Used 2013 Aston Martin DB9

In the world of luxury performance cars, British automaker Aston Martin neatly fits above brands such as Audi and BMW, and just below exotics like Ferrari and Bentley. The 2013 DB9 holds the middle ground of Aston’s lineup, above the sport-oriented Vantage and below the new Vanquish GT. Available as a gorgeous coupe or convertible (Volante), the DB9 blends the performance of a sports car with the comfort of a grand touring vehicle. The 2013 Aston Martin DB9 is the fastest and most powerful yet, endowed with a new V12 that delivers over 500 horsepower. Though now celebrating a century in motoring, Aston Martin’s dealer/service network is far smaller than, say, Porsche’s. On the other hand, Aston Martins boast intrinsic exclusivity, not to mention a special affiliation with Bond, James Bond.

With a 0-60 mph time of about 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph, the DB9 isn’t quite the quickest or fastest in this class, but it’s certainly no slouch. You’ll still be almost guaranteed first access onto the freeway should your right foot desire. Of course, the DB9 isn’t just meant to be quick. Comfort is a major consideration, and is achieved with a new Adaptive Damping System that is user-adjustable for a softer ride (Sport and Track modes stiffen the ride for better performance). We enjoyed the DB9’s steering weight and its progressive feedback. The 6-speed automatic transmission is snappy, but when in manual mode is somewhat slow to react to inputs. The DB9 coupe’s ride is amazingly smooth and its cabin is well insulated from outside noise. That can’t be said for the Volante convertible, which lets in quite a bit of wind buffeting even at moderate speeds.

Bathed in leather and appointed with elegant touches like magnesium shift paddles and glass switches, you don’t need to be a member of the Royal Family to recognize the DB9’s interior as one of supreme luxury. This is what sport and elegance are all about – at least if you’re in deeply contoured front seats. The tiny rear seats, on the other hand, are best thought of as parcel shelves. In coupes, the option is available to have them left out altogether. Amid the DB9’s contemporary dash is the docking station for the "Emotional Control Unit" or ECU, a glass and steel key that makes the Aston roar to life.

As with the interior, attention-to-detail is paramount to the DB9’s exquisite outer looks. For instance, Aston Martin says it seeks such perfection in the paint finish that 50 man-hours are spent on the body of every DB9, including rigorous hunts for tiny blemishes. If paint can be called lucky, the coats applied to the DB9’s curves surely are blessed. With a low profile, long hood and big rear fenders that resemble well-defined muscles, the 2013 DB9 is a portrait of elegance and strength. 2013 models appear sleeker thanks to elongated headlight housings, while a rear trunk lip enhances aerodynamics and allure.

BANG & OLUFSEN BeoSound AUDIO
We’ve heard a lot of sound systems in a lot of cars, but the Bang & Olufsen setups in Aston Martins are something magical. Aside from its sheer power output – 1,000 watts for those counting – this optional system is optimally tuned to bring audiophile bliss that rivals the DB9’s excellent exhaust note.

TRANSPONDER WATCH
Those with a love of both timepieces and automobiles will be interested in the DB9 Transponder watch. Created jointly with Jaeger-Le-Coultre, the watch lets you lock or unlock the DB9 with the press of a sapphire crystal. At nearly $25,000, the watch is an option as extravagant in price as it is in cachet.

The 2013 Aston Martin DB9 comes with a powerful V12 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, carbon-ceramic brakes, and 20-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires. Inside are full-grain leather, heated front seats, a satellite navigation system, a 700-watt sound system with 6-disc changer and integrated iPod controller, and USB/auxiliary inputs. Front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera will help you maneuver your supercar in tight spots. Other nice touches include a trunk-mounted umbrella and a Lamy pen and pen holder. The Volante adds a power-operated soft top with a glass rear window.

Extras for the 2013 Aston Martin DB9 include a superb-sounding B&O audio system, a 2+0 seating option in the coupe, satellite radio, and various wheel choices. Carbon-fiber packages are available for both the interior and exterior of the 2013 DB9. The former adds the strong and lightweight material to the shift paddles and door pulls, while the latter adds carbon fiber to the coupe’s front splitter, rear diffuser, and mirror arms. For those seeking a cozier feel, a leather headliner is available.

The 2013 DB9 uses an all-new, aluminum-alloy 6.0-liter V12 gasoline engine that sends 510 horsepower to the rear wheels. The engine is front mid-mounted for better overall weight ratio and, thus, better handling. The only transmission is a 6-speed automatic with a manual-shift mode. Premium fuel is required, and a gas guzzler tax of around $2,000 is also applied to the 2013 Aston Martin DB9.

6.0-liter V12
510 @ 6,500 rpm
457 @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/19 mpg