A journalist once wrote "An optimist is a person who thinks he can just afford to run a second-hand Aston Martin." My DB9 Volante is coming up on eight years of ownership by me, and it was eight years old when I bought it. I was thinking today about whether my ownership has been daunting or not, and I've come squarely down on the side of ownership of a Gaydon car being a very manageable dream-turned-lifestyle for many people.
Now, I will freely admit four things: 1) I'm an idiot (when I was 25 I had a used Lotus Europa as my only car); 2) I'm not afraid of mechanical things; 3) I'm above the 50th percentile economically, but certainly not "wealthy;" and 4) I retired two years ago so I have less time pressure than many others.
Nevertheless, when I look back on the projects I've done with my DB9, none of them required a dealer or professional mechanic with the exception of flashing the new convertible roof module (AMDS system required) after I replaced the old one. I'm certainly not a mechanic, but here's what my 2006 DB9 Volante has needed or I simply wanted to address over the past eight years (car age 9 through 16 years old, presently 53k miles). Again, it was all owner-performed except where noted:

• Oil changes (6)
• Coolant replacement (2)
• Brake pads and fluid change (1)
• New Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (Discount Tire)
• Convertible Roof Module replacement
• Coil Packs and spark plugs replacement
• Refinished walnut trim (Madera Concepts)
• Wrapped interior plastic bits (local shop)
• Replaced PRND with glass buttons
• Replaced nav screen gears and repaired nav screen clutch
• Replaced CD changer with Grom Bluetooth/USB module
• Added aftermarket wind deflector (removable screen behind front seats)
• Added front grill trickle-charger access in case I can't get into the boot/trunk
• Added rear anti-roll/anti-sway bar
• Repaired cracked washer fluid reservoir
• Repaired "crazed" LCD instrument panel screen
• Added front- and rear-view parking cameras.

Yes, there are some other things I need to get to (thinking fluids and grease), but I guess the bottom line is that I don't think that the average person needs to be afraid of a Gaydon+ era Aston Martin. I do enjoy being a member of a pretty exclusive club, but I really think that it's more accessible than many people think. Do you agree?

 

Appears that you have cracked the code to enjoying an incredible vehicle.

 

I align with your adventurous spirit. I would add that the MAXJACK 2 post lift made owning and repairing my DB9 pretty straightforward. It paid for itself 30X over!

 

Great comments!
As I approach 10 years of ownership ( second owner) of my DB 9 I was very hesitant about working on it myself. Especially the first year. I generally work on my vehicles. After a break job, adding a X pipe and changing out the muffler, fixing the alarm module, new tires and a second set of wheels, claying the exterior, battery changes, replacing the plastic cooling tank and a few other things I've learned to approach Aston projects with research and patience! THIS FORUM helped me overcome my early fears! It's great to have an owners group so willing to help!