Very strange to view anything on the internet that is genuinely informative. This video is excellent, informative with non of the "in your face" stuff that younger people love to transmit. Great job.
Oh BOY am I right there with ya. No headbanger music, no smoking donuts, no amped-up yammering, just the straight stuff presented in a sober and responsible fashion. Thanks Brian!!!
HUGE Aston guy here. Thanks for the video! I can confirm you can fit a car seat in the back of a Rapide S and your two year old will be laughing her ass off as you put your foot down!
As a current Aston owner I might be a bit biased but I don’t think you will find a better looking or more stylish car on the planet. Astons have always been stunning to look at. Art on 4 wheels. Keep up the good work Brian.
This is one of the best automotive buyer's guide videos I've ever seen. The one thing I learnt from this video - low mileage with a full service history do not necessarily mean a good buy. Gotta put some mileage on that Aston to keep it in good mechanical condition.
Great video thanks for putting our 2003 Vanquish in there! One more thing about buying an Aston Martin, join the AMOC club you’re gonna love it, Being a member of the club and getting to meet all the wonderful people actually is the second best thing about owning an Aston
Traded in a 2016 Porsche 911 Targa 4S, just not comfortable to drive for my back anymore. Bought a 2015 Vanquish Volante Diavolo Red only had 22500 miles on it, bought a 5 year extended warranty. Glad I bought a 2015 has the 8 speed auto trans, they say its a big improvement. Live in the US local AM dealer has bad reputation, friend of mine is a Rolls/Bentley mechanic gave me the name of a good English car specialist. A couple of months of ownership check engine light cost me $5000 + $2500 paid by warranty company, needed coils & injector seals & spark plugs, said cars in good shape should have no more problems with it. They say good things about AM compared to other exotics lambo's Ferraris. Basic 1 year service for the 911 at the Porsche dealer was around $1800, $1400 for the AM. I love the car stunning color no regrets.
Fantastic video - thanks for posting. Of course a couple weeks ago I went out and broke most of your rules to buy a 2006 DB9 Volante sight unseen. In fairness, it was an incredible price and I was looking for a unique project. One common issue among DB9s (and I think all V12 from the Graydon-era AMs) is the development of piston slap with warped cylinder sleeves and/or very slightly loose wrist pins. It makes an unmistakable ticking noise that shows up after the car is up to operating temperature. This is *likely* not catastrophic until you start burning oil although the cylinder(s) where this is taking place will lose compression and result in lower power. The fix is an engine out rebuild...which is a bit more intimidating of a project than I had anticipated!! Not many engine shops will touch it and the cost at the dealership is higher than what I paid for the car. Still though....what a car - I've been fortunate to own a 996 Porsche and a couple AMG Mercedes, which I loved, but this is something next level. Hard to describe the feeling of having the top down, starting up the engine (uncorked of course), sitting in some truly amazing seats, with the beautiful wood trim. I've still got a lot of work to do on the car and I doubt it will ever be restored / mint condition (using lots of bits from the Mazda / Ford / Land Rover / Volvo parts bin...) but I just don't care about that!! It looks amazing and all the neighbourhood kids (and dads) want me to rev the engine when I pull it out.
Now this shows up on my feed??. Lol, took me a long time to gather this info when I first went Aston shopping and you just laid it out in 20 short minutes. Wanted a DBS for years but ended up with a db9 carbon after driving every VH Aston. Btw Vanquish S is only car I’ll trade up for and that includes the new cars. This should be a must watch for any prospective VH buyer.
I want to send along my most sincere appreciation for this video. You are honest, knowledgeable, humble, and so informative. I took notes for when I look at a car this week.
I live in the UK and I stumbled on this very honest and informative video. It makes a refreshing change not to see a petrolhead showing off and making a complete ass of himself. Thank you....keep them coming!
I'm in the UK and still found this very useful. Not sure we'll have the same sort of problems with the interiors as you do in Texas, but the rest was solid advice and part of my "checklist" when I purchase a used AM sometime in the next 18 months!
Exotic cars are expensive to maintain period, but when you get a great deals on these ones its very tempting to purchase, but u have to get extended warranties which adds up to your expenses.
Thank you just got a DB9 And love it so far so good. You just made my day just left the dealer for some oil and drives like a dream. Fingers crossed. Oh and good presentation.
What a great video - such a treat to have all this essential information in one video. Unfotunately I am in love with the 2008-2009 AM DBS with manual transmission. Flew to London just to rent one. Loved it. Almost bought one for sale in my home country a few years back. Feared the running costs, so I let it slip. Seen the car for sale later - at a higher sum. Seems these are increasing in value. Although I love the brand, I still find the lacking long time quality a bit strange. Changing a clutch so frequently seems strange.
I love the old-school vanquish, and the sound of that exhaust is like a symphony. But I keep talking myself out of it because of the age of the car at this point and the potential cash cow that will have to come to fix the car. Great video and thank you very much for the information.
Yep, that’s the biggest issue. Getting parts is harder and more expensive. It’s not terrible yet, but my fear is what it will be like in 5 years. It’s costing me around $3K/year to keep it running which isn’t all that bad considering.
Brilliant video Brian. One day.... I live near the Aston Martin workshop in Durham (UK). I went on a guided tour there a few years ago and have loved the cars ever since. Happy driving.
Have to say, really appreciate this candid listing of all the things to watch out for. I haven't completely ruled out the idea of getting a Vantage, but considering I'm looking for something that can handle being a daily driver as a potential replacement for my 2014 Z51 Corvette, it's sounding more and more like an Aston Martin wouldn't be it. My Corvette has nearly 90k miles on it and is still on the original clutch, with no signs of it going out any time soon. It also has sat outside in hot California weather day in and out for the past several years with no signs of damage to the dash or interior. It's actually a little disheartening to hear how much you have to pamper a car like the Aston to avoid high cost repairs. That said, they are gorgeous cars with an amazing sound, will have to see if I want to take the risk of getting something that my regular activities would potentially thrash.
