DB5

[Dick Dastardly]

I have been absolutely obsessed with these cars since I was a kid and watched James Bond with my grandfather every weekend. To me, a DB5 and an F40 are the must-own cars before I die.

I am in the fortunate position that if things keep going the way they are then in a year or so I will be able to buy one. This has been a dream for 20+ years and I realise that I know nothing about the reality of owning one of these cars.

Does anyone on here have one, or have experience of owning one? Any thoughts on what a 50 year old Aston Martin is like to buy, own and drive?

[F1 NDW]

You really need to ask this question on the AMOC forum. I'm sure they will have plenty of information.

[hornbaek]

I've got a DB4. I started getting interested in the older cars after i bought my DB9 in 2005 and now drive a V12V. The old cars are fantastic. I have had the DB4 for almost 2 years. It has been faultless and every drive is an event which you cannot compare with driving a modern motorcar. In order to exploit the modern cars you need to take them to areas well beyond the national speed limits, with older cars the sensation can be found whilst still keeping on to your license. The noise, smell and feel of a (well maintained) older car is something extraordinary. Mine has the upgraded RS Williams 4.7 litre engine and an upgraded 4 speed gearbox with electronic overdrive. Driving briskly on some empty roads without power steering to the roar of the engine is superb - as this is not a slow car, even by today's standards. The DB4 is more purist than the DB5 I find. I would not particularly want power steering or air-condition as that makes these cars a bit to comfortable. Prices have risen to very high levels but I would buy the best one can afford and buy it for what it is rather than an investment - if lucky there might even be something left for the children. But buy it for personal enjoyment now and not for putting it into a museum would be my advice.

[yeti]

Good advice and as mentioned DB4 would be my choice... Though that doesn't allow the James Bond connotations of course

Speak to Tim at Trinity in Cobham, what those guys don't know isn't worth knowing. Are you planning on buying a ready-to-drive car or a barn find and bringing it to your spec?

I drifted away from following prices after they hit £200k, we are now in the realm of £750k for certain cars. I think I have heard of a million pound Convertible... Madness! So the raw and racy DB4 and slow and heavy DB6 suddenly seem like bargains

[williamp]

I'd look at a DB6. Better developed then the DB4/5, more useable, more comfortable and faster. A old road test of all three said that after a hard days driving, in a 4 or 5 you'd need a bath. In a DB6 you could get away with just a shower!!

[yeti]

williamp said:

I'd look at a DB6.

I'd look at a DB4, neither really does the 'Bond car' thing though does it

DB6 didn't use proper Superleggera construction methods as far as I know but was badged as such. It was much heavier... is it faster? Maybe a Vantage spec DB6 vs a standard DB5 would be... Not really about stats, if you want James Bond's car then it's a DB5!

[AdamV8V]

yeti said:

if you want James Bond's car then it's a DB5!

or a nice 1.9 BMW Z3

[bmt216a]

Hello,

I have a DB5 and absolutely love it. Owned it for 8 years now, it was usable but in need of restoration. So a complete nut bolt restoration was carried out. Had the engine rebuilt and increased 4.2ltr. It's now putting out 285bhp (which the original figures state) Depending your budget an entry level is around £240k, for this you will get a useable 50 year old car but then you can spend up to £400k + for a perfect one. I took it to classic Le Mans this year, it didn’t miss a beat and was very comfortable to drive. Even a F40 owner came up to me to appreciate the lines.

[steveatesh]

Aston Service at Beamish County Durham have one for sale. They are a very friendly bunch, you could do a lot worse than give them a ring and talk to them about your plans.

http://www.aston.co.uk/feedback_index/php

[Dick Dastardly]

Thanks for all of the advice so far. The plan right now is to save up a mountain of money (without the wife realising) and when that's in place I'll start speaking to people within the trade.

Any estimates on how many RHD road DB5s are in existence these days?