RE: Aston Martin DB7: Spotted

[hondansx]

jakeb said:

soad said:

The DB7 i6 is the most related to the XJS, since it was released first...
It was built on a XJS platform, sharing front and rear suspension (which was modified).

Then you had the GT model - DB7 GT.
Basically the GT is what the DB7 SHOULD have been from day one (and then improved upon).

Zagato models must still be worth a small fortune?

A chap who used to work for Lotus suggested to me that the GT was developed from some modifications made by Lotus. The story was that when Lotus was developing the Vanquish, aston gave them a DB7 V12 chase car but they decided they didn't like the handling so gave it the once over.

Whether true or not, having driven them both round milbrook handling circuit, the difference is night and day

Edited by jakeb on Thursday 16th April 05:37

Edited by jakeb on Thursday 16th April 06:12

My dad's business partner Andy was not cars into all. He was an IT guy and didn't really have a passion for anything, but as a millionaire he wanted a car that was befitting.

After much cajoling from my old man, Andy bought a DB7 V12 Vantage about a week after my dad's was delivered. With Aston Martin Sevenoaks being so pleased with this, they arranged for a day out at Milbrook for the two of them to thrash a couple of cars a couple of months later.

Andy was terrified of thought of going on track, but dad reassured him that it was in controlled conditions. After a bit more pushing, he eventually agreed to join him.

On the first lap, Andy span off on the downhill section at speed and managed to hit an exposed drain cover, cracking a rear wheel in two and mullering the same corner's suspension, which went on to damage the surrounding bodywork significantly.

To this day, i don't remember ever seeing someone's face go that white. Aston said the cost of the repairs were in the region of £40k. Needless to say, my dad didn't encourage Andy much after that day

[V8LM]

Davey S2 said:

dme123 said:

Davey S2 said:

IIRC the plastic interior door handle used to often break and Aston charged about £90 for a replacement but it was identical to the door pull in a Nissan Primera where a replacement was £14.

Looks like a Mk1 MX5 handle to me, and they aren't really known for fragility.

You are correct. Still a cr@p part to have on a car of that price. The rear lights are from a Mazda as well apparently

The exterior handle is fragile - I suspect by now many cars have had their door handles swapped over.

[Doma]

8 weeks ago i bought a Silver v12, manual with only 12000miles for £34000. The best i could find. Absolutely stunning car, lovely to drive. The car sits in the garage and I drive it now and then and I'm in love with it. The wife thought It was a strange thing to do, the family thought it was impulsive, friend who used to sell them questioned my judgement, but I just feel this car is moving into the classic hall of fame and for the right model, well cared for cars will only go one way fast. Yesterday at the Silverstone classic car auction a 2002 silver v12 with 11,000 miles sold for £51,750!!! Whose feeling smug now....

[daytona365]

Sorry, I'm no great fan, but I fail to see how a car that goes 0-60 in 5.6 and does 165mph is 'not very quick'. Compared to what, a meteor ?!

[Doma]

The v12 actually has a top speed of 185 mph and 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. 420 bhp, the engine is awesome.

[Britcar driver]

Why all the hate for the DB7? It's a great GT car, and while nothe as sharp in the corners as a Ferrari or Porsche, at least in Vantage form, it's much better than a Mercedes SL600, BMW 850, or Jag XKR. Certainly good enough for a spirited drive through twisty roady. With a big V12 up front, a manual transmission in the middle, and the wheels driven in the rear, it really is a proper GT of the old school. With the great sound of the V12, especially with the sports exhaust fitted, you feel like you're in a classic '60s exotic.

As for the looks, it truly is a fine looking beast. Some here have said they like the 1st generation Jag XK's better. Compare the two side by side. Sure, they may look similar, but the devil is in the details. The Aston is the more special of the two. After all, many have called the DB7 the prettiest car of all time. Jeremy Clarkson called it the best looking thing created by man. While the Jag XK is certainly a good looking car, no one has ever accused it of being the prettiest of all time.

The interior is clean and simple, and has aged better than most of its contemporaries. It looks refined, and not overdone with buttons and screens, like many during this period, that now just look archaic.

The DB7, even with its faults, is a great car that is fun to drive, and looks amazing. Today, as it starts to transition to collector car status it remains usable and fairly straight forward to maintain. People are beginning to appreciate these cars as the cornerstone of the Aston Martin Renaissance, and their values are appreciating accordingly.