DBS/DB9 Volante feedback
Discussion
Hello all from the other side of the pond. Looking for feedback on the top up/down driving and sound characteristics of the Volante. The brief:
I am buying a DBS that will be sent to Bamford Rose for some of his magic dust engine TLC. Looking for a MT, but that will depend on what is available here at the time that I buy. I can live with either. Going back and forth on a Coupe and Volante. I am foolishly assuming that the DBS and DB9 both are the same, for the sake of this argument.
The car will be kept strictly in New Orleans and Los Angeles. City driving, canyon carving in L.A. and lots of long, open stretches of highway driving on A roads in both localities. I am concerned about 2 issues.
The first is the lines of the Volante vs. the Coupe. They are both beautiful in their own way. On the other hand, both cities in which she will reside have 320 days of sun. So there's that.....On the other hand, there are few cars out there with the beautiful, graceful lines of the Coupe.
The second issue is wind. No, not mine...How does the Volante react to 50mph + driving with the top up/down? Is it overwhelming, long term? It's one thing to drive in town, another to go 80+ on the highway.
Yes, I have done test drives. Small sample size applies. What are the real world characteristics,longer term?
Thanks for all responses.
I am buying a DBS that will be sent to Bamford Rose for some of his magic dust engine TLC. Looking for a MT, but that will depend on what is available here at the time that I buy. I can live with either. Going back and forth on a Coupe and Volante. I am foolishly assuming that the DBS and DB9 both are the same, for the sake of this argument.
The car will be kept strictly in New Orleans and Los Angeles. City driving, canyon carving in L.A. and lots of long, open stretches of highway driving on A roads in both localities. I am concerned about 2 issues.
The first is the lines of the Volante vs. the Coupe. They are both beautiful in their own way. On the other hand, both cities in which she will reside have 320 days of sun. So there's that.....On the other hand, there are few cars out there with the beautiful, graceful lines of the Coupe.
The second issue is wind. No, not mine...How does the Volante react to 50mph + driving with the top up/down? Is it overwhelming, long term? It's one thing to drive in town, another to go 80+ on the highway.
Yes, I have done test drives. Small sample size applies. What are the real world characteristics,longer term?
Thanks for all responses.
Edited by CurveEater on Tuesday 25th October 02:14
I don't think you will actually find a manual DBS volante for sale, unless you are buying brand new of course. Manual DB9 volantes are rare enough, but there is only one DBS made that I know of.
There is no real issue of wind with the roof down at 80+ mph if you're using the wind deflector. It is a bit noisy, but that's about it.
There is no real issue of wind with the roof down at 80+ mph if you're using the wind deflector. It is a bit noisy, but that's about it.
Prince George pretty much typed what I was going to - you'll struggle to find a manual Volante DBS, the only one ever seen was the press demo that Clarkson drove to Romania on Top Gear, I have a DB9 manual Volante and it is superb so why there aren't more of them I can not tell you. I have made a few mods to my DB9 bring it to the experience of the DBS so that is one option... it was the only open to me!
With the roof off, windows up and wind deflector pulled we can drive through Europe all day at 90mph without any problem at all, it is very well cossetted, can hear the stereo (even with my 'special' exhaust) and even talk if one should wish it. The deflector does help make it more relaxing though but dropping it provides a welcome breeze on the hottest days
I usually drop it as soon as in town or on a road I need to focus on.
The DBS Volante is stiffened by I think 10-20% over the early DB9 but I beleive later DB9s have the same rigidity, it's just a stressed panel. Rather than a used but improbable-to-find DBS manual Volante, a new DB9 Volnte might be an option for you at the same money? Adjustable suspension, stiffer and can order with a manual. And of you're sending it to Mike, he will make up the power deficit pretty easily. However, your dealers may not be able to order one as it's been effectively replaced by the Virage which is auto only but you do get CCM brakes...
With the roof off, windows up and wind deflector pulled we can drive through Europe all day at 90mph without any problem at all, it is very well cossetted, can hear the stereo (even with my 'special' exhaust) and even talk if one should wish it. The deflector does help make it more relaxing though but dropping it provides a welcome breeze on the hottest days
I usually drop it as soon as in town or on a road I need to focus on.The DBS Volante is stiffened by I think 10-20% over the early DB9 but I beleive later DB9s have the same rigidity, it's just a stressed panel. Rather than a used but improbable-to-find DBS manual Volante, a new DB9 Volnte might be an option for you at the same money? Adjustable suspension, stiffer and can order with a manual. And of you're sending it to Mike, he will make up the power deficit pretty easily. However, your dealers may not be able to order one as it's been effectively replaced by the Virage which is auto only but you do get CCM brakes...