One other thing the dealer told me to do is NEVER shut my 2015 Rapide S off UNTIL the coolant reaches operating temperature. I would probably stay away from any V12 Aston that has frequently been driven very short distances, especially in the cold. Something about exhaust gas recirculation that can hurt the engine when unburnt fuel hits primary catalyst, damages it, and then ingests some of the damage. Bamford Rose and Aston 1936 have some videos about this. I don't understand the science, but I either never drive short distances or wait for the coolant to reach that 9 o'clock mark. 🤞
Hey Brian, thank you very much for this video. It helped me a lot when sourcing my own Aston Martin. Earlier in the summer (2024) I took the plunge and am now the owner of an Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante in cobalt blue with a black interior. A superb car... In the 5 months I have owned it here are some of the things I have learned. Hope they add to your excellent guide.. 1. The buttons in the dash, R, P, N, D and the one below, TC, Psensors etc. Press those SUPER gently or they will one day suddenly pop inside the dash. My reverse did just this in the worst location and I had to be recovered (by Aston Martin which went well..). Pushing the buttons gently can be tough when the actual ECU (glass key) needs a hefty push into the dash to start the car. The other buttons do not! Be careful. A specialist can remove the ski slope dash pretty easily and then glue the buttons in position. A more permanent solution. 2. The button in the door rest that lowers (and raises) the roof. In more temperate climates where you maybe out in the car in the rain you need to really understand this button. The roof button also raises and lowers the rear quarter windows. Get that wrong and you'll open the roof rather than lower the rear quarter window. The roof is pretty robust but repeated partial opening and closing will confuse the module and you'll need to switch off, switch on and do a complete open or close. Read the manual and understand how one button controls the rear quarter windows AND the roof. Even SHMEE150 in his excellent review of his Vanquish Volante on here has trouble with that too. 3. The front spoiler/splitter on the S. It is LOW (and there is no lift). It is also robust but a little more planning of roadtrip hotel stops is needed so you know you can access their garage. 4. The car needs driving. It is an AMAZING drive but the battery even if new will start to run flat in 4 weeks or so. Drive it/trickle charge it. If the car goes flat you won't access it unless you have the skeleton spare key. You can order these but don't get caught out! 5. I am 6'3" tall and a big guy. I fit well in the car in the drivers seat but my passenger seat does not have the same ability to lower as the drivers seat. I think there was an option to have that but be aware of potential differing seat positions in those front seats. 6. Bag-world.co here in the UK make amazing bespoke luggage and ship all over the world. Many car peeps in the US there use them and I recommend their luggage 100%. Especially the fitted stuff that will use the rear seats which are almost too small for anyone bar a small child. 7. If the battery goes flat be super careful if you have to jump start the car. They are VERY sensitive to voltage spikes. Powerpack boost is different and fine. If your battery runs flat or you jump start then you may need to reset the AMI (infotainment) system to make it work again. There is a super company here in the UK astoninstallations.com/ that deals in all things electronic with Astons and they can fit an external magnetic type trickle charger connection underneath the external boot/trunk handle lip. That gives peace of mind and and easy charging solution compared to the standard 'in boot/trunk' connection. It comes with a water/weatherproof cap. 8. It is VITAL to tape down the boot/trunk release handle in the boot/trunk. That can come loose if luggage rubs against it or catches. If that happens when the boot is shut then you'll have one hell of a job at a specialist getting the boot open as if that handle gets pulled the car belives the boot is open when it is not. There is lots on this online. Tape it down.. 9. The canvas roof. If yours is black then with care treat it with what you want to weather proof/clean it. IF yours is ANY other colour or shade then be super careful what you put on it or do to it or it WILL change shade a bit. Mine is dark blue and I always just tell my Valeter to wash it with the spray and a light amount of soap. No preserver after. Black would be OK. 10. In the US there is a company that makes a sunshade that fits like a glove across the dash. I think it is a DB9/DBS one but anyway, I ordered one and it is a spot on fit. Made to measure for the Vanquish. Very good quality too. Link here: auto-sunshades.com/product/premium-folding-sunshade-fits-aston-martin-db9-dbs/?fbclid=IwY2xjawG-aWtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVxWtaxj1vXvQaDgclRM1hxNG4EC4XBvmmVxvHHIUDJgAotzx7xHNYF-kw_aem_wRkd2SLmjoR1stgNjv1RVg 11. You need to make sure you tighten the fuel filler cap until it clicks a couple of times, If you don't you'll get engine fault codes. Tighten it and they go away. I read some posts about the fuel cap coming apart when you unscrew it. I haven't had that (yet) and it seems robust. 12. Tyres (Tires?). Mine came with Pirellis. They were 7 years old like the car. I swapped to Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. They have been superb but then again they are new. Lost of folk seem to prefer them. 13. The handbrake (parkbrake?). This is old school and you need to make sure you press the button in and them lower it. Maybe that is obvious but as my other cars are all electronic hand (park) brakes it caught me out in the early days. 14. The car has three driving modes. Normal, Sport and Track. The steering wheel button allows normal to Sport but no more, read the manual/google how to access track mode. It is awesome! I'll add to this if anything else I feel is helpful comes up.. Overall I have LOVED this car. Like any expensive and hand built car it has it's unique features and the way you have to do some things. I'd buy another if I were in the situation I was in choosing a car at the start of the year...
One of the best and most informative videos I have seen about buying any used super car, never mind an Aston Martin. A first rate and very very watchable video. Well done Brian! On a side note, here in the UK the cost for repairs seems to be a lot lower than stated in the video, well according to the AM forums here in the UK (eg a vantage clutch typically costs circa £1500 so they say on the AM owner forums). Could it be that the repair prices quoted are simply higher in the US, cheaper in the UK or simply varies per market/region?
Thanks! Yeah, others in the UK have told me that various repairs there are much less. I suspect it is due to the lack of qualified people here in the US and the cost of shipping parts from overseas.
Excellent overview. My 07 V8 Vantage has 100k miles. In my opinion, it has never had an issue due to the reason I drive it so much. I live in Florida and the sun has not caused any issues. If it sits for awhile, all it take is a good 50 miles to work the squeaks out. Maintenance is very costly but I recommend it visits the dealer more than I visit the doctor. Do not repaint it, wrap it. My dealer wanted $20k to repaint it. Only use the dealer, never a shade tree mechanic. Tail light condensation can be eliminated with silicone before they get wet. My manual clutch is still strong, perhaps because I don't have any track time on it. True on the gas flap, easy fix. I want to add that Michelin or Protenzas are the best tires. I also don't bother with the navigation system.
An excellent prospective purchasers guide; superbly delivered by Brian, with the credibility you’d hope for when considering to spend the necessary on this marque. Really enjoyed it. Looking for when we return to Houston, so the advice comes from the right location too.
Brian, kudos to you and your fellow AMOC members for the video. You’re a superb brand ambassador, and by the time I got here, I’d been through so many amped-up over-energized over-edited whiz-bang presentations on Astons that your video was like an afternoon in a forest glade. Initially drawn to the V8V circa 05-08 for the low purchase price (which I could JUST about afford), I’m grateful to you for laying out running costs so clearly. (Love how you context new V8V clutches in the category of “It’s just one of those things you do every 20K miles.”); forewarned is forearmed, and I clearly can’t afford these cars, yet I can’t stop gathering info about them. Would some of your AMOC pals be interested in putting together another video, with several owners presenting their cars with the cars' individual pitfalls and pleasures detailed? Would love to see that! Thanks again.
Currently exploring buying a v8 vantage of this gen for my first exotic. This video is exactly what I needed. I'm in the northeast, so I hope the interior leather in heat issue isn't a problem up here. Thanks for this.
Great! One thing that has come up since I made that video is that we're seeing the rear windows on the convertibles pop out. It's been happening a lot, so if you're looking at a convertible double-check that the window isn't loose. They told me that the first time it pops out they can just glue it back in, but if it happens a 2nd time the whole top has to be replaced. My 10 year old Vanquish is still ok tho, but several other owners I know haven't been so lucky.
@BrianGreenstone thanks for the insight. I dislike convertibles personally. I don't even use sunroofs. Hardtop coupe all day for me. Would love to eventually get a vanquish in flugplatz blue down the line. Who knows, maybe I'll get there.
