Aston Martin
DB9
Lamborghini
Gallardo
Aston Martin DB9 vs Lamborghini Gallardo: 2015 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Aston Martin DB9 comes out ahead of the Lamborghini Gallardo 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.
Gallardo
Overall
The sentiment among owners and enthusiasts is overwhelmingly positive, characterized by a strong sense of nostalgia and emotional connection. The Gallardo is widely celebrated as an accessible entry point into Lamborghini ownership, offering a compelling blend of dramatic styling, a sonorous V10 engine, and a raw, engaging driving character that is perceived as more involving and less sanitized than its modern successors. A very frequent point of praise is the 5.0-liter V10 engine's sound, which is often described as superior to the later 5.2-liter unit.
Best version to buy
The consensus strongly favors later model years (2009 onward, referred to as LP models) for their improved drivability, more robust engine blocks, and updated styling. Within that, the most desirable configurations are the rear-wheel-drive models, particularly the Valentino Balboni edition, cited as the "purest" driving experience.
Known issues
- ⚠High clutch replacement cost: approximately $10,000 USD, with original clutches sometimes lasting less than 30,000 miles. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Catalytic converter failure: risk of disintegration sending material into the engine. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Oil consumption: some engines are noted to burn oil. Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Lamborghini Gallardo 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 Lamborghini Gallardo 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 Lamborghini Gallardo?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Lamborghini Gallardo 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 Lamborghini Gallardo?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Aston Martin DB9 is classed as a Coupe, the Lamborghini Gallardo as a Roadster, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Aston Martin DB9 or the Lamborghini Gallardo?
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 Lamborghini Gallardo?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Aston Martin DB9 than the Lamborghini Gallardo. See the known issues comparison above.