The DB9 was the first “boutique” car experience when I was 13. Dads former boss had one and took me for a quick rip down the interstate. Forever locked in my heart.

@skelejp9982

2 жыл бұрын

I don't have much with these Cars, I remember also being so disappointed when driving it in GranTourismo 😐. And for the Looks, I like the XK Jaguar more. Having said this, I might fully change my mind after been driven , or driving it. Do love those pre 2001 build Vantage's

@DudesaidMIKE

2 жыл бұрын

I can’t agree more with the Jaguar XK. Dads got an 05 XKR Convertible and I owned an 09 XK coupe. Best daily driver and can do 30 mpg highway no issue, as long as you keep the factory resonator. I swapped an X pipe into it and I saw about 3-5 mpg less.

I take a shot of whiskey every time James says PORSCHE in his videos.... I have been drunk for over a year ! 🤣

@raycroal

Жыл бұрын

are you unemployed yet?

@CLIVEHENLEY

8 ай бұрын

😂

Aaaagh Jay! I was saving up for one of these but the market's going to go up with you telling everyone about these hidden gems! Great video and I particularly liked the conclusion :)

@astonishing1964

2 жыл бұрын

Not too sure this is a "hidden gem" but yes, great cars.

@buzzbomb67

Жыл бұрын

Alas, this has happened to so many vintage exotics… Panteras took off a few years back, prior to which it was common to find one for $20k-40k. About 10yrs prior, Bizzarrini GT Stradas, rare as they are, could be found sub-$100k (albeit exceedingly rarely, since they only made 150ish). Dammit. Lol

I owned a DB9 Manual for two years and loved it. I used it everyday and I only needed to replace a front spring. I now have a 550 manual and paid twice the money for it. The 550 is not twice the car.

@graygamingps4503

2 жыл бұрын

The pricing of cars is ridiculous at times. Although one could argue the Vanquish is a better comparison to the 550/575 but they're all wonderful cars

For me, a DB9 should be automatic. It's a long-legged sporty GT, smooth automatic fits the profile perfectly. The later DB9 GT is just the right car.

@LiqdPT

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, came here to say exactly this. The DB9 is supposed to be an easy relaxed drive.

I owed manual DB9 for 3 years. It was serviced at AM Workshop from new. It had clutch judder from day 1 with as you say a tricky bite point and it never got any better, but then neither did it break in 50,000 miles so clearly a durable component. Of course it had personality but was pain in the left leg in traffic… Original F1 automised manual I had in MY2000 Ferrari 360 was horrid and could not traverse a gravel car park without wheel spin and gave heart palpitations when in underground car park with large piers. Ive also owned two Porsche and both had PDK which was a joy and set the bar very high for others. My Current McLaren and Ferrari both auto boxes and are incredibly slick, complainant and quicker than I could ever swap cogs…without any hassle in traffic Best manual by far however is that in my GR Yaris…. A really snick-snick straight cut feel…. Gorgeous In sum up- it’s horses for courses / new PDK type gearboxes are amazing 🤨

I wonder if dealers have a lot to answer for in the demise of the manual 'box. My own experience was visiting my local Toyota dealership when the GT86 was new out. I went in, glowing with my excitement of a proper new sports. car designed for the driver's pleasure above all else. The dealer, though, seemed obsessed with the automatic (a particularly poor gearbox compared to other autos of the time), constantly trying to convince me it was the one to have because it was fractionally better on fuel than the manual. I kept saying that I was interested in it as a drivers car, and that my current car was manual, but he didn't listen. I gave up and walked...

@keirbourne5323

2 жыл бұрын

That's bizarre given the type of car the salesman is trying to sell you!

@slideways8022

2 жыл бұрын

Believe the auto is a couple grand more, so probably wanted to bag a couple hundred on the commission

Recently picked up a well cared for ZF 08 DB9. Love, love, love it. First auto sports/GT I’ve owned versus all my others being three pedal cars. Just works with this powertrain and chassis. Quick enough, exhaust note when the secondary valve opens just incredible, interior leather and mahogany still looks and smells like a proper English exclusive club. And paid half of what my 360 gated cost me…love this era of Aston, thanks for reviewing.

