RE: Spotted: Aston Martin DB7 special
Wednesday 26th September 2012
So, it's 'official' (again): Aston Martins are cool. Should you be in the fortunate position of being able to spend £135,000 on one, a myriad of options are available. Not only will a new DB9 cost around that much, the same amount will also secure you a barely used V12 Vantage (with change!). And now Virage production is about to cease, expect values of those to plummet also.
But what about something even more exotic? What about a modern Aston Martin that may appreciate in value?
Unique and hugely distinctive Zagato styleThe DB7 Zagato was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show a decade ago. Predictably, all 99 examples sold out soon after. By grafting the trademark Zagato styling cues - double-bubble roof, swollen wheelarches and circular tail lights - onto a shortened DB7 Vantage body, Zagato produced one of its most beautiful cars. To these eyes, it's an even more cohesive and successful design effort than the recent V12 Vantage and BMW Z4-based Zagato efforts.
The car featured here is one of two in the PH Classifieds. Its classic colour combo of Aston Racing Green with Parchment leather is as flawless as you would expect from a car that has covered just 6000 miles in eight years. Predictably, many Zagatos find their way into collections; to deny people the chance to see these cars seems a shame. Owing to its DB7 Vantage underpinnings, the Zagato gives you access to that wonderful 5.9-litre V12 that's still seeing service in contemporary Astons.
This, or a Focus: you chooseOf course, you don't need Zagato money to secure a V12 Aston, with early DB7 Vantages available for £20,000... But any DB7, whether a Vantage or a Zagato, is one of the prettiest things ever produced on four wheels. Don't forget that some believe the earliest DB7s were actually the finest in terms of aesthetics. Bereft of the extra aggression required by the Vantage flagship, the early six-cylinder DB7 has a simple purity that ensures it looks as good today as it did at launch nearly twenty years ago.
Now, a supercharged DB7 can be yours for £15,000. That means there's more than £100,000 between the bottom rung of DB7 ownership and its summit, a huge figure given that the most expensive car is less than £150k.
The example we found in the PH classifieds is still desirable despite its relatively high miles. The colour scheme is stylish and subdued, services were carried out by Aston Martin until 10,000 miles ago, and it was treated to a reconditioned supercharger this summer.
DB7 cabins are (very) snugOf course, suitable budgeting for running costs is a must, but this car indicates the value now on offer with the first modern Aston Martin. And for some, if there's anything cooler than an Aston, it's one that costs less than a small family hatchback.
Spotted: Aston Martin DB7 special
Whether your budget is supermini- or supercar-sized, there's a DB7 for you
But what about something even more exotic? What about a modern Aston Martin that may appreciate in value?
Unique and hugely distinctive Zagato style
The car featured here is one of two in the PH Classifieds. Its classic colour combo of Aston Racing Green with Parchment leather is as flawless as you would expect from a car that has covered just 6000 miles in eight years. Predictably, many Zagatos find their way into collections; to deny people the chance to see these cars seems a shame. Owing to its DB7 Vantage underpinnings, the Zagato gives you access to that wonderful 5.9-litre V12 that's still seeing service in contemporary Astons.
This, or a Focus: you choose
Now, a supercharged DB7 can be yours for £15,000. That means there's more than £100,000 between the bottom rung of DB7 ownership and its summit, a huge figure given that the most expensive car is less than £150k.
The example we found in the PH classifieds is still desirable despite its relatively high miles. The colour scheme is stylish and subdued, services were carried out by Aston Martin until 10,000 miles ago, and it was treated to a reconditioned supercharger this summer.
DB7 cabins are (very) snug
Aston Martin DB7 Zagato
Engine: 5935cc, V12
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 440@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 410@5,000rpm
MPG: 12.5
C02: N/A
First Registered: 2004
Recorded mileage: 6,100
Price new: N/A
Yours For: £136,995
See the original advert here
Aston Martin DB7 3.2
Engine: 3239cc straight-six, supercharged
Transmission: Four-speed auto, rear wheel drive
Power (hp): 340@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 362@3,000rpm
MPG: 16
C02: 351g/km
First registered: 1997
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £14,995
See the original advert here
Discussion
I love the DB7 although have always felt that they deserved better rear lights, somehow they look too basic for the rest of the design.
Realistically, however, how much could an early DB7 cost to run? £15k is a bargain for any Aston but, nice as they are to look at it they are cars and need to be driven but I could imagine the costs of parts to be very high making the initial purchase price almost irrelevant. I still would though!
Realistically, however, how much could an early DB7 cost to run? £15k is a bargain for any Aston but, nice as they are to look at it they are cars and need to be driven but I could imagine the costs of parts to be very high making the initial purchase price almost irrelevant. I still would though!
Great styling work by Keith Helfet on the original stillborn Jaguar F type resulted in the DB7 with some tweaks by Ian Callum. However the DB7 has much XJS underneath whereas the F type was based upon the XJ40. Keith's work is often ignored and Mr Callum, in my opinion, gets too much of the credit. Discuss
PH said:
Predictably, many Zagatos find their way into collections; to deny people the chance to see these cars seems a shame.
Really? Hiding it away is doing the public a favour.On paper a Zagato Aston should be something special but the DB7 Zagato is completely and utterly repulsive. From the b-pillar back it is a complete mess.
DB7s on the other hand are a timeless classic and beautifully styled and I'm sure will become very sought after in the coming years.
lordlee said:
The MX-5 door handles do grate somewhat in the interior.
No more so that the Volvo sat nav in the modern V8s.
The zagato is ugly but the DB7 is still a great design.
was looking at that ad the other day, must be as cheap as they will ever be.
not just part an XJS but a whole borrowed jag.....
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/07/23/concept...
but as the survey says, cooler with an Aston badge on it.
shame the last XJS didnt get the 3.2supercharged in it though.
was looking at that ad the other day, must be as cheap as they will ever be.
not just part an XJS but a whole borrowed jag.....
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/07/23/concept...
but as the survey says, cooler with an Aston badge on it.
shame the last XJS didnt get the 3.2supercharged in it though.
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