First Aston Martin Purchase
Discussion
I have been researching my first AM purchase but never actually driven one yet.
I would like an early Vantage but a decent one from the 04 onwards era may be too expensive so was going back to my original idea of a DB7 which i think is the most beautiful car ever built.
I don't need the extra seats hence the Vantage possibility, i was looking for a car with famsh, under 50k miles in a blue black or grey colour preferable not too far from central Scotland mainly for warranty reasons.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I would like an early Vantage but a decent one from the 04 onwards era may be too expensive so was going back to my original idea of a DB7 which i think is the most beautiful car ever built.
I don't need the extra seats hence the Vantage possibility, i was looking for a car with famsh, under 50k miles in a blue black or grey colour preferable not too far from central Scotland mainly for warranty reasons.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
scotbox said:
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Wow have you come to the right place .......From what you describe, it sounds more like a DB9 than a DB7, cost wise they are staring at about £30k now, so quite a bargain for what I am told is a more modern car. Never driven a DB7, but they tell me that a 9 is more advanced and more reliable, others will advise better.
Hi and welcome, I'm sure Vantage production started in 2005, but is you check the link on this forum for grants AM book, it will tell you everything you need to know.
The DB7 was a car made before Fords modernisation of AM and are more expensive to run( eg 6 month services) so I suggest you do your rear h before taking the plunge. The DB9 and Vantage are streets ahead in technology and reliability ( apparently)
Which AM to buy is a superb problem to have! Enjoy it, and keep us informed
The DB7 was a car made before Fords modernisation of AM and are more expensive to run( eg 6 month services) so I suggest you do your rear h before taking the plunge. The DB9 and Vantage are streets ahead in technology and reliability ( apparently)
Which AM to buy is a superb problem to have! Enjoy it, and keep us informed
I would add in that if you think you might not be able to afford an 05 Vantage / 04 DB9 then you perhaps ought to think again about the cost of ownership of an older DB7. Astons are not cheap cars to run and generally speaking the older they are the more expensive they are to run - so you may save on day 1 but end up paying just as much over all.
If budgets are tight and funds are limited then any Aston might not be the best car for you...
If budgets are tight and funds are limited then any Aston might not be the best car for you...
Cockernee said:
Yeti Lewis has had both DB7 & DB9 and would be best placed to answer this one. I believe that the DB7 does have it's erm... quirks
. That said it is a stunner. Also you won't get an 04 Vantage (if I have read your post correctly?) 55 is the first plate.DB7 Vantage (as in the V12 version, not the inline 6)... it's best to think of it as a classic car with modern running gear, a bit like an Eagle E-Type. The drive is very classic in feel (based on a modified XJS floorpan) but the brakes are fabulous, the engine and performance very strong and taking into account the weight of the car it handles superbly for what it is (everything is relative, it's no Lotus or 911). I tracked it more than once and I had a Volante too, once you got your eye in you could swing it around and place it where you wanted. Very quick car when you knew it, VASTLY superiors to the XKR of the time which I came from, the generation before the current one.
DB9... a different league altogether, not an evolution but a complete revoloution. Nothing shared except the basic engine, complete blank sheet of paper exercise and a thoroughly modern car. So modern in fact I found mine a little life and soulless and too capable after the DB7 and missed it for a long time. It's is stiff, perfectly damped, everything is perfectly judged; it's not got the quirks and weirdness that you expect of a Aston Martin and you suddenyl realise that driving long distances or going out for a Sunday thrash are not going to be a concern, it will do it all, everything. So utterly capable that eventuially my car fleet will probably just consist of it. It's enough.
Running costs... the DB9 should need nothing other than servicing, tyres and brakes when they're due. The DB7 will need something, usually many things at each of it's 6-monthly services (or a year of like to love dangerously and do low miles as well) so the trunning costs are higher.
The best thing you could do is have a look underneath both of them. One is made of steel girders 70s style with some nice components and lots of parts-bin stuff, the other is a space-age aluminum chassis tub and was the envy of the industry for a decade.
Think of them as looking similar; but one is a classic and one is a modern.
As to the V8 Vantage; it's a short, cheap, V8 version of a DB9 basically. But a 2005 Vantage or a 04/05 DB9 could be yours for 30k. If costs are tight, get an inspection. If the car needs a service, a clutch, 4 tyres and brake discs all round... You'd be in for around seven grand straight away! Cheap cars are often cheap for a reason, but sometimes people do just need to sell. Buyer beware because if you look hard you will find a car that needs none of those things.
yeti said:
DB7 Vantage (as in the V12 version, not the inline 6)... it's best to think of it as a classic car with modern running gear, a bit like an Eagle E-Type. The drive is very classic in feel (based on a modified XJS floorpan) but the brakes are fabulous, the engine and performance very strong and taking into account the weight of the car it handles superbly for what it is (everything is relative, it's no Lotus or 911). I tracked it more than once and I had a Volante too, once you got your eye in you could swing it around and place it where you wanted. Very quick car when you knew it, VASTLY superiors to the XKR of the time which I came from, the generation before the current one.
DB9... a different league altogether, not an evolution but a complete revoloution. Nothing shared except the basic engine, complete blank sheet of paper exercise and a thoroughly modern car. So modern in fact I found mine a little life and soulless and too capable after the DB7 and missed it for a long time. It's is stiff, perfectly damped, everything is perfectly judged; it's not got the quirks and weirdness that you expect of a Aston Martin and you suddenyl realise that driving long distances or going out for a Sunday thrash are not going to be a concern, it will do it all, everything. So utterly capable that eventuially my car fleet will probably just consist of it. It's enough.
