What's Ailing Modern Aston Martins And Could This DB9 Replace My Entire Fleet?
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- The Aston Martin DB9 was always beautiful but it failed to make Aston grow enough.. The company has always struggled. The more modern cars like the DB9 were a big step forward dynamically but in the process they also became less appealing than the older more flawed Astons of the 80s and 90s. Today I drive this DB9, try and see if as one car it could replace my classic Ferrari for looks and sense of occasion, my Lotus Elise for fun and handling...
Check out Ben's channel: / @dadcars
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I suspect that the DB9 is going to be a coveted classic in the electric future. A car that we all will regret not buying when they were relatively affordable.
We all?! Lol
there will be no "electric future", not with lithium stuff of yours )
We love Aston’s but the market doesnt
@@SirDrewPeacockif you are looking for an Aston to keep long term then 100% great value for money
The only common parts between the V12 and Mondeo V6 are the pistons, valve springs, tappets and valves themselves. Nothing else is shared.
I think this rumour needs to stop persisting.
I think the story is fair enough (sort of). Aside from the components you mention, just about everything (block, heads, camshafts, sump, cooling system, cam covers, crankshaft, etc) obviously have to be doubled up lengthwise to make it a V12, therefore making them different components to those fitted to the V6, although the basic design philosophy is much the same.
@@rogerking7258 Yes - in the same way that the X Type IS a Mondeo underneath no matter what the Jag bufties say. Sure, bits are very slightly different but they are simply modified Mondeo bits. The X Type is a Ford, and this V12 is a Ford derived design.
Wat?? Ber lah. Blahblahblahhh
It could never really replace your 3 cars, because you'd miss the fact that they all have very distinct, and very different characters. You'd miss that variation!
It's like a muslim men who got the option of 4 wives and yet majority of them just happy with 1🤭
But Jack is a man , who enjoys experiencing the variety , which is 'the spice of life' . He enjoys and loves each car , but moves on , to find new loves . Otherwise pound for pound ,the car to keep that does all ,, he still have the 964 💙
One car makes a less interesting UA-cam channel, especially if that car lacks the inherent electrical issues of a 70's Lucas fitted item.
Hi Jack enjoyed the video. I’ve done 85,000 m in my DB9 and if I’m honest I don’t recognise the car from your review. The engine is more torquey than revy, the steering especially compared to my 360 has a decent weight and loads up nicely with speed and the interior was flawed but special at launch, more bespoke than the Jaguar switches in the DB7. It’s a great GT in my view but not comparable to any of your three for being a GT. interesting perspective though.
Thanks
The key with the DB9 is it was the first car produced at Gaydon not Newport Pagnell and were made on a more automated production line rather than hand assembled like the virage etc so they are inherently less special due to that. They were also made in greater numbers so are more common and engineered to be used more as Jack mentioned
Still awesome cars though
Quite right, the VH platform shared with the Vantage, DBS, DB9 & Vanquish
That 80s V8 Vantage was to me the last Aston .
Brittish engine , body , looks .
It looked like a Bulldog reddy to smash trough a wall , and that insanely gorgious dashboard !
It just oozes HANDBUILT .
I think exactly the same
Doug de Muro know well why he once owned one. You are right!
@@playtimehulot7383 Wait, what? Doug owned the modern Vantage, (ca 2010) not the 80's Vantage that Chris was talking about.
Looked like an ugly version of a Ford Mustang
Bamford Engineering made a good video about the origins of the engine. Ford commissioned Porsche to design a high performance modular single cylinder design with which the Ford engineers could design engines.
They made three, maybe more highly regarded engines, the Jaguar V6 which is becoming beloved of modifiers such as the V6 MX5’s, the Aston V12 and the Ford V6.
To my mind it’s a special engine and while it’s related to the Ford V6 it’s definitely not two Mondeo engines stuck together. No modifier has managed that one.
I like the Bez/Gaydon era cars. I think they are very special especially the styling which is very very very hard to get right. I don’t much like the Palmer cars with all the Merc stuff. I like that after Victor Gauntlet sold Aston to Ford they went out of their way to design a fantastic engine. It could have ended up with a Land Rover V8. I think it’s quite fitting that it’s a Ford engine.
I’m with you on the earlier Astons. They are truly special and I may have watched your Virage film ten times.
Wow!! Ten times… thank you!! And for you comment here
Good video Jack. I think the 'problem' with high end sports cars today is that they are not bought new by petrol heads. They are bought by rich people who want to show off their wealth. They are more concerned with whether they can get their golf clubs in the boot than steering feel. So that's what car manufacturers produce.
We can only blame ourselves for that; the ratio of BMW M2 Competitions or Jaguar F Type ( when it was available) with manual gearboxes rather than glorified automatics is quite shocking.
Spot on! The downside of the improved reliability and driving ease of modern cars means they're no longer too much effort for non-enthusiasts.
