Hi All,

This isn't solely pertaining to Aston Martin but I figured I'd post here

I've narrowed down a list of cars from which I will be purchasing one. The candidate needs to fit the following criteria (as best as these boys can):

1) Reliability (Won't leave me in the middle of a highway because of an idiot light)
2) Practicality (I can drive it multiple times a week without sacrificing anything)
3) Durability (Can handle some spirited driving without developing a paper cut)
4) Maintenance (Won't require a $5k bill for replacing a faulty sensor)
5) Fun!

...valid concerns, maybe? Forgive me, I come from 911's. They've been the only cars I've driven and over time I've learned every nut and bolt on them so when something goes wrong on one of mine I can take care of it with minimal hassle. My Porsche's are all manuals and I'd like an automatic (said no one ever) for a change.

That's why this post may come across sounding like a whiney baby...

Now, being a car guy and working on a wide range of cars for years, I know that nothing will be perfect. But I'd like to know the best candidate of the lot, because within the next three months I am going to be buying the most friendly one.

Candidates:

1) 2008+ Maserati GranTurismo
2) 2006+ Aston Martin DB9 (ZF auto)
3) 2005+ Bentley Continental GT Coupe
4) 2006+ Aston Martin Vantage (why couldn't they do a ZF )

Feel free to put in any of your suggestions as well! I'd really appreciate it. After dumping loads of money on limited edition 911's I want an "entry level" GT car for around $50k. Any and all input would be very much appreciated

Thanks!

 

Buy, or even better, lease a new 5.0L automatic (your preference) or manual (my preference) a new Mustang GT. It meets all your criteria.

Don't believe me? Go take a test ride...you will be amazed, especially if you haven't been in a Mustang in a while.

 

I believe you alright! Well, can't speak for the new Mustang GT, but I have an 08 Bullitt.

 

A big +1 for the Mustang. My DD is a 2015 with Recaro's and the performance pack. This is my 3rd Mustang ( 1986 SVO, 2000 GT) in the past. Ford hit out of the park with 2015. I also would not purchase a Vantage with the Sport shift TRANS. Only with a stick, is the way to go.Ron

 

Counter-point:

I prefer the sportshift! Once you learn properly to drive it, won't go back. I know more than a few locally voiced the same. Improper use its awful. I also have a 15 mustang... Can't wait till the lease is up! It's a huge car compared to previous models, I have every option, except it's an ecoboost 4. Maybe if I had the 5.0 I'd like it better. My 09 CTSV took up much less garage space. Something is wrong about a Cadillac CTS being and feeling smaller than a mustang. Again could be lack of power which often shrinks a car with more power.

 

I will try and help on your answers which the Mustang comment was out of left field.

1. Maser Gt--- Buy one with that does NOT have the melted buttons (most do, normal but a pain), the 4.2 motors have the cam variator issue sometimes which is a 3k fix at an indy. You will see window regulators go out reguarly and they eat rear tires for lunch. They seat 4 fairly comfortably like the Conti GT, but the car has a sporty feel and great sound. If you can stretch it go for the 09-10 with 25k miles or so or a "S" model with the 4.7. The

2. DB9 is cozier and much more of a sports feel but still a GT. I would say from reading on here, the DB9 might have less issues and possibly less maintenance cost compared to the Maser. Much Rarer also.

3. Bentley--- definitely a powerful cruiser, big car feel, still sporty but you feel the weight. Likely if things go wrong, it will be expensive. Rear light bar is a common issue going out and its like a 2k fix and if the rear glass breaks then add 4k to that. Headliner also falls down in the back. Your years no bluetooth and no sat radio. No iPod connection either.

4. Vantage----- 6 SPEED ONLY. Likely get 40-50k out of the clutch if driven properly, the auto-shift can get the same, but most see far less due to driver faults or improper usage. There is a process and when learned can be just fine to drive and enjoyable which some have posted. I had the F1 in a Maser and would rather have the ZF personally like in the DB9. Clutch replacements I think are 1k cheaper for the 6-speed and are like 7k at AM.

All of them could be frequent drivers but the Bentley, Maser would be easier due to ease of getting in and out plus the back seats. The AM's are more of an event IMHO.

I don't think any of the models and years you are looking at have bluetooth, iPod connectivity, or Sat radio, Just FYI

Maintenance you can likely do most yourself and save a ton. Tires would be the same for any of them, only when things break that require an INDY or Dealer will prices go up and cost a lot.

Probably none would leave you on the side of the road if you buy a sorted out one, however it is always possible, my Merc left me on the side of a interstate on a trip. So can always happen. But finding a repair shop could be difficult.

I think I covered the bases for you, but finding a worthy one is not easy. Finding a low mileage Bentley in a 04-05 config that is still nice is hard. Masers are readily avail, but not all are in good condition. AM's are hard to find without issues also, people search for many months to find the perfect one.

 

Thanks so much for the reply, I meant to thank you earlier but I've been in Europe without my laptop and didn't have my 6speedonline password.

