Yeah, the tachometer direction takes getting used to but, just a neat feature of Aston Martin....I would concur that driving with the windows up, when the top is down is a bit odd...I see that often...I guess my conclusion would be, if it's too cold outside to handle the wind, then the top should stay up too....Blue it is for the calipers.



That seems to be the consensus, and I thank you all for confirming my first choice....

 

Can't wait to see the pics with the blue calipers.

 

It's not something that will happen immediately.... However, It's planned for the near future...In the meantime, besides resorting to having the red calipers stripped and repainted blue. I'm trying to source a used set of DB9 calipers that are scratched up or in need of paint as an alternative option with powder coating....

Still waiting on my new key fob from Phoenix bespoke keys in the United Kingdom.... You want to talk about financial rape, wow.... Welcome to Aston Martin.... However, they do offer other brand key replacements... Great service and great staff, however the sky is the limit on what you want to spend on making your keys and accessories like jewelry.... Sorry but, this is one area, I'm perfectly satisfied with having OEM replacement with no bells or whistles, even if it is a Volvo product...My original (ONE) at the moment is still good after 19 years, so kudos to Volvo for supplying Aston Martin with a reliable product....

Until next time.... Thanks for following along!

 

My F430 key was $750 and then another $200 to programme it plus the trip to Palm Beach so I understand the Euro car key rape. Pay to play.

 

Pay to play, absolutely....Learned my lesson....If/when I decide to buy another European exotic, a full compliment of keys/working fobs is mandatory before purchasing.... Folks, I know along the way, I've mentioned having the full compliment of accessories that come with the car when it's new but, don't purchase a used one, unless it has all of it.... Either that, or you get the seller to buy it, or discount the overall price of the car.... Going to a dealership parts store for a replacement anything, is an eye watering experience, moreso for exotics...

Just part of your homework, when you have decided on a particular car...

Until next time.... Thanks for following along!

 

Folks, I stumbled upon this video from an independent shop by the name of Mr. Wizard....Some of you might already be aware of his offerings on Youtube, since he has quite a lot of subscribers....The video is a few years old but, rather than talking about the car itself, he really conveys the message of how important it is to use shop that is competent, if you are unwilling to do some of the work on your own car....Enjoy!!

 

Happy weekend!.....Just a status update....I won't be doing the brakes until late July/early August hopefully...Shop is busy as expected, and my checklist for priority was already achieved....Not written in stone for that time frame but, in the meantime I can choose the best blue variant....I'm sure that a lot of you are members of eBay, I know, I've been a member for 20 years, and not ashamed to say, it's definitely saved me some money when it comes to sourcing Aston Martin parts, especially interior and accessories....I've never had a seller make an offer to me for a car but, that's what happened yesterday....2009 DB9 with branded title, sagging headliner, and claims the vehicle is low mileage at 104,000 and is not regularly driven... Judge for yourself, I'll include the link....I know I've gone over this topic before but, just a reminder, and something I've had personal experience in when shopping for a DB9....The DB9 is made entirely of bonded panels, if the car winds up in an accident, and body parts have to be replaced, the title will be branded for the rest of it's life....Just part of the ownership woes that you have to consider owning one of these....Plenty of Aston Martin's out there with branded titles but, the caveat is, it kills the resale value....So, if that's something that doesn't bother you, no problem....No full coverage insurance as far as I know, maybe I should call Hagerty, and ask them that hypothetical, and get back to you....No, I don't have any intention of buying this car...If I get another Aston Martin, it'll be a 2018 Vanquish S coupe...

In conclusion, I'm including a video of what the DB9 does best, and that's continent crushing the German autobahn up to 200 mph...Enjoy!!

Until next time....Thanks for following along!

 

I forgot the link for the car.....
2009 Aston Martin DB9 | eBay

 

I would pass on the ebay car myself. That's for someone who knows Astons and has the facilities to work on it or get work done. Mr. Wizard was on Tyler Hoover's show that ran on Motor Trend TV. He definitely has more car sense than Tyler.

The autobahn video was awesome. You couldn't drive like that here with the left lane bandits. The keep right unless overtaking rule is an unknown and rarely enforced rule on US interstates.

I did look at two Vanquish Volantes this weekend. Not ready to buy yet and my wife was swayed by a Portofino so we are not on the same page yet. She's Italian and likes the Italian cars. I'm English and like the Brit cars.

I did get a chance to see a Valhalla in the flesh. It was in for servicing. They also had a McLaren 720S that did fare well at the track. It was pretty busted up. They're waiting to see if the owner wants to have it repaired or totaled.

Here's the Valhalla.