10-20 years from now the slush boxes are going to be a complete maintenance nightmare. Technology will have moved on and finding parts and a mechanic who can repair them will be very difficult. Definitely stick to the manuals.
Very much have the same problem with the early Ferrari F1 boxes.
Yes, especially for Aston I believe, as they are on a long road of improving their paddle shifts (if they want to keep it in the market). Their paddle shifters aren't among the best in the market. Although they are by no means the worst in the market,I would still opt for a manual...
The Ferrari/Maserati Division did have problems with their flappy paddle boxes (I believe when the 360/550-575 was around, as well as the 4200 coupes), it really took them a lot of time and effort to sort them out to the level at which they are today, and I doubt that Aston would spend the same time and effort to modify the T-Tronic. With that said, I have yet to witness a recall of the manual versions of the DB9.
The manual Astons were always the special ones to me, however different lifestyles require different boxes. Not everyone's driveway opens up to a twisty B-road. I never really understood why so much people in the early 00's ordered their DB7 V12 in Volante spec and with the 5 speed T-Tronic... never liked the nature of that car... however, looking though the classifieds most DB7 V12s in the US are of that specification.
Anyhow, Altawashm, sorry for not replying for a long time,
Could be old news^^, but all the 04-09 Touchtronic boxes are identical and there were no major revisions from 2007 to 2008.
The 09' box (probably the most commonly available as of right now) did get some minor changes, so that might or might not have required a computer remap along with a gearbox change...(but I doubt the changes were significant), and the 09 unit can definitely handle the power/torque coming out of the 07 version of the engine.
BUT if you found a 08 scrap DB9 with a box I'd say go for it...
but on the other hand the local dealer couldn't find a problem...I wonder how they tested/inspected it... taking a look at the Gearbox yourself and dealing with dealers in first-person is probably the best alternative choice you have right now to getting the DB9