Currently drive a BMW 335i coupe and really like the car but I know I will be wanting something new in a year or two so I'm starting my search now. I have always thoughts Astons were one of the most gorgeous cars out there, and seem more reasonable than a gallardo or ferrari.. not just in terms of pricing but in terms of drivability. I see Astons as a gentlemen's car versus a lambo being a race car. Im thinking an 08/09 v8 vantage, or an 07/08 DB9. I would want this to be my daily driver and put around 10k miles a year on it. Is this reasonable? All the ones I see for sale have very low miles is that because people chose to keep the miles low or are they're going to be lots of reliability issues. From what I've heard the maintenance is going to be about $1500/ year. One would think the v8 would be more reliable but they use the v12 in more of their cars so I must turn to the experts.

The things I like better about the db9 are the v12 engine, and that it has 4 seats… I haven't even looked at them in person yet though (making a trip to the dealer this week) is it really 4 seats or are the back seats just there for show?

Any advice is greatly appreciated and I look forward to months of research!

Would also be interested in other suggestions, so far the AM is the only car I really want but I know its a huge jump from my 335 so id be open to intermediates in the 60k range.

 

May I suggest a used M6? I use my 07 Vantage as a DD...

 

Thats probably on my list as well, I was going to get an 06 650 but got my 08 335 instead. now that the new 6-series is out it really dated the last gen 6series. I love BMW but feel like they're run of the mill now a days, especially depending where you live, yes you may not see many M6 but to the avg person its just a 6series. You will never not turn heads in an AM.

but heck people still do a 360 staring at my black 3series especially when its just washed

 

I got myself a 2006 DB9 with 11K miles on it about 6 months ago. I drive it nearly every day, but I've got a short commute so I usually only do about 5K miles a year (but this car makes me want to drive it all the time). Got the annual service done just after I bought it; a bit less than $1,500. No other problems, and I read everywhere that the more you drive it the more reliable it is. Seems to be true so far.

The back seats are completely useless -- you have to move the fronts so far forward that you end up with 4 uncomfortable people.

The V12 hasn't changed a lot since it showed up in the DB7 & Vanquish so it's got lots of miles behind it. It's a bit low-tech and not tuned to its limits. It's smooth, has enough power for me, and I really like the torque. And it does have that awesome sound! Mine is TouchTronic and it's the best automatic I've ever driven.

There are lots of faster, more agile, and rarer or more expensive cars, but this one is just really special to me. And even though I think the Vantage has a slight edge in the looks department, the DB9 is plenty beautiful.

Enjoy the test drives.

 

Nice to see some more Vancouver folks on here!!! You and Terry need to start an AM Cars & Coffee!!!

 

M6? One of the ugliest cars ever produced by BMW.

Get a DB9...better value than a Vantage if you buy for the same price. Plus you simply cannot beat a V12. That alone puts it in the exotic category.

 

To each their own, I really like the 6series, but the Aston is obvious way better in terms of looks. So you would pick an 07 db9 over an 09 v8v?

 

Value for money and V12?...no brainer

 

Drive both, they are very different cars. If you are an old fart that used to drive XJ Jags, a DB9 is great. If you prefer a more sporting drive, a Vantage.

 

As was said -- drive them both and decide. They are very different drives -- it's not a matter of better/worse. The V8V is more the sports car, the DB9 is more the GT -- different characters. My personal preference is sports car, so I have a V8V. Both are wonderful cars.

 

The more I look around online, I like the styling of the vantage better, will have to drive both and then I'm sure I will have a much better grasp.

 

Absolutely drive both!
I first test drove a Vanquish long ago, didn't like it.
Then drove a DB9, and as mentioned was more of a GT cruiser with lousy handling vs Vantage.
The Vantage has a much better visceral driving experience.
Btw, I've had an M6 and loovveedd that car!!! Awesome all around with great performance. But in the prestige category it doesn't compare to Aston.

 

You may like to consider the m6 or mercedes cls both are nice. When looking at vantage vs db9 you need to go drive both. Rear seats in db9 are useless period! Both look great I think the db series looks sleeker and longer but the vantage has a nice stalky bulldog look that some prefer. I like the v12 engine and my db9 has ther very rare manual transmission with factory Aston sport pack so it handles great and feels more like a sports car with a GT identity crisis lol ! This said look carefully at your budget and the value of what u are getting for money spent, if your budget is 60's k you may get much more for your money with a BMW or Mercedes (newer and with perhaps less miles) than the equivalent Aston be it a vantage or db9...so in the end it's all what fits you best! Good luck and keep us posted

 

I bought a DB9 to replace my maserati gransport as my daily driver, I also have a ferrari 360..

the DB9 for me won out over the Vantage (even though I ADORE the looks of the vantage) for a few reasons

1) The automated manual, no F1 clutch job and it shifts smoother = easier to use daily.
2) It feels like a GT that has the ability to be a very fast supercar, as opposed to the vantage which is designed to be more of a sportscar, because I have the 360.. I wanted a car that didn't feel like a gokart and I could drive more often that isn't so raw
3) The DB9 is really a beautiful creature.. while I think the Vantage and the Vanquish get my blood up a bit more than the DB9.. I think if I really sat down and looked at all three for a few hours I would end up appreciating the lines of the DB9 more than the other two cars.. it's a stunningly gorgeous piece of work.
4) The DB9 is in the same pricebracket and league as a ferrari 430/360/gallardo etc. (200kish new), The Vantage is more of a 911/R8 competitor.. which again means nothing at all to me.. however you get the feeling like your getting more bang for your buck (if you are buying used)

For me.. as a main car.. the DB9 is the way to go.. I am absolutely positive a V8 Vantage would do just as well.. but for a long haul the DB9 is more comfortable to be in and use.. where as the vantage to me is a car that can exhaust you after a few hours (like my 360). Basically the diff between a GT and a Sportscar..

 

Not to be pedantic, but the Touchtronic gearbox option on the DB9 is not an automated manual. It is an automatic (torque converter) gearbox referred by some as a "manu-matic" because of the addition of paddle switches to mimic an automated manual.

Congrats on your purchase.