Once again, we have let another year go by without cadging a drive in this lovely British car, which is now the middle model in the Aston family. So, like you, we can only imagine the effect when its 450-hp, 6.0-litre V12 is applied to motivating the DB9's light, yet rigid aluminum structure. The DB9 still comes as a coupe or convertible (Volante) with real rear seats. A classic front-engine, rear-wheel-driver, it has its transmission -- six-speed manual or paddle-shifted six-speed automatic -- located in the rear, for perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Unlike those in many rivals, the automatic is a conventional one, not an automatically-shifted manual.

A gorgeous Aston for about the price of an Aston

We still haven't driven one