I have a Mercedes SLK 350 (R171) with a manual. Another rare manual car because like the Astons the manual was the far less desirable option. Infact the car belonged to my late grandfather, who bought it brand new, he was very stubborn back in 2005 he wouldn't have the 7G-tronic. He had to wait 6 weeks for delivery, if he went for the auto he could've had the car the next day. This shows you that when these cars are new the people who buy them aren't hardcore piston headers. It's a shame that hardly anyone bought a manual 350 because like the DB9 it's a fantastic manual car, with a really nice shift and it feels really special unlike a similar performing hot hatch.

@dagnut

2 жыл бұрын

Very underated car and would love to try the manual. I had one of these for a long weekend in Scotland up around Inverness and it was fantastic ..it did everything, quiet and comfortable on the way up from London in the rain, plenty of grip and well balanced for the beautiful Twisties up there and then the roof comes down for sunshine cruising... seriously underated car. They got sniffed at by all the Clarkson wannabe shit bags. I did the same trip a month later in a boxster and that car is only better at 9/10ths where you spend 10 seconds combined at most of your entire drive at ..the SLK is way better car with a much better motor. I had an account with eurocar prestige at the time so I drove lots of different cars back then and the SLK stuck with me. The V6 in this and the BMW straight 6 of the time both had around 275bhp but beautiful linear delivery...the pinnacle of German engineering IMO.

Regarding the percentage of sales split between automatic and manuals, I wonder how much this is influenced by buyers buying cars "off of the lot" versus ordering. For example, years ago my wife and I wanted a certain model car with a manual and a certain Blue/tan color combination. The dealer searched the supply and came up with nothing. The only choices were for manuals in cars with gray/gray color combinations. So we ended up taking one of those rather than waiting and indeterminant period of time (months). If we wanted our desired color scheme, we'd have to take a car with an automatic. Keep in mind that we live in the US and the car in question was being made in the US. My point is that forecasting algorithms that manufacturers use drive production to blah colors, automatic transmissions and so on. Since buyers for most cars don't want to wait 6 months for their cars, they settle for what they can get rather than what they want. I wonder if the covid/semiconductor issues hitting the supply chain may provide the opportunity to change that situation since dealer inventories of new cars have essentially shrunk to zero. So if you want a new car, you have to order it. In fact some brands are advertising that you can now order what you want and get a discount. Since you're forced to order, I wonder if this will start to open up the variety of configuration that people with buy.

@nightdriver7216

2 жыл бұрын

It will remain automatics. Cars are almost never bought off the lot anymore. You pick color, configuration, how you want to pay, and the factory will build you a car. Just in time. If most of these cars are monochromatic automatics, it's because people want that. Easy to live with, easy to drive, easy resale. The daily commute is not a enthusiastic experience and manuals struggle to offer comfort. Manual transmissions are mostly terrible apart from very few brands and sportscars. Corolla is top seller for a reason. The current used sportscar market is nuts. Cars with manuals and NA engines increasing in value in an unrealistic way due to the "electric threat" (first was the downsizing). Vast majority of these cars will crash HARD once the bubble pops due to the future generations not having grown with them and not seeing the appeal.

Still one of the most beautiful cars made

One thing that really gets my goat about petrolheads is the sound of exhausts. The Aston V12 sounds amazing, as do many/most V10, V8, V6, V5 and boxer engines. But in recent years there has been a swathe of "farting" cars. The Jaguar F Type and Audi are two prime examples. The exhaust has been designed specifically to give this stupid cheap sound and has almost nothing to do with the engine. As soon as I hear a fart, it just screams of cheap fake shite. Give me a Busso V6 at 7,500rpm or BMW S85 V10. When I hear an Audi fart, I think Halfords after market or Heinz baked bean tin cans and no true petrolhead would be seen dead with one. But some alleged petrolheads swear by them.

@nightdriver7216

2 жыл бұрын

It's funny because all I see on the internet are types like you. Everyone loves the V10 M5, but nobody wants to own one.