This was an incredible video for someone considering a used DB9... I think I'll pass for another few years until the "teen" models drop into my price range, but I'm glad to know much more about these gorgeous cars!!
I owned the AM Vanquish since it was launched until today. I love the designs in all the AM variants, they are sexy with the wide buttock and the duck tail, of which other brands are following now. It is really really marvellous .. Thanks bro
Good video Brian! Have just purchased a DB9 on the other side of the pond! (Waiting for the result of the PPI!) First time I’d ever driven an Aston and my o my I’m smitten! The Speeeeeed!👍🤣
@@geoffdowdall8373 Radiator sprung a leak! Garage I bought the car from are going to fit an uprated aluminium one if I pay £150 towards it! Bargain I’d say!👍😊
My dad has a 16 Vanquish and the suspension and ride experience are so comfortable compared to some cars with 550+ hp. If you’d want to you could daily drive it but i’m 13 years old, 5’11 and can perfectly fit in the passenger seat, but the backseats are a complete joke, although they are good for storage. Nice video!
I bought a 2014 Vanquish volante in 2016 just before they switched from 6 to 8 speed gearbox and for a while wished I had bought later model, but now in 2020 I really don’t care, it drives so nice and is more than fast enough for a “GT” car and the style, colour combination was why I bought it, you can’t see the gearbox, lol. One thing I learnt from your video is I should drive it more, it still only has 5000 miles on the clock. I have it serviced at AM dealer each year regardless but I’m seriously considering a specialist outfit, ex AM mechanics who set up shop in Cheshire UK, so thanks for covering that too Brian.
Well done! Anyhow, you should add, that all in this car is, what it seems: Alu is Alu, Leather is Leather etc. and ... you are driving the disinguish way without excesses. I do 12000 Miles a year on my V8V and it works: abolutely perfect, beeing a "wow" everytime I drive it.
2012 V8V In the UK these cars are prone to corrosion around the door handles and mirror support arms. This work is covered by the 10 year corrosion warranty.
I’ve been hearing about that. I wish I knew when I made the video so I could have mentioned it. I’ve never had it happen on my cars and I don’t know anyone here with the issue, but there has been some talk about it on some forums.
Beware of the multi-owner cars with poor/no service history for sure. Vantage 4.3L is also known for valve cover leaks at 40K miles or so, check for it.
Great video! Thorough and informative! Looking for a 2009-12 DBS, manual shift. So sad that they stopped making these in manual, but with the new ownership, perhaps they'll respect driving pleasure over fast shifting.
It is a great guidance for those who are considering to buy Aston martin automobile. I am living in Japan and considering to buy 2015 Vanquish made by Aston martin Q. Mirage is about 6000 miles and looks very good condition both exterior and interior. Also maintenance history is crystal clear and it has been done by Aston martin dealer and there has not been major issue so far. In this case would it be expected that it is a good one which may not have big problem in the future??
Excellent commentary, advise and direction. Bottom line is these cars are an expensive proposition. That's not a bad thing unless you are delusional and think just because you can afford to buy the car you can afford to keep it. I think that's where people have bad ownership experiences. I love these cars.
Probably for the best. A lot of people don’t realize what they’re getting themselves into when they buy an exotic car. Doesn’t matter if it’s an Aston, Ferrari, Lamborghini or whatever; it’s a commitment.
Brian - Great video, still very relevant today! One thing about 2015-2017 Vanquish is that in addition to the 8spd ZF box, AM also stiffened the suspension spring rates by 15% in the front and 35% in the rear. I think that will be too stiff for me. The 2018 Vanquish S had the suspension retuned for both more comfort and performance. For me, I would take a 2014 or 2018 Vanquish because I need reasonable ride comfort. Also, I always drive my 8spd Rapide S in manual mode any way (except on the highway), so I think I can live with the 6spd on the '14 Vanquish. Hoping to add to my garage in the years ahead!
Good note about the 6 speed and 8 speed transmissions in the Vanquish, the newer one is a big improvement. The Rapide has a similar issue, the first models and the 2013 Rapide S had the 6-speed but they didn't upgrade to the 8-speed until 2014 models.
GREAT VIDEO !! VERY INFORMATIVE , GREAT ADVICE AND ENTERTAINING ! I ALSO OWN A 2014 VANQUISH VOLANTE . I HAD A 2000 DB-7 VANTAGE VOLANTE. ALL THE BEST TO YOU .
Great video and insight. Thanks! But as the old adage goes, if you have to ask how much it all costs, you can’t afford it! Dodge Viper anyone? Now that is also pure unadulterated raw V10 power!
Very informative video Brian and much appreciated. In my later "mid/late" life crisis once again beckons the calling for perhaps one more supercar to add to my list and the Aston may be the car. My whole life being a manual stick guy your comments on how best to screen any possibility of problems to avoid are wise and something I need to pay attention to. If I may ask you are the only A.M. cars equipped with a manual on the Vantage model or and others such as the DB series? Thank you.
Great video. In my experience 2012 V8V One item to watch for is the window regulators. One of mine was replaced under first year of warranty. 2nd unit being replaced at present t under second year of warranty. In the UK these are about £600 installed by dealer.
Very informative video. You only mentioned the DBS twice. I am on the market for one and was hoping you would have some information on it. I am open to almost any year. I am currently dealing on a 2012. The only thing I haven done is take it a Aston dealership to be looked over. It would be a 300 mile round trip to do so. Thanks for the video.
All I know about the DBS is that everyone who owns one love them. I mean more than the normal amount. There is something special about that car. Nobody I know who owns one has ever had any major issues with it.
@@BrianGreenstone Thanks. The one I am buying is for sale for $122,000. It is a black with black interior. I didn't want another black car but the price and relative low mileage drew me to the car. It is a smooth running machine. I cannot believe how comfortable it is to drive.
Great video, thank you for the insight.....I just sold my Maserati gran tourismo and am actively searching for a 2013-2016 db9.....slim pickings out there so far though.....
Beware Sportshift II needing a clutch, that will be over $10k to replace. I used to have a 2006 manual and now have a 2009 Sportshift II and had to replace it recently. Not cheap! Ask dealer tech to find out the shift count and approx. how many more miles are left before needing it replaced.
Awesome video very helpful, think I’ll put off buying an Aston for a few years, try an advance down my career more. Really don’t want to go buy one then be unable to run it, love the Vanquish S definitely my dream car, though that’s a long way off!!
JDub 44 I have Rapide that I love. It has 60K miles on it and I’ve done most of the work on it myself. The v12 engine compartment is a little cramped to work on but just takes time and patience. They are very robust cars and rare.
Excellent information, I've been in love with the DB9 since launch and I've finally started my search for one. The early models are sublime, however I'm told get a slightly later 2007-2011 as they have better reliability and the comfort features like the audio system are better. The cost difference here in the UK is negligible considering, if anybody has any tips I'd appreciate it. The one thing I'm torn with, manual/auto/the paddle auto manual... I don't know how to identify the difference and a lot of reviews saw the sport shift 1 and 2 are dogs to drive. Compared to what is my question, a double clutch auto with millisecond shifts (not interested) - that said I don't want it to be problematic as a daily driver.