I guess Lotus and McLaren don't suffer from this with their feisty hydraulic power steering with a lot of feedback (noting the manual steering Exige is discontinued I believe), due to their more niche enthusiast focus?
People don't seem to complain that much about Ferrari or Alfa Romeo steering either, even though they say it's "typical Italian light".
I guess one person's "lively feedback" is another person's "annoying kickback and tramlining" (and warranty complaint?!) hence why cars like the BMW M5 seek to remove as much steering feedback as possible?
There is an article on Car and Driver magazine where they interviewed a BMW engineer who explained how the majority of North American BMW owners surveyed wanted less steering weight and less steering feedback in their "Ultimate Cruising Machines"(TM) so that's what they gave them! 🙂
Quote:
Kistler explained, "When we moved to EPS, we learned how to divide the good and bad messages for the customer."
Asked to cite an example of bad information, Kistler explained: “Lines in the road with an orientation parallel to the car’s path cause what we call ‘pull drift.’ The tires try to follow the lines instead of the direction selected by the driver through the steering wheel. While that’s difficult to address with hydraulic power steering, with EPS we can install what we call pull-drift compensation to help keep the car locked on a straight path instead of following longitudinal grooves."
www.caranddriver.com/news/a15346236/steer-me-feel-me-exploring-why-bmws-no-longer-excel-in-steering-feel/
I think they are catering to a lot "accidental BMW buyers" hence the brand's shift from sporty to luxury.
Its a vrand tlurer, not some spikey, nervous, and un- accomodating " Nurburgring" handler, totally alien to its purpose. If you want to cover continents safely and rapidly, in flawless comfort necessary for trunk route concentration, buy a DB 9. If you want a track day blaster, buy a Lotus - cramped for full sized humans, derided by those with a bank balance and exuding all the crass bumpiness of a tarted up go - kart.
I had a DB9 on my shopping list but ended up with a Virage (2011). It is rarer and more special than the standard DB9 and has the styling of the later ones plus things like carbon ceramic brakes so is great at hustling through the twisty bits with no hint of brake fade.
I couldn’t agree more, I’d take any older Aston over today’s offering, not because they aren’t good, but they just aren’t special enough. That said, I’d almost say that applies to many of its competitors too.
Really entertaining video Jack! 😅 I agree the older Astons feel more special because they are more flawed and as such aren’t able to be used as dailys! I’d love a vanquish 1 but they aren’t as reliable or useable. As a fan of yours for years, it’s such fun watching you review my car 👏😅
Thank you Ben.. I think in the video I come across harsher on the DB9 than I meant.. I did enjoy it and especially for the money they have loads going for them. See you gain soon chap!!
Was wondering when this video would come out
@@Number27 I enjoyed it! Good to get a different take on it, many moan about the modern current gen cars and love these but it’s funny to see someone so into classics that these are seen as modern ones as well 😅
I watch car videos for light entertainment and to fall asleep - so a lot of historical facts tend to keep the brain awake but something like Mr. Clarkson's remark that the 540 hp version feels anemic compared to the 620 hp version gets me triggered as well...
None of that here fortunately but what I was wondering about, especially when someone has a reason to compare an Aston Martin and a compact Peugeot, is how come gas mileage or petrol consumption, whichever is the proper expression, is not mentioned?
@@florkgagga Going from 3 cars to one, even with the higher fuel consumption it would be cheaper to run the one car I’d say with all running costs considered 😎
To my mind, the fact that the DB9 is a GT car it doesn’t really compare to any of your cars.
The DB9.2 (2014 onwards) is SO much better compared to the 470bhp car you tested. More powerful, better handling & better looking IMHO
The other thing, in my experience is that you will always be let out of junctions in an Aston, not necessarily in a Ferrari or a Porsche!😊
You always get let out of junctions in a Maserati also :)
Interesting points here. I have a 2013 vanquish and love it. I have no idea how fast I am going (no bad thing) as the dials are tiny but as a whole the ergonomics are great. The v12 is amazing and it's great as a daily. Tried the new vantage last week and would buy it as a second aston. Can't say the new DBS does anything for me as its a tad too aggressive looking without the dynamics of a vantage.
I recently sold my V12 DB7 because my young kids had outgrown the baby seats and I simply wasn’t using it. Yet I loved it, and still think it’s unbelievably beautiful. Now that the cheapest 9s are on a par with the dearest 7s I think a 9 is a wise investment, but as I have a 1978 V8 and a DB2/4 I’m gonna settle for 2 Astons for a while. They are special though - I’m a way that 911s can never, ever be.
what was the conclusion? The question is in the title, so what's the answer? Sorry, but this video is all over the place. Also, did anyone think about parking a DB9 next to kerbs, or riding over sleeping policemen, or going to a multistory car park. So many other things. Nice idea of a video, but ... I own a 2004 DB9 and is a beauty of a car, but never in a million years can be a day to day car. Be realistic pls.
