RE: Aston Martin DB9 | The Brave Pill

[SWoll]

tberg said:

The DB9's Ian Callum designed clone over at the Jaguar store known as the XKR may not have the Aston panache but in nearly every other way is a better, more satisfying automobile. The 5.0L XKR will outperform any DB9 version and in every face to face comparison I have ever read in review, it is always named as the preferred car. True the interior of the XKR may not be quite as special as the DB9, but as it leaves the DB9 in the dust on any kind of performance comparison, its advantages become obvious. And the fact is excellent 5.0L examples can be had for the very low $20,000 range, are extremely reliable, beautiful, and a pleasure to drive I have 175,000 miles on my 2010, it is still a pleasure to drive everyday, has been to the track dozens of times, and is quicker than my Pantera. Anyone considering a DB9 ought to at least take a look.

I think we can safely say that based on the aftermarket work done on your XKR our view on 'beautiful' differs significantly.

I like the XKR but would take the Aston all day long as couldn't care less about performance numbers or lap times. All about wafty GT credentials and feel good factor where it wins hand down.

[StuntmanMike]

Tyre Smoke said:

Two main problems with the Jag...

1. It's missing 4 cylinders.

2. It's not an Aston.

Both pluses for me.

[waynecyclist]

Did they ever offer the DB9 with a manual.

I was under the impression they were all autos.

Gorgeous car, always had a soft spot for them

[cerb4.5lee]

waynecyclist said:

Did they ever offer the DB9 with a manual.

[Notanotherturbo]

tberg said:

The DB9's Ian Callum designed clone over at the Jaguar store known as the XKR may not have the Aston panache but in nearly every other way is a better, more satisfying automobile. The 5.0L XKR will outperform any DB9 version and in every face to face comparison I have ever read in review, it is always named as the preferred car. True the interior of the XKR may not be quite as special as the DB9, but as it leaves the DB9 in the dust on any kind of performance comparison, its advantages become obvious. And the fact is excellent 5.0L examples can be had for the very low $20,000 range, are extremely reliable, beautiful, and a pleasure to drive I have 175,000 miles on my 2010, it is still a pleasure to drive everyday, has been to the track dozens of times, and is quicker than my Pantera. Anyone considering a DB9 ought to at least take a look.

I literally was going to say exactly the same, I've had a late 4.2R for 4 years now and it's a fantastic car. I could have bought a DB9 when I bought it but ruled it out because other than the badge it's better in every way than the Aston. Prefer the looks and it drives better and feels better made. Also a chunk faster even in 4.2 form. Going to upgrade to a late 5 litre one next year as there is still no GT car to touch it for the money.

[Notanotherturbo]

SWoll said:

tberg said:

The DB9's Ian Callum designed clone over at the Jaguar store known as the XKR may not have the Aston panache but in nearly every other way is a better, more satisfying automobile. The 5.0L XKR will outperform any DB9 version and in every face to face comparison I have ever read in review, it is always named as the preferred car. True the interior of the XKR may not be quite as special as the DB9, but as it leaves the DB9 in the dust on any kind of performance comparison, its advantages become obvious. And the fact is excellent 5.0L examples can be had for the very low $20,000 range, are extremely reliable, beautiful, and a pleasure to drive I have 175,000 miles on my 2010, it is still a pleasure to drive everyday, has been to the track dozens of times, and is quicker than my Pantera. Anyone considering a DB9 ought to at least take a look.

I think we can safely say that based on the aftermarket work done on your XKR our view on 'beautiful' differs significantly.

I like the XKR but would take the Aston all day long as couldn't care less about performance numbers or lap times. All about wafty GT credentials and feel good factor where it wins hand down.

It doesn't win on wafty GT credentials though, feel good can't argue with that but trust me own an XKR and test drove a DB9.

[hashluck]

Turbobanana said:

Surely someone at PH Towers will soon realise that any copy describing the colour of a car will be contentious. Colour choice is a very personal thing: to me, this looks flat and boring, even more so inside. There's no contrast: it's all grey (despite AM calling it "Tungsten Silver").

No doubt someone will be along soon to explain that it's subtle, blends in or flies under the radar etc, but if you want that then don't buy an Aston in the first place.

Lovely car, but it's so grey I fear I'd trip over it on the driveway.

Agreed.


Toro Red and just 14K miles with full main dealer history for me please :

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1232621

[Tyre Smoke]

hashluck said:

Turbobanana said:

Surely someone at PH Towers will soon realise that any copy describing the colour of a car will be contentious. Colour choice is a very personal thing: to me, this looks flat and boring, even more so inside. There's no contrast: it's all grey (despite AM calling it "Tungsten Silver").

No doubt someone will be along soon to explain that it's subtle, blends in or flies under the radar etc, but if you want that then don't buy an Aston in the first place.

Lovely car, but it's so grey I fear I'd trip over it on the driveway.

Agreed.


