For many of us who grew up watching James Bond movies, there’s still a part of us that wants to live out our James Bond dreams. Who wouldn’t want to wear a fancy suit, an expensive watch, and drive around a fast sports car while saving the world? Unfortunately, most of us are not cut out to be spies.
That still doesn’t mean you can’t get the same feeling without spending a lot of money, especially if you’re a car enthusiast. You can still get yourself a relatively affordable grand tourer that screams James Bond. And what better car than this British grand tourer from two decades ago, which was part of a James Bond movie?
What Defines Serious James Bond Energy On Four Wheels
Rear 3/4 shot of 2026 BMW M 8 Series CoupeBMW
Every time you think of a James Bond car, you’d think of a grand tourer, but what even is a grand tourer or a GT car? Put simply, a grand tourer is a type of car designed for high-speed, long-distance trips. It’s typically a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupe with luxurious interiors; think coupe derivatives of luxury saloons. They are fast and comfortable, exactly what you’d need when you have to drive across the country evading bad guys, right?
Profile action shot of 2025 Koenigsegg Gemera driving on roadKoenigsegg
But James Bond isn’t known to pick any random grand tourer. Otherwise, movies would feature him driving around in a BMW 8 Series, Koenigsegg Gemera, or a Porsche 911. Instead, the character is most associated with British grand tourers – he is, after all, a British spy. Even then, he’s not associated with all British GT cars, like the Bentley Continental GT, but with Aston Martin.
Front 3/4 shot of 1963 Aston Martin DB5 in silver parkedBring A Trailer
So, if you want to feel like James Bond, you’d have to pick a British grand tourer, preferably with Aston Martin wings on it. Now, if money is no concern, there’s hardly a better option than the iconic Aston Martin DB5, widely considered the most iconic James Bond car. But if you’re on a budget of say $40k to $50k, there’s hardly a better pick than one British GT car: the Aston Martin DB9, featured in the 2015 James Bond movie Spectre.
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The Aston Martin DB9 Is A Future Classic
A front angle shot of a 2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe drivingAston Martin
Aston Martin launched the DB9 back in 2003 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, followed by its Volante convertible version the very next year. The DB9, right off the bat, earned critical acclaim from the press. Designed by Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker, the DB9 is a 2+2 grand tourer successor to the DB7, and many consider this to be the first modern Aston Martin. It was also the first Aston Martin to be built at its then-new factory at Gaydon, Warwickshire.
A Massive Generational Leap From The DB7
2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe Door BadgeAston Martin
The DB9 was powered by a V12 engine, and it used a then-brand-new vertical/horizontal (VH) platform that later underpinned all cars produced at the Gaydon factory. The platform’s extensive use of lightweight materials throughout the body, along with modern features and luxurious interiors, made the DB9 way ahead of its predecessor. This stark contrast between the DB7 and DB9 forced Aston Martin to skip the DB8 tag entirely. Another reason the manufacturer chose to skip the DB8 was that it would give buyers the wrong impression of the DB9 being a V8-powered car.
One Of The Most Reliable And Usable Aston Martins Ever
A shot of a 2008-2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe badgeAston Martin
Being a grand tourer, the DB9 was designed to go the distance, and to ensure it would, the car was put through one million miles of development tests. The entire process was overseen by Dr Ulrich Bez, who also engineered the Porsche 911 993 version. The car was tested across varying conditions, including Death Valley in the US, the Arctic Circle in Sweden, Ford’s renowned Lommel proving ground in Belgium, and the Volvo crash test safety center in Sweden.
A rear three-quarter shot of a 2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 VolanteAston Martin
This extensive testing made the DB9 among the most reliable Aston Martins ever made. While portals like J.D. Power don’t publish reliability data for such high-end sports cars, enthusiasts still consider the DB9 a good purchase as it’s an easy-to-live-with car. The DB9 would stay in production for a dozen years and bring the company back to Le Mans. That, and its association with James Bond, is what makes the Aston Martin DB9 a future classic.
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It’s A Relatively Affordable V12 Grand Tourer
Base Trim Engine
6L V12
Base Trim Transmission
6-speed manual
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
450 HP @6000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
420 lb.-ft. @ 5000 RPM
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Make
Aston Martin
Model
DB9
Segment
Sports Car
We still maintain that the best car that gives off the James Bond energy is the legendary Aston Martin DB5. That, however, is also a very, very expensive piece of automotive history. Classic.com puts the DB5’s value at over $800k, with the top sale recorded at $1.7 million and the most recent sale at $1.1 million. That means the DB5 will live on as a phone wallpaper for most of us, except for the lucky few. But if you still want to live out your James Bond dreams, the DB9 is the next best shot, at least on a budget.