It’s not 2 mondeo engines, I think your doing it a disservice, this car is over 20 years old, it’s wonderful to look at
No other brand of car will ever have the coolness of Aston Martin
I think you missed the point there, but that is my opinion
Enjoyable video but maybe a bit harsh on the beautiful DB9. Surely it is in spirit a true GT car rather than a pure sports car. Does anyone really buy these car expecting lightning fast gear changes. Surely sublime looks and that sonorous V12 are the true high points of ownership.
I think I'll stick with my DB6...
1/18 scale of course...
But I think that’s the car that ticks all the boxes, at scale 1:1 of course.
Its funny how different perception can be. For me as a German a Aston Martin is truly special, much more than our German brands and even more than most of the Italian ones aswell. I am surprised how often British journalists and influencers are much more critical with several of your "heritage" brands. Do you have any idea why that is so?
It is a British characteristic.
@@richardwoollaston3650 "apologetics?"
you are very right, we are our own worst critics.
My fingers are crossed that British car brands will overcome the challenges at the moment and find a healthy future, especially Lotus, Aston Martin and Jaguar 🤞 Without them the car industry would loose a lot of character.
I think you're right on the money ref British journalists, with very few exceptions, especially when it comes to Aston Martin, a certain Mr Needell never seemed to have a good word for them 🙄
How can you compare the Aston's stirring with the 306 ? The weight difference makes the 306 like a go-cart.
Aston with kids' finger prints on the inside of the back windows! Absolutely love that 😊
you have created a wee niche area here with a really balanced well thought out videos. I miss seeing the hands on stuff but still really enjoyable and well informed
I agree with you. I like cars that are built for a specific task, so I would rather have 3 lesser cars than one that does everything at once.
Absolutely. In reality, there’s no logic in buying and running a £40k Aston and then saying you can only afford one car? Additionally, the added depreciation and maintenance bills you’d cause by putting big miles on it (vs keeping it for weekend use) would cover the costs of running a sensible alternative as a daily.
Agree, I own 2 vastly different cars, a 2002 C240 Mercedes as a daily driver and a Porsche 986 Boxster for when I feel like going for a fun drive.
'Jack' of all trades, master of none does not a great car make.
@@stevecade857 I dunno, the whole hot hatch category is based on that (well they do shopping/practical + sporty, though not luxury -- well not luxury if that want to do sporty properly) and a lot of them are quite good. E.g., hopefully the Honda Civic Type R shopping car is good enough down your favourite mountain road that you don't feel like you "need" to have a Honda S2000, even if you want a Honda S2000.
(Indeed it's true that any hot hatchbacks that try to be a bit luxurious tend to be more numb and have softer suspension with too much bodyroll though.)
@@TassieLorenzo Sounds like you're arguing with yourself about one car filling all roles ;-)
You've got fantastic taste in cars mate. Every petrol head should own an Aston Martin at some point. I got to drive a Vantage 4.7 Convertible many years ago and loved the sound. In a car show at Bath a nice chap was doing rides for charity...in a DBS Superleggera. The torque of that thing! The DB9 has always been a dream car for me. They respond well to the usual NA mods - ported Heads, manifolds and high flow cats, diff gears etc.
You say that the V12 is basically a 2 mondeo engines put together. This is absolutely not true. Said everywhere I know but false. Plus, you’re driving a more than 25 years old car referring to its conception. You can’t expect a 2020 performance GT car. Do you remember what where it’s competitors at the time and where they are now? Have a good drive.
Did he say he expected a 2020 GT car though? I don't remember him applying that yardstick in the video.
Thank you, I respect people's opinions but the idea the engine is just two V6s is massively overplayed and misunderstood
The block, heads and crankshaft are all new, but the architecture of bore, stroke and V-angle of 60 degrees are all the same.
It’s roots do not align totally with the mondeo, however it is a Ford parts bin special. Jag/Lincoln based modular engine. V6,8,12. From an ex vanquish development tech.
The gear change will never be great, it’s a tremec 6sp, but with the magnetti selespeed system, as used by Ferrari, but Ferrari did not allow competitors to use their unique tech, this will use a gated box, Ferrari do not.
DB9s are so beautiful. But regarding my budget I probably could only afford to include a DB7 to my fleet :-D still beautiful outside but far off regarding the rest I assume.
I owned two db9s, one in 2004 when they came out and another a few years later in Volante. Absolutely loved owning both. Why anyone would try to compare them, now or ever, to a Lotus Elise or some Peugeot is beyond me.
"or some Peugeot" is quite possibly peak Aston owner speak😀
@@gldstone hehe
@@gldstone I see that 😎
You didn't mention fuel economy and I think that would be a deal breaker for a daily driver. I doubt a normal guy could afford to put gas in this beast!