Toro Red and just 14K miles with full main dealer history for me please :

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1232621

And ten large more expensive.

[hashluck]

Tyre Smoke said:

And ten large more expensive.

Reckon you would save that/get most of that back over the ownership period though. You pays your money......

And at least it is not one of the 50 Shades. Worth an offer if I were in the market for one.

[Tyre Smoke]

Perhaps, but hardly brave pill territory is it?

I agree the pill is very grey though.

[hashluck]

Tyre Smoke said:

Perhaps, but hardly brave pill territory is it?

I agree the pill is very grey though.

Good point on the pill and indeed I am not brave enough (though I applaud those who are, I will always want the very best I can find and means man maths always has to kick in. I am very good at that though

[BigChiefmuffinAgain]

I am looking for a GT in this price range but currently leaning more to a Maserati. More room in the back, lot nicer interior, looks just as lovely and maybe, just maybe, a tad cheaper to run ?

[RMDB9]

SWoll said:

tberg said:

The DB9's Ian Callum designed clone over at the Jaguar store known as the XKR may not have the Aston panache but in nearly every other way is a better, more satisfying automobile. The 5.0L XKR will outperform any DB9 version and in every face to face comparison I have ever read in review, it is always named as the preferred car. True the interior of the XKR may not be quite as special as the DB9, but as it leaves the DB9 in the dust on any kind of performance comparison, its advantages become obvious. And the fact is excellent 5.0L examples can be had for the very low $20,000 range, are extremely reliable, beautiful, and a pleasure to drive I have 175,000 miles on my 2010, it is still a pleasure to drive everyday, has been to the track dozens of times, and is quicker than my Pantera. Anyone considering a DB9 ought to at least take a look.

I think we can safely say that based on the aftermarket work done on your XKR our view on 'beautiful' differs significantly.

I like the XKR but would take the Aston all day long as couldn't care less about performance numbers or lap times. All about wafty GT credentials and feel good factor where it wins hand down.

Asking all the AM owners here - when at red traffic lights, a XK next to you, have you ever thought "Damn, I should have bough a Jaguar instead"?

[anonymous-user]

I can't see why this should be expensive to maintain, unless they absolutely gouge you on parts prices. The engine is full of Duratec bits (pistons, rods, sensors etc) and should be reliable anyway, the gearbox is the ZF6 that everything RWD and auto used for 10 years, the chassis is conventional and doesn't use any expensive hydraulics, it's about as high tech as a shovel.

[hashluck]

BigChiefmuffinAgain said:

I am looking for a GT in this price range but currently leaning more to a Maserati. More room in the back, lot nicer interior, looks just as lovely and maybe, just maybe, a tad cheaper to run ?

Own both and, sadly for you, have to tell you the Maserati costs WAY more to run. The cost and availability of parts and the service intervals that you must adhere to make it so. If you look after a Maserati properly though it will reward you. If you don't and try and skimp it will eventually break you. DB9 is so much car for the money and a lot easier to live with.

[hashluck]

RMDB9 said:

Asking all the AM owners here - when at red traffic lights, a XK next to you, have you ever thought "Damn, I should have bough a Jaguar instead"?

This. Exactly. Back in the day the choice between Vantage and F-Type was very easy for me once I woke up to this. I do have an XK as well though but would not have it instead of an Aston.

[douglas james]

I prefer the DB7, mine is a V12 Vantage Volante, however it is fun to drive the DB7 after driving the 15/98.

[douglas james]

I forgot to add the DB7 photo.

[fausTVR]

RMDB9 said:

SWoll said:

tberg said:

The DB9's Ian Callum designed clone over at the Jaguar store known as the XKR may not have the Aston panache but in nearly every other way is a better, more satisfying automobile. The 5.0L XKR will outperform any DB9 version and in every face to face comparison I have ever read in review, it is always named as the preferred car. True the interior of the XKR may not be quite as special as the DB9, but as it leaves the DB9 in the dust on any kind of performance comparison, its advantages become obvious. And the fact is excellent 5.0L examples can be had for the very low $20,000 range, are extremely reliable, beautiful, and a pleasure to drive I have 175,000 miles on my 2010, it is still a pleasure to drive everyday, has been to the track dozens of times, and is quicker than my Pantera. Anyone considering a DB9 ought to at least take a look.

I think we can safely say that based on the aftermarket work done on your XKR our view on 'beautiful' differs significantly.

I like the XKR but would take the Aston all day long as couldn't care less about performance numbers or lap times. All about wafty GT credentials and feel good factor where it wins hand down.

Asking all the AM owners here - when at red traffic lights, a XK next to you, have you ever thought "Damn, I should have bough a Jaguar instead"?

About a few seconds after they went green, possibly.

[ddom]

Tyre Smoke said:

Two main problems with the Jag...

1. It's missing 4 cylinders.

2. It's not an Aston.

I see the usual Aston snobbery at play. It’s just a modern Aston, when you attend an event you know the proper Aston owners will make you park at the end