RE: PH Buying Guide: Aston Martin DB7
Discussion
Johnboy Mac said:
Great looking car, changed AM for the better. The foundation stone for the current crop of cars, I'd reckon.
''and it used a bespoke 3228cc straight-six engine with an Eaton supercharger to produce 355bhp''
Why was this considered a Jag engine?
Because it is! It's a supercharged AJ6 engine; as built by Jaguar and used (without the 'charger) on the XJ40 and XJS. Jaguar then supercharged the 4 litre AJ16 for the XJR.''and it used a bespoke 3228cc straight-six engine with an Eaton supercharger to produce 355bhp''
Why was this considered a Jag engine?
I find it hard to believe it's not based on an XJS, they have very similar 'hard points'; base of the windscreen, wheelbase etc. DB7 is to XJS what XJS is to XJ-S has always been my impression.
Edited by varsas on Tuesday 25th October 12:45
It is totally based on an XJS to the point that it's an XJS floorpan. Even the rear suspension has the characteristic double spring-shocker set up. The cancelled F-Type Jag (XJ41) had a platform based on XJ40 but the body was grafted onto an XJS platform, then given an Aston nose & rear end job.
What you mean is you wouldn't recommend one of the two that your dad owned to an enemy.
Have you ever owned one yourself or driven one for a prolonged period?????? Probably not, so don't rubbish something you know very little about.
Mine is a 2001 model - here's a photo of the underneath, perhaps you could point the ROT out to me.
Have you ever owned one yourself or driven one for a prolonged period?????? Probably not, so don't rubbish something you know very little about.
Mine is a 2001 model - here's a photo of the underneath, perhaps you could point the ROT out to me.
Edited by LordBretSinclair on Tuesday 25th October 14:37
LewisR said:
It is totally based on an XJS to the point that it's an XJS floorpan. Even the rear suspension has the characteristic double spring-shocker set up. The cancelled F-Type Jag (XJ41) had a platform based on XJ40 but the body was grafted onto an XJS platform, then given an Aston nose & rear end job.
This ^^^I believe the NPX was the XJ41, design by Keith Helfet, put on an XJS platform that Ian Callum 'Astonized'. Engine was the AJ6 with a head developed and built by TWR. The DB7s were built on the old XJ220 production line at Bloxham. Other trivia includes early cars were painted by Rolls Royce, the first autos were mapped to provide less power until they could get the shifts to work properly (once a solution found, cars were secretly remapped during service but there is a (slim) chance there are a few early autos that haven't been done), originally intended to have aluminium panels (the prototypes did)...
As said, the later cars had the ECU under the driver's seat. This meant it sat slightly higher than the early cars. They changed the seats too - tall people often comment that the very first cars with the "tombstone" seats (like the one in the advert although this has been reupholstered by the looks of it) are the easiest to fit in (although still a squeeze).
The DB7 was a bit more than a few Jaguar parts as it explains here.
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/07/23/concept...
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/07/23/concept...
Edited by Cerbman on Tuesday 25th October 14:39
Major T said:
M666 EVO said:
yeti said:
M666 EVO said:
That's the going rate at this time of year. Not bad money as the miles aren't too high. In short - very nice at that price, shame it isn't a manual...
Tempted!
Anyone want to buy an XJR and a Delta??
M666 EVO said:
Any known faults with these? I am seriously tempted to go see it. Can't imagine insurance would be too high for a 36 year old, it'd be the V6 version surely?
Anyone want to buy an XJR and a Delta??
Straight 6. Lovely engine.Anyone want to buy an XJR and a Delta??
As hinted at above (
) early cars can suffer from rust as they are steel-chassis cars now 16 years old (early V12 Vantages have issues too as Aston skimpted on the underseal for a few months). Mechanically sound. Supercharger is possibly the greatest weakness here but not normally a problem. Suspension is a weak point in that the tracking has to be spot on, is easily knocked out of line, and there can be problems with the upper mounts. Bushes should be replaced with modern poly ones. Corrosion on the body is not a great problem (composite wings, boot, nose, early bonnet, etc) but watch for spots on the inside of the rear wheel arches. Biggest rust traps are the sub-frames, inner wings, and bulkhead (particularly on early cars if the windscreen has been replaced). Biggest common fault is the aircon evaporator - this is a dash-out job.As with all Astons; look at many. Then look at some more. Buy the best you can afford.
I've driven one, and tbh they are showing their age. Dynamically not that great, not brilliantly built and I don't care what anyone says, if I paid £100K for a car I don't want Ford Fiesta switchgear. And I can vouch they do rust.
That said, they're a great looking car by any standard and a definate fanny magnet and the one I drive sounds awesome (Vantage with sports exhaust).
Be aware, the combined mpg for the Vantage is 11.9! Enjoy the noise and you are looking at single figure mpg!!!
That said, they're a great looking car by any standard and a definate fanny magnet and the one I drive sounds awesome (Vantage with sports exhaust).
Be aware, the combined mpg for the Vantage is 11.9! Enjoy the noise and you are looking at single figure mpg!!!
LordBretSinclair said:
What you mean is you wouldn't recommend one of the two that your dad owned to an enemy.
Have you ever owned one yourself or driven one for a prolonged period?????? Probably not, so don't rubbish something you know very little about.
Mine is a 2001 model - here's a photo of the underneath, perhaps you could point the ROT out to me.