The original idea was to get an '09 DBS, send it to Mike, and have Sarah Maynard re-do the interior to a different standard. I did not want to order new, as the wait time is about 5 months here. There are a lot of DBS's available second hand, many with the MT, but not in a Volante.
I have seen pics of the new Virage, but have not seen it in person. A Virage would require only engine mods from Mike, as the trimming of the interior is quite nice, and for some reason, dealers here have shown a willingness to put some nice color combos together on floor models. That is not the case with the 14 DBS's that are on dealer floors, which are all pretty bland to my taste.
From the pics that I have seen, the Virage looks more than a bit angular, with the front bumper looking very close to a cow catcher on a locomotive. I have been in hospital for a few months, so have not had the opportunity to see or test drive. Thoughts on the look of it?
I have seen pics of the new Virage, but have not seen it in person. A Virage would require only engine mods from Mike, as the trimming of the interior is quite nice, and for some reason, dealers here have shown a willingness to put some nice color combos together on floor models. That is not the case with the 14 DBS's that are on dealer floors, which are all pretty bland to my taste.
From the pics that I have seen, the Virage looks more than a bit angular, with the front bumper looking very close to a cow catcher on a locomotive. I have been in hospital for a few months, so have not had the opportunity to see or test drive. Thoughts on the look of it?
Mike would be able to work his magic on a go-kart, so I do realize that the difference between the DB9 and DBS is, for him, of no consequence. The conundrum is whether or not I want a MT at the expense of a Volante, I guess. Love the lines of the Coupe, but I could also see myself driving top-down on a smog-choked day in sunny southern Cal.!
CurveEater said:
Mike would be able to work his magic on a go-kart, so I do realize that the difference between the DB9 and DBS is, for him, of no consequence. The conundrum is whether or not I want a MT at the expense of a Volante, I guess. Love the lines of the Coupe, but I could also see myself driving top-down on a smog-choked day in sunny southern Cal.!
From my perspective and living in rainy Englandshire... I would rather have the Volante option than the manual option if you have absolutely no chance of getting them both!The reason TouchTronic is specified 99% of the time is that it's actually rather good by all accounts. But blimey, so is the manual box, proper old-school suspercar feel chucking it through the box!!
yeti said:
From my perspective and living in rainy Englandshire... I would rather have the Volante option than the manual option if you have absolutely no chance of getting them both!
Same here. Obviously I wouldn't spec the manual anyway, but getting a volante would take priority over the gearbox decision. Is it never too hot for a convertible over there though? If you spend the majority of the time on the motorway with the air con on, a coupe is probably a better option.
Either you want a posers car then: volante + touchtronic or a drivers car then: DBS manual and if you want a real sports car then: V12 Vantage. So for New Orleans you get the V12 Vantage, take the DBS for the stretches in between and jump in the Volante once arrived in LA. Simple really.
clorenzen said:
Either you want a posers car then: volante + touchtronic or a drivers car then: DBS manual and if you want a real sports car then: V12 Vantage. So for New Orleans you get the V12 Vantage, take the DBS for the stretches in between and jump in the Volante once arrived in LA. Simple really.
An elegant solution!The car will be driven in the city as well as canyon curves and freeways, equally divided I would think.
clorenzen said:
Either you want a posers car then: volante + touchtronic or a drivers car then: DBS manual
Sorry, but the 'manual = drivers car' esque comments are pure b
ks. Explain to me why using flappy paddles while pushing on down a country road has any disadvantages over manual? I agree that an auto with manual override isn't as good as an automated manual, but a proper manual gearbox is just old technology, and not as good as either. There is a reason Aston aren't putting them in their new cars.At least with the TT2 you can use the paddles when you want to drive fast or down some good roads, and then stick it in D for a long motorway cruise, or if you're stuck in traffic.
The reason why most cars come with flappy paddles are because customers want them that way. That does not necessarily mean that is the better choice - just the more popular. I still think, that driving a a sports car with a proper manual gearbox is more engaging and fun that simply flipping the paddles but i guess that the increasing availability of the flappy paddle is called "progress" - i have both in my stable and it is horses for courses.
