Newbie looking at a DB9 - Manual over Auto?
Discussion
Chaps
I'm in the game for a DB9 and wanted to gain some of your superior knowledge about buying one. Having owned many sports cars in the past, the Aston will be my first so would like to choose well as not to bitter my taste of the brand by buying a pup.
I've been looking out for a manual 'box and can see they are few and far between but I would much prefer one and also I can see the manuals being a better long term investment. Is it worth hanging on for a manual over an Auto or would you take the overall condition, mileage etc over the type of 'box in it?
I've got my eye on the one in TH Boler's at the minute, which is a facelift DB9 with a manual 'box if anyone knows anything about it?
Thanks for your help guys...
Chris
I'm in the game for a DB9 and wanted to gain some of your superior knowledge about buying one. Having owned many sports cars in the past, the Aston will be my first so would like to choose well as not to bitter my taste of the brand by buying a pup.
I've been looking out for a manual 'box and can see they are few and far between but I would much prefer one and also I can see the manuals being a better long term investment. Is it worth hanging on for a manual over an Auto or would you take the overall condition, mileage etc over the type of 'box in it?
I've got my eye on the one in TH Boler's at the minute, which is a facelift DB9 with a manual 'box if anyone knows anything about it?
Thanks for your help guys...
Chris
When it comes to the "long term investment" bit, ask yourself why you're buying it. If the aim is to try and make a few quid then there are probably better options out there than a DB9. If you just want some fun then perhaps a V12 Manual might be a better choice. The 9 is obviously a top tourer, whereas the V12 Vantage will just try and kill you on a regular basis, which is fun while it lasts 
You didn't say what your budget was. If it's DBS territory then I doubt you're going to go too far wrong regardless (although a manual will cost you dearly).
You'll probably find an even split on here, some die hard manual advocates and the rest just deluded
In the Vantage I'd have a manual all day long as it suits the car IMHO, a touring machine then I'd probably go auto........unless it was a DBS.
I'm sure this post will help you none whatsoever
You didn't say what your budget was. If it's DBS territory then I doubt you're going to go too far wrong regardless (although a manual will cost you dearly).
You'll probably find an even split on here, some die hard manual advocates and the rest just deluded
In the Vantage I'd have a manual all day long as it suits the car IMHO, a touring machine then I'd probably go auto........unless it was a DBS.
I'm sure this post will help you none whatsoever
If I am looking at the right car it is not a facelift car because the fascia is wrong. That means 450 instead of 470bhp and the raft of body stiffening improvements that were done at the same time.
Having said that manual 9's are rare. A quick look at Autotrader confirms and none are the facelifted model.
You may want to search this site, and others, to look at reviews on this firm. Quite a few do not make good reading, although one in the last couple of weeks that did, so go in with your eyes open.
Having said that manual 9's are rare. A quick look at Autotrader confirms and none are the facelifted model.
You may want to search this site, and others, to look at reviews on this firm. Quite a few do not make good reading, although one in the last couple of weeks that did, so go in with your eyes open.
ChrisPackit said:
My budget is around £50k ideally, so far off DBS territory Im afraid, and I'm after the DB9 for the rear seats for the nippers, even though I believe they're not the must spacious.
I think general consensus is that the DB9 rear seats are next to useless for anything more than very occasional use with the front seats pulled as far forwards as possible. Rapide would be the obvious choice if you intend to take the kids out with any regularity.Sorry, I believe the one at Bolers has the later pre-facelift wheels, clear rear lights etc but does look pretty nice though and like you said, the manuals are rare - funny but Im not too keen on the Rapides looks, they look a little too stretched for my liking...
The rear seats will be a very occasional thing as I see them at weekends so don't want to limit myself from using the car, even if one of them will be doing a 'Harry Houdini' in the back seat.
I will do some more reading on Bolers though, thanks for the heads up!
It has sports pack wheels on it which may mean just the wheels or it has the full sports pack. The facelift alloys were different from that.
As for the clear rear lights then a common upgrade that people have done to their cars.
I agree with the rear seats, if your children have legs then they will struggle to get in for all but very short journeys.
As for the clear rear lights then a common upgrade that people have done to their cars.
I agree with the rear seats, if your children have legs then they will struggle to get in for all but very short journeys.
Don't under-estimate the back seats of the DB9. I originally bought mind because the wife was working weekends and I could get three children in
Much depends on their age and height (you sit in it with knees either side of the seat in front, not knees in the middle of the front seat, if that makes sense).
Much depends on their age and height (you sit in it with knees either side of the seat in front, not knees in the middle of the front seat, if that makes sense).
Chris, Just sent you a pm. Happy for you to pick my brain as I have a 2008MY sport pack db9 manual. I went for mine having been through exactly the same thought processes you describe. Grants book will aid you no end in your decisions. Rule of thumb is no more than 5% of db9's are manuals, and post economic crash of 2007-8 total numbers dried up so a 2009MY sports pack manual is rarer than hens teeth. But there are a few.. Volantes couldn't get the sports pack, but could get the wheels. So all in all, there really aren't that many db9 sports pack manuals about. Should try starting some sort of register on here to keep track..
Anyone else care to share details of cars?
Anyone else care to share details of cars?
I bought a DB9GT last year and find that:
1. The automatic torque converter fits perfectly the spirit of the DB9 either in cool D mode or with the magnesium paddles which are a pleasure to use in Sport mode.
2. I use the backseat on passenger side for children from time to time, I find that leg room is less a problem than height, but It's usuable if it's for less than 30 minutes. The other backseat would be more problematic for me, and I am not tall.
1. The automatic torque converter fits perfectly the spirit of the DB9 either in cool D mode or with the magnesium paddles which are a pleasure to use in Sport mode.
2. I use the backseat on passenger side for children from time to time, I find that leg room is less a problem than height, but It's usuable if it's for less than 30 minutes. The other backseat would be more problematic for me, and I am not tall.
onlogbook.com said:
I had a db9 volante. Had to be auto. Couldn't deal with the constant gear changing during town driving. My earlier v8 vantage was a manual however. It was a daily too and hated the gear changed. My current 650 is a dusl clutch paddle shifter which is the sweet spot :-)
Strange, I never felt any problem with my DB9 in auto mode in town (maybe they improved with latest generations), however I found the 'automatic' mode of the Vantage Sportshift extremely unpleasant.Martin-s3ubj said:
They certainly do seem to be rare. I have a 2007MY manual coupé with sports pack in Grigio Titanio with black interior. I was specifically looking for a manual with sports pack and it took me months to find the right one.
1st post and no photos... don't be shy! Nice to hear of a non-black car. SpookyTheFirst said:
Strange, I never felt any problem with my DB9 in auto mode in town (maybe they improved with latest generations), however I found the 'automatic' mode of the Vantage Sportshift extremely unpleasant.
I think we're on the same page. My db9 was brilliant as an auto. Wouldn't have it in manual sent simply doesn't suit it imho. I test drive a v8 with a the robotic clutch and didn't really like that at all. Pure manual on a vantage is spot on. Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff