What is a DB9 like to own?
Discussion
I recently inherited some money - enough to buy an early Aston Martin DB9. It would get me into a 2005 car with 5 grand change.
I've got a couple of questions and reservations:
I bought a 986 Porsche Boxster S to get me some experience of fast sports cars and I've got to say I am completely underwhelmed by the car, and don't really like it. Seems like in engineering it to be capable of 160mph they made it boring at legal speeds. To have any kind of fun you have to drive like a dick.
I'm kind of worried that as the Aston, being engineered for 190-odd will be even worse. What are they actually like to drive in the real world, at legal speeds, in cities, motorways, country roads, etc? Am I going to be disappointed?
The other thing is I like cars to work, but this would be an occasional use car, so how reliable are they, especially if they don't get used much. (That's another thing that has disappointed me about the Porsche). Ignoring the V12's thirst, is it practical as one's only car?
What sort of costs am I going to have? What should I budget for annual servicing and maintenance? What, on a 10 year old model, is going to fail really soon?
I've bought the buyers guide book, but just wanted a couple of first-hand opinions.
I've got a couple of questions and reservations:
I bought a 986 Porsche Boxster S to get me some experience of fast sports cars and I've got to say I am completely underwhelmed by the car, and don't really like it. Seems like in engineering it to be capable of 160mph they made it boring at legal speeds. To have any kind of fun you have to drive like a dick.
I'm kind of worried that as the Aston, being engineered for 190-odd will be even worse. What are they actually like to drive in the real world, at legal speeds, in cities, motorways, country roads, etc? Am I going to be disappointed?
The other thing is I like cars to work, but this would be an occasional use car, so how reliable are they, especially if they don't get used much. (That's another thing that has disappointed me about the Porsche). Ignoring the V12's thirst, is it practical as one's only car?
What sort of costs am I going to have? What should I budget for annual servicing and maintenance? What, on a 10 year old model, is going to fail really soon?
I've bought the buyers guide book, but just wanted a couple of first-hand opinions.
First thing geezer is to change your username.
I got very excited when I first saw your post as I thought I might be in with chance,then it turns out you're a middle aged fat geezer.
That aside the DB9 is very reliable and will cost circa £900 for main dealer service.
If I wanted a car to chuck around I'd consider a Vantage.
Only common problem is paint bubbling around door handles and strakes.
Back seats are only suitable for kids.
A 2005 for circa £35K has got to be a good buy if the car has good sh.
I got very excited when I first saw your post as I thought I might be in with chance,then it turns out you're a middle aged fat geezer.
That aside the DB9 is very reliable and will cost circa £900 for main dealer service.
If I wanted a car to chuck around I'd consider a Vantage.
Only common problem is paint bubbling around door handles and strakes.
Back seats are only suitable for kids.
A 2005 for circa £35K has got to be a good buy if the car has good sh.
Edited by avinalarf on Saturday 22 August 10:31
Welcome.
I cannot help you very much, having never driven a DB9.
Just wondered why you have decided on a DB9?
Perhaps you want an affordable V12 engined Aston Martin, in which case the DB9 is the car, or perhaps it is the rear tiny 'seats'.
A Vantage V8 is a smaller car externally, although from the driving seat it feels a big car, but has a good about of space internally. The boot capacity is in fact greater than the DB9.
Like most Aston, the are quiet and easy when driving slowly, but press the throttle and the entire character changes. Perhaps a model to consider which is in the same price range.
Jon39 said:
Welcome.
I cannot help you very much, having never driven a DB9.
Just wondered why you have decided on a DB9?
Perhaps you want an affordable V12 engined Aston Martin, in which case the DB9 is the car, or perhaps it is the rear tiny 'seats'.
A Vantage V8 is a smaller car externally, although from the driving seat it feels a big car, but has a good about of space internally. The boot capacity is in fact greater than the DB9.
Like most Aston, the are quiet and easy when driving slowly, but press the throttle and the entire character changes. Perhaps a model to consider which is in the same price range.
