little different. I've done it to other cars as well. Sue me! Why do some people change to after market custom wheels or wraps or pinstripes?

RMDB9

1,711 posts

47 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Are we done now with the Jaguar owner therapy session?

peteA

2,680 posts

233 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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No, not done

The Aston Martin ownership experience cannot be measured in £‘S or group test wins or 0-60 times, you will only ‘know’ if you’ve owned one. An old jag isn’t the same thing even if it’s quicker, faster and yes ‘better’.

Ok, some will get it, some won’t, even if some get it they might not think it’s worth it and that’s why it’s good we all have the choice to buy other stuff. Nice stuff like a XK / XKR.

nolan122

3 posts

145 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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"bonded aluminium architecture that, in heavily modified forms, are both still serving the company today."

This just is not true. The underframe of the cars from DB11 onwards is completely, utterly, 100% different to the VH platform.

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

260 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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I don't understand when people say there are so many similarities between a DB9 and an XKR. What are they, please?

Also tberg, I'm sure you love your XKR but it's not a DB9 and never will be. It will also never have the presence of an Aston.

swisstoni

16,855 posts

278 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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A friend of the family was selling their one owner, low mileage DB9 convertible and I was automatically alerted. hehe

I asked for details and would have been pretty open minded about colours but I couldn’t believe my luck.
Somehow they had managed to spec one in a Kermit green I have never seen before or since on an Aston and completed the look with a red interior.

It wasn’t to be.

ddom

6,657 posts

47 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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peteA said:
No, not done

The Aston Martin ownership experience cannot be measured in £‘S or group test wins or 0-60 times, you will only ‘know’ if you’ve owned one. An old jag isn’t the same thing even if it’s quicker, faster and yes ‘better’.

Ok, some will get it, some won’t, even if some get it they might not think it’s worth it and that’s why it’s good we all have the choice to buy other stuff. Nice stuff like a XK / XKR.
You say ‘worth it’, but the entry point into the DB is similar to the far newer final edition XKR?


DonkeyApple

54,932 posts

168 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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tberg said:
For those arguing which car looks better the DB9 or the XKR, here is a look at them side by side. Their profiles are nearly identical and both are beautiful! As for 12 cylinders vs. 8 cylinders, the proof has to be in the "pudding." The 5.0L XKR will simply outperform the V12 Aston every time. As for the sound, I love the sound of every Aston, but for about a $1000.00 at any muffler shop, the XKR can be made equally ferocious sounding.
Two Ford engined GTs. Both very nice but with sufficient subtle differences between them to make the choice between the two quite simple for most people.

The problem with bodykitting a Jag is that in the UK it tends to make the occupant appear to be council estate racist instead of the superior public school racist. Likewise the problem with an all grey Aston is that it reimagines James Bond as an actuary, deadly with a spreadsheet and with a premium Pornhub login.

The allure of a DB9 is always going to be stronger than that of an XK to the point that it really doesn’t matter at all if the Ford V8 makes for a faster or better handling car over the Ford V12. All those little things that the DB9 has tends to overwhelm that aspect.

What I think your image highlights extremely potently is exactly that. Two remarkably similar cars but in reality actually remarkably different.


ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Great cars but if you're tall they become very cramped & as enjoyable as it was the GranTurismo for me & my useage ( being able to carry the OH & the little un as well as a useable boot) it also felt just as special, what amazed me was that side by side they were the same size.

If you fit then I'd say get one they're not cheap to run (how many bolts on the undertray) but (get Mustang coil packs) if not there are some good alternatives CL/XKR/GT/SL & that for me was the better option.

In this market there are no wrong answers just good options of which the DB9 is one.

DonkeyApple

54,932 posts

168 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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The GT was the only 2+2 I found in my search that had viable rear seats. My issue was that I live too far away from the nearest service centre and I already had cars that needed to be low loaded for servicing. The GT edges it for me over the Jag and Aston in the image stakes, it’s honestly vulgar with great looks and one of the best soundtracks and is usable as a family wagon. Only the Contental came close on that last aspect but didn’t make the grade on the other random yet important metrics.

pgwbell

60 posts

194 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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DB9 - Undeniably pretty and a nice badge. I had the choice and looked into several DB9's - all came with a large pile of service history and all at eye watering prices.

I bought an XKR 5.0 which I enjoyed for two years totally problem free - just a couple of routine services.

If your are not badge obsessed the XKR is clearly the better car.

Reminds me of a mate when I'd just bought a Ferrari 360 saying to me "Why did you buy a Ferrari? When you arrive at the pub in a Ferrari people tend to think show off (not the exact term he used) but when you arrive at the pub in an Aston they think you are cool". Sums it up to me! My reply was "I've bought it to drive it - not to go to the pub!".

If you want a car to show off in, and have deep pockets, the Aston is the clear winner. If you want to 'really drive it' there are many better options including the XKR!