I used to think that manual was the way to go, but that view was based more on the uselessness of the older slush-o-matic boxes I was used to. I think the tide started to turn when the auto boxes started to get better mpg and emit less CO2 than the manual equivalent. Now I'd be reluctant to get a manual unless I was buying a weekend only country road car, and even then it would have to be a car that only had a slush-o-matic equivalent. The 6 speed ZF you reference that I had in my XK-R was great. Paddles when you wanted to be in charge and just forget it when you were in heavy traffic. Modern auto's are great bits of engineering.

RE: 991.2 GT3 w/ manual. Here in the US those percentages were flipped. 70% manual take rate or so. IIRC, most of the outcry was also from this side of the pond, too.

@zacht9447

2 жыл бұрын

probably because we're so deprived of them in most of our other cars

@nightdriver7216

2 жыл бұрын

It's a niche car with the only selling point being the manual, because the GT3 RS would make it redundant if the GT3 was PDK only.

I really bloody hope the DB9 and Vantage stay at reasonable prices and don't become unobtanium within the next 10 years.

@BenB91

2 жыл бұрын

They made plenty of them, so not likely.

@grahamdaws4775

Жыл бұрын

Values have been flat for 10years. This often precedes an eventual rise. As they are so cheap, the price of a hatch, why not buy one now if you like them so much?

A friend has 80s manual AM, and it is wonderful RE the manual box: In Melbourne, auto on the domestic duties is great. Once (eventually) you get out of town, small gutless manual car (because of the speed cameras) is just so much fun.

Thank you James. The automotive world is a better place with you around.

@JayEmmOnCars

Жыл бұрын

That's too kind

Non petrolhead driving preference goes to "automatics", with a vast margin. Since non petrolheads are the majority buyers of even extreme hypercars, its not surprising a luxury/sporty GT as a db9 have a very low rate of manuals being specified.

Your comment that the DB9 steering was better than that on the turbo Targa 4 Porsche your driving also will upset the Porsche viewers (I have a 911), and even make them scoff. But you're absolutely right because the Aston has, like my Rapide S, an hydraulic steering rack, double wishbone suspension, and no driveshafts creating weight and torque at the front wheels. These big Astons have steering feel totally unexpected in cars of this size and weight, showing the importance Aston places on driver feedback. Yes Astons have their faults, but their strengths far outweigh them. Big powerful, luxurious, glorious looking and sounding masterpieces. And, yes, true driver's cars!

Bought an identical spec Db9 manual based largely from this video. Way more of a drivers car than I ever couldve imagined

@johnnyjohnson8928

8 ай бұрын

what the price

The Sports Pack is still available from AM. Just bought it a few months ago. Made the 2005 DB9 a new car

Yes please James, would dearly love to see you shoot a video of an 80s Vantage X-Pack, and also their successor the supercharged Vantage & Vantage 600, they're my two biggest dream cars! 👍😎

I love a good manual gearbox and I didn't own an auto gearbox car until I was in my late 50's. The stop & go commute traffic at that time was just killing my left knee.

I love the narrative by Jay Emm always. The best of the video. very witty. Awesome.

@JayEmmOnCars

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Marc

We will never know how wonderful a Ferrari 458 Speciale could have been with a 6 speed gated manual. I've often imagined it. Ferrari sucks for abandoning one of its most historic features.

@paulcallaghan3520

2 жыл бұрын

But what a gearbox on the 458, worlds apart from the 430 f1 gearbox (I’m talking like I have driven them but sadly I haven’t so my comment has absolutely no relevance to anything so I’m going back in my hole) 😂

@hazzaknox1069

2 жыл бұрын

@@paulcallaghan3520 To be honest i think they were right to ditch the manual for the 458... as you say the box on the 458 is brilliant in the first place and a manual in the car would seem to out of place for a car so hyperactive

@GM-fh5jp

2 жыл бұрын

@@hazzaknox1069 We will never know...

@nightdriver7216

2 жыл бұрын

History changes. The 458 is a car from the era of manettino. It's one of if not the last Montezemolo car. It's a car in tune with what Ferrari was doing in F1, like the 296 GTB today.

