Aston Martin dB7 V12
Discussion
Buy a DB7 GT or a DB9 - the later model the better to get more horsepower, nicer dash and better suspension IMO
Budget £5k a year to service/ fix it and more to upgrade it if it's an old model.
£40k will get you a very good 7GT or a 5 to 7 yr old 9, 450bhp
£70k will get you a previous generation 470 bhp model 2-3yr old 9
£15k to £20k will buy you a bunch of bamford rose upgrades to bring it up to DBS spec and blow your mind.
If money is less of an object buy a DBS for £85k to £95k straight off
Buy in the winter, not now, for the best deal possibilities
If resale value is important buy a silver or black one, sad but true
Budget £5k a year to service/ fix it and more to upgrade it if it's an old model.
£40k will get you a very good 7GT or a 5 to 7 yr old 9, 450bhp
£70k will get you a previous generation 470 bhp model 2-3yr old 9
£15k to £20k will buy you a bunch of bamford rose upgrades to bring it up to DBS spec and blow your mind.
If money is less of an object buy a DBS for £85k to £95k straight off
Buy in the winter, not now, for the best deal possibilities
If resale value is important buy a silver or black one, sad but true
Gdc said:
Buy a DB7 GT or a DB9
I've had both a DB7GT & a DB9, one after the other, the DB9 is miles ahead in every way. If you're buying a £20k DB7 rather than a £40k DB9 then fair enough but if you're looking at cars around a similar price then I would go for the 9 (or even a V8 vantage) every time. 
£5000 per year!.
I am at a lost to see how you could expect to spend that much.
I run 3 V12's and I never spend this much.
Main dealer will charge £90+ per hour. But there are many small specialists who can service and maintain these cars.
They ate pretty straight forward and all the tech info is available.
The AMOC Bloxam forum has a section where alternative parts (or the same part not in an AM box) can be sourced.
For major components there are cars being dismantled. Breaker engines and gearbox are cheap as they are not wanted.
I would think £1500 would cover servicing and maintenance. The coil packs need changing on early models.
But I do not know of anyone having to change them again.
These cars are pretty bomb proof. Corrosion is the main problem area.
Given the age of the car its worth spending a couple of hundred every year on underbody cleaning and protection.
I am at a lost to see how you could expect to spend that much.
I run 3 V12's and I never spend this much.
Main dealer will charge £90+ per hour. But there are many small specialists who can service and maintain these cars.
They ate pretty straight forward and all the tech info is available.
The AMOC Bloxam forum has a section where alternative parts (or the same part not in an AM box) can be sourced.
For major components there are cars being dismantled. Breaker engines and gearbox are cheap as they are not wanted.
I would think £1500 would cover servicing and maintenance. The coil packs need changing on early models.
But I do not know of anyone having to change them again.
These cars are pretty bomb proof. Corrosion is the main problem area.
Given the age of the car its worth spending a couple of hundred every year on underbody cleaning and protection.
Yes routine servicing/maintenance will come in at around 1500GBP, but - and its a big-ish but - these (older) cars are prone to things going wrong and some of them are expensive; eg a/c failure (usually evaporator, and that's a 3kGBP dash out job). That's why you should budget around 5k, and hope you don't have to spend it!
I have had my DB7 Vantage Volante for four years. I had to replace the coils early on. Since then, a passenger door latch and some rubber in the front suspension have been my only requirements. I believe it the most reliable car I have had, it looks gorgeous and makes me smile. Christ it is thirsty, though. The cabin is quirky and dated. Although pre Bluetooth, the audio is impressive, with a terrific sub woofer. Mine also has a Quicksilver sports exhaust. Stock exhausts seem to disappoint many owners as they are so subdued. If you are tall, you may find the seat, which is fixed vertically, too close to the roof.
I think your choice will be clear: get a sorted DB7 (I went for a Volante as I love drop tops, purists go for a GT), or risk similar money on a tired, chancy DB9. If you have more to spend, and you like the look, go for the massively more modern DB9.
I think your choice will be clear: get a sorted DB7 (I went for a Volante as I love drop tops, purists go for a GT), or risk similar money on a tired, chancy DB9. If you have more to spend, and you like the look, go for the massively more modern DB9.
Blimey Brian, I reckon you've been very lucky with your DB7VV on expenses! Either that, or (and possibly both) I've been very unlucky on mine....... coils/plugs, leaking heater/water valve, failed a/c (evap. & comp.), failed PS pump & resvr, broken window regulator, leaking (manual) g/box and diff seals, failed airbag sensors, broken ABS pump, warped front GT discs/pads, both door handles broke.... and that's just on the VV! There have been fewer problems on the DB7i6 it must be said, but still....
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