The DB9 only comes in a full manual or full automatic. It didn’t use the SportShift manual that was in the Vantage. You can still use the paddle shifter with the auto, and that’s what I would recommend since you won’t have to deal with the clutch issues. Definitely get the latest model year that you can because like you said, the reliability and electronics are better.
Great video and top advice! Happy with my 2016 DB9 GT Volante (4th DB9) and absolutely agree with you, the latest GT variant is way better than all previous versions by far! You forgot to mention condensation in the tail lights (probably not a big problem in the southern states of America as it is here in the UK). Another thing to check, especially on DB9's, is the window gaps to the roof seal. It's common that the window modules end up needing replacing or adjusting as well (if not fixable via a soft reset). As proof, this has needed doing on ALL 4 of my DB9s for at least 1 of the windows if not both. Thankfully all work was done under warranty.
One important point is that the 2013-15 db9 cars can be brought up to GT spec engine performance at the dealer, simple software upgrade. Mechanically there is no difference between the cars save for the upgraded interior on GT. I actually preferred driving the GT to 6 speed Vanquish.
this guy is very very knowlegable and just great speaker, im a new subscriber, considering my first Aston, bentween DB9 and new generation Vanquish. Any suggestions? Maybe facelifted Rapide?
Brian you are the best thanks. I am getting a 2003 vanquish checked out by a dealer to see if anything is out of whack. The previous service on the car was to replace 2 computer modules at a cost of 14k! So yes it is expensive. Let me know if you have further observation on these early vanquishes.
Congrats! Beautiful cars those older Vanquishes. Only observations I have are that the values are likely going to go up from here, and they are really expensive to maintain.
Greetings from London! What a sensible, informative and authoritative guide.Might you now post some more on say the DB7, the original Vanquish and Vanquish S and the DB11? I hope so: anyway many grateful thanks for posting this.
Thanks! I don’t have enough data on those other cars since not many of the club member have them. A few have had the older V12 Vanquish, and they have been maintenance nightmares. Nobody in the club has a DB11, so I’m not sure how those have been going. I heard from the shop that they’ve been having a lot of check engine light issues.
Brian - Your Vanquish is not the same as a DB9 wrapped in carbon! It's a completely different car, with the last third of the car also made of carbon fiber. Also, that spoiler is to die for! It really is the top dog in the range!
Thanks for the advice! Very needed. I was looking around for a DB9 or Vantage, but must admit this scares me a bit more then i already was. Costs i know about, but the quality issues i didnt expect. So must rethink my wishes. Although im used to money pits,.. i do own a boat for years already. 🤣😬 seems similar to an Aston cost wise.
I totally trust you on that one. Theyr are not just a car. Would love to own one, your advice has helped me a lot. At least go for 2010 or later, probably Vantage coupe V8 for me to reduce fuel costs a bit and still have enough power. So keeping my eye out for one and keep saving till then 😉 as i dont want to sell the boat, they are diffrent but great too.
Good Morning, I am looking for an Aston-Martin V8 4.7 with a manual gearbox. Not very easy to find ... Do you think is a good choice ? Thank you for your advice and your answer. A French lover of Aston-Martin. Friendly from France.
I've had the V8 stick (2010 4.7 convertible) for 18 months now. 37K miles. The clutch is beginning to slip. Tech says that's fairly normal under medium-stress driving. I don't do track days but I do drive it hard from time to time. Other than that the car is fantastic. Stunning styling and it never fails to attract attention and comments. All positive of course! But the stick is the best! I love to drive and to me there's nothing that connects you to the better than that third pedal. But hey, just my opinion! But the sticks ARE hard to find. I looked for months to find the one I wanted. But it was SO worth the wait. Good luck to you!
@@jameswalters6002 100% agree.....the stick is the way to go. Let the salesman talk me into SportShift.....mistake. I would still have my '08 Vantage if it were stick.
I want to say "thank you" for a great primer on these wonderful machines......but I think you have dissuaded me from purchase. I spend October to June in Phoenix each year and park outside while I play golf at my club. Sounds like I would ruin the leather dash in no time??
Very strange to view anything on the internet that is genuinely informative. This video is excellent, informative with non of the "in your face" stuff that younger people love to transmit. Great job.
Oh BOY am I right there with ya. No headbanger music, no smoking donuts, no amped-up yammering, just the straight stuff presented in a sober and responsible fashion. Thanks Brian!!!
HUGE Aston guy here. Thanks for the video! I can confirm you can fit a car seat in the back of a Rapide S and your two year old will be laughing her ass off as you put your foot down!
Def saving this video. Thanks for such a detailed and well informed video.
As a current Aston owner I might be a bit biased but I don’t think you will find a better looking or more stylish car on the planet. Astons have always been stunning to look at. Art on 4 wheels. Keep up the good work Brian.
This is one of the best automotive buyer's guide videos I've ever seen. The one thing I learnt from this video - low mileage with a full service history do not necessarily mean a good buy. Gotta put some mileage on that Aston to keep it in good mechanical condition.
Hahaha “Supercar Douchebag Scale”. I nearly spit out my iced tea lol.
Your Vanquish is stunning!
I started to laugh hard when that scale popped up. Lol. I drive a 911 and i was relief to see where the Porsche was.
Came back to this after some time
Great video thanks for putting our 2003 Vanquish in there! One more thing about buying an Aston Martin, join the AMOC club you’re gonna love it, Being a member of the club and getting to meet all the wonderful people actually is the second best thing about owning an Aston
OUTstanding level od detail and solid reporting with no bias and no 'opinion' except that based upon Brian's personal experience. A+. Thank you sir.
Thanks!
Traded in a 2016 Porsche 911 Targa 4S, just not comfortable to drive for my back anymore. Bought a 2015 Vanquish Volante Diavolo Red only had 22500 miles on it, bought a 5 year extended warranty. Glad I bought a 2015 has the 8 speed auto trans, they say its a big improvement. Live in the US local AM dealer has bad reputation, friend of mine is a Rolls/Bentley mechanic gave me the name of a good English car specialist. A couple of months of ownership check engine light cost me $5000 + $2500 paid by warranty company, needed coils & injector seals & spark plugs, said cars in good shape should have no more problems with it. They say good things about AM compared to other exotics lambo's Ferraris. Basic 1 year service for the 911 at the Porsche dealer was around $1800, $1400 for the AM. I love the car stunning color no regrets.
Fantastic video - thanks for posting. Of course a couple weeks ago I went out and broke most of your rules to buy a 2006 DB9 Volante sight unseen. In fairness, it was an incredible price and I was looking for a unique project. One common issue among DB9s (and I think all V12 from the Graydon-era AMs) is the development of piston slap with warped cylinder sleeves and/or very slightly loose wrist pins. It makes an unmistakable ticking noise that shows up after the car is up to operating temperature. This is *likely* not catastrophic until you start burning oil although the cylinder(s) where this is taking place will lose compression and result in lower power. The fix is an engine out rebuild...which is a bit more intimidating of a project than I had anticipated!! Not many engine shops will touch it and the cost at the dealership is higher than what I paid for the car. Still though....what a car - I've been fortunate to own a 996 Porsche and a couple AMG Mercedes, which I loved, but this is something next level. Hard to describe the feeling of having the top down, starting up the engine (uncorked of course), sitting in some truly amazing seats, with the beautiful wood trim. I've still got a lot of work to do on the car and I doubt it will ever be restored / mint condition (using lots of bits from the Mazda / Ford / Land Rover / Volvo parts bin...) but I just don't care about that!! It looks amazing and all the neighbourhood kids (and dads) want me to rev the engine when I pull it out.
