Ok, so I've started to get that funny feeling inside. That feeling that I need more. Now, my current Vantage is the best car I've ever had (in every way). But, since I have an '06 model year AM, I am missing out on a couple of things. Sure, I could have some aftermarket gadgets installed but when you add it up, I would wind up spending a good bit so why not consider a newer model (especially with this economy ).

I've started my research and have come up with a few things that are important to me (as silly as they may seem). I would put them in this order:

Power (I'm at 380HP right now but I'm reminded every day of the lack of torque)
Gadgets (This includes the new console, the glass key, steering wheel controls, ipod integration…)
Design (Unique body, flowing lines, the feeling of speed even while parked...)
Luxury (Alcantara, leather, hand-made parts, comfort…)

This list makes the list of AM models/years very short: 2009 V8 Vantage, 2010 V12 Vantage, 2009 DB9, 2009 DBS (I thought there was a 2008 DBS, but I was wrong). I am very much ok with older model AM's but since I really want the new console design, I have to start at 2009. Also, I don't really want to go with a convertible at this point. So, here's how I feel about these after some research. At the time of this post, I haven't driven any of these but I plan to within the next few weeks:

2009 V8 Vantage: A little extra horse-power and new console but, overall, not much different than my '06.

2010 V12 Vantage: All of the power I want. I don't care too much for the hood vents. Price tag: ouch!

2009 DB9: 470HP. Beautiful car…I do wish it had the Vantage seam flowing back from the side vent. Dealers are offering pretty heavy discounts now that the 2010 models are coming. I believe they can be had for around $150k USD.

2009 DBS: All of the power I want. More aggressive looking than the DB9 (which I like). Price tag: ouch!

Of course, I would still have to sell my Vantage but I don't think it will be a hard sell.

One last thing…we all know life is short. Although objects can't truly make us happy, there are few things I enjoy more than going for Saturday morning drives in my Vantage with my wife or spending the day with my daughter or cruising with my son. Sure, we could take my wife's car, but if I'm going to drive, why not be surrounded by an interior that looks like you're the pilot of a spaceship? Why not allow the sound of that engine to, occasionally, make its way into the cabin in between songs playing through an amazing sound system? Why not pull into a gas station in a car that makes the youngest of boys and girls to the oldest of men and women come up and ask questions about your beautiful car with a smile on their faces?

So, my questions are these: Am I looking at the wrong cars? Am I better off waiting another year to get the '09's at even better prices (like the DBS)? Can these be daily drivers like my Vantage? Are the DB9 and DBS worth the price tags? Do I ask too many questions?

 

Ferrari California



I know you said no convertible, but the california is just so beautiful in person. It looks dumpy in pictures (ok not that bad), but in real life it's really something. Makes the 430 look like it's a decade older. Again - this is just my opinion.

The interior is also very modern, clean, sporty, yet still very much italian.

The optional nav looks really high tech too, which would satisfy your wish for gadgets

It's also done really well in performance tests - C&D i believe tested it at 3.5s from 0 to 60!!

 

Great post – your passion for the car certainly comes through.

I must say in reading it (I also have an 06 Vantage) I have had the thought of “more”.

I have toyed with the idea of more power and how to best achieve it. In saying this I have had a heavily modified street/race car for some time which is hard to compete with.
Unfortunately everything becomes a comparison. The power from the Aston is always compared to what is better – no different from restaurants, or clothes or holidays etc. ,etc.

I then came to realise that the car I now drive had always been the top of the tree for me.
Sure it is not as fast as ..., it doesn’t have as many cool gadgets as..., doesn’t have this or that – but it is still probably one of the best (if not the best) looking car in the world (certainly in my opinion).

“Familiarity breeds contempt” as the old saying goes.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with asking the questions you have – I just think you should look harder at what you currently have and appreciate exactly what it is.

 

You obviously really like your V8 and you're considering the V12, which is very similar to the V8. Given that, what do you think about getting a supercharger for your '06? If it's just power/torque you feel like you're lacking, an SC would go a long way toward fixing the problem, and you will have saved tens of thousands of dollars.

