Month: April 2017

The True Costs of Owning an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary12 Comments

The notion of owning an Aston Martin DB9 is tempting.  The allure of the curves, the power, the feel.  You become infected wondering what would it be like.   I’m a life long car guy and I’ve reached 50 years old and can finally indulge a bit. [Insert mid-life crisis jokes here – but I love my Sweetie of 27 years and still have all my hair – life is good]  I can’t afford to go drop $250K on a new DB11, but I can generally afford a new luxury or sports car.  I’d been carefully watching the used market prices on early DB9 models dropping for a few years until I finally succumbed back in 2013.

If you have or are about to take the plunge,  you will (or should) inevitably be thinking:

 Can I afford this car after I purchased it?

That’s a good question to ask before you commit, particularly if you stretch to just barely manage the purchase.  Is it myth or truth that it takes a fortune to run a car like this?   After living with mine for three years now, I can share the naked truth with you. Continue reading “The True Costs of Owning an Aston Martin DB9” →

Changing the Battery in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To42 Comments

Eventually you have to service the battery in your DB9.  They just don’t last forever – and the typical lifespan of a traditional flooded lead acid battery (like the ones originally fitted) is about 5 years.  The good news is that when the time comes to replace your battery you’ll be well equipped to know how and avoid a potentially costly trip to the dealership.

Parts Required

bosch-49-850bagm-batteryIf you are wondering about what battery to get I’ve already completed a detailed article you should check out – Replacement Battery Options for an Aston Martin DB9.   You’ll see how I gravitated to purchasing a Bosch 49-850BAGM Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM) battery.   Now I’ll share the details of how to install it. Continue reading “Changing the Battery in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Replacement Battery Options for an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To41 Comments
aston-martin-db9-getting-a-boost
Helpful Neighbor Rob

My baby left me stranded.  I use my DB9 as my daily driver, and I was out on an errand run – ATM then Dry Cleaning then Lunch – all close together.   After the dry cleaning stop I went to start her, and rather than the glorious roar to life, all I got was “Ruh – ruh – click”.  Crap – stranded in the local strip mall parking lot amongst all the Fords and Toyotas – all that start.  My pride was suffering.  Dead Battery.  Fortunately my neighbor Rob and his Subaru came to the rescue and gave me a boost.

Of course, there are a myriad of reasons for a dead battery – leaving the lights on, failing alternator, etc.  Mine was simpler.  Batteries don’t last forever.  A typical lead acid battery (like those originally fitted to a DB9) have a life span of about 5 years under normal regular use.   I had no idea if the battery fitted to my car was the original (since I am not the first owner and have little service history), but as I discovered it was the original, and that meant it was 11 years old!  Wow!   California living.

There had been precursors to the event that I can recognize now looking back on the few weeks preceding this: Continue reading “Replacement Battery Options for an Aston Martin DB9” →