Hasn’t aged well?! Are you joking? The DB9’s design is timeless and has to be one of the best looking cars of all time, perfectly proportioned in every area, crisp yet smooth looking beauty

For me the Aston Martins of this particular generation will always be the best looking and most elegant cars. That V12 was something else too.

The looks and the sound sell it all by themselves

I bought my DB9 in 2011 from an Aston Martin dealer, it was 6 years old with 20262 miles on the clock, Tiptronic Auto Coupe (I am not a soft top person) Tungsten Silver with Obsidian Black interior. I still have it nine years on as it is a stunning car to drive in town or open road, in fact whatever you throw at it! I have a personal number plate on it and people don't believe it is 15 years old, like most Aston Martin owners I do look after it plus also I suppose a testament to the quality of the paintwork. Mine has done 54000 miles now and not a hint of any issues in all that time. Yes there a lots of great cars out there, Porsche, BMW's, Mercedes etc etc but there are so many of them on the road. For me the DB9 is the best looking car, sounds awesome, a real pleasure to drive and you get the most thumbs up from other road users (car and motorcycle) than being in any other car which is nice as Aston Martins are relatively rare to see compared to other marques. The V12 6.0 litre engine is just incredible, If you are thinking of getting one do it is my advice.

Sold my GTR R35 and bought a DB9 last month.Very happy with it.

This was my dream car, and I am lucky and privileged enough to have owned one for 5 years now. A work of art that drives and sounds beautiful too. Just can't tire of it.

Can't wait to watch your "I've bought an Aston Martin DB9" video in about 2 months time.

How does this dude only have 50k subs, tv quality production!

Fantastic review! As an owner, couldn’t agree more - it is a great car. Performance is solid and haven’t had a fault in 4 years. I do have a manual coupe, to say they are fairly rare is an understatement. I have read it’s about 1% so that’s pretty rare 😀

James, I'm always impressed that your reviews aren't just a rehash of others' opinions. As with the 992 review, yours is much more interesting than most.

Ever since I saw the DBS in Casino Royale it's been my grail car. Purchased a 57 plate XKR 4.2 late last year in Botanical Green (very dark BRG, almost black in certain light sources but with a lovely bronze/gold flake) and have to say the car is almost as beautiful as the DB9/DBS obviously not with the same badge and level of quality in the cabin. My plan on the bucketlist was to have a DB9 by 2023 but that might be shelved for an XKR-S given the joy I've had so far.

I remember driving one of these at a track day about 10 years ago where i ended up overtaking a Lambo and Audi R8 on the track and having a smile wider than 'the Joker' i still look back fondly of that day and i hope to one day own a DB9...

“Dear Father Christmas, This year I’d like a DB9 for Christmas. Jayemm” Good sir I’ve been saying that for 15 years.

Blast now i fancy a DB9, your reviews are still so refreshing keep up your good work.

Dark blue db9 with cream interior would be ultimate dream spec

It had better still be cool, i've already promised my mum i'd buy her one!

Understated and beautiful. That cannot be said about most cars today. A true gentleman's GT. The DB9 has what is known as the golden ratio. It is a universally accepted formula for aesthetic beauty that is also known as the divine proportion.

Awsome video! This is the reason to always test drive, never assume. I fell in love with the DB9 on Top Gears first transcontinental race, that piece blew my mind.

I've driven a few DB9's in anger on track (both the coupe and the convertible, which is squirrely next to the hardtop) and I immediately fell in love with them. Slowest car there on paper (out with Lambos, Porsches, GTR's etc.) but it still got passed them easily. Felt like I was only getting 1/10th out of what those cars are capable of.

The late model DB9 and the Maserati GranTurismo are in my eyes the most timelessly beautiful cars ever made, but I couldn't decide which one I like better. That said, probably a Maserati, because they're virtually free by now.

We have to enjoy and if possible buy these awesome creations while we can. The smells the looks the sounds of the V 12s, do it before the tree huggers have there way and send us back to the middle ages. Before the world ends in 10 years time I will drive the shit out of my V8/12s and have a steak after :D Great review.

I brought a DB9 volante just over a year ago. I’ve taken it across Europe twice. Its perfectly reliable and as good as as this review. Got to be the best car I’ve owned. Much better then the 8 Porsches Ive had in the past.

Glorious engine sound! Love it! It's so sumptuous and satisfying

I can never get enough of the sound of that exhaust 😢👌

The don’t understand how anyone could criticise them they are awesome. I am in love ❤️ As good to drive as it looks I literally loved the cars I drove. Fair enough they aren’t a sports car or as focused as a Ferrari however even on a track it felt like it could,

Now I have to win the lottery to buy all the great car suggestions you give out!

Brilliant review! What a sound that DB9 makes.