 

Was recently in a similar state of mind. Decided a DB9 offered more to me than my little vantage (which I've had for 3, enjoyable years). - Was ready to buy a DB9, when I realized that what I really want, is a DBS. Unfortunately , I'm preparing to move myself and my business out of state... so, I'm not able to $wing one this year. However, next year...
- My issue with my V8V, is: I want more of a GT car. I likes da luxury.

 

I second that.
I went (and am going from time to time) through similar (luxury-)issues. I just don't think that the additional investment will bring proportional satisfaction and joy, not even close. Your 06 vantage is still as beautiful (if not more) as all other models you mentioned. Having said that, I know the "itch" so I may just add a reliable supercharger myself at some point (much more power for the fraction of additional investment for another AM) OR just stay happy with this car and pickup a used vantage V12 in 2-3 years. The chasis of vantage is built to handle another 150HP easily.

 

I've given some thought to getting a SC but have always worried about the tuning. I don't want the car to feel unnatural. And, of course, my new extended warranty wouldn't hold up very well to those kinds of changes. Tough one...

 

Great point, maccattack. Believe me, it would not be the end of the world if I just stayed with my '06 Vantage. But, we're inching towards 2010 and it just feels like a good time to get into a newer model. And, since I do still have to sell my Vantage before I get into a newer one, I may as well do it while there's still plenty of time left on the extended warranty.

 

It may just end up feeling unnaturally fast.
I can understand your hesitation. I just can't help thinking that it doesn't make much sense to sell your Vantage for another Vantage when you'll pay a big premium to do so (I'm assuming that your Vantage is still in good condition). The 2009 V8 is definitely improved, but it is basically the same car. I mean, the exterior is nearly identical and, as far as the center console goes, it is redesigned but it's not that much different. The V12 is a bigger digression, but it is just crazy expensive. You'd probably get $65K or so for your car. That would mean having to still pony up what, another $150K to switch to the V12? That is a big "ouch."

Then again, buying a car is rarely a rational decision, especially for petrolheads like us. It is a tough decision, but agonizing over it and talking about it with your friends is half the fun of getting a new ride. Good luck!

 

Maybe we can help you get what you want out of your existing car without taking a big hit on a trade-in?

 

You're right, talking about it is half the fun. Honestly, I can't wait to test drive the DB9 or the DBS. My biggest problem is that I have a serious problem when it comes to window shopping...if the item is right and the price is right, I rarely walk away.

 

I too understand the hesitations regarding the supercharger option, on the other hand, just the tax and registration costs for the new V12 plus a few k $ would pay for the supercharger on my V8. So if it's just for the power, the supercharger route makes a lot of sense. Fortunately with the addition of RSC kit we now have 'options' and I think ultimately the reliability will win the day.
Indeed talking aout this is a lot of fun. For the 150k needed to get me to a V12, I could also envision myself parking an R8 or a GT3 next to my vantage and expand my 'options' there too.

 

I keep looking at pictures of the DB9. Can't stop looking. Love it. I'm sure there are some body mods that would make it a bit more aggressive looking.

Of course, the little man on my other shoulder is telling me to stay with the Vantage and just upgrade where I can. I really hate the other little man.

 

I was thinking about the V12 Vantage option. They're planning to only build a very limited number of units ("examples"), and an even smaller number will be coming to the U.S. It may be difficult to buy a new one now, or even a used one in several years, at least not without paying a hefty premium. Aston originally planned to limit production to 1000. Anyone know what the current plan is?

 

Update...

I drove an '09 Vantage and an '09 DB9. Both cars were great. They're obviously built for different purposes and now I just have to figure out which purpose serves me best. Honestly, I was actually surprised by the power of the new Vantage considering only 40 more HP than mine. The bottom line is that I can see myself in the DB9 but only if it had some sort of sport kit that made it a bit more aggressive looking.