Brilliant video, really highlights how much of a v12 bargain the DB9 still is. I’ve driven both and thought the auto suited the car better, sports pack glass key 470 model is the sweet spot 👌

Eminently sensible stuff. Totally with you on adaptive dampers. Always feels a gimmick somehow, and a bit of a design cop out.

Stunning car and getting hooked very quickly on these videos

I’m with you on the gearbox issue Jay, it’s all about what the box is on. I daily a Troc R and given where I use it a lot of the time it wouldn’t make little sense having it as a manual. My mk1 z4 would be hateful as an auto box and my ST220s best feature is the manual box with the v6 in my view

I love this era of Aston martin alot and tbh I really never understood the dabate of manual vs auto but I still have a preference for auto gearboxes

As someone who is now 'one step closer to the grave' the auto was definitely the car for me when I bought my DB9 (+ sports pack) two years ago. I thought a big car with a massive V12 engine would be a bit cumbersome on a manual box and the auto would suit my retired life style. I have no experience of the manual DB9 but I can say the auto DB9 is a lovely drive in auto and the paddles do offer a quick and decisive cog change if desired. Thats my perspective, but bear in mind it was 12 months into my ownership before I pressed the sport button. I guess I am very happy with the car in auto mode.

@benpenagonzales6014

2 жыл бұрын

Think it's that we think of the old xjs box which was rubbish a la USA cars. Years ago a friend had a e39 535i manual. He wasn't a good driver tbf, but that didn't suit. Always thought it was the big torque but probably more at play with newer cars

Really enjoyed this. Great review. Thank you

Very interesting video. I'd go for the auto version myself, add a few QOL improvements and change the alloys. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

These cars are out of my reach, still something I'd love to own though. Mates and I had big RTA late 70's, 1 left as a para due to spinal damage. Through the years we have had cars and I've always been able to by the sports model as I could drive the manual, for him it was 2k+ in hand controls and electronic clutch conversion, a figure not wise to spend given the (by comparison of today), small compensation settlements we got. Besides 2k is half way to a custom built chair, which is much, much more important. As a result I have driven a lot of auto's in mainstay cars over the years, never driven a flappy paddle though and don't really seem the point for road use. However, I have driven my mates cars that we have tinkered with, suspension, cams, brakes, wheels and so on. Even though they were auto, the ones with the little "sports" button were quite fun, even before any mods. Engaging it will drop it down a gear, slowing you for a corner and giving you a better gear for the out. Used right, with a good setup, they were not a hell of a lot different. Matter of fact, for a good few years we both had MK3 Cav's, me the GSi 16v him the 2ltr NE 8v unit, that had been shown a small amount of love. Cross Country, it kept up just as good and he had fun, the pair of us. Just goes to show, depends on needs and driving style and the cars ability.

I can't get over how beautiful this car is.

Manual DBS Volante is the dream daily and I'm pretty sure will appreciate or at the very least hold it's value

Just love Astons. Great review.

80s v8 vantage is my favourite car

Brilliant James 👌

I'm with you on the vantage x pack. My top drawer dream car. 👍👍👍👌👌👌

One of the things that can dismiss a manual car, even if you want one, is a heavy clutch, you just don't want the hassle to spoil the driving experience, & potential health issues. I would always go manual if possible, far better driving involvement, but appreciate for a lot of UK traffic, an auto can be more relaxing. Thanks J for another Aston!

@peoplehavetherights

Жыл бұрын

EZ, I had a V8 Vantage 4.3L with manual box. Yes, the clutch and shift throws were fairly heavy, the engagement point on the clutch was rather "last of the throw" timing wise, but the car was durable and fun. Were I to buy another I do think I'd go for the DB9 with the sports package just as Jay Emm suggests. I couldn't care less about the infotainment system being prehistoric, my Vantage had the usual sound system and it was actually fine to listen to as I listened to classical music more than anything else. The car was always willing to put a smile on your face it and I do miss it. Another one seems to be in the offing.

@eze8970

Жыл бұрын

@@peoplehavetherights Glad you enjoyed it, & that it didn't throw up any big bills!