I couldn't say for certain, it's just a heart decision, not a head one. It's probably the looks and the V12 engine that makes the DB9 the winner for me. I have no children, so don't need back seats. Though the V8 is hardly ugly and I do like a small car with a big engine. I guess I'd always have that nagging 'should have bought the DB9' doubt. (I'll probably end up driving both if I decide to do this.)I cannot help you very much, having never driven a DB9.
Just wondered why you have decided on a DB9?
Perhaps you want an affordable V12 engined Aston Martin, in which case the DB9 is the car, or perhaps it is the rear tiny 'seats'.
A Vantage V8 is a smaller car externally, although from the driving seat it feels a big car, but has a good about of space internally. The boot capacity is in fact greater than the DB9.
Like most Aston, the are quiet and easy when driving slowly, but press the throttle and the entire character changes. Perhaps a model to consider which is in the same price range.
londonbabe said:
I couldn't say for certain, it's just a heart decision, not a head one. It's probably the looks and the V12 engine that makes the DB9 the winner for me. I have no children, so don't need back seats. Though the V8 is hardly ugly and I do like a small car with a big engine. I guess I'd always have that nagging 'should have bought the DB9' doubt. (I'll probably end up driving both if I decide to do this.)
The simple answer is to go and drive one. Do bear in mind that you are looking at a 10 year old car, and as such, 10 year old sophistication. The sat nav (if fitted) is poor, you may struggle with iPod/phone integration, and the Linn stereo can be best described as rubbish. The boot is tiny, and the back seats pointless. No cup holders on early cars. It may seem obvious but a 12 cylinder has 12 of everything and as such doubles or triples the cost.That said, they are a lovely drive - the auto/tiptronic box is a winner around town but can pick up the coat tails and run if needed. Even older cars still have tremendous presence and they are achingly pretty; put a private plate on it and it would take a real geek to spot the difference between it and a newer car. A personal preference on mine was the 'winter pack'. This only featured on earlier cars and had heated seats, wing mirrors and windscreen - easily spotted by having 4 buttons just in front of the arm rest. They are magnificent cars and a really special place to be, which allows you to be quite forgiving of foibles.
If you have an Aston itch, then I suggest you scratch it!
londonbabe said:
I recently inherited some money - enough to buy an early Aston Martin DB9. It would get me into a 2005 car with 5 grand change.
I've got a couple of questions and reservations:
I bought a 986 Porsche Boxster S to get me some experience of fast sports cars and I've got to say I am completely underwhelmed by the car, and don't really like it. Seems like in engineering it to be capable of 160mph they made it boring at legal speeds. To have any kind of fun you have to drive like a dick.
I'm kind of worried that as the Aston, being engineered for 190-odd will be even worse. What are they actually like to drive in the real world, at legal speeds, in cities, motorways, country roads, etc? Am I going to be disappointed?
The other thing is I like cars to work, but this would be an occasional use car, so how reliable are they, especially if they don't get used much. (That's another thing that has disappointed me about the Porsche). Ignoring the V12's thirst, is it practical as one's only car?
What sort of costs am I going to have? What should I budget for annual servicing and maintenance? What, on a 10 year old model, is going to fail really soon?
I've bought the buyers guide book, but just wanted a couple of first-hand opinions.
Quick answer to the 986 question is the DB9 has torque. Lots of torque that only comes from 12 cylinders. It's eating at the big table in a car that oozes class and wafts about effortlessly. Stamp on the loud pedal and it goes like stink.I've got a couple of questions and reservations:
I bought a 986 Porsche Boxster S to get me some experience of fast sports cars and I've got to say I am completely underwhelmed by the car, and don't really like it. Seems like in engineering it to be capable of 160mph they made it boring at legal speeds. To have any kind of fun you have to drive like a dick.
I'm kind of worried that as the Aston, being engineered for 190-odd will be even worse. What are they actually like to drive in the real world, at legal speeds, in cities, motorways, country roads, etc? Am I going to be disappointed?
