Aston Martin dB7 V12
Discussion
To those in the know, are these cars good value and are they potentially ruinous to run? I am attracted by the apparent reasonable buying costs and would buy one as a weekend toy and to drive on high days and holidays . Not bothered by the 12mpg as won't drive more than a couple of thousand miles a year, more interested in reliability, service costs, potential mechanical pitfalls etc.
One that caught my eye was a 2002 (51) with 56000 miles and a full AM dealer history - 12 services, in silver metallic. It looks absolutely stunning.
One that caught my eye was a 2002 (51) with 56000 miles and a full AM dealer history - 12 services, in silver metallic. It looks absolutely stunning.
All Astons are potentially ruinous to run - think of the old adage: an optimist is someone who thinks they can just afford to run an Aston Martin. However, the DB7 Vantage running costs are not too bad, provided you do the usual due diligence and get a good one. The AMSH is not necessarily indicative of one that is trouble free - so check what's been done, esp. that the coils/plugs have been changed, as they are an expensive job, as is a faulty a/c - it's never (NEVER) just a re-gas job!. If you buy from an agent like Chiltern Aston, you'll be fine. As one who has had all the big bills on a DB7VV, I strongly recommend you read the 'How to Buy a DB7' thread on the AMOC forum as well as looking around PH, and budget for running costs, inc servicing, of between GBP 2k - 5k per year. Most years it'll be the lower end of that budget, but sometimes it'll be the higher end (or even higher) so be prepared. IMO, and from what I've learnt from my friends who own the newer models, the 7 is usually a lot cheaper by comparison!
If those comments don't put you off, get one, you won't regret it!
If those comments don't put you off, get one, you won't regret it!
just remember servicing costs can be high and its not unusual to need a few extras sorted when it gets its annual service which afterall wouldn't be a surprise as the car gets older...... oh and its 'supposed' to be 6 months or 6000 miles between services from memory. As for budget i'd suggest at least £1500 a year and that wouldn't account for nasty surprises.
I'd also add it's worth paying a little extra at the start to a really reputable dealer and maybe even considering getting someone to do a pre purchase inspection.
I'd also add it's worth paying a little extra at the start to a really reputable dealer and maybe even considering getting someone to do a pre purchase inspection.
Thank you for the responses, all very useful and educated me and opened my eyes to potential AM ownership. I did not think for a second that you could run these cars on a shoestring. The requirement for 6 monthly servicing was a a surprise though and begs the question whether the 12 year old car I had seen, with 12 main dealer services, actually has a 'full' service history.
mercGLowner said:
Thank you for the responses, all very useful and educated me and opened my eyes to potential AM ownership. I did not think for a second that you could run these cars on a shoestring. The requirement for 6 monthly servicing was a a surprise though and begs the question whether the 12 year old car I had seen, with 12 main dealer services, actually has a 'full' service history.
It's 6 months, but I cannot imagine anyone following such a ridiculous schedule. Yearly is more than sufficient.Edited by DB9VolanteDriver on Monday 14th April 21:36
https://www.astonmartintechinfo.com/Service-Times....
Sorry to disappoint but the v12 db7 is 6 months or 7500 miles servicing....phew as for a second I thought I'd wasted a bunch of money previously servicing mine.
Anyway, it's not unusual for people to only service them every year, but if you are looking out for one with a full service it's best to know exactly what that means.
Sorry to disappoint but the v12 db7 is 6 months or 7500 miles servicing....phew as for a second I thought I'd wasted a bunch of money previously servicing mine.
Anyway, it's not unusual for people to only service them every year, but if you are looking out for one with a full service it's best to know exactly what that means.
Indeed DB9s are more modern, and more bespoke - but there are many more of them than there are DB7s, of whatever variety. Only 2500 ish DB7s and 4500 DB7V/VVs ish made - but nearly twice as many DB9s made (and that number is still increasing). So, IMHO, I reckon average DB9 prices will fall below that of good DB7Vs (and VVs and those DB7s i6's that are 'special' e.g. with Driving Dynamics upgrades) in the not too distant future.
In all honesty I think budgeting £1500 p.a. on maintenance is a bit low. You're likely to get a niggle or two every year and I'd expect to spend £1500 on a good year and perhaps £2500+ on a bad one. Disks, pads and tyres are all expensive consumables before you even get into things like the aircon. I haven't bothered with 6 monthly services and I don't think many people do, I service on the sooner of 12 months or 7500 miles.
That said, they are absolutely brilliant cars, and unlikely to suffer too much depreciation at this point. Get yourself a manual with a sports exhaust and you're going to have a lot of fun.
That said, they are absolutely brilliant cars, and unlikely to suffer too much depreciation at this point. Get yourself a manual with a sports exhaust and you're going to have a lot of fun.
DB9VolanteDriver said:
It's 6 months, but I cannot imagine anyone following such a ridiculous schedule. Yearly is more than sufficient.
It's quite useful to put 'IMHO' after your posts Steve, you aren't the Oracle of Delphi 
I and many others followed the 6 monthly interval, I owned a car that needed it. If I'd kept it, I would probably be going annual now as it'd be mostly problem free but there was always work to be done at the 6 montly service at Chiltern Aston.
