RE: Aston Martin DB9 | The Brave Pill

[ddom]

douglas james said:

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

That’s a pretty car.

[PGNSagaris]

tberg said:

wugh

the DB9 is light years ahead of this aesthetically...and it has a V12

[SWoll]

hashluck said:

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.

Agree on the DB9 v XKR but would be a lot harder pressed to choose between the Vantage and F-Type R Coupe. Doesn't feel quite so much like the poor mans alternative?

[Jonstar]

Aston snobbery always cracks me up, all this "I've got an Aston" wanna be 007 nonesense is so cringe and reflects poorly on the brand and owners. This thread is a case in point, hardly any comments about how good it is to drive just the usual badge nonsense.

Back on topic, I would love a DB9 it's such an awesome package and can see myself owning one in the future.

[Tyre Smoke]

ddom said:

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

Which would be pertinent if I owned an Aston.

[hashluck]

SWoll said:

Agree on the DB9 v XKR but would be a lot harder pressed to choose between the Vantage and F-Type R Coupe. Doesn't feel quite so much like the poor mans alternative?

I personally found the F-Type a bit farty and lairy and with lots of fake vents etc. Whereas on the Vantage everything seemed better engineered and there for a reason and, in my opinion, drove a lot better. Add in the bespoke aspect and it was a no-brainer for me.

[AdamV12AMR]

stickleback123 said:

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.

This. Classic lazy writing, where the assumption is that because it’s a handbuilt British sportscar it must be unreliable and expensive to maintain. Would be helpful if the article went into more detail about the ownership proposition, like SOTW does, with approx costs of parts and servicing. I fear the ‘pill’ credentials may fall away...

These are modern aluminium platforms with destressed engines (the AMV12 has been taken to 600hp) and proven drivetrains. The biggest fear would be paint bubbling around the door handles.

The Ford/Jag partsbin approach was irksome if you just dropped £100k on a new car but it’s a maintenance blessing now.

Servicing will be around £600-£800 at an Indie and £700-£900 at a dealer.

[AdamV12AMR]

Jonstar said:

Aston snobbery always cracks me up, all this "I've got an Aston" wanna be 007 nonesense is so cringe and reflects poorly on the brand and owners. This thread is a case in point, hardly any comments about how good it is to drive just the usual badge nonsense.

It’s an article about a DB9 where the third comment suggests a Jag XK is a better car.

You seem to have a Z4M Roadster. If there was a generally positive article about this model and I chime in saying an MX-5 (bodykit and all) is a better car, I’d wager you’d have an opinion on that.

Your assertion (that the beemer is a ‘better’ car from a more aspirational brand) may even come across as snobbery.

Edited by AdamV12AMR on Saturday 4th July 14:36

[Sebastian Tombs]

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"?

Hell no.
The XK I am sure is a very fine car but the DB9 is in a different league.

[anonymous-user]

I'm not quite sure how this XK talk continued...but I'll join in. I think the XK looks better than the DB9. There. I said it.

But the Jag doesn't look as good as the V8 Vantage, but the F Type does.

Very confusing.

I think youd be happy with any of them, frankly.

[aaron_2000]

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 always thought the Aston interiors of the time were too Volvo, I prefer the Jag interior by a long way.

[ddom]

Tyre Smoke said:

Which would be pertinent if I owned an Aston.

Which means one wouldn’t even be on the reserve list, like myself, and other people who care more about enjoying cars, and less about Top (Aston) Trumps

[Jex]

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

[TarquinMX5]

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"?

[tberg]

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.

[TarquinMX5]

Argleton said:

I'm not quite sure how this XK talk continued...but I'll join in. I think the XK looks better than the DB9. There. I said it.

In the words of a certain tennis player, 'You cannot be serious'.

The Jagwaar is okay, but aesthetically the Aston takes the nod; the XK's headlights, particularly on the pre-facelift models, are a little too big and the rear lamps simply aren't quite as stylish as the Aston's. All IMHO, of course (and countrary views are simply 'just wrong').

[anonymous-user]

TarquinMX5 said:

Argleton said:

I'm not quite sure how this XK talk continued...but I'll join in. I think the XK looks better than the DB9. There. I said it.

In the words of a certain tennis player, 'You cannot be serious'.

The Jagwaar is okay, but aesthetically the Aston takes the nod; the XK's headlights, particularly on the pre-facelift models, are a little too big and the rear lamps simply aren't quite as stylish as the Aston's. All IMHO, of course (and countrary views are simply 'just wrong').

I think the XK has aged better than the DB9. not saying the Aston isn't fantastic, but it does look its age (now, not a few years ago) whereas I think the XK still looks timeless which is key IMO to great design. Yes..I know they look very similar, but the details on the Jag just better executed.

[NGK210]

The Jag 5.0 V8 is not proving to be a good long-termer, even with a fJsh – lots of horror stories on owner forums re. cam chains.
Google ‘jaguar 5.0 v8 cam chain issues’ to see for yourself.
There was a recent article and thread about the 4-door DB9, with several owners pointing out that V12 MPG and replacing 12 plugs aside, running costs are very reasonable and reliability is pretty good if the simple maintenance schedule’s history is AOK.
A DB9 is not a brave pill, it’s actually a quite sensible pill.

[hashluck]

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

Not very in truth. Kiddies only. Access is OK just no legroom.

Go for it though and go RED!

[TarquinMX5]

NGK210 said:

The Jag 5.0 V8 is not proving to be a good long-termer, even with a fJsh – lots of horror stories on owner forums re. cam chains.
Google ‘jaguar 5.0 v8 cam chain issues’ to see for yourself.
There was a recent article and thread about the 4-door DB9, with several owners pointing out that V12 MPG and replacing 12 plugs aside, running costs are very reasonable and reliability is pretty good if the simple maintenance schedule’s history is AOK.
A DB9 is not a brave pill, it’s actually a quite sensible pill.

I wasn't going to mention 5.0 V8 tensioners because somebody would raise the issue of V12-rattle on the early DB9s . The 4.2Xk engine is now, arguably, potentially a better long-term bet than a 5.0. However, the DB9s might be more worthy of a brave pill once the my2013 cars come into 'bargain' territory, primarily because of the replacement cost of the ceramic discs/pads. A few might wince when they buy a car that 'just needs a couple of new discs mate'