Average about 18mpg, did 4000 miles in the first year which cost about £2000
@@dadcars Thanks! That would be 15 mpg's (US) which is considered pretty abysmal here as an average. I'm sure some people wouldn't think twice...I'm not one of those people!😀🚗🚗🚗🚗😀
i know they have problems but they are still my dream car.
So a flawed Aston is more special ? I’d rather have my db9 thanks decent reliability gorgeous looks and an absolute gem of an engine with the hypnotic exhaust note . Comparing too lotus or Peugeot , that had me in stitches . Love the channel Jack reviews are usually great ,,,,,,,,,,, 😂 each too their own opinions
DB9 is a classic GT and not really a fair comparison to your three.
I like your assessment of modern Aston Martins. It's kind of like the worst of both worlds. They are not as good as the equivalent 911 of their era and they are not as good as their predecessors because they have sacrificed their specialness for modern ubiquity without managing to the best in terms of modernity.
Disagree. Most folks haven’t driven the older cars and will get into this one thinking it is a special thing. Current buyers are likely looking for a rapid and comfortable GT, not a raucous sports car.
Anything with a V12 is special. DB9 has aged really well I think they are fabulous and light years ahead of the DB7. I’d love to try a manual one. Owned a V12 Vantage a while ago it was glorious, current Astons don’t appeal just can’t get on with the weird Merc based interiors. DB9 interior still looks great to me.
Yeah I blooming love this generation interior, it’s so special to my eye 😊
@@dadcars me too like a Breitling watch!
Jack stop showing your non engineering background. Your not yet Jeremy Clarkson but your well on the way. . Two Mondeo engines, what a superficial comment that shows a total lack of any research or knowledge. Yes it was jointly developed and funded by Ford. You try being a low volume producer and funding the design and development of a V12 engine from scratch. It was amazing that they managed to pull it off with such limited resources. And then the DB9 as a brand new model and I mean brand new, and in a brand new facility at Gaydon. It was a massive statement of faith by Ford in Aston Martin that set it up to produce the follow up V8 Vantage etc and, all their variants. In 2007 Astons were producing and selling 17,000 cars a year. Ten years earlier they were producing 150 cars a year. Hand built means huge variability and thus crap quality. Astons was dragged into the 21st century else it would have perished and you along with all the other pundits could bemoan the loss of another great British brand. The old Astons is still very much part of Astons proud history and we build on that and face the future together.
This situation of charm loss has happened to many vehicles, British are a big sufferer though, another example is the new Land Rover Defender, a wonderful and very capable vehicle, but just no charm at all compared to the old series Land Rovers or the last generation of Defenders, you could put 10 in a row and every one would feel different somehow, that is the real charm of British classics, ever vehicle had a soul....
The DB9 was the last pretty Aston Martin. The DB11 is a pig and Aston Martin are sliding into chavdom with their latest.....'creations'. So yes, either a DB9 or a Vanquish.
100% get what you’re trying to say and the reason is Ford, the same with Jaguar & Volvo of the similar period. All 3 were owned by Ford and felt in places like a Ford (buttons, switches, keys, engines etc) just Ford bits. So they all lost a little of their individuality and gained a bit of Fordness….that’s why the older cars of those 3 makes felt different & looking back felt special…
in essence, the character and style of a car is in its weaknesses, to be truly bittish, it's got to be pleasantly flawed. I suppose it also has a single figure handicap by tradition.
Like antique furniture, it's not really practical on a daily basis, but they both carry forward priceless tradition and ultimately, success derives from tradition.
That generation Aston is looking ok, I just don’t find them exciting whatsoever
The DB9 really is a GT and so it'l never compare to the Elise or GT6 as they're balls out b-road/track-day racers. I remember those GT6's they've very loud road noise - great fun but a couple of hours and you'd have tinnitus for the rest of the day.
Not a car for you...didn't see you really smile once the way the cars you have make you smile.
I had a 2018 DB11 V8 Volante for a few weeks & was totally underwhelmed by it, & I think your right, it did feel far too sanitised. Weirdly I also had a Rolls Phantom DHC & found the same thing with that, although, the sheer bulk of that thing gave it a huge level of "presence". I feel my Jag XJR (X308) is a better practical compromise than either of them, & although isn't as efficient (largely due to weight) than the later ally bodied X350 XJR, it has that "British feel" that's almost extinct now.
I think its because "we", as in our car industry, have increasingly felt the need to have "Germanic" levels of attention to detail to compete, BUT, critically, a lot of people who have traditionally wanted these British icons, me included, specifically want them because they ARENT Germanic, we WANT some "flaws" to make them feel bespoke & have "personalities", we don't buy cars to beat German rivals round the Nurburgring, we don't want Lexus levels of refinement either, we want something that talks to our souls in a way nothing else does, so we can feel a degree of love for them, but we seem to have lost all that in an effort to satisfy the automotive press criticisms that have historically been levelled at "us", & now we`re left with increasingly bland, soulless stuff, that, although is appealing to the masses visually, does little to satisfy car lovers... Its a shame.