I have now owned my DB9 Volante for 5 years and love the driving experience with its ZF auto box. Its a GT car but also has huge power that is more than enough for British roads. I really doubt that there would be much difference between the two types of boxes especially if you use the auto's paddle shifts. Remember though, if you really want a manual Aston, there is the V8 4.3 or 4.7 Vantage or if you want to go mad then the S with the V12, or of course pay extra for a DBS.

The DB9 is a perfect GT.I have owend one for three years.It does what it was designed to do very well.The DBS isn't much faster and is more expensive to maintain.

Fit a later AMR twin plate manual clutch improves the driving experience

I always poke around for a manual DB9 coupe every now and then; they're like a needle in a haystack but I hope one day to own one, still!

Bamford Rose are brilliant engineers. Definitely know their shit about setting the car up, getting the best out of an engine, particularly with their own design of exhaust manifolds etc.

I used to hate auto boxes until i drove a few decent zf tourqe converter transmissions. Imo the best compromise

The original V8 Vantage will always be my favourite Aston Martin. Esspecially in brown.

Review a Volvo C70 pls, J!!

If you enjoy driving, you should be able to enjoy driving most cars. Work around their quirks & use in a way that plays to their particular strengths. My cars are manual, but my wife's is now a waftomatic. I'm slowly getting it.

Never heard about the plastic tray. Here in the States I think they all came with aluminum undertrays. I’ve also NEVER seen one without the 950W Lynn radio and auto-fold mirrors. My ‘05 has all those. Not the sport shocks though…. The early shocks suck. I was surprised how harsh the ride is on the early cars. Never been in the ‘09+ but I hear they are much better. As far as the Sport upgrades, you can still get shocks and springs from AML and replace them yourself if you wanted.

It all depends on what car to what transmission eg.. an outo for a db9 suits this type of car perfectly, for a gt3 a manual or pdk ,just take your pick ,a mazda mx5 definitely just go manual

Great to se you bro

and although i agree that one can maintain lower speeds than one may suspect and still feel very involved on a winding road, it does have its drawbacks. manifested in the fact that while one is doing that one can also occasionally glance in the rear view mirror and see a soccer mom a and three kids in a honda pilot keeping up well enough while she's fixing her makeup in the vanity mirror. ...rather deflating. :(

Don’t, tell everyone! I’m looking at the moment for a nice sport pack automatic. The clutch would do my head in. I’ve had people comment on my Xkr radio / interior looking old but then get so many positive comments on how the car looks. Each to their own, I’d rather have something that looks interesting and sounds nice than a modern super computer on wheels.

@sparky4878

2 жыл бұрын

Is that an X100 or X150? I’ve got an X100 XKR, it does look old but I love it. No fancy digital displays or touchscreens. Just wood, leather and craftsmanship.

@lukeshardlow768

2 жыл бұрын

@@sparky4878 It’s an X100, I think they are timeless especially the front. I have added CarPlay to mine as the original sat nav didn’t know what the M6 was 😂

Pistonheads is like mumsnet but moreright wing is the greatest quote I ever heard 🤣.

@miff227

2 жыл бұрын

A simple fact easily deduced from basic knowledge about humans is the greatest quote you've ever heard? Hmm

@richardharrold9736

2 жыл бұрын

@@miff227 tbh, having lurked on both forums for years, I'd say Pistonheads on a good day is still a lot worse than Mumsnet at its worst.

@miff227

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardharrold9736 worse because it is right wing?

@richardharrold9736

2 жыл бұрын

@@miff227 there's just a lot of toxic masculinity, overt bigotry, snobbery, and pointless flame warring between fans of different car brand and whatnot...

@miff227

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardharrold9736 masculinity isnt toxic. You calling it toxic is actual bigotry. Snobbery? That's what we call projection. Describing other people's divisions as pointless? I think you've actual nailed snobbish bigotry right there. What's most interesting though, is what your brain will do with my comment. Can't wait to see...

Yes!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

I drove one of these yesterday...