Edited by pgwbell on Monday 6th July 10:39

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

260 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
pgwbell said:
DB9 - Undeniably pretty and a nice badge. I had the choice and looked into several DB9's - all came with a large pile of service history and all at eye watering prices.

I bought an XKR 5.0 which I enjoyed for two years totally problem free - just a couple of routine services.

If your are not badge obsessed the XKR is clearly the better car.

Reminds me of a mate when I'd just bought a Ferrari 360 saying to me "Why did you buy a Ferrari? When you arrive at the pub in a Ferrari people tend to think show off (not the exact term he used) but when you arrive at the pub in an Aston they think you are cool". Sums it up to me! My reply was "I've bought it to drive it - not to go to the pub!".

If you want a car to show off in, and have deep pockets, the Aston is the clear winner. If you want to 'really drive it' there are many better options including the XKR!

Edited by pgwbell on Monday 6th July 10:39
Which implies that buyers of Aston Martin products are badge obsessed show offs and Jag owners aren't. Which further implies and is evidenced by the Jag owner forum posts, that Jag owners have a massive chip on their shoulders about Astons.

Ultimately and you are going to struggle to counter this, the general public are going to look at an Aston more positively than a XKR. Same as they looked at the FFRR over the original Sport.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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I had no idea this was a thing... I thought the great wars of PH were limited to PCP purchases and (lately) the furloughing of Mexman.

As for the Brave Pill - meh, brave if you are blinkered to the prospective bills. Otherwise seems fairly pedestrian.

Jags are nice cars but i don’t feel they’ve retained the same position in the market they had years ago. That and (whisper it) greater car finance options have made them more middle ground to me.

Apropos of nothing, how about this for a brave pill? Love the advert, if not the car... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153968373761

BigBen

11,610 posts

229 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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DonkeyApple said:
Two Ford engined GTs. Both very nice but with sufficient subtle differences between them to make the choice between the two quite simple for most people.
Which Fords were those engines used in? I don't think it was any of the UK line up.

sidewinder500

1,096 posts

93 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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Powerfully Built Company Director said:
I had no idea this was a thing... I thought the great wars of PH were limited to PCP purchases and (lately) the furloughing of Mexman.

As for the Brave Pill - meh, brave if you are blinkered to the prospective bills. Otherwise seems fairly pedestrian.

Jags are nice cars but i don’t feel they’ve retained the same position in the market they had years ago. That and (whisper it) greater car finance options have made them more middle ground to me.

Apropos of nothing, how about this for a brave pill? Love the advert, if not the car... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153968373761
Jeeez, that IS brave...

sidewinder500

1,096 posts

93 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
RMDB9 said:
Are we done now with the Jaguar owner therapy session?

RSA 1971

14 posts

218 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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markbmw said:
Much like Boxster owners (probably unfairly) judged as 'not able to afford a 911', I suspect Jaguar owners fear being judged as 'not able to afford an Aston'.

Whether either is true or not is a moot point as the judging is usually done by those of us who cannot afford either.
I'm currently trying to sell my DB9 to return to Porsche. I'm looking at 911's because I can't afford a new Boxster. whistle

Jex

837 posts

127 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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DBSV8 said:
Jex said:
My wife likes DB9s which is good start, but we would want a different colour! I'm very tempted by DB9s at that sort of price. How usable are the rear seats?

Edited by Jex on Saturday 4th July 17:32
cough .....cough ....not very usable unless you have small kids mine are 10 and 8 ...our daughter can't fit comfortably in the back now last year we drove to Bruges for a christmas chocolate run ,,,,,,,will probably be the last now sadly

a video the wife filmed at last Aston show to give an idea

thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQOS7c3R23c

and a micky take dressed as Santa delivering the chocolates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veAC7ppA4z4&li...




Edited by DBSV8 on Saturday 4th July 18:54
Thanks - and for the links to the videos. I suppose the rear seats are useful for extra luggage. I have a Ferrari 456 and I have had someone 6 ft 2 in the front seat with someone 5 foot 10 behind. Perhaps I'll stick with that.

Calmchap

177 posts

112 months

Monday 6th July 2020
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NorthernSky said:
I used to live round the corner from Slade's, I remember looking through those glass windows to see the rare exotica within as a young lad.

I've been less of a fan since they vastly undervalued my old Z4M but nevermind, they're running a different kind of show, based on making a profit from the very wealthy nearby Beaconsfield residents. Okay.

The garage is situated next to an old school ground, and most people do pass this bend observing the speed limit, that junction is nothing more than a quiet residential road with very little activity, but I can understand why you have reacted with shock and alarm.

Last time I stopped by to have a look, one of their Mercedes on the plot opposite (where the less rare stock lives outside in the rain!) had been lifted overnight on some chocks and the wheels/presumably cat/exhaust stolen. Bad times.

Worth noting that just out of shot is the lovely Penn pond and the Red Lion pub, that used to offer £2.50 pints of Chiltern Ale served by gorgeous sisters. I miss it & them terribly. smile
We need more posts like this!