Did they make a Standard (manual) gearbox db9? Thanks guys!

 

Yes, up until about 2010/2011. More popular in the UK, more rare over this side.

 

Thanks for the info man. They are super hard to find.

 

Don't know where you live, but here's a manual in Calgary, Canada. It's been on the market for a while: http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Aston%20M...howcpo=ShowCPO
Edit: Found one in the US - https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/S...rice&Order=Asc

 

Yes they do have DB9 in 6MT gearbox. It's a Graziano rear mounted transaxle with the dual disk clutch in the rear that connects via torque tube to the engine and flywheel.

These are very rare to find, almost all DB9 use a paddle shift trans, I think less than 1% are manual gearboxes, maybe that's just here in the States.

My DB9 is a 6 speed manual with a sport pack. I was looking for this combo for a very very long time. They are super hard to come by since many owners opted for paddle shift gearbox and/or non-sport pack for more compliant and comfortable (softer) ride.

 

I appreciate the link but the 09 is a little out of the price range. Im trying to stay under $70,000. The paddle shift gearbox in the '06-'07's, are they prone to having issues? I know alot of the other manufacturers had issues with the paddle shift gearboxes early on in the development.

 

DB9 paddle shift goes through a conventional torque converter automatic (ZF transaxle unit). No clutch. Great as an autobox in traffic, more fun shifting by paddle but not as sharp as an automated manual. Even so, I can break traction on well-timed shifts . The transmission seems to sharpen up when you're driving with more enthusiasm.

Some earlier cars had a bit of an issue with a weeping hose connection at the transmission cooler (corrosion) -- about $2K to fix if I recall correctly. Other than that, very reliable.

 

Thats good to hear. Im not apposed to the paddle shift, i just love the standard gear box but i might end up going with the autobox since i plan on daily driving this car. Is the annual maintenance around $2000 or so? Im just a little apprehensive on driving a v12 as a DD. More cylinders more money..

 

I use mine as a DD, but I only do about 6-8K miles a year. The annuals vary up and down a bit with age, but should be in the $1-1.5K range. I think the 7 year service is about $2K. And then of course you'v got brakes & tires on top of that.

The V12 is pretty low tech (no knock sensors, no variable anything) so there's not a lot that can go wrong if you keep the oil topped up. It's been only slightly refined since it first appeared in the DB7 and Vanquish so there are lots of miles of experience with it. But it's thirsty; very, very thirsty. On the flip side, the smiles per gallon is way way up there!

 

I drove a DB9 with a MT in 2006 a few months before my 2007 V8V arrived. I LOVED the car. It was a blast to drive and almost ruined me for my V8V.

Then I got my V12V last Nov. and finally had the torque I craved in the package that I loved.

If you can find a MT DB9 in good condition, they are wonderful cars. The MT transforms it from a very nice GT to a seriously fun car with strong sporting traits.

 

DB9 as daily driver is possible indeed. But in that case I'd go with the automatic with paddle shift, just more pleasant in traffic. The car is certainly comfortable enough while being sporty and eating up the miles as a proper GT car should. With the sport package and manual gearbox it's transformed into much more of a stiff, tight, high performance sports car with gobs of usable power and torque and excellent handling even on the tightest switchbacks!

2 tips:

1) get the right tires for this car, the wrong ones will hurt the handling especially on sprt package equipped cars

2) This car does guzzle gas! The v12 is great and sounds fierce BUT the car drinks like an Aston should...very very thirsty especially if you have your foot in it, which you will often! Always carry a credit card and know of a fuel stop or you might not make it home lol

 

+ REP for all 3 of you on the good information. With what you guys have said, i will hold out to try and find an MT. I think it will be a more "Fun" route to go. Traffic isnt really to much of an issue and neither are the MPG's. My Viper is aweful on MPG's as well. As YVR said its more aobut the "Smiles Per Gallon".


I can never just leave my vehicles alone and keep them stock. Who has the best performance tune available for these cars and in your opinion, who has the best sounding exhaust? (Headers, Mids and Cat Back)?

 

^^^ You may like to leave the DB9 alone especially if you have a sport package 6MT car, the car is perfect the way it comes...for mods I know Bamford Rose and RSC do work to modfify Astons. Stew from RSC is a helpful guy, and is quite popular on the forum. There is another site called Vantage Collection who has mods available, and I believe RSC has a close working relationship with VC. Hope this helps.

 

Only 1 source of headers that I know of (BR) and they are approx $10-12K. Typical back box is around $2-$3K, several sources - Quicksilver, Larini, RSC, maybe a couple of others I can't remember at the moment. Aston performance parts aren't like Viper parts (not for the faint hearted)

 

Larini exhaust sounds very nice on the aston V12, IMHO.