Now this shows up on my feed??. Lol, took me a long time to gather this info when I first went Aston shopping and you just laid it out in 20 short minutes. Wanted a DBS for years but ended up with a db9 carbon after driving every VH Aston. Btw Vanquish S is only car I’ll trade up for and that includes the new cars. This should be a must watch for any prospective VH buyer.
I want to send along my most sincere appreciation for this video. You are honest, knowledgeable, humble, and so informative. I took notes for when I look at a car this week.
Thanks!
I live in the UK and I stumbled on this very honest and informative video. It makes a refreshing change not to see a petrolhead showing off and making a complete ass of himself.
Thank you....keep them coming!
Thanks!
As a fellow Brit, I appreciated the Monty Python reference! 👌🏻😆
I'm in the UK and still found this very useful. Not sure we'll have the same sort of problems with the interiors as you do in Texas, but the rest was solid advice and part of my "checklist" when I purchase a used AM sometime in the next 18 months!
Exotic cars are expensive to maintain period, but when you get a great deals on these ones its very tempting to purchase, but u have to get extended warranties which adds up to your expenses.
Yeah, but unfortunately most of those extended warranties don’t cover most of the things that go wrong. I found that out the hard way.
Phenomenal content. Been in the market for a Vanquish they are finally hitting their bottom depreciation curve.
Thank you just got a DB9 And love it so far so good. You just made my day just left the dealer for some oil and drives like a dream. Fingers crossed. Oh and good presentation.
Thanks! Sorry you had to watch the video in lo-rez though. Seems TH-cam is taking a while to process the HD and 4K versions of it.
What a great video - such a treat to have all this essential information in one video. Unfotunately I am in love with the 2008-2009 AM DBS with manual transmission. Flew to London just to rent one. Loved it. Almost bought one for sale in my home country a few years back. Feared the running costs, so I let it slip. Seen the car for sale later - at a higher sum. Seems these are increasing in value. Although I love the brand, I still find the lacking long time quality a bit strange. Changing a clutch so frequently seems strange.
That Vanquish is absolutely amazing... pretty much peak Aston for me.
I love the old-school vanquish, and the sound of that exhaust is like a symphony. But I keep talking myself out of it because of the age of the car at this point and the potential cash cow that will have to come to fix the car. Great video and thank you very much for the information.
Yep, that’s the biggest issue. Getting parts is harder and more expensive. It’s not terrible yet, but my fear is what it will be like in 5 years. It’s costing me around $3K/year to keep it running which isn’t all that bad considering.
Brilliant video Brian. One day.... I live near the Aston Martin workshop in Durham (UK). I went on a guided tour there a few years ago and have loved the cars ever since. Happy driving.
clicked thumbs up when the "Supercar Douchbag Scale" came up :)
Same here😂
Have to say, really appreciate this candid listing of all the things to watch out for. I haven't completely ruled out the idea of getting a Vantage, but considering I'm looking for something that can handle being a daily driver as a potential replacement for my 2014 Z51 Corvette, it's sounding more and more like an Aston Martin wouldn't be it. My Corvette has nearly 90k miles on it and is still on the original clutch, with no signs of it going out any time soon. It also has sat outside in hot California weather day in and out for the past several years with no signs of damage to the dash or interior. It's actually a little disheartening to hear how much you have to pamper a car like the Aston to avoid high cost repairs. That said, they are gorgeous cars with an amazing sound, will have to see if I want to take the risk of getting something that my regular activities would potentially thrash.
Thank you for filming this and creating the PDF. You've got great taste as exemplified by your beautiful Skyfall Vanquish.
Great video. I was looking at a 2020 Vantage. I don’t think I can afford the maintenance yet. Ima go with a Porsche 718. Thank you for humbling me.
One other thing the dealer told me to do is NEVER shut my 2015 Rapide S off UNTIL the coolant reaches operating temperature. I would probably stay away from any V12 Aston that has frequently been driven very short distances, especially in the cold. Something about exhaust gas recirculation that can hurt the engine when unburnt fuel hits primary catalyst, damages it, and then ingests some of the damage. Bamford Rose and Aston 1936 have some videos about this. I don't understand the science, but I either never drive short distances or wait for the coolant to reach that 9 o'clock mark. 🤞
Thank you you answered most of my concerns before I purchase my car.
Hey Brian, thank you very much for this video. It helped me a lot when sourcing my own Aston Martin.
Earlier in the summer (2024) I took the plunge and am now the owner of an Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante in cobalt blue with a black interior. A superb car... In the 5 months I have owned it here are some of the things I have learned. Hope they add to your excellent guide..
1. The buttons in the dash, R, P, N, D and the one below, TC, Psensors etc. Press those SUPER gently or they will one day suddenly pop inside the dash. My reverse did just this in the worst location and I had to be recovered (by Aston Martin which went well..). Pushing the buttons gently can be tough when the actual ECU (glass key) needs a hefty push into the dash to start the car. The other buttons do not! Be careful. A specialist can remove the ski slope dash pretty easily and then glue the buttons in position. A more permanent solution.
2. The button in the door rest that lowers (and raises) the roof. In more temperate climates where you maybe out in the car in the rain you need to really understand this button. The roof button also raises and lowers the rear quarter windows. Get that wrong and you'll open the roof rather than lower the rear quarter window. The roof is pretty robust but repeated partial opening and closing will confuse the module and you'll need to switch off, switch on and do a complete open or close. Read the manual and understand how one button controls the rear quarter windows AND the roof. Even SHMEE150 in his excellent review of his Vanquish Volante on here has trouble with that too.
3. The front spoiler/splitter on the S. It is LOW (and there is no lift). It is also robust but a little more planning of roadtrip hotel stops is needed so you know you can access their garage.
4. The car needs driving. It is an AMAZING drive but the battery even if new will start to run flat in 4 weeks or so. Drive it/trickle charge it. If the car goes flat you won't access it unless you have the skeleton spare key. You can order these but don't get caught out!
5. I am 6'3" tall and a big guy. I fit well in the car in the drivers seat but my passenger seat does not have the same ability to lower as the drivers seat. I think there was an option to have that but be aware of potential differing seat positions in those front seats.
6. Bag-world.co here in the UK make amazing bespoke luggage and ship all over the world. Many car peeps in the US there use them and I recommend their luggage 100%. Especially the fitted stuff that will use the rear seats which are almost too small for anyone bar a small child.
