DB9 reliability
Discussion
Don't wanna jinks it but in the 2 years iv had mine it's been the most reliable car iv ever had... my same age mercs gave me way more hassle.
Glass key, full inspection and you shouldn't go too far wrong... if you don't get a full inspection, at the very least get the cats inspected.
Btw just being a pedant but aluminium does corrode, it just doesn't rust.
Glass key, full inspection and you shouldn't go too far wrong... if you don't get a full inspection, at the very least get the cats inspected.
Btw just being a pedant but aluminium does corrode, it just doesn't rust.
LTP said:
Hoofy said:
Had to google that. Where the hell did they fit a V8 in that??
It's the complete running gear off a V8VS, with a suitably shortened torque tube and prop shaft ...... and some mad lads from Q with a very large shoehorn 
It sounds epic
but I read that it pitched quite badly due to the very short wheelbase.
And now, with apologies to sfella for hijacking the thread, back to DB9
OP's name fixed
Edited by LTP on Saturday 4th May 00:12
Absolutely right. It's easy to watch videos listing all of the issues and end up thinking the db9 is fragile. Ironically, I did a full pre purchase inspection on that manual db9 with a road test. Not sure if my customer or someone else bought it, it wasn't perfect, but a smashing manual.
On the subject of leaking headlights, we stock and regularly fit the AM Upgrades headlight ventilation kit, which is a perfect fix for it.
These aren't unreliable, there are just a lot of cars that have suffered deferred maintenance. FAMSH doesn't mean it's perfect. That's where a proper inspection is key to give you some confidence in your purchase.
Also re the F Type, I've had one too and even at 7k miles the rear subframe was rusty too!
Aston Keeper.
They get scabby, but they are made of steel, not made of papier mâché, with the usual 10-year design life, so of course you can drive it in the rain. If I take mine out when there's salt on the road I just take the trouble to rinse the underneath off with a garden lawn sprinkler.
The DB9 (and the Vantage) does have a higher-then-normal quiescent drain that means if you don't drive it frequently it will flatten batteries, so a conditioner is just a precaution. Put a good few miles on it every week and there won't be a problem (as long as an early tracker hasn't failed) Similarly you can leave them outside, but they will deteriorate a bit - as my Volvo has for the last four years as it has been displaced by the Vantage. Algae green waist seals, anyone?
The XKR used very similar construction techniques and many of the same suppliers as they were both developed to the appropriate Ford standards, and if you do a bit of Googling you'll see that they also have steel rear subframes that can rot.
Ask yourself - which would you rather was parked on your drive?
On the subject of leaking headlights, we stock and regularly fit the AM Upgrades headlight ventilation kit, which is a perfect fix for it.
These aren't unreliable, there are just a lot of cars that have suffered deferred maintenance. FAMSH doesn't mean it's perfect. That's where a proper inspection is key to give you some confidence in your purchase.
Also re the F Type, I've had one too and even at 7k miles the rear subframe was rusty too!
Aston Keeper.
LTP said:
sfella said:
Hmmmm, suggestions of not driving in the rain, garaging and battery conditioner being a must does make this feel more of a millstone than a pleasure at this stage if I'm honest.
I'm not into super shiney cars/detailing, I want to be able to leave something in the yard, jump in as and when the moment is available not have to start prepping for use. This doesn't sound like the DB9 has these attributes from what's being said.
F type doesn't really float my boat and no rear seats.
Mother has an XKR black edition that at some point she'll want rid of so maybe I'll see what she wants when the time comes.
Perhaps our rural/farming lifestyle doesn't accommodate an Aston as much as I'd like to think
Don't get too influenced by the paranoid members talking about the rear subframe - they don't rust much worse than any other steel subframe, the main contrast being the anodised aluminium of the actual tub floor remains pristine after many years.I'm not into super shiney cars/detailing, I want to be able to leave something in the yard, jump in as and when the moment is available not have to start prepping for use. This doesn't sound like the DB9 has these attributes from what's being said.
F type doesn't really float my boat and no rear seats.
Mother has an XKR black edition that at some point she'll want rid of so maybe I'll see what she wants when the time comes.
Perhaps our rural/farming lifestyle doesn't accommodate an Aston as much as I'd like to think
They get scabby, but they are made of steel, not made of papier mâché, with the usual 10-year design life, so of course you can drive it in the rain. If I take mine out when there's salt on the road I just take the trouble to rinse the underneath off with a garden lawn sprinkler.
The DB9 (and the Vantage) does have a higher-then-normal quiescent drain that means if you don't drive it frequently it will flatten batteries, so a conditioner is just a precaution. Put a good few miles on it every week and there won't be a problem (as long as an early tracker hasn't failed) Similarly you can leave them outside, but they will deteriorate a bit - as my Volvo has for the last four years as it has been displaced by the Vantage. Algae green waist seals, anyone?
The XKR used very similar construction techniques and many of the same suppliers as they were both developed to the appropriate Ford standards, and if you do a bit of Googling you'll see that they also have steel rear subframes that can rot.
Ask yourself - which would you rather was parked on your drive?
I’m currently selling my DB9 manual Volante in British Racing Green to make way for a DB12 Volante.
It’s been very good on the whole but I decided to have a lot of expensive work done a couple of years ago which wasn’t strictly necessary (yet) but which I felt was worthwhile doing - subframe restoration, new clutch, new suspension etc.
Good luck with whatever you buy - they’re amazing cars.
It’s been very good on the whole but I decided to have a lot of expensive work done a couple of years ago which wasn’t strictly necessary (yet) but which I felt was worthwhile doing - subframe restoration, new clutch, new suspension etc.
Good luck with whatever you buy - they’re amazing cars.
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