The other thing is I like cars to work, but this would be an occasional use car, so how reliable are they, especially if they don't get used much. (That's another thing that has disappointed me about the Porsche). Ignoring the V12's thirst, is it practical as one's only car?
What sort of costs am I going to have? What should I budget for annual servicing and maintenance? What, on a 10 year old model, is going to fail really soon?
I've bought the buyers guide book, but just wanted a couple of first-hand opinions.
Having a slushbox, it behaves itself in city driving but has a long chassis providing stability when stretching its legs. and don't forget that the sound of the big Aston 12 is of legend, there's bundles of fun just in that alone regardless of your speed.
Lastly, Astons rate as one of the most reliable exotics you can buy. A well earned mechanical reputation.
I have just bought a DB9 after selling my V8VR and they're completely different cars. As a personal observation I think the DB9 is the grown-ups model... the Vantage has always looked too small to me even though it is beautifully proportioned. There's a reason it's sometimes called a baby Aston, and the length could be the only difference. But if you had a Boxster then the size won't worry you unduly.
The Vantage is a pure driver's delight. The single clutch and paddles are one of the reasons that emphasizes its sporty nature, and if you love the twisties then you'll be at home in it. I loved the responsiveness and agile feel of the Vantage, but after buying the DB9 I couldn't have cared less about it because the extra V12 power changed everything, and I mean everything.
The DB9 has one overriding factor that you simply can't escape, and that's the V12 silky power band and torque. There's nothing like it. I came from V12s... a couple of Bentley Continentals and a SL600 over the last few years, and I found it really hard to adjust to the smaller V8. It simply didn't have enough oomph, no matter how spiritedly I drove it. And sometimes I'd be struggling to keep up with some stock standard Japanese family saloons which made the acceleration difference between us even more marked. But with the V12 you just point and press and you're there. For me that's the biggest advantage and I'll certainly think hard about considering a lesser powered Aston again.
The DB9 corners mostly the same as my Vantage did because they're both heavy cars and there's a centrifugal effect that can't be overcome even with a smaller wheelbase length.
The DB9 throttle and steering is far more responsive than the V8 and it's something I'm enjoying more than ever after a month of ownership.
I don't understand the continuing pipe and slippers attitude that keeps coming up on this forum whenever a DB9 is mentioned, but I'm sure it's just good natured verbal jousting. Possibly older drivers look a bit out of place in the Vantage because it's a smaller car and so has a sporty appearance, who knows. Certainly when my daughter saw my Roadster she commented that it looked like a girl's car despite the fact that I've only ever seen men driving them. Although that made me feel a little uncomfortable about the perception of the V8V and eventually played a small part in buying a DB9, there's no doubt that most folk don't even notice the difference. I've even had people say "nice DB9" as I passed in the V8VR, so it's not that big a deal. To me the DB9 certainly feels more like a 'real car' in size and I feel more at home in it as a result. Just my 2 cents.
The Vantage is a pure driver's delight. The single clutch and paddles are one of the reasons that emphasizes its sporty nature, and if you love the twisties then you'll be at home in it. I loved the responsiveness and agile feel of the Vantage, but after buying the DB9 I couldn't have cared less about it because the extra V12 power changed everything, and I mean everything.
The DB9 has one overriding factor that you simply can't escape, and that's the V12 silky power band and torque. There's nothing like it. I came from V12s... a couple of Bentley Continentals and a SL600 over the last few years, and I found it really hard to adjust to the smaller V8. It simply didn't have enough oomph, no matter how spiritedly I drove it. And sometimes I'd be struggling to keep up with some stock standard Japanese family saloons which made the acceleration difference between us even more marked. But with the V12 you just point and press and you're there. For me that's the biggest advantage and I'll certainly think hard about considering a lesser powered Aston again.
The DB9 corners mostly the same as my Vantage did because they're both heavy cars and there's a centrifugal effect that can't be overcome even with a smaller wheelbase length.
The DB9 throttle and steering is far more responsive than the V8 and it's something I'm enjoying more than ever after a month of ownership.
