Anybody know this car? Opinions on it?

[vinnie83]

Hi guys, after having some great advice from you guys on my last post, I'm still on the lookout for a DB9 and came across this car for sale at London Sports Cars in Canary Wharf:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Just wondering if (long shot I know) the car is known and if not, how it looks as a prospective purchase.


Thanks in advance.

[BeauBee]

First impressions are that it seems quite nice.
The one thing that does standard out is that it is due a service.

[vinnie83]

BeauBee said:

First impressions are that it seems quite nice.
The one thing that does standard out is that it is due a service.

Yes I did notice that and thought to check that he didn't mean Jan this year... otherwise, especially if it requires spark plugs, I'll have to factor that into the negotiations.

[Diablos-666]

It sounds like it does require a service, I doubt it would have done 5k miles since Jan this year.

[vinnie83]

OK so:

The car has no service book. It had covered about 3k miles between 2009 and 2014 - no service inbetween and no MOT done either. So impossible to verify the mileage in any way.

Cosmetically looked fine - wheels need a refurb, 3 minor dings in the body... however the paint is VERY dull.

Car was last serviced Jan 2014 so needs a service and plugs.

Chap told me originally that he sourced it via Stratstone, quickly backtracked when I told him my sister works there and won't be difficult to track the car back... he then said he got it via a buyer called Jardine Group who he THINKS got it from Stratstone.

When I asked him about the lack of service book, he commented on the former owner saying that's how he got it - but claims he got the car through a buyer, not from the former owner...

All in all, probably enough to put me off spending any money on a check.

Edited by vinnie83 on Monday 23 February 17:01

[wokkadriver]

vinnie83 said:

OK so:

The car has no service book. It had covered about 3k miles between 2009 and 2014 - no service inbetween and no MOT done either. So impossible to verify the mileage in any way.

Cosmetically looked fine - wheels need a refurb, 3 minor dings in the body... however the paint is VERY dull.

Car was last serviced Jan 2014 so needs a service and plugs.

Chap told me originally that he sourced it via Stratstone, quickly backtracked when I told him my sister works there and won't be difficult to track the car back... he then said he got it via a buyer called Jardine Group who he THINKS got it from Stratstone.

When I asked him about the lack of service book, he commented on the former owner saying that's how he got it - but claims he got the car through a buyer, not from the former owner...

All in all, probably enough to put me off spending any money on a check.

Edited by vinnie83 on Monday 23 February 17:01

No service book? As in no handbook at all? Not very useful!

For Jardine group read 'Lancaster AM' - dealerships in Cambridge and Sevenoaks, iirc. I can't speak for 7oaks, but Cambridge has a good reputation.

Any AM dealer can tell you the service history (assuming it has full dealer history) as it will feature on their database - a quick phone call can confirm. (I did this a couple of years ago because I wanted paper copies of the service invoices to build a history file on a DB9 I had.)

There is also a bit of an odd mark on the leather above the RHS vent, next to the steering wheel.

All told, I'd probably steer clear, sounds like a bit of a shonky story to me - plenty more out there!

Edited by wokkadriver on Monday 23 February 17:18

[vinnie83]

wokkadriver said:

No service book? As in no handbook at all? Not very useful!

For Jardine group read 'Lancaster AM' - dealerships in Cambridge and Sevenoaks, iirc. I can't speak for 7oaks, but Cambridge has a good reputation.

Any AM dealer can tell you the service history (assuming it has full dealer history) as it will feature on their database - a quick phone call can confirm. (I did this a couple of years ago because I wanted paper copies of the service invoices to build a history file on a DB9 I had.)

There is also a bit of an odd mark on the leather above the RHS vent, next to the steering wheel.

All told, I'd probably steer clear, sounds like a bit of a shonky story to me - plenty more out there!

Edited by wokkadriver on Monday 23 February 17:18

Yes I googled Jardine - why they would buy a car from Stratsone, who are also AM dealers, and neither would sell it on the forecourt baffles me. He says it's because AM dealers dont sell cars this old but that's rubbish.

The mark on the dash was all but gone - parking permit maybe?

I did call Stratstone Mayfair and they said they had it come in needing a new front grille, front undertray and rear bumper cover... some sort of smash?

[Little Donkey]

Run for the hills - probably much better examples out there with fewer miles and a better history.

[Big Ry]

vinnie83 said:

Yes I googled Jardine - why they would buy a car from Stratsone, who are also AM dealers, and neither would sell it on the forecourt baffles me. He says it's because AM dealers dont sell cars this old but that's rubbish.

The mark on the dash was all but gone - parking permit maybe?

I did call Stratstone Mayfair and they said they had it come in needing a new front grille, front undertray and rear bumper cover... some sort of smash?

As the saying goes.......if there's doubt....there's no doubt.

No service book, a strange story about were it's come from , and possible damage........i'd leave it if it were me.

[Bincenzo]

Vinnie, you've probably already decided this based upon the expert advice here. Don't go near it. Tonnes more out there at a similar price, with the all important parts of the puzzle.