I just think that the DB9 and DB7 look dated! In complete contrast the V8 Vantage, especially the early ones without the side skirts look just as good as they did when they were released! Stunning, beautifully proportioned, Timeless!

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

I agree entirely

My ford has the same with the locking wheel nut. All the lugs are shiney and then there's this dark hole that is the locking nut 😂

There was a time where I would claim, give me manual or give me death! But with age comes wisdom. I've had the opportunity to drive both auto and manual, and the automatic just made more sense for my needs. Thank for another great review!

@BigUriel

2 жыл бұрын

In my experience (and I was that guy too once), people who have this hard view on manuals vs autos have simply never driven a decent auto. They used to be rubbish, but they've improved immensely in the last 20 years. Also not every manual is good (in fact many are rubbish too), so there will be cars in which the auto isn't just smoother and less hassle than the manual, it's actually more fun.

@AnarchistMetalhead

2 жыл бұрын

@@BigUriel having driven various automatic cars, but only owned manual, the best i can say about any automatic is it not being too frustrating

@BigUriel

2 жыл бұрын

@@AnarchistMetalhead Have you driven anything with a ZF8 or a dual clutch? Even the old ZF6 was pretty good with the right software map on it.

@AnarchistMetalhead

2 жыл бұрын

@@BigUriel yes. dual clutch are the ones i"d call not too frustrating. but the Q8, which should have a ZF, was the worst turd i have ever driven

@BigUriel

2 жыл бұрын

​@@AnarchistMetalhead I've heard of issues in some cars with the ZF8, I think it comes down to software, and the manufacturer not doing a very good job at tuning it. Fortunately you can get these modern transmissions remapped which makes them much more flexible. BMWs, Jaguars and the Alfa Giulia with the ZF8 all work perfectly. The ZF (Porsche) and Getrag (BMW) dual clutch are also brilliant, as are many of the VW DSGs (not all of them), they are so good that unless you must have a clutch pedal they do make manuals obsolete, because not only are they good as automatics but they also change gear exactly when you tell them to when used in manual mode (and faster than you ever could with anything short of a sequential).

If you wanna try a vanquish mk 2…..let me know , in my view the last of the normally aspirated V12…..and the best driving Aston there is…

Jay, we need to talk about your shirts. Really. We need to find you a new stylist!

I have a Jag XF with an auto, a Clio Trophy with a manual (obviously) and a 60s Land Rover which has a bag of coal with a walking stick...think all are perfectly suited to each vehicle.

James, please, do reviews for the 1st gen db7 with 6 cylinders and those big old busses from the 90s! Thanks a lot in advance!

A decent manual trans will ALWAYS improve the enjoyable experience. A manual transmission will make even mundane cars enjoyable. 90's chevy pickup with an auto is just a boring utilitarian tool. but with a manual at least it's more fun. even things like a jeep wrangler may be objectively more capable with an auto but a manual makes them more enjoyable. the only reason a manual isn't more enjoyable is if it is a very bad trans/clutch setup. For example a modern dodge challenger is fun with the auto and the v8 but it's soooooo much more fun with a manual.

The biggest problem with Pistonheads is that it got popular. Back in the early 2000s it was a really great community, but a certain event resulted in a large influx of people and it was never quite the same again. I rarely go there now.

@nakmas73

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed… what was the event though?

@turbinia

2 жыл бұрын

@@nakmas73 When Hammond crashed the dragster, there was a thread started there about charity fundraising that attracted a very large number of new members, many of whom stuck around. The tone of the place changed virtually overnight.

Love a DB9 review. Although I think the facelifted one with the bigger tail flick and 'split' 5 star alloys could well be the best looking modern GT ever designed. I know thats not the point of the video lol a manual maybe on a vantage but for the big V12... Prob better with the auto/paddle set up

@zacht9447

2 жыл бұрын

the big v12 is exactly where a manual would light up the experience.

Auto for me. They're so much better than they used to be. Once you get used to the idiosyncracies they're fine, and not having to lift my leg up and down a thousand times on a drive either is prefarable for my slightly dodgy back / hip combo. I also don't feel the need to be excited and 'involved in the experience' every single time I head out.

