XKR 4.2 Vs DB7 Vantage

[yeti]

I have posted this on the Asaton forum as well - hopefully someone, somewhere has owned both these cars or at least have an opionion!

I currently have a 2004 XKR convertible, the last of the breed with the 4.2 engine and the 6spd box. It's a great car and does exactly what I want, providing a great foil for the other cars I have (4200GT, Marcos, Esprit). It drives incredibly well, far better than I was led to believe.

I have owned it 6-7 months, and it that time it hasn't depreciated much - however, DB7 Vantage Volantes have gone from £40k to £25k and at that price I am finding it very hard to resist...

What are they like as a comparison? Just how wobbly is the XJS derived chassis in the DB7 or was it beefed up for the Vantage? I know the bodies/looks are similar but is that about it? How does the V12 compare to the supercharged 4.2 (which goes like hell in sport mode I must say!)? Better to have auto or manual? Did all autos come with the tiptronic buttons on the wheel?


Thanks for any help!

[sjc]

FWIW, every DB7 I've driven in the hope of buying one has been bloody awful, probably the most dissapointing car I've ever driven.In the end I simply gave up. Achingly beautiful(I still stop and stare now) but cumbersome, not particularly quick, dreadful build, unbelievable scuttle shake on the convertible and a general feeling that it's a yonks old design, which of course it is.The latest V8 Vantage was a big let down as well though, so maybe as much as I want to, I just don't "get" Astons anymore

[Triple7]

sjc said:

FWIW, every DB7 I've driven in the hope of buying one has been bloody awful, probably the most dissapointing car I've ever driven.In the end I simply gave up. Achingly beautiful(I still stop and stare now) but cumbersome, not particularly quick, dreadful build, unbelievable scuttle shake on the convertible and a general feeling that it's a yonks old design, which of course it is.The latest V8 Vantage was a big let down as well though, so maybe as much as I want to, I just don't "get" Astons anymore

Nuff said....stick with the 2004 XKR or go and buy a 2006 ally XKR as they are approaching the mid-30's now. The new XKR is a 1000% better in every way over your steel XKR, although the new Jags have moved in a different direction to your current car, so I'd think you'd miss that a wee bit.

G

[Cerbman]

No answer from the Aston side, says it all.

[varsas]

Well...all of the aston owners comments are in the Aston forum.

My mates dad sold his XKR and brought his dream car, a DB7 GT. He says the XKR was the better car. Faster (at least it felt it) better made and just generally the nicer car.

[Cerbman]

I know. They have answered now.

[varsas]

Cerbman said:

I know. They have answered now.

ahh, sorry. Didn't realise you wrote your comment before they said anything.

[yeti]

I'm driving a DB7 Vantage Volante tomorrow.

As I posted on the Aston forum;

Strangely I do not expect it to be 1) As good as my Jag to drive (older chassis) 2) As well built as my Jag (it's handmade and I do not have a problem with that). But I do expect it to 1) Sound better 2) Be at least as fast in a straight line 3) Look better 4) Be at least as comfortable to sit in.

So we'll see. If it's truly dire I will hang onto the Jag and wait until ally XKR Cabrios come down to £30k. But it would have to be VERY bad for me not to like it or even for me to notice how bad it is, I drive very sedately in the XKR and have never got anywhere near its limits...