Discussion
I think reliability issues are a long way back - most issues are niggles of a low(ish) volume car, myself and a good few others have these as their daily drive - 18 months day in, day out in a 2007MY / 41k miles car - no issues 
As with any car it needs close looking over - there are some cases of paint "bubbling" in isolated areas, best bet - see the sticky at the top of this forum, get your friend to pick up a copy of Grants book and then off test driving. The DB9 and V8V are very different beasts.
As with any car it needs close looking over - there are some cases of paint "bubbling" in isolated areas, best bet - see the sticky at the top of this forum, get your friend to pick up a copy of Grants book and then off test driving. The DB9 and V8V are very different beasts.
Neither of them are nimble sports cars, but great fun to hustle around bends. Rather wide, and really expensive bodywork makes narrow country roads a bit scary. Vantage is a lot more nimble than a DB9, but it's all relative.
For lots of slow traffic the DB9's autobox is definitely better, otherwise a Vantage with a Bamford Rose multiplate clutch is great in traffic, but the clutch is not cheap. Stock Vantage clutch is heavy, and the paddleshift is very bad in traffic.
Mechanical reliability is good (better than Porsche, in my experience), but the electrics are much much less reliable, and expensive to fix.
Both the DB9 and a 2007 V8 drink fuel, and eat tyres. Servicing can be pricey.
Get Grant's book.
For lots of slow traffic the DB9's autobox is definitely better, otherwise a Vantage with a Bamford Rose multiplate clutch is great in traffic, but the clutch is not cheap. Stock Vantage clutch is heavy, and the paddleshift is very bad in traffic.
Mechanical reliability is good (better than Porsche, in my experience), but the electrics are much much less reliable, and expensive to fix.
Both the DB9 and a 2007 V8 drink fuel, and eat tyres. Servicing can be pricey.
Get Grant's book.
People seem to forget that the DB9 is available with a manual gearbox (if that floats his boat) and Sports Pack (fast steering rack, better suspension) and this turns it into near-as-damnit the Sports car the Vantage is, but with a lot more power and torque.
But if we're comparing early cars with each other, I assume a standard TouchTronic DB9 coupe and a standard manual V8 Vantage. Compare 450bhp vs 380bhp, automatic box with paddles vs manual, long wheelbase stability vs darty pointy handling (though very little to choose in weight or economy between them). Classic timeless GT looks vs cross-eyed, wide-bummed, stunted, bottom of the range car.
If he wants to drive to the continent and crush everything, then DB9. For a 30 mile backroad blast to work, get an Evora
But if we're comparing early cars with each other, I assume a standard TouchTronic DB9 coupe and a standard manual V8 Vantage. Compare 450bhp vs 380bhp, automatic box with paddles vs manual, long wheelbase stability vs darty pointy handling (though very little to choose in weight or economy between them). Classic timeless GT looks vs cross-eyed, wide-bummed, stunted, bottom of the range car.
If he wants to drive to the continent and crush everything, then DB9. For a 30 mile backroad blast to work, get an Evora
scotpak said:
If he want sporty handling, aggressive and timeless looks then defintely go for the vantage.
The db9 looks a wee bit dated and often get confused for jags.
Also if he needs proper back seats then get a maserati graturismo instead.
It would only confused with a Jag by the "lower orders" or blind people with IQ's below 70The db9 looks a wee bit dated and often get confused for jags.
Also if he needs proper back seats then get a maserati graturismo instead.
Duka,
I hope to be soon in this situation (having to choose between a DB9 and the Vantage V8). To help your friend you can do the following tests:
If you would like to follow Yeti and other V12 Simon or Tony on a B road = Vantage V8
If you would like to cruise = DB9
If you like to have a great noise and more power of your 4.3l engine = Vantage V8 + BR exhaust
If you need two parking spaces to park at your local supermarket = DB9
I made my mind: Vantage V8 because the boot is bigger so the other half could bring more clothes on holidays!!!
I hope to be soon in this situation (having to choose between a DB9 and the Vantage V8). To help your friend you can do the following tests:
If you would like to follow Yeti and other V12 Simon or Tony on a B road = Vantage V8
If you would like to cruise = DB9
If you like to have a great noise and more power of your 4.3l engine = Vantage V8 + BR exhaust
If you need two parking spaces to park at your local supermarket = DB9
I made my mind: Vantage V8 because the boot is bigger so the other half could bring more clothes on holidays!!!
duka said:
Mate of mine is looking at changing up to an Aston.
Q should he go for a 2007 V8 Vantage with 30k on the clock or older say 2004/5 DB9 with 50k on the clock - both specs are similarly priced
Q should he go for a 2007 V8 Vantage with 30k on the clock or older say 2004/5 DB9 with 50k on the clock - both specs are similarly priced
michael gould said:
scotpak said:
If he want sporty handling, aggressive and timeless looks then defintely go for the vantage.
The db9 looks a wee bit dated and often get confused for jags.
Also if he needs proper back seats then get a maserati graturismo instead.
It would only confused with a Jag by the "lower orders" or blind people with IQ's below 70The db9 looks a wee bit dated and often get confused for jags.
Also if he needs proper back seats then get a maserati graturismo instead.
ouch!!
)I found so many db9 vs vantage threads when I was making the same decision a few months back. Predictably everyone talks up their own car and bashes the other.
If I be completely honest, I went for the vantage as I wanted to maximise the enjoyment of my daily short commute through country roads. Also, having come from a maserati granturismo, I wanted a smaller, more nimble car (yes I know a vantage is heavy!).
Also db9 guys will disagree but the vantage does look more aggressive looks which many people like.
My boss at work has a db9.2 and I honestly think my cheap and cheerful vantage looks better proportioned.
(There I go talking my book again!!!).
If I be completely honest, I went for the vantage as I wanted to maximise the enjoyment of my daily short commute through country roads. Also, having come from a maserati granturismo, I wanted a smaller, more nimble car (yes I know a vantage is heavy!).
Also db9 guys will disagree but the vantage does look more aggressive looks which many people like.
My boss at work has a db9.2 and I honestly think my cheap and cheerful vantage looks better proportioned.
(There I go talking my book again!!!).
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