Aston Martin DB9

Our verdict

The car that began one of the greatest comebacks in recent automotive history. The DB9 remains one of the world’s most desirable cars. Wipe the drool. Wipe it.

Comfort

There's plenty of space for pilots in the front, and not so much in the rear, but who wants a mistress with children anyway? Makes for supreme fast-attack cruising, but the car feels big on back roads and you'll be forever stopping for fuel.

Performance

Some 450bhp makes for a 4.7 second 0-62mph time and 186mph if you've got enough room. The six-speed, paddle-override ZF auto is also supreme at making those shifts work for you and if that isn't enough, it sounds like it's doing 200mph when you start it up. Is it good? Yes. Very.

Cool

Turn the cool-volume up to 11 and stand back, the DB9 is here. It is nigh impossible to look uncool in this car. Even the most geeky of us (James, Jeremy, Richard) would have trouble beating off the hordes of opposite sex; owning one marks you out as having taste and cash. Hiring or stealing one is less attractive though, so be warned.

Quality

There's nothing like a bit of raw bamboo/teak/cherrywood to get the pulse racing and a pure crystal starter button is no bad thing when you're out to impress. Suffice to say the DB9 is a pretty special place to spend time. There have been gripes about some electrical issues, so it's not all a bed of roses, but overall the quality is where it should be: stratospheric.

Handling

The DB9 was conceived specifically as a GT and you should expect it to handle as such; there's a big V12 hanging out there at the front, so it shades to understeer when you really push. You can cure the tendency with a stab of throttle, but that's not really the point. A bit firm if we're being pedantic. Volante drop-top a tad wobbly around the edges.

Practicality

A DB9 has enough space to accommodate two people and an overnight bag of some considerable size. That's plenty.

Running costs

If you want to look like a million dollars, then be prepared to pay for it. Low teens for mpg, huge group 20 insurance and standard (read hefty) depreciation now the sugar rush of newness has worn off the market make the DB9 an expensive car to own.