Manual DB9 or Auto w/ Sports pack or 4.7 Vantage ....

[anonymous-user]

Gents,

I know this is my umpteenth thread but ...

I realise my manual DB9 budget is being pushed to the limit for essentially any car, this means that I am half scraping the bottom of the barrel for 'anything' that comes along, not being a powerfully built company director I can't just throw another £10k at my budget.

So, I have realised my budget £45k gets me into a 2008+ DB9 with sports pack, when one comes along or the odd 4.7 Vantage (from a dealer / manual).

I am really struggling with what to look for so would ask for any opinions, as I don't live in the UK I can't just pop and test drive, hence my many threads.

What do I want; a special weekend / holiday (touring) car, used sub 5k p.a., won't lose 50% of its value, convertible / coupe, N/a.

The reason I lean towards a manual is my daily is a new auto MB and I am thinking a 10 y.o. Box will feel antiquated in comparison.

Any experience of all / two / one?

Thanks again for your collective wisdom!

[Bincenzo]

It depends how you want the car to be on the road. Both great cars, but the Vantage is more nimble and the V8 in particular has fantastic balance without the V12 lump up front. The 4.7 has significantly better performance over the 4.3, but will never be able to replicate the torque of the DB9. The DB9's 'box will be a very different beast to your Merc, so don't expect the same level of refinement. If you've any interest in really driving the car in a more traditional manner, then for me, the manual V8V wins hands down. If you'd just like to waft along safe in the knowledge that you can really build speed very quickly, then the DB9 is for you.

They are both beautiful and special cars, but very different in character. But then again, we're all different too, so the choice, as they say, is yours......

[Brakke]

I think you answered your own question.

If its meant for fun driving, go for a manual as you already have an auto for daily driving.
Its a great manual box on the Vantage. Especially if you can get your hands on a 4.7.
Less stuff can also go wrong on a manual transmission especially since the "auto" option is started to show its age.

All personal opinions ofcourse, but you in the end decide.

Happy motoring.

[haworthj]

I've just come from a 997 Carrera S, manual. I loved the car. But now I'm in a DB9 - Tungsten over Obsidian. (I paid £47k for a 2008 Sport Pack car from the dealer) It has 18000 miles on the clock and a comprehensive Aston Martin service history. The car is mint, absolutely unmarked anywhere, including the wheels.

I have never driven a Vantage so cannot really make an informed comment. what I do know is that whilst I loved the manual gearbox on the Porsche, and I missed it for about a week, I am now absolutely loving the grunt of the V12, even through the TT gearbox. For the first week or so, I left it im automatic, but now I'm using the paddles almost exclusively, unless in heavy traffic (it's nice to have the option). The Aston is not as spirited a car and by that I mean the bends - but then again its not an outright sports car - it's completely different. But what a difference! I love the sense of occasion when I press that crystal button. If i know I'm driving it the following day, I sleep lightly or not at all. And I look back at it when I park it. It's magnificent in my opinion.

I probably haven't really helped you Trex, and have probably just admitted to the whole forum that I need help!

have fun, whatever you decide.

Jim

Edited by haworthj on Wednesday 7th December 09:40

[anonymous-user]

Thanks Gents, I think the V8V is lovely but the DB9 is, IMHO, one of the best looking cars out there at the moment.

I don't really drive that fast, I enjoy just wafting along with the occasional "blast", although when I had my MX5 / MR2 I used to love driving them because even in quite an involving drive you never really gathered that much speed ....

I hate the Autobox in the MB, even in "m" mode it still upshifts for you which is infuriating, how is the DB9? Is it actually manual when in "m" mode?

Something like these;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

or

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

And then from a Vantage perspective ... sold by AM.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[haworthj]

The AM certainly will not upshift in manual, as long as you have the 'Sport' setting on. if you take it to the red line, the fuel will cut off to protect the motor.

If 'Sport' mode is not engaged, then the car will upshift to prevent reaching the rev limiter.

[skeena river rover]

I own a 07 db9 with sports pack. I love the car! Also coming from a 911 back ground, it is a seriously fast car. When you ht the throttle in 3 gear it's so sweet. The touch ironic is a little bit slow, BUT you are in command. you can down shift in high rpm and up shift. Down shifts from high rpm will give me goos bumps the sound the whole experience is just great.

But drive them both so you know the difference.