1500 quid a year to run it... little to no chance (IMHO!) unless you ignore the advisories thrown up at service (I never did) or the previous owner did an awful lot of work to it. They are mish-mash of sometimes humble parts mated to a wonderful engine and beautiful body and consequently things wear out at different rates or perish due to lack of use.
The DB9 is not comparable to the DB7; it's ultra modern and built to a completely different level of quality and overengineering standards. But the DB7 Vantage has character, bags of it. I loved mine and sometimes wish my DB9 had more of it.
My often told story; cruising through Europe, roof down, Mrs yeti asleep in the passenger seat and chasing my friend in his Bentley. At an indicated 170mph, there was a slight clunk from the transmission; I eased off wondering what it was and realised the auto box had merely changed into 5th gear at that speed. Make no mistake, they are a fast, fast car.
We were around the 130mph mark for most of the time, saw a couple of miles of straight and empty roads so both gave it a squirt. He had an indicated 190mph, also with his wife asleep in the passenger seat!mercGLowner said:
I also didn't realise that early DB9s are not that much more expensive that a really good DB7.
Presumably the DB9 is slightly more modern and less of a Ford influence, particularly the interior.
Presumably the DB9 is slightly more modern and less of a Ford influence, particularly the interior.
Welcome to the forum.
Interesting to see that you are following a frequent pattern here - 'moving through the range'.
An early DB9 that has been cherished (many have been), on with the dateless number plates, and you have a beautiful car that looks almost like a brand new one.
Mmmmm ..... tempting.
Go to a dealer for a drive. You will soon discover why we all love our cars so much.
Keep firing the questions here, because there is plenty of knowledge amongst the forum participants.
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 15th April 14:20
yeti said:
It's quite useful to put 'IMHO' after your posts Steve, you aren't the Oracle of Delphi
I and many others followed the 6 monthly interval, I owned a car that needed it. If I'd kept it, I would probably be going annual now as it'd be mostly problem free but there was always work to be done at the 6 montly service at Chiltern Aston.
1500 quid a year to run it... little to no chance (IMHO!) unless you ignore the advisories thrown up at service (I never did) or the previous owner did an awful lot of work to it. They are mish-mash of sometimes humble parts mated to a wonderful engine and beautiful body and consequently things wear out at different rates or perish due to lack of use.
The DB9 is not comparable to the DB7; it's ultra modern and built to a completely different level of quality and overengineering standards. But the DB7 Vantage has character, bags of it. I loved mine and sometimes wish my DB9 had more of it.
My often told story; cruising through Europe, roof down, Mrs yeti asleep in the passenger seat and chasing my friend in his Bentley. At an indicated 170mph, there was a slight clunk from the transmission; I eased off wondering what it was and realised the auto box had merely changed into 5th gear at that speed. Make no mistake, they are a fast, fast car.
And utterly beautiful I and many others followed the 6 monthly interval, I owned a car that needed it. If I'd kept it, I would probably be going annual now as it'd be mostly problem free but there was always work to be done at the 6 montly service at Chiltern Aston.
1500 quid a year to run it... little to no chance (IMHO!) unless you ignore the advisories thrown up at service (I never did) or the previous owner did an awful lot of work to it. They are mish-mash of sometimes humble parts mated to a wonderful engine and beautiful body and consequently things wear out at different rates or perish due to lack of use.
The DB9 is not comparable to the DB7; it's ultra modern and built to a completely different level of quality and overengineering standards. But the DB7 Vantage has character, bags of it. I loved mine and sometimes wish my DB9 had more of it.
My often told story; cruising through Europe, roof down, Mrs yeti asleep in the passenger seat and chasing my friend in his Bentley. At an indicated 170mph, there was a slight clunk from the transmission; I eased off wondering what it was and realised the auto box had merely changed into 5th gear at that speed. Make no mistake, they are a fast, fast car.
For what it's worth, I had a DB7V for 6 years. The DB9 for 1.
Circumstance found me running a '06 DB9 and a '11 XKR at the same time - the Jag was far superior in every way to the Aston. The only difference being that in 5 years the Jag will be worth around £12k and the DB9 will bottom out in the low to mid 20s, I guess.
I sold them both for a newer Aston.
Circumstance found me running a '06 DB9 and a '11 XKR at the same time - the Jag was far superior in every way to the Aston. The only difference being that in 5 years the Jag will be worth around £12k and the DB9 will bottom out in the low to mid 20s, I guess.
I sold them both for a newer Aston.
Edited by wokkadriver on Wednesday 16th April 10:27
You have to look at the whole picture. Asking prices don't appear to have changed much since I bought mine two years ago.
A V12 Aston for less than the price of some new Minis and depreciation (the biggest cost) should be minimal.
I get mine serviced (at an independent specialist) once a year as I only do about 2500 miles a year.
It's not cheap, but so long as you don't do high miles the total running costs over the long term shouldn't be too bad so long as you choose a good car.
Read up on it first (AMOC website has loads of info).
A V12 Aston for less than the price of some new Minis and depreciation (the biggest cost) should be minimal.
I get mine serviced (at an independent specialist) once a year as I only do about 2500 miles a year.
It's not cheap, but so long as you don't do high miles the total running costs over the long term shouldn't be too bad so long as you choose a good car.
Read up on it first (AMOC website has loads of info).
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff