Aston Martin DB9
The DB9 launched Aston's bonded-aluminium VH platform and a new V12.
Made to order: your copy is researched, fact-checked, and typeset to our standard, then delivered within about two weeks. We'll email you the moment it's ready.
About the Aston Martin DB9 (2004-2016)
The DB9 is the car that saved Aston Martin. Launched in 2004 on the bonded aluminium VH platform, it wrapped a 5.9 litre V12 in one of the best shapes of the decade and ran twelve years as coupe and Volante convertible. It is a grand tourer first, quiet until you ask otherwise.
The appeal is the engine. A naturally aspirated 48 valve V12 with no turbos is a period piece now, and the DB9 sells for a fraction of its list price. That is also the trap. This is a six figure car with six figure running costs, and the cheap ones are cheap for reasons a proper inspection will find.
Specifications at a glance
| Years | 2004 to 2016 |
| Engine | 5.9 L (5,935 cc) V12, naturally aspirated |
| Output | 450 hp (2004), 470 hp (2008), 510 hp (2012), 540 hp (2015 GT) |
| Torque | 570 Nm (420 lb-ft), rising to 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) in 2012 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic (ZF Touchtronic) or 6-speed manual |
| Layout | front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, bonded aluminium VH platform |
| Production | approximately 16,500 (coupe and Volante) |
Known issues to check before you buy
- Ignition coil packs. The twelve coils sit under the intake manifolds and cook. Misfires and a P0316 start-up code are the tell. Access runs to eight hours, so coils and plugs go as a set, commonly $2,500 to $4,000.
- Cooling system. Radiator end tanks swell and split from heat cycling, hoses bulge, and thermostat gaskets weep after five to seven years. Treat any coolant loss as a stop-driving fault.
- Manual clutch. The rare six-speed manual is the one enthusiasts want, but clutch life runs around 15,000 miles. Feel for crunch into second; repeat clutch invoices mean hard use.
- Suspension recalls. Two recalls covered subframe bolts and front suspension arm cambolts on 2007 to 2009 cars, both affecting steering. Clunks or uneven tyre wear point to a damaged control arm.
- Electrics and Volante roof. Heated seat controls were recalled on 2006 to 2014 cars, early Linn stereos fail, and seat and tyre pressure modules play up. On a Volante, cycle the roof fully and check the fabric.
Owning one
The DB9 is affordable to buy and expensive to run, so the invoice folder tells you more than the odometer. This volume documents the Aston Martin DB9 (2004-2016) specifically: verified specifications, the documented weak points and how to inspect each, the service data, and the parts and owner community that keep them on the road.
Inside this volume
Known issues & a survey guide
The documented weak points for this exact model, how to inspect each, and what a proper fix costs.
Full specifications
Every published figure, engine option, and running change, with the conflicts flagged, not guessed.
Systems & maintenance
Electrical, fuel, cooling, and drivetrain, plus service schedules and torque and fluid data.
Parts & community
Where the parts are, what cross-references, and the clubs and forums that keep the model alive.
Make it your car.
We fold in your year, your engine and options, your refits and modifications, your VIN, and your own car's photo on the cover. The book stops describing the car that left the factory and starts describing the one in your garage.