[vinnie83]

Bincenzo said:

Vinnie, you've probably already decided this based upon the expert advice here. Don't go near it. Tonnes more out there at a similar price, with the all important parts of the puzzle.

Oh god no I won't be buying it...

I spoke to someone at Sterling performance about a black DB9 they have, sounded good apart from 8 owners in 45k miles and the fact that it will soon need plugs changing.

The sales guy seemed adamant they don't discount so that was a little annoying.

[Big Ry]

I'd just say bide your time and don't rush........I did that when buying my previous V8VR and regretted it in weeks (dreaded timing chain leak). Still, they say the hardest lessons are the best ones to learn.......won't make that mistake again.

[vinnie83]

Big Ry said:

I'd just say bide your time and don't rush........I did that when buying my previous V8VR and regretted it in weeks (dreaded timing chain leak). Still, they say the hardest lessons are the best ones to learn.......won't make that mistake again.

Yes I wont be rushing into anything that's for sure.

I just hate wasting time - the guy with todays car claimed full history great condition etc...

[keegs111]

wokkadriver said:

vinnie83 said:

OK so:

The car has no service book. It had covered about 3k miles between 2009 and 2014 - no service inbetween and no MOT done either. So impossible to verify the mileage in any way.

Cosmetically looked fine - wheels need a refurb, 3 minor dings in the body... however the paint is VERY dull.

Car was last serviced Jan 2014 so needs a service and plugs.

Chap told me originally that he sourced it via Stratstone, quickly backtracked when I told him my sister works there and won't be difficult to track the car back... he then said he got it via a buyer called Jardine Group who he THINKS got it from Stratstone.

When I asked him about the lack of service book, he commented on the former owner saying that's how he got it - but claims he got the car through a buyer, not from the former owner...

All in all, probably enough to put me off spending any money on a check.

Edited by vinnie83 on Monday 23 February 17:01

No service book? As in no handbook at all? Not very useful!

For Jardine group read 'Lancaster AM' - dealerships in Cambridge and Sevenoaks, iirc. I can't speak for 7oaks, but Cambridge has a good reputation.

Any AM dealer can tell you the service history (assuming it has full dealer history) as it will feature on their database - a quick phone call can confirm. (I did this a couple of years ago because I wanted paper copies of the service invoices to build a history file on a DB9 I had.)

There is also a bit of an odd mark on the leather above the RHS vent, next to the steering wheel.

All told, I'd probably steer clear, sounds like a bit of a shonky story to me - plenty more out there!

Edited by wokkadriver on Monday 23 February 17:18

If it was any good then Stratstone\Lancaster would have retailed this themselves. Probably taken in in P\X. Would have then gone to sales prep where they probably determined that the cost of getting the car up to standard was greater than any potential profit. I would never buy one of these cars from a non-aston dealer without full premium warranty.

[vinnie83]

keegs111 said:

If it was any good then Stratstone\Lancaster would have retailed this themselves. Probably taken in in P\X. Would have then gone to sales prep where they probably determined that the cost of getting the car up to standard was greater than any potential profit. I would never buy one of these cars from a non-aston dealer without full premium warranty.

To be honest I question whether it was from them at all.

My budget being around £35,000 (and this has increased from the original £25k via man-maths) means dealer cars are few and far between.

It's just a shame that there are dealers out there who are happy to waste your time... I suppose there's always a mug that will be sold once they are in front of the car...

[Bincenzo]

Many Astons do have a lot of previous owners, as they are a little aspirational so some tick the box then move on. Don't worry about his mileage (I appreciate 45k isn't high) as the engines are pretty strong, although I'd say the v8 is more bullet proof than the early v12s.

[michael gould]

it was too cheap to be true.........07 plate DB9 with reasonable miles at 35k is cheap cheap cheap ........there is normally a reason and the information on the car is bad ....don't risk it

[sukh_m]

Vinnie, like everyone says, just bide your time and wait. The right one will pop up - I can almost guarantee that

Maybe wait for one at a dealer/indie to appear, even if it slightly more than 35k you can always negotiate (I have at AM successfully in the past). It is rather annoying that you need to chase up bits of service history, I personally wouldn't go near a car that has missed a service as the owner may have cut corners with other stuff. We all know on here how expensive the bills can be on such a car

[michael gould]

one thing I have learn't about buying cars.....there is always a better deal round the corner.......the good advise is to wait and have your money ready to pounce......that car is not the right one

[ds2000]

keegs111 said:

If it was any good then Stratstone\Lancaster would have retailed this themselves. Probably taken in in P\X. Would have then gone to sales prep where they probably determined that the cost of getting the car up to standard was greater than any potential profit. I would never buy one of these cars from a non-aston dealer without full premium warranty.

Each to their own but my V12 was taken as a p/x on a brand new Bentley, they didn't want it, it was then snapped up by the independent dealer I purchased it from. Full Aston service history, all bills and receipts etc. The only cost to me thus far has been <£10 for some new rear light seals.