DB9 vs. 4.3/4.7 V8V (I know, often discussed but...)
Discussion
I am in the market for a toy/present to self, budget 50-65k EUR (yes - I live on the Continent and that is where AM/Conti prices start)...
Shortlist so far: DB9 or V8V (maybe Conti GT but this does not belong here).
That kind of money will buy me a very good 4.3 (post 2006 MY with revised seats) , a good 4.7 (with higher mileage) or an ok DB9 (2004/05, higher mileage).
Important: looks, styling, ideally auto(-ish) box for GT driving style
Not important: stats, track days, what Clarkson said
I have driven a 4.3 SS and sort of liked it. I am put off by the clutch issues. A "normal" autobox would be my #1 choice. I sort of cruise, no racing ambitions.
- Is the DB9 the "real" AM, will I always regret not having bought the "proper" one when sitting in my V8V?
- Or does the DB9 look dated, with its 850CSi resemblance (C-pillar, rear wheelarches etc), non-LED headlights and 2003 straight spoke style alloys.
- Is the Jag-based V8 simpler to live with? Will keeping the V12 alive cost me an arm, a leg and a kidney?
- Sound...can I make the v12 sound dark and rumbling?
Problem - there are very few dealers here where I could simply ask for a test drive of a 2005 DB9 and I hate to be that "timewaster" guy, so any input appreciated to make an informed decision.
I am really clueless.
Shortlist so far: DB9 or V8V (maybe Conti GT but this does not belong here).
That kind of money will buy me a very good 4.3 (post 2006 MY with revised seats) , a good 4.7 (with higher mileage) or an ok DB9 (2004/05, higher mileage).
Important: looks, styling, ideally auto(-ish) box for GT driving style
Not important: stats, track days, what Clarkson said
I have driven a 4.3 SS and sort of liked it. I am put off by the clutch issues. A "normal" autobox would be my #1 choice. I sort of cruise, no racing ambitions.
- Is the DB9 the "real" AM, will I always regret not having bought the "proper" one when sitting in my V8V?
- Or does the DB9 look dated, with its 850CSi resemblance (C-pillar, rear wheelarches etc), non-LED headlights and 2003 straight spoke style alloys.
- Is the Jag-based V8 simpler to live with? Will keeping the V12 alive cost me an arm, a leg and a kidney?
- Sound...can I make the v12 sound dark and rumbling?
Problem - there are very few dealers here where I could simply ask for a test drive of a 2005 DB9 and I hate to be that "timewaster" guy, so any input appreciated to make an informed decision.
I am really clueless.
Hi Guy, if you have young kids then the DB9 has rear seats,no good for adults except in emergencies.
I disagree that the DB9 looks dated,I have a Volante and consider the DB9 to be a timeless classic.
It is true it is lacking in techy refinements and that can be a bit of a pain but the rest of the package makes up for that,for me .
The vantage is arguably more a drivers car with also classic good looks.
The best way to answer your queries is for you to test drive them all.
I disagree that the DB9 looks dated,I have a Volante and consider the DB9 to be a timeless classic.
It is true it is lacking in techy refinements and that can be a bit of a pain but the rest of the package makes up for that,for me .
The vantage is arguably more a drivers car with also classic good looks.
The best way to answer your queries is for you to test drive them all.
Edited by avinalarf on Wednesday 4th June 19:25
Charvet said:
Important: looks, styling, ideally auto(-ish) box for GT driving style
Not important: stats, track days, what Clarkson said
I have driven a 4.3 SS and sort of liked it. I am put off by the clutch issues. A "normal" autobox would be my #1 choice. I sort of cruise, no racing ambitions.
- Is the DB9 the "real" AM, will I always regret not having bought the "proper" one when sitting in my V8V?
I am really clueless.
Not important: stats, track days, what Clarkson said
I have driven a 4.3 SS and sort of liked it. I am put off by the clutch issues. A "normal" autobox would be my #1 choice. I sort of cruise, no racing ambitions.
- Is the DB9 the "real" AM, will I always regret not having bought the "proper" one when sitting in my V8V?
I am really clueless.
My own favourite Guy, is the V8 Vantage 4.7 Manual.
However, from the points that you describe above, I think you might prefer the DB9. It is a beautiful GT car, available with a conventional torque converter automatic gearbox. The car that you drove, had the first version of the automated manual gearbox, criticised by some for difficulties with traffic jam motoring and maneuvering.
Suggest that you obtain `the book', and perhaps take time to decide what is best for you. It took me a year to learn enough, and to find the exact car that I wanted.
Good luck.
Yes it will see a lot of traffic in town, and I have my doubts whether the V8V manual as well as the SS will be ideal for this.
Still, the V8V looks...more...aggressive, like a fat little bulldog. How many cars are there today (in that end of the market) which dont pretend to be 2+2s? I specifically like these two metal struts where the coat hangers are located. Like a racing cage but more civilized...
Compared to that, early (!) DB9s with 2004 factory wheels remind me of the BMW 850Ci. Straight sills, the big taillights in red, straight-spoke alloys, the early seats...