You've outlined everything perfectly. Ultimately I think it's going to be between the Masi and DB9. GranTurismo's are easy to come by like you said but with higher miles (and the 4.2). The DB9's and Masi's I'm looking at all have 35k+ or more miles on them. Between the two I feel it may be worth it to look a little longer and harder for the GranTurismo...if only I could find one that came with an SD3 scanner!

 

I would stay away from a used Maseratii. I bought a 2003 coupe 6 speed manual used with 11,000 miles and 3 months left on the factory warranty. I owned the car for 5 years, and I can honestly say that nothing was ever working at 100%
the entire time I owned the car . I added Grand sport 19 inch wheels lowering springs special exhaust Grand sport steering wheel and seats ect. The car drove me out of my mind, every time I went to the dealer it was a minimum of $1500 and as soon as I would leave something else would fail. I was able to get 29,500 miles out of my clutch which everybody on the forums thought was amazing (keep in mind this was a manual). After spending $4500 on a new clutch replacement and having the job done multiple times for failed bearings I finally sold the car and a fire sale price.
My 2007 Vantage that I bought used in 2014 with 2800 miles and had a preowned warranty ( that I've extended for an additional year ). I can honestly say I've had very few problems, door struts one rear shock are the main ones that come to mind I now have over 9000 miles on the car. It is a 6 speed stick. I've also added new 19 inch split spoke wheels, Aston Martin port exhaust, and the power pack from Aston Martin.
Ron

 

The DB9 is a great choice.
It's not a 911, but it's still a very sporting car. Find one with good maintenance records, a well cared for interior and you'll have a V12 touring car like no other. They are very solid and enjoyable. I'm surprised the 9 owners haven't chimed in more. None of them dislike their cars in the least.

 

Thanks so much for your insight. I've always admired the DB9/DBS's, however I can't turn my head from the looks of the GranTurismo.

My candidates are an 06 DB9 with 49k miles and an 08 Maserati GranTurismo with 56k on it.

At this point I'm not quite sure what to go with. Had I had 3 less Porsche's I would be able to snag both, but unfortunately that's not possible.

Any thoughts? Again, all insight is greatly appreciated.

 

Thought I'd hop back here and update you guys/thread.

So after a great deal of research between the DB9 and GranTurismo I narrowed it down between two cars.

The DB9 I drove was a 2006 with this beautiful brown/mocha interior and a signature James Bond color exterior. I wasn't thrilled with the wheels, but those could be changed. Driving it was very different from driving a friend's DBS (rightfully so), It was relatively quiet, didn't have the power I was expecting from a 6.0 liter V12, and the rear end was not my style...maybe with clear tail lights and a diffuser

The second candidate was the Maserati. This was love at first sight. Thanks to SheriffDep's post I was able to know what to look for. The car sounded amazing, pulled great for only 400+ horsepower, oddly enough drove quite tight like my old 360 did, felt super comfortable like the Aston, but the looks were the winner- it has the factory made MC Sportline kit on it. Also, the fact that it housed a ZF box was another contributing factor. Car is currently en route from the Dealer in Tucson, AZ to my home in New Jersey.

Had a PPI done and there were a few issues the dealer fixed for me (wiper motor was bad and new rear tires). With the exception of a scratch on the trunk and the stereo **** being messed up, she's pretty flawless. Also the trunk struts are not holding. I assume this isn't an easy fix.

Upon the PPI the dealer told me I would need to to spark plugs, oil, and air filter element within the next 1k miles. From my previous post, I ordered all of these from Formula Dynamics out west.

Hoping this bad boy lives up to it's reputation! Otherwise I'd have to eat it and go for a DB9

Again, thank you all for your help.

-Also, regarding the Mustang, I did look into it. Oddly enough, and I could be biased, it greatly resembled my 2008 Bullitt, but more refined of course. I guess I was looking for something with a little more flare, something exotic.

Either way, I haven't bought this as a trophy or garage queen, I've bought it as a driver's car...even if it has to go through new tires every 5k miles!

Have a great 4th guys! (did you just assume my gender?!!) :P

 

Congrats on the purchase!

 

Thanks! Love your V8 Vantage btw!

 

Oh thanks! You're in NJ, maybe we will bump into each other eventually

 

Great Choice!!!!!!,

I am kinda in the same spot as you were. I think I made my mind up, however was thinking 09-10' Maser GT "S" with no more than 20k miles. Or the Vantage 08-09 with less than 20k also. However, I think I am going to set a price and see what I can find in Nov. 08-09 DB9, with no more than 10k miles. I want this as a spare car.

My original was to get the Vantage as the garage car, then drive the Maser daily. But the DB9 solves both those and I can use a AMG for daily.

YOURS------ if those are factory rims, then you must get the Formula Dynamic spacers. Also the lowering springs from them. That car will look so much better. If you can swing it, the Drive by wire module will wake the car up and make a world of difference. Do that BEFORE any ECU upgrades. A lot of people have said that module was enough of a wake up for the car it was totally different.

Happy Motoring and see ya on Maserati Life sometime.