I am currently a Porsche owner and interested in AM. In Porsche world, there are known issues like IMS bearing, bore scoring for certain models, etc.
How about AM? Are there any major design fault or year of model I should avoid?

Any pointers to buyer guides are highly appreciated.

 

This is a pretty good guide:

 

Thank you. Seems like nothing major.

 

If you are looking for a DB11 or older Aston, then check out "The Definitive Guide to New Gaydon Era Aston Martin" By Grant Neal. It has detailed info on all the back story, models, options and common issues.

 

Which model and model years are you looking to buy?

 

Looking at 2009 DB9 but open to something around that price range.

 

Timing cover leak. It's been documented.

 

Hey - I just got you message, sorry I've been offline for a bit. If you send me your email via PM, ill send the list over.

 

I’m also a Porsche owner who’s now purchased my first Aston Martin. The previously referenced book by Grant Neal is a must read for anyone buying a VH platform Aston, which the DB9 is. For me the biggest “ah ha” was the fact that AM make continuous little changes practically every year. This leads to the conclusion that you should target the newest car within your budget. The approach is markedly different from Porsche who are generally very clear about generational updates only.

 

The Grant Neal book, really is fantastic. Jaguar was much the same; the last years of a generation were typically the most robust.

 

Not sure if DB9 has the same issues but I believe they are pretty similar to the V8 vantage. This video helped me a lot before purchasing mine .

Things I had to fix when I purchased my 2007 with 18k miles:
- Doors struts. Symptom: door doesn't stay open
- Door module. Symptom: door won't unlock from inside when pulling on the handle
- Gas cap. Symptom: Engine light on, small EVAP leak
- Nav screen gears. Symptom: Nav screen doesn't pop up

Everything is pretty minor and is an easy DIY fix. Engine wise, they are known to be pretty solid.

 

Bamford Rose has some good videos on you tube and discuss various models and generations of Astons.

 

+1 to the aforementioned Grant Neal book. It was exactly what I was looking for to better familiarize myself