Did he touch a nerve there then ?Have you ever owned one yourself or driven one for a prolonged period?????? Probably not, so don't rubbish something you know very little about.
Mine is a 2001 model - here's a photo of the underneath, perhaps you could point the ROT out to me.
Edited by LordBretSinclair on Tuesday 25th October 14:37
''and it used a bespoke 3228cc straight-six engine with an Eaton supercharger to produce 355bhp''
Why was this considered a Jag engine?
>>>>
Because it is a modified Jaguar AJ16 engine. With a supercharger strapped on.
The suspension, steering and chassis are all largely carried over from the XJS too. Interesting how even the latest DB7s have rear suspension components that date back to 1961...
I know because I owned an XJS and have looked underneath a DB7. And they are much more similar than you would expect.
Why was this considered a Jag engine?
>>>>
Because it is a modified Jaguar AJ16 engine. With a supercharger strapped on.
The suspension, steering and chassis are all largely carried over from the XJS too. Interesting how even the latest DB7s have rear suspension components that date back to 1961...
I know because I owned an XJS and have looked underneath a DB7. And they are much more similar than you would expect.
cksV8LM said:
M666 EVO said:
Any known faults with these? I am seriously tempted to go see it. Can't imagine insurance would be too high for a 36 year old, it'd be the V6 version surely?
Anyone want to buy an XJR and a Delta??
Straight 6. Lovely engine.Anyone want to buy an XJR and a Delta??
As hinted at above (
) early cars can suffer from rust as they are steel-chassis cars now 16 years old (early V12 Vantages have issues too as Aston skimpted on the underseal for a few months). Mechanically sound. Supercharger is possibly the greatest weakness here but not normally a problem. Suspension is a weak point in that the tracking has to be spot on, is easily knocked out of line, and there can be problems with the upper mounts. Bushes should be replaced with modern poly ones. Corrosion on the body is not a great problem (composite wings, boot, nose, early bonnet, etc) but watch for spots on the inside of the rear wheel arches. Biggest rust traps are the sub-frames, inner wings, and bulkhead (particularly on early cars if the windscreen has been replaced). Biggest common fault is the aircon evaporator - this is a dash-out job.As with all Astons; look at many. Then look at some more. Buy the best you can afford.
My friends DB7 GT got me into Astons - lovely looking car, but I agree it is a bit dated now. That's what happens when they stop making a specific type. The same will happen to the DB9 one day, but so long as they are still making them then even early edition 2004s still look stunning.
Gave my friend a drive in the DB9 and he said it made his car feel very old.
Still, if you get a good one, it's a keeper - so that's what he's doing
Gave my friend a drive in the DB9 and he said it made his car feel very old.
Still, if you get a good one, it's a keeper - so that's what he's doing
Lovely cars IMO can't really think of many cars that age that don't rust, the only let down for me was the ford dials bit like the early x300's and late xj40, but I could live with them easily enough , anything related to series 1 2 3 xj6/12 is a winner for me, just think how successful that floor pan in its loose base form has been, carried many a mile and many a decade, unsung hero in my opinion......
Edited by loose cannon on Tuesday 25th October 17:35
The ultimate DB7.... XJR12 Lemans racer engine 6.4 litre...
http://www.zwakmanmotors.com/
1994 Aston Martin DB7 TWR one-off Prototype RHD
Build as personal car for Tom Walkinshaw around 1995 and fitted from day one with a Jaguar XJR12 Le Mans team car unused spare engine slightly altered to handle the enormous power at the road.
This car is amazing and will beat $or better say eat$ all competitors without any hesitation, it brakes as good as it accelerates and does have a gorgeous road handling, it does have a 6 speed gearbox and accelerates like a rocket in EVERY gear.
The fastest road legal Aston Martin build until today.
2 owners from new:
First owner : Tom Walkinshaw of TWR
Second owner : Tom Zwakman of TJR
Little use by both Tom's and so very low mileage and still in pristine condition throughout.
Available mid 2012.
Price estimation € 395.000,-
http://www.zwakmanmotors.com/
1994 Aston Martin DB7 TWR one-off Prototype RHD
Build as personal car for Tom Walkinshaw around 1995 and fitted from day one with a Jaguar XJR12 Le Mans team car unused spare engine slightly altered to handle the enormous power at the road.
This car is amazing and will beat $or better say eat$ all competitors without any hesitation, it brakes as good as it accelerates and does have a gorgeous road handling, it does have a 6 speed gearbox and accelerates like a rocket in EVERY gear.
The fastest road legal Aston Martin build until today.
2 owners from new:
First owner : Tom Walkinshaw of TWR
Second owner : Tom Zwakman of TJR
Little use by both Tom's and so very low mileage and still in pristine condition throughout.
Available mid 2012.
Price estimation € 395.000,-
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
You obviously haven't read any of my other posts on the Aston forum or you would know that my car is "used and driven". Earlier this month I returned from a tour of Spain and France (driving in all weathers and conditions), but you're right I do have lots and lots of spare time, one of the perks of being the "idle rich".LordBretSinclair said:
I completely agree Bob. BTW, I like the airbags on your profile 
I've just gone and sat in my car in the garage and made some 'vroom' noises. My first Aston and I absolutely love it.The airbags are lovely, no idea who they belong to though (which is a shame...).
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