7. If the battery goes flat be super careful if you have to jump start the car. They are VERY sensitive to voltage spikes. Powerpack boost is different and fine. If your battery runs flat or you jump start then you may need to reset the AMI (infotainment) system to make it work again. There is a super company here in the UK astoninstallations.com/ that deals in all things electronic with Astons and they can fit an external magnetic type trickle charger connection underneath the external boot/trunk handle lip. That gives peace of mind and and easy charging solution compared to the standard 'in boot/trunk' connection. It comes with a water/weatherproof cap.
8. It is VITAL to tape down the boot/trunk release handle in the boot/trunk. That can come loose if luggage rubs against it or catches. If that happens when the boot is shut then you'll have one hell of a job at a specialist getting the boot open as if that handle gets pulled the car belives the boot is open when it is not. There is lots on this online. Tape it down..
9. The canvas roof. If yours is black then with care treat it with what you want to weather proof/clean it. IF yours is ANY other colour or shade then be super careful what you put on it or do to it or it WILL change shade a bit. Mine is dark blue and I always just tell my Valeter to wash it with the spray and a light amount of soap. No preserver after. Black would be OK.
10. In the US there is a company that makes a sunshade that fits like a glove across the dash. I think it is a DB9/DBS one but anyway, I ordered one and it is a spot on fit. Made to measure for the Vanquish. Very good quality too. Link here:
auto-sunshades.com/product/premium-folding-sunshade-fits-aston-martin-db9-dbs/?fbclid=IwY2xjawG-aWtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVxWtaxj1vXvQaDgclRM1hxNG4EC4XBvmmVxvHHIUDJgAotzx7xHNYF-kw_aem_wRkd2SLmjoR1stgNjv1RVg
11. You need to make sure you tighten the fuel filler cap until it clicks a couple of times, If you don't you'll get engine fault codes. Tighten it and they go away. I read some posts about the fuel cap coming apart when you unscrew it. I haven't had that (yet) and it seems robust.
12. Tyres (Tires?). Mine came with Pirellis. They were 7 years old like the car. I swapped to Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. They have been superb but then again they are new. Lost of folk seem to prefer them.
13. The handbrake (parkbrake?). This is old school and you need to make sure you press the button in and them lower it. Maybe that is obvious but as my other cars are all electronic hand (park) brakes it caught me out in the early days.
14. The car has three driving modes. Normal, Sport and Track. The steering wheel button allows normal to Sport but no more, read the manual/google how to access track mode. It is awesome!
I'll add to this if anything else I feel is helpful comes up..
Overall I have LOVED this car. Like any expensive and hand built car it has it's unique features and the way you have to do some things.
I'd buy another if I were in the situation I was in choosing a car at the start of the year...
One of the best and most informative videos I have seen about buying any used super car, never mind an Aston Martin. A first rate and very very watchable video. Well done Brian!
On a side note, here in the UK the cost for repairs seems to be a lot lower than stated in the video, well according to the AM forums here in the UK (eg a vantage clutch typically costs circa £1500 so they say on the AM owner forums). Could it be that the repair prices quoted are simply higher in the US, cheaper in the UK or simply varies per market/region?
Thanks! Yeah, others in the UK have told me that various repairs there are much less. I suspect it is due to the lack of qualified people here in the US and the cost of shipping parts from overseas.
Very educational and sophisticated video, thank you!
Excellent overview. My 07 V8 Vantage has 100k miles. In my opinion, it has never had an issue due to the reason I drive it so much. I live in Florida and the sun has not caused any issues. If it sits for awhile, all it take is a good 50 miles to work the squeaks out. Maintenance is very costly but I recommend it visits the dealer more than I visit the doctor. Do not repaint it, wrap it. My dealer wanted $20k to repaint it. Only use the dealer, never a shade tree mechanic. Tail light condensation can be eliminated with silicone before they get wet. My manual clutch is still strong, perhaps because I don't have any track time on it. True on the gas flap, easy fix. I want to add that Michelin or Protenzas are the best tires. I also don't bother with the navigation system.
Mark Stevenson, there are some good individual specialists out there who know more about older cars than the AM dealerships.
@@johnc5clive Thanks John, agree, but there is high risk trying to find one
An excellent prospective purchasers guide; superbly delivered by Brian, with the credibility you’d hope for when considering to spend the necessary on this marque. Really enjoyed it. Looking for when we return to Houston, so the advice comes from the right location too.
I love the VH gen DBS, later DB9 and Virage. Thanks for the video. This helps a lot.
Brian, kudos to you and your fellow AMOC members for the video. You’re a superb brand ambassador, and by the time I got here, I’d been through so many amped-up over-energized over-edited whiz-bang presentations on Astons that your video was like an afternoon in a forest glade. Initially drawn to the V8V circa 05-08 for the low purchase price (which I could JUST about afford), I’m grateful to you for laying out running costs so clearly. (Love how you context new V8V clutches in the category of “It’s just one of those things you do every 20K miles.”); forewarned is forearmed, and I clearly can’t afford these cars, yet I can’t stop gathering info about them. Would some of your AMOC pals be interested in putting together another video, with several owners presenting their cars with the cars' individual pitfalls and pleasures detailed? Would love to see that! Thanks again.
Thanks! That’s a good idea about getting some people together to talk about their cars.
Wish other videos were as straight forward as this one👍
Beautiful vehicle.
Supercar Douchebag Scale got me good 😂😂
Same lol...
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge, very useful to me
Gorgeous Vanquish, sir!!!! As an Ohio State alum, I appreciate the grey color with the red brake calipers.
Thanks!
A honest "review". Nice! Thanks a lot.
Currently exploring buying a v8 vantage of this gen for my first exotic. This video is exactly what I needed. I'm in the northeast, so I hope the interior leather in heat issue isn't a problem up here. Thanks for this.
Great! One thing that has come up since I made that video is that we're seeing the rear windows on the convertibles pop out. It's been happening a lot, so if you're looking at a convertible double-check that the window isn't loose. They told me that the first time it pops out they can just glue it back in, but if it happens a 2nd time the whole top has to be replaced. My 10 year old Vanquish is still ok tho, but several other owners I know haven't been so lucky.
@BrianGreenstone thanks for the insight. I dislike convertibles personally. I don't even use sunroofs. Hardtop coupe all day for me. Would love to eventually get a vanquish in flugplatz blue down the line. Who knows, maybe I'll get there.
This was an incredible video for someone considering a used DB9... I think I'll pass for another few years until the "teen" models drop into my price range, but I'm glad to know much more about these gorgeous cars!!
I owned the AM Vanquish since it was launched until today. I love the designs in all the AM variants, they are sexy with the wide buttock and the duck tail, of which other brands are following now. It is really really marvellous .. Thanks bro
Great info. I love real world user car reviews.
Good video Brian!
Have just purchased a DB9 on the other side of the pond!
(Waiting for the result of the PPI!)
First time I’d ever driven an Aston and my o my I’m smitten! The Speeeeeed!👍🤣
Any issues so far
@@geoffdowdall8373
Radiator sprung a leak!
Garage I bought the car from are going to fit an uprated aluminium one if I pay £150 towards it! Bargain I’d say!👍😊
Apparently the OEM radiators are crap anyway and this one was the original 2005 one!😬🤷🏻
@@oggie1967bargain is right 😂
Wow, what a wonderfully informative and generous video! Thank you for making this.
