I’ll be honest, when I first heard I was going to be driving an Aston Martin DB9 GT, I wasn’t exactly enamoured. Yes, it looks good and it’s synonymous with James Bond. Yet for the price, it doesn’t really compete with any of the supercars in a similar price bracket. Or does it? What could you get for the price of a DB9? A Ferrari, Lamborghini or a nice one to two-bedroom apartment with a killer view. It all seemed a little more appealing than simply buying an Aston, but after driving one, I can say with certainty: The Aston is easily the best choice. Even the Aston key feels a bit special. It’s not very often you get a key that’s partially made from glass (it can cost up to $700 to replace so be careful with it).

Climbing inside the Aston is also an enjoyable experience. So often with supercars you need to be a yogic expert to get in and out. Not so with the Aston. The car is still ridiculously low to the ground but somehow, it’s a lot more accessible. Once inside, you will find the gorgeous exterior is complemented by interiors with an impeccable finish. The smell of fine leather fills the cabin. The subtle colours in the stitching accent the black/carbon look beautifully. The dials and buttons are discreet and easily accessible – all very simple yet well refined. Some may bemoan the fact you need to use a key to start the car. Where’s the push-button start? Well, I found some satisfaction and enjoyment inserting the glass key into the centre of the Aston’s dash to wake it. It’s like its heart was missing a piece.

Once the key is in and the unmistakable sound of the V12 fires up, I take a minute to examine the settings at my disposal. How cold to set the climate control? Do I want sports mode on? Now, where’s the radio? It was while turning the radio on that I had my first Bond moment. As the radio engages, two speakers silently rise up. It’s not quite machine guns emerging from the bonnet, but trust me, it still looks incredibly cool. The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound sound system is also incredible, though it left me feeling rather torn. Do I listen to this amazing sound system at teenage-esque high levels or do I soak in that wondrous engine noise as I depress the accelerator?

Ten minutes into driving the DB9, the best way I can convey how I felt is to say I felt at home. It’s extremely comfortable. Pleasant to drive. Excellent visibility. All the controls were within reach and were easy to use. The sleek infotainment display looked great. The only slight disappointment was the sat-nav system. It works, but visually, I feel it could do with more polish. It didn’t complement the car.

Of course, I had to turn on the sports mode during my journey. This made quite a difference. In normal mode you can quietly cruise along, simply enjoying the open road, which for me, is an essential part of a GT car. Switch in to Sport (or Bond mode) and this car doesn’t want to cruise. The engine growl grows and when you accelerate, everyone knows you’re there. The worst thing about the DB9 is the fact I had to give it back. As I mentioned earlier, you can get a lot better-looking and better-performing cars for similar money, but if you want a car you can live with – not just a crazy weekend mistress – the DB9 GT is your car.