You can still get the Sport Pack retrofit - had it done a few months back.

Manual please M ...plus the flip top for the ejector seat !

OMFG !!!!!! a real car

Manual for the driving roads, flappy paddle for the track and auto for the motorway or in town

“The Car Is Good...” this should become your summary motto (if the car is good!), and put it on T-shirts, caps and car stickers!

On manual vs. automatic: the only reason the last car I bought is an auto is so my girlfriend can drive it too. Clutches and gearboxes can be VERY expensive to replace!

@GoldenCroc

2 жыл бұрын

If your girlfriend isnt deaf, she will have learned to drive a manual long before the clutch or gearbox gives out, with a small amount of training.

@autobahnproven

2 жыл бұрын

@@GoldenCroc haha... you don't know my girlfriend. I love her but...

I would definitely put myself on the manual or nothing side, mostly because I can't afford anything with enough power to make an auto justifiable

Very similar with the e92 M3 the dct box was a great success and 95% were sold as such, although only in the last few years since covid have the manuals greatly appreciated and commanded a premium. I’d say the majority of cars from early 2000s up will be the same

@mulletmanpete

2 жыл бұрын

I had a B7 RS4 for 8 years and loved it, as I'm sure you know they were manual only and widely praised for it. And I loved mine. I replaced it with a 2013 E92 and went DCT. I couldn't be arsed to spend ages tracking down a manual one and paying a premium for whatever minimal gains there might have been in the driving experience. 3 years in and I haven't regretted it for one second.

@davidd4531

2 жыл бұрын

@@mulletmanpete I owned an E90 M3 manual. You made the right call. Awful gearbox to operate and the gearing in the DCT made much more sense. The E9x M3 is a prime example of a car designed to be used with the DCT, with the manual box as an option to appease the hardcore audience but with little intention from the brand to make it work right.

@nightdriver7216

2 жыл бұрын

It's a baby M5 designed to use a semi auto. Manual was there until DCT wasn't ready. After DCT, no point in going manual with the car.

I've said this before. My M3 convertible with SMG is less than half price a manual coupe. As a toy it's just as much fun imho as I don't care about lap times and enjoy SMG 2

Anyone who doesn’t like a manual transmission, isn’t a real car guy.

@marcus.H

4 ай бұрын

I prefer a manual, but if I had a luxury car I would probably go for the common gearbox of these cars

Yesterday, a bloke told me the new Merc SL is better with the turbo 4 pot they announced, than with an electric motor of the same power... Because SLs have to make some noise... And the 4cyl won't make any beyond what's played through the speakers

@antonis5999

2 жыл бұрын

So very true!

It`s a cool car but I would still prefer a Jag :-) - Great Video! Lovely. detailed review.

I really wanna see you drive a Aston V12 Vantage S, with the 7 speed manual 👀

I tend to think the reason cars like this are predominantly auto is that the sort of people that have the money to buy these cars new are more about the image than the driving, and the auto make the driving easier. On the other hand those that are interested in older cars are more likely to be interested in the driving, hence the increased value of manuals, particularly as they get rarer for modern classics.

Mmmmm yes But, they look amazing sound glorious and when you sit behind the wheel and smell the leather. . . . Intoxicating

