Hey everyone!

An Aston Martin has always been a dream car of mine and I didn't realize how much they had come down in price until recently. I've started to mentally kick the tires so to speak on getting an Aston in the next year or so. The problem is I have no idea which model I would want and which years to stay away from. Here is where I'm at:

Current car: Jaguar XK (current body style), I love it!
Budget: Less than $50,000. Can you even get a good car in that range?
Usage: Once or twice a week fun car. A short road trip or two a year.
Passengers: Never use my current back seats.
Convertible: Yes
Dependability: It seems like people say they are either rock solid or a complete maintenance dog.

Most of the cars I see in that price range are 2006-2008 DB9s and V8 Vantages.

Can someone help me narrow down things down? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

I would suggest reading "the book" which can be found here http://www.astonmartinreview.co.uk/

helped me a lot in my decision making process, and yes you can get a pretty good car for less than 50k today

 

Vantage and DB9 are two different cars. I wanted a stick and didn't need the back seats. (super rare to find a stick DB9 non DBS) Vantage is more the sports car.


Other data point.. there is a completely different maintenance schedule for the V12s. Great if you are not doing much driving.. but my V8V goes everywhere. Very happy after 4yrs of DD.


Good Luck!

 

Get the book. I learned more from two days reading that than I did from anywhere else, and it helped me feel confident in my choice to go with the Vantage over the DB9.

My personal two cents on the decision, though: you can get a lot more Vantage than DB9 for the same money. This gives you more choice in the Vantage world, too, allowing you to avoid problem cars.

Performance-wise, the two cars accelerate about the same (the DB9s increased power is offset by its increased weight), but AMR races the Vantage for a reason--its handling. This especially applies to the convertibles; I've never driven a DB9 Volante, but I understand that it's not even a comparison with the Vantage Roadster, which was designed to be much tighter.

If you want a boulevard cruiser, the DB9 is a fantastic choice. But if you want to drive the hell out of the car, the Vantage is a magical toy. If you have the means, opt for the 4.7L (but the book will help you decide how important that is to you).

 

If you love your XK, then buy a DB9

 

Funny...I like how each person replies...You guys are Great! Everyone has given you wonderful information...All I can add is drive..Drive the different models mentioned...Than if you are a wrench guy...The vantage maybe a good choice...If a drive and others service...The sky is the limit...I picked up a 09 at a great price buying in December...Saved 10000.00 as dealer wanted off the books before December 31...Good luck!

 

Wow, I had no idea a book like that existed!

At this very moment I'm leaning every so slightly towards the Vantage. It's different enough from the current car, I've read it's a better convertible, maybe very slightly better looking (arguable, I know) and cheaper (I'm paying cash and it's only a weekend toy).

I've read some people prefer to find one with more miles > 30,000 because the original owner has worked out the kinds. Is there any practical truth to that?

 

I believe the book actually does recommend finding one with some miles on it (though I can't find the section at the moment), not only because any issues will have been sorted out, but because the V8, particularly, seems to loosen up with some miles.

 

Just ordered the book. I'm sure it will take a month to get to the US. When you say the V8 "loosens up", do you mean that in a good or bad way? As in, it starts to come apart with time and needs to be tuned up, or it runs better with time?

 

Check out the frequently ask questions tread there is a lot of good information there. Including some links to piston heads with even more information to help you decide.

 

If you ordered the book this week...They ship every Tuesday...You will get next week...Otherwise next Tuesday ship and following week arrive...My book took 6 days after ordering to arrive normal mail...PayPal people were super helpful with any questions and conversion of 💰. Just funny when I was asked to Pop them the difference when I did not follow chart correctly...I replied that pop is soda...What type? Green type they replied...lol

 

Runs better with time.

It'd be absurd for anybody to recommend finding a car with mileage on it because it starts to fall apart... thus, the book's recommendation implies that it gets better with age.

 

my book arrived in about 14 days FYI

 

With your $50,000 budget look for a really nice 2007-2008 V8 Vantage. Some people like the 2009 and up for the 4.7 engine. I had a 2009 with the 4.7 and now have a 2008 with the 4.3. Mine does have the power pack but it was so well maintained and is a far better car than my 2009. Enjoy the hunt because in your minds eye they are perfect. You will find a great car just be patient.

 

Before the Vantage, AMR raced the DB9 (DBR9) and won Le Mans twice