THE Aston Martin DB9 Volante has everything except a health warning.
Drive it and it becomes addictive. You look for any reason to use it, however short or long the journey, in rain or sun.
You never buy anything large, of course, because it could not be carried unless it could be wedged down the front seat with the roof open, so you tend to make a lot of frequent journeys if you cannot make long ones.
Fortunately, even a short journey can be legitimately extended if you take it the long way around.
And those lights? Better drive it at night as well just to make sure they work.
Now what else is there to test? Ah, the handbrake, but of course it needs hills which means you have to drive to find some of the best roads in Britain and which are much loved by enthusiastic drivers of all ages.
And the handbrake works as well in Wales as it does in the Cotswolds - or Scotland for that matter. Well you have to make absolutely sure.
It is the attention to detail which makes the Aston Martin DB9 Volante so attractive, from that wind-cheating sweeping silhouette to the sophistication of its interior and soft-top. It exudes refinement.
As the natural successor to the most successful Aston Martin of all time, the DB7, the DB9 is the bespoke motor car for individuals.
There are two versions, the coupe and convertible, sharing the same powertrain, and costing £106,850 and £115,850 with the automatic six-speed box. A manual version of the coupe is about £3,000 cheaper.
They sit in the Aston Martin range between the £80,000 4.3 V8 Vantage and the Vanquish starting with 480bhp 6.0 V12 at £163,600.
The engine is exceptionally smooth and quiet and even when pushed hard it never sounds strained but always produces a pleasant exhaust note.
The automatic's changes are similarly smooth but not particularly quick and you can select normal or sport settings to maximize power or economy.
On longer journeys I managed to achieve 20mpg but overall it fell back slightly in urban driving.
The performance just floods out of the car without hesitation or effort and it holds the UK motorway maximum as if it's idling and that is less than half the car's maximum attainable speed.
Country roads are where the DB9 settles down with its power instantly on tap for rapid overtaking opportunities while the firm ride generally soaks up all but the worst surfaces.
There is some tyre noise all the time because they are large lumps of rubber with low sidewalls but they do put down the power very competently so the DB9 corners without drama and with a lot of confidence once you get use to the slightly vague steering.
The brakes are most impressive, slowing the car easily and quickly from any speed and never showing any fade under repeated hard use.
The leather seats are extremely comfortable and supportive but it is a two seater to all intents and purposes and you have only a small space behind them to put items if the 200 litres of boot space is used.
The folded roof does not impinge on the luggage space and when it's erect it provides a little rear shelf space as well. It's fully powered and operates very quickly and near silently.
With the hood erect there is a small blind-spot over the shoulder to left and right but vision to the back is good and with the hood down there is clear sightlines in all directions, thanks to the fairly thin windscreen pillars and a low waistline. Lights and wipers are very good.
The location and smoothness of the major controls is carried over to the secondary switches which fall immediately to fingertips and the clarity and positioning of the instruments is excellent as well.
Standard equipment includes full leather electric seats, air conditioning with powered windows, CD and sat nav, four front airbags and dynamic stability traction control.
The Aston Martin DB9 is beautifully built and blends modern materials with craftsmanship in construction and combine these features with rarity you appreciate why it retains about half its value over three years.
So, you will not lie awake in bed at night worrying about running costs but if you are like me, you will be driving it instead. Lack of sleep never felt so good.
FAST FACTS
Aston Martin DB9 Volante auto
Price: £118,850
Mechanical: 450bhp, 5,935cc, 12cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 186mph
0-62mph: 5.1
Combined mpg: 17.1
Insurance group: 20
CO2 emissions: 394g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 2yrs/ unlimited mileage