DB9 as a daily

[swisstoni]

Having used daily sheds for a long time I think I have done my time.

I'm thinking of getting something more interesting for my daily, low mileage use. And the more I edge up the price range, I find that I'm in early DB9 territory. A car I have always loved the looks of.

I'm prepared for big bills for servicing and what not, but are there any inherent issues with these cars that make them a bit of a liability ?
I can live with big service bills, but I want no part of serious rusting. Can they live outside all year without killing themselves, for instance?
Any major gotchas to catch the unwary.

[swisstoni]

Thanks a lot.

[roughrider]

Well, you got the answer. A resounding silence!! Go ahead and buy one................

[ATTAK Z]

Look out for ally corrosion around door handles and condensation in rear lights (£500 a throw)

IMHO a decent 911 is a better bet for a daily, dependant on where/how you drive ... Servicing costs are very similar at an indy

[RobDown]

My db9 lives outside and no major issues to report after 5 years

[swisstoni]

Thanks. I thought I had read about some minor corrosion issue before. Good to hear that there are no other big drawbacks.

[ds2000]

swisstoni said:

Thanks a lot.

TBH a search would have turned up as much. Most will say buy Grants book and have a read (see the FAQ). Modern AM's are solid beasts so long as you don't buy a rotter at the start.

[SlartiF430]

i had a db9 volante that i used every day. silly fuel bills but servicing was akin to running a sports bmw. no issues with mine at all and i'd do it again. comfortable ride too. i kept mine in a garage so not sure if that made things better or not.

[Sump]

Mines been the most reliable out of all my cars. Stuck 15k on it last year

[8Tech]

They are beautiful but pretty basic cars. Simple dohc 4 valve engine, no VVT to worry about, simple suspension set-ups and basic transmission. Once you start getting into newer cars, of almost any manufacturer, and start on the "smart" lights and wipers, menu systems through the screen, air con seats, efficiency dynamics, electronics that tell YOU how to drive and endless warning lights for the most minor things, thats when they get nasty.

If you keep the maintenance up, and dont expect the car to stay prestine, then I don't really see why not. Most owners will shudder at the thought of the smallest bit of alloy corrosion under the paint, but for a daily driver, the door dings, supermarket trolley scratches, car park knocks and jealous yobbo's will hide them suitably.

As a daily driver, you are also less likely to give it a pasting everytime you go out in it because when its used as a weekend fun car, it will generally get a ragging for a large portion of its mileage.

[brakedwell]

If it's over seven years old make sure the plugs and coils have been renewed.