My dad has a 16 Vanquish and the suspension and ride experience are so comfortable compared to some cars with 550+ hp. If you’d want to you could daily drive it but i’m 13 years old, 5’11 and can perfectly fit in the passenger seat, but the backseats are a complete joke, although they are good for storage. Nice video!
You’re 5’11” at 13? Wow!
Brian Greenstone Yes. My dad is 6’3 and my mom is 5’10.
I bought a 2014 Vanquish volante in 2016 just before they switched from 6 to 8 speed gearbox and for a while wished I had bought later model, but now in 2020 I really don’t care, it drives so nice and is more than fast enough for a “GT” car and the style, colour combination was why I bought it, you can’t see the gearbox, lol. One thing I learnt from your video is I should drive it more, it still only has 5000 miles on the clock. I have it serviced at AM dealer each year regardless but I’m seriously considering a specialist outfit, ex AM mechanics who set up shop in Cheshire UK, so thanks for covering that too Brian.
Bamford Rose did a TH-cam video on the 6 speed versus 8 speed and preferred the six speed
mike connors That’s interesting, the performance of the 6 speed is more than enough for me..
@@alanrichardson2034 that's exactly what Mike from Bamford Road Aston Martin said.
@@mikeconnors3880 Exactly! he said the 6 speed fit the car better.
Well done! Anyhow, you should add, that all in this car is, what it seems: Alu is Alu, Leather is Leather etc. and ... you are driving the disinguish way without excesses. I do 12000 Miles a year on my V8V and it works: abolutely perfect, beeing a "wow" everytime I drive it.
2012 V8V
In the UK these cars are prone to corrosion around the door handles and mirror support arms. This work is covered by the 10 year corrosion warranty.
I’ve been hearing about that. I wish I knew when I made the video so I could have mentioned it. I’ve never had it happen on my cars and I don’t know anyone here with the issue, but there has been some talk about it on some forums.
Phenomenal content sir. Looking into a DBS now. Also had a 09 Vantage 6 speed two plus years and no issues.
Beware of the multi-owner cars with poor/no service history for sure. Vantage 4.3L is also known for valve cover leaks at 40K miles or so, check for it.
Burt De Mill sage advice Burt. Thank you.
Great video. Very informative. Thank you.
The video is very informative.. Thank you very much.. appreciated
Great video! Thorough and informative! Looking for a 2009-12 DBS, manual shift. So sad that they stopped making these in manual, but with the new ownership, perhaps they'll respect driving pleasure over fast shifting.
Hey there here in Germany a blue one´s for sale with a manual if you´d like to look at? :)
home.mobile.de/MULSANOHANNMUENDEN#des_283156402
It is a great guidance for those who are considering to buy Aston martin automobile.
I am living in Japan and considering to buy 2015 Vanquish made by Aston martin Q.
Mirage is about 6000 miles and looks very good condition both exterior and interior.
Also maintenance history is crystal clear and it has been done by Aston martin dealer and there has not been major issue so far.
In this case would it be expected that it is a good one which may not have big problem in the future??
Should be a great car!
@@BrianGreenstone
Thanks for prompt reply!! Will have a look at your website as well.
Excellent commentary, advise and direction. Bottom line is these cars are an expensive proposition. That's not a bad thing unless you are delusional and think just because you can afford to buy the car you can afford to keep it. I think that's where people have bad ownership experiences. I love these cars.
Love the video. I’m also part of AMOC North America!
Thank you very informative you have talked me out of buying one.
Probably for the best. A lot of people don’t realize what they’re getting themselves into when they buy an exotic car. Doesn’t matter if it’s an Aston, Ferrari, Lamborghini or whatever; it’s a commitment.
Great video. Really informative and helpful. Thank you.
Brian - Great video, still very relevant today!
One thing about 2015-2017 Vanquish is that in addition to the 8spd ZF box, AM also stiffened the suspension spring rates by 15% in the front and 35% in the rear. I think that will be too stiff for me. The 2018 Vanquish S had the suspension retuned for both more comfort and performance. For me, I would take a 2014 or 2018 Vanquish because I need reasonable ride comfort. Also, I always drive my 8spd Rapide S in manual mode any way (except on the highway), so I think I can live with the 6spd on the '14 Vanquish. Hoping to add to my garage in the years ahead!
My dude - you've got taste. Great video as well - thanks for sharing.
Great video, I'm shopping for a Aston Martin so I need this information
Good note about the 6 speed and 8 speed transmissions in the Vanquish, the newer one is a big improvement.
The Rapide has a similar issue, the first models and the 2013 Rapide S had the 6-speed but they didn't upgrade to the 8-speed until 2014 models.
GREAT VIDEO !! VERY INFORMATIVE , GREAT ADVICE AND ENTERTAINING ! I ALSO OWN A 2014 VANQUISH VOLANTE . I HAD A 2000 DB-7 VANTAGE VOLANTE. ALL THE BEST TO YOU .
Thanks!
Great video and insight. Thanks! But as the old adage goes, if you have to ask how much it all costs, you can’t afford it! Dodge Viper anyone?
Now that is also pure unadulterated raw V10 power!
Very informative video Brian and much appreciated. In my later "mid/late" life crisis once again beckons the calling for perhaps one more supercar to add to my list and the Aston may be the car. My whole life being a manual stick guy your comments on how best to screen any possibility of problems to avoid are wise and something I need to pay attention to. If I may ask you are the only A.M. cars equipped with a manual on the Vantage model or and others such as the DB series? Thank you.
Primarily the Vantage, but I believe there were some manual DB9’s at some point.
Great video.
In my experience 2012 V8V
One item to watch for is the window regulators. One of mine was replaced under first year of warranty. 2nd unit being replaced at present t under second year of warranty. In the UK these are about £600 installed by dealer.
Very informative video. You only mentioned the DBS twice. I am on the market for one and was hoping you would have some information on it. I am open to almost any year. I am currently dealing on a 2012. The only thing I haven done is take it a Aston dealership to be looked over. It would be a 300 mile round trip to do so.
Thanks for the video.
All I know about the DBS is that everyone who owns one love them. I mean more than the normal amount. There is something special about that car. Nobody I know who owns one has ever had any major issues with it.
@@BrianGreenstone Thanks. The one I am buying is for sale for $122,000. It is a black with black interior. I didn't want another black car but the price and relative low mileage drew me to the car. It is a smooth running machine. I cannot believe how comfortable it is to drive.
First, thank you for the very informative video! I was not concerned until you mentioned the clutch issue! That definitely has given me pause 😮
Yes, and those clutches are even more expensive now. Like $8K or more to replace.
Nice review Brian, very helpful for those looking to enter the Aston world!
Great video, thank you for the insight.....I just sold my Maserati gran tourismo and am actively searching for a 2013-2016 db9.....slim pickings out there so far though.....
Valuable information, thanks!
I'm considering to purchase a 2007 DB9, I'll definitely check the points you mentioned...
thank you for this video, I just looking at second hand v8 vantage, which model year is best for buy
2009 or later.
