[videofame]

Does anyone know if there are any differences between the 2009, 2010 and 2011 DBS? I'm getting ready to order a new 2011 DBS but started thinking I could save a lot of money by getting a used DBS like the 2009 etc.

I know that the DB9 did receive significant suspension changes for 2011 so if I went that route I might as well go with the 2011.

Any thoughts between the 6 speed or the automatic?

 

[altawashm]

u can ask the dealer

did u think ab
out the V12 Vantage

 

[Serega91]

Does anyone know if there are any differences between the 2009, 2010 and 2011 DBS? I'm getting ready to order a new 2011 DBS but started thinking I could save a lot of money by getting a used DBS like the 2009 etc.

I know that the DB9 did receive significant suspension changes for 2011 so if I went that route I might as well go with the 2011.
Any thoughts between the 6 speed or the automatic?

I think you can not go wrong with an example from 07-08 with a manual transmission. Further more buying it 1-2 years from now would give you a very, very good deal.

Yes, the DB9 got significantly better in the chassis and the suspension department though out it's life (04-11), but somehow I doubt that the DBS would be anything more than a restyle in the next year or so....
Would it improve the aerodynamics and down force at high speeds...I will prejudge and say yes, to a degree.
Will the next edition be significantly different...I will say no

So it would be better to either buy an older example now, or wait until significant changes in the model range will result.
I am all for them releasing an ultimate version of the DBS in 2012-2013 (something they did with the DB7 and the Vanquish) if the event will happen, but right now I believe the best car is the older car.

For the automatic vs manual argument, I would always tell you manual is the way to go in the DBS. It was originally intended to be a manual-only.
Also the automatic Touch Tronic, while not a bad transmission at all, is quite dated. The unit on the DBS is not significantly different from the one on first generation DB9 as i remember as of right now. I also believe it is identical to the one found in later generation DB9s (starting with the 09), so I doubt it really takes advantage of the more revvy (freer breathing) engine that the DBS has. This could be one of the reasons that the auto DBS posted standing quarter mile times more similar to the second generation automatic DB9s (that share the gearbox) than to the manual DBS (shares the engine). This could be a bit too picky, but the automatic wasn't redeveloped well enough to accommodate the car, it was more of a meeting the demand thing, which quite sad given the premium over the DB9. In general the Aston auto boxes are not the best in the market.
I believe the manual will keep its value much better too.

 

[anjy834u]

well i would suggest to go for automatic transmission . It is more convenient. and DBS is faster than DB9.

 

[videofame]

I think you can not go wrong with an example from 07-08 with a manual transmission. Further more buying it 1-2 years from now would give you a very, very good deal.So it would be better to either buy an older example now, or wait until significant changes in the model range will result.
I am all for them releasing an ultimate version of the DBS in 2012-2013 (something they did with the DB7 and the Vanquish) if the event will happen, but right now I believe the best car is the older car.

Thank you very much for you comprehensive thoughts. You're probably right that the 07-08 DBS would certainly give me the most bang for the buck. I would order the Manual transmission no matter which year I order so that wouldn't be a problem.
If I heard that a 2012 would be available by end of 2011 or early 2012 and that it would have 550HP engine I would wait for that there again with a manual transmission.

What do you think about the coupe over the volante. I keep hearing the coupe is about 20-25% stiffer (better handling I guess is what that means). Although I haven't ever really seen a fair test where the same driver drives the two versions back to back on the same race course to see how much difference there actually is from a driving standpoint then from a illusive percentage stiffer standpoint.

 

[Serega91]

Thank you very much for you comprehensive thoughts. You're probably right that the 07-08 DBS would certainly give me the most bang for the buck. I would order the Manual transmission no matter which year I order so that wouldn't be a problem.
If I heard that a 2012 would be available by end of 2011 or early 2012 and that it would have 550HP engine I would wait for that there again with a manual transmission.

What do you think about the coupe over the volante. I keep hearing the coupe is about 20-25% stiffer (better handling I guess is what that means). Although I haven't ever really seen a fair test where the same driver drives the two versions back to back on the same race course to see how much difference there actually is from a driving standpoint then from a illusive percentage stiffer standpoint.

No problem, videofame,
I still doubt a power hike for the DBS itself. I think what you heard in general is correct, Aston is working on prototype cars which would (I believe have a slight engine output advantage), but would be focused more on trimming weight off the VH platform, but that is later than 2012. These would be replacements for the DB9 and the V8 Vantage, with an S-spec/ Vantage version (like the DBS in the current line up) arriving later.

I tried doing some "research" in the free time I had. There was (one) site that stated the figure you indicated (550BHP) for the DBS specifically, but it is an unofficial fan-site, which contained mistakes. From experience, I know that car dealers dealing multiple badges can also give misinformation on occasion. So, unless the information is coming from Aston, I am pretty sure the DBS will only get a facelift.

About the Volante, the car is certainly not as stiff as the coupe. There are a few at best, if not none open cars which can compensate completely the lack of a roof. They did their best to fight the huge moments created in the midframe...especially for a relatively large car (I'd say one of the best GT convertible jobs out there), but again, its a convertible,so they had to stiffen the frame close to the chassis. I believe, the differences are barely pronounced under normal driving conditions, getting a bit more pronounced when the car is pushed. Still, it is a far leap forward from the First Generation DB9 and the DB7 Volantes.

I never liked the Volante DBS idea, but so far, nothing but praise....

 

[videofame]

I still doubt a power hike for the DBS itself. I think what you heard in general is correct, Aston is working on prototype cars which would (I believe have a slight engine output advantage), but would be focused more on trimming weight off the VH platform, but that is later than 2012. These would be replacements for the DB9 and the V8 Vantage, with an S-spec/ Vantage version (like the DBS in the current line up) arriving later...

I think your right about real changes in the Aston Martin over the next coupdl of years. A few minor face changes and some lightening of the body that probably about it. So it looks like I'll either get a used 2009 Aston Martin DBS with Manual in Silver Lightning or a 2011 Vantage V12 or DB9 I'm still contemplating about the Volante. I'm thinking Volante on DB9 because it's really less performance oriented while coupe for the DBS or Vantage V12.