DB9 the only reliable exotic on the planet
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As far as oil is concerned use what AM recommends 0-40w! 0-20w is not made for this engine (to thin at temp). What evidence do you have that makes you think 0-20 would be any better?
As for mileage I always recommend people to buy the lowest mile car they can afford. As a hobby mechanic who works on his own rides a 10k mile car drives and feels a lot different than one with 50-60k on it. Don't get me wrong these cars seem to be holding up pretty well but miles are miles, no if ands or buts about it.
I agree these seem to be one of the more reliable super cars. No doubt the transmission in these cars are of a very simple design which I love (just an auto box with paddles)!! There are no computer controlled clutches that wear out after 5-10k miles (laughable) and cost thousands to repair which I admit leaned me to the brand. However, I miss my manual transmission and the next car will definitely have one! Also, at your mileage I would recommend a transmission fluid change if you are serious about getting a reliable 100k+ miles out of your car. I know these are filled with "lifetime fluid" (no such thing IMO) but should be changed every 50k to keep reliability up. BMW got in a lot of trouble some time ago by calling their transmission fluid "lifetime" and a lot of owners started experiencing failures around the 100k mark. To each there own but I replace the trans fluid in all my cars no matter the brand at the 40-50k mile mark.
I also agree the DB9 does more for me over the Vantage but this is very subjective. What appeals to one person may not appeal to the other.
Glad you love the car and welcome to the forum!
PS: Where did you get your K&N filters from? I called K&N and they said they don't make a filter for the DB9. If you could send the part#'s. thanks
As for mileage I always recommend people to buy the lowest mile car they can afford. As a hobby mechanic who works on his own rides a 10k mile car drives and feels a lot different than one with 50-60k on it. Don't get me wrong these cars seem to be holding up pretty well but miles are miles, no if ands or buts about it.
I agree these seem to be one of the more reliable super cars. No doubt the transmission in these cars are of a very simple design which I love (just an auto box with paddles)!! There are no computer controlled clutches that wear out after 5-10k miles (laughable) and cost thousands to repair which I admit leaned me to the brand. However, I miss my manual transmission and the next car will definitely have one! Also, at your mileage I would recommend a transmission fluid change if you are serious about getting a reliable 100k+ miles out of your car. I know these are filled with "lifetime fluid" (no such thing IMO) but should be changed every 50k to keep reliability up. BMW got in a lot of trouble some time ago by calling their transmission fluid "lifetime" and a lot of owners started experiencing failures around the 100k mark. To each there own but I replace the trans fluid in all my cars no matter the brand at the 40-50k mile mark.
I also agree the DB9 does more for me over the Vantage but this is very subjective. What appeals to one person may not appeal to the other.
Glad you love the car and welcome to the forum!
PS: Where did you get your K&N filters from? I called K&N and they said they don't make a filter for the DB9. If you could send the part#'s. thanks
Last edited by dan87951; Feb 21, 2013 at 04:50 AM.
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Wow. That video is shocking. I do appreciate the blunt honesty about the transmission but his general attitude is so off putting that I would think anyone would just dismiss him outright. I especially love that he claims that he doesn't fit with the top up and then the in car cam shows 2 inches clear above his head.
Back to DB9s. I haven't driven one, I'd like to. I wonder if a bigger AM may be my next AM...But I sure love my Vantage and expect it to be as reliable as anthing out there. I look forward to giving it to my son when he's 20 (I'll have to have one first of course).
Back to DB9s. I haven't driven one, I'd like to. I wonder if a bigger AM may be my next AM...But I sure love my Vantage and expect it to be as reliable as anthing out there. I look forward to giving it to my son when he's 20 (I'll have to have one first of course).
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Last edited by mokushiroku; Feb 22, 2013 at 03:05 PM.
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Yeah, I didn't like the video much, it didn't sway me from owning the Vantage though. I really loved it. The convertible aspect was nice, and it handles like a true sports car. The 4.3 in the 08 as well as the 4.7 are extremely overbuilt with forged internals. It's a very impressive engine, Aston actually cast the forged bottom end on the Vantage. Most think it's just a Jaguar engine, but so much more. I had the quicksilver muffler on the car and can say without question it was one of the best sounding exhaust notes I have ever heard, second to the DB9. The reliability should be just as good as the V12's. The F1 transmission is also bomb proof ported over from the Ferrari 550/430, but like I said if you can live with spending an automatic $6000.00 every 10,000-20,000 miles for a clutch then it's a great car. Most AM mechanics warned sometimes the clutch can go in 5000 miles, and it just made me sick to my stomach. I didn't realize the issue with the clutch until after buying it. I drove a friend’s DB9 and it was night and day in regards to the performance. I am 6'3 so I felt that I fit better in the DB9, as well as having back seats for storage and a slightly bigger boot. Not to mention no car is so universally loved by all. I wanted an exotic that was reliable and the DB9 fit the bill. The levels of torque at low RPM are amazing. 80 percent of that maximum torque is available at only 1500rpm. Also one other downside to the Vantage, it never had that off the line acceleration. I had to pay a little more for the DB9 and take a 10k wash on the Vantage, but thats how much better the DB9 is. I think the Vantage is becoming more accessible now for the mainstream, and the DB9 is still a bit of a stretch for most. Most M3 owners are now opting for the Vantage. I like the exclusivity of the DB9, but you can't wrong with either Astons. I am just excited to see what V12 Long flow headers will do to this car. Cheers
PS: Where did you get your K&N filters from? I called K&N and they said they don't make a filter for the DB9. If you could send the part#'s. thanks
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No worries, the part number is cm-4508. Here is the link on ebay. K&N doesnt make anything specific for our DB9's, but ironically these fit perfectly. http://www.ebay.com/itm/K-N-HIGH-PER...88e8f5&vxp=mtr
I used both in my Vantage as well as the DB9.
In regards to the internals, the early V8 Vantage's did have forged internals and I believe they stopped when they changed over to the 4.7.
I used both in my Vantage as well as the DB9.
In regards to the internals, the early V8 Vantage's did have forged internals and I believe they stopped when they changed over to the 4.7.
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The funniest part of that vid..." what's this for?? ... here is where you put your wedding ring when you to the club hunting for cougars" hahahahaha!!! 
...man that guy smashed AM and the Vantage...but he had a lot of good points, he's right n the Nav, the buttons, the glare, the instruments and switchgear, and I had no idea the auto trans is that bad...I love Aston Martin, but they need some improvements...luckily they have design, style, grace, and class down cold! Oh and they drive well, provie a brilliant exhaust note and a incredible throaty growl!
...speaking of filters I've had the RSC filters on my DB for a while now. They seem to work just fine, going to clean them off w the next service interval.
...man that guy smashed AM and the Vantage...but he had a lot of good points, he's right n the Nav, the buttons, the glare, the instruments and switchgear, and I had no idea the auto trans is that bad...I love Aston Martin, but they need some improvements...luckily they have design, style, grace, and class down cold! Oh and they drive well, provie a brilliant exhaust note and a incredible throaty growl!
...speaking of filters I've had the RSC filters on my DB for a while now. They seem to work just fine, going to clean them off w the next service interval.