I'll take a DB9 GT with the engine & 7spd from the 2016 V12 Vantage S

I don't know if Jay has been practising a new, more relaxed chattiness but for me this - and the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti - videos show a most welcome development. The touch of humility works. As an aside, although I'm certainly not one for insisting, for example, on saying "Porsh-a", "ScaGlietti" did grate a bit - Jay, in the same way even Anglicised, you dont say BoloGnese, it's clearly "Scah-lietti"... I thought the summary which commended essentially a "think for yourself and what's appropriate to both the car and yourself" mantra was absolutely right. While it may sound obvious, I can't ever remember hearing or seeing anyone else arriving at that conclusion, instead, preferring to twist themselves up in the all-or-nothing partisan man/auto arguments. Aston seem often to play second fiddle to Ferrari and Porsche, but another thing which was made clear in this segment was not only do cars get reappraised differently with the passage of time, but real world knowledge and experience is gained about what they're like to own, especially in terms of costs and reliability - but also in simply the act of living with a car and using it. Most motoring mags, whether print or on tv, more or less discuss the finest points of handling, gear shift, performance etc which will probably be of significance to a small minority. The feeling I took away from this is that less extreme, less glamorous, more indefinable qualities like ease, agreeableness and satisfaction are more important to the owners of modern classics like this Aston. For sure, the 612 is a thoroughbred and, while that in the Aston is still lovely, the Ferrari's engine is in a different league and utterly magnificent. At the same time, the Ferrari didn't do so well on looks while the Aston is still Daniel Craig handsome. The notes on costs, never mind the fact the 612 actually developed a fault during filming, were a clincher....

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andrew. As ever not trying anything hugely different just trying to do a better job every day

I don't think the sales figures necessarily represent consumer preferences; but rather, they represent what dealers think they will shift the fastest.

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

Aston Martins were not generally built for stock, so I don't think that is the case

Great car but I'd have to change the clutch

Never seen a DB9 with leather on the top of the door cards, where the wood is ususally.

If you want to take a look at the classic V8 vantage then you should reach out to Nicholas Mee & Co. They are one of the go to places for independent AM restoration and work.

The DB9 simply isn't a "sports car". It's a stunning GT car... the auto gearbox is therefore a better choice. The manual may be more of a bit of fun for a test drive (or short video review)... but take it down to the south of France for a long weekend and you'll be grateful for the auto. I'd even go so far as to say to get one without sports pack, as the ride is crashier. I've owned my DB9 for 8 years now and (for me) it's the perfect GT car.

The thing about manuals is that they don't age. Something like the SMG or F1 box really dates the car they're fitted to and that's kinda sad

Grand Tourers and Super Cars make much more sense with a semi auto. But Hot Hatches and Sports Cars make more sense with a manual. But there is no right or wrong, just preference. A good manual will always be a good manual, whereas it's only really the dual clutch semi auto's that will always be good. A counter argument to your point about people going for auto's over manuals (from new, when they have the choice) would be the amount of manual Lotus cars versus auto Lotus cars.

P11 nissan Primera please, great drivers car

@JayEmm on Cars Would it be possible for you to do a comparison/shootout between a v12 Vantage and a DB9 or DBS? Manual vs manual would be best. Yes I asked this in another video 😁

Could you review an 2014-2017 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia OPC/VXR?

It’s all about time and place and what type of car I’m driving a 140i automatic it’s perfect for everyday driving but when I wangfogo out for a weekend drive ,just for the sake of it ? I take the wife’s lower powered manual boxster 👌

Manual! The only way to get your Aston Martin!!

1 hour special needed in a 2 part series for Pistonsheds

@miff227

2 жыл бұрын

Are you forced to consume or participate in Pistonheads? No.

@johnprince5931

2 жыл бұрын

@@miff227 = miffed!

@barry5138

2 жыл бұрын

That would be "ace"

@miff227

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnprince5931 = not a prince. Probably a John.

@johnprince5931

2 жыл бұрын

@@miff227 ahhh, don't take life so seriously. It's only oranges and lemons.

I could've swore i just passed you on a twisty bit of the road just north of Dundee this afternoon. I turned around to try and catch you up but you had turned around and came back past me again !!!! Apologies if it wasn't you but i'm sure i saw a camera attached to the bonnet . Oh i was driving a Clio 182 Trophy 🙂

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

You are not mistaken. If you're at a loose end this Sunday I'll be at Mannerston's farm shop from 9-2 hosting a meet!

@clarkswan9616

2 жыл бұрын

@@JayEmmOnCars ah my eye sight wasn't fooling me then 😀 Whereabouts is Mannerstons Farm shop Jay?

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

@@clarkswan9616 Linlithgow, check it out. Be great to see you!

@JayEmmOnCars

2 жыл бұрын

@@clarkswan9616 Check out jayemm's event on RoadStr! app.roadstr.io/e/622e6e75f3cbb7002b2a4061