Aston Martin DB9

I adore Aston Martins. They are, even now, so quintessentially British. They have managed to keep the Gentleman’s Club interiors but still conspire to be totally contemporary. It’s not an easy trick, but the interior on the DB9 is one of, if not the best interiors on any car. Bar none. And they still feel like they have substance. They’re not flighty like a Ferrari or Lamborghini. It feels like you are moving something solid when you move the wheel. Just like it did in the old Vantage or DBS. And they are achingly beautiful. They always have been, but the DB9, Vantage and DBS are as much a work of art as a DB5 was.

Every time I see an email asking if we have an Aston Martin DB9 for sale I think the same. Yes we have, and I want it! I have wanted one from the day they came out (having wanted every Aston Martin ever built, at one time or another!). But I’ve never bought one. There’s always been a reason, financial or practical, usually a distinct lack of funds due to yet another house move, or the impracticality of what is really a 2 seater when you have three children. But one day I will, and as it’s been at least a year since I last went and played with a DB9, I thought it was about time I tormented myself again!

There have been a few tweaks since I last had the DB9, but nothing of any real significance. The seats have been made somewhat more comfortable (not that there was anything wrong with them before) and the graphics on the dials have been changed to make them more legible in sunlight (and that was needed). But otherwise, why mess with perfection!

Apart from its inert ‘Britishness’ and beauty, what has always appealed about the DB9 is the way it makes you feel special. And people like you. You get let out. People smile. It’s not like that in a Ferrari or Lamborghini very often, and never in a Porsche. People just love Astons.

The DB9 does flatter the driver. Its auto box does very cleverly what the manual-based flappy-paddle in the Vanquish never did. It works - very well. Nice ‘blips’ and crisp, sharp changes, up and down, make this a joy to use. Simple buttons on the dash for PRND, and the rest is down to you. Its handling is, as always, a delight. Yes, sharp bends can cause a bit of understeer, but you soon learn to tip it in to give the lead to the back. But long, swooping bends are a sheer delight, and it always rides well. Sub 5 second 0-60 is as much as you can reasonably use 99% of the time, and 186mph does for most occasions. And just over £100k. An absolute bargain!

And all the nicest people drive an Aston. I spent a very enjoyable few hours in the company of a lovely lady on Friday (and her partner, I hasten to add), and I was delighted to find out she was as daft about Aston Martins as I am. Obviously a woman of great taste and discernment!

So I’ll take 2 then. A DB9 for me, and a Vantage for the Lady!

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