I don't understand the continuing pipe and slippers attitude that keeps coming up on this forum whenever a DB9 is mentioned, but I'm sure it's just good natured verbal jousting. Possibly older drivers look a bit out of place in the Vantage because it's a smaller car and so has a sporty appearance, who knows. Certainly when my daughter saw my Roadster she commented that it looked like a girl's car despite the fact that I've only ever seen men driving them. Although that made me feel a little uncomfortable about the perception of the V8V and eventually played a small part in buying a DB9, there's no doubt that most folk don't even notice the difference. I've even had people say "nice DB9" as I passed in the V8VR, so it's not that big a deal. To me the DB9 certainly feels more like a 'real car' in size and I feel more at home in it as a result. Just my 2 cents.
On re-reading my comments I realised I hadn't answered many of your questions, but the short answer is that I did the same amount of research as you've done and the DB9 is as good a car as any other of its kind. All modern V12 Aston Martins appear to be well made but a good indie for older models is worth looking for to reduce any costs. And there will be costs. This is an expensive car that has to be regularly maintained for reliable use. The paradox about these kinds of exotics is that when they come down to a price point where the average hopeful can afford them, they can't afford to run them because spare parts and maintenance costs are in line with the top of the line marque. So owners of used AMs, Ferraris and Lambos will quibble about a £100 difference for a set of tyres whereas the original and possibly monied owners wouldn't think twice about getting the right rubber as required.
Edited by kensilver on Saturday 22 August 22:45
kensilver said:
I don't understand the continuing pipe and slippers attitude that keeps coming up on this forum whenever a DB9 is mentioned, but I'm sure it's just good natured verbal jousting. Possibly older drivers look a bit out of place in the Vantage because it's a smaller car and so has a sporty appearance, who knows. Certainly when my daughter saw my Roadster she commented that it looked like a girl's car despite the fact that I've only ever seen men driving them. Although that made me feel a little uncomfortable about the perception of the V8V and eventually played a small part in buying a DB9, there's no doubt that most folk don't even notice the difference. I've even had people say "nice DB9" as I passed in the V8VR, so it's not that big a deal. To me the DB9 certainly feels more like a 'real car' in size and I feel more at home in it as a result. Just my 2 cents.
The comments always come from v8v owners who pass on he grief they get about their car being1) the bottom of the range car
2) a woman's car
3) asked why they can't handle a V12
4) them being referred to as little boys in nappies
It's sad that they have to be negative about a car in the range rather than be posative and promote it.........
kensilver said:
It simply didn't have enough oomph, no matter how spiritedly I drove it. And sometimes I'd be struggling to keep up with some stock standard Japanese family saloons
The DB9 corners mostly the same as my Vantage did
I would say I've got a good basis for a fair comparison having had a 4.3 V8V, 4.7 V8V, V12V, DB9 and DBS.
The 9 chassis cannot corner like a Vantage and I've not seen a stock standard passenger car other than M5's and RS Audis that can outpace 420+ cars (not that this is the point of an Aston).
Edited by divetheworld on Sunday 23 August 08:55
divetheworld said:
... and I've not seen a stock standard passenger car other than M5's and RS Audis that can outpace 420+ cars (not that this is the point of an Aston).
I know the performance is excellent, by the complaints that I receive."My head is being slammed against the seat headrest. You are hurting my neck."
Perhaps I should now say, "Well, never travel in a stock Japanese family saloon." -
Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 23 August 09:16
kensilver said:
I don't understand the continuing pipe and slippers attitude that keeps coming up on this forum whenever a DB9 is mentioned, but I'm sure it's just good natured verbal jousting.
Most of the DB9 owners I know on here are actually younger than me - well excluding Avinalarf, who pre dates the invention of the internal combustion engine.
The DB9 pipe ans slippers image comes from most of them having bendy boxes, the natural assumption being they are so old their left arms and legs and don't work properly
The Vantage is the sharper handling of the two, but does need to be in the right gear or can be left behind by a DB9.
Put DB9 owners together with Vantage drivers and their is only ever one result...
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