Running costs... the DB9 should need nothing other than servicing, tyres and brakes when they're due. The DB7 will need something, usually many things at each of it's 6-monthly services (or a year of like to love dangerously and do low miles as well) so the trunning costs are higher.
The best thing you could do is have a look underneath both of them. One is made of steel girders 70s style with some nice components and lots of parts-bin stuff, the other is a space-age aluminum chassis tub and was the envy of the industry for a decade.
Think of them as looking similar; but one is a classic and one is a modern.
Having had DB7GTA and DB9, both V12's I agree with what Lewis said, the 7 was a lovely car but a little quirky, dramatic handling (although a little scary at times, especially in the wet) and brilliant performance. Very much a GT rather than sports car, even though mine had the improved handling pack and brakes of the GT. DB9... a different league altogether, not an evolution but a complete revoloution. Nothing shared except the basic engine, complete blank sheet of paper exercise and a thoroughly modern car. So modern in fact I found mine a little life and soulless and too capable after the DB7 and missed it for a long time. It's is stiff, perfectly damped, everything is perfectly judged; it's not got the quirks and weirdness that you expect of a Aston Martin and you suddenyl realise that driving long distances or going out for a Sunday thrash are not going to be a concern, it will do it all, everything. So utterly capable that eventuially my car fleet will probably just consist of it. It's enough.
Running costs... the DB9 should need nothing other than servicing, tyres and brakes when they're due. The DB7 will need something, usually many things at each of it's 6-monthly services (or a year of like to love dangerously and do low miles as well) so the trunning costs are higher.
The best thing you could do is have a look underneath both of them. One is made of steel girders 70s style with some nice components and lots of parts-bin stuff, the other is a space-age aluminum chassis tub and was the envy of the industry for a decade.
Think of them as looking similar; but one is a classic and one is a modern.
The 9 though is leagues ahead in every respect, a true sports GT. It's loads of fun on the twistys and even though it is a big car you can throw it around with absolute confidence that it won't bite you. Also cruises big miles with ease, I've done a few 7 or 8 hour journeys very comfortably.
I'm not saying outright that the 9 is better than the 7 as it depends what you want from a car, is an XK8 better than an E type?, they are just from a different era.
It is a subjective thing.
A DB9 is better than a DB7, but then a DB7 is "better" than a DB5.
Go and have a look and test drive some. Buying a used Aston is something you do 80% with your heart and 20% with your head. Only you can tell what you like and whether you're prepared to pay the money.
A DB9 is better than a DB7, but then a DB7 is "better" than a DB5.
Go and have a look and test drive some. Buying a used Aston is something you do 80% with your heart and 20% with your head. Only you can tell what you like and whether you're prepared to pay the money.
Cockernee said:
Yeti Lewis has had both DB7 & DB9 and would be best placed to answer this one. I believe that the DB7 does have it's erm... quirks
. That said it is a stunner. Also you won't get an 04 Vantage (if I have read your post correctly?) 55 is the first plate.The 7's are agricultural compared to the 9's.....As Yeti has suggested pay a little more and get a car with a good history......spending £300 on an inspection could save you thousands
Half the fun is in the search for the right car......be patient and don't compromise
Edited by michael gould on Friday 11th January 00:13
If you are looking to participate in meetings and want to meet other owners then I think you would benefit from joining AMOC.
There is some political infighting going on at the moment but it should not impact on what happens locally. You could also benefit from their insurance scheme through Locktons which I think is very good.
There is some political infighting going on at the moment but it should not impact on what happens locally. You could also benefit from their insurance scheme through Locktons which I think is very good.
I'm not in the AMOC yet, but hopefully If my plans work out I will be later this year, however I am in the FOC and it turns out that the Scottish region is having a joint weekend run away to Mallaig in August which will be taking in some fantastic roads and scenery so if you fancy mixing it with thirty plus Ferraris and Astons it might be worth just for that.
I'm not in the AMOC yet, but hopefully If my plans work out I will be later this year, however I am in the FOC and it turns out that the Scottish region is having a joint weekend run away to Mallaig in August which will be taking in some fantastic roads and scenery so if you fancy mixing it with thirty plus Ferraris and Astons it might be worth just for that.
I really liked my DB7.
Quite expensive to maintain but a lovely car nonetheless.
However, consider that a good DB7 vantage will set you back a good £25k-£30k, and for similar money you can get a high/moderate mileage V8 Vantage of DB9.
Both of which are cheaper to maintain, considerably more fun and more reliable.
The choice is, as they say, all yours!
Either way you'll not be disappointed.
Quite expensive to maintain but a lovely car nonetheless.
However, consider that a good DB7 vantage will set you back a good £25k-£30k, and for similar money you can get a high/moderate mileage V8 Vantage of DB9.
Both of which are cheaper to maintain, considerably more fun and more reliable.
The choice is, as they say, all yours!
Either way you'll not be disappointed.
Congrats, the Db7 is very elegant, I will gradually work on you get into into the Gaydon goodie box ....... If you like local meets you will like AMOC, I think it's also good to support them - add in the regular meets organised by the guys here and I'd start saving as that V12 will suck in the fuel was it this one?.........
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
....... If you like local meets you will like AMOC, I think it's also good to support them - add in the regular meets organised by the guys here and I'd start saving as that V12 will suck in the fuel was it this one?.........http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
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