DBS Manual Volante
Discussion
The only one I saw when I was in the market for my coupe in 2009/10 was the actual one driven round Romania (?) by Clarkson. It was up for a bargain (£115k I think) as compared to the others on the market the mileage was considered high - only just into double figures if I recall, and the autos were the popular choice. Think someone on here bought it. Lucky, lucky man!
Green9 said:
...you can make me an offer for my manual DB9 Volante (one of 68 on UK roads) and spend the other £???,000 on making it identical to a DBS in every way?! 
I can never understand why so few DB9s and DBSs (in particular) were ordered with a manual ‘box. It’s such a sweet gearbox too.
It’s not really a sweet gearbox; it average I would say. For sure it’s not a Honda gearbox. 
I can never understand why so few DB9s and DBSs (in particular) were ordered with a manual ‘box. It’s such a sweet gearbox too.
Is your DB9 a manual? Having owned 5 manual BMW M cars and a modern manual Porsche, I’d say this is the best of the lot in terms of action, throw and lack of fuss, especially given the torque it handles and the fact it doesn’t get any heat from the engine to warm it up quickly. Graziano are way higher spec (and cost!) than most “normal” manual ‘boxes but maybe I’ve been lucky and got a good one?!
It’s basically the same gearbox as the manual V8Vs and actually even the Sportshift V8Vs I believe.
It’s basically the same gearbox as the manual V8Vs and actually even the Sportshift V8Vs I believe.
KevinBird said:
The dealers I spoke said I should expect to pay £150 - 160K for one but there are no sellers. So the cost to change would have been (after selling my coupe manual) the same as buying a new 4.0 Boxster GTS manual so that’s what I’ve done
Congratulations. A wiser choice IMHO.I had a DBS Coupe Manual, and while I would recommend them all day long, be aware that they are not perfect. As Clarkson pointed out on the TG road test of a green one way back, the gearstick is set too far back. Next the V12 is a big torquey engine and you can sit in third gear all day long. The only reason you might change gear is that you are worried that you may have forgotten how. On the other hand if you wind it up it is balletic (in the dry) but you are going to be travelling at warp speeds.
If you are looking for a Volante it may be that ultimate pin sharp handling is not a priority, and therefore, are you sure about ruling out the auto? Nicholas Mee has a very nice Lightning Silver over Red one for which he is asking £84k.
Porsche’s are very nice, but if you want an Aston, you want an Aston, no?
If you are looking for a Volante it may be that ultimate pin sharp handling is not a priority, and therefore, are you sure about ruling out the auto? Nicholas Mee has a very nice Lightning Silver over Red one for which he is asking £84k.
Porsche’s are very nice, but if you want an Aston, you want an Aston, no?
Have my DBS Volante Manual since 2012 and did never regret it. Drive it a lot, and was looking at the new DBSS Volante.........but despite the more power, etc, would not trade it in for sure. Depending on how the soon to be released facelift of the DBSS will look (with better infotainment and better transmission) I might consider it again.
DB9VolanteDriver said:
Definitely no. My DBS interior is miles ahead of the new gen interiors. 1st gen Gaydon have elegantly simple interiors that look far from the run of the mill types of the new gen with all their gimcrackery.
Then I’m sorry but I beg to differ... your DBS looks like ever other Aston of its time I’m afraid. Inside and outEdited by DB9VolanteDriver on Sunday 30th August 20:01
Gimcrackery or witchcraft ....... or perhaps Mercedes Benz witchcraft ( that actually works)
DBSSV20 said:
Then I’m sorry but I beg to differ... your DBS looks like ever other Aston of its time I’m afraid. Inside and out
Gimcrackery or witchcraft ....... or perhaps Mercedes Benz witchcraft ( that actually works)
All my DBS interior stuff works? Not sure what your point is here? Yes it looks the same as the V12 Vantage interior, because the V12 inherited the DBS waterfall, the final iteration of VH cars having the Vanquish dash are absolutely lovely and the best of all (One-77 excluded). Gimcrackery or witchcraft ....... or perhaps Mercedes Benz witchcraft ( that actually works)
Of the new cars, the DBSS and 11 are slightly neater but the Merc gear in the Vantage looks like a kicked over bucket of lego, there is stuff every where.
Edited by dbs2000 on Monday 31st August 08:23
DB9VolanteDriver said:
Definitely no. My DBS interior is miles ahead of the new gen interiors. 1st gen Gaydon have elegantly simple interiors that look far from the run of the mill types of the new gen with all their gimcrackery.
I agree.Edited by DB9VolanteDriver on Sunday 30th August 20:01
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