Can Be Had For As Low As $16k (If You’re Lucky)
Aston Martin DB9, front quarter viewAston Martin
Classic.com puts the average sale of an Aston Martin DB9 at $45,953, with the lowest one record at $16,500. Unless you’re super lucky, we wouldn’t expect to find a DB9 for under $30k. That is supported by the average retail price shown by J.D. Power, where the 2007 model is said to cost $31,800 average. J.D. Power shows the DB9 getting more expensive as you pick newer models, with the 2010 sitting at $45,900 and the 2011 sitting at $55,800.
A front three-quarter shot of a 2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 VolanteAston Martin
Post-2013 DB9 models are where things get really expensive, as they are estimated to go for $71k starting, with the 2016 model crossing over $100k. The DB9 also led the way for a bunch of limited editions, including a Bond edition and the likes of DBR9 GT1. Expect these models to be a heck of a lot more expensive. For instance, the highest sale recorded on Classic.com is a DBR9 GT1 that went for a whopping $2,255,000.
Best Model Years For The DB9
A front 3/4 shot of a 2009 Aston Martin DB9 in Downtown DubaiKhris Bharath | TopSpeed
As with any used sports car, the newer the better. But if you’re on a budget of $50k, it’s best to look at the 2007 to 2012 models. The DB9 got three updates, with the first two in 2008 and 2010, which brought minor changes to the engine, interior, and lights. The 2012 update was major, with a completely redesigned front fascia, so post-2012 models will be significantly more expensive than the early-year ones.
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Top-Notch V12 Performance That Lives Up To The James Bond Image
A shot of a 2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe engineAston Martin
If you happen to be in the British countryside, being chased by bad guys, the DB9 will go a long way in saving you. The grand tourer is powered by a5.9-liter all-alloy quad-overhead cam V12engine. It might have Ford model codes here and there, but it’s still a proper Aston Martin thoroughbred. The engine started out with 450 horsepower in 2004 and eventually went up to a muscular 550 horsepower by 2012. Thanks to these power figures, the DB9 can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in as little as 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 183 miles per hour. This is proper supercar territory.
Pre-Facelift Aston Martin DB9Bring a Trailer
Sticking to its grand tourer theme, the engine’s front mid-placement improves weight distribution. As for sending power to the rear wheels, the DB9 came with two transmission options. The first was a six-speed manual by Graziano Trasmissioni for a proper analog driving experience. If you didn’t want the clutch hassle, you could go for the rear mid-mounted Touchtronic 2 six-speed transmission with electronic shift-by-wire control system and shift paddles.
Lightweight Shell That Made It A Fast Grand Tourer
A front angle shot of a 2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe drivingAston Martin
Unlike the DB7, which used a steel monocoque construction, the DB9’s VH platform makes extensive use of aluminum throughout. For example, the body structure comprises aluminum and composite materials melded together by self-piercing rivets and a robotic-assisted adhesive bonding technique. Even the bodyshell uses plenty of lightweight parts, including an aluminum bonnet, roof, and rear wings, and composite construction of front wings and boot lid.
A rear three-quarter shot of a 2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 CoupeAston Martin
Aston Martin says this lightweight construction gives the DB9 twice as much torsional rigidity while shaving 25 percent of the weight compared to the DB7. Aston Martin went a step further by adding anti-roll bars, double-wishbone suspension supported by coil springs, rear suspension with anti-squat and anti-lift tech, and Brembo brakes. These features make the DB9 a bona fide grand tourer that can handle high-speed touring without breaking a sweat.
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Dazzling Interior Packed With Luxuries Of Yesteryears
A shot of a 2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe InteriorAston Martin
Back when the DB9 was new, the press loved its interior. Journalists called it “dazzling”, “decadent”, and well-crafted, and it still holds up quite well after all these years. You’ll still find plenty of bits with Ford or Volvo connections, but that doesn’t mean the interior isn’t luxurious or high-quality. As for space, owners report decent space in the front, but the rear seats are best suited as stowage space. Not to forget, the trunk space isn’t as good as you’d expect from a GT.
A shot of a 2005-2012 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe gear switchesAston Martin
For the time it came out, the DB9 also featured plenty of luxurious features, including full leather upholstery and walnut wood trim. It also features a clear glass start button engraved with the brand’s name, which illuminates blue on the ignition and red when the engine is running. Depending on the model year, you can also expect satellite navigation, Bluetooth support, a Dolby Prologic sound system, a six-CD changer, and an auxiliary jack.
“One Of The Best Known To Man”
Pre-Facelift Aston Martin DB9 CoupeBring a Trailer
The powerful V12 engine and lightweight construction mean the DB9 can handle high speeds, but it’s still not an out-and-out sports car. For instance, publications like Edmunds and Road & Track criticized the DB9 for handling poorly compared to its rivals, like the Mercedes-AMG SL55, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1, or the Ford GT. But going fast around the track isn’t why we’d buy the DB9; it’s still thoroughly fast and luxurious for high-speed touring. It’s the reason why Top Gear’s Richard Hammond called it “one of the best known to man.”
Source: Aston Martin, TopGear, Classic.com, J.D. Power, Road & Track, Edmunds
