Aston Martin
DB9
Ferrari
456
Aston Martin DB9 vs Ferrari 456: 2015 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Aston Martin DB9 comes out ahead of the Ferrari 456 on power. Check the specs table and owner sentiment below for the full comparison before deciding between the two. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
DB9
Overall
Sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with the DB9 consistently praised as a beautiful, classically styled grand tourer that delivers a sublime sense of occasion, comfort, and a sonorous V12 engine note. Long-term owner reports indicate deep satisfaction with the car's character and driving experience for touring and special occasions. However, a strong and very frequent theme is the significant and potentially ruinous cost of maintenance, repairs, and parts, which is framed as the inherent trade-off for owning a hand-built, low-volume luxury vehicle.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" model year or trim. Discussions suggest later models (post-2010) may benefit from refinements and resolved early issues.
Known issues
- ⚠Extremely high maintenance and repair costs: described as "heinously expensive to run," with repair bills for a single year potentially reaching $40,000 USD. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Automated manual "Sportshift" transmission problems: clunky operation, expensive clutch wear and replacement, complex and costly actuator system repairs. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Electrical gremlins: various minor issues often attributed to the car sitting or low battery voltage. Frequency: recurrent.
456
Overall
Owner sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, characterized by deep affection for the car's understated design, grand touring character, and surprisingly robust mechanical nature. It is consistently described as a subtle, refined, and epic 2+2 grand tourer that offers a different, more usable experience compared to more extreme contemporary Ferraris. The front-engine V12 layout is praised for its reliability when properly maintained, and the car is noted for being a practical Ferrari suitable for long-distance touring, with owners reporting using it for family trips with children in the back and luggage in the trunk.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a definitive best version (GT vs GTA, pre-facelift vs 456M). A single owner noted the pre-facelift 456 has a three-mode adaptive suspension (soft, normal, hard) compared to the two-mode (normal, sport) system on the 456 M and 550, but the performance implications of this are not discussed.
Known issues
- ⚠Bronze valve guide wear: some engines were fitted with suboptimal bronze guides leading to potential failure; requires compression and leak-down test during PPI. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Suspension accumulator and seal failure: the early adaptive suspension system's hydraulic accumulators and seals are a known wear item and will eventually need service or replacement; parts are becoming harder to source new.
- ⚠Cooling system vulnerabilities: can be an issue; updated fans, harnesses, radiators, and hoses are available as solutions. Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Ferrari 456 is the better choice for most buyers.
It has stronger reliability sentiment in owner reports than the Aston Martin DB9, based on the data above. If the specific known issues on the Ferrari 456 are a dealbreaker, the Aston Martin DB9 is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Aston Martin DB9 or the Ferrari 456?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Ferrari 456 than the Aston Martin DB9. See the known issues comparison above for the specific concerns owners report on each.
Which is better for families, the Aston Martin DB9 or the Ferrari 456?
The Ferrari 456 seats more passengers than the Aston Martin DB9 on its catalogued best-equipped version. Body type also differs: the Aston Martin DB9 is classed as a Coupe, the Ferrari 456 as a Coupe.
Which has better fuel economy, the Aston Martin DB9 or the Ferrari 456?
Fuel consumption data is limited for one or both models. Check the specs table above for the figures available on each catalogued version.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Aston Martin DB9 or the Ferrari 456?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Aston Martin DB9 than the Ferrari 456. See the known issues comparison above.