Opinions; 2002 Aston DB7 Vantage?

I've never driven one, but there was a beautiful 1999 convertible near me for sale for Cdn $33k. Seem to be great bargains at the moment. You better go drive it and report back on your experiences.

 

I have driven one. First, I feel like the db7 vantages are absolutely gorgeous, especially in a nice color (silver, British racing green, etc...) and with the nice wheels and the mesh grills. They're one of the most beautiful car designs of all time. Which is probably why the Astons since then share many design cues.

I have driven, but only for an afternoon. I have never owned one neither have I spent thousands of miles behind the wheel, so keep that in mind. They drive like I imagine an Aston should. The one I drove was a vantage volante automatic. It sounded great and had plenty of power to get out its own way and sounded amazing while doing it (the car I drove had the upgraded sports exhaust or whatever Aston's proper name for it is). The car drove smoothly through stop and go traffic and was excellent on high speed roads. Very comfortable but still handled great. Not stiff like a z06 corvette or viper or something, but not like a big old Cadillac rolling all over the place in the corners either.

The v-12 really sounded great when you got on it without being annoying while just putting around. The car really felt great. Not a race car by any means but a great, great cruiser. The fact that such a beautiful car can be had for such little money is amazing. I can't imagine the depreciation curve on nice examples can get much lower before they start going up.

As far as what to look for. I'm not an expert or an owner so I only know what I know from asking my local dealer (MAG Dublin), my local exotic specialist (George Evans, who happens to be one of the best exotic car specialists in the country, maybe the world) and from my research on Aston forums when I was interested in buying one.

The drivetrain seem to be pretty good. Sometimes the climate control systems can have some issues and sometimes the electronics can have small issues, like any exotic really. I seem to remember him telling me something about the early ones having some oil leaks, but maybe that was the I6 cars since the v12's weren't until a little later in the run. I wouldn't say they would be corvette or viper reliable but not Range Rover annoying either. Again, this is not from personal experience although George Evans has more experience with exotic, and all cars, than most other people in the world.

I will tell you that when I was looking, insurance was very expensive. Way more than any of my corvettes have been and more than an f430 and murcielago. Although, I was in my early 20's when I was looking so that had a lot to do with it I'm sure. I still found it interesting that the db7 was more to insure than the murcielago.

If it's a well sorted car, with great service history, I would absolutely get one. I plan on getting one for myself one of these days.

 

Sorry for the long post above. Wanted to add something else.

As far as the air conditioning issues. If I remember correctly, the issues were with the seals leaking and with the evaporators. The labor on fixing those are crazy because the entire dash and console and all that need to come out to get to it.

Also, if the car is an automatic, there was a transmission change on the vantage's. When the v-12 cars first came out, the automatic was just a normal 5 speed auto. Later, in maybe 2001 or 2002, they came out with one that would shift with buttons on the steering wheel. It was still an automatic with a torque converter, not a sequential manual or anything, but there might have been a transmission change. Then again, maybe not, maybe they just added the buttons.

 

Couple of threads here on the DB7 Vantage.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/british/236356-db7-price-check.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/british/454471-anyone-owned-db7.html

This post stuck out, from a long term owner in the UK.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/143538334-post15.html

 

DB9 represents a lot more car for not much more money. You see them in low-mid 50's regularly. The engine heat is managed much better in the DB9 making them less prone to the ignition coil issues ($$) common with the DB7.

 

I have a 2003 DB7 Vantage Volante auto, a 2007 DB9 Volante manual and a 550. All have their attributes and none can replace the other. A really good DB9 IS more money than a good DB7 Vantage by a long shot; however both are very good values for the smooth, torquey V12 experience relative to similar Ferraris. And, many convertibles are available (my preference). The DB7 is more old school/traditional British sports car in design and seating position...and was my choice vs an E-Type. I would suggest a manual 3 pedal car in any case and these are somewhat rare vs autos. Buy as new a model as you can in the series. Don't worry so much about things like AC, as the systems are really quite reliable for the most part. For any DB7 - and early DB9s - ensure that the coil packs have been replaced/updated. And beware of "lifter noise" (when the engine is hot) on the older versions of the V12, as the sources can be multiple in that instance and expensive to remedy. Otherwise, these are a robust 150K mile engine that requires none of the periodic expensive maintenance of an F-car V12...
Good luck in you search and enjoy your final selection!

 

I have a 2001 BRG vantage volante convert for sale,70.000 miles Dark green top, cream/green interior. Nice running car,great cruiser. Very low seating,at 73 I have to wedge myself out. $ 35,000 Canadian.

 

And the DB9 seating is even lower. That is how my DB9 became available. Previous owner was 70 and no longer cared for the ingress/egress challenge...

 

Both the DB7 and DB9 have similar "occasional" rear seats. The DBS, which is based on the DB9 is the same. I normally have my front seats adjusted all the way back...nearly touching the rear seats. You CAN move them forward to accommodate small children or adults. That's the concept. The current Vantage models (V8 and V12) have no back seat and are a shorter chassis. Another AM option for you.

You should probably state your goals in terms of initial price range, performance, retained value, etc. in order to get better advice on your model selection and purchase. In the end you can't go wrong with a good Aston though. Everybody loves them, and a comprehensive PPI will help you keep away from potentially expensive repairs at the outset. And at the end of the day, Astons are easier to live with than most other exotics.

For more info also try the blogs on the Aston Martin Owner's Club website and on Pistonheads.

 

Yes.

 

I agree with your assessment. I was disappointed in the ride quality of my 2009 DB9. Poor suspension really. From what Aston dealer tells me they have addressed this issue with a suspension dampening button on the newer models. I have yet to drive a newer one but if it drove like my 2009 it would be a deal breaker for me. Still as you mentioned, the DB9 is one of the most beautiful cars on the rode. When behind the wheel it was a pleasant place to be. Looking forward to their new offering next year, the DB11. Aston styling with AMG engineering. Should be a winner.

 

I think you should get it out of your system and go for it. The DB9 is so beautiful. Just loved the lines and stance of that car (mine was Tungsten silver/over black). Prior to selling the car the shocks had to be replaced. I thought the mileage was pretty low but hey it is what it is for the price of beauty Anyway hope you get it and enjoy it in good health. I see another Aston in my future as well. Best, Tom

 

The only other quirk I wanted to tell you about was their Bluetooth technology or lack thereof. It was so bad in my DB9 that I first had the microphone changed at their suggestion (no luck) and then just went to using my iphone speaker. Not a big deal but for a car at that price point you would think they had that down by now. I'm sure they solved that problem in the newer models.