So whats wrong with the DB7 Then

So whats wrong with the DB7 Then

Author
Discussion

RUF 3

240 posts

268 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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I, as you will see on a previous thread, would totally echo what sjc has to say. As my profile shows I have had a lot of cars, and in truth I doubt if more than 60% are on that list. Generally I would get it in my head that I wanted whatever it was and basically go and get it. I really really wanted a DB7 more than any other car on the market (that I could afford!). It is the only car I have really desired that I have not ended up with. I simply could not bring myself to part with the amount neccessary to end up with what to me was a fairly flawed and overpriced car. Perhaps it is only me - I can sort of understand the TVR thing - flawed but cheap - but not at the cost of an Aston.
The XJR is not a lot different but appears to be better built and is a lot cheaper. Sorry, but I would not pay the extra for the badge. I do however intend to have an Aston at some point, but I feel an early eighties V8 Vantage is the boy to have.

granville

18,764 posts

262 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
RUF 3 speaks the truth.

All hail the V8 Vantage - the most glorious Jurrasicist of Grand Tourismae.

Unt what a delectable noise!

Froth

100 posts

258 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Build quality and reliabilty are two completely different things. Current VW's have great interior build quality but contrary to popular opinion aren't very reliable.

The TUV is a highly respected award which was given to the Focus based on Statistics as well as car design. i.e. the Focus breaks down less than other cars.

The type of people who criticise current Fords are usually the type of people who think Audi's are great. Well on the part's sharing subject please note that:

Audi TT, Audi A3, Golf, Bora, Beetle, Seat Leon, Seat Toldeo and Skoda Octavia all have the same chassis.

clubsport

7,260 posts

259 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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I could really relate to your post RUF,,I was very keen to buy a DB7...I checked one over with a good friend who bought a good example in '98..I knew the car for the next 3 years and was offered first refusal at trade in price...All looked good,but I just couldn't get on with driving the car...was gutted,made excuses to my mate & bought another 911 a week later.
I saw an '89 G plater V8 vantage ,balmoral green in the City yesterday,it needed a wash as the guy clearly uses it,but I looked at it smiled and thought "He knows!"....where as somehow I am left with the impression with some 7 owners, that they really don't..

jhoneyball

1,764 posts

277 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all


I saw an '89 G plater V8 vantage ,balmoral green in the City yesterday,it needed a wash as the guy clearly uses it,but I looked at it smiled and thought "He knows!"....where as somehow I am left with the impression with some 7 owners, that they really don't..


Ummmm, that was me. :-)


jhoneyball

1,764 posts

277 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Well, on the incredible offchance it wasnt me...

I drove westwards through the city at around 11.30 to 12.30. Then had lunch. Went to Islington, and then south across the river. Then down to RS Williams (www.rswilliams.co.uk) where they have four, yes four DB4 Zagatos in the workshop...

Then back into town up the A3 parking in soho around 6.30-7. Then east through the city around midnight.

So you can tell if it was me or not :-)

clubsport

7,260 posts

259 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Sounds like it was you,,at the top of Bishopsgate just before London bridge at about 11.50am.
You have a fantastic car,I walked past an SL 55 AMG a little while after & was thinking how much class the Vantage has.

p.s. If you need it washed I will join the queue to come round with a bucket & sponge.

>> Edited by clubsport on Thursday 19th December 13:27

maranellouk

2,066 posts

264 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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Podie mate,

I see your point. My original argument wasn't put forward too well. Hope you see where I'm coming from.

jhoneyball

1,764 posts

277 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all

clubsport said: Sounds like it was you,,at the top of Bishopsgate just before London bridge at about 11.50am.
You have a fantastic car,I walked past an SL 55 AMG a little while after & was thinking how much class the Vantage has.

p.s. If you need it washed I will join the queue to come round with a bucket & sponge.

>> Edited by clubsport on Thursday 19th December 13:27


Yups that was me, for sure.

Thanks for the nice words about the car. A real passion of mine.

XKR

3 posts

256 months

Monday 6th January 2003
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I am afraid to say that my father was the unproud owner of a DB7 for 2 months, before getting rid of it. It was a poor car, especially for the price. Too many mid-80's Granada interior bits, and the wood, although real, looked decidedly not. as for the steering wheel...
I am now very glad to say he bought a 2nd hand XK8 to try them out, loved it and bought a new XKR - giving me the XK8! what a lucky boy I am!!
So that is what is wrong with the DB7 - over-priced, poorly built, and over-use of low quality interior bits. it relies on its badge too much whilst offering little to grant its +90K (pounds) price tag.
shame, they really are pretty...

hungryjim

883 posts

266 months

Friday 17th January 2003
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One Prime example of Critism of part sharing is in the Jaguar X-Type a car which is as much a Jag as the XJ220 is being shunned as a rich mans Mondeo because of some parts sharing even though the car is totally Jag in the inside, Engine Ect.
What people dont realise is that when a company shares parts the parts that are usually shared are very heavily worked on by the company (Ie. the X-Types Chassis is heavily improved from the Mondeos and Jag designed some of the original Mondeos).
What is normally not thought of when a car is said to share 20% of its components with mass market car is what the parts actually are ,windscreen wiper motors,lightbulbs,cigarette lighter assembly,glove box light,bonnet opening handle the smallest parts you never see are the ones complained about most.
Part sharing has another advantage of Cost when a company has a budget having a predesigned lightbulb from a Focus dosent matter if you get a Supercharger or something.
Bad effects of Part sharing can come into effect ie. The DB7 has the same switches as a Scorpio Estate but they look high quality and thats good enough for me.

granville

18,764 posts

262 months

Saturday 18th January 2003
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Stalking the streets this morning, I was aware of a distant rumble.

It was a DB7 V12 rolling down the high street at about 20 mph.

I didn't know whether to bow, clap or just weep with joy.

It was an inspirational aural experience.

And you know, there was a saying that when you bought a Ferrari you were buying an engine with a car thrown in for free.

I rather think the same thing applies here.

Hail Newport Pagnell.

TVR-critic

63 posts

252 months

Monday 7th July 2003
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They are heavy and slow! and the convertible looks like a hairdressers car.
The Vanquish however is superb, the DB7 is

>> Edited by TVR-critic on Monday 7th July 13:40

RichB

51,634 posts

285 months

Monday 7th July 2003
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On the basis that the DB7 and Vanquish are visually almost the same whilst the DB7 GT has a similar performance I guess we can take that comment with a pinch fo salt! R...

Mike J Smith

3,510 posts

254 months

Thursday 10th July 2003
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I was looking around last year for a car around the £40-£50K mark and as in my opinion the DB7 is the most beautiful car ever made, I test drove a few DB7's in my price range!! After the test drive I just sat there absolutely gutted, as it wasnt what I expected, like driving a very old XJS, but worse. The interior was vary badly finished and it felt like if I went round a corner too fast something would fall off!!! The early 3.2 6 cylinder cars are very bad. The newer V12's are much better having also driven one recently but I am afraid they certainly look better than they drive. Although just for the looks alone I would be tempted to buy a DB7 Vantage. Although a better option is to wait for the new AMV8 due in 2005 like me, I have been on the waiting list for a year now waiting for my order number, cant wait!!