DB9 thoughts...

I am young, and have no experience at all with either cars. But depending on where you live, I think an aston martin DB9 is much more rare. But that is only the case in my area. I would go with a DB9.

 

I just saw a DB9 volante in SoBe on Thursday & it was spectacular

If I didnt already have the sexiest drop top in the world I'd definately get that. Much better looking than the 575 SuperAmerica

Much better than the Bentley GT also

 

i've driven the DB9 coupe automatic. i was really impressed with the car, comparing it to my 550. i thoought the auto tranny sucked, but other than that i thought it was a very interesting car. if i were in the market for such a beast, i'd do a hard evaluation of a DB9 stick coupe -vs- a maranello. the fact that you can get a DB9 stick convertible makes it an even tastier proposition.

build quality is impressive. materials are impressive. that engine does not suck.

i didn't find the handling wildly impressive. it didn't suck, but the 550 was crisper with better road feel (imo, fwiw). it was more of a cruiser than the 550 (which is absolutely a cruiser in its own right).

net-net, after my test drive i think my reaction was "eh, buy a used 550 and get a well-used 993 c2 cab with the savings" -vs- the new DB9. but i'm guessing that if they nailed the six speed, it might be a far more interesting car.

bobafett wrote up an interesting DB9 review you might want to dig up out of the archives.

g/l.

i've owned two new 911s. both were 996s. both depreciated like rocks through wet paper bags. not sure i'll ever buy another new 911. i'll buy another 911, for sure, but probably pre-owned. assuming the 997 continues the trend, they're pretty disposable now.

though i don't know what DB9 depreciation looks like - maybe it's just as bad.

doody.

 

FWIW, I have not driven a stick, but am told it's a hell of a lot better than you'd expect. Haven't had a chance, I might take a peek when I get back.

BTW, while the volante looks absolutely stunning (can you think of a better looking convertible on the market? Nope. Neither can I) - it will shake, rattle and roll. A lot. Just remember it's a convertible. Think XK8 conv. + DB9 coupe and you're on the right track.

--Dan

 

FoHouston has a yellow barchetta for ~240 that my dad looked at and is always on ebay, and from what I have seen that is what most others are going for.

 

EVO just did another review on the DB9. It has gotten great reviews in most all mags, they could not get past the auto tranny.
This month they pitted the new 6 speed DB9 vs their own Vanquish S. They really loved the DB9 this time.

Its gorgous inside and out. Problem area is the hydralic power steering system. They say quality continues to improve. Whereas they felt a lil detached from the road with the auto, the manual impoved things tons.

ITs a GT and a damn fine one

 

Well if you like the CarerraS and want to stay within the Aston family, the DB-8 is coming next year. 911 size, DB-9 interior, V-8 good for over 400 ponies.
http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/208-12632-246645-4299/AM%20DB8.jpg
http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/208-12632-246618-4294/amv802.jpg
http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/208-12632-246618-4293/amv801.jpg
http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/208-12632-246618-4296/amv807.jpg
http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/208-12632-246618-4297/amv808.jpg

The pre-production reviews have been very promising for the baby Aston. Understand though, the new 997 Carerra S has gotten every single praise possible in the automotive press. It already won Car of the Yer in EVO. The performance times are sensational for this non turbo car.

Also,not sure your into Jags, but this is a visial dead ringer for the enw XK8
http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/208-12632-246645-4298/Jag%20ALC.jpg

If you think the Jag and Astons look similar, well they were both designed by Ian Callum, who is one of the top designers today. He did the DB7 as well.

 

What about the AMV8? It looks like a DB9 but with a smaller engine and price. Surely there will be a droptop version of it.

EDIT: OK SICKLEX beat me to it.

