Greetings and Salutations,

Brand new member with a First World issue....
I have always been an Datsun Z guy for the past 40 years. Last Dec I bought a 2006 V8 Vantage with 11,882 miles on it. Love the car and now after reading, "Aston Martin- the definitive guide" I've decided that I need to upgrade to a 2009 model. I have found a couple of very nice models and am ready to move forward.
My question is that I've found that I can buy a 2009 DB9 for about $5K more. I don't have any experience with the DB9 and would the opinion of the forum on which car they prefer and why. I currently drive a manual and would like to stay with it. Of the four cars I'm looking at there is a manual and auto in each the Vantage and DB9. I have read "issues with the auto... Any feedback would be appreciated. How much more would you pay to stay with the manual? There is a very sweet 2009 DB9 with a manual, but of course it is the most expensive.
Finally, trade in on my pristine 2006 with 15,500 is being offered in the neighborhood of $45K. I think I can do better selling it myself. Any suggestions as to Autotrader or EBay as the best source to advertise?
Thank you in advance to my query
Jeff

 

Just wondering, what was in the book that made you decide to upgrade?

 

I have a 2009 with sportshift, 41,000 miles with no issues. Yesterday I leased a new Mustang ecoboost with 6 speed, wish it had a sportshift option, because its more involving than an automatic but automates the physical pressing of the clutch. Its an excellent middle ground

 

A few things I learned from the book, which I can highly recommend. It list all upgrades on all models from year to year for the Grayton cars.
The 2009 Vantage has the 4.7 liter V8 vs the 4.3 on the 2006-2008 models, all new dash layout, improved auto transmission, and nav. Those are just from memory. It says that the 2009 model year is the sweet spot on cost new vs value of buying used.
The question is whether to be happy with a 2009 Vantage, which I would, or is it worth the extra $5K to buy a DB9?

 

Thanks Jeff,
I can offer only one piece of information regarding your decision making.
I drove both cars when I decided to buy the Virage.
What I found is that the Vantage was too tight for me. I am 6 foot 1 and weight 175 lbs. It was much more of a sports car feel than the Virage.
I was looking for a larger car for more of a Grand Touring experience. I was coming from a 997 Porsche Twin Turbo and was ready for a change.
So in my eyes its a bit more space and luxury when choosing the DB9 over the Vantage.

Hope this helps. I am happy to answer any specific questions as well.

Good luck, either way you will be happy.

 

No doubt that a DB9 is a bigger car (longer, heavier) but it "drives smaller" than the numbers would suggest. It's not a wafty monster by any stretch, but you might not find it quite as sharp as your Vantage. Manual DB9s are relatively rare -- those that have them love them very much, and they don't seem to come with the clutch anxiety that plagues some Vantage owners.

Keep in mind that an auto DB9 is a traditional auto with torque converter and no clutch, not an automated manual like Vantage sportshift. No issues with parking, backing up, or crawling in traffic. I use my DB9 TT2 with the paddles 100% of the time, find it engaging to drive, and don't miss a 3rd pedal.

Sounds like you need to get out there for some test drives

 

The only answer to the Vantage vs DB9 question is to drive them. That said, since you had Z cars for so many years and you like the Vantage, I'd guess you'll prefer the Vantage as a driving experience -- as others have said, the Vantage is much more of a sports car, the DB9 much more a GT. A DB9 with a manual 'box is pretty cool, though.

 

I have had both and loved them for different reasons.

I have had a 2009 V8V and a 2011 V8VS and while the newer version of the Sportshift is better, they all still have the same shortcomings. I learned to drive it well and loved it, but there have been times when it just got frustrating. The first time it got to me, I ended up with an 06 DB9 Volante. The older interior seemed like a step backwards to me and in the end I wanted a coupe. After I couldn't find the coupe I wanted, I talked myself into the V8VS until my situation changed and I needed to drive it more frequently. In light stoplight-to-stoplight kinda traffic. I recently went back to the DB9 with the auto and it's much better suited. That's the simple version. It gets more complex to explain after that. I prefer the sharpness of the Vantage. And the looks. But the way the DB9 rolls down the road, any road, so smoothly is just about as nice. In my case, all the various pros and cons of each model boiled down so evenly that it came down to the transmission and I since I couldn't get an auto in a Vantage, I went DB9.

Best to drive DB9 to see if the difference in feel and size is something you want.

Reading it back, I am not sure I helped at all. Sorry about that.

Good luck in your search, there is no wrong answer.