George H said:
Sorry, but the 'manual = drivers car' esque comments are pure bks. Explain to me why using flappy paddles while pushing on down a country road has any disadvantages over manual? I agree that an auto with manual override isn't as good as an automated manual, but a proper manual gearbox is just old technology, and not as good as either. There is a reason Aston aren't putting them in their new cars.
At least with the TT2 you can use the paddles when you want to drive fast or down some good roads, and then stick it in D for a long motorway cruise, or if you're stuck in traffic.
Ah, and there is the crux of it. The fact that you can "stick it in 'D'" under any circumstance in the first place is what makes it less of a driver's car. And once the novelty wears off, the majority of flappy paddle owners rarely use the paddles. Not having that choice means that you always have to be more involved with the car—there is no option to be lazy.ks. Explain to me why using flappy paddles while pushing on down a country road has any disadvantages over manual? I agree that an auto with manual override isn't as good as an automated manual, but a proper manual gearbox is just old technology, and not as good as either. There is a reason Aston aren't putting them in their new cars.At least with the TT2 you can use the paddles when you want to drive fast or down some good roads, and then stick it in D for a long motorway cruise, or if you're stuck in traffic.
KarlFranz said:
Ah, and there is the crux of it. The fact that you can "stick it in 'D'" under any circumstance in the first place is what makes it less of a driver's car. And once the novelty wears off, the majority of flappy paddle owners rarely use the paddles. Not having that choice means that you always have to be more involved with the car—there is no option to be lazy.
Fair enough, but I see that as a drawback. With TT2 in sport mode when using the paddles it behaves exactly like a manual anyway - i.e. can have it bouncing off the rev limiter if you want, but you get the added bonus of it being fully auto if you so wish.I use the flappy paddles approx 75% of the time, in both my cars which have them. I think they're great fun, especially on downshifts, but I also like the fact that I don't always have to be involved with the car, I can just sit back.
George H said:
Fair enough, but I see that as a drawback. With TT2 in sport mode when using the paddles it behaves exactly like a manual anyway - i.e. can have it bouncing off the rev limiter if you want, but you get the added bonus of it being fully auto if you so wish.
I use the flappy paddles approx 75% of the time, in both my cars which have them. I think they're great fun, especially on downshifts, but I also like the fact that I don't always have to be involved with the car, I can just sit back.
Which brings up an interesting question. How many of you with TT2 use the paddles regularly when the opportunity arises, assuming that that opportunity is something other than in-city traffic or motorways. Do you generally find enough back roads to justify paddle shifting?I use the flappy paddles approx 75% of the time, in both my cars which have them. I think they're great fun, especially on downshifts, but I also like the fact that I don't always have to be involved with the car, I can just sit back.
CurveEater, there's probably an argument to suggest that you can live in a climate that is too hot and sunny for the volante at which you may question whether driving a convertible with the roof up so that you can cool down via A/C is a likely proposition.
FWIW, I think that the coupe edges it in the looks department (and I own a volante) but nothing comes close to the sound experienced in a DBS without the roof. You pays your money and you takes your choice....
Wind noise over 70mph is an issue with the roof up and if it bothers you that much then again the coupe must gain points over the volante.
As for the subsequent arguments on TT over Manual......
FWIW, I think that the coupe edges it in the looks department (and I own a volante) but nothing comes close to the sound experienced in a DBS without the roof. You pays your money and you takes your choice....
Wind noise over 70mph is an issue with the roof up and if it bothers you that much then again the coupe must gain points over the volante.
As for the subsequent arguments on TT over Manual......
CurveEater said:
Which brings up an interesting question. How many of you with TT2 use the paddles regularly when the opportunity arises, assuming that that opportunity is something other than in-city traffic or motorways. Do you generally find enough back roads to justify paddle shifting?
I moved to the 9 with TT2 after two V8V's with sportshift and agree with George that once the sport button is pressed the changes are quick and I use the paddles all the time apart from when in heavy traffic. I simply enjoy the noise of the downshift which is why I seldom use as a pure automatic.On a recent test drive of the Virage with an AM Instructor he commented that my using the paddles was most unusual as most owners seem to put into 'Drive' and leave it there - can't understand that at all.
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