 

DB9
http://www.supercarfrance.com/DB9/Part-1/09.jpg
http://www.canadianautoreview.com/naias05-db9-front.jpg
http://www.canadianautoreview.com/naias05-db9-dash.jpg
Also, I believe the DBR9 race car won its first race.
The DB9 looks fantastic here
http://www.eshaun.com/pics/photo/AMDB9-131_3130.jpg
http://www.eshaun.com/pics/photo/AMDB9-131_3131.jpg

And people are modding the snot out of the 997 already
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2005/2005-TechArt-Porsche-Carrera-997-SA-1024x768.jpg
http://www.germancarfans.com/tuners/7050601.002/7050601.002.Mini3L.jpg
http://www.kozmanautos.com/99734f.jpg
http://www.kozmanautos.com/99734r.jpg
http://www.kozmanautos.com/997interior.jpg

Wow, what a choices!! Not one bad apple in this bunch!

 

Yes, from my understanding, the DB7 replacement became the DB9 as the baby aston would be called the DB8. At first, we all thought they just skipped the 8. Appropriate since it uses a 4.3 liter V-8 as well.

They aimed to take out the 911 with the DB8, we'll see soon enough.

 

The DB9 Volante is gorgeous, I would guess it will help to bring down 550 Barchetta prices even more. Dealers may be asking $240k but I havent heard of any selling at any price LOL

I'd take a DB9 volante over the goofy SuperAmerica any day, the DB9 is WAY better looking

Why doesnt Ferrari just take the spyder mechanism off the 430 & adapt it to the 575. The SuperAmerica reminds me of a 1970 Vette roof

 

Clearly it should be called DB430.

 

i think this is the only aston that looks great in YELLOW

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Aston-Martin-V8-SA-Yellow-1920x1440.jpg

 

Fred, if u don't like yellow. These are not the production car pics though. And no problem at all
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33719&stc=1
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33720&stc=1
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33721&stc=1
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33722&stc=1

 

I like them
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Had the Volante for extended test drive.
Even on rough surfaces,rail crossings etc,it does not "shake and rattle" as someone here described.It has tremendous torque,a little too sensitive throttle,handles great and is in a different league then the 997S Cab(my daily driver).
Of course it's way more expensive but it feels and looks it.
997 is a sports car,the Volante is a GT,feels much bigger and more substantial(in a good way) and the quality of finish and workmanship is just outstanding.
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Neighbor has a ferrari, Lamborghini Gallardo and an Aston Martin.

We were shooting the breeze the other day and he said...(his words) was that the Aston Martin was his favorite out of all the cars he has.

Said its just the best car out of the bunch and when I asked if had to choose just one of them to own he said the Aston Martin would be the hands down winner.

HTH.....

Buy the Aston Martin with confidence. Although not the fastest etc...its one of the most beautiful cars on the road.

 

Good Lord the covert looks as good as the coupe, RARE for auto designers to accomplish. Great pics.

 

plain and simple, the 911 and Porsche has become a bore! their focus and emphasis has been geared towards volume. this is good for Porsche's financials but very bad after-affects for the consumer....low resale values and low exclusivity, to name a couple. Porsche and their buyers always justify their cars with how durable, user-friendly and the fact they can be used as daily drivers! it's pure bull-crap! i've driven a 993, 996, Ferrari 355, 360 and Lamborghini Gallardo...guess which ones i've had the most problems with? you guessed correctly, the P-cars. finally when it came time to sell or trade-in, you would have thought i was giving the keys to a used Ford F150....horrible, horrible resale! to answer your question....get the DB9! i have a handful of experiences with the car. completely refined, solid, beautiful, elegant, oh and that sound! the Vanquish and the DB9 are some of the best sounding cars upon start up. there have been many positive reviews and Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear loves the thing. if you want to know more, i can fill you in but buying a Volkswagen 911 would be doing yourself a massive disservice and a ride to forever boredomville! not to mention when a beautiful Aston drives by, your heart will sink, like that beautiful lady that got away and you will continually ask yourself...what was i thinking? i understand money is money...consider a used DB9 coupe with 500 miles or so and send me the cigars after!