 

Went to the Dallas AM dealer today and drove a 2012 Vantage V8 with the Sport-shift and a 2009 DB9 with an automatic. Having never drove the sports shift , it took a bit of getting used to. I learned that it really is a manual transmission only no clutch. It was fun to to use the paddles, but just a bit awkward after using a foot and a hand for the past 45 years. I did notice that when you let the car shift itself, the shifts were noticeable and a bit rough. The salesman said that he curls his toes and lets off the gas just before the car shifts and r seems to lessen the abruptness. I liked the increase of power between the 4.7 and my 4.3. The interior was way ahead of the 06.

Also drove the DB9. All of your comments were right on. It is a totally different car. The power and note of the V12 was "inspiring," to say the least. Again it was just a bit different trying to decide to which mode to operate in. Auto using the paddles or strictly auto. It drives solid and with authority. Perhaps not be same sharpness as the Vantage, but very comfortable.

I have decided that I just want the old school straight manual. Now,the question is which car. A 2009 Vantage with 13,900 fully loaded with every option, manual in black or a 2009 DB9 also with 13,000 miles, manual and the white taillights and a very nice cockpit done in black leather and walnut.

The DB9 is in Chicago and the Vantage is in Pittsburg. I've decided that I need to see and drive them both, so that's where I'm headed. Making a purchase like this demands more than an internet search. Thank you for all the feedback. I'll let you know which way the coin flips...

 

Jeff,
Good choice on the gearbox! Sounds like a fun trip ahead...

 

A BIG +1 from me on the TRANS choice. You can't go wrong with either one. Good luck.
Ron

 

Thanks for all the input.....
Road trip is over, actually it was via american airlines. The DB9 in Chicago had been in the dealers warehouse for ten months. The day after I drove one in Dallas, I called to come and see/drive and it and it had just been sold to a dealer in CA.
Bakup was the 2009 Vantage in Pittsburgh. They picked me up at the airport and drove 45 minutes to the dealers. The car is flawless. Black with red calipers. It had a clear bra installed, but they said it had started to turn yellow, so it had just been removed. Went for a drive. The owner accompanied me and told me to drive it like it was a rental. He pointed out a straight country road and we went 95. Noticed a speed limit sign of 25.... oh well. Came back with a big smile on my face and was 95% ready to just sign the papers.
I did have another car in mind that I had not really done research on, since the Chicago DB9 had gone the day before. There was another 2009 DB9 in the Hatford area with a manual. Called and they said that it was still around. Told the Pittsburgh guy that I was going to the airport and if there was a flight to Hartford I was going to go see the other car and if there wasn't, I'd call him back and take the car and fly home to Dallas. Went to the airport and there was one flight left.
More of a curiousity than desire, I booked a rent car,hotel and told them that I would be on their front door at 9 AM this morning.
The car had center stage on the floor. It looked like it did six years ago. Absolutely gorgeous. 6,000 miles, sports pkg, clear bra where it is needed. It was a immaculate 2009 manual DB9. There is nothing on the car that doesn't look new.
Drove the car and stopped for gas and a small crowd gathered to ask what kind of Ferrari we were driving. Came back to the dealer and was way impressed, but couldn't decide which to buy.
The deal on the 2009 Vantage was my 2006 Vantage and $27.5K. The deal on the DB9 was my 2006 Vantage and $37.5. The DB9 owner pointed out that even after another five years the DB9 with the rare manual was still going to worth $60 plus.
Left to catch my flight home and during the drive it just became clear. Having 2006 Vantage has been fun and the 2009 Vantage would be more of the same. Since I already have a 1976 Datsun 280Z for that kind of driving and accepting my age, 61, perhaps I needed to slide into an age appropriate vehicle.
Bringing the 2009 Vantage home and putting it in the garage would be very nice, but I don't think that I would have the excitement that I did when I first put the 2006 there. Putting a "new," DB9 on the otherhand would bring that pride back.
So I flipped a coin, twice. Because it didn't come up the way I wanted on the first flip
A DB9 has a new home and I can finally stop this obsession and get back to work

 

PS
If anyone is looking for a flawless 2009 Vantage, black, red calipers, premium sound, etc. I've seen it and drove it and you will not find a cleaner car. It has 14,000 miles on it.
Foreign Traffic Import
4813 Rt 8
Allison Park, PA 15101

Rob Chisholm is the owner and a AM enthusiast. He also has some other very nice "toys," lingering around his showroom.

 

Congrats, i'm glad it all worked out for you! We would love to see pics!

 

Congrats!