Aston Martin DB9

The story

The DB9 replaced the DB7 with a bonded aluminium structure that was light and very stiff. It was built in a brand-new factory at Gaydon and set the pattern for every Aston Martin of the next decade.

Inside

Leather, real wood and aluminium, with a glass starter button in the middle of the dash. The rev counter needle swings anticlockwise.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Meanwhile, in 2004

Kelly Holmes won two gold medals at the Athens Olympics.

Best-selling single of 2004: Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band Aid 20

Before you buy a 2000s car

• Check the service history, especially for timing belts, clutches and cambelts where fitted.
• Electronics, air conditioning and suspension repairs can be expensive.
• Many parts are still made, but some low-volume models rely on specialists.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.