The Aston Martin DB9 buying guide

The very first car to be built at the firm’s new headquarters in Gaydon, the Aston Martin DB9 was an impressive piece of kit back in 2004. Thanks to continuous upgrades to the chassis and powertrain, it got better over the years and is now a fantastic modern classic. 

However, by the time it ceased production 12 years later the only thing that the competition couldn’t match was those head-snapping looks. As it turns out, good looks and character are exactly what people look for in a classic, and that makes the DB9 a rather special car.

Being an Aston Martin, style and charm are in abundant supply. The V12 received minor updates throughout production but the cultured growl from the tailpipes and effortless acceleration at just about any velocity is present in every version.

Both automatics and manuals were available, with a drop-top Volante entering the fray in 2004. Continual fettling with the basic formula means that later model cars do offer a noticeably more cohesive package. Mid-2006 saw the introduction of a Sport Pack, which improved the handling at the cost of some ride comfort, while starting in 2009 DB9s received a power increase and chassis improvements. The updates continued with further changes being made in 2011 and 2013.

While the earlier cars can still offer plenty of driving enjoyment and a significant saving up-front, none is cheap to maintain and if you get it wrong, your bargain may quickly turn into a money pit.

Aston Martin DB9 V12 engine

The 5.9-litre V12 was an updated unit from the DB7 and benefitted from years of development work. A service every 10,000 miles or annually should keep things working as they should.

Some owners have had issues with faulty coil packs: a misfire or hesitation when accelerating are the warning signs. A recall regarding a battery supply cable that could short circuit on the passenger seat affected cars built in the early part of 2007.

Aston Martin DB9 Gearbox, automatic and manual

The DB9 came fitted with either a ZF-sourced 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual gearbox. The autos are far more common and tend to provide trouble-free service. There was a recall on early automatics for an issue with the parking brake not engaging so check that this has been rectified. Another intermittent fault can occur where the transmission reverts to neutral due to the transmission control switches earthing with the chrome-plated surround.

Manual cars tend to be the more desirable option for enthusiasts. Check that there is no crunching or resistance when changing into second as this may indicate that the car has led a hard life. Evidence of frequent clutch changes can also be a pointer. Anything over 15,000 miles between changes is considered normal.

DB9 Suspension and brakes

Two separate recalls were carried out regarding issues with the subframe assembly bolts and front suspension arm cam bolts, which could negatively affect the steering responses. If your car was built between 2007 and 2009, make sure this was sorted out.

Suspension components should not exhibit any clunking or rattling and uneven tyre wear may indicate damaged control arms or bad alignment. The rear tyres tend to wear out more quickly that the fronts and do so with alarming regularity. Brake pads and discs should be trouble-free but the pads require regular replacing as they wear out almost as quickly as those rear tyres.

aluminium DB9 Bodywork

The mostly aluminium body has no problems with rust but corrosion on the edges of certain panels can occur so check the wheelarches, doors and boot lid carefully. The bonded panels are not easy to repair and few specialists have the necessary skills to do so. Stone chips on the front bumper can lead to further paint damage if left unattended and check under the car for evidence of any badly repaired panels or a badly scraped undercarriage.

Check that the roof mechanism on Volantes operates smoothly and that there are no tears in the fabric as this can be a labour-intensive job to rectify.

Interior of the Aston Martin db9

The interior is hard-wearing and the seats and door trim should be in good condition. A well-worn driver’s seat side bolster and scuff marks on the handles and buttons may be evident on multiple-owner cars or high mileage examples.

Creaks and rattles in the cockpit may be evident on some models but this is normal, more frustrating are issues with the early Linn audio systems which tend to be unreliable. The later Alpine units are far better and some owners may have resorted to aftermarket units too.

A recall concerning the failure of the seat heating controls affected all cars built between 2006 and 2014. Other electronic issues can affect the tyre pressure monitoring system, electric seat controls and the aforementioned automatic gear selector issue.

Aston martin Db9 History

2004: Aston Martin DB9 coupe succeeds DB7, featuring updated 450bhp 5.9-litre V12 and the choice of either manual or automatic transmissions. Volante convertible added to line-up mid-year with identical mechanicals and slightly heavier reinforced body shell.

2006: Sport Pack now available as an option offering revised suspension settings

2009: Power up to 470bhp and updates carried out to automatic transmission and chassis.

2011: Facelift offers revised exterior and introduction of adaptive dampers. Special edition models with unique paint schemes were also offered.

2013: Power now up to 510bhp with LED lighting updates and minor bodywork changes.

2015: Final Edition 540bhp DB9 GT introduced.

2016: DB9 ceases production making way for the DB11

Which Aston Martin DB9 to choose

The DB9 has inevitably had to make way for the next wave of newer and faster rivals but it has lost very little of its original allure over the years. Moving on to modern classic status also means that it can trade more heavily on its subjective strengths.

Early cars can be found for temptingly low amounts, especially ones with patchy histories, but this is false economy and rectifying an abused DB9 is not for the faint-hearted. There’s no need to avoid a well-cared for early-high miler though – but post-2009 models offer a bit more power and some useful updates that may be worth the extra outlay.

The most sought-after DB9s are the post-2011 limited edition models. The very rare manuals with restrained colour schemes and the optional Sport Pack suspension also tend to command a premium. Volantes are desirable too although few were ever ordered with the manual transmission. Either way, there are plenty to choose from, so take your time and make sure to check each potential purchase thoroughly.

Having been out of production for less than five years, the DB9 is still modern enough to be enjoyed regularly, yet just like its predecessors, when the time comes it will become a highly valued addition to someone’s classic car collection.

For now, though, they offer a sublime mix of that classic Aston Martin charm with a daily usability that makes them the perfect grand tourer.

db9 Specifications

5.9-litre V12 2004-2009

Power: 450bhp

Top speed: 186mph

0-60mph: 4.8sec

Economy: 18mpg

5.9–litre V12 2009-on

Power: 470bhp

Top speed: 190mph

0-60mph: 4.6sec

Economy: 18mpg

5.9-litre V12 2013-on

Power: 510bhp (540bhp: GT and Bond Edition)

Top speed: 190mph

0-60mph: 4.5sec (4.4sec: GT and Bond Edition)

Economy: 18mpg

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Text John Tallodi  Photos Aston Martin

Author: David Lillywhite

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