Who am I to disagree? I just want one of those Aston’s, it a very nice car.
Dash looks like an Amstrad hi fi system from the 80's. Very poor.
Your friend has a point. Despite the baked-in corporate "efficiencies", it's still an Aston Martin. Cheers Sir David Brown
It's a perfect daily driver....until I went to the gas station
Also, you'll never replace the Lotus with anything that can do what it can, 'cos it's in a class of its own. Just sayin'.
Agreed!!!!
I think what you're alluding to is charm/character, like the small pool of oil on the driveway - that's character, that is.
If anything, I think Ben's car hits the sweet spot. 80's/90s Vantage/Virage are dinosaurs in the car world. We love them but don't want to daily one. Today's cars are disposable white goods. They do everything well but in a modern, clinical way. Just by having that 6.0 V12 shows that 2005-9 era Aston's still had a bit of headbanger about them. Because the ergo's aren't good shows there was still human input and not all designed by AI. If I was to run a prestige GT daily then this is a good a choice as any.
Here's the rub (for me): For half the price and about 90% of the thrills you could land a same era Jag... and have four doors if you so pleased. The 308XJR or XKR would be my one car garage...
Great comment 👏 Im hoping to get some jaaaaags on the channel soon
Another great video, Jack. It's very hard to have a sports car (or GT) that can do everything - maybe it's easier to have a practical family car, that has sporting pretensions? RS6, E63, or a working Cayenne Turbo that won't drain your bank account in repair bills. English marques all lost their unique quirks when they were acquired by other firms. The striking design element of the DB9, its grille, was slapped on all of Fords cars when it acquired it - maybe the most expensive grill in automotive history!? It also hurt the unique design and face of the Aston.
Ford did that, and I was seething with rage at the time. The sacrilege! You are the first one I see commenting on it. Thanks!
What do you expect from Yanks. No class.@@silvaanosvs8783
I have had V12s Astons as daily drivers, kids included in the game, since they started with the DB7 Vantage.
The reason of the choice, amongst many other qualities like beauty and exclusivity: the only V12 MANUAL convertible 2+2.
But you do have to try it with a manual gearbox, on top of the sport chassis and eventually a little engine tweak; not with that boring pointless auto that kills half of the sensations…
Then you can think of it as an essential element of your line-up!…
I agree the manual would be a much better fit for Jack 😊 well done for living the V12 DadCar dream with your children 👏 respect
That is the most “Hammond” thing I’ve ever heard you say.
JC: So you’re saying that the old ones are better…because they are worse.
No.27: Yes.
JC: And on that bombshell it’s time to end.
😂😂😂😂😂 very good!!
When will you be doing a vid on what the Italian motorists are driving these days. Last time I was there, it was the uno, the 500, small engined CKlasse and the odd Subaru. The police and carabineri drove alfa
I’m thinking that they could well be driving jappas these days
Before I watch this, if the Aston is not a manual, then NO!
The V12 sounds beautiful. It's a shame they won't be making any more
Enjoyed the video Jack, but have to say it’s unfair to label the DB9 as a flappy paddle car. I think you are referring to early sequential shift manuals (I.e vanquish, BMW’s SMG, etc) whereas DB9 has full blown 6spd automatic with torque converter. The paddles provide manual interaction, but it’s not what most would refer to as a flappy paddle box. Also why you detected no jerkiness, and why it was so keen to change up.
Yeah I must admit this being my first ever auto I was really impressed with this touchtronic 2 box, think it suits the car well but I wasn’t surprised as Jack just doesn’t like autos full stop 😅
What you're saying is that you like classic cars over modern cars because of their flaws, their uniqueness, their character, their 'Alfa-ness' ... which is perfectly ligitimate. I agree in general ... I'd still love a DB9 over my XFS though ... just for the way it looks!
The 306 was I feel was the peak fwd car, refined in a way the Saxo / 106 was not, yet still light enough to be useful. After that the push for safety meant affordable cars could never be so light again.
One thing you forgot to mention is running costs - bet you that Aston costs more to run than your 3 cars.
Completely get your point about the old Astons vs the modern stuff -
Now if you only had to have one car to do everything what would you get?
I bet the Influenzo, elise and 306 cost more to run all things considered… Astons don’t cost as much as you’d think if you get one that’s been looked after correctly.
But Jack...it had its own space on the 'Cool Wall' . Yes it has faults and is a bin parts car but you need to compare apples to apples, its a GT car for long journey's not for pottering around town and certainly you can't compare it to your collection in terms of what it was designed for. Keep up the great work on your channel.