Still, the V8V looks...more...aggressive, like a fat little bulldog. How many cars are there today (in that end of the market) which dont pretend to be 2+2s? I specifically like these two metal struts where the coat hangers are located. Like a racing cage but more civilized...
Compared to that, early (!) DB9s with 2004 factory wheels remind me of the BMW 850Ci. Straight sills, the big taillights in red, straight-spoke alloys, the early seats...
Charvet said:
Still, the V8V looks...more...aggressive, like a fat little bulldog.
Love it. 
Charvet said:
Compared to that, early (!) DB9s with 2004 factory wheels remind me of the BMW 850Ci. Straight sills, the big taillights in red, straight-spoke alloys, the early seats...
There are many on here, who do road wheel and tail light changes. Seats I think, would be very expensive to change.
Charvet said:
Yes, cruising it is. Maybe it would help to have the DB9 in a non ye-olde-English-colour combo (= no BRG/creme) to make it look a bit more up to date.
Bravo is right go for a DB9 if you really want an auto GTIf you want something to fling around try to find a good manual 4.7 or an N400
The DB9 has a conventional auto box, which sounds important to you, so go for that. The V12 is very reliable, so shouldnt give any maintenance worries.
You can easily swap sills, wheels and rear lights, less than £1k for sills and painting, £700 for white rear lights, wheels are whatever you want to pay
Good luck
You can easily swap sills, wheels and rear lights, less than £1k for sills and painting, £700 for white rear lights, wheels are whatever you want to pay
Good luck
I am struggling to "get" the DB9.
V8V / V12V - crazy little b
ds.
DBS - the daddy, totaly bonkers.
New Vanquish - Überbonkers.
But the DB9 - compared to the others it is somehow a bit tame, middle-of-the-road (for AM standards).
BTW a quite funny article on AM is here:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/the-confu...
V8V / V12V - crazy little b
ds.DBS - the daddy, totaly bonkers.
New Vanquish - Überbonkers.
But the DB9 - compared to the others it is somehow a bit tame, middle-of-the-road (for AM standards).
BTW a quite funny article on AM is here:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/the-confu...
Charvet said:
I am struggling to "get" the DB9.
V8V / V12V - crazy little bds.
DBS - the daddy, totaly bonkers.
New Vanquish - Überbonkers.
But the DB9 - compared to the others it is somehow a bit tame, middle-of-the-road (for AM standards).
BTW a quite funny article on AM is here:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/the-confu...
Charvet - nice shirts btw. V8V / V12V - crazy little b
ds.DBS - the daddy, totaly bonkers.
New Vanquish - Überbonkers.
But the DB9 - compared to the others it is somehow a bit tame, middle-of-the-road (for AM standards).
BTW a quite funny article on AM is here:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/the-confu...
Coming from a vanquish S I thought the same about db9 for a long time. I didn't like the interior design much particularly the earlier models, too much aluminium but the new interior ski slopes are pretty nice. My approach to the weird speedo dials is to largely ignore them and as for the window switches that you push up for the window to go down they still baffle and amuse me.
I thought its performance was soft too. That's because it is two cars in one. Soft and easy around town in Drive. Harder when you push on in Sport with the paddles, but the gearbox remains slower than a DCT changing up, it's a weakness I can live with. ensure you try it in Sport mode in a test driveand upgrade it if still too tame. Buying an older decent Db9 and upgrading it would give you DBS performance and brakes for around 70 to 80k euro, albeit with a dated interior and no DBS spoilers or side lights.
The DB9 is very comfortable and easy to drive around town which the v12v probably isn't but the V12v will no doubt blitz it for performance and would be outside your indicated budget.
The db9 is not the daddy like the DBS but then again the DBS is also outside your budget and has a bit of a body kit look to it IMO.
Yes new vanquish is uber bonkers, I've driven it and it's 4 times your budget but has the same slush box, although pretty well upgraded, because AM couldn't jump the other manufacturers in line for the new 8 speed ZF box due to low production volumes probably. I would love a volante though.
So not really sure what you are now asking for? Test drive a couple of older db9 s and V8V s if that is your budget limit and then come back with more questions would be my advice.
Both are great cars and somewhat different and have been developed at different rates so your experience will depend upon which model year you end up test driving. See which one makes you smile most and buy it.
I am also not sure what I am asking for.
I have driven the 4.3 V8V which seemed a bit lazy but generally nicely designed (I like its compactness and the lack of faux rear seats and the side creases and the coat hangers and the lowered rear numberplate location).
Finding a dealer who has a early DB9 on offer is the bottleneck at the moment.
I have driven the 4.3 V8V which seemed a bit lazy but generally nicely designed (I like its compactness and the lack of faux rear seats and the side creases and the coat hangers and the lowered rear numberplate location).
Finding a dealer who has a early DB9 on offer is the bottleneck at the moment.
It really does take or cost much to upgrade a DB9, add the new rear "clear" lights and an upgraded exhaust or simply remove "fuse 22" do some research here. For around £2k you can freshen up the DB9 with a much modern look and sound. Sounds to me like if you buy the V8V you will regret not having a DB9, also sounds to me like if you get a DB9 you will wonder about a V8V.... DB9 all the way for me.....
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