Beware Sportshift II needing a clutch, that will be over $10k to replace. I used to have a 2006 manual and now have a 2009 Sportshift II and had to replace it recently. Not cheap! Ask dealer tech to find out the shift count and approx. how many more miles are left before needing it replaced.
@@bonwatcher Yeah, it keeps going up and up. Was $4K when I replaced mine, and a few years ago it was $7K, but now it's just plain ridiculous.
Excellent video! Thanks for the owner (and club member) experience.
Excellent presentation really useful thank you
Thanks for this super informative video. I agree they are exotics but also practical to own and maintain.
Awesome video very helpful, think I’ll put off buying an Aston for a few years, try an advance down my career more. Really don’t want to go buy one then be unable to run it, love the Vanquish S definitely my dream car, though that’s a long way off!!
Fantastic video. Looking for a used DB9 or DBS. This helps so much.
I've always admired the Rapide. 2011 or 2012. I heard they are not complicated to work on.
Some things yes, some things no. Changing the oil is easy, but changing the battery is a day project.
JDub 44 I have Rapide that I love. It has 60K miles on it and I’ve done most of the work on it myself. The v12 engine compartment is a little cramped to work on but just takes time and patience. They are very robust cars and rare.
I appreciate that info. I'm now more comfortable in purchasing one
the front end on those are awesome
Perfect video. Thanks from France.
Killer advice. Thanks so much! I can’t wait to join the club
Excellent information, I've been in love with the DB9 since launch and I've finally started my search for one. The early models are sublime, however I'm told get a slightly later 2007-2011 as they have better reliability and the comfort features like the audio system are better.
The cost difference here in the UK is negligible considering, if anybody has any tips I'd appreciate it. The one thing I'm torn with, manual/auto/the paddle auto manual... I don't know how to identify the difference and a lot of reviews saw the sport shift 1 and 2 are dogs to drive. Compared to what is my question, a double clutch auto with millisecond shifts (not interested) - that said I don't want it to be problematic as a daily driver.
The DB9 only comes in a full manual or full automatic. It didn’t use the SportShift manual that was in the Vantage. You can still use the paddle shifter with the auto, and that’s what I would recommend since you won’t have to deal with the clutch issues. Definitely get the latest model year that you can because like you said, the reliability and electronics are better.
Great video and top advice! Happy with my 2016 DB9 GT Volante (4th DB9) and absolutely agree with you, the latest GT variant is way better than all previous versions by far! You forgot to mention condensation in the tail lights (probably not a big problem in the southern states of America as it is here in the UK). Another thing to check, especially on DB9's, is the window gaps to the roof seal. It's common that the window modules end up needing replacing or adjusting as well (if not fixable via a soft reset). As proof, this has needed doing on ALL 4 of my DB9s for at least 1 of the windows if not both. Thankfully all work was done under warranty.
One important point is that the 2013-15 db9 cars can be brought up to GT spec engine performance at the dealer, simple software upgrade. Mechanically there is no difference between the cars save for the upgraded interior on GT. I actually preferred driving the GT to 6 speed Vanquish.
Thanks! Actually, I did mention the taillight condensation. There was even a picture of one, but the video was so long you probably skipped over it :)
this guy is very very knowlegable and just great speaker, im a new subscriber, considering my first Aston, bentween DB9 and new generation Vanquish. Any suggestions? Maybe facelifted Rapide?
You can’t go wrong with any of those. Really depends what you want.
Great non-bias information!
Brian you are the best thanks. I am getting a 2003 vanquish checked out by a dealer to see if anything is out of whack. The previous service on the car was to replace 2 computer modules at a cost of 14k! So yes it is expensive. Let me know if you have further observation on these early vanquishes.
Congrats! Beautiful cars those older Vanquishes. Only observations I have are that the values are likely going to go up from here, and they are really expensive to maintain.
Greetings from London! What a sensible, informative and authoritative guide.Might you now post some more on say the DB7, the original Vanquish and Vanquish S and the DB11? I hope so: anyway many grateful thanks for posting this.
Thanks! I don’t have enough data on those other cars since not many of the club member have them. A few have had the older V12 Vanquish, and they have been maintenance nightmares. Nobody in the club has a DB11, so I’m not sure how those have been going. I heard from the shop that they’ve been having a lot of check engine light issues.
Fantastic video, thanks for all the info
Brian -
Your Vanquish is not the same as a DB9 wrapped in carbon! It's a completely different car, with the last third of the car also made of carbon fiber. Also, that spoiler is to die for! It really is the top dog in the range!
Thank you for all the detailed information and honesty
Thanks for the advice! Very needed. I was looking around for a DB9 or Vantage, but must admit this scares me a bit more then i already was. Costs i know about, but the quality issues i didnt expect. So must rethink my wishes. Although im used to money pits,.. i do own a boat for years already. 🤣😬 seems similar to an Aston cost wise.
The boat is a good comparison. These cars aren’t cheap, but totally worth it.
I totally trust you on that one. Theyr are not just a car. Would love to own one, your advice has helped me a lot. At least go for 2010 or later, probably Vantage coupe V8 for me to reduce fuel costs a bit and still have enough power. So keeping my eye out for one and keep saving till then 😉 as i dont want to sell the boat, they are diffrent but great too.
It would be nice to have a video comparing the vantage with the vanquish giving you have had both
If I still had the Vantage that would have been fun to do.
@@BrianGreenstone your prospective still would be great. I have V8 vantage GT and I am interested in your thoughts
Very good video. Planning to buy another car beside my 911. I’m thinking about Rapide. Hopes there’s more info about that model.
What a great advert for Porsche ,
Worth watching. Thank you. I’ve been looking for a ‘15 V12VS.
Bobert Beaubert, get one immediately. You won’t regret it!
Good Morning,
I am looking for an Aston-Martin V8 4.7 with a manual gearbox. Not very easy to find ...
Do you think is a good choice ?
Thank you for your advice and your answer.
A French lover of Aston-Martin.
Friendly from France.
My 2009 V8V was my favorite car that I’ve ever owned. Didn’t have the manual tho, but everyone loves their V8V’s.
I've had the V8 stick (2010 4.7 convertible) for 18 months now. 37K miles. The clutch is beginning to slip. Tech says that's fairly normal under medium-stress driving. I don't do track days but I do drive it hard from time to time. Other than that the car is fantastic. Stunning styling and it never fails to attract attention and comments. All positive of course! But the stick is the best! I love to drive and to me there's nothing that connects you to the better than that third pedal. But hey, just my opinion! But the sticks ARE hard to find. I looked for months to find the one I wanted. But it was SO worth the wait. Good luck to you!
@@jameswalters6002 100% agree.....the stick is the way to go. Let the salesman talk me into SportShift.....mistake. I would still have my '08 Vantage if it were stick.
I want to say "thank you" for a great primer on these wonderful machines......but I think you have dissuaded me from purchase.
I spend October to June in Phoenix each year and park outside while I play golf at my club. Sounds like I would ruin the leather dash in no time??
Yeah, it would be destroyed.
The best vid I have seen! Congrats