Discussion
I will be in the position in a few months to buy either a V8V or DB9. I was originally going to buy an M6 but the other half isn't keen and she suggested I get an Aston instead. Wasn't going to argue with that.
The wife prefers the looks of the V8 and I prefer the power of the V12.
I have driven a DB9 and enjoyed it but yet to drive a V8. Is there a great deal between them in performance and comfort?
The car will be a weekend toy only with no commuting. My last car was a 996 and as much fun as it was to drive it just wasn't that comfy when you just wanted a nice quiet drive.
What are the service costs for both cars from Aston and specialists? and are there and Aston indie's in Yorkshire?
Are there any common problems with each car that i'd need to look for?
The wife prefers the looks of the V8 and I prefer the power of the V12.
I have driven a DB9 and enjoyed it but yet to drive a V8. Is there a great deal between them in performance and comfort?
The car will be a weekend toy only with no commuting. My last car was a 996 and as much fun as it was to drive it just wasn't that comfy when you just wanted a nice quiet drive.
What are the service costs for both cars from Aston and specialists? and are there and Aston indie's in Yorkshire?
Are there any common problems with each car that i'd need to look for?
If it's comfort you're after don't go the V8VS route. Way to firm for the missus. Actually way to firm for me when just tooling around town. I'd imagine the the DB9 would be a lot more comfortable than any Vantage. I've got one booked for AM tour of Austria/Italy later in year and are looking forward to a softer ride and a quiter Missus on the tour. Either way you will love the Aston Martin experience, it's strange at first wondering why everyone lets you in and smiles and thumbs up at you.
Have to say I was faced with this exact problem. The Aston brand is obviously nice and you can read all the literature in the world, but in the end of the day when it comes to a car you want it is worth (a) having a drive in both, preferably back to back to get an idea of what you want, even then (b) there are things about whether you want a 4.3 or 4.7 Vantage or an old DB9 new DB9 or even newer DB9. With your budget however this will help cut a lot of these theories out, especially when it comes to the newer models on the DB9. All I would say is that the newer cars are often better, but that comes with a price! Then once you have picked which of the two you want then there are considerations of colour of interior, exterior and type of wheels etc to think about. In this regard if you see a car you like then go and drive it and make sure you want it.
As for repairs, well a lot depends on the car but if you have no problems I presume a Vantage is around £750+ VAT, and for a DB9 there is not much change from £1000 + VAT but like all things this can be negotiable and the price can be lowered e.g. if you take your own oil.
Things that can go wrong - well the whole car or very little, again just depends however a look around here will illustrate the common problems with second hand vehicles, with Vantages it seems the clutch and with both it seems the paint. Again though this will depend on the car you actually get and you can try to get things like this fixed under warranty. What seems to be the case though if you buy is to take the car to BR before the warranty ends to make sure that everything that can be fixed under the warranty is indeed done.
So in short, read what you can't about them both but most importantly drive them both and get a feel of them and what you would like. After all the car is for you and whilst people can provide advice as to what suits them it may not be right for you and only really you can decide that. Have fun test driving!
Neil
As for repairs, well a lot depends on the car but if you have no problems I presume a Vantage is around £750+ VAT, and for a DB9 there is not much change from £1000 + VAT but like all things this can be negotiable and the price can be lowered e.g. if you take your own oil.
Things that can go wrong - well the whole car or very little, again just depends however a look around here will illustrate the common problems with second hand vehicles, with Vantages it seems the clutch and with both it seems the paint. Again though this will depend on the car you actually get and you can try to get things like this fixed under warranty. What seems to be the case though if you buy is to take the car to BR before the warranty ends to make sure that everything that can be fixed under the warranty is indeed done.
So in short, read what you can't about them both but most importantly drive them both and get a feel of them and what you would like. After all the car is for you and whilst people can provide advice as to what suits them it may not be right for you and only really you can decide that. Have fun test driving!
Neil
Simplest way to decide is what gearbox do you want?
If auto with paddles, then DB9 (the Sportshift isn't an auto in any sense of the word). There are manual cars, but something absurd like 1%. But they are wonderful and very fast without the torque convertor stealing power.
If a robotic manual only using paddles, then obviously Vantage with Sportshift. Most cars are 3-pedal manuals though and drive well and are something different to most of the market.
So if it's a 3-pedal manual you want, either is great but the 9 is much, much rarer.
If auto with paddles, then DB9 (the Sportshift isn't an auto in any sense of the word). There are manual cars, but something absurd like 1%. But they are wonderful and very fast without the torque convertor stealing power.
If a robotic manual only using paddles, then obviously Vantage with Sportshift. Most cars are 3-pedal manuals though and drive well and are something different to most of the market.
So if it's a 3-pedal manual you want, either is great but the 9 is much, much rarer.
We drove both back to back when we were in the same boat.....we parked them side by side then went round in circles for some time before deciding on the 9. Reasons...its a V12 end off (throw stereo away and listen).... not so important at the time but now hugely glad we chose was the flappy paddles, love them. Rear seats don't come into it cos there is no leg space whatsoever. Preferred the slightly more flowing lines of the 9. I don't think I could drive either car to its limit (far happier at seriously high speed on a bike) so the marginally more compliant suspension was fine. Best part of two years in and its still brilliant, hope you are as happy as we are.
We drove both back to back when we were in the same boat.....we parked them side by side then went round in circles for some time before deciding on the 9. Reasons...its a V12 end off (throw stereo away and listen).... not so important at the time but now hugely glad we chose was the flappy paddles, love them. Rear seats don't come into it cos there is no leg space whatsoever. Preferred the slightly more flowing lines of the 9. I don't think I could drive either car to its limit (far happier at seriously high speed on a bike) so the marginally more compliant suspension was fine. Best part of two years in and its still brilliant, hope you are as happy as we are.
I looked at and drove a couple of examples of both recently , there both great but different the DB9 is comfier and to me the best sounding V12 anywhere but the V8V sounds amazing too in a Aston take on a V8 sound . V8V is harder than a 911 (my previous car) and definitely sportier than the DB9 , I am going to be using mine quite a lot so the extra thirst of the Db9 but me off a smidge, So I have a very lovely V8V now.
I might be able to save you some Petrol looking though , Cars I looked at
Grey DB9 with tan interior near London - awful every panel had dents scratches chips etc.
McGurk Banbury has some very good cars and nice bloke but your paying a lil more.
Green V8V Abingdon stunning excellent condition drove without fault .
Funny thing was the rubbish one was a very expensive address with the guy telling me about all his international world deals and just bought a new Maserati etc
the immaculate one was owned by a Tattoo artist in a lock up garage behind his council house !, but it was his cherished pride and joy .
so don't always judge a book by its cover !
I might be able to save you some Petrol looking though , Cars I looked at
Grey DB9 with tan interior near London - awful every panel had dents scratches chips etc.
McGurk Banbury has some very good cars and nice bloke but your paying a lil more.
Green V8V Abingdon stunning excellent condition drove without fault .
Funny thing was the rubbish one was a very expensive address with the guy telling me about all his international world deals and just bought a new Maserati etc
the immaculate one was owned by a Tattoo artist in a lock up garage behind his council house !, but it was his cherished pride and joy .
so don't always judge a book by its cover !
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