You didn’t cover your opinion regards daily operating and maintenance costs. If you have only one car it needs to be cost effective and reliable. You have no back up if your sole transport needs constant maintenance and repairs. And daily operating cost needs to be reasonable. IMO. Thanks for the out of the ordinary review 👍
Perhaps the De Tomaso Pantera is the car to use instead of all your current fleet? Thanks Jack, the Aston was special, but not special enough! 🙏🙏
I’m a minute in, and I feel compelled to reply already. Sorry about that, I’ll regret it properly later.
What’s missing? Newport Pagnell, that’s what. The plaque on the engine saying who built it, the handstitched leather by that sweet lady who had done it all her life, the two guys rolling a bonnet on sneakers in a never ending foxtrot, the one tin of brass filler that lasted them a year. The 1,800 manhours it took them to build one car. One! The barbed wire to keep the foxes out of the henhouse. There’s art and there’s craft. I prefer craft.
Now there are AMG engines being bought stock, robots, spreadsheets, board meetings. There’s Lawrence Stroll. There are marketing budgets. Of course they had to, but. Just a dr. Seuss but. Nothing special there now.
Great analogy the lack of craftsmanship really hits the nail on the head!!
@@MrCarrera28 mainly taken from an article in Autovisie by Nico de Jong, just before Newport Pagnell closed down. But I stand by it. Buying an Aston was like buying a castle for a home, or marrying: a lifetime commitment
I love the looks of the older Aston Martin's but I think the new stuff with all the older Mercedes tech well I'm not a fan, to be honest when I spend time dreaming about what I'd buy if I won the lottery an Aston never enters my mind! Excellent job as always Jack 👍
That exhaust note! Love it
Biggest problem with Aston Martin in Australia is the cost of parts and service, they make Rolls Royce and Porsche look cheap, friend owned a 2008 V8 Vantage and the price for parts was terrifying, same friend also owns a 1979 911SC and by comparison parts are cheap. When he first bought the AM he took it to a dealer for a post purchase inspection, they charged him AU$2000.00 and they didn't actually do anything, they just inspected and wrote a report, he kept the Porsche and sold the AM
Very enjoyable video, particularly as I actually rented a DB9 in Germany identical to the one tested here. Going along the Autobahn at 240 km/h the car really felt in its element, safe and stable, the V12 like a turbine. The exterior design is really lovely and people were staring at the car at intersections. The ergonomics were not so considered and I would them inferior to my Corvette's, although the interior finishing was very nice. The weight of the car is really obvious at lower speeds and I am not sure it can be considered "fun to drive" compared to the Lotus or Peugeot but as a GT car (albeit with a surprising lack of boot space) it shines--although at Autobahn speeds the fuel gauge dial moves rapidly towards "E!" However, why I can see why someone might consider a 10 or 12 year old DB9, the original price could not have been justified in comparison to its competitors and the speed of its depreciation reflects this.
This is a beautiful car hands down.
I think I'd rather have a DB9 than three, four or five other cars, regardless of whether it could practically replace them - say, one of them were a pickup truck, for instance - but then I am mental. Especially about DB9's and Aston Martin.
😂👏
I know exactly where your coming from ie older cars have soul where as modern tech takes it away unfortunately. We learn to live with the downside off vehilces that what gives them their appeal.. 👍👍👍
I’ve got a new shape Vantage, and it’s the best car I’ve ever owned. Combines the performance of the 911 Turbo I had with the sense of occasion of the Maserati Granturismo that followed it. Only two seats, but very practical large hatch/ boot. Can cruise when you want it, be blisteringly fast when you want. You can even have it with a manual ‘box if you’re a bit odd. The red-trouser brigade hate it, of course, and people who are never likely to own one complain about the “two generations old Mercedes infotainment” (I have ApplePlay installed), but I can assure you it’s brilliant.
I drove past one yesterday and it looked stunning 😎
The big issue with Aston Martin is the maintenance cost. Parts cost about double what the Ferrari parts cost, so ridiculously expensive. The car looks beautiful but unfortunately is too costly to maintain, not a practical replacement for your daily drivers.
It cost me just under £1000 for 12 coil packs spark plugs and inlet manifold gaskets and I fitted them myself so I couldn’t put a Labour figure on it, be nice to know how much a v12 Ferrari or Lamborghini would cost to replace the same 🤔
@@thehouseholder5468 The coil packs and spark plugs are identical to ones used in the Ford Duratec V6 on which this engine is based (Aston Martin’s V12 is essentially two Ford Duratec V6s placed end to end), thus they are much cheaper than parts that are unique to Aston Martin.
Hmm the second century cars I think are better in that respect 5 yrs few servicing which takes a lot of the cost away immediately. Tyres and brakes excluded from that, yr 4 and 5 plonk a warranty on it and probably avoid crying if something went wrong.
