Anyone owned a DB7? | FerrariChat

Anyone owned a DB7?

Discussion in 'British' started by ktr6, Jul 15, 2014.

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  1. ktr6

    ktr6 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2011
    947
    Knoxville, TN
    Full Name:
    Keith
    I am on the hunt for a four seater sports car so I can take both my boys (4&2) to car events/drives. I have always had British cars, and have always liked Astons. A friend has a dealer serviced, 30k mileage 01 v12 that is in fantastic shape. It has recent service/tires etc and asking price is 29k.

    This seems like a great deal and a nice car but I am always suspicious of British cars,

    Has anyone here lived with one, what was your experience?
    Is the back seat big enough for small children or is it merely there for looks?
     
  2. Lfpontes

    Lfpontes Karting

    Nov 1, 2010
    141
    São Paulo
    Full Name:
    Luiz.
    I would say it is about the same size as a 911 water cooled era rear seats, so definently OK for youngsters.

    The V12 era is quite reliable, apart from some eletrical gremlins, as per usual on british cars.

    Also, it has a few upgrades handlingwise compared to the old 6 cil cars, which were basically old XJS Jags,

    For 30K, it is a def. a good purchase, V12 torque and sound for little cash.
     
  3. 88MONDIAL

    88MONDIAL Formula 3

    Apr 13, 2005
    1,052
    Racine, Wisconsin
    Full Name:
    Jim Smith
    Can't help other than to say that is an awful lot of car for the money! I love 'em. Hell, I paid $30k for my 08 Boxster last year! What color combo is it? My vote is to do it, as I think it would fit your needs well. Seat are tight in back, but your kids are and will be small for quite some time yet. It should be fine for them for rides. Good luck!
     
  4. ktr6

    ktr6 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2011
    947
    Knoxville, TN
    Full Name:
    Keith
    Thanks for the input. Car is green/tan. Dash/shifter leather is green. Very striking combination. Includes all books/service history/keys/window sticker.
     
  5. drgek

    drgek Formula 3

    Jun 21, 2004
    1,142
    Full Name:
    Gary
    I had an '00 V12 Volante purchased new. Problems with interior trim but not the engine. As you already know, these are not cheap cars to maintain.
     
  6. ktr6

    ktr6 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2011
    947
    Knoxville, TN
    Full Name:
    Keith
    So would there be any advantage to a 456 over a DB7. I find both cars equally interesting.
     
  7. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    can you be more specific?

    both the supercharged 6 and the 12 seem like bargains...but not if pricey to maintain.

    what are the problem areas?
     
  8. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    by the way, at the prices these are seen at, they make a very distinctive daily driver.
     
  9. ktr6

    ktr6 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2011
    947
    Knoxville, TN
    Full Name:
    Keith
    I agree, hard to deny the beauty of the car and its overall rarity. I like it as well since it is kind of understated yet very elegant.
     
  10. drgek

    drgek Formula 3

    Jun 21, 2004
    1,142
    Full Name:
    Gary
    I had a six speed, and the gear shift knob would not stay on. The carbon fiber trim turned a milky white and had to be replaced. Brake pads would seize the wheel and I'd get a significant vibration through the steering column pulling off from a stoplight. Clutch pedal sensor went bad, meaning the engine could not recognize the clutch was disengaged and thus would not start.

    I bought it new so all of the above were repaired under warranty. There were likely other things, but since I traded it in 13 years ago, I don't really remember.
     
  11. xs10shl

    xs10shl Formula 3

    Dec 17, 2003
    2,037
    San Francisco
    Not the same car as the 01, but I had a 97 inline 6 auto. It looks fantastic, but is basically a mediocre car. There is room in the back for kids up to 48" tall, but only if you're short enough to not need the seats all the way back while you drive.

    Not that you're asking, but if I had to buy one again, I'd lean towards an inline 6 coupe with a stickshift only because they are basically Jaguars, and can be serviced at any competent Jaguar specialist, using Jaguar parts.

    Also not that you're asking, but I'd only "have to buy one again" if someone was holding a gun to my head, and then only if I was absolutely certain it was loaded.
     
  12. billh1963

    billh1963 Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2004
    863
    Mid-state, South Carolina
    Full Name:
    Bill H
    Is this the car? I like it....

    If you pass and I can get it for $29K I would buy it...seriously

    Aston Martin DB7 | eBay
     
  13. Andrew D.

    Andrew D. F1 Rookie

    Jul 6, 2008
    3,979
    Goodwood Ontario
    Full Name:
    Andrew D.
    I have a 456 and a DB7 V12 vantage volante. Totally different character. I track the 456. The DB7 is a softer car, much more of a cruiser, but what a cruiser. Definitely the one to pick for a long trip. Someone was asking about 911? I have a 95 993. Great cruising and track car, on the track the closest you can come to a real race car. Ive also driven it on a 700 mile trip to the ocean,but the DB7 would be better. Actually the one I use rain or shine is my old Jag XK8-reliable,easy to drive,no worries about parking or breakins.. My wife drive an XK-R,2009.- if you are looking for a newer jag,thats the one. Incredible power.
     
  14. ktr6

    ktr6 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2011
    947
    Knoxville, TN
    Full Name:
    Keith
    Not that car but looks almost identical. Going to be in Knoxville in August and going to take a look at that one to help me make a decision.
     
  15. f328nvl

    f328nvl Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2004
    851
    Herts
    Full Name:
    John
    I had a DB7 Vantage manual for nearly 10 years (the longest I ever owned any car). I now have a V12V Roadster and a F355, inter alia. I had an F550 at the same time as the DB7, it was more problematic and expensive and I sold it sooner (but it s a sample of just two).

    The engine is bullet proof and totally under stressed in the DB7V.
    Aircon units need to be checked, it's a dash out job to replace one. (I had two go)
    Suspension bushes should be viewed as consumables, they constantly need changing.
    The rear struts supporting the body work are cosmetic but rust.
    The wheel trims are plastic and any solvent will destroy them (and they are hard to get without paying a silly price).
    Clutch switch mentioned above on the manual car was not uncommon, but not expensive.

    Very lazy but fast car. Probably my favourite ever car, and I have had a few now.

    more here if you are interested (my non-commercial, no ads blog) :

    Cars: We All Fall in Love With Our Models: Aston Martin?s Last V12 ?
     
  16. DavidBrown

    DavidBrown Karting

    Mar 26, 2013
    54
    Lake Bluff, IL
    Full Name:
    David Brown
    Very nice write-up on your blog. Thanks for sharing.
     

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