DB9 volante manual vs. Vantage roadster
Discussion
50 something ex-pat in the USA. Looking at first Aston purchase. I have an X150 4.2 XKR coupe Jag but am not yet at pipe and slippers stage...
I typically potter away from the house in auto when cold but revert to paddles thereafter. It's perfectly functional but I want something without a roof that `makes every drive an occasion'.. The primary use would be extended touring and fun days out. I typically tour 1-3 weeks of the year so would anticipate 5-10k per year. Easy button is soft top 5l XKR, but I may regret not fulfilling the boyhood ambition...
Looking at <50k USD which gets me into the `2010 and older' cars. The majority of available Vantages are Sportshift/paddles and DB9s are auto/paddles with the availability of manual cars rare and similarly priced in both cases with manuals appearing in the top of this range.
There seem to be very varied opinions on the Sportshift and I have searched threads but if there are any particularly informative ones I may have missed please point me in the right direction..?
Also opinions vary and a manual DB9 might be a glorious alternative to a Vantage at a similar price.
your thoughts and comments appreciated.
Beardy
I typically potter away from the house in auto when cold but revert to paddles thereafter. It's perfectly functional but I want something without a roof that `makes every drive an occasion'.. The primary use would be extended touring and fun days out. I typically tour 1-3 weeks of the year so would anticipate 5-10k per year. Easy button is soft top 5l XKR, but I may regret not fulfilling the boyhood ambition...
Looking at <50k USD which gets me into the `2010 and older' cars. The majority of available Vantages are Sportshift/paddles and DB9s are auto/paddles with the availability of manual cars rare and similarly priced in both cases with manuals appearing in the top of this range.
There seem to be very varied opinions on the Sportshift and I have searched threads but if there are any particularly informative ones I may have missed please point me in the right direction..?
Also opinions vary and a manual DB9 might be a glorious alternative to a Vantage at a similar price.
your thoughts and comments appreciated.
Beardy
Hi.
I have a manual DB9 Volante. I believe only about 65 are registered in the UK but I’ll probably be corrected by someone who knows more....
Either way, they’re very rare but in my opinion (and those of two AM mechanics I spoke to before buying) they’re fantastic. I personally couldn’t bear to have an automatic GT/sportscar, the opportunity of a N/A, manual V12 is extremely rare nowadays and will only get rarer.
The manual box shifts beautifully with a short, precise throw and I’ve never had any issues with 1st/2nd when cold - but others have.
I had a whining noise on 6th gear when I bought the car (60k miles) and have had a new 6th gear installed which solved the issue.
I would say the only negative is stop-start traffic isn’t fun - the clutch takes some mastering and has a sharp bite so it’s easy to stall or lurch forward. You get used to it though and it’s worth everything to be able to have full control over that magnificent engine, especially with the roof down!
Hope this helps
Matt
I have a manual DB9 Volante. I believe only about 65 are registered in the UK but I’ll probably be corrected by someone who knows more....
Either way, they’re very rare but in my opinion (and those of two AM mechanics I spoke to before buying) they’re fantastic. I personally couldn’t bear to have an automatic GT/sportscar, the opportunity of a N/A, manual V12 is extremely rare nowadays and will only get rarer.
The manual box shifts beautifully with a short, precise throw and I’ve never had any issues with 1st/2nd when cold - but others have.
I had a whining noise on 6th gear when I bought the car (60k miles) and have had a new 6th gear installed which solved the issue.
I would say the only negative is stop-start traffic isn’t fun - the clutch takes some mastering and has a sharp bite so it’s easy to stall or lurch forward. You get used to it though and it’s worth everything to be able to have full control over that magnificent engine, especially with the roof down!
Hope this helps
Matt
ShortBeardy said:
... that `makes every drive an occasion'..
A DB9 or Vantage will certainly give you that.
I have had a 2009 4.7 Vantage manual for 8 years. Driving it now is just as special as the very first day.
Many prefer the driver involvement of a manual, but it sounds awkward if there are few available for you.
The Vantage does look smaller than a DB9, but interior space is similar and it is the Vantage which has the bigger boot (is it trunk).
I dont know what type of clutch is in a manual DB9, but it is a single plate in the Vantage. The pedal action is quite heavy. I now have a twin plate type, which should be longer lasting and has a very light pedal action with smoother take up.
I believe the V12 manual clutch is a twin plate. There are plenty of V8 Vantage Sportshift cars available, but few manual cars. The manual DB9 is even more rare. I have found a couple of manual V8V roadsters and a single 2009 manual DB9, all at around 50k USD
Let me try to distill my questions a bit...
The Vantage is allegedly a more rewarding platform than the DB9 which is both heavier and less stiff (but perhaps these difference are less on later cars?)
Does a manual V12 in the DB9 make up for this difference?
Or perhaps I go buy a lower end V8V roadster Sportshift and swap the XKR for a soft top version for wafting about with `er indoors...
I am interested in opinions and I recognize they are just that, but without going and spending a few days driving around its not easy to get this kind of information.
Let me try to distill my questions a bit...
The Vantage is allegedly a more rewarding platform than the DB9 which is both heavier and less stiff (but perhaps these difference are less on later cars?)
Does a manual V12 in the DB9 make up for this difference?
Or perhaps I go buy a lower end V8V roadster Sportshift and swap the XKR for a soft top version for wafting about with `er indoors...
I am interested in opinions and I recognize they are just that, but without going and spending a few days driving around its not easy to get this kind of information.
The V8V and the DB9 are quite different to drive, so I really think you should try to drive each to decide which you prefer. Unless... If you know you want a sports car, get the V8V. If you know you want a GT, get the DB9. Either can do the other role, but their characters and focus are distinct. In the States it should be possible, with some patience and perseverance, to find a V8V Roadster with a manual 'box. It will be considerably more difficult to find a manual DB9.
Either will be a very special thing. I've had my 2009 V8V (manual Coupe) from new, and after all those years it's as much of a special event now as it was when I first got it.
Either will be a very special thing. I've had my 2009 V8V (manual Coupe) from new, and after all those years it's as much of a special event now as it was when I first got it.
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