Very mediocre interior.. and I got a corsa .😂
If you get rid of the 308 I’m out.😉
So why doesn't the SPEEDO work
I feel sooooooo sorry for you Jack. Having to drive all of those cool cars. How ever do you cope?!!
You've got me with the Peugeot example. Yet I own a Maserati 430, a Aston DB7 i6, a Alfa 75 V6 QV AND a Peugeot 106 Mk1 with the 1,5 TUD engine. That's my absolute favourite! YES:Peugeots from this era were soo great! Thank you deeply for your content and your incorruptibility and heartfelt honesty!
You nailed the quintessence again. I would absolutely describe it the same way! Did you ever try an early the DB7 i6? For me, they still have that special British feeling (see my own films from Dutch CineCars channel) with all those imperfections but beautifully mixed up together. The Swansong of that British feeling, leading the way to the new world of Aston. (I already liked your review of the Continental R, as I own both, the Conti and DB7)
Yes, please!! A Aston Martin DB7 i6 manual would be a great follower after these two great examples from the Aston Martin history. You are the right one to say true words about the "Jaguar" that makes the perfect first non tractor 6 cylinder Aston which not only looks like heaven (DB5 in Birch Silver) but also drives like heaven!!
Very nice car. Wish these could be upgraded to the ubiquitous ZF 8-speed. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
I did a bit of a double take when you went from talking about a 306, then a 308. I was still thinking Peugeots!
Old wives' tale the 2 x Mondeo engines together. It isn't. They share a common combustion chamber design only, a joint partnership with Bosch I believe, that's the only commonality.
The gearbox in the DB9 is a 6 speed ZF automatic as used in most other luxury auto cars of the period. The paddles are just switches. It's not a flappy paddle box - those are automated manual boxes - think BMWs SMG or Ferraris F1 box in the 430 and similar. The DB9s box isn't meant to be sporty and quick. It's an automatic...
Been thinking of one of these now they’re coming down in price. Only thing that puts me off is I drove on for a day About 15 years ago and thought it was boringly disappointing . I’m older now and they kind of appeal
I agree completely. I've always enjoyed cars for the things that make them stand out; their little quirks and oddities gave them character. When you drive a car like that, it's an experience you can't replicate with other cars. Cars today are far too homogeneous and don't really look or feel as distinctive, which kind of takes away their charm.
For me, the last true great Aston was the DB7 Vantage. Forget the "Jag with a frock on" rubbish and the Ford parts bin special tag by the haters, it's a great car with proper "beauty, power and soul". However, as I've offered before, for a daily driver that sits outside day in day out, has looks to die for whether top up or down, the R230 SL500 has a great deal going for it. I use mine every day to go to work, it's not (too) bad on fuel and I even take the garden rubbish to the tip in it! Have a whirl, it's a cracker and it only cost me £12,000.00 three years ago with 43,000 on the clock, got just over 60,000 now which includes several holidays to Cornwall and the Lakes. I think you'll be surprised.
Aston is simply one level down ( if not more ) compared with Ferrari, Porsche or Lamborghini. In any measure. AND NEW COST AS MUCH AND MORE THAN SOME OF THEM . PEOPLE PROBABLY GET BORED OF THIS CARS AFTER the first week of driving. ALL THEIR MODELS ,BE DB11,Db 9 ,Vintage and everything drive in near same way .THEY ARE NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD AS WELL AS THE SIMILIAR MODELS OF THE 3 BIG GERMAN COMPANIES BMW ,Mercedes or Audi .
It's amazing how the DB9 has come down in price close to the V8 Vantage. I was tempted by both. The DB9 is far more special but the Vantage would probably be a lot easier and cheaper to run. Hard call. If you feel that you can have a DB9 and do a bunch of required work yourself it is probably the type of car you can keep for life. It'll always look and sound wonderful, it'll never go any lower in value and perhaps one day up in value. Probably a great buy to get in on the ground floor today. Fair chance it'll be worth a lot more in another 20 years, despite being overshadowed by the DBS.
The DB9 has less maintenance if we're talking the automatic. The Clutches on the vantage are a huge maintenance expense even with the auto because it's an automated manual
It would be a bad compromise i think for replacing all of your fleet. You could use it as a daily no problem but I think you would be quite disappointed. I wonder if modern Aston's are becoming more like SUV's in that they are perhaps a bit predictable. As you say some of that could be due to modern cars design and maybe CAD? (easier for the younger designers than a Pencil, less creativity) I will probably be ridiculed for that last remark! Thanks Jack for another review.👍👍
Hello Jack. I love your videos; the Influenza was terrific!
As for the Aston: They never were at the top of the table, and yet I'd own one if I could afford it.
I agree with all you said, especially that although flawed, like many "classics", they have soul.
I grow up on Italian cats: Fulvias, Zagatos, Alfas and Fiat's - if only I had them today, they would cost a fortune! All flawed, yet had more soul than and modern car of today.