Love my V12S, the motor is amazing and all Astons are special.Good to hear no flex and scuttle shake as that had been a reported issue.

I treated myself to a 2009 DB9 Volante 18 months ago. The interior leather is 2 tone black and cream truffle which I think is probably the best colour combination you could get. The black bodywork sparkles in the sun making this the best looking Volante I have ever seen. I didn't buy the Aston to thrash around a track, it's an expensive car that needs looking after and driving it gives me immense pleasure, I keep having to pinch myself, I own an Aston Martin, so why not do the same and buy yourself a fridge cool car.

I might have had a trouser accident when you revved it out that sound is gorgeous.

You just helped make my mind up I was torn between the XK-R and the DB9, thanks to your review the DB9 wins hands down

To answer your own question, yes it is still fridge cool lol! What I really like about your channel is that you respect cars regardless of their age or value. Love that you adore stunning exotics like this and genuinely enjoyed driving an Allegro too. Kudos Sir.

I have had a DB9 for 5 years and 40,000 miles. It is still a joy to drive either fast or casually. It is a classic old school drivers car.

One of my favourite cars when it was launched based on looks alone now it is a want to own kind of favourite cars.

Awesome video. Keep up the good work.

Oooh I like that sound

It is gorgeous!

Watched the video 10 times and then bought one what a car thanks james

Have always liked these. Amazing value for money these days too!

Just glorious and seriously considering one now

That sounded savage when you were pushing it on after the railway crossing. It's not often you have been that surprised and exited by a car, maybe a nice used example for you in the future!

I kinda like the blue interior. That colour will age well I reckon. That v12 with the roof down, light a cigar and aim it at the horizon.

Had my 2008 DB9 for a year now and never disappoints. Considered a Vantage but the 9 just suited my needs. Taken it across Europe and many alpine passes and I'll never get bored of that V12 sound track!! Looks like a Ford!! good grief should have gone to Specsavers!! :o

Good video again... Very informative and enjoyable for people who actually like cars........ Who fancies a drinking game. A shot everytime Lotus is mentioned 😂👍

That driving scene from around 4m is epic!

Yep. It's a treat to drive and you'll smile the whole time for sure.

Always find it odd that Aston interiors of this era are criticised. Clearly, mine is a minority view that most modern sports car interiors look like they were designed by a pubescent boy. Advantage of DB9 is V12 and price. I do prefer the Vantage, though.

Same 6 speed ZF autobox in many Jags, BMWs and also made under licence by Ford and there are drag racers putting over 1000bhp through them.

Brillant review & an awesome car!

Love my DB9 cant imagine me ever selling. Just cant let go

As far as looks versus the vantage I think the vantage just doesn't "look" the part. It's too paunchy and squat. Aiming for 911 territory always seemed out of character for Aston Martin. Mind you There are certainly plenty of cheap vantage's around. I looked long and hard last year and settled on a 2011 virage it is stunning from all angles and gets almost universal approval from the general public, has carbon ceramics as standard and apart from a still irritating tyre pressure monitor failure been flawless for the last 3500 odd miles. The V12 on cold start up in my enclosed garage is verging on an illegal High There also only roughly 200 virage registered in the UK so here's hoping a decent value in the long term

Another great video.

My personal Aston Martin dream is a Vintage Vantage from the 90's. Twin Supercharged V8 with 550BHP. I'll never own my dream car... But maybe you could find one to review... Nudge nudge.

Lovely, thats another on the list if they drop down some more 😄

Very interesting take, I rate the previous gen V8 Vantage as one of the best looking cars of all time personally, and certainly agree it has aged better than the DB9.

Fantastic V12. I want one.

I'd be interested in an Aston Martin DB9 GT vs Vantage GT review! Thanks!

happy to see you're in love again

Great video. Thx. What is the car's year of manufacture?

Happy boy then James!! 👍

Simply love my DB9! Onyx Black with grey/black interior!👍♥️

Just makes me want one even more !

I think this is one of the first cars I first fell in love with. It's the best looking car, AND the best sounding car. Long gears and the mating of this gearbox type to that engine, was genius. Of course you want long gears, so you can hear that V12 sing for as long as possible. If I ever have the money to invest in my love of cars, this is the first car I will buy as part of my collection. Anyone who can't see what makes this car great, need to have their eyes and ears checked. The Mona Lisa has nothing on this masterpiece.

I am hopeing to get a very late model and I think they will hold price I have driven the DB11 and its just to aggressive I love power and speed but I like to switch it off DB9 looks good to me

I’m a big Aston fan - V8 Vantage owner so perhaps a tad biased but never really considered a DB9 Maybe when I’ve grown up a bit more I’ll give it further thought!

What are the other types of auto gearboxes other than torque converter for this car?

Would you take this one over the V8 Vantage (4.3 manual)?

