Aston Martin DB9 GT

The case for the DB9 GT

The DB9 GT arrived in 2015 as the farewell to the DB9 line, with power from the venerable 5.9-litre V12 raised to 540 bhp. Visual changes were restrained: black details, revised lights and GT badging. Underneath, the chassis tuning was the best the DB9 had ever been, drawing on twelve years of continuous development.

For a buyer who loves the DB9's shape and character, the GT is the definitive version. It is also genuinely rare compared with the total DB9 production run, which gives it a collector angle the standard car lacks.

What it costs to run

Running costs are the same as any late DB9: £800 to £1,200 for routine specialist servicing, around £1,000 for a set of tyres, and 15 to 20 mpg in real-world use. The V12 is a known quantity by this point, and the final cars benefited from a decade of running improvements. Most DB9 GTs have led gentle lives as second or third cars.

Known weak points

The DB9 GT shares the platform's known issues, though later cars are better sorted. Front coil springs can still corrode and snap, so check them. Electrical systems, window regulators and the dated infotainment are the usual irritations. Brake disc corrosion affects cars that are stored without use. Check the air conditioning and all electronic functions.

Because most GTs are low-mileage, the bigger risks are storage-related: flat batteries, perished seals and tyres that are old despite low tread wear.

What to check before buying

As with any DB9, full history is essential. On a GT, verify the car's build specification and provenance documentation, since these matter to collectors. Inspect the structure, springs and subframes as you would on any DB9, and check every electrical function. Look for evidence of regular use rather than long storage; a car that has been driven and maintained is a better buy than a garage ornament.

Market and depreciation

DB9 GT values sit at the top of the DB9 range, typically £60,000 to £85,000 depending on mileage and specification. As the final and best version, the GT is the DB9 most likely to hold its value, and Bond Edition cars (a small run tied to Spectre) command a further premium. The broader DB9 market's stability supports the GT's position.

Who it suits

The DB9 enthusiast who wants the best example of the breed, or the collector looking for the final-edition version of an important Aston Martin. It is a car to use and enjoy, not just to store.

Alternatives

Aston Martin DBS V12, a standard DB9 at much lower cost, Bentley Continental GT Speed, or a Maserati GranTurismo MC.

The DB9 GT arrived for 2015 as the final evolution of the DB9 line, with output raised to 540hp, revised suspension tuning, carbon-fibre exterior details and unique interior trim. It is the most focused and most powerful DB9, and as the last of the line it carries a degree of collectability the standard cars lack. The driving experience remains fundamentally a grand touring one, but with sharper responses and a subtly firmer edge.

All the standard DB9 checks apply, including the front-spring corrosion issue and fluid-leak inspection, but the GT adds its own requirements. Verify the carbon exterior parts are undamaged, since replacements are expensive and slow to source. Check the unique interior trim and badging for wear or swapping, and confirm the car's identity against factory records, since the GT premium makes accurate identification matter.

Values sit above equivalent standard DB9s, with the premium reflecting both rarity and last-of-line status. That premium is justified for a properly documented car, but be realistic: the DB9 GT is a fine driver's car and a footnote collectable rather than a blue-chip investment. Buy it to enjoy, maintain it properly, and the desirability of the final, most developed DB9 should hold its appeal over time.

The DB9 GT's production run was relatively short, and it was built alongside the standard car rather than replacing it entirely. The visual differences are subtle but real: carbon-fibre exterior details, unique badging and interior trim, and the 540hp output. Verify these details are intact and correct, as the GT's premium over the standard car depends on its identity being genuine and complete.

Against the standard DB9, the GT justifies its premium through its status as the final and most powerful evolution. It is the version the collectors will seek in years to come, and its additional performance is noticeable. The buying strategy is the same as any DB9: documentation, condition and specialist history first. The GT adds a layer of collectability that makes it the most desirable of the DB9 range, and for the buyer who wants the definitive version of this beautiful grand tourer, it is the one to have.

The DB9 GT was built alongside the standard car rather than replacing it, so production numbers were modest. Verify the GT-specific carbon exterior details, unique interior trim and badging are intact and original. The 540hp output is the highest of any DB9, and the chassis revisions make it the most dynamically capable. For the buyer seeking the definitive DB9, the GT is the version to have, and its status as the final evolution supports its long-term desirability. Buy a documented car through the specialist network and maintain it properly.

How this review was compiled

Research-based ownership review using Aston Martin specifications, independent buying guides and owner reports. We have not driven this car. Verify condition, service history and provenance for any individual car before purchase.