Bring back the classics!!!
There is just something “special” about driving an Aston. Re the 308, try changing gear or engaging 2nd when the gearbox is cold…
The Ford key is just fine, the 308’s key is from any 60’s Fiat and exactly the same on Lada’s
Sorry but are you seriously comparing the ergonomics to the 308??????
I was bored by the standard DB9, because it was floaty and the gearbox was so slow and vague, but I bought a manual one with the Sports Pack. It was much more enjoyable. Replaced it with a V12 Vantage, which is as much more enjoyable than the manual DB9 is compared with the ordinary auto DB9. DB9 is no good for children over 4 though.
Try a V12 Vantage (not a flappy paddle one!) - it’s a great car.
Lack of “specialness” - bang on, Jack. Astons & Jags all lost that “something” in the early-mid nineties. Whatever the reasons - desperate for cash as much as anything - they’ve all felt like clone war players since, going for the widest audience at the expense of individuality. I’m happier in my technically and power figure deficient XJS 3.6 manual than I was in an XK8, XKR and even newer 911s and fast Audis. Dinosaurs’ delight! Keep trying the old, the quirky and deranged, loving these vids 👍
Jack as I have grown older, I find my needs changing...One year ago I bought a 2004 BMW 645Ci SMG conv. to go with my BMW 328 X-Drive 6speed manual- 4dr. I would NEVER and I mean never, drive the 645 in snow/slush/winter or salt. The AWD Xdrive is PERFECT for that..... Unstoppable, safe, fast and fun BUT the 645 is a vastly superior and more fun to drive and yes, the SMG floppy paddles are simply FANTASTIC....and besides its topless: Get the Aston Martin and keep the Lotus.....that is what this Canadian thinks anyway
Aston Martin has a problem with their parts and repair prices. This undoubtedly has impacted the resale values, which have massive amounts of depreciation in a short amount of time. Some car makers tout their resale values while selling new cars. That definitely isn’t Aston Martin’s business model. While I can buy one with relatively low miles for the price of a new SUV, that’s because the previous owner kept it in the garage for fears of a major repair bill.
I am trying to decide between a Db9 and Db11 (still not driven them, so may end up with a Vantage or something!). But I am surprised to hear you say a DB9 doesn't feel special, when I think it's a very unique car. The lack of 'specialness' and 'analogness' is what puts me off a Db11, but I am planning to drive 10k miles a year or so, so I want something very suitable for that.
By the way, I am 99.99% sure that the AM v12 is not two v6s bonded together. That was a rumour that Aston have addressed.
I can see the point about the modern cars; they're so perfect that there's no soul. The 911 has been that way since at least the 996-gen; THE benchmark of performance perfection but absolutely soulless.
Not 100% sure I agree putting the DB9 in there. They're far from perfect cars, there's lots of hand-built niggles and little idiosyncrasies that make it imperfect. For me, when the range was the V8 Vantage, DB9 and Vanquish, Aston were perfect; all three models had a distinct but familial look, they all brought a unmatched sense of occasion but were all kind of flawed in different ways. For me, flaws give character and character is soulful, and the DB9 does have soul.
Aston then killed that by making everything basically a DB9, V12-powered derivative so lost the distinctness and then went to the current generation of cars where I think you are absolutely right.
Fascinating, but these days I no longer have an Aston on my wish list. If I had Mr Metcalfe's storage arrangements, it might be a different matter!
I had a DB9 Sportspack of a similar age. I thought it was a very special place to be, but mine had a nice light leather interior and a wooden waterfall. I also had CarPlay added. It took me on many trips to Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Monaco, and the south of France, and it was always reliable, fairly economical and a wonderful experience. It replaced a Porsche, which was a badly-made, unreliable and boring car in comparison. I consider the Aston only has 2 real rivals: the Bentley, and the front-engined Ferraris. Bentley do better interiors and Ferrari do better handling. Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and Maserati aren't even in the same sport, never mind ball-park. As a practical car it was hopeless though, with two utterly pointless back seats and a gearbox and fuel tank where luggage should be. The boot was so small that you couldn't even fit a folded Brompton bicycle in it. Unlike many I much prefer a torque converter auto to a DSG. The ZF8 is perfect but the old 6 speed was really quite good for its time.
I wish you had done some research and didn't regurgitate the old guff about the engine being made from two Mondeo V6s because it just isn't. The real story can be found here: www.designjudges.com/articles/the-origins-of-aston-martins-v12.
I see "replacement" this way; Would you want ONLY the Ferrari? Probably not. ONLY the Lotus? Probably not. ONLY the Peugeot? Possibly, but you'd be missing out with that as your sole choice every day.
I hear what you're saying. Flaws add character, but under that logic, a Porsche 911 would be too polished and put together to be interesting.