Aston Martin
DB9
Ferrari
612 Scaglietti
Aston Martin DB9 vs Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: 2015 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Aston Martin DB9 comes out ahead of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 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.
612 Scaglietti
Overall
Positive sentiment among owners, with a strong consensus that it is a highly capable and underappreciated grand tourer. It is frequently described as a "goldilocks car" that is "big enough for 4 adults," "fast enough (but not too fast) to enjoy on public roads at full throttle," and a favorite among owners who have had multiple Ferraris. The vehicle is praised for its genuine four-seat capacity, with rear seats noted as usable for adults due to deep scallops in the front seatbacks.
Best version to buy
The later "One to One" (OTO) model (2008+). This iteration is consistently recommended for its revised dual-plate F1 transmission with faster shifting, glass roof, and revised engine and suspension ECUs, which owners describe as making a "very dramatic" improvement over early cars.
Known issues
- ⚠TFT display failure/flicker: A common failure point leading to other electrical issues. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Sticky switches and dash leather pulling: Common interior wear issues. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠F1 pump failure: A known wear item for the automated manual transmission system. Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 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 612 Scaglietti 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 612 Scaglietti?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 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 612 Scaglietti?
The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 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 612 Scaglietti as a Coupe.
Which has better fuel economy, the Aston Martin DB9 or the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti?
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 612 Scaglietti?
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 612 Scaglietti. See the known issues comparison above.