I'm a huge DB9 fan and I aspire to own a later model of one. The Vantage is beautiful but the DB9 is that daddy Aston and I want one so bad

So it doesn't have the silly little leather fondant fancy that fits in to the cupholder as an elbow rest like in the Vantage then? :D

So good I watched it twice👍

Absolutley! the DB11 & Vantage are no where near as beautiful as the DB9 & V8 Vantage!

Can you review a db7? Great video!!!

Bit of an old mans car......I'll take it!!!

Drove one of these when they just came on the market - a mate bought it new - it was a cabrio, the scuttle shake on it was worse than a Ford xr3 convertible. Surprised Jay Emm didn’t even mention it. It put me off buying one....

The Volante is timelessly beautiful but seriously compromised by the lack of a rear anti roll bar! Easily fixed by a AML specialist but baffling it didn’t come fitted from the factory!

Read the Evo reviews back in the day, then drove one, they got it so wrong the car is amazing! That said i bought the xkr in the end.

What I love about Chris Harris is that he openly acknowledges that looks are distinctly a personal thing.

So good I bought one!

Have you ever driven the XK / XKR of the period? How does that compare, since it was the 'budget DB9' at the time.. They sound glorious too, 385 - 510 hp and a very similar body style for half the money.

Right you are sir. Taking a look at Aston's timeless search you find some interesting choices. The Control Buttons are an issue at speed without better mmi on the wheel Aston lagged behind competition far too long for its superior interiors and engine - The exterior Panache always has exuded class ver the gouache . like the early 2000s Maserati the buttons were like ancient old brick cell phones

Nice vid, thx

So.... Did you think it was any good then?

You didn’t notice the terrible scuttle shake on the convertible. I test drove one when they first came out and the scuttle shake was unbearable over bumps

Only catching up with this a year down the track. Great review which captures the wow! factor that these cars provide. I own the stretched DB9, the Rapide S, 2013. Have never driven them back to back on the same road, but by all accounts the Rapide handles at least as well, if not better. The star of the show is the steering, which has no right to have the feel, quickness of response and sharpness of turn-in that it has, this being a 2tonne mass! The 51:49 weight distribution must be a huge factor in that. I've come from a 996.2 C2 manual 911, and they are such different drives, one a sports car (you could argue about that, but that's how it drives) , the other a true GT. I love them both, but as I also have a Z4 M Coupe, I still have a raw (very!) sports car option. I've only been an Aston owner for a bit over 2 months, but yes, I'm still wowed by it! PS: JayEmm, did you get a DB9?

I really wish you had reviewed a coupe instead. For some reason I can’t come to terms with buying a convertible.

The Vantage was conceived as a car that was smaller and more affordable. Two concepts that Aston Martin has no business pursuing at all. The DB9 and its variants are proper Astons. It is a sporting car for the precious few remaining gentlemen in existence. Most of the other high-end Brands seem to be trying too hard and appear to be designed by High School boys. But in matters of taste, there is no arguing.

Db4 zagato is the only one I would have. Although the late 80s vantage was kind of cool

1st and Keep up the good work👍🏿 AsF! I'm Proud of You to Be Supporting👏🏿You🙌🏿Bos😊s! Thank You Gaffer! ;)

Could this sound better than F599 V12 🤔

Great review, great car. Why was the info on the dash redacted?

Just goes to show drive it yourself, between you and Harry’s garage I’m stuck between a db9 or Quattro porte 4.7

Great video, I have not driven a DB9 in years, I remember it being comfortable and squishy around corners. However, it did sound amazing

Cool Lotus!

If your enjoyment had been any more explicit, you'd have had to age-restrict the video... 🙈 You mentioned that this has been added to your list of cars you desire. Are you going to do a video covering that list, explaining why you desire each one (with snippets of the ones you've driven)?

Dammit Jay! I'd completely written off the DB9 thinking it had the same s**t-house single-clutch transmission as the auto V8 Vantage (still literally the worst transmission I've ever driven, narrowly "beating" BMW SMG), now I need to add it to the maybe list. I still think a 4.7L manual Vantage is the way, but have always wanted a V12...

How could you say these haven’t aged well. They’ve aged like fine wine

Hasn't aged well? Are you insane? I have a sports pack 07 DB9 which apparently is an amazing upgrade based on the reviews I've found. Uprated suspension, stiffer chassis, updated rims, lower ride height... I haven't driven a non sports pack so I can't compare!

DB9 or a 997.2? Which one to buy? Please help.

Yes.

Even Jeremy Clarkson never mentions it and nobody ever does, but some sports cars don't fit tall people. I am 6'.4", not excessively tall but no Lotus car will fit me. Similarly, an Aston Martin Vantage won't be any good for a driver over 6'.0. I have a DB9